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Unsung Love Song
Celia Orne has a dream, and she's finally been given the opportunity to chase it.
A botanist by day, poet by night, Celia uproots herself and moves to Florida in order to search for a legendary plant she's always hoped was real. With recent heartbreak and long-past tragedy dogging her steps, she hopes that this new life of adventure will give her a chance to find some closure.
She never planned on fate throwing Gem Raglan in her way.
Gem is alluring, carefree, and a shameless flirt. She also knows the beaches and islands of Florida like the back of her hand, and she's more than happy to help Celia explore. What's so bad about having a little fun with her, as long as it doesn't distract Celia from her quest? But before Celia has a chance to step on the brakes, her feelings for Gem grow into something more than just "a little fun." If Gem's smoldering glances are any indication, she feels exactly the same way.
But soon, getting distracted from her search isn't Celia's only problem. The closer they get to finding the legendary plant, the clearer it becomes that Gem is hiding something. And Celia, torn between the woman who sets her heart free and the dream she's chased all her life, must make a decision.
Will making one dream come true mean giving up on the other?
A botanist by day, poet by night, Celia uproots herself and moves to Florida in order to search for a legendary plant she's always hoped was real. With recent heartbreak and long-past tragedy dogging her steps, she hopes that this new life of adventure will give her a chance to find some closure.
She never planned on fate throwing Gem Raglan in her way.
Gem is alluring, carefree, and a shameless flirt. She also knows the beaches and islands of Florida like the back of her hand, and she's more than happy to help Celia explore. What's so bad about having a little fun with her, as long as it doesn't distract Celia from her quest? But before Celia has a chance to step on the brakes, her feelings for Gem grow into something more than just "a little fun." If Gem's smoldering glances are any indication, she feels exactly the same way.
But soon, getting distracted from her search isn't Celia's only problem. The closer they get to finding the legendary plant, the clearer it becomes that Gem is hiding something. And Celia, torn between the woman who sets her heart free and the dream she's chased all her life, must make a decision.
Will making one dream come true mean giving up on the other?
169 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2017
45 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Marian Snowe
24 books111 followersMarian Snowe is an author of lesbian romantic fiction. She can often be found talking to trees, examining flower petals with a magnifying glass, or venturing with small steps into the frigid New England ocean. She lives with her vivacious, adventure-loving wife, Ruby Grandin, and two cats. She loves to settle down in a meadow or at her desk by a window (with a good view of the birdfeeder!) to write stories about ladies in love.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 8, 2020
This is my first book/audiobook by Marian Snowe and I have to admit that I wasn’t aware of her work until a co-reviewer recommended this book to me. As I enjoyed Tessa Stavers’s narration of ‘The Good Girl’ by Madeleine Taylor, I decided to give it a go. The main premise is interesting and original but I’m on the fence about the execution.
Botanist and poet Celia Orne moves to Florida in order to search for a legendary plant she’s always hoped was real. There she meets Gem Raglan, a carefree kayak tour operator and they both feel an instant attraction. Behind her friendly and flirtatious attitude, Gem is hiding something about her past that is coming to get her. Will Celia be able to help Gem confront her issues, explore the potential of their budding relationship and find the mythical plant?
This is an ok lesbian romance audiobook with the beautiful natural setting of the state of Florida. I liked the main premise of the book, the search for an elusive plant which was documented in chronicles of the first Spanish settlers in Florida but was never found. The plant is known as the ‘balm of all’, a cure for all human diseases. Celia is interested in finding it for personal reasons very close to her heart. For the researcher in me, I enjoyed the detailed investigation and clue gathering by Celia. It was a great way to also depict the beautiful landscapes of Florida and the unpredictability of the forces of nature. In my opinion, this was the highlight of the book.
Having said that, the romance was ok but on the predictable side, the connection between the main characters was fine but not off the charts. Still, that part of the plot was enjoyable enough. However, the ‘villain’ storyline sounded contrived and unrealistic, just a plot device to create conflict and move the story forward. I wasn’t convinced and, for me, it didn’t make much sense either in its development nor in its resolution.
Tessa Stavers did a very good job narrating the story, her voices were distinctive and her performance of the feelings was very good. It’s not a very demanding book to narrate but she did nevertheless a good job. Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins. Overall: 3.5 stars
Botanist and poet Celia Orne moves to Florida in order to search for a legendary plant she’s always hoped was real. There she meets Gem Raglan, a carefree kayak tour operator and they both feel an instant attraction. Behind her friendly and flirtatious attitude, Gem is hiding something about her past that is coming to get her. Will Celia be able to help Gem confront her issues, explore the potential of their budding relationship and find the mythical plant?
This is an ok lesbian romance audiobook with the beautiful natural setting of the state of Florida. I liked the main premise of the book, the search for an elusive plant which was documented in chronicles of the first Spanish settlers in Florida but was never found. The plant is known as the ‘balm of all’, a cure for all human diseases. Celia is interested in finding it for personal reasons very close to her heart. For the researcher in me, I enjoyed the detailed investigation and clue gathering by Celia. It was a great way to also depict the beautiful landscapes of Florida and the unpredictability of the forces of nature. In my opinion, this was the highlight of the book.
Having said that, the romance was ok but on the predictable side, the connection between the main characters was fine but not off the charts. Still, that part of the plot was enjoyable enough. However, the ‘villain’ storyline sounded contrived and unrealistic, just a plot device to create conflict and move the story forward. I wasn’t convinced and, for me, it didn’t make much sense either in its development nor in its resolution.
Tessa Stavers did a very good job narrating the story, her voices were distinctive and her performance of the feelings was very good. It’s not a very demanding book to narrate but she did nevertheless a good job. Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins. Overall: 3.5 stars
January 6, 2020
Some treasure hunts are more personal than others.
As a child, Celia lost her sister to cancer. As she watched her teenage sister suffer, she made herself a promise: she would, one day, find the “balm of all”, a legendary plant that can cure anything. Decades later, she moves from Michigan to Florida, into the house her grandmother left her, and decides to get back to her quest for the mythical plant. As an adult and a botanist, she no longer believes it can cure all ailments, but as a scientist, she nevertheless is very interested in discovering and documenting a rare flower. She meets Gem who seems as careless and free as Celia is quiet and dedicated. Gem knows all about the area and, as sparks fly between the two, they explore islands and beaches.
It’s a very sweet story, my first narrated by Tessa Stavers. I liked the narration a lot, once I got used to the new voice. I thought the “villain”, Drake, was a bit too much, but I really liked Gem’s great-aunt Agnes, as well as Celia and Gem.
As a child, Celia lost her sister to cancer. As she watched her teenage sister suffer, she made herself a promise: she would, one day, find the “balm of all”, a legendary plant that can cure anything. Decades later, she moves from Michigan to Florida, into the house her grandmother left her, and decides to get back to her quest for the mythical plant. As an adult and a botanist, she no longer believes it can cure all ailments, but as a scientist, she nevertheless is very interested in discovering and documenting a rare flower. She meets Gem who seems as careless and free as Celia is quiet and dedicated. Gem knows all about the area and, as sparks fly between the two, they explore islands and beaches.
It’s a very sweet story, my first narrated by Tessa Stavers. I liked the narration a lot, once I got used to the new voice. I thought the “villain”, Drake, was a bit too much, but I really liked Gem’s great-aunt Agnes, as well as Celia and Gem.
June 12, 2017
2.5 stars
After inheriting her grandmother's Floridian home, botanist Celia is finally ready to set out to search for something she's been invested in for so long. Balm of All, a rare plant that is supposedly a cure for ailments, Celia has been obsessed with finding it after losing her older sister Muriel to cancer 30 years ago. When she arrives, town citizen Gem quickly catches her eye. Recently burned by her ex, Celia is cautious to give her heart to someone new. But she can't resist beautiful Gem. Is it possible to fall in love with her as well as finding the Balm for All?
I enjoyed the nature aspect to this & am glad that Celia's determination never wavered just because of her relationship. Each MC had individual attributes outside of each other, which made for a comfortable read. The addition of Gem's great-aunt Agnes was a wonderful supporting character; I would have liked to see her play a larger role. A shady man from Gem's past, Drake, is a heavy player in SONG, which ultimately leads to the conversations of both women explaining their pasts.
The downside to this is that I felt both Drake's shenanigans & Celia's quest overshadowed the romance. Snowe does a great job of building the feelings between the women (so thankful it's not an instalove!), but it takes too much time. By the time everything is solved, not much happened between Celia & Gem. Honestly, I was a bit disappointed. The ending was tidy & don't get me wrong, it was sweet, but it didn't make a lasting impression on me.
Overall a cute but forgettable read. Snowe does have a lovely prose & I would consider checking out her other releases. Just a case of wrong story/not my cup of tea.
After inheriting her grandmother's Floridian home, botanist Celia is finally ready to set out to search for something she's been invested in for so long. Balm of All, a rare plant that is supposedly a cure for ailments, Celia has been obsessed with finding it after losing her older sister Muriel to cancer 30 years ago. When she arrives, town citizen Gem quickly catches her eye. Recently burned by her ex, Celia is cautious to give her heart to someone new. But she can't resist beautiful Gem. Is it possible to fall in love with her as well as finding the Balm for All?
I enjoyed the nature aspect to this & am glad that Celia's determination never wavered just because of her relationship. Each MC had individual attributes outside of each other, which made for a comfortable read. The addition of Gem's great-aunt Agnes was a wonderful supporting character; I would have liked to see her play a larger role. A shady man from Gem's past, Drake, is a heavy player in SONG, which ultimately leads to the conversations of both women explaining their pasts.
