Different Dress

by Lori L. Lake

Different Dress is the story of three women on a cross-country music tour. Jaime Esperanza is the assistant production manager in charge of both stage and stars. The headliner, Lacey Leigh Jaxon, is a fast-living, heavy drinking prima donna with intimacy problems. She’s had a brief relationship with Jaime, then dumped her for a series of new band mates. Lacey still comes back to Jaime in between conquests, and Jaime hasn't gotten her entirely out of her heart. Lacey Leigh steamrolls yet another opening act and, in desperation, the tour manager brings on board a folksinger from Minnesota named Kip Galvin, who wrote one of Lacey’s biggest songs. Kip has true talent, she loves people and they respond to her, and she has a pleasant stage presence. A friendship springs up between Jaime and Kip—but what about Lacey Leigh? It's a honky-tonk, bluesy, pop, country EXPLOSION of emotion as these three women duke it out. Who will win Jaime's heart and soul?

Genres: Lesbian, Lesbian Fiction

Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

Lori L. Lake is the author of ten novels, two books of short stories, and editor of two anthologies. She'll soon have four books available in The Gun Series as well as the next book in The Public Eye Mystery Series. Her crime fiction stories have been featured in "Silence of the Loons," "Once Upon a Crime," and "Women of the Mean Streets. She's had romance stories anthologized in "Best Lesbian Romance" and "Women in Uniform." Lori lived in Minnesota for 26 years, but re-located to Portland, Oregon, in 2009. She presents seminars and workshops on writing topics such as character building, plot, the writing process, the writing life, mystery structure, and form and structure in the modern novel. When she's not working at her computer, you can find her either at the local movie house or curled up in a chair reading. She is currently at work on her next novel. Lori very much likes to hear from her readers. (from the publisher's website)

Reviews

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I'd give this a 3.5. I was happy at first to see this was a rather long book and I thought, "great, there is plenty of time to develop this relationship and story." About 3/4 of the way through I'm thinking, "Get to the freakin point already!" It's a good story and I would read her other books. I was just a bit frustrated that it took so damn long to get these women together.

[Shannon Luchies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book.

I liked Jamie and Kip, didn't really like Lacey. Tho weirdly I wouldn't mind a sequel where Lacey shows up again, just for the added drama....

[Pippa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kip Galvin is a teacher in Minnesota. Genuinely fascinated by music, she is a songwriter and folksinger, and every summer plays to packed houses around her home town. Early one summer she has a chance to be the opening act to a well known singer who is on tour around the country. Kip realises that this could be her big break, and after being dumped by her girlfriend of many years, decides to join the tour.

Jaime Esperanza, electrician, and assistant production manager for the tour is the one who takes Kip under her wing, and introduces her to life on the road. Jaime is still in love with the star of the show, the troubled but effervescent Lacey Leigh Jaxon.

This sets the scene for what would normally be a fairly standard romance. But in such capable hands, the characterisations and romance really blossom into something genuinely heart-warming to read. It is quite a long book, but it never felt slow. The author obviously has a great passion herself for the music she is referencing, and there are quite a lot of song lyrics throughout the book which adds meaning and a lyricism to the work which was unexpected. The plot is fairly simple, but what has stayed with me to days afterwards are the characters. Even the small players are rounded enough to be interesting, and I loved that none of the main characters were super-wealthy or fabulously brilliant, but more genuine and easy to relate to as a reader. I was really sorry to reach the end of the book. Enjoy.

[Margaret L. Hedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.

Different Dress is a great book. I loved following Jamie and Kip thru a summer music tour. This is a great lesbian romance mixed with a back stage look at a concert tour.

[Jerry-Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14336162