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Dar and Kerry #1
Tropical Storm
Book by Good, Melissa
Audio CD
First published January 1, 1999
98 people are currently reading
2156 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Good
49 books298 followersMelissa Good is a full time network engineer and part time writer who lives in Pembroke Pines, Florida with a handful of lizards and a dog. When not traveling for work, or participating in the usual chores she ejects several sets of clamoring voices onto a variety of keyboards and tries to entertain others with them to the best of her ability. She is a prolific author of many published novels and a very well-known author of Xena fan fiction. You can find other info at www.merwolf.com.
Melissa “Missy” Good is the Royal Academy of Bards 2005 Hall of Fame Author and the winner of 2008 Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award.
Melissa “Missy” Good is the Royal Academy of Bards 2005 Hall of Fame Author and the winner of 2008 Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
March 22, 2019
Several reviewers have lately begun writing Fall Back Friday reviews, where they choose books that have been published for a while and give them some new exposure with current reviews. I liked that idea and decided to review a very special book, for me anyway.
Tropical Storm by Melissa (Missy) Good is important to me for many reasons, but one of the most important is this is the very first lesbian fiction book I ever read. This is where my love of lesfic began. I found Missy’s website, merwolf.com in the late 1990’s when she was becoming very popular online with her Xena fan fiction. Then she wrote Tropical Storm and allowed her fans to read it as she wrote the book by posting the first draft online.
Tropical Storm is a love story about two women, Dar and Kerry, who meet and fall in love during a time in our history when there were no real protections or rights for lesbians and gays, and when it was still sometimes dangerous to come out to your family, friends, and co-workers. Hearts and minds were just beginning to change during this period, but not fast enough for many. This is one of the main themes in this book and several other books in this series. Yes, this book is an uber fiction story based on the Xena and Gabrielle characters from the show. You will recognize the characters from their descriptions, but the characters do change, grow, and become their own persons through the books.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read this book over the years. The first time was online as Missy wrote the book. It was published in 1999, and I have an autographed first edition that I bought from Missy when I met her at a convention in Orlando, Florida that year. I’ve since bought an updated eBook version published I believe in 2010.
I love this book as well as all of the books in the series, and I’ve read all of them multiple times. Every time I do, it’s like visiting an old dear friend. I know I’m biased, but I can only give Tropical Storm my highest praise.
Rainbow Reflections:
https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
Tropical Storm by Melissa (Missy) Good is important to me for many reasons, but one of the most important is this is the very first lesbian fiction book I ever read. This is where my love of lesfic began. I found Missy’s website, merwolf.com in the late 1990’s when she was becoming very popular online with her Xena fan fiction. Then she wrote Tropical Storm and allowed her fans to read it as she wrote the book by posting the first draft online.
Tropical Storm is a love story about two women, Dar and Kerry, who meet and fall in love during a time in our history when there were no real protections or rights for lesbians and gays, and when it was still sometimes dangerous to come out to your family, friends, and co-workers. Hearts and minds were just beginning to change during this period, but not fast enough for many. This is one of the main themes in this book and several other books in this series. Yes, this book is an uber fiction story based on the Xena and Gabrielle characters from the show. You will recognize the characters from their descriptions, but the characters do change, grow, and become their own persons through the books.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read this book over the years. The first time was online as Missy wrote the book. It was published in 1999, and I have an autographed first edition that I bought from Missy when I met her at a convention in Orlando, Florida that year. I’ve since bought an updated eBook version published I believe in 2010.
I love this book as well as all of the books in the series, and I’ve read all of them multiple times. Every time I do, it’s like visiting an old dear friend. I know I’m biased, but I can only give Tropical Storm my highest praise.
Rainbow Reflections:
https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
March 29, 2021
Read this book again after seeing it mentioned in one of Jae’s lists for her challenge this this year. I stil loved reading this book, it’s exiting and romantic and very well written. Though I read the 2010 edition the book still feels modern. Only the mentioning of broadband and ISDN connectivity betray that this is a somewhat older book. I know this is the first part of a long series. I have never read all the instalments but stopped at part 4 I think, but I remember that I liked the books I’ve read. The only reason I stopped reading this series is that there were so many other book to read with new characters. Though that is still true, I think I’ll read the next instalment in this series soon.
If you like adventure and a lovely romance this books are great to read. Recommend with 5 stars still.
If you like adventure and a lovely romance this books are great to read. Recommend with 5 stars still.
December 8, 2020
Who else is a fan of Dar and Kerry?
Tropical Storm is the first book in the Dar and Kerry Series and its about a blossoming romance between the merciless corporate raider Dar Roberts and her assistant Kerry Stuart.
I started out thinking that the dialogues between the two main characters were slightly awkward. But I went on to read the second book and and I got hooked. 14 books later, I'm asking for more. I never want this series to end. The author has really good storylines and the adventures are exciting. The relationship between Dar and Kerry is rock solid. The books alternate between work challenges and their disastrous vacation adventures. Things sometimes get dangerous but the protective Dar is always there to save the day. On the rare occasions when she slips, Kerry always has her back.
My personal favourites are Tropical Convergence (Book 7) and Storm Surge (Book 10). ❤
Tropical Storm is the first book in the Dar and Kerry Series and its about a blossoming romance between the merciless corporate raider Dar Roberts and her assistant Kerry Stuart.
I started out thinking that the dialogues between the two main characters were slightly awkward. But I went on to read the second book and and I got hooked. 14 books later, I'm asking for more. I never want this series to end. The author has really good storylines and the adventures are exciting. The relationship between Dar and Kerry is rock solid. The books alternate between work challenges and their disastrous vacation adventures. Things sometimes get dangerous but the protective Dar is always there to save the day. On the rare occasions when she slips, Kerry always has her back.
My personal favourites are Tropical Convergence (Book 7) and Storm Surge (Book 10). ❤
July 4, 2019
4 stars. I picked up the series again, so I started with rereading the first three books. This first one is a decent book overall, takes way too long to get anywhere but I appreciate all the little details about characters and their professional lives this book provides.
I love long books, but this was a tad bit too long even for me. I guess it’s mainly because of all the technical details of the internet technologies in the 1990s. I can tell the author works or worked in the industry, or at least did a thorough research on the topic. That’s always appreciated. But I’d prefer more relationship focus and less tech.
The characters and their relationship are amazing and the best part of the book. I believe this was once upon a time an Uber fanfic. There are nods and references scattered throughout the book on the regular. I wonder why fanfic characters have more depth than most original works. I guess it’s because there're decades of character building already so fanfic authors stand on the shoulders of giants. It’s rare to get such character and relationship depth in published books.
I especially appreciate how each character’s voice is so unique. They communicate incredibly well as well, which contrasts with most other lesfic out there.
I have to mention that despite sex scenes being fade-to-black there’s a lot of sexiness and intimacy in the series. Especially in the following books. Their affection for each other pours out of pages, it’s almost tangible.
Overall, not the best book in the series but a solid start worth a read if you don’t mind long books that take too long to get to the fun part. It also sets up everything up for the second book in the series which is also the best one I’ve read so far. I’m at the end of book six currently.
I love long books, but this was a tad bit too long even for me. I guess it’s mainly because of all the technical details of the internet technologies in the 1990s. I can tell the author works or worked in the industry, or at least did a thorough research on the topic. That’s always appreciated. But I’d prefer more relationship focus and less tech.
The characters and their relationship are amazing and the best part of the book. I believe this was once upon a time an Uber fanfic. There are nods and references scattered throughout the book on the regular. I wonder why fanfic characters have more depth than most original works. I guess it’s because there're decades of character building already so fanfic authors stand on the shoulders of giants. It’s rare to get such character and relationship depth in published books.
I especially appreciate how each character’s voice is so unique. They communicate incredibly well as well, which contrasts with most other lesfic out there.
I have to mention that despite sex scenes being fade-to-black there’s a lot of sexiness and intimacy in the series. Especially in the following books. Their affection for each other pours out of pages, it’s almost tangible.
Overall, not the best book in the series but a solid start worth a read if you don’t mind long books that take too long to get to the fun part. It also sets up everything up for the second book in the series which is also the best one I’ve read so far. I’m at the end of book six currently.
January 7, 2015
I love the storys about Dar and Kerry. Melissa Good has a fantastic writing style. The development of the characters are realistic and the story is understandable. The approach of Dar and Kerry is described beautifully and I am looking forward to all the other stories of the two. I could not put down the book. Just great.
July 11, 2014
Is it worth reviewing a book that was first published about 15 years ago? I thought about it, and well, here's my $0,02 (that's about 0,007 euro's I guess)
The thing about writing about the IT sector is that the technology and terminolgy get outdated pretty fast. But in this case, the story holds up pretty well. In fact, it's a trip down memory lane for us geeks. It's almost funny to read how people get excited that they will be getting dual core pentium 2 with 128 megs of RAM. We laugh at that now. AS/400, OS/2, ISDN, 56k modems, Novell, it's almost a documentary on IT technology. Thing is, would you substitute all that with modern equivalents, it will not change a thing about the story. That's a big plus.
It is a sweet love story, a bit long though. We get introduced to a tough as nails VP, who will do anything to get the results everyone is expecting from her. Then she meets the manager of a small company taken over by the big coorporation, and she finds herself in a situation where she has little clue how to deal with that. The funniest part was Dar having to have her doctor explain she was in love. Too funny.
A big plus is that the relationship between Dar and Kerry goes very slow. I really liked that. Sometimes I get tired with the insta-love stories. The way Kery manages to get under DAr's skin (in a good way) almost unknowingly is very nicely done. There's is very little drama, until the end, but there are some "action" scenes. All in all, it was a fun read.
I do have some issues though.
I read the 2010 "enhanced" ebook version, and I have to say, the formatting was horrible. The most glaring issue I had, was that I repeatedly found myself lost in the dialogue. Not becaus of the dialogue persé, but the way it was formatted. Sometimes I had to re-read something more that twice, because I really couldn't make up when who said what. Very confusing.
Another peeve I had, was the over-use of terms like "the blonde woman", the taller woman, the older woman and so on. I found it distracting.
And then the end. We know from early on, Kerry's family are assholes, especcially her father. That was a bit over the top for me, and in my opinion, could have een handled much better.
The thing about writing about the IT sector is that the technology and terminolgy get outdated pretty fast. But in this case, the story holds up pretty well. In fact, it's a trip down memory lane for us geeks. It's almost funny to read how people get excited that they will be getting dual core pentium 2 with 128 megs of RAM. We laugh at that now. AS/400, OS/2, ISDN, 56k modems, Novell, it's almost a documentary on IT technology. Thing is, would you substitute all that with modern equivalents, it will not change a thing about the story. That's a big plus.
It is a sweet love story, a bit long though. We get introduced to a tough as nails VP, who will do anything to get the results everyone is expecting from her. Then she meets the manager of a small company taken over by the big coorporation, and she finds herself in a situation where she has little clue how to deal with that. The funniest part was Dar having to have her doctor explain she was in love. Too funny.
A big plus is that the relationship between Dar and Kerry goes very slow. I really liked that. Sometimes I get tired with the insta-love stories. The way Kery manages to get under DAr's skin (in a good way) almost unknowingly is very nicely done. There's is very little drama, until the end, but there are some "action" scenes. All in all, it was a fun read.
I do have some issues though.
I read the 2010 "enhanced" ebook version, and I have to say, the formatting was horrible. The most glaring issue I had, was that I repeatedly found myself lost in the dialogue. Not becaus of the dialogue persé, but the way it was formatted. Sometimes I had to re-read something more that twice, because I really couldn't make up when who said what. Very confusing.
Another peeve I had, was the over-use of terms like "the blonde woman", the taller woman, the older woman and so on. I found it distracting.
And then the end. We know from early on, Kerry's family are assholes, especcially her father. That was a bit over the top for me, and in my opinion, could have een handled much better.
March 11, 2024
5 Stars - imo, one of the best Xena Ubers ever written
I have read this many times. It's an old favorite, and I mean OLD—I think it was written in 1998.
Imagine my surprise when I was perusing Audible to find an audiobook of this gem! The narrator took a bit for me to warm up to, but I grew to love her narration, and she even sounded a bit like Lucy Lawless's Xena accent when voicing Dar.
If you are a fan of Missy Good's Tropical Storm and you have an Audible credit to burn, I can HIGHLY recommend this audiobook. Now I wish the whole series was on Audible!
I have read this many times. It's an old favorite, and I mean OLD—I think it was written in 1998.
Imagine my surprise when I was perusing Audible to find an audiobook of this gem! The narrator took a bit for me to warm up to, but I grew to love her narration, and she even sounded a bit like Lucy Lawless's Xena accent when voicing Dar.
If you are a fan of Missy Good's Tropical Storm and you have an Audible credit to burn, I can HIGHLY recommend this audiobook. Now I wish the whole series was on Audible!
November 16, 2007
I've reread this book like 5 times to get my Dar and Kerry fix....geeky women rule!!
March 14, 2022
4.25 stars
I'm so happy to have finally experienced what many consider a lesbian classic. I'm not sure why I wasn't familiar with this since I've been reading lesfic for about 30 years and was also a Xena fan back in the day, but it was fun to read it now. This book was initially published in 1999 and holds up quite well - EXCEPT for the technology aspect. Dar Roberts runs a tech firm and there's a reference to a "beast" Pentium computer that has 128 mb of RAM. Considering we now carry that amount of memory in our pockets on flash drives, it's amazing to see how far we've come technology-wise in just over 20 years.
