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.
- The premise for the story is interesting and imaginative... Refreshing!
- An excellent writer, with lots of experience, and it shows.
- The way Kirstine and Skyra build a life together without any blueprint or social safety net is nothing short of inspirational.
- I loved the big nod to the early pioneers of lesbian fiction Ann Bannon and Marijane Meaker who were beacons to those searching for more.
- ...Full of steamy sex and strong emotional realizations
- A wonderfully written story of redemption, finding trust, and love conquers all.
- The filmmaking details were fascinating to me... The behind-the-scenes added to the story without getting in the way.
- It wasn't that long ago I thought romance novels had nothing to offer a sophisticated reader. I was wrong...
- ...Searching for a touching and steamy historical romance with fully fleshed out characters, then look no further...this is the perfect story for you!
- The Kiss that Counted Winner of the 2008 Lambda Literary Award for Best Lesbian Romance.
- Love can conquer anything, even time and always evil. That's the message of this book, which I could not put down.
- The Dawning is one of those superb novels that are so easy to pick up - and so difficult to put down!
- Christmas cheer, community, healing and attraction, even love.
- Checked Out is a sweet heartwarming story that just begs to be read in the run up to the festive season.
- Assemblyman Mark Leno commends, "your dedication to enriching our lives with your use of the written word, broadening LGBT awareness, and being an inspiration..."
- These [COVID] elements provided the story with a layer of reality that didn't feel depressing,
- This tale of love lost and love found makes you cry and laugh at the same time.
- Once Upon a Dyke: New Exploits of Fairy Tale Lesbians This collection of four novellas was a finalist at the 2004 Lambda Literary Awards for LGBT Fantasy. The book contains an earlier, shorter version of “A Fish Out of Water.”
- Substitute for Love may just be the best Kallmaker I've read in a long time, and given her extraordinary talent, that's saying something.
- 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...
- Wind in Her Hair voted I Heart SapphFic Historical Romance of the Month!
- A marvelous story of two head-strong women.
- The love scenes sizzle, the stakes are high and the ending is happy.
- Humorous insights into how we conduct relationships and truths we can take with us into 'real life.'
- 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.
- In Deep Waters Volume 2: Cruising the Strip Winner of the 2008 Lambda Literary Award for Best LGBT Erotica. Co-authored with Radclyffe.
- A fine balance between romance and reality . . . intimate scenes are beautifully appropriate for the period.
- The young, hot-headed Teresa and the tormented Rayann pull us in immediately...
- Captain of Industry is subtle and engaging, a Kallmaker love story with the kind of angst to which we can probably all relate.
- Great writing, smart story with fascinating, unusual, and well developed characters. People you would like to know.
- She has a gift for imagery and metaphor that adds sumptuous layers...
- 2011 Trailblazer Award from the Golden Crown Literary Society Previous Trailblazers include Ann Bannon, Sarah Aldridge, Jane Rule, Katherine V. Forrest, Lee Lynch, Barbara Wilson, Judy Grahn, Dorothy Allison, Pat Parker, and Ellen Hart. The Trailblazer Award is given to a lesbian writer for lifetime achievement, in recognition of the contributions she has made to the field of lesbian literature. Karin credits one of her proudest and most breathtaking moments as being when Lee Lynch said her name at the 2012 Phoenix Convention.
- A 5 star read that I highly recommend. - Gail at Kindle Canada
- What a lovely story. I’ll be reading this one again next year.
- This book was like a fantasy come to life. All my life I have had the hots for librarians.
- Las historias apasionantes, divertidas y escritas con la ma maestría y talento de estas escritoras increíbles.
- Strong character portraits, interesting and informative plots, and engaging storytelling.
- The kind of indestructible and talented woman we all dream we could be - much like Molly Bolt in Rubyfruit Jungle.
- A very well written and gorgeous little read with a bit of magical realism thrown in.
- Great read. I just want to keep reading. I would love a sequel.
- What a story!
- Kallmaker has created a moody, epic, romantic, passionate novel...
- A gift to all voracious readers from a splendidly gifted imagination.
- ...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?
- Action-spy-story-mystery with dramatic possibilities and breathtaking plot developments.
- Libera me se lit d'une traite et démontre avec bonheur que roman sentimental ne rime pas forcément avec Arlequin.
- A great job of blending humor with the realities of life, like smeared makeup when you want to be sexy and limbs that fall asleep...
- The broken relationship between Eve and Ani will have the reader on tenterhooks until the end.
- Kallmaker's writing gets better and better, her observations on the life lesbian more and more astute. Painted Moon is a very good romance novel with lots of extras.
- Love by the Numbers Finalist for the 2014 Lambda Literary Awards: Best Lesbian Romance.
- One of the finest!
- Both characters are expertly drawn and easy to love. I appreciated that Kallmaker made one a wonderfully complex and relatable butch.
- A lovely sweet story of two young women following their dreams.
- One of Karin Kallmaker's best and most engrossing books yet!
- It’s clear this is a relationship each of them is going to integrate into her real life… A fun, relaxing, sexy story.
- She's more than imaginative, she's cleverly inventive...
- At times heartbreaking, but overall hopeful, I really loved Darlin’s story and was very pleased with the ending.
- Bibliophile's Bounty! Night Vision Top Five of the Year!
- 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...
- Smart story with fascinating, unusual, and well developed characters... Of course Abby Craden always gives an unbelievably enjoyable narrative.
- A wonderful book...truly outstanding.
- Brilliant and fun and delightfully well done. Made me smile and dream of such a love.
- Get this book when you want to find romance in amongst the dumpster fire world in which we live.
- This is a book with heart, and it took a wee bit of mine.
- The perfect read for a dark night, a cozy armchair and a warm fire in the fireplace.
- ...Halfway through I’m really dying for two people to get together...
- I can’t talk about my favourite aspect of the book without blowing a massive spoiler. Just know that it’s SO GOOD.
- I love that both these women are smart, and it shows...
- Velvet in Venice had a beautiful ending, just what we need these days.
- ...Steamy sex, family drama, and all the angst you could hope for with a main character falling for her straight best friend.
- Be sure to pick this one up!
- A bonus: fun use of exotic locales. Well done, brain-engaging romance.
- The best kind of romance. It has lesbians, just enough angst and a delightful wit and writing style.
- A gripping story that will delight Kallmaker fans!
- One of my favourites! Charming and wonderfully written.
- The heat of a prairie fire and the bold passion these women share is portrayed in vivid, poetic language.
- Romantic, funny, thoughtful, and hot...
- This one's a mouth-watering delight.
- Dem neuen Buch der „Queen of Lesbian Romance“ für gemütlich-gemütvolle Stunden...
- Ah ! l'amour... Une histoire qui commence par la fin, pour mieux faire goûter au suspens... Encore de quoi faire rêver les lesbiennes!
- Karin has a great writing style. The humor in this book is wonderful.
- Above Temptation Winner of a Goldie award for Best Lesbian Romance at the Golden Crown Literary Society’s 2011 Awards Ceremony.
- Both author and narrator are such professionals, they made this audiobook a great experience. Highly recommended.
- Frosting on the Cake 2: Second Helpings Winner of 2010 Favorite Anthology/Story Collection as voted by member of the Lesbian Fiction Readers Choice Awards.
- ...It’s hot; it’s imaginative; and the bonus is that it’s well-written and well, entertaining.
- The writer has crafted the characters well, and you can't help but empathise with Irene.
- A tale of romance, with just enough hot sex to keep it interesting.
- I enjoyed the dialogue as well as the minor characters in the story.
- The ending is wonderful and filled my heart with hope and love.
- 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.
- Unforgettable is vintage lesbian romance, continuing Kallmaker's string of well-written, thoughtful stories about women surviving difficult times and coming into their own.
- All the Wrong Places Finalist at the 2006 Golden Crown Literary Society Awards: Best Lesbian Romance.
- Exquisite writing, extremely fiery sex, great characterisation despite the length and a totally enjoyable read.
- I love a book where the women are strong and commanding. It was a GREAT read and I couldn't put it down.
- As close to perfection as I have ever read...
- It's my favourite that I've read by Karin Kallmaker and I can't recommend it highly enough.
- I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t put it down. It even haunted my dreams and I woke in the middle of the night to just keep reading it. I think Kallmaker put her own kind of spell on me.
- Tara and Sheena from the Lesbian Review devote this episode of The Lesbian Talk Show to Just Like that by Karin Kallmaker.
- All the Wrong Places Finalist in two categories for the 2005 Lambda Literary Awards: Best Lesbian Romance and Best LGBT Erotica.