Guilty Pleasures discussion

I was wondering if anyone out there knew of any good lesbian romance novels. I have a hard time finding good lesbian literature. I have nothing wrong with a good cry, but I don't want anything heartwrenchingly breaking to read, either. Any suggestions?

As a rule, I'm not fond of the romance genre, but I do like a story that has lesbian relationships in it--that is, a story about something else that includes a loving/romantic relationship.

One book I've read recently that I really enjoyed was Liz Bradbury's Angel Food and Devil Dogs. It's billed as a detective story, but there was much more going than that. I reviewed it here on Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44...

You might also like my trilogy, When Women Were Warriors. It isn't genre romance, but there are several romantic relationships in it. You can read Book I for free on my website here:
http://www.shieldmaidenpress.com/Book...

Or you can download a free ebook of Book I here:
http://www.catherine-m-wilson.com/
Go to the My Books page, and you'll find the link to the free ebook.

Catherine M. Wilson
http://www.whenwomenwerewarriors.com/

To toot my own horn, my novel (Complementary Colors) about the love between two women is coming out this summer:

http://beingandwriting.blogspot.com/2...

I wrote it in part because I feel there aren't enough fun-to-read literary novels (that aren't genre romance, per se) where the girl gets the girl.

mathilda_craft wrote: "I was wondering if anyone out there knew of any good lesbian romance novels. I have a hard time finding good lesbian literature. I have nothing wrong with a good cry, but I don't want anything he..."

um. fingersmith, sarah water? (or you probably have read that already). emma donoghue. they're both more literary...i don't like the pulp-type writing.

Yes, I agree, anything by Sarah Waters.

It's been awhile since I've been able to do any decent browsing. When I first started looking (late 70s) I caught up on all the old more pulp-type style novels, and then there were a few which has romance and decent stories. Katherine V. Forrest is excellent. And a few random books "Choices," "Annie on my Mind," "Happy Endings are All Alike," and a host of others. Then there was the garbage which was published and bought simply because of limited choices. I still have two paragraphs written of my own feeble try I know I'm forgetting some good ones. I do have a list at my site (http://rslevinson.com/gaylesissues) but it, like my knowledge of current dyke literature is a bit outdated. Suggestions and updates are welcome....

I am a Lesbian and i would like to know anytips to keeping it secret at school and at home.

Elisa wrote: "I am a Lesbian and i would like to know anytips to keeping it secret at school and at home."

Hi Elisa,
There is a friendly and active lesbian community forum on the site www.curvemag.com (Curve Magazine's site) that covers lots of topics (including coming out/not coming out). It's a very supportive community that goes beyond just the topic of books. :)

Hi Mathilda!
If you're still looking for lesbian romance books here are some recommendations. The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith (one of my faves!), Tipping the Velvet & Fingersmith by Sarah Waters and Madame President by Blayne Cooper.

Happy Reading!

I know what you mean. I have had the same trouble. I would love to fine some regular novels that just happen to have lesbian characters. Not necessarily a romance novel. I can recommend a couple of movies though. Romance is part of it but they are real stories with some serious twists and drama. Fingersmith is one and the other one is Tipping the velvet (I think). If you check them out or already have, let me know what you think.

I looked it up to see if they are novels. I found that both are. I will be reading them as well. As we all know, books are always better than the movie.

Shannon wrote: "Well, I picked up Tipping the Velvet. Do you want to start a different thread to discuss it?"

Wow. You are quick. Sure. If you'd like. :o)

Shannon wrote: ":) Did mention I just recently joined the Book Buying Addicts Anonymous group?
I like Tipping the Velvet even though I am angry for Nancy, but I guess we will discuss that in a bit."

Yea. You have just begun being angry. lol. How far have you gotten?

uh oh. Doesn't sound like you enjoyed it. :O(

I would still look into fingersmith if you are up to it.

Shannon wrote: "Oh, don't get me wrong. I did like it. I guess in a way I can relate to her with some of the dumb decisions I have made. I felt bad that she was betrayed by Kitty. It was a shame because they s..."

Yes I read it but it was a long time ago. More recently saw the movie. Maybe a year or two ago.

Great! I like it better than Tipping the Velvet. Keep me posted.

I haven't found many lesbian novels that weren't focused completely on sex but I do like a couple of oldies that you may have already read. Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown was pretty popular and Choices by Nancy Tader.

Hey everyone...(after reading your posts) I wanted to let my lesbian friends know about about an antho that was just released by the publisher I currently release with...I don't write f/f stories - however, this collection by some of my colleagues is fantastic, from sweet romance to sexy hot & sizzling, there is a story for everyone's taste (the stories can also be purchased individually) in this anthology.

JonM

To Love & To Cherish, the charity anthology in aid of Marriage Equality USA by 14 authors from SapphicPlanet published by loveyoudivine Alterotica is officially released. The print volume containing all 14 stories is now available at www.loveyoudivine.com

Love should conquer all and marriage should be attainable for everybody; no half measures, no blurring round the edges, no matter what their sexual orientation or where they live.


Proceeds from the sales of this anthology benefit the non-profit organization Marriage Equality USA. The authors, editors, and publisher are not associated with MEUSA, but wished to support their work with this contribution.

[image error] Hello, I just found this community (call me a late bloomer -- it applies in more ways than one *g*), and I'm the editor of the To Love and To Cherish anthology Jon mentions

I'm also an author myself.

I also host a radio show "Readings in Lesbian & Bisexual Women's Fiction" which has interviews with and readings by authors in these genres.

Hopefully everyone's been checking out the Golden Crown award finalists lists that have been updating http://www.goldencrown.org/site/index...

I've interviewed most of these authors on my radio show, so you can hear them talk about their books: http://blogtalkradio.com/lara-zielinsky and get information on where to buy.

Hey, Lara! So glad you found this group!!!

Did anyone mention Jeanette Winterson yet? Almost all her novels have some lesbian love-relationship component.

I cannot stress this enough. Catherine is being extremely modest here. Her trilogy is FANTASTIC. I read all three in a week and felt empty inside when they were over. What a brilliant storyteller! And despite the fact that the story is about so much more than romance, but that the romance in it is rich and rewarding...sigh. Don't miss these books!

Recently I've taken a liking to Susan X. Meagher. She writes very endearing characters that you can't help but fall for yourself. 'Almost Heaven' was an extraordinarily charming, touching, funny, sexy story that I can't imagine anyone with a heart not liking.

I plan to write my own novel one of these days so I've been reading the genre A LOT to pin down the things I love and don't love so much. There are so many talented writers, I'm sure you'll have no trouble, but let me reiterate: DEFINITELY READ CATHERINE'S TRILOGY!

Thanks, Hyndmandy, for the lovely recommendation. I just want to let everyone know that Book I of the trilogy is now free on Amazon, B&N, Smashwords, Kobo, and Sony.

Hello, WEll, hope I am not breaking any rules, didn't see an authors intro, but I do write torrid lesbian erotica. Great group, I am Jane Brooke, a 22 year old lesbian British savage writer of LGBT/LESBIAN/HETERO all genders erotica and I have this year 8 new books from Amazon and of course with my PIC on my page. My work described to me by my readers is savage, URBAN, RAW, Ultra sexual, profane, beautiful and finally bullet in the head MY GENERATION-REAL. I do a yearly jaunt through the underground sex, scene and fetish clubs of Europe, and infuse my work with what I see, as a voyeur in these freedom loving people’s private lives. My work is not for the weak-of-heart, so SEAT BELT REQUIRED, and since I am done whoring myself, a girl uses what she has, BIG SMILE, WTF just dropped an ash from my cigarette into my tequila shot, smoke in my eyes, collateral damage of being a writer, Cheers Jane from London

Asso, loads of lesbian love and sex, though there is a hetero piece in these two. Cheers Jane from london

Just released from jane Brooke @ Amazom the 1st stunning lesbian hit woman that avenges the death of a lesbian couple. CHeers jane from london

Awesome finds, gals! Thanks so much for the input. I'm always open to more stories, but in the mean time thanks so much! :)