Storms of Change [Paperback]

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.

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