Family Values

By Vicki Stevenson

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1932300899
• ISBN13: 9781932300895
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: Yellow Rose Books
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 0.3" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Predictable and Slow, But Solid

This book has been on my `to be read' shelf for a long time and I finally got around to reading it over a long Christmas break. It is my first read of Vicki Stevenson's work. In general, her writing shows promise but `Values' lacks many of the elements I look for in a quality work of fiction. For starters, the description on the back cover contains a gross error. It states that `Tyler Sorensen has a track record of countless affairs without any emotional involvement.' However, early in the book it is explained that Tyler is admired from afar by many women - yet she resists their attentions because she does want emotional attachment. Otherwise, the back cover description is accurate. The characters in this book, although numerous, lack definition and dimensionality. What little we know of them happens within the covers of the book (i.e., Stevenson has not given them a past or built in any depth - as is often done by experienced authors). Parts of the story seem rushed or abbreviated. Other parts seem to drag on forever. However, after saying all that I still believe the story is quite good. With a little more experience the author may improve her skills. (Note: I know she has already published at least three more books, so maybe this has already happened. I have two of them on my shelf already and will try to read them soon.) Bottom line - Not the best book I've ever read, but not the worst either. A solid 3.5 stars (thus rounding up to 4). It would be a good way to spend a rainy day, but don't expect the quality of work you'd find from Radclyffe or Kallmaker.

Fun, Fun, Fun!!

I love a good double cross! Set in 1999 Arizona near Flagstaff and Phoenix, 32 year old drop dead gorgeous Alice is completely duped by her insurance agent Janice to invest $40 thousand dollars in a Ponzi scheme soon to go bust. To the rescue is 34 year old new friend Tyler who as a fresh out of school techie in 1983 invested every penny she had in Intel and Microsoft. In between falling in love with Tyler, Alice goes to visit Eve who three years earlier their 9 year relationship Eve cheated on Alice. What she finds is that the lesbian centric community's Home Owners Association where they once lived is run by women who terrorize and evict anyone who does not live according to their standards. If you enjoyed this novel make sure to read the author's other novels in the series: Family Affairs Family Ties From the publisher's website - Devastated by the collapse of her long-term relationship, Alice Cruz decides to begin life anew. She moves to a small town, rents an apartment, and establishes a career in real estate. But when she tries to liquidate some of her investments for a down payment on a house, she discovers that she has been victimized by a con artist. Local resident Tyler Sorensen has a track record of countless affairs without any emotional involvement. Known for her sexy good looks, easygoing kindness, and unique approach to problems, Tyler is asked by a mutual friend to figure out how Alice can recover her money. While Tyler's elaborate plan progresses and members of her LGBT family work toward the solution, they discover that the con game involves more people and far higher stakes than they had imagined. As the family encounters unexpected obstacles, Tyler and Alice struggle with a growing emotional connection deeper than either woman has ever experienced.

It's a Whole New Ballgame

Based on the publisher's summary of this book, I expected a formulaic romance. Was I ever wrong. Although there is a captivating love story (complete with sizzling sex), the author hits the ground running on page one with an intriguing plot that never slows down. When I finished the book, I just sat and stared at the wall for awhile so that I could assimilate the whole story. There is a scam involving securities fraud and a sophisticated counter-scam perpetrated by members of a GLBT family in the interest of securing justice for one of their own. There's more action in every chapter than most books have in total. I want to say that this book is plot-driven, but that would imply that it's light on characterization, which is certainly not the case. Comprehensive character development has simply been wrapped around enough plot for three novels. In addition to the two main protagonists, whose blossoming romance is pivotal to the story, the "family of choice" includes a variety of gay people --- young and old, female and male. Their interaction with one another as they resolve family problems is simply fabulous. The cover indicates that this book is the first in a series of stories about these wonderful characters. Bring on the sequel. I want more!

WOW

I've read hundreds of lesbian novels, but never one quite like this. I bought this book for the romance and I enjoyed the love story immensely. Although I much prefer romance to mystery, I found the mystery/adventure aspect of the book absolutely riveting. There's not much character stereotyping here. A mix of lesbians, gay men, baby dykes, a senior citizen, singles, and couples comprise the "family of choice." And then there are the main protagonists. Since her teenage years, Tyler Sorensen has had the benefit of a mentor, positive lesbian role model and retired high school teacher Skye Hammond. Having seen the rewards of Skye's stable long-term relationship, Tyler refuses to settle for less. At thirty-four, she has played the field extensively but never found the kind of love she envisions for a lifelong commitment. Alice Cruz is in the final stages of healing from the collapse of a nine-year relationship and has no desire for romantic entanglement. Then as a result of being victimized by a local con artist, she meets Tyler and her feelings begin to change. How would you handle a con artist who had helped herself to your life's savings and was on the verge of escape from the legal system? How could you compel her to eagerly return the money she took? How could you beat her at her own game without doing anything unlawful yourself? The answers are intricate and spellbinding. This book has the feel of a classic in the making.