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Love #1
Legacy of Love
What was it about Sage Bristo that drew women to her? Maybe it was the tall, toned body and androgynous good looks. Perhaps they liked her confidence -- her movements and manner so sure and decisive. Or was it the air of mystery, the temptation of a challenge to unravel? Sage couldn't explain the attraction, but she had certainly benefited from it, at least physically. Women would do anything for her. But never the woman she needed the most -- the one woman who could lead her through the realm of desire, to the one thing she desires most. . .In this Revised Author's Edition of Legacy of Love, Marianne K. Martin tells us the complete story of Sage Bristo and the mystery that surrounds her.
228 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1997
8 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Marianne K. Martin
21 books65 followersA graduate of Eastern Michigan University, Ms Martin taught in the Michigan public school system for twenty-five years, has worked as a photo-journalist, a photographer, and coached both high school and collegiate teams as well as amateur ASA teams. Her coaching career produced many Tri-County and MHSAA championship basketball and softball teams and championship ASA softball teams. She was founder of the Michigan Woman's Major Fastpitch Assoc. and its president for ten years. In 1973 she won the precedent-setting case in a Michigan court establishing equal pay for women coaches.
Ms Martin is the best-selling author of Legacy of Love, Love in the Balance, Never Ending, Dawn of the Dance, Dance in the Key of Love, and three Lambda Literary Award finalists, Mirrors, Under the Witness Tree, and For Now, For Always.
Her short stories have been included in a number of anthologies. Her most recent, Fire and Ice, appears in the second edition of the on-line issue of Read These Lips.
She is co-owner of Bywater Books and currently splits her time between her publishing responsibilities and writing.
Ms Martin is the best-selling author of Legacy of Love, Love in the Balance, Never Ending, Dawn of the Dance, Dance in the Key of Love, and three Lambda Literary Award finalists, Mirrors, Under the Witness Tree, and For Now, For Always.
Her short stories have been included in a number of anthologies. Her most recent, Fire and Ice, appears in the second edition of the on-line issue of Read These Lips.
She is co-owner of Bywater Books and currently splits her time between her publishing responsibilities and writing.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 30, 2013
Ms. Martin does a very good job of portraying the love between 2 grown, beautiful and intelligent women. A great love story!
December 4, 2024
*This review relates to the book and the audiobook*
Read: 4+
Aural: 5
As usual, Martin's writing is always grounded in reality, resonating, with a lot of heart poured into it, She never ceases to delve into difficult subject matters related to women and the lesbian community. Also, Abby Craden's poignant portrayal of the pivotal characters and the various emotional scenarios really packed a punch, thus elevating Martin's story to another level of emotional effect and realism.
But "Legacy of Love" was quite a hard one for me to go through, primarily because of the horrendous act of sexual violence AND a soul-crushing act of domestic violence (physical AND emotional), which, imho, played a big part in the MC's inner psyche. Unwittingly, they also became a dark cloud looming over my reading and listening experience like a lurking monster (although it was largely expected because of the DNA/cell memory that spilled over to this lifetime of mine, apparently! And I digress...that's another story altogether!)...
Needless to say, Craden's performance in those scenes was so viscerally authentic, I literally had a physical reaction (I felt sick from phantom and emotional pain). Although Martin didn't go into too much detail in words but the nuances, the non-verbals from Craden's affecting voice brought terrifying chills and roaring anguish.
Nevertheless, the story was powerful and incredibly relevant back then and now. Why do we still have to struggle to be who we are? Why do people still harbor such hatred toward the LGBTQ+ community? Also, what does it mean by family if not a group of people, regardless of blood ties, who loves and supports us unconditionally, no matter what, who celebrates and embraces us for who we are inside out? Blood ties do not always guarantee unconditional love, support or acceptance. This story highlights the harsh reality of a blood family vs a chosen family.
In any case, "Legacy of Love" is a timeless, classic adult love story that dances around the burning question of whether age-gap and promiscuity could ever amount to true intimacy and everlasting love between two women from vastly different socio-economic background, worldview, and life experience. Martin's words and Craden's vocal artistry bring this story to life from start to finish. It's definitely a recommended read and listen, that's for sure! Old school but still, it's a sign of the times...
Read: 4+
Aural: 5
As usual, Martin's writing is always grounded in reality, resonating, with a lot of heart poured into it, She never ceases to delve into difficult subject matters related to women and the lesbian community. Also, Abby Craden's poignant portrayal of the pivotal characters and the various emotional scenarios really packed a punch, thus elevating Martin's story to another level of emotional effect and realism.
But "Legacy of Love" was quite a hard one for me to go through, primarily because of the horrendous act of sexual violence AND a soul-crushing act of domestic violence (physical AND emotional), which, imho, played a big part in the MC's inner psyche. Unwittingly, they also became a dark cloud looming over my reading and listening experience like a lurking monster (although it was largely expected because of the DNA/cell memory that spilled over to this lifetime of mine, apparently! And I digress...that's another story altogether!)...
Needless to say, Craden's performance in those scenes was so viscerally authentic, I literally had a physical reaction (I felt sick from phantom and emotional pain). Although Martin didn't go into too much detail in words but the nuances, the non-verbals from Craden's affecting voice brought terrifying chills and roaring anguish.
Nevertheless, the story was powerful and incredibly relevant back then and now. Why do we still have to struggle to be who we are? Why do people still harbor such hatred toward the LGBTQ+ community? Also, what does it mean by family if not a group of people, regardless of blood ties, who loves and supports us unconditionally, no matter what, who celebrates and embraces us for who we are inside out? Blood ties do not always guarantee unconditional love, support or acceptance. This story highlights the harsh reality of a blood family vs a chosen family.
In any case, "Legacy of Love" is a timeless, classic adult love story that dances around the burning question of whether age-gap and promiscuity could ever amount to true intimacy and everlasting love between two women from vastly different socio-economic background, worldview, and life experience. Martin's words and Craden's vocal artistry bring this story to life from start to finish. It's definitely a recommended read and listen, that's for sure! Old school but still, it's a sign of the times...
May 20, 2025
In short, it’s a relatable angsty love story, hot descriptive sex scenes, and excellent dialogue with the main characters. So why the three stars? Without any spoilers, it moves pretty fast in some scenes as the Love Interest isn’t interested in love but it doesn’t take long for her to be attracted to Sage. I feel like with a character meeting someone they don’t want to love should have more pushback. I think the author should’ve given them a slower burn along with more depth on Sage’s Love Interest past than a simple tell, not show and this goes for Sage as well. I will say that Part Two of the book is more interesting than the first half so it might take a while to get into it but I say this book is worth a read! It’s cute, sexy, and emotional.
A Warning: One of the characters almost gets raped but it does not follow through
Rating: 3.5
A Warning: One of the characters almost gets raped but it does not follow through
Rating: 3.5
May 11, 2019
Couldn’t Stop Reading!
This book is a 10+!! The characters are attractive and written with realistic depth. The writing is beautifully descriptive. The love story is captivating. So happy I found this book and Marianne K. Martin!
This book is a 10+!! The characters are attractive and written with realistic depth. The writing is beautifully descriptive. The love story is captivating. So happy I found this book and Marianne K. Martin!
October 17, 2017
An entertaining read. I like the characters, plot and also a bit of the mysticism however I feel from the point they profess their live for one another the book seemed rushed.
December 27, 2012
This is my first Martin read. The story of Sage and Deanna is very interesting and not your normal formula for this genre. The book is about love, but it is also about the Seneca Women. I am unsure how this will move forward in sequel, but I hope Martin expands on this story. There are many battles that Sage must fight with the tools her grandmother left her. Tools passed down to each generation by Seneca Women. Deanna must let go of insecurities in order to be in a position to accept and give real love that is destined to come to her. By a connection neither women are aware of This they are brought together. Whether they stay there depends on them both. This is an amazing book and I recommend it to other readers.
January 18, 2013
I won this book in the mad days of Christmas countdown.(thanks Jove!) Anyway, I read this story and then immediately re-read this story. I was so thoroughly engaged with the characters that I was sorry when I reached the last page. As a woman in a May-December relationship, I could certainly relate to Sage's frustration with the "age debate". This title enticed me enough to read the follow up title, which also did not disappoint.
October 24, 2012
This book made you question the characters as they were developed before your eyes. I thought the author did a great job conveying the "layers" of the main characters little by little so your opinion of them could expand. Also the store of the particular culture found in this book is rare find and made it that much more great read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews