Occasions of Sin, Elena Graf’s historical romance, presents an engaging and entertaining journey through the convents and hospitals of Weimar Germany. The novel opens with Margarethe von Stahle, a German countess arriving at the convent her family has patronized for several centuries. We quickly learn that in addition to being a countess, Margarethe is alsoRead More
Lena reviews Mariel Cove Season 1 Episode 1: This Flight Tonight
This Flight Tonight, the first novella in the weekly web series, Mariel Cove, is a promising start to an ambitious project. It opens with Arianna Trenton, a lesbian journalist, making her to Conch Island, off the coast of Washington, for her latest assignment. From there we meet the other inhabitants of Mariel Cove, a femaleRead More
Lena reviews Broken Star by Joann Lee
It’s been said that there are only seven basic stories and everything we write falls somewhere within their confines. I’m generally a bit more optimistic about our creative prowess, but sometimes there are stories so formulaic that I think even seven basic plots is generous and perhaps it’s more like four. Broken Star, by JoannRead More
Lena reviews Lesbian Crushes and Bulimia by Natasha Holme
“Lesbian Crushes and Bulimia” is a year’s worth of diary entries that chronicle with terrifying frankness the author, Natasha Holme’s, first lesbian crushes and her descent into disordered eating. The stark candor of the account paints a fascinating portrait of a person and a specific time in recent history. The book, set in 1989, beginsRead More
Lena reviews Something In the Wine by Jae
Jae’s new book, “Something in the Wine,” is a nice little page-turner that develops and delivers a satisfying story. The story follows Annie, an accountant whose life is so boring she doesn’t realize it, and Drew, a lonely vintner. The two team up to masquerade as lovers to play the ultimate trick on Annie’s pranksterRead More
Lena reviews Gay Pride and Prejudice by Kate Christie (and Jane Austen)
At this point, I’m kind of convinced that Kate Christie and I have some bizarre rainbow mind connection we’re not aware of yet. Not only is “Gay Pride and Prejudice,” her delightful book, an idea I’ve had in the back of my head for several years, but it follows the same romantic trajectory thatRead More
Lena reviews The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap by Paulette Mahurin
Paulette Mahurin’s lovely book, The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap, is about ripples. About the ways in which rumor spreads through a community and affects all its citizens emotionally and physically. Even though the trial and subsequent conviction of Oscar Wilde on charges of indecency stands out as a significant moment a century later, its contemporaryRead More
Lena reviews No Straight Lines: Four Decades of Queer Comics edited by Justin Hall
I probably should start off by addressing my biases. I’m one of those people who thought Allison Bechdel’s “Fun Home” actually was one of the best books of the past ten years, one of those people who knows all the staff at the local comic book store and, although I try to smile and nodRead More