The downside to this is that I felt both Drake's shenanigans & Celia's quest overshadowed the romance. Snowe does a great job of building the feelings between the women (so thankful it's not an instalove!), but it takes too much time. By the time everything is solved, not much happened between Celia & Gem. Honestly, I was a bit disappointed. The ending was tidy & don't get me wrong, it was sweet, but it didn't make a lasting impression on me.
Overall a cute but forgettable read. Snowe does have a lovely prose & I would consider checking out her other releases. Just a case of wrong story/not my cup of tea.
July 1, 2017
Well done!
Because of a promise to Mariel, the death of her grandmother and a heartbreak, Celia moves to Florida. On her first day in Florida she hears a haunting lovely tune. She immediately became fascinated by that voice and couldn't stop staring at that beautiful woman on the boat. Losing her balance and toppling of a rock, she met this woman again and this was the beginning of a dangerous adventure and the beginning of a serious search for the Balm of All. Finding the Balm of All is since her childhood an obsession. An obsession that has defined her life to a large extent. The quest for the Balm of All was becoming entwined with getting to know Gem. Gem, a woman who doesn't trust anyone easily and with her own dark secret. This is a sweet love story with twists and turns and a great adventure, set on the beautiful natural shoreline of Florida. I love the description of the flora and fauna and the coastal environment. It makes you want to explore it too. Well done! This is another great book by this author.
Because of a promise to Mariel, the death of her grandmother and a heartbreak, Celia moves to Florida. On her first day in Florida she hears a haunting lovely tune. She immediately became fascinated by that voice and couldn't stop staring at that beautiful woman on the boat. Losing her balance and toppling of a rock, she met this woman again and this was the beginning of a dangerous adventure and the beginning of a serious search for the Balm of All. Finding the Balm of All is since her childhood an obsession. An obsession that has defined her life to a large extent. The quest for the Balm of All was becoming entwined with getting to know Gem. Gem, a woman who doesn't trust anyone easily and with her own dark secret. This is a sweet love story with twists and turns and a great adventure, set on the beautiful natural shoreline of Florida. I love the description of the flora and fauna and the coastal environment. It makes you want to explore it too. Well done! This is another great book by this author.
March 8, 2020
Adventure & attraction give 2nd chances at life
📍 “For her entire life, Celia had believed that she could find a love that would last. She still believed it, but that belief was buried deep, covered in snow and hibernating. It was still there, she knew, but she was too tired to dig it out.”
“Gem, her love poem, the Balm of All, Mariel... So many conflicting promises. Why am I always so quick to make promises when I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep them?”
+ • + • + • +
Sometimes losing what you had could lead you to everything you dreamed of!
This is an emotional & entertaining story with characters that are so authentic they truly become like real people that live in your world & a riveting & believable plot that draws you in so effortlessly & subtly without you even noticing you're caught up in the tale.
📍 “For her entire life, Celia had believed that she could find a love that would last. She still believed it, but that belief was buried deep, covered in snow and hibernating. It was still there, she knew, but she was too tired to dig it out.”
“Gem, her love poem, the Balm of All, Mariel... So many conflicting promises. Why am I always so quick to make promises when I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep them?”
+ • + • + • +
Sometimes losing what you had could lead you to everything you dreamed of!
This is an emotional & entertaining story with characters that are so authentic they truly become like real people that live in your world & a riveting & believable plot that draws you in so effortlessly & subtly without you even noticing you're caught up in the tale.
June 30, 2017
Loved the story
There were some typos that were distracting, but I enjoyed the story. I have to say, though, that with all of the build up to the inevitable sex scene I was disappointed with how Ms. Snowe wrote it.
I don't expect every sex scene by every writer to be sizzling hot, but to have built up the anticipation the way she did, then just writing what I considered to be a ho-hum description was just a huge let down.
Still, I gave the book four stars because I did enjoy the story and the characters.
There were some typos that were distracting, but I enjoyed the story. I have to say, though, that with all of the build up to the inevitable sex scene I was disappointed with how Ms. Snowe wrote it.
I don't expect every sex scene by every writer to be sizzling hot, but to have built up the anticipation the way she did, then just writing what I considered to be a ho-hum description was just a huge let down.
Still, I gave the book four stars because I did enjoy the story and the characters.
May 23, 2020
This was probably 3.5 stars for me, rounded up to 4 for the presence of a really unusual central story, the quest of a botanist to find a fabled plant known as the balm of all. The descriptions of the landscape were a bonus. The attraction between the two main characters was fairly instant but there was a bit more, not exactly angst, but two steps forward, one step back drama, than I like. Still a pleasant read / listen that kept me interested.
July 21, 2017
Great story
I loved all the nature in this story and I like the building of the relationship. This was a fun book to read.
I loved all the nature in this story and I like the building of the relationship. This was a fun book to read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews