Customer Reviews

Storms of Change

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I freely admit that Radclyffe is my number one favorite author. However her last two books - `Promising Hearts' and `Turn Back Time' - were good, but not up to her normal magic. I picked up `Storms of Change' with high hopes and was far from disappointed. The author's magic is back.

One can't help but fall in love with the core protagonists, Dr. Tori King and Deputy Sheriff/Marine Colonel Reese Conlon. They are beautiful and almost painfully in love, dedicated to their young daughter, and pillars of the Provincetown community. Their romance is well developed in the earlier books in this series, but continues here. In `Storms,' Reese's reserve group is called to serve in Iraq. The story of how Tori and Reese deal with this unplanned and dangerous separation is only a subplot of the book, but their love and passion is unmistakable.

The main plot of the book involves undercover detective Carter Wayne and mafia daughter Rica Grechi. Carter has been assigned to get intimate with Rica in hopes she'll spill her father's secrets. However, as Carter begins to have real feelings for her breathtaking subject, she begins to question the wisdom of the investigation. I won't spoil the story, but suffice it to say... the mafia, jealous mafia men, and undercover investigators can make for a really exciting story.

Of course, Rad also throws in bits and pieces of other lovable characters such as Jean and Kate (Reese's moms), Bri and Caroline (lovable young women whose relationship mimics Reese and Tori), and Sheriff Parker. The entire setting and cast are endearing to any reader who has followed this series. I'm hoping the next book (if there is one) focuses more on Bri and Caroline as their relationship matures, but that might be wishful thinking.

The indisputable queen of lesbian romances has regained her throne with this one!

From the opening chapter of Storms of Change, Radclyffe sets a very different tone than the rest of her Provincetown romance series. The novel is much more emotionally intense than the first three books, but the romance is just as rewarding. Tense drama permeates this book as a new set of characters, Rica Grechi and Carter Wayne, share center stage with Reese and Tory's story. An FBI/local police undercover operation unfolds while Reese is contemplating her future role in the Iraq War. Radclyffe repeatedly takes the reader down unexpected paths, surprising us more than once in the book. For this reason, as a reviewer, I will not give away any plot details as it would ruin the impact of this powerful romance.

Radclyffe is at the top of her game with Storms of Change as she continually builds anticipation throughout the novel. She gives us parallel plots, smoothly transitioning back and forth, and advances the story better than any lesbian fiction author today. Her timing and pacing are in step throughout, and Radclyffe knows intuitively when to introduce plot elements, when to escalate, and when to close. This is the first time that as a reader I was not only tempted to read the ending, but I actually turned to the last page and had to stop myself; usually I have more restraint. The introduction of new secondary characters adds richness and fullness to the story, but Radclyffe never forgets the strength of her main protagonists, spotlighting Reese and Tory's lives and the tough decisions that await them.

Radclyffe excels at the language of love, emphasizing family and home, but in Storms of Change, she adds moral dilemmas to the mix. The novel reveals the gray areas in life, how family and duty to one's profession can conflict, how the distance between the truth and lies is not very far, and how priorities are ever changing. As readers, we pause and reflect about how choices in life are not always easy, and we cannot judge others too quickly. The chief dilemma in Storms of Change is that to accept one's loved ones for who they are, while maintaining one's own values, is a very personal and lonely decision. No one can make these choices for us.

Storms of Change fulfills all of the promises we expect from a Radclyffe romance, but with a strong hint that we have not heard the last of the Provincetown characters. If you have read the first three books in the series, seize this breathtaking new addition. If you have not read Safe Harbor, Beyond the Breakwater and Lambda Literary Award winner Distant Shores, Silent Thunder, do not walk, but run to your nearest bookstore and snatch up this awesome collection.

I thoroughly enjoyed this romantic novel. It's a real treat of a book. I have already read it a second time since it was released. There are easily 9 scenes that are unforgettable - nine - in one book.

The lovemaking between Tory and Reese have all the elements - romantic, totally hot and showed a further progression in their relationship (and also confirmed that with time the love can get even better!). This couple continues to touch my heart and the author illuminates their relationship so clearly.

KT & Tory - I loved seeing where they are today - really well written. KT continues to illustrate the good Tory saw in her those many years ago. Bri and Carolyn also are back, and Bri shines in this book as never before.

As always the author treats us to perfectly timed laugh out loud humor. There is also some kick ass fight scenes that have the reader on the edge of their seat.

I really got into the characters of Carter & Rica - their bumpy road to romance completely clicked for me. Their scenes had an operatic feel almost like a movie you would see on a TV classics channel. Rica's relationship with her father is intriguing - to say more would take away from reading the novel.

This is a keeper.

From the publisher's website - Amidst war abroad and upheaval at home, Reese Conlon and Tory King face their gravest challenge to their life together. In the continuing saga of the Provincetown Tales, Reese Conlon's obligations to family and country are put to the test as war engulfs the Middle East, while her partner Tory King must come to terms with the true price of love. While friends and family struggle with the fears and uncertainties of a world in strife, the small seaside town becomes home to newly arrived art gallery owner, Ricarda Grechi, a woman whose underworld family connections make danger her constant companion. Life doesn't get any safer when State Police Detective Carter Wayne takes a sudden interest in Rica, but it does get more complicated. When love, duty, honor, and family are in conflict...four women and those who love them struggle to survive the unforgiving storms of change.

Into the peaceful lives of Deputy Sheriff Reese Conlon, and Dr. Victoria `Tori' King comes unwelcome, but not altogether unexpected news... the conflict overseas has intensified and Reese's unit has been activated. While Reese is busy putting her affairs in order, other events are taking place. Two new residents have arrived in Provincetown.

Art gallery owner Ricarda `Rica' Grechi, and State Police Detective, Carter Wayne have both arrived in town within a short amount of time. Coincidental? Not really, it seems Carter and Ricarda have met before. Where? Why would both arrive within days of each other? And why is Carter operating under the guise of being "Attorney-at-Law Carter Wayne?"

Could it have anything to do with Ricarda's hopes of beginning a new life for herself...a life far away from her father and the type of life his business entails. Or could it be that Carter's own life is not what she wanted and is hoping for a new start of her own?

Against all odds and suspicions, Ricarda and Carter are drawn to each other, putting both their lives in jeopardy. Someone has followed Rica to her new home, someone bound and determined that she not be allowed to live life on her own terms. Who are they? Why did they follow? What danger do they pose? Will Carter be able to protect them both while trying to complete her mission?

Tori has little or no time to worry about who or what Rica and Carter could be as she awaits Reese's return. A return that becomes even more of a question when word arrives that Reese is MIA - Missing in Action. Tori believes with all her heart that Reese will return to her...to their daughter Regina. Will she be strong enough to believe it for herself, for Reese's mother, for their daughter, for them all?

However, a mission is underway and the one person neither Reese nor Tori would have expected is leading the mission to locate and bring Reese home. The need to have faith in this person is something Tori thought she'd never have. The person leading the mission is Reese's father.

Radclyffe has penned well over 20 novels. Storms of Change, the fourth in her "Harbor" series that began with Safe Harbor, continued with Beyond the Breakwater and Distant Shores, Silent Thunder very much displays the talents of a truly skilled writer. With works ranging from the intensely dramatic "Honor" series: Above All, Honor, Honor Bound, Love & Honor, Honor Guards and Honor Reclaimed to the suspense-filled "Justice" series: A Matter of Trust, Shield of Justice, In Pursuit of Justice, Justice in the Shadows and Justice Served to her dynamic and romantic stand alone novels such as Love's Masquerade, Tomorrow's Promise, Passion's Bright Fury and Love's Melody Lost this author has long proven there is a reason why so many readers anxiously await her next book.

Great book thank you for a fast and great delivery. It came in great condition.

If you have not read Radclyffe.....You have missed the ride! I have all of her books and I have read them over and over because they are just that good. You can not put them down!

I read these out of order because I didn't know they were a series. I loved re-reading them in order, just to see how the main characters found each other in the beginning. Now their story means even more.

This installment of the Harbor series is full of passion and great sex. You'll fall in love with the two main characters, who are painfully in love with each other.

I could not put the book down. Radclyffe is such a fine writer. Her story lines are always gripping, her characters believable, her prose never cliche. So often, in this book and many of her others, you will encounter a new turn of phrase that you wish to remember beyond the reading of the book.

Radclyffe has done it again! Another great book in the PTown Tales. Storms of Change is a wonderful book that continues the lives of original characters with some exciting additions (Ricarda Grechi/Carter Wayne). As all Radclyffe book do, this story contains love,loyalty,lust,humor, and a passion that all the characters seem to display in some form. And great sex...can't forget that! I enjoyed all the characters and everyone of them brought something different to the table. There are parts of the book that make you want to cry and the next minute laugh out loud! You will not be disappointed in "Storms" and I hope there will be more tales to tell from them! As all of Rads' books, this one will stay in my collection to read again! It was an easy and very enjoyable read.