Genre:
Anthology / Short Story
Themes:
Coming of Age
Coming Out
Divorce
Fish Out of Water
Loss / Grieving / Widow
Quirky Characters
Single Parent
Starting Over
Heat Level:
Sweet (kissing, holding hands, etc., but no other on-the-page physical intimacy)
Archetypes:
Adventurer / Explorer / World Traveler
Artist / Graphic Designer / Illustrator
Homemaker
Parent / Caregiver
Student
Teacher / Professor
Writer/ Author
Geographic Location:
United States
Setting:
Big City / Urban
Suburban
Sexual / Gender Identity:
Lesbian
Queer
Tomboy
Stepping Out
By Lori L. Lake
Lovingly crafted, the collection has been described as a series of mini-novels where themes of alienation and loss, particularly for characters who are gay or lesbian, are woven throughout.
“Lake has a flawless ear for the witty twists of the English language and a fine grasp of popular culture. She fearlessly situates her characters in a range of places, times, and dilemmas that might daunt a less gifted and confident author. Readers can relax, knowing they will be carried along by a born story teller.” ~Ann Bannon, author of the ground-breaking Beebo Brinker Chronicles
In these fourteen short stories, Lori L. Lake captures how change and loss influence the course of lives: a mother and daughter having an age-old fight; a frightened woman attempting to deal with an abusive lover; a father trying to understand his lesbian daughter’s retreat from him; an athlete who misses her chance—or does she?
Lake is right on about the anguish and confusion of characters caught in the middle of circumstances, usually of someone else’s making. Still, each character steps out with hope and determination.