I know this has become an extensive series so I'll have to add them to my to-read list. While this was initially Xena and Gabrielle fanfic, the character of Dar is an ice queen tech firm executive who doesn't suffer fools lightly and has few friends to speak of. She's harsh, brash and tough - while also being incredibly beautiful. And like Gabrielle, Kerry Stuart is smart, blonde and completely dedicated to Dar, and sees right past all the brashness and falls for the woman underneath. This book focuses on how Dar and Kerry meet, the evolution of their relationship, and how Kerry struggles trying to establish a life of her own even in her late 20s, coming from a domineering political family.
Though quite long, it was an entertaining read. The love scenes fade to black, so for those that don't like more explicit love scenes, this may appeal to you.
Enjoyed it and look forward to continuing this series!
I'm so happy to have finally experienced what many consider a lesbian classic. I'm not sure why I wasn't familiar with this since I've been reading lesfic for about 30 years and was also a Xena fan back in the day, but it was fun to read it now. This book was initially published in 1999 and holds up quite well - EXCEPT for the technology aspect. Dar Roberts runs a tech firm and there's a reference to a "beast" Pentium computer that has 128 mb of RAM. Considering we now carry that amount of memory in our pockets on flash drives, it's amazing to see how far we've come technology-wise in just over 20 years.
I know this has become an extensive series so I'll have to add them to my to-read list. While this was initially Xena and Gabrielle fanfic, the character of Dar is an ice queen tech firm executive who doesn't suffer fools lightly and has few friends to speak of. She's harsh, brash and tough - while also being incredibly beautiful. And like Gabrielle, Kerry Stuart is smart, blonde and completely dedicated to Dar, and sees right past all the brashness and falls for the woman underneath. This book focuses on how Dar and Kerry meet, the evolution of their relationship, and how Kerry struggles trying to establish a life of her own even in her late 20s, coming from a domineering political family.
Though quite long, it was an entertaining read. The love scenes fade to black, so for those that don't like more explicit love scenes, this may appeal to you.
Enjoyed it and look forward to continuing this series!
May 20, 2021
Deliciously long
Being semi-new to the Xena fanfic world, I was still able to follow along and understand the dynamics between Dar and Kerry. I've read other books based on Xena and Gabrielle and I was completely smitten with them, and Tropical Storm was no different. There's something about opposites attract where one is stronger than the other, or equally strong but in different ways, that gets my blood pumping.
Dar was a powerhouse when it came to her business, she wielded an iron fist with a sharp tongue and no one dared challenge her. Enter Kerry. She challenged Dar from the get-go, and as soon as Dar revealed to us in her head that she was intrigued by the younger, diminutive woman, I was rubbing my hands together preparing for a wild ride. Their growing relationship was mature. They took their time getting to know one another, building trust and respect which eventually blossomed to a tight, loving friendship. Those are the best kinds of relationships where everything gradually grows and heightens to the point where both are suddenly dumbfounded that they've fallen in love with each other. How'd that happen? One would ask as they scratch their head in confusion, suddenly replaying every moment back in their head. Dar was a dream. She was fiercely loyal as well as protective, especially toward Kerry. Highly intelligent, but not cocky. I loved that. She only exuded her power; brain or gorgeous muscles, when need be. Dee-lish! Kerry was no slouch. She was just as intelligent, and even outsmarted Dar on occasion regarding their work. Cute as a button and a perfect complement to the tall, imposing, hunky Dar... even if she did wear skirts to work.
I love, love this story and I plan on continuing with the series. I totally recommend this even if you're unfamiliar with the whole Xena universe thing, it's worth it, and that's saying a lot coming from me because I generally go for different types of storylines.
Being semi-new to the Xena fanfic world, I was still able to follow along and understand the dynamics between Dar and Kerry. I've read other books based on Xena and Gabrielle and I was completely smitten with them, and Tropical Storm was no different. There's something about opposites attract where one is stronger than the other, or equally strong but in different ways, that gets my blood pumping.
Dar was a powerhouse when it came to her business, she wielded an iron fist with a sharp tongue and no one dared challenge her. Enter Kerry. She challenged Dar from the get-go, and as soon as Dar revealed to us in her head that she was intrigued by the younger, diminutive woman, I was rubbing my hands together preparing for a wild ride. Their growing relationship was mature. They took their time getting to know one another, building trust and respect which eventually blossomed to a tight, loving friendship. Those are the best kinds of relationships where everything gradually grows and heightens to the point where both are suddenly dumbfounded that they've fallen in love with each other. How'd that happen? One would ask as they scratch their head in confusion, suddenly replaying every moment back in their head. Dar was a dream. She was fiercely loyal as well as protective, especially toward Kerry. Highly intelligent, but not cocky. I loved that. She only exuded her power; brain or gorgeous muscles, when need be. Dee-lish! Kerry was no slouch. She was just as intelligent, and even outsmarted Dar on occasion regarding their work. Cute as a button and a perfect complement to the tall, imposing, hunky Dar... even if she did wear skirts to work.
I love, love this story and I plan on continuing with the series. I totally recommend this even if you're unfamiliar with the whole Xena universe thing, it's worth it, and that's saying a lot coming from me because I generally go for different types of storylines.
November 19, 2011
I read this a long time ago online, and then a few years ago I bought it in a reignited Xena kick. Melissa Good's "uber" storytelling is pretty much at the top tier of what this type of fiction is capable of: while deriving essential character traits and physical descriptions from "Xena", she creates characters wholly their own beings. She also tells a mean story, and despite this novel's length, you are excited to continue to the next one.
One of the pitfalls of "uber" fiction writing is that it is still "fanfiction", which is, by definition, self-indulgent, and in the case of romance, so terribly intertwined with the foregone, much-wished-for conclusion.
Good skirts the line between "indulgent" and "sappy romance" by fleshing out the world that the two main characters live in completely, and having them interact in a believable fashion. No melodramatic public declarations or running away in the rain; these people have jobs and pasts and friendships outside of each other, and the novel allows us to hitch alongside as the two leads build a world between the two of them. Good's knowledge of that world is fantastic, especially in regards to their IT jobs (nerds... RAGING). And the romantic storyline is not overwrought, but sweet, gradual, and passionate.
Though if you're looking for some bodice ripping, this ain't the romance book for you. And while there's adventure, there aren't any swords. It's easy going and a satisfying read, especially when drifting off to bed wanting something happy but not too heavy.
P.S. I have to say, this book (and the series) made me very interested in the IT industry. (This nerd, raging) I think, however, I have enough nerd credentials without applying for more; but just forewarning you: this book may suggest a larger population of attractive lesbians in power suits than there might actually be. ^.^
One of the pitfalls of "uber" fiction writing is that it is still "fanfiction", which is, by definition, self-indulgent, and in the case of romance, so terribly intertwined with the foregone, much-wished-for conclusion.
Good skirts the line between "indulgent" and "sappy romance" by fleshing out the world that the two main characters live in completely, and having them interact in a believable fashion. No melodramatic public declarations or running away in the rain; these people have jobs and pasts and friendships outside of each other, and the novel allows us to hitch alongside as the two leads build a world between the two of them. Good's knowledge of that world is fantastic, especially in regards to their IT jobs (nerds... RAGING). And the romantic storyline is not overwrought, but sweet, gradual, and passionate.
Though if you're looking for some bodice ripping, this ain't the romance book for you. And while there's adventure, there aren't any swords. It's easy going and a satisfying read, especially when drifting off to bed wanting something happy but not too heavy.
P.S. I have to say, this book (and the series) made me very interested in the IT industry. (This nerd, raging) I think, however, I have enough nerd credentials without applying for more; but just forewarning you: this book may suggest a larger population of attractive lesbians in power suits than there might actually be. ^.^
March 18, 2019
This was a long book that should have been two. I remember it was one of the first lesfic stuff I read. I still can’t remember how I found xenafiction.net but thank you internet and my friend wayback machine. I just found this is a fanfic from 98!!! I was ten years old when Dar’s kitchen computer would take voice commands and in this day and age Siri never understands mine.
The book tells us about a super successful, rude, corporate shark that has problems with her stress levels and loves to intimidate people (Dar) and an intelligent, kinda naive, woman she meets while dismantling a freshly purchased business (Kerri). Successful and rude is tall, dark and handsome, and a genius about everything except human interaction. Intelligent and naive is short, fair and cute, she’s charming and loves rescuing everyone but can’t stand up to her family. Love at first sight.
This book is kind of weird to rate. 2012 me loved the fanfic, couldn’t start the sequel fast enough. 2019 me was bored. There were some plot things that weren’t necessary and only added length to the book, and important stuff that if I remember correctly will be addressed in the next books that should have worked really nicely in this one, instead of those unnecessary things that I mentioned. I guess 2019 me isn’t so enthusiastic about it, but I did enjoyed it.
Also... Paladar? Seriously? Why would you name your daughter palate?? Please, if an author is reading this, don’t use made out names in Spanish. There’s plenty of real, weird ones already and naming a person after the the roof of the mouth is just a big no.
The book tells us about a super successful, rude, corporate shark that has problems with her stress levels and loves to intimidate people (Dar) and an intelligent, kinda naive, woman she meets while dismantling a freshly purchased business (Kerri). Successful and rude is tall, dark and handsome, and a genius about everything except human interaction. Intelligent and naive is short, fair and cute, she’s charming and loves rescuing everyone but can’t stand up to her family. Love at first sight.
This book is kind of weird to rate. 2012 me loved the fanfic, couldn’t start the sequel fast enough. 2019 me was bored. There were some plot things that weren’t necessary and only added length to the book, and important stuff that if I remember correctly will be addressed in the next books that should have worked really nicely in this one, instead of those unnecessary things that I mentioned. I guess 2019 me isn’t so enthusiastic about it, but I did enjoyed it.
Also... Paladar? Seriously? Why would you name your daughter palate?? Please, if an author is reading this, don’t use made out names in Spanish. There’s plenty of real, weird ones already and naming a person after the the roof of the mouth is just a big no.
October 8, 2023
It’s really good! I knew that the author was in IT because of the level of detail. I can’t wait to read the next book.
dnf
December 13, 2024Unfortunately DNF'ing about 3 hours into the audio for this one. There's too much discussion of foot, fitness, dieting, fatphobia, "she's so skinny but she can eat all of the cheeseburgers", etc. I get this was written in the 90's and it was way more common back then, but it's super unappealing in a romance novel.
It also appears there is not actual tropical storm. Which is disappointing.
It also appears there is not actual tropical storm. Which is disappointing.
July 19, 2016
I've heard nothing but good things about this book, and since it fit one of the squares for a challenge I'm currently doing, I decided to take the plunge. And I have to say, I didn't really like this book.
It's Xena uber fiction (for those who don't know what that is, it's fan fiction taking the characters of Xena and Gabrielle and placing them in different time periods). So Dar is Xena and Kerry is Gabrielle. And the author takes great pains in letting us know this at every opportunity. Look, I've read a lot of fan fiction in my day, and I liked it to a degree, but I never got into Xena (I know, I know, bad queer girl!) and it felt like every page the reader is being reminded just who these characters "really" are. So that took down the enjoyment factor for me.
I also don't think that the book has honestly held up all that well; technology changes quickly, and it's painfully obvious that this book is not exactly recent, shall we say.
Also, what is up with all of the "the taller woman," "the younger woman," etc? Change it up a little. It got annoying after a while.
I do like that the romance is a slow build; no one can really accuse this story of being in the instalove category.
I also appreciate that this is a "classic" in lesbian fiction. But I just didn't like it.
It's Xena uber fiction (for those who don't know what that is, it's fan fiction taking the characters of Xena and Gabrielle and placing them in different time periods). So Dar is Xena and Kerry is Gabrielle. And the author takes great pains in letting us know this at every opportunity. Look, I've read a lot of fan fiction in my day, and I liked it to a degree, but I never got into Xena (I know, I know, bad queer girl!) and it felt like every page the reader is being reminded just who these characters "really" are. So that took down the enjoyment factor for me.
I also don't think that the book has honestly held up all that well; technology changes quickly, and it's painfully obvious that this book is not exactly recent, shall we say.
Also, what is up with all of the "the taller woman," "the younger woman," etc? Change it up a little. It got annoying after a while.
I do like that the romance is a slow build; no one can really accuse this story of being in the instalove category.
I also appreciate that this is a "classic" in lesbian fiction. But I just didn't like it.
January 2, 2018
This is one of my comfort reads. Simple as that. I can't give it five stars due to the awful editing :-) but the story is one I'll never get tired of. What a great way to start the new reading year.
December 14, 2025
I read this some time ago and can’t believe I didn’t record it here. I really loved the book even though it was much too long.
August 3, 2013
Wow. It was fantastic.
I've read it several times since. That one moment when the two lead characters come together is powerful. I'd call this a classic lesbian love story that is required reading.
The Plot is completely realistic. Set in Miami in a technology based business the lead character DAR, a Chief Technology Officer, is a corporate shark that takes over and piece meals smaller companies. Or she evaluates them to see if they can increase profit. Its a very timeless environment which could have been in place since the 90s. Her romantic interest, Kerry, is a technology administrator at a smaller company that has just been bought out. They meet and circumstances grow fairly naturally to allow them to interact and begin to recognize in each other that their jobs, of family are not the entire world. There is someone out there that makes sense in life. Dar and Kerry find it in each other.
This book will resonate with people for years to come.
The characters are exciting, nerdy, fascinating, and strong. Well Kerry is not as strong but builds up to it when Dar's support.
The emotional impact of this love story is every little girls dream of a white knight on a white charging steed who swoops in to save the maiden only realizing she is the one saving the white knight as well. Its so well done.
The flaws...well...its a clean book in a lot of ways. I dont know if you call that a flaw but the sex is not descriptive. I find that a bit irritating since its a discovery book for Kerry but it is still a very MINOR flaw.
Like I've said I've read this many times and I still laugh out loud at specific scenes. It hits all my satisfaction zones for a lesbian romance. Go buy it now. The entire series is really great but the first book is perfect.
Thank you Melissa
The
I've read it several times since. That one moment when the two lead characters come together is powerful. I'd call this a classic lesbian love story that is required reading.
The Plot is completely realistic. Set in Miami in a technology based business the lead character DAR, a Chief Technology Officer, is a corporate shark that takes over and piece meals smaller companies. Or she evaluates them to see if they can increase profit. Its a very timeless environment which could have been in place since the 90s. Her romantic interest, Kerry, is a technology administrator at a smaller company that has just been bought out. They meet and circumstances grow fairly naturally to allow them to interact and begin to recognize in each other that their jobs, of family are not the entire world. There is someone out there that makes sense in life. Dar and Kerry find it in each other.
This book will resonate with people for years to come.
The characters are exciting, nerdy, fascinating, and strong. Well Kerry is not as strong but builds up to it when Dar's support.
The emotional impact of this love story is every little girls dream of a white knight on a white charging steed who swoops in to save the maiden only realizing she is the one saving the white knight as well. Its so well done.
The flaws...well...its a clean book in a lot of ways. I dont know if you call that a flaw but the sex is not descriptive. I find that a bit irritating since its a discovery book for Kerry but it is still a very MINOR flaw.
Like I've said I've read this many times and I still laugh out loud at specific scenes. It hits all my satisfaction zones for a lesbian romance. Go buy it now. The entire series is really great but the first book is perfect.
Thank you Melissa
The
February 25, 2018
I really like Dar and Kerry. They have chemistry and complement each other very well. This is such a good book i really enjoyed this very much, though the book was longer that i ever read. But still, i enjoyed every bit of it. You just want to keep reading it and see what is going to happen next.
One thing though, i’m not sure if it is only me or the book, And Kerry’s parents are such a jerk. But yeah the book also reminded me how people can be so narrow minded and there are different types of them. They think do it for someone’s good but in the end, for their own image they’re willing abandon anything even their own flesh and blood.
All in all i really enjoyed this and it sometimes moved me to tear as well.
One thing though, i’m not sure if it is only me or the book, And Kerry’s parents are such a jerk. But yeah the book also reminded me how people can be so narrow minded and there are different types of them. They think do it for someone’s good but in the end, for their own image they’re willing abandon anything even their own flesh and blood.
All in all i really enjoyed this and it sometimes moved me to tear as well.
August 16, 2012
I adore this book! It was one of the first Xena ubers that I read and still one of the best. I've read it bunches of times, both online and in paperback. I consider myself fortunate, indeed, to have the first printing that includes McKay's drawings.
Dar & Kerry are such fun characters. Missy has created a world that is so compelling that I'm usually visiting there for hours at a time. I don't know what it is about her writing, but her attention to detail and strong dialog just flow along. This book, which is about a gillion pages long, flies by the eye. There's always a nice blend of action, nerdiness and mush in all of Missy's work.
Missy is one of the strongest of the Xenaverse authors to go to print and still one of the best.
Dar & Kerry are such fun characters. Missy has created a world that is so compelling that I'm usually visiting there for hours at a time. I don't know what it is about her writing, but her attention to detail and strong dialog just flow along. This book, which is about a gillion pages long, flies by the eye. There's always a nice blend of action, nerdiness and mush in all of Missy's work.
Missy is one of the strongest of the Xenaverse authors to go to print and still one of the best.
March 8, 2021
This is simply awesome. Yes, I was primed to love this book (and Dar & Kerry) because I was already in love with Xena and Gabrielle. But. Melissa Good is just such an amazing storyteller that I was immediately caught up in their lives, and genuinely cared about them. And it's exciting, and sweet, and lovely, and yes, I'm sappier than a maple tree farm. (As Dori, from Good's Journey of Soulmates series would say, "Gush!") Yeah, I am. And I love this book. Excuse me while I go read it for the third time in four months. And then reread the rest of the Dar & Kerry series.
December 2, 2023
I am a fan of this series. It has been awhile since I read one of the books. Prior to reading Winds of change book two, I decided to reread tropical storm. I am glad I did because I picked-up some information that I missed the first time around. I look forward to reading what is next for Kerry and Dar.
January 22, 2015
This book has been sitting on my recommendations for like a year and i finally got aroung reading it. The plot is good and the characters are nice enough.. Honestly i rushed through it but just because i wanted to finish it, besides all that computer technical stuff was way too much for me. I liked the way the author treated both main character's sexualities though.
November 20, 2013
Wow, what a gripping story I couldn't put the book down. I love the main characters, I love the story and I love the way it the book is written. Wonderful job, Melissa Good ;) And the good thing is I got many more books with Dar and Kerry to go, yay!
May 6, 2025
Review to follow.
November 30, 2020
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Just..
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Read
November 29, 2024The writing is not good, I just cannot get into this. It felt like fan fiction and I came here to read the reviews and found out that it actually is fan fiction
February 26, 2024
Unpopular opinion but 3.5 for me. I mean it was definitely a fun read. Slow burn with good pace. But i dunno. The misunderstandings though quickly resolved was not believable to begin with. And there was too many short misunderstandings. Things got old quite fast. But a fun read nonetheless. I understand that it is a classic lesfic and am not dunking on it whatsoever. It’s tea when i prefer coffee. I’d still enjoy it in a lazy leisurely afternoon
October 28, 2017
I stared reading this book for the second time and was slightly worried it woldn’t stand the ‘test of time’. Fortunately the story still ‘holds up’ and I enjoyed it just as much as I did the first time.
The thing I like most about this book is the way the author builds up the relationship really slowly but the story is never dull. Even if there wasn’t a love story developing, there would still be an interesting story just based on their working lives. There is enough going on with the corporate IT business and the relationships with colleagues to keep the story interesting
I should add that it helps that I spent much of my working life as an educational IT advisor and I am a bit of a nerd.
Too many books in this genre have the couple failing in love, or bed, within the first few chapters. Even worse are books where there is no real story, just pages and pages of angst while their relationship goes into melt down.
I really like the way the author develops the two main characters before the romance begins. I suspect they owe quite a lot of their characters to the author's Xena and Gabrielle stories, but that is fine with me.
The thing I like most about this book is the way the author builds up the relationship really slowly but the story is never dull. Even if there wasn’t a love story developing, there would still be an interesting story just based on their working lives. There is enough going on with the corporate IT business and the relationships with colleagues to keep the story interesting
I should add that it helps that I spent much of my working life as an educational IT advisor and I am a bit of a nerd.
Too many books in this genre have the couple failing in love, or bed, within the first few chapters. Even worse are books where there is no real story, just pages and pages of angst while their relationship goes into melt down.
I really like the way the author develops the two main characters before the romance begins. I suspect they owe quite a lot of their characters to the author's Xena and Gabrielle stories, but that is fine with me.
December 1, 2018
First off: is this fanfic AU? Yesss....but I *do* also own the published book version and I need 27 books to meet my reading challenge for the year so I'm counting it!
Objectively speaking, this isn't a five-star book. The main characters are both a little Too Good To Be True. The romance happens more quickly than is realistic, and there are some Dramatic Twists which are, well, kind of dramatic.
But...I've also re-read it every couple of years since it was originally written circa 1998 and I love it. It's an absolute delight to wallow in and re-read (along with the rest of the stories in the series). The setting is very technology-heavy and it's actually aged quite well - it's twenty years old so the characters use mobile phones (without email!), complain about dial-up and are excited about 128Mb memory. The author is so familiar with it all that it's actually become rather charming as it ages.
Objectively speaking, this isn't a five-star book. The main characters are both a little Too Good To Be True. The romance happens more quickly than is realistic, and there are some Dramatic Twists which are, well, kind of dramatic.
But...I've also re-read it every couple of years since it was originally written circa 1998 and I love it. It's an absolute delight to wallow in and re-read (along with the rest of the stories in the series). The setting is very technology-heavy and it's actually aged quite well - it's twenty years old so the characters use mobile phones (without email!), complain about dial-up and are excited about 128Mb memory. The author is so familiar with it all that it's actually become rather charming as it ages.
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