Reviews and Awards
and Other Achievements
Thank you to every single person who talks up books. Word of mouth matters today as much as it ever has. People’s opinions matter more than search algorithms!
Readers often ask what they can do to help lesfic. Posting just a few words about any book is incredibly helpful for both authors and other readers. A good place to start is with how that book made you feel.
- Recommend with 5 stars and look forward to the next book in the series.
- The book's underlying message is one of lesbian empowerment... Kallmaker's reign as "queen of lesbian romance" no doubt will continue.
- I love that both these women are smart, and it shows...
- Just Like That Winner of a Goldie award for Best Lesbian Romance at the Golden Crown Literary Society’s 2006 Awards Ceremony.
- Masterful storytelling that doesn’t get in the way of generating incredible heat.
- I like to see a couple fall in love outside of the bedroom...
- Action-spy-story-mystery with dramatic possibilities and breathtaking plot developments.
- The Kiss that Counted Winner of 2008 Favorite Romance Book as voted by member of the Lesbian Fiction Readers Choice Awards.
- A terrific novel to add to your book shelf.
- Sublime age-gap f/f romance - Swoon for Angela Dawe's spectacular, emotionally vibrant narration!
- For as much as I thought I disliked both women for different reasons, Kallmaker sucked me in with deeper character analysis that left me cheering them both on in the last few chapters.
- This one's a mouth-watering delight.
- This cute novel held me enthralled wondering who cake designer Sugar Sorenson would end up with...
- I thoroughly enjoyed the antics, deception, and tension between Jamie and Val.
- Exquisite writing, extremely fiery sex, great characterisation despite the length and a totally enjoyable read.
- Karin Kallmaker heats up the lesbian romance genre...
- The dialogue is probably the best I have read by this author and she excels at snappy dialogue.
- Good things to say about staying true to yourself...
- “…Sparks have been created and things happen that were definitely not planned. A sweet romance for a rainy afternoon.” – Golden Threads
- All the Wrong Places Finalist in two categories for the 2005 Lambda Literary Awards: Best Lesbian Romance and Best LGBT Erotica.
- A fascinating and totally believable roller coaster with unexpected complications and intriguing plot twists...
- Above Temptation Winner of 2010 Favorite Adventure Book as voted by member of the Lesbian Fiction Readers Choice Awards.
- The emotions and powers at work raised the hair on the back of my neck at times!
- ...Filled with humor, lust, and lots of intelligent, interesting dykes.
- The Kiss that Counted Winner of the 2008 Lambda Literary Award for Best Lesbian Romance.
- Velvet in Venice had a beautiful ending, just what we need these days.
- A gift to all voracious readers from a splendidly gifted imagination.
- 25th Anniversary Edition: One of Sheena's Favourite Lesbian Books
- Finders Keepers Finalist for the 2006 Lambda Literary Awards: Best Lesbian Romance.
- ...Halfway through I’m really dying for two people to get together...
- ...A winsome heroine, hot sex, and an interesting plot.
- Para mi lo más interesante de el libro es precisamente lo diverso que es.
- It was as if she knew me, and created the character of Shay right out of my life.
- Stepping Stone Finalist for a 2009 Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Romance.
- A gem of a read, a gift to all voracious readers from a splendidly gifted imagination.
- Wind in Her Hair voted I Heart SapphFic Historical Romance of the Month!
- This story is unique, full of magic and adventure, love and nature and spirituality.
- Ah ! l'amour... Une histoire qui commence par la fin, pour mieux faire goûter au suspens... Encore de quoi faire rêver les lesbiennes!
- Winner - Best Lesbian Short Stories, GCLS Goldies
- There's no doubt that Painted Moon will take you on an emotional roller coaster, but you will certainly enjoy the ride... Beautifully sensitive.
- Amazing to read such a fresh story, interesting jobs.. a double love story (Paz and Josie are super cute), and a wild trajectory for Kesa and Shannon...
- Loved this book, it has a great twist, it is well told and loved the characters... Abby Craden as usual made this book even better.
- Delightful and thoughtful... A satisfying book.
- 18th and Castro Finalist for the 2006 Lambda Literary Awards: Best LGBT Erotica.
- Never has a fictional character’s Happily Ever After delighted me more.
- Karin Kallmaker continues to amaze me with yet another story told in a totally different fashion than most...
- Castle Wrath is the fun, erotic horror lesbian rewrite of Northanger Abbey that we never knew we needed.
- 18th and Castro Winner of a Goldie award for Best Lesbian Erotica at the Golden Crown Literary Society’s 2007 Awards Ceremony.
- This is a book with heart, and it took a wee bit of mine.
- My Lady Lipstick has a well-written plot with innovative character drama and a love story that doesn’t disappoint. The romance sparkles, the characters are enchanting...
- A new look at prejudice and a different view of pride all painted with the dark purple of a fruity Shiraz.
- Assemblyman Mark Leno commends, "your dedication to enriching our lives with your use of the written word, broadening LGBT awareness, and being an inspiration..."
- Humorous insights into how we conduct relationships and truths we can take with us into 'real life.'
- This quick smooth read will leave plenty of time to search your jar of change to find your own ancient coin of love.
- Being a descendant of First Generation Americans, I am impressed by this attention to detail.
- A tale of romance, with just enough hot sex to keep it interesting.
- Great writing, smart story with fascinating, unusual, and well developed characters. People you would like to know.
- A delicious romance with just a hint of intrigue ... Uncommonly realistic!
- The love scenes sizzle, the stakes are high and the ending is happy.
- A gripping story that will delight Kallmaker fans!
- This tale of love lost and love found makes you cry and laugh at the same time.
- This, friends, is good reading.
- The Dawning is one of those superb novels that are so easy to pick up - and so difficult to put down!
- Extremely well written in classic Kallmaker style, with a great supporting cast of friends and colleagues and a fascinating exploration on the social scene these women inhabit...
- A lovely sweet story of two young women following their dreams.
- Kallmaker and Radclyffe come together to pen these hot short stories... A perfect bedtime read!
- It wasn't that long ago I thought romance novels had nothing to offer a sophisticated reader. I was wrong...
- This lesbian classic audiobook is a good way to immerse yourself in the past and be happy for what we’ve got now.
- This is a wonderful story that has continued to be a winner. I now understand why Touchwood is a favourite for many readers.
- A great summer, holiday read, what with all the glorious, delish culinary delights, exotic or otherwise, fun pastimes and all! California dreamin’, eh?
- My Lady Lipstick Winner of a Goldie award for Best Lesbian Romantic Blend at the Golden Crown Literary Society’s 2019 Awards Ceremony.
- Painted Moon is a classic that could very well become the next Curious Wine... [It] has the compelling storyline and strong writing that will deservedly reinforce the popularity of the romance genre.
- The kind of indestructible and talented woman we all dream we could be - much like Molly Bolt in Rubyfruit Jungle.
- A classic Kallmaker romance - Painted Moon is as steamy as readers like it to be. The story is a good one, the characters are realistic.
- A romance built around a real world and real people.
- Brilliant and fun and delightfully well done. Made me smile and dream of such a love.
- I love the story of Sydney and Faith. I think anyone can relate to their story in one way or another.
- Love can conquer anything, even time and always evil. That's the message of this book, which I could not put down.
- A diabolical plot and how two friends, Lisa and Tan, work with Ani and Eve to clear Ani's name.
- ...Reality-based & entertaining story about the conflicts & consequences when faced with choosing which you're most willing to sacrifice— the life of your dreams or the love of your life?
- I couldn't wait to see what happened & would wake up during the night to read more.
- Beautiful and unforgettable story of love and hope.
- I know you said you struggled to write it, but Simply the Best is right up there as one of my favorite books you’ve written.
- Die Happy-End-Garantin schafft es spielend, mit Hilfe von Freundschaft
- The whole is a perfectly wrapped bundle of enjoyment for anyone who likes a good romance.
- The filmmaking details were fascinating to me... The behind-the-scenes added to the story without getting in the way.
- I’ve always been impressed with her writing but this novella was even better than I expected.
- The Kiss that Counted Winner of a Golden Crown Literary Society Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award at the Golden Crown Literary Society’s 2009 awards ceremony. This award is voted on by the Society’s membership in an annual poll.
- Because I Said So wins Best Lesbian Romance - Short Novel at the 2020 Goldie Awards.
- A cast of characters who buzz in and out of each other's lives (and apartments) in the course of one busy night...
- A tiny touch of magic makes everything better, even an already perfect romance.
- Strong character portraits, interesting and informative plots, and engaging storytelling.
- Christmas cheer, community, healing and attraction, even love.
- One of the finest!
- Great read. I just want to keep reading. I would love a sequel.
- It simply reads “In Appreciation” The Alice B. Award for Lifetime Achievement comes from a group of dedicated readers in Arizona who every year name veteran writers and debut authors as Medalists and Lavender Award Certificates winners respectively. Other medalists include KG MacGregor, Radclyffe, Cate Culpepper, Katherine V. Forrest, Ann Allen Shockley, Sheila Ortiz-Taylor, Ellen Hart, Peggy J. Herring, Gerri Hill and Claire McNab.
- Kallmaker's pandemic book, but it wasn't heavy, even if there were echoes of the despair and darkness of that period. Highly recommended!