All the Wrong Places [Paperback]

At 26, Brandy Monsoon is about to "grow up." In one week she will: face the ghost of her father and the pain of her childhood; realize that while she might not "know" that she can have "forever after" with one woman, she wants to try; and discover that a family of choice and community are options even for a dyke on an isolated resort island in the Southland.

Employed as a fitness instructor and staff member for Club Sandzibel, Brandy finds a ready supply of casual lovers among the resort's female guests but none of them are interested in more than their holiday fling. Meanwhile, her best friend Tess, though willing to share a more-han-friendly-night occasionally, is supposed to be straight ... a point that confuses both women.

Brandy is the wholesome, girl-next-door, phys-ed major. She clearly enjoys working at the resort, including her shifts teaching children tumbling and various team sports. In a charming scene from the end-of-the-week, Brandy observes, "I was set upon by the toddlers again, and this time I gave chase. We'd had a running battle all week and it was time to show these desperadoes who was the law. That would be me, Sheriff Monsoon.

I hadn't quite proven my superiority when their parents came to claim them for a last good-bye. One protested it wasn't Saturday yet, while the other said I was the best playmate ever. ... I have to say that part of the job is pretty cool. Kids give great hugs." P33-34.

When an all-lesbian tour group arrives for the week, Brandy finds the acceptance and validation that she has rarely enjoyed. Furthermore, the famous lesbian entertainer, Celine Griffin shows clear interest in some after-dinner Brandy. Meanwhile Tess' behavior is becoming less and less straight.

All the Wrong Places is the first erotic novel-length title released by the "Bella After Dark" imprint and there is truth in advertising here. Brandy's sexual encounters are explicit. Kallmaker does not shy away from earthy language during sweaty encounters and she opens the "toy chest" and lets her characters explore "accessories." There is a forthright and evocative negotiation of adult consent as well as a subtle but highly charged power exchange between Brandy and Celine.

Some Kallmaker fans may find themselves challenged by this bolder approach. Hopefully they will also find the story to be arousing entertainment. They can be reassured that All the Wrong Places is also one of the sweetest little romances that Kallmaker has written. For example: "Our bodies were suffused with the golden light that seemed to radiate from her eyes and smile. We were falling together, mouths feathering kisses on any skin we could reach. Touching her anywhere felt like touching sunshine. Her shoulders were as warm as her mouth and we were in danger of losing our edges, our form, as we melted together." p 139

Given the length and focus of the story, Kallmaker's characters show depth, humor, and heart with a willingness to grow. Thus All the Wrong Places has a number of elements readers have come to expect from Kallmaker; in addition to hot sex and sweet romance, there are touching side stories and delightful wit. Indeed the humor is bubbles throughout the story. And in a laugh-out-loud moment for this reviewer, Kallmaker tosses in what has to be the funniest variation on the classic "U-Haul joke" in years.

Brandy is the youngest lead character that Kallmaker has explored in her novels since Reese in Watermark. Hopefully a new generation of readers will find Brandy's voice familiar to their own experience and will consider Kallmaker's other novels as a result. Long time fans can enjoy All the Wrong Places as another example of Kallmaker's willingness to explore new elements in her classic story telling style. All readers can enjoy the affection, validation and respect that she gives her characters and by extension her readers. This erotic romance is a like a lovely slice of the chocolate bread that appears on the resort dessert menu; and like that confection, you'll want to savor it slowly and very likely go back for more.

I am often amazed at how well some authors relay the erotic side of a love story. Kallmaker certainly doesn't disappoint with this one. In fact, it's one of the best Kallmaker books I've read yet. Brandy works at a resort. One of her co-workers is her very close, straight friend Tess. Even though Tess is straight, she relieves sexual tension through periodic encounters with Brandy.

One of Brandy's idols, Celine, comes to the resort, followed by a group of vacationing lesbians. Brandy finds herself in heaven and goes to bed with Celine on the first night. In front of Brandy's surprised eyes, Tess also finds a warm body to share her bed. Even while in bed with Celine, Brandy can't help but think about Tess. These feelings confuse her (are they love, jealousy, what?) and she doesn't know what to do. Little does she know that Tess is having difficulties of her own.

There is a fine love story here even without the erotica, but who am I to complain?

All the Wrong Places is not a typical Karin Kallmaker romance, but a hot and steamy graphic love story. Karin Kallmaker has created the first full length erotica novel for Bella Books, and it is full of tantalizing sex that heats up every page.

Brandy Monsoon and her best friend Tess work at a Caribbean resort doing almost anything to meet their guests' needs. For Brandy this means giving straight women the pleasure they cannot get from their husbands or boyfriends. Tess, who is straight, comes crying to Brandy one evening, because she is not satisfied with her most recent date and is very hormonal at that moment. So they experiment that night and decide that becoming sex buddies can work out. Brandy is giving her best friend the physical pleasure without the emotional attachments. Then a tour group of 300 lesbians comes to the resort for a week, and that is where the fun really begins.

Kallmaker has always been a master at creating tension-filled romances that affirm the power of love and a promise of a future. All the Wrong Places is no exception, but even as she teases the reader, she gives us release along the way with visually explicit sex. The book isn't all erotica either. The romance is front and center throughout.

Throughout the pages, Kallmaker describes so well through her characters' thoughts and actions the difference between sex and lovemaking. Her mix of erotica with the romantic plot is balanced. Her trademark in all of her romances is that she creates intelligent and strong-minded women, and she does that beautifully here. One of my favorite lines of any book is when one of the characters gives advice to Brandy, "... Dance through life any way you want and don't worry about people who can't hear the music," (pg. 104).

This is definitely a book that you may want to have two copies - one in the bedroom and one that you carry with you. Both will become tattered with use because you will reread this delicious book over and over again.

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