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The Storm
Jacqueline “Jaq” Bergeron—New Orleanian, suffragist, freethinker—drove an ambulance on the battlefields of Europe during the Great War. She returns home and finds herself isolated in rural East Texas, keeping house for her war-hero husband as she awaits his promised divorce and plans her escape. But then she meets Molly.
Molly Russell lives for her music, which sustains her as she cares for her son and husband, and suffers her mother-in-law. When she meets Jaq, a world she never imagined opens to her—a world entirely out of reach.
With the storm of war still raging in Europe and other battles to be fought at home, can two women bound by the land and family ties find the freedom to love and build a life together?
Molly Russell lives for her music, which sustains her as she cares for her son and husband, and suffers her mother-in-law. When she meets Jaq, a world she never imagined opens to her—a world entirely out of reach.
With the storm of war still raging in Europe and other battles to be fought at home, can two women bound by the land and family ties find the freedom to love and build a life together?
264 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2012
About the author
Shelley Thrasher
10 books8 followersShelley Thrasher, world traveler and native East Texan, has edited novels for Bold Strokes Books since 2004. With her PhD in English, she taught on the college level for many years before she retired early, and still teaches one fine-arts course online. She has published numerous poems and several short stories and essays, as well as one scholarly book. Shelley and her partner Connie, with their two dogs, cat, and parrot, live near Dallas in the piney woods of East Texas, where her first novel, The Storm, is set. (from the publisher's website)
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 17, 2012
I'm rather torn with my feelings on this one. I LOVE the uniqueness of it. A lesbian romance during WWI, here at home in Texas between a strong woman and a weak woman who wishes she were strong. It's almost a coming of age tale but older women rebelling against the confines and rules of society.
Jaq is a former ambulance driver who walks around with guilt weighing heavily on her. She feels responsible for a few deaths. Her grandmother, a man named Henry, and later in the book, others. I can't reveal beyond that without giving important stuff away. This was an interesting and very sad twist.
She wants the lovely farm wife, Molly, but Molly is married with a child. Jaq's own marriage is a sham on the verge of annulment. There's no way Molly can walk away from her son Patrick, even if she were to get the gumption to actually do something against her darned mother in law's wishes. See, her MIL runs the show. At first, I could figure out why the MIL had so many parts. She was irritating and mean and evil. I kept asking, "Why is she a main figure in this story?" When I got the author's notes, I understood. Despite my dislike of her and her opinions, she was a strong woman in her own right.
To avoid going on and on, there's a war going on, past issues being battle, a young woman feeling things she doesn't think she should be feeling, a meddlesome MIL, an alcoholic wanting to go back and fight, but recovering from wounds. Lots of things going on here.
Liked: That Molly finally sees the light, sorta. I don't think she would have if fate hadn't intervened, but at least she registers to vote. Liked Jaq, her dressing as a man, her working on cars, her attitude overall. Her side story about the storm and the war and the nun.
Didn't like...well, head on over to the blog to read the rest: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2012/...
Jaq is a former ambulance driver who walks around with guilt weighing heavily on her. She feels responsible for a few deaths. Her grandmother, a man named Henry, and later in the book, others. I can't reveal beyond that without giving important stuff away. This was an interesting and very sad twist.
She wants the lovely farm wife, Molly, but Molly is married with a child. Jaq's own marriage is a sham on the verge of annulment. There's no way Molly can walk away from her son Patrick, even if she were to get the gumption to actually do something against her darned mother in law's wishes. See, her MIL runs the show. At first, I could figure out why the MIL had so many parts. She was irritating and mean and evil. I kept asking, "Why is she a main figure in this story?" When I got the author's notes, I understood. Despite my dislike of her and her opinions, she was a strong woman in her own right.
To avoid going on and on, there's a war going on, past issues being battle, a young woman feeling things she doesn't think she should be feeling, a meddlesome MIL, an alcoholic wanting to go back and fight, but recovering from wounds. Lots of things going on here.
Liked: That Molly finally sees the light, sorta. I don't think she would have if fate hadn't intervened, but at least she registers to vote. Liked Jaq, her dressing as a man, her working on cars, her attitude overall. Her side story about the storm and the war and the nun.
Didn't like...well, head on over to the blog to read the rest: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2012/...
December 13, 2012
3.5 stars. Set in the latter years of World War I, Shelley Thrasher’s The Storm is rich in historical details as two unlikely women find love in rural Texas. To read my review in its entirety, please click HERE.
November 7, 2012
I could not finish this book. In fact, I was barely able to start it. Netgalley had it listed as "Literature" and "Gay and Lesbian" so I thought in the back of my brain that this would be the lesbian version of, say, Giovanni's Room or Call Me By Your Name. Nope. If it had been categorized as "Romance" I would have known to stay far, far away. I hate to say this, but I've read better fanfiction. The dialogue was cheesy and stereotypical, not authentic. The action was too rapid and confusing (we meet her best bud, he never says more than two words at a time, and then she kills him -- WHAT?). I'm sure for people looking for a cut-and-paste lesbian romance novel, with plenty of imaginative descriptions of breasts and lips, this is definitely your thing. I, meanwhile, will continue to search for a lesbian novel that speaks to me in a different way. Clare Morgan's (aka Patricia Highsmith's) Price of Salt is sitting on my bedside table; hopefully it won't be as disappointing as this book was for me.
December 8, 2012
First a disclaimer: Shelley Thrasher is the editor of my books, and I love her gentle, expert hand.
Now the review: The Storm is a historical novel. That's not my first choice of genre, but you have to admire the skill used to put the reader in the time period of "The Storm," both in dialogue and description. I loved it when her character said "get shed of" and Shelley's editor, a Yankee (sorry Ruth), didn't make her change it. We Southerners know what that means.
This book must have required loads of research. There's a lot packed into this book - a storm, a war, a plague, and a nun. It's a story about two women finding themselves and then each other.
I have to confess, though, that as a romance reader and writer, I'm always reading/writing in anticipation of that scene where the characters finally get naked together. Isn't going to happen in this tale, at least not on the pages of the book. More sex, Shelley! I know. That's a bit shallow. But my own short-coming, not a mark against this well-told story.
Now the review: The Storm is a historical novel. That's not my first choice of genre, but you have to admire the skill used to put the reader in the time period of "The Storm," both in dialogue and description. I loved it when her character said "get shed of" and Shelley's editor, a Yankee (sorry Ruth), didn't make her change it. We Southerners know what that means.
This book must have required loads of research. There's a lot packed into this book - a storm, a war, a plague, and a nun. It's a story about two women finding themselves and then each other.
I have to confess, though, that as a romance reader and writer, I'm always reading/writing in anticipation of that scene where the characters finally get naked together. Isn't going to happen in this tale, at least not on the pages of the book. More sex, Shelley! I know. That's a bit shallow. But my own short-coming, not a mark against this well-told story.
January 11, 2013
Being from South East Texas and having deep roots in Louisiana, I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed this book! The author did a fantastic job describing the historical events of this time period. Her brief account of the Great Storm of 1900 was spot on, and her way of depicting the Spanish Influenza was riveting.
I loved her characters. They were authentic, finding each other in a very turbulent time. Bravo.
I loved her characters. They were authentic, finding each other in a very turbulent time. Bravo.
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January 5, 2013This was a romance set in rural East Texas during the first World War.
It was about women gaining their independence, including voting rights.
The plot was predictable and often repetitive.
It was a book club selection, otherwise I proably would not have finished reading it.
The main characters were lesbians.
I am not a lesbian and this was the first book I had read about them.
Since there are not many books written about lesbians, this might be an important book for them..
It was about women gaining their independence, including voting rights.
The plot was predictable and often repetitive.
It was a book club selection, otherwise I proably would not have finished reading it.
The main characters were lesbians.
I am not a lesbian and this was the first book I had read about them.
Since there are not many books written about lesbians, this might be an important book for them..
November 21, 2012
This was a bit dry in some place but was great in others. I also feel that it was bit drawn out to finally get the two main character together. The storyline seemed off in other areas as well and I just can’t seem to pin point exactly how to word it without being critical or opinion based. Sorry…
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March 27, 2013I definitely was rooting for it to work out between the two lead characters, as I love a good romance/romantic plot-line. Terrific characters, and very moving, especially the ending.(note: Shelley Thrasher is my editor, but she did not do a single thing to influence my opinion of the book)
November 11, 2012
Nice enough read. Took too long for them to get together.
Read
January 20, 2013I started this book as quickly as I finished it. I couldn't get over how bad it was that I knew I wouldn't be able to finish it. I made it only a few chapters in. I can't even give it any stars.
October 6, 2014
Enjoyed the era but the writing was quite disjointed, too coincidental in the plot, and at times dialogue didnt match the narrative & actions of the characters.
November 29, 2015
2013 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
December 24, 2013
3.5
Interesting book with good historical details, but it lagged a bit in the middle.
Interesting book with good historical details, but it lagged a bit in the middle.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews