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Maple Creek
When Emily Heart takes some time away from her abusive husband and returns to her home town of Maple Creek, the last thing she expected was to fall in love. And especially not with a woman, Sarah Norman. A local school teacher who is hiding her sexuality, Sarah is just as drawn to Emily. But between keeping their love a secret, and Emily’s ex-husband, will their love be enough to keep them together?
199 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2019
70 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 7, 2019
Maple Creek was offered as a freebie and on first glance it looked like it might be fun. I slogged through it, didn’t even skim (I must have masochistic tendencies) and can say without a doubt that this book was a complete train wreck.
I caught a few typos but that wasn’t the worst. This is supposedly a lesfic novel, but it feels like the author has to buy a clue first. Both women were basically scared stiff when contemplating taking things further than a kiss. There is no intimacy at all. Well… they take a bath together to try out the Christmas bath bomb gift but after that they put their clothes back on. Lol!
We are in Emily’s head for the duration of the story but it’s a barren place. She lacks any inner dialogue (there's no real exploration of her feelings towards Sarah) so we don’t really get to know her. From all her actions I would say she needs to put some money aside to buy herself a spine because she obviously doesn’t have one.
Sarah is in the closet so deep she can see Narnia. Because most of Maple Creek is openly hostile towards gays (why the hell do you want to live there?!) I can almost understand that. Emily’s abusive husband and Sarah’s ‘loving’ parents are so over the top evil they fit right into a telenovela.
Don’t read this for a good lesbian romance, there isn’t one. I hope this author sticks to straight stories in future because this was just plain bad.
f/f - really?
Themes: lesbians are evil, a meandering mess of scenes.
1 star
I caught a few typos but that wasn’t the worst. This is supposedly a lesfic novel, but it feels like the author has to buy a clue first. Both women were basically scared stiff when contemplating taking things further than a kiss. There is no intimacy at all. Well… they take a bath together to try out the Christmas bath bomb gift but after that they put their clothes back on. Lol!
We are in Emily’s head for the duration of the story but it’s a barren place. She lacks any inner dialogue (there's no real exploration of her feelings towards Sarah) so we don’t really get to know her. From all her actions I would say she needs to put some money aside to buy herself a spine because she obviously doesn’t have one.
Sarah is in the closet so deep she can see Narnia. Because most of Maple Creek is openly hostile towards gays (why the hell do you want to live there?!) I can almost understand that. Emily’s abusive husband and Sarah’s ‘loving’ parents are so over the top evil they fit right into a telenovela.
Don’t read this for a good lesbian romance, there isn’t one. I hope this author sticks to straight stories in future because this was just plain bad.
f/f - really?
Themes: lesbians are evil, a meandering mess of scenes.
1 star
December 8, 2019
I actually read this and I don't know why I did. Except I was looking for a romance and this is on my kindle, with a whole load of unread others. Lots of cons for this one and not a lot of pros.
I like the idea of the story and I think, with a lot of work, this could be a good one. Perhaps that is why I continued and didn't DNF it. there is something in there. Maybe.
The storytelling is weak. It is in desperate need of editing, and not just a whiz through by a beta reader. This needs serious editing. Half of the plot devices don't need to be there and so the plot is cluttered so much there is no room for the story. As a result, every story thread is rushed and without substance. It reads, I think, more like a story outline than a finished book.
I didn't engage with any of the characters, and the chemistry is nil.
I wouldn't recommend.
I like the idea of the story and I think, with a lot of work, this could be a good one. Perhaps that is why I continued and didn't DNF it. there is something in there. Maybe.
The storytelling is weak. It is in desperate need of editing, and not just a whiz through by a beta reader. This needs serious editing. Half of the plot devices don't need to be there and so the plot is cluttered so much there is no room for the story. As a result, every story thread is rushed and without substance. It reads, I think, more like a story outline than a finished book.
I didn't engage with any of the characters, and the chemistry is nil.
I wouldn't recommend.
March 7, 2019
Good premise, likable characters, but overall it feels rushed.
I would have liked to have gotten a bit more backstory for the supporting characters and for the author to have spent some more time and effort on the drama and suspense.
The love story at the center also feels rushed, it would have been great to spend a bit more time with Emily and Sarah and see what was going on in their minds.
I added a third star solely because romance for this target audience seems to be in short supply and it is good enough for a beach read....but could have been much more!
I would have liked to have gotten a bit more backstory for the supporting characters and for the author to have spent some more time and effort on the drama and suspense.
The love story at the center also feels rushed, it would have been great to spend a bit more time with Emily and Sarah and see what was going on in their minds.
I added a third star solely because romance for this target audience seems to be in short supply and it is good enough for a beach read....but could have been much more!
March 11, 2019
Finding new friendships
Interesting reading😊. Over twenty years ago, I had a very abusive husband. When I left him, i took my youngest child(not his) & we spent three months in a women's shelter. I never looked back & became stronger. Bless everyone who can walk away from Bad relationships & start with new friendships. I knew when I started reading this book, what is was about. Very good writing.
Interesting reading😊. Over twenty years ago, I had a very abusive husband. When I left him, i took my youngest child(not his) & we spent three months in a women's shelter. I never looked back & became stronger. Bless everyone who can walk away from Bad relationships & start with new friendships. I knew when I started reading this book, what is was about. Very good writing.
March 8, 2019
Recommend!!
This was the cutest love story ever! It made it clear that love is love! It shouldn't come with limits!
This was the cutest love story ever! It made it clear that love is love! It shouldn't come with limits!
March 9, 2019
Wonderful love story
Loved this book. It grabbed my attention from the beginning and ,couldn't put it down. Will be recommending this story to my friends
Loved this book. It grabbed my attention from the beginning and ,couldn't put it down. Will be recommending this story to my friends
March 14, 2019
Touching and sweet
This book is about love, strength, and overcoming the pain that hatred and prejudice can cause. I could forgive the typos because the characters felt so real.
This book is about love, strength, and overcoming the pain that hatred and prejudice can cause. I could forgive the typos because the characters felt so real.
April 16, 2019
Maple Creek — Elizabeth Penn (34 chapters) March 7-9, 2019
*This is a story of two consenting women in a loving relationship.*
A woman is on the run from her dangerous husband. She seeks refuge in a b&b and meets a whole host of characters that come to treat her as family, as she does them. Along the way she falls in love with a school teacher.
When he husband tracks her down, she must make hard decisions: stay or leave.
I loved the characters and their interactions with each other in this story. Well written, mostly fast pace (although there were a few draggy areas). If you are looking for a decent lesbian romance with a sprinkle of thriller, this is pretty darn good.
Three stars.
*This is a story of two consenting women in a loving relationship.*
A woman is on the run from her dangerous husband. She seeks refuge in a b&b and meets a whole host of characters that come to treat her as family, as she does them. Along the way she falls in love with a school teacher.
When he husband tracks her down, she must make hard decisions: stay or leave.
I loved the characters and their interactions with each other in this story. Well written, mostly fast pace (although there were a few draggy areas). If you are looking for a decent lesbian romance with a sprinkle of thriller, this is pretty darn good.
Three stars.
March 31, 2019
Okay
So I guess this story was about Emily getting her life back and finding love in her childhood town. I am glad she found Emily and they got their happy ending but I felt this book with 34 chapters didn't say much at all. Some how I feel that it was incomplete and it could have gone further in its story.
So I guess this story was about Emily getting her life back and finding love in her childhood town. I am glad she found Emily and they got their happy ending but I felt this book with 34 chapters didn't say much at all. Some how I feel that it was incomplete and it could have gone further in its story.
March 10, 2019
I don't think anyone proofread this book prior to publishing. Typos, extra words, run on sentences, you name it The storyline was ok, but very basic and predictable. Made for a quick mindless read while I was home sick though.
March 24, 2019
Lots of typos. Honestly, the entire story felt very rushed. There wasn’t enough development of backstory and characters. I was hoping for a good f/f love story, but this book felt like the author was very nervous to write one.
April 1, 2019
An ok read..
I have to admit, I expected more from this book! It is lacking depth. Just basic synopsis, very little feelings between the 2 women. Every time I thought the writer hot it ...well it came out flat.
I have to admit, I expected more from this book! It is lacking depth. Just basic synopsis, very little feelings between the 2 women. Every time I thought the writer hot it ...well it came out flat.
April 16, 2020
I really liked this book, yes more things could have been more detailed but overall the whole story was good. The only part that I hate noticing is a lot of errors throughout the book, she needs a better editor. Thank you for the read!
March 14, 2019
Good read
It was a good short story had a nice beginning,middle and end. I.wish the conflict would hAve loved and.more romantic tension
It was a good short story had a nice beginning,middle and end. I.wish the conflict would hAve loved and.more romantic tension
April 5, 2019
seriously? needs copy editing badly but that wasn't the worst by any means - so much description of things that didn't matter at all - an unbelievable story on so many levels i won't even begin
June 30, 2019
Beyond Sarah Waters, lesbian books NEVER impress me. Quick read.
February 27, 2020
Great book
I loved this book. I loved how she finally had the nerve to leave her abusive husband and founds someone that she was very happy with.
I loved this book. I loved how she finally had the nerve to leave her abusive husband and founds someone that she was very happy with.
May 26, 2020
I was expecting kind of schlocky lesbian romance, but instead I got a lead character who doesn’t even seem aware that lesbians exist (despite making out with another lady), and WAY more violence towards the one trans character than I was expecting. >:(
Also the spelling/grammar/etc could use some serious help.
Also the spelling/grammar/etc could use some serious help.
December 20, 2020
Nice story. Too short.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews