Painted Moon: 25th Anniversary Edition

Written by Karin Kallmaker

Narrated by Abby Craden

Cursing the familial obligation that sent her into the path of a blizzard, Jackie Frakes is deeply grateful for rescue on a snow-choked mountain road, even if her rescuer's reception is as cold as the landscape.

Leah Beck spends her days in a twilight of grief, actively avoiding all reminders of her former life as an artist whose work was exhibited nationwide. A houseguest for Thanksgiving is disruptive and painful, and the very last thing she wanted.

The snowbound weekend leaves them with an unforgettable, undeniable attraction that challenges both of their personal and professional commitments. Leah turns to her art with renewed inspiration while Jackie seizes control of her future. But will these new paths lead back to each other? Or will that stunning weekend together be their last?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Oct 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9781541436190

Karin Kallmaker

Karin Kallmaker's novels span lesbian romance, lesbian erotica and lesbian science-fiction/fantasy. More than five dozen short stories have appeared in anthologies and standalone collections. Her writing career began with the venerable Naiad Press, continues with Bella Books and includes more than two dozen novels in print. In 2008, she joined Bella Books as the press's first Editorial Director. When she isn't writing books she is thinking about books.In previous lives, Karin worked as a non-profit accountant for a senior housing association and a low-income housing lender, and had a brief stint as a document processor on an oil refinery. She is the mother of two teenagers and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her partner. She is descended from Lady Godiva, a fact which she will tell anyone who will listen,and she likes her chocolate real and her iPod loud.Lambda Literary AwardsWinner, three Lambda Literary Awards for The Kiss that Counted and Maybe Next Time in Lesbian Romance and In Deep Waters 2 in Lesbian Erotica, with multiple additional shortlist nods for Lesbian Romance, Lesbian Erotica and LGBT Science-Fiction Fantasy works.GCLS Goldie AwardsWinner of the Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award for The Kiss that Counted, the 2011 Trailblazer Award, with another six awards won for Frosting on the Cake 2: Second Helpings, Above Temptation, Just Like That and Sugar in Lesbian Romance and 18th & Castro and In Deep Waters 1 for Lesbian Erotica, along with numerous finalists.BookmarksRichards LaBonte - Kallmaker transcends cliche with vivid characterization, logical plotting, and plenty of deep research...Friends and FamilyHer characters are so real you can't help but picture them in your mind...Lambda Book ReportCarol LeMasters - The best romances don't simply evade issues; they offer us another way of dealing with them. After all, the issues with which these women struggle--homophobia, mortality, barriers of age and class--are ones we all encounter. More than enjoyable diversions, they can offer humorous insights into how we conduct relationships and truths we can take with us into "real life." Situations may be cliché but not the authors' treatment of them, and no matter how far-fetched the circumstances, the characters' emotional experiences ring true.

Reviews for Painted Moon

[Jane Daugherty · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As captivating a novel as the first time I read it almost 25 years ago — with the added bonus of flawless narration by Abby Craden. The descriptive passages from the snow glistening in the moonlight to the swirl of colors seen in a woman’s hair by a talented artist could be used in an advanced writing class. And no one I’ve read can capture both the terror and magic of unexpectedly falling in love the way Karin Kallmaker does. Add some inventively steamy love scenes, haunting by past lovers, and a very cool female dog named Butch and you have this classic lesfic creation.

[Uchechi Adiuku · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a story that resonated through the years with the 25years later addition. Makes me wonder what one can achieve by overlooking and rising above bigotry to achieve peace love and tranquility…..a fulfilled life. That’s the goal!

[K. · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I used to love this story when I first read it. And the second time. And the third time. Somehow the audiobook didn't meet my expectations and the only reason I can think of is the narration. I'm not a fan of this narrator (thought she has her qualities) and somehow that made the story much less enjoyable for me. I hope the publisher will use more diversity of really good (and not just popular) narrators in the future.

[daniexj · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A snowstorm. The novel is about that snowstorm, and more specifically it's about an artist lesbian who's semi-recently lost her partner and is still grieving (a lot) and a heterosexual architect who's trying to make it to her Aunt's place for Thanksgiving in a sports car in a snowstorm and doesn't quite make it.It's a lesbian romance fiction novel and so it's not too surprising what happens next. But as with Kallmaker's other books the characterizations of the characters were interesting, especially the subtly here and there in the beginning of the novel with regards to Jackie, one of the two main characters (the architect).The story didn't move along exactly as I thought it would, but it wasn't too surprising either.The dialogue was okay, but here and there it felt a bit uneven. Still, the description for the most part made up for it.Finally, unfortunately, I didn't love the ending. It seemed a bit rushed and uneven as well.But, on the whole it was a good book with solid writing, but not the longest tome in the library. A short and fluffy read for sure.