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Bishop's Run #1
Bishop's Run
"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good story, great characters!""⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved it!""⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One of the best books I've read in a long time!"Looking for fun? A little angst? How about friends-to-lovers? Slow burns? Action? Adventure? Mystery? Stories with twists and turns that keep you guessing? Start here with the first book in the Bishop's Run series..Bishop has always had a way of finding trouble, whether it's from an angry girlfriend or a pissed-off boss. Usually, she's good at getting out of it, but this time, the trouble was more than she bargained for and it almost killed her.Finding herself in a small town in Virginia, tucked away for safety by the Witness Protection Service, she is given a second chance at a new life. The security detail watching over her is headed by Detective Tess Hayes, a by-the-book police officer with a history of her own. Coming from a big city, the rural town of Tenley provides Bishop the opportunity to reclaim the better aspects of her former life and introduces her to the people who help her start over.Can Bishop run from her troubled past?How do you bury the truth and live the lie? SOME REVIEWS CONTAIN ENDING SPOILERS!
- GenresLGBTButch FemmeLesbian
427 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 25, 2017
42 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
B.D. Gates
3 books10 followersB.D. Gates is a northern-born, southern-raised writer who has always been told to "write what you know." What she knows is warm spring nights under the lights of the ball-field, four-wheeling, fire pits, fishing, and real southern women, the strong, no-nonsense kind. She currently lives with two dogs and three cats in a small rural town much like the one she writes about.
B.D. Gates writes about Bishop & Tess and all their friends in Tenley in the lesfic "Bishop's Run" series.
B.D. Gates writes about Bishop & Tess and all their friends in Tenley in the lesfic "Bishop's Run" series.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 5, 2018
**'I have found that readers are very much to be trusted...Pay more attention to the people/readers who like your work than to those who don't...'
Reasonable Introductory series!
BISHOP'S RUN is clearly just the prologue and starting point of a horrible crime that was told as a full story by Ms.Gates who posed more questions than answered in its pages. It is a strange,intriguing,tricky and interesting book,sometimes full of fast-paced intense action and other times slowed down with attention to detail--was a good opening series not the best but a frustratingly tough storyline and plot twists to get through to the ending---the upside were the incredible steamy sex scenes. The unlikely friendship between Tess & Bishop did ignite a journey of self-discovery for both women that bought them together to what readers saw as genuine 'LOVE' but chose to sacrifice it in the end. In no way is BISHOP'S RUN an easy read: it is moody and often lovely but difficult to follow at times. The back and forth writing verges on streams of consciousness as characters' thoughts springs up and disappear under new ones quickly as they panic or try to puzzle out what is happening. Readers are tasked with trying to determine what is happening as well. Ms.Gates definitely tries her best to create some kind of a chilling mood because of the subjects and topics that were mentioned,yet the characters were slippery and the atmosphere occasionally bogs downs the plot. Still,by the conclusion, readers do get a picture of what really happen in Bishop's past life and even help her move forward. Gates do sets her series up for a promising sequel in which she inventively build a nice lead in. Recommended!
Reasonable Introductory series!
BISHOP'S RUN is clearly just the prologue and starting point of a horrible crime that was told as a full story by Ms.Gates who posed more questions than answered in its pages. It is a strange,intriguing,tricky and interesting book,sometimes full of fast-paced intense action and other times slowed down with attention to detail--was a good opening series not the best but a frustratingly tough storyline and plot twists to get through to the ending---the upside were the incredible steamy sex scenes. The unlikely friendship between Tess & Bishop did ignite a journey of self-discovery for both women that bought them together to what readers saw as genuine 'LOVE' but chose to sacrifice it in the end. In no way is BISHOP'S RUN an easy read: it is moody and often lovely but difficult to follow at times. The back and forth writing verges on streams of consciousness as characters' thoughts springs up and disappear under new ones quickly as they panic or try to puzzle out what is happening. Readers are tasked with trying to determine what is happening as well. Ms.Gates definitely tries her best to create some kind of a chilling mood because of the subjects and topics that were mentioned,yet the characters were slippery and the atmosphere occasionally bogs downs the plot. Still,by the conclusion, readers do get a picture of what really happen in Bishop's past life and even help her move forward. Gates do sets her series up for a promising sequel in which she inventively build a nice lead in. Recommended!
March 31, 2020
"Circle, circle, dot, dot, now you've got your cootie shot"
One of the best lines in the whole book, and one of the best ways to show everyone the type of character Bishop aka "Lisa Baxter" was. Yes, she was an adult, but in my opinion she was a kid at heart who ran whenever sh*t hit the fan, including relationships. The story opened to Bishop waking up to someone cooking breakfast, making us think it was her partner, lover, her whatever. We soon learn that the mystery woman was her "keeper" while Bishop was safely hidden under the witness protection program, and that her "keeper" was a cop named Tess. It took reading three quarters of the way into the story to finally get the whole story as to why Bishop was kept hidden. I was really, really rooting for Bishop and Tess to get together. Their relationship blossomed so naturally from civil acquaintances to friends who wined and dined to them realizing they had deeper feelings for each other, but were too afraid to cross that line. It didn't help that Tess was straight, suddenly falling for a woman, confusing her all the more because that woman was a "criminal". While all this was enfolding, another relationship was blooming between Bishop and Penny. They met after Bishop was invited to join the local baseball league that was coached by her boss at the Veterinarian's. We got to meet a slew of other women who were also gay but kept it under the radar due to the size of the town they all lived in. Penny's house seemed to be a safe haven for anyone not identifying with the norm, including Bishop. Their relationship was supposed to be strictly "fun" according to Penny's rules, but soon after her having Bishop, it appeared she wanted more from the cute, mysterious butch. Basically, shi*t hit the fan. And then the drama, drama, drama...
I loved Bishop, I loved Tess, I loved everybody, even the little dog that Bishop rescued from the streets. Oh my gawd, my heart melted into a puddle when I read that scene. Bishop getting down on the ground, coaxing the little pup into her lap, calling her baby. Just mop me up now. Help, a damsel in distress because a strong, cute butch rescued a dog.
I hated Penny. She was aggressive, mean, rude. She didn't understand personal boundaries. Yes, she called people out on their bullsh*t, but it was abrupt and not smooth or classy. I absolutely hated the ending of this book. I am praying there's a better outcome in the sequel.
If you like cops, baseball, animals, fun sexy times, and stubborn-ass butch women, then check out this story.
One of the best lines in the whole book, and one of the best ways to show everyone the type of character Bishop aka "Lisa Baxter" was. Yes, she was an adult, but in my opinion she was a kid at heart who ran whenever sh*t hit the fan, including relationships. The story opened to Bishop waking up to someone cooking breakfast, making us think it was her partner, lover, her whatever. We soon learn that the mystery woman was her "keeper" while Bishop was safely hidden under the witness protection program, and that her "keeper" was a cop named Tess. It took reading three quarters of the way into the story to finally get the whole story as to why Bishop was kept hidden. I was really, really rooting for Bishop and Tess to get together. Their relationship blossomed so naturally from civil acquaintances to friends who wined and dined to them realizing they had deeper feelings for each other, but were too afraid to cross that line. It didn't help that Tess was straight, suddenly falling for a woman, confusing her all the more because that woman was a "criminal". While all this was enfolding, another relationship was blooming between Bishop and Penny. They met after Bishop was invited to join the local baseball league that was coached by her boss at the Veterinarian's. We got to meet a slew of other women who were also gay but kept it under the radar due to the size of the town they all lived in. Penny's house seemed to be a safe haven for anyone not identifying with the norm, including Bishop. Their relationship was supposed to be strictly "fun" according to Penny's rules, but soon after her having Bishop, it appeared she wanted more from the cute, mysterious butch. Basically, shi*t hit the fan. And then the drama, drama, drama...
I loved Bishop, I loved Tess, I loved everybody, even the little dog that Bishop rescued from the streets. Oh my gawd, my heart melted into a puddle when I read that scene. Bishop getting down on the ground, coaxing the little pup into her lap, calling her baby. Just mop me up now. Help, a damsel in distress because a strong, cute butch rescued a dog.
I hated Penny. She was aggressive, mean, rude. She didn't understand personal boundaries. Yes, she called people out on their bullsh*t, but it was abrupt and not smooth or classy. I absolutely hated the ending of this book. I am praying there's a better outcome in the sequel.
If you like cops, baseball, animals, fun sexy times, and stubborn-ass butch women, then check out this story.
June 30, 2017
It started out promising
I've had my eye on this book and once it became available on Unlimited I jumped to read it. The book started out strong with great chemistry between Bishop and Tess. Then after the first few chapters once Bishop starts playing for the softball team it all kinda fell apart and the direction got lost. It seemed as if an attempt to portray real life situations and outcome became a blur of things that did not fit or even really help the story. Penny was not likable to me at all. Demanding and possessive but wants to keep things "fun." I don't know how those two constitutes as fun. Then there were all the unanswered issues and questions that were introduced and then dropped (Harry's love for Penny. Jillie's relationship to Bishop. Among other things). There are other issues I had but ultimately, this book wasn't for me. I just couldn't get on board once Bishop became a tool. Honestly the only character I liked was Tess...
I've had my eye on this book and once it became available on Unlimited I jumped to read it. The book started out strong with great chemistry between Bishop and Tess. Then after the first few chapters once Bishop starts playing for the softball team it all kinda fell apart and the direction got lost. It seemed as if an attempt to portray real life situations and outcome became a blur of things that did not fit or even really help the story. Penny was not likable to me at all. Demanding and possessive but wants to keep things "fun." I don't know how those two constitutes as fun. Then there were all the unanswered issues and questions that were introduced and then dropped (Harry's love for Penny. Jillie's relationship to Bishop. Among other things). There are other issues I had but ultimately, this book wasn't for me. I just couldn't get on board once Bishop became a tool. Honestly the only character I liked was Tess...
March 7, 2020
I didn't think I'd like this book but it turned out better than I expected. It was steamy and highly entertaining.
July 17, 2020
This was quite a read. Bishop was relocated to a new town. Tess is one of the officers looking after her, and one of the few people who know that Bishop is in Witness Protection. She has to create a new life, but while people are friendly, some are also kind of suspicious. Bishop gradually establishes that new life, and it was interesting to watch her come to terms with her situation and the people around her.
There was one line that gave a hint why Bishop is now Baxter, and I rolled it around in my head for explanations until the reveal happens. There’s an interesting yet frustrating love triangle. Both of her love interests are complex, wounded women, too, just like her. The book culminates in a big way, followed by a resolution to the love situation.
There was one line that gave a hint why Bishop is now Baxter, and I rolled it around in my head for explanations until the reveal happens. There’s an interesting yet frustrating love triangle. Both of her love interests are complex, wounded women, too, just like her. The book culminates in a big way, followed by a resolution to the love situation.
February 22, 2021
Softball, small town, secrets and danger all mixed skillfully together with unforgettable characters makes Bishop’s Run a fun read. B.D. Gates is a new writer for me and I will definitely finish out this series based on my enjoyment level from reading book 1 and the character of Bishop. She is a funny and charismatic main character which drives you to want to learn more about her.
The plot does drag a little bit in a few minor places with a redundancy issue but this could be cleaned up with a sharper editor’s pen. Other than this minor complaint I highly recommend this novel.
4⭐️
The plot does drag a little bit in a few minor places with a redundancy issue but this could be cleaned up with a sharper editor’s pen. Other than this minor complaint I highly recommend this novel.
4⭐️
June 19, 2017
This book was fantastic! It has all the elements that keep me turning pages: romance, suspense, action, etc. The whole story is slowly revealed throughout the book and it's one surprise after another. There's a love triangle in this book and I have mixed feelings about the way it ended. I've never understood that whole "I love you, but I have to leave" bullshit. Readers will love Bishop and Tess. I did and I want (need?) to see more of them. There better be a damn sequel in the works...
March 1, 2020
Wow
I really like this story. But like the other reviewer I wish bishop/Baxter would have gotten with tess. I thought the storyline was wonderful watching Baxter deal with her past and make New life. I hope their is a book 2. I would definitely recommend this book.
I really like this story. But like the other reviewer I wish bishop/Baxter would have gotten with tess. I thought the storyline was wonderful watching Baxter deal with her past and make New life. I hope their is a book 2. I would definitely recommend this book.
August 15, 2018
Wow, just wow... This story really blew my mind because it was so different to any other book I have read. Nothing about this story is predictable because it is so realistic and the characters were down to earth, raw, fun-loving and flawed but I loved them anyway. Bishop and Tess already own a piece of my heart and I was sad to see the story end and I wished these adorable women were real. This is the first book I have read from this author but it surely wouldn't be the last.
June 18, 2020
Well done
Pretty unique story which is always a nice surprise.. and for kindle unlimited you can't go wrong. I'll say this if you read it you won't be disappointed. I feel like there is a lot more that could be said but im just not sure where to start.. i guess I'm saying just read it for yourself ...and now I'm off to read the next in the series!
Pretty unique story which is always a nice surprise.. and for kindle unlimited you can't go wrong. I'll say this if you read it you won't be disappointed. I feel like there is a lot more that could be said but im just not sure where to start.. i guess I'm saying just read it for yourself ...and now I'm off to read the next in the series!
March 4, 2020
Great Read
Couldn't Put it down. First book I read by this author. I loved the characters. The three main characters had a lot of depth to them. One was a cop, one in witness protection and one that played in the softball team with with Lisa who was in wItness protection. Their childhoods all had sadness and disappointments. They were all afraid of opening their hearts. No strings attached relationships. But things changed along the way and these women decide to change things up after a series of events and words spoken. I'm starting the next book in the series now!! The characters were able to make me cheer as well as shed some tears!
Couldn't Put it down. First book I read by this author. I loved the characters. The three main characters had a lot of depth to them. One was a cop, one in witness protection and one that played in the softball team with with Lisa who was in wItness protection. Their childhoods all had sadness and disappointments. They were all afraid of opening their hearts. No strings attached relationships. But things changed along the way and these women decide to change things up after a series of events and words spoken. I'm starting the next book in the series now!! The characters were able to make me cheer as well as shed some tears!
October 23, 2017
NI loved it til
It ended. The ending sucked. I get enough unhappy endings in life. I don't need them in my reading. I won't be reading this author again. Better ending and this was a 5 star book.
It ended. The ending sucked. I get enough unhappy endings in life. I don't need them in my reading. I won't be reading this author again. Better ending and this was a 5 star book.
February 18, 2020
I recommend this book
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are well developed and very likable. This book has mystery , romance and best of all a book two. Thanks for a very enjoyable read.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are well developed and very likable. This book has mystery , romance and best of all a book two. Thanks for a very enjoyable read.
June 25, 2017
Saddened...
What a crap ending to what had been a well written, engaging read. I am horribly disappointed and will never read anything by this author again.
What a crap ending to what had been a well written, engaging read. I am horribly disappointed and will never read anything by this author again.
July 10, 2017
Great Read
This was a really good book!! I wanted it to end differently, but it was still a great read. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
This was a really good book!! I wanted it to end differently, but it was still a great read. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
July 26, 2017
Wow, just wow
This was a really intense book and it left me with conflicting emotions. It was very well written and I really recommend it.
This was a really intense book and it left me with conflicting emotions. It was very well written and I really recommend it.
October 29, 2020
It's been quite some time since I've written a review and there are several books I really want to write about but it's simply been too long. Accordingly, I want to get down my thoughts about Bishop's Run while the book is still fresh in my mind, because it so richly deserves a review. There's always a slight bit of trepidation when you select a book by an author whose work you've never read but there's also a real sense of excitement. From comments about the book and its author, I got a very positive feeling about Bishop's Run and the premise was intriguing, so I decided to give it a try. I know this is trite, but I'm very glad that I did.
As I said, the premise, that is, the protagonist being in the Witness Protection Program intrigued me and the story definitely delivered. Although that scenario really only impacts the action at the end, its potential for drama is always felt in the background and several times it provides a needed tension between two of the main characters. It also is what brings the two of them together in the first place.
The element of sports in lesbian fiction is as much of a cliché as the old joke about the U-Haul second date but Gates makes it an absolutely vital part of the narrative. It’s used to introduce traits of the characters not always discernable elsewhere. It also serves as a counterpoint to the drama of personal relationships between the various characters and is important to the perfect pacing of the story. In addition, every softball scene rings absolutely true.
And, about those characters? They’re a nicely varied dramatis personae, adding to the complexity of the story. Each character has a unique voice, something one doesn’t always find in fiction, unfortunately; there are too many novels where all the characters seem to speak with the writer’s voice but that's definitely not the case here. The three principals in Bishop’s Run are quite distinct: though they’re similar in some ways, especially in their vulnerability, the cause is different for each of them as is the way they deal with it. They’re also strong in spite of that vulnerability and one of the lessons here is that they’re stronger together than they are separately. The supporting cast are well fleshed-out and not just filler material; they make important contributions to the story and, in their interaction with Bishop, Tess and Penny, they also aid in the character development of those three.
The actual writing in Bishop’s Run is solid and has a very natural flow that moves things along smoothly and quickly. I can’t think of a single instance where things bog down. There are no info dumps. What we need to know about past events is neatly presented in the dialogue, again, allowing for a smooth flow of the narrative. As for the mechanical aspect of the writing, there are none of the gaffes in grammar, syntax and punctuation that can be so terribly distracting. There may be a (very) few awkward sentences, but that’s most likely a subjective assessment on my part and not a fault in the writing.
It’s my probably worth pointing out that there are some fairly graphic sex scenes. None of them feels gratuitous, however; they result from the natural flow of events and one serves to create an element of conflict between one of the characters actually involved in that particular sex scene and one who is not. Those scenes also call to mind Katharine V Forrest’s dictum that you can show things about characters in a sex scene that can’t be depicted in any other way or, as I like to put it, when characters are naked physically, they’re often emotionally naked, as well.
Several people posting on amazon and goodreads complained about the ending of the novel. I do understand where they’re coming from but my own stance has always been that, unless there’s some inconsistency or plot-related gaffe, one must always respect auctorial decisions. You might not necessarily like those choices, but you need a stronger reason than that to criticize them.
To sum up, B.D. Gates’s Bishop Run is an extremely enjoyable, well-written novel with a compelling plot and engaging characters whom you root for unreservedly. The writing is technically proficient and there’s a very nice balance between moments fraught with drama and emotion and much lighter passages. If you’re not familiar with Gates’s works, I strongly encourage you to give Bishop’s Run a try. I’ve no doubt you’ll be glad you did.
As I said, the premise, that is, the protagonist being in the Witness Protection Program intrigued me and the story definitely delivered. Although that scenario really only impacts the action at the end, its potential for drama is always felt in the background and several times it provides a needed tension between two of the main characters. It also is what brings the two of them together in the first place.
The element of sports in lesbian fiction is as much of a cliché as the old joke about the U-Haul second date but Gates makes it an absolutely vital part of the narrative. It’s used to introduce traits of the characters not always discernable elsewhere. It also serves as a counterpoint to the drama of personal relationships between the various characters and is important to the perfect pacing of the story. In addition, every softball scene rings absolutely true.
And, about those characters? They’re a nicely varied dramatis personae, adding to the complexity of the story. Each character has a unique voice, something one doesn’t always find in fiction, unfortunately; there are too many novels where all the characters seem to speak with the writer’s voice but that's definitely not the case here. The three principals in Bishop’s Run are quite distinct: though they’re similar in some ways, especially in their vulnerability, the cause is different for each of them as is the way they deal with it. They’re also strong in spite of that vulnerability and one of the lessons here is that they’re stronger together than they are separately. The supporting cast are well fleshed-out and not just filler material; they make important contributions to the story and, in their interaction with Bishop, Tess and Penny, they also aid in the character development of those three.
The actual writing in Bishop’s Run is solid and has a very natural flow that moves things along smoothly and quickly. I can’t think of a single instance where things bog down. There are no info dumps. What we need to know about past events is neatly presented in the dialogue, again, allowing for a smooth flow of the narrative. As for the mechanical aspect of the writing, there are none of the gaffes in grammar, syntax and punctuation that can be so terribly distracting. There may be a (very) few awkward sentences, but that’s most likely a subjective assessment on my part and not a fault in the writing.
