This page: Galveston 1900: Swept Away, Innocent Hearts, and A Guarded Heart,
  Galveston 1900: Swept Away by Linda
CristISBN: 1932300449 Yellow Rose Books PMB 210, 8691 9th Avenue Port Arthur, Texas, 77642 www.regalcrest.biz Paperback/ $22.95/2005/416 pages Genre: Lesbian Historical fiction/romance Review by Kathi Isserman From hopelessness to hopefulness and filled with as much love as there is hate, Galveston 1900: Swept Away by Linda Crist has what it takes to be a great historical love story. Set in the months preceding the tropical cyclone that devastated Galveston in 1900, Rachel Travis works on the docks of the second busiest port in the U.S. while she moonlights as a bartender. Rachel has known she was different from other women ever since she ran away from home 8 years previously at age 15. She dresses like a man, works in traditionally male jobs and even secretly visits a prostitute named Lillie. While Rachel struggles with the implications of her uncommon behavior especially as viewed by the Church, she knows deep within that this is her true self. Mattie Crockett is the opposite of Rachel in everything. While she is “allowed” by her physically abusive husband, Adam, to work in a tailor’s shop, she must not go anywhere else without him. She is captive in her own house and subject to Adam’s fists when he is not “pleased” with her. Mattie’s only hope is when Adam frequently goes out of town to Houston on business. It was one of those times when she decides to take a walk on the beach behind her house. And that is where she meets Rachel for the first time. Both are lonely and in need of a friend, and because of this, they form an unlikely friendship that is pursued whenever Adam is away on business. Crist has written a historically strong novel. She has taken much care in presenting an accurate portrayal of the mannerisms, language and dress of the period and location. Her descriptions of the physical settings are genuine, and the tropical cyclone and the weather leading up to it is so chilling that it made this reader tense. I felt like I was right there. The depictions of how men view their wives and women in general, are meticulously precise. While Adam’s behavior is excessive even for 1900, he knows he can get away with the abuse because wives are property, and Crist explains this exceptionally well. Rachel’s character succeeds in this time period because she acts like a man and therefore is treated like one for the most part. And this is where Mattie’s and Rachel’s romance rings the truest. It survives because of the traditional male-female roles the two exhibit with each other, but it flourishes because of the tenderness and uniquely feminine qualities that Rachel bestows on Mattie, especially with their lovemaking. Crist showcases this lovemaking with subtle references and actions to keep it authentic to the period. In Galveston 1900: Swept Away the reader is constantly reminded that it is 1900. Both women struggle with their relationship and how the Church and God may view it. Their choices are not easily accepted by them or others. The story also deals with the reality of Mattie leaving her husband, and Crist resolves this the only way she can for that time period. Crist evenly paces the story throughout, and while Adam’s brutality is difficult to read at times, it fits right in. As I have written in other reviews, I delight in historical fiction especially a novel like Galveston 1900 that is well written and sincere. Linda Crist has a bona fide hit with this outstanding story. |
 Innocent Hearts, 2nd Edition
by Radclyffe ISBN: 1-933110-21-X Bold Strokes Books Paperback/ $15.95/2005 208pages Genre: Lesbian Fiction/Historical Romance By Kathi Isserman (The second edition is extensively revised with 7500 added words.) Throughout history the American Dream can be depicted as taking us where our hearts lead us, forging new frontiers. What we “should” do is not in the pioneer spirit. Set in the Montana territory of 1865, Innocent Hearts is the love story of Kate and Jessie, a story born of what we can do if we follow our hearts. 18 year old Kate Beecher and her parents spend months enduring the grueling travel in a wagon train from Boston to Montana to begin life in the new territory. Kate is very excited about her new home because she believes she has never fit into Boston Society. As she explores her new home-New Hope, she runs into cowboy and rancher, Jessie Forbes. Kate is intrigued by this unusual woman who owns a ranch, wears pants and a Stetson. Kate wants to get to know her better so she offers to take Jessie’s photograph. As the two spend more time together, they discover feelings unlike any they have experienced before. As Jessie and Kate form a bond, they realize what is truly in their hearts. But with the cruelty and harshness of the new frontier, can a love like Jessie’s and Kate’s last? As a history buff, I love great period romances, and Innocent Hearts is no exception. Radclyffe has written an uncommon love story with beautiful prose that, I believe, is true to the time period. The author has done her homework. The depictions of New Hope and the surrounding land are vivid and alive, capturing the sights, sounds and smells of the dusty and rugged Montana town. I felt I was transported back in time by the fullness of her scenes. The physical descriptions of the people, streets and stores give the reader an understanding of 1865 Montana. Unlike Radclyffe’s other romances that are heavy on character growth and dialogue, she balances setting with character development and dialogue here so we can live the story along with Kate and Jessie. The strength of this story is its timelessness. Radclyffe, through her moving text, illustrates that our struggles with acceptance of women loving women is as old as time- only the setting changes. The romance is sweet, sensual, and touching. There is a slow discovery of sexual desire, and Jessie and Kate are both confused by these stirrings. Their lovemaking is genuine with not a hint of the 21st century conveyed. Innocent Hearts and Radclyffe have given us an enlightening history lesson. With insight into another time that exemplifies our differences as women, the story also points out our commonality in our struggles. The magic and wonder of discovering first love and the efforts we take so we can fit in are the same in 1865 as they are in 2005. With Innocent Hearts, the reader discovers the breadth of Radclyffe’s talent as a writer and storyteller. She shows us that the courage to love knows no bounds and experiences no limits. |
 A Guarded Heart by Jennifer FultonISBN: 1932300376 Yellow Rose Books Paperback/ $16.95/2005 212pages Genre: Lesbian Romance/Mystery Review by Kathi Isserman While this is the fourth book in the Moon Island Series, it is the first I have read, but it is definitely not the last. A Guarded Heart by Jennifer Fulton is splendid escapism. It has everything from romance and mystery to buried treasure and erotic love scenes. Lauren Douglas is a TV soap opera star who is closeted mainly because her father is a Congressman. Lauren’s TV contract is up for renewal, but before she can score a new contract, she is outed. The Dr Kate Show uses her “morals’’ clause to put her on hiatus with the urging of her father who doesn’t want his political future ruined. To make matters worse, a crazy fan that has been stalking Lauren, decides to shoot her, leaving her critically wounded FBI Special Agent Pat Roussel was burned out with her job. After spending three years searching for a serial killer and getting nowhere, she decides to take a leave-of-absence. However, the idea of staying at home and not working at all loses its appeal after several weeks. Lauren’s father offers Pat the job of guarding Lauren, but he wants them out of the country so the two head off to secluded Moon Island. As an FBI agent, Pat takes her responsibility of protecting her charge very seriously, but Lauren has other plans. This conflict leaves the two at odds, leading to much friction. But not all of the tension is unpleasant. Fulton uses Lauren’s and Pat’s antagonism for each other skillfully, illustrating through thoughts and actions the different needs and wants of each character. The story builds on this, creating a journey for the two of them. It begins with each having stereotypical views of each other’s profession and lifestyle. It progresses to the reluctant acceptance by Lauren of the intrusive nature of being guarded, while Pat is forced to relax her hard-line professionalism and allow her tenderness to surface. Fulton displays her mastery of sexual tension. Lauren and Pat convince themselves that they are not attracted to each other, but the reader is treated to vivid sexual fantasies that invade their thoughts. It is these revealing thoughts that tell the real story. We, as the reader, are just wondering when the two protagonists will figure out what they want. The reader must wait, and this wait is excruciating. Fulton continually teases us throughout this story, but in the end the author knows what she needs to do and executes it brilliantly. A Guarded Heart is a journey of growth and self-discovery for Pat and Lauren. One cannot help but root for them, and in so doing, we are totally absorbed in this delightful story. |