July 2011

I've never heard an author hoping for her books to go out of date, and I know that I never imagined hearing myself saying it either. But, lately that is exactly what I have been thinking and saying. And it really is not as crazy as it sounds. Here's why.

Love, of course, will never go out of style or be outdated; it's a universal need. So, that aspect of my stories will be relevant forever. However, the catalyst to the love story in many of my book is the social atmosphere — and I had hoped that would have changed significantly. My hope was for my work to become chronicles of our struggles, of our history, of what it took to love in spite of. Mostly, though, the hope has yet to be fulfilled.

The stories I wrote and published as long as thirteen years ago are still frighteningly relevant today. Gay and lesbian youth are still bullied in our schools; teachers can still be fired because of their sexuality; hate and intolerance still results in beatings and death. I'm no Pollyanna; I know there will always be discrimination and prejudice — against race, religion, age, weight, physical and mental challenges, gender. But, society has made it clear that it is unacceptable and unlawful to discriminate based on these prejudices. So, sexuality, it seems, is the last bastion for tolerated intolerance.

We have progressed, it's true, with a Hate Crimes Prevention Act on the books now. But, we also have a backlash to that progress, which challenges every fair-minded person in this country to stand up and stand strong for what they believe is right. And, regardless of how long it takes for my books to be outdated, gays and lesbians will continue to hope and search, to face challenges and adversity, they will continue to find love and happiness, and so will my characters.

by Marianne K. Martin

Ten years ago, Charlie Crawford shot dead his two lesbian neighbors. Sharon Davis was their avenging angel, the woman who fought to win justice for her murdered friends.

But justice didn't ease the pain. Beer did, though. And Sharon's love for the bottle cost her the love of her partner Laura. Laura's departure was the cue for the descent into depression that finally forced Sharon to rebuild her shattered life.

Now the past is back with a vengeance. Charlie Crawford is terminally ill and seeking early release on compassionate grounds. Sharon has to fight for justice all over again.

When Laura comes back to town, Sharon's history threatens to overwhelm her. Hate nearly destroyed her ten years before. Has Sharon learned enough about love and friendship since then to keep herself whole this time?

$14.95

Lesbian Fiction 232 pages ISBN 978-1-932859-77-5