It’s my probably worth pointing out that there are some fairly graphic sex scenes. None of them feels gratuitous, however; they result from the natural flow of events and one serves to create an element of conflict between one of the characters actually involved in that particular sex scene and one who is not. Those scenes also call to mind Katharine V Forrest’s dictum that you can show things about characters in a sex scene that can’t be depicted in any other way or, as I like to put it, when characters are naked physically, they’re often emotionally naked, as well.
Several people posting on amazon and goodreads complained about the ending of the novel. I do understand where they’re coming from but my own stance has always been that, unless there’s some inconsistency or plot-related gaffe, one must always respect auctorial decisions. You might not necessarily like those choices, but you need a stronger reason than that to criticize them.
To sum up, B.D. Gates’s Bishop Run is an extremely enjoyable, well-written novel with a compelling plot and engaging characters whom you root for unreservedly. The writing is technically proficient and there’s a very nice balance between moments fraught with drama and emotion and much lighter passages. If you’re not familiar with Gates’s works, I strongly encourage you to give Bishop’s Run a try. I’ve no doubt you’ll be glad you did.
October 3, 2018
Wonderful book a total page turner
Lisa Baxter (Bishop) is in the Witness Protection Program and Tess Hayes is the Detective assigned to look after her. I loved the beginning where we saw Tess looking after an injured Bishop. We see Bishop begin to start a new life in a new town. Wonderful descriptive characters my favourites were Tess, Bishop, Coach/Dr Biggs. Even the animals Rosie, Smokey and Sophie.
Incredible powerful story of someone starting life over, a new chance to be someone else. I didn’t understand one word of the softball scenes but thought it was fantastic anyway. The flashbacks were well written.
Very difficult to write a review without mentioning the ending, totally unexpected, I knocked a star off because of the ending, otherwise a 5 star book. Am off to read Double Play Bishop’s Run Series Book 2 to see what happens. I recommend this entertaining book.
Lisa Baxter (Bishop) is in the Witness Protection Program and Tess Hayes is the Detective assigned to look after her. I loved the beginning where we saw Tess looking after an injured Bishop. We see Bishop begin to start a new life in a new town. Wonderful descriptive characters my favourites were Tess, Bishop, Coach/Dr Biggs. Even the animals Rosie, Smokey and Sophie.
Incredible powerful story of someone starting life over, a new chance to be someone else. I didn’t understand one word of the softball scenes but thought it was fantastic anyway. The flashbacks were well written.
Very difficult to write a review without mentioning the ending, totally unexpected, I knocked a star off because of the ending, otherwise a 5 star book. Am off to read Double Play Bishop’s Run Series Book 2 to see what happens. I recommend this entertaining book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2019
Excellent!
I really enjoyed Bishop’s Run and the short story included after, Double Play. I really enjoyed the characters. The pairing didn’t end up like I hoped it would. But, one can always hope.
I really enjoyed Bishop’s Run and the short story included after, Double Play. I really enjoyed the characters. The pairing didn’t end up like I hoped it would. But, one can always hope.
November 29, 2020
A good read
Clear and detailed, but not so many that it weighs the storyline down.
Gates does a wonderful job filling in the pertinent info about the characters.
Imho, just a good read all the way through.
Clear and detailed, but not so many that it weighs the storyline down.
Gates does a wonderful job filling in the pertinent info about the characters.
Imho, just a good read all the way through.
February 9, 2021
Wow! Loved this book. Loved the location, loved the characters, loved the way the story is told!!!
I am hooked an will be starting book #2 ASAP
This book will make yoga little sad, keep you interested from the start to the end. But the characters will also make you smile.
I am hooked an will be starting book #2 ASAP
This book will make yoga little sad, keep you interested from the start to the end. But the characters will also make you smile.
December 1, 2020
Not your typical Lesbian Murder mystery/romance. In fact, this is an extra-special Read. Characters that feel like people you should know and a plot like s current even you really should know about!! Totally recommend this book and this series!!!
Read
May 14, 2019"I'm gonna write a whodunit about a GR reviewer who gets murrrderrrred..." B.D.Gates on Twitter.
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