Lori L. Lake reviews three books this issue: • Distant Shores, Silent Thunder by Radclyffe • Force of Nature by Kim Baldwin • Gay Detective Novel (page 16) Force of Nature is also reviewed in this issue by Kathi Isserman (page 13) Both Lori L. Lake and William Maltese review books on writing the detective novels, but different books. So you might also check both of them out, in our side by side reviews on page 16 Lori L. Lake, is the author of Different Dress, Gun Shy, Under The Gun, Ricochet In Time, and Stepping Out is also a reviewer for Midwest Book Review, The Independent Gay Writer, and Just About Write. Visit Lori's website for more information about this prolific writer, reviewer, and teacher.

Distant Shores, Silent Thunder By Radclyffe Bold Strokes Books, www.boldstrokesbooks.com ISBN: 1933110082  $15.95  300 pages In this third book in the “Provincetown Series” (after SAFE HARBOR and BEYOND THE BREAKWATER), Reese Conlon and Tory King are back. Their romance, begun early in the series, has settled into a solid day-to-day life with their new baby. Tory, a doctor, is nearly ready to go back to work at the clinic, and Reese has continued to work in town in her capacity as deputy sheriff. But their lives are about to be upset by the return of Tory’s ex, KT O’Bannon. Tory has effectively shut out memories of KT, but when her ex shows up, Reese and Tory’s lives are shaken up in a big way. But Reese and Tory are only a part of the novel. This multi-plot story connects and examines the lives of a delightful group of women living in Provincetown including Bri Parker, a rookie deputy and recurring character. Bri is lonely for her girlfriend, Carolyn, who is out of the country studying art for a year in Europe. Bri’s continued learning process as well as the relationship she has with cute fellow officer Allie comes into play as the death of a young girl in the dunes is investigated. Also important is Pia Torres, a physical therapist. She’s a woman not willing to trifle with others. She’s looking for a “forever” soul-mate and would rather live her life without a partner than accept anyone who gives her less than one hundred percent. At the heart of the story is the journey KT must take toward wholeness and a new way of living her life. Will she be able to make peace with Tory? Will she continue with her Casanova ways? Or does she want something more in her life? Unexpected attractions flare for KT, and she doesn’t know how to handle them or the limitations with which she’s faced. KT’s plotline is compelling and angst-filled, and her emotional journey forms the heart of the book. Simmering in the background is illegal activity and a drug distributor who may go to desperate lengths to protect himself, which could put both civilians and deputies in danger. All of this, against the backdrop of the beauty of the eastern coast, makes for a compelling and immensely satisfying novel, finely crafted and perfectly integrated. Storylines and questions hinted at in the previous two novels are all sewn up here. Radclyffe can close out the Provincetown series with this third and masterfully written novel—or she can easily go on with any number of sequels about the lives of these fascinating people who live, work, and love in Provincetown. Force of Nature Kim Baldwin Bold Strokes Books, www.boldstrokesbooks.com ISBN: 1933110236  $15.95  235 pages After wowing readers with last year’s thriller, HUNTER’S PURSUIT, Kim Baldwin’s follow-up is a romance. But it’s a romance book-ended by scenes with thriller qualities, starting with a twister. Forty-six year old Gable McCoy is employed at a pharmacy and works as a volunteer firefighter for Plainfield Township, Michigan. One evening, when her corner of the county is hit with bad weather culminating in tornados touching down, she sets out to help those in her assigned area. Little does she know that the storm will literally touch her life.  “In a whirling hail of sticks and stones and leaves, she scrambled down the bank, her hands shielding her face. The wind tried to blow her off her feet, and the noise of the tornado was deafening, like a jet aircraft parked directly overhead. Squinting between her fingers, she saw the twister cut out of the woods and onto the highway a quarter of a mile away. It looked like a mammoth V-shaped plume of black smoke” (p. 15). Though Gable’s life is spared, the house of a nearby resident is destroyed. When Gable gets to the decimated ruins, she can’t believe anyone could still be alive. But Erin Richards did survive and is trapped in the basement bathroom. Unfortunately, Gable can’t get to her. But they can still talk through the wreckage, and that they do—most of the night. Sight unseen, the two women form quite an attachment, and their friendship begins from there. Baldwin writes great action scenes throughout with just the right balance between plot tension and the character’s internal thoughts. Her descriptions of the training, fire, and rescue efforts are terrific. The ups and downs of the two characters’ relationship occur in a natural, yet not entirely predictable, progression. Just like a twister or a forest fire, you’re never quite sure what direction Gable and Erin will go. Will they play it safe? Or give in to passion? Highly recommended to all who enjoy a good romance with rescue/action interspersed.

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