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: The Road To Her

by Mickie Green

The Road to Her is the story of Holly Croft, who seems like she’s got her life pretty well sorted.  She’s a recurring character on a popular soap opera, and by the sounds of it, she’s made a mint.  The book starts with Holly receiving the news that her character is shifting to the forefront of the show and striking up a relationship with another lady. Naturally, as a secret lady lover in real life, Holly has no problem with this and is excited to get started.

And this is where her problems begin.

Enter Elise, which I first read as ‘Elsie’ and thought I might have some burgeoning cross-generational romance on my hands.  Fortunately – or perhaps unfortunately depending on your standpoint – I’m just a bit dyslexic.  Elise – who is starring as Holly’s character’s new love interest – is everything you might want from a woman – she’s smart, she’s beautiful, and she’s got a sense of humour.  However, she’s also a bit of a prick – at least to begin with – so our heroine starts off hating the enigmatic newbie.  And thanks to her cruel jibes and Holly’s resulting histrionics, we hate her too, even though we’re 90% sure they’re going to end up shagging.  This brings in just the right amount of angst, until eventually – like Holly – we aren’t really sure when we actually fell for Elise, but we know we fell hard.

The setting – mostly the set of a soap – isn’t one I’ve encountered before and it was interesting seeing a familiar sort of story play out in a completely unfamiliar location. Though the book may have a certain measure of predictability, it was very well executed and there was a nice amount of twists and turns to keep you guessing.

Ultimately, The Road to Her is the kind of novel I wish I’d been able to read back when I was first coming out.  It’s an excellent piece of young adult fiction, and I truly enjoyed it. The message of ‘calm your tits, it’ll be okay in the end’ is hopeful and the two characters are sweet and believable throughout. Recommended!  

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.

Interview w/ Out Lesbian Author, Kiki Archer

Remember when we reviewed that pretty great lesbian novel for you? (Click HERE if you don't!)

Well look who's back with a brand new book: its Kiki Archer herself.

Check out our interview with here and get all the latest gossip, right here on All Things Lesbian.

All Things Lesbian: You write primarily lesbian-orientated fiction. Can you give us some clues as to what your new book is about without giving too much away?

Kiki Archer: My new novel is called “Binding Devotion”. (Click HERE for the book trailer!)

So basically the novel is about love, betrayal, commitment and sex, with the central plot focusing on the question: “What’s more important … the bond of marriage or the pull of desire?”

Terry Baker is the top UK lesbian fiction reviewer and this is what she had to say about “Binding Devotion” :

CLICK!

It has also been reviewed by the popular Planet London girls HERE.

ATL: Lesbian fiction is unfortunately not very prevalent in today's climate. What do you think our authors and the LGBT community can do to push it into the limelight?

KA: The lesbian fiction genre is thriving amongst lesbians, or at least that seems to be the case in the UK. I write for lesbians. I know that many of my straight family and friends have read my books and enjoyed them, but it is not important to me to actively try and ‘widen’ my readership. The lesbian community are very loyal and the support that I have received has been absolutely fantastic. 

If my novels were to soar up the general romance chart then obviously I would be overjoyed, but ‘generally’ I think straight women, who enjoy chick lit, prefer reading about handsome men and strapping hunks, as opposed to same sex female relationships. BUT, that being said, I do get a lot of messages from ‘straight’ women who have chosen to buy my lesbian fiction books, read them, enjoy them, and then contact me to ‘discuss’ them further. (Obviously all behind their male partners backs. LOL)

ATL: Why do you choose to focus on the lives of lesbians in your writing?

KA: I choose to focus on the lives of lesbians because I’m living the life of a lesbian. It’s what I know and it’s what comes naturally to me. I enjoy using experiences that I've had and emotions that I've felt in my writing, and it just so happens that my experiences and emotions mostly involve women. I wouldn't want to write a love story about a heroine falling passionately in love with the handsome hero, as I have absolutely no idea what that feels like!

  

ATL: Do you have any future publications coming up?

KA: I am currently working on a couple of short stories that will be included in lesbian fiction anthologies this year, and I am in the planning stages with my new novel. My first two books “But She Is My Student” and “Instigations” were very light hearted easy read chick lit novels. “Binding Devotion” handled some deeper topics and emotions, and I think my new novel will be a happy balance in between. I love writing funny, laugh out loud romances, but it is also important to me that I include poignant issues that make you think about, or question, your own views and beliefs.

ATL: We know you're passionate about the same-sex marriage debates which are currently a hot topic in the US and the UK. If you had to create a PSA of sorts for undecided voters, how would you persuade them to vote in favour of equal marriage?

KA: I would show them this short video that I made: CLICK!

After they watched it I would ask them to tell me why they thought they had the right to judge my life as less worthy than theirs. Why they thought they had the right to say my life was not as valuable as theirs. Why they should even dare to think they can ‘vote’ on my life. I am equal, as are all LGBT people in this world that we share, equally, together. 

Lesbian Short Film: Consequences

Remember that lesbian short film by the wonderfully talented Dani van Herk we introduced you to? (If you don't, click HERE!)

Well, Dani specializes in lesbian short films, and here we have another one for you to view!

This one is slightly longer and brand new, but the lesbian drama and the hot Australian accents remain.

Check it out!

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!