Accountant Connie Bradford�s life is changing. At thirty, she is shedding an unsatisfactory relationship with a man, and riding the crest of a career promotion. Everything is on course, moving in logical transition. That is, before her newest client, Kasey Hollander, begins filling places in her life she didn�t know existed. �Excuse me,� came the voice from the doorway. "I didn�t see a secretary. Are you Ms. Bradford?� Connie Bradford responded absently, finishing the last column of numbers before looking up. When she did, her eyes lifted to a vision in pastel green waiting in her doorway, a woman plucked straight from the sands of a sun-drenched California beach. �If you�re Katrina Hollander, I am. But if you�re a sales representative, I am the secretary.� Connie Bradford moved on steady heels from behind the large mahogany desk, aware that her client was now making observations of her new accountant. She offered the glass, as her eyes slipped down the shapely legs draped with natural ease at the knee. Her resulting smile was a private response�a rebuttal to the ill-based, gender-biased logic of the man in her life. �A woman in the trades,� predicted Greg Morse, �has gotta be a dyke.� Yet she suspected that were he meeting Ms. Hollander right now, his eyes staring boldly down the blouseless vee of her jacket, his predictable little mind would be groping frantically for the first clich� of a come-on he could find. A sad testament to the origin of his theory. ��my pick for the month, Love in the Balance. Marianne K. Martin is the talented writer who takes the credit for this wonderful book. Not only does it have love and excitement but it also has issues very close to all of us�� --Angie Wilson, The Alabama Forum, November 1999 �Connie convinces Kasey to break her all-work lifestyle to go running with her. Kasey agrees, knowing she is �safe� around this straight woman. What ensues is the stuff dreams and romantic novels are made of. Love in the Balance, like Martin�s first novel, Legacy of Love, is filled with memorable characters. She reintroduces the mysterious Sage Bristo, as well as the likeable couple of Donna and Evonne. It is this interplay of personalities that makes Martin�s novels a cut above the usual lesbian love story. She helps the reader to know, and therefore to care about what happens.� --R. Lynn Watson, Mega Scene, October 2, 1998 �A must read. What a GREAT book! I keep saying that over and over. Ms. Martin�s characters are so real, it could have been a story from my life. I have re-read the book twice and both times I have laughed and cried. There are only a few other books that have ever made me cry. The two main characters are both strong, independent women who have to make some major decisions about their lives. This book also centers around people that are very important to each of them. A MUST read. You will not want to put it down, so be prepared.� --A reader from Kansas City, MO �It took my breath away. At first the story seems a bit predictable�Kasey and Connie are immediately attracted and will eventually fall in love�right. Not so fast! First they go through some wrenching personal stuff with Connie�s mom. Next they face their own fears and some baggage from the past. Then when they finally do get together they have to deal with all different forms of prejudice�Including tragedy that rocks their world and the fairly closeted gay community in which they live. The story is well written. The characters feel real. It is sometimes sad and other times laugh out loud funny. I am going to read all of her books now. Don�t miss this book.� --Catherine from southern Illinois �A must read!!!! Marianne Martin at her very best. The characters were very well defined. They were folks that you would love to meet in the flesh. I was very moved about the �Angel� singing to Connie�s mother. Can�t wait for the next book and many, many more.� --Vahark form Towson, Maryland �You want this book! The ultimate lesbian romance, Love in the Balance is easily one of the best of the genre�a truly satisfying read. Marianne K. Martin is a beautiful writer�her novels are filled with wonderful, unforgettable characters, compelling stories and delicious romance�Love in the Balance is one you definitely don�t want to miss.� --Erika Witzke from El Paso, Texas �Absolutely wonderful. Love in the Balance is so much more than a romance. Marianne Martin has created characters I wish I could visit on a regular basis. At times they made me laugh out loud, and other times they made me cry. I worried so much about them that I couldn�t put the book down. --Trublu from Michigan
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REVIEWS:
WHAT THE READERS SAY ABOUT LOVE IN THE BALANCE:
The story is real and exceptionally well drawn. It is a reminder of how wonderful love is, and the courage that it takes to live it. Don't miss this one.�
[LEGACY OF LOVE]
[MIRRORS]
[MARIANNE'S FAVORITE LINKS]