LesBook Review: "Too Late... I Love You" by Kiki Archer

by Lauren W

If you're a long-time reader of All Things Lesbian, you may remember that way back in the ethereal haze that was 2012, I reviewed British lesbian author Kiki Archer's first novel, But She Is My Student. (Click HERE if you want to take a look).

Now, in 2015, Archer has provided us, the lesbians, with her sixth novel (that's right, I said SIXTH), Too Late... I Love You.

Wow, where should I start?

Firstly, you should know that I devoured this book within two days. (I would have read it all in one sitting, but my room mate came home from work and demanded that we watched Masterchef Australia. We can't always get our own way, but I digress...)

Like her previous books, Archer's writing is so easy to read. She doesn't beat around the bush (no pun intended), and every part of her storytelling has a purpose. There is no straying away from the storyline. Too Late... focuses entirely on its protagonist, Connie, and the world that turns around her. Even when you think the plot line is going off-topic, each twist brings you back to the pivotal story and connects you back to its main character.

Without spoiling too much, I'll summarise the book like this: Connie, a 'straight' lady with a boyfriend and a young son finds her solace in writing inside the cupboard under the stairs. (Yes, this is both a Harry Potter reference and a euphemism for being stuck in that closet we all know and hate.) When she realises that her life isn't as perfect as it seems, Connie meets a very interesting lady at her son's playgroup, where everything takes an unexpected turn.

I really can't say any more. In fact, I've probably already given too much away.

I can say, however, that this novel is a vast improvement on Archer's first novel. The editing was clearly near-perfect, the storyline was far less predictable, there was complexity within the story-telling... Everything down to the book's font was an improvement. I especially welcome back some of the very British references included by the author, specifically when she mentioned the now defunct ladies' clothes store, Ethel Austin. That one made me giggle in a way that no American could understand.

This book is what all young lesbians are in search of when they start reading romance novels. Kiki Archer is the lesbian answer to Helen Fielding (Bridget Jones' Diary), Sophie Kinsella (Remember Me?), and Cecelia Ahern (P.S. I Love You). I for one remember reading a Sophie Kinsella book when I was around fifteen years old and thinking "why am I reading about a heterosexual relationship that I have no interest in? Oh, probably because there is VERY LITTLE GOOD LESBIAN ROMANCE FICTION OUT THERE."

Hopefully, young lesbians today will pick up this book and realise there is someone out there who wants to give young women and girls that happily ever after story in a way that rings true to what their lives represent.

If I had to be really nit-picky and pick a fault, I guess it would probably be my distaste of the character of Ryan; Connie's gay best friend. He's a very stereotypical, loud-mouthed, flamboyant gay man, but I kind of get that these characteristics were essential to the plot in many ways, so I can forgive it.

All in all, this is possibly one of the best lesbian novels I've read (second only to Beyond the Pale by Elana Dykewomon), and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an easy, gritty, yet light-hearted read.

About Kiki Archer:

Kiki Archer is a UK-based, best-selling, award-winning author. Her debut novel But She Is My Student won the UK's 2012 SoSoGay Best Book Award. Its sequel Instigations took just 12 hours from its release to reach the top of the Amazon lesbian fiction chart, and Kiki's third novel Binding Devotionwas a finalist in the 2013 Rainbow Awards. All quickly became bestsellers in their genre. Kiki's fourth offering One Foot Onto The Ice broke into the American Amazon contemporary fiction top 100 as well as achieving the US and UK Amazon lesbian fiction number one. The sequel When You Know went straight to number one on the Amazon UK, Amazon America, and Amazon Australia, lesbian fiction charts, as well as number one on the iTunes, Smashwords, and Lulu, Gay and Lesbian chart. Her latest novel Too Late... I Love You has been her most successful to date making that transition into the mainstream contemporary romance charts. 

Kiki was crowned the Ultimate Planet's Independent Author of the Year in 2013 and she received an honourable mention in the 2014 Author of the Year category.

Click HERE to visit Kiki's website.

LESBIAN FICTION Publisher, Bywater Books, Celebrates 10th Anniversary!

Bywater Books Celebrates a Decade of Publishing Ann Arbor, Michigan, April 1, 2014 Bywater Books, the award-winning publisher of quality lesbian writing, celebrates a decade in the book industry and the receipt of its 20th prize for literary merit.

Bywater publishes approximately six books per year, both literary and commercial fiction for lesbians and all readers who desire fresh, distinctive voices coupled with captivating plots. Bywater has published 32 original works of fiction, 21 of which – or 66% -- have either won or have been shortlisted for awards. Its books are carried by all major distributors worldwide.

"Bywater Books has been a pillar in lesbian and independent publishing for a decade with a remarkable roster of authors who thrill us, move us, make us laugh, make us think, and most importantly, make us want to keep reading,” said Tony Valenzuela, Executive Director of the Lambda Literary Foundation. “Congratulations to Bywater for 10 great years of publishing!"

Bywater was founded in 2004 and is owned by Kelly Smith, founder of Bella Books and former owner of A Woman's Prerogative bookstore in Michigan; award-winning author Marianne K. Martin; and best-selling mystery writer Val McDermid. Michele Karlsberg of Karlsberg Marketing and Management, founder of Amethyst Press and winner of the Publishing Triangle Leadership Award, took on the role of marketing director in 2009 and became publisher in 2012.

As part of the celebration, Bywater will publish Tangled Roots, the prequel to the first book it published, the ground-breaking novel Under the Witness Tree by Marianne K. Martin. Under the Witness Tree was a Lambda Literary Award finalist. Author Katherine V. Forrest said “Marianne K. Martin achieves new heights with this lovingly researched and intelligent novel.”

Bywater is also announcing the opening of its annual Bywater Prize for Fiction, which awards $1,000 and publication to a novel-length work of merit.

“We’re committed to bringing the best of contemporary lesbian writing to our avid readers,” said Editor-in Chief Smith. “Our editorial team is dedicated to finding and developing outstanding writers who create books you won’t want to put down. We’ve already discovered amazing writers like Jill Malone, Sally Bellerose, and Hilary Sloin through the Bywater Prize and I’m excited to find the next fresh voice.”

For more information on the Bywater Prize for Fiction and Bywater Books, go to www.bywaterbooks.com.

LesBook Review: Beyond the Pale

Now I'm not sure about you, but when you think of lesbian fiction, would you even think to associate it with historical events?

I certainly didn't, but Beyond the Pale proves it can be done.

Beyond the Pale is a novel revolving around the trials and tribulations faced by two young Jewish girls who have to simultaneously face becoming an immigrant and also realising that they are, in fact, gay. (It is not my style to reveal too much of the plot, so I'll leave that up to you!)

From the get-go, this novel's concept is exciting and accurate. Personally, I've never come across another lesbian book that deals with plot lines that intertwine religion, world issues, identity and culture with lesbianism - something that is much easier to find in LGBT movies. (Think I Can't Think Straight and The World Unseen.) However, this book successfully combines a lesbian love story with a piece of historical fiction.

Not only is the plot forever evolving and thought-provoking, the use of language is exceptional. The traditional Jewish lexicon makes for pleasant reading, with the sound of Hebrew and Yiddish words alongside the English sounding like a song in prose.

Unlike many lesbian books, this reads more like a classic novel. The author - who's alias is, fittingly, Elana Dykewomon - is quite clearly educated and passionate: an all-round great writer. And like classic novels, the entire introduction to the book sets the scene. Rather than jumping straight into the usual predictable narrative, the writer gives you the perfect amount of background so that you can really understand the characters and get into their heads.

This book is suitable for all adults - gay, straight, Jewish or not. Those who are Jewish may particularly relate however, as some of the themes and events in the novel particularly resound with real life. That said, anyone who has struggled with their sexual orientation as a result of their culture and upbringing will relate to this book in some way - it really does have something for everyone.

From now on, if someone asks me for a good piece of lesbian fiction to read, I will no doubt be recommending Beyond the Pale.

Lesbian Fiction: Magical Echo

Okay, so the books this lady writes are not about lesbian life. In fact, they're often about something much

different. (Usually zombies, the paranormal, or some form of other supernatural phenomenon.)

BUT hear me out here. Lesbian authors are something we don't hear much of, so we have to support the ones we do have, right?!

We heard about Linda Kay Silva from one of her fans, recommending us to read her work. And what great work it is!

If you head over to Linda's official website, http://www.lindakaysilva.com/, you will be greeted with a free preview of Magical Echo. The website also contains a list of Silva's former works, which you might also want to check out.

You can purchase some of Linda's awesome writing via Amazon or www.sapphirebooks.com.

Don't miss out! Make sure to support a talented, lesbian author today.

Lesbian Erotic Short Story Review: Florence Plays Basketball

Do you never have time to read but feel that you should be reading more? Are you a lady-loving-lady?

Then this erotic short story is definitely for you.

Available on your kindle, Florence Plays Basketball is a mere 10 pages long - perfect for the busy lesbian!

It tells the story of two women who have just met after their rival teams have finished a basketball game... and things quickly develop, if you know what I mean!

We're all about encouraging people to read, even if its only a short story, and you get all this for only $1.99 - that's cheaper than a decent cup of coffee, ladies!

Head on over to Amazon to download the kindle version by CLICKING HERE!