All About Covered Hearts

A young woman in a sequined jacket is lit with neon squiggles of orange and red light as she sings passionately into a microphone. In the background are charred pages of musical staves. Text reads, A Coin of Love Romance, Covered Hearts, Karin Kallmaker Goldie and Lammy Award Winner

The Coin of Love Series: Women discover the magic they need to find the love they deserve.

Devi Raven is the only surviving member of Amnesia, and her grunge diva days are twenty years behind her. With her music locked down into a deep, dark place, she’s surviving on name recognition as a celebrity chef.

The news that Amnesia’s one generation-changing hit is being covered is welcome for the cash it’ll bring. Just another bit of business from her previous life. Until she discovers that the artist covering “Empty Graveyards” is another bubblegum and candy hearts clone cranked out of the pop music machine. Who happens to be sitting in her restaurant.

Lauren “SheRaid” Barlow personally booked the chef’s table in Amnesia’s Garden kitchen in the hopes of meeting one of her all-time idols. She’s thrilled to find that Devi is as devastating in person as she is in photographs. Too late she remembers the sage advice: Never meet your heroes.

This story was inspired when I first heard Malia’s cover of “Smells like Teen Spirit” during the opening credits of Black Widow. The ethereal, understated cover track holds all the echoes meant by the original Curt Cobain creation, especially because “load up on guns and bring your friends” speaks to events in the movie all too well.

But what if it had been remixed with a synthetic vibraharp and a 4:4 time kick drum? Same What If when Disturbed covered “The Sound of Silence” and Johnny Cash covered “Hurt.” Fortunately, after both of those covers, Paul Simon and Trent Reznor respectively were around to say that the new versions were nothing short of spectacular, and that these new renditions now “owned” the song.

So I asked myself, what if you had somehow created one perfect legacy in an otherwise disastrous career, and now fear that one perfect song has been taken over by people with synthetic souls?

Meet Devi Raven and Lauren Barlow.

A Spirited Librarian and a Wounded Warrior – Checked Out Review
Christmas cheer, community, healing and attraction, even love.
Goodreads Reviews for Knight of Nights
This story is unique, full of magic and adventure, love and nature and spirituality.
I Heart SapphFic Book of the Month! – Wind in Her Hair
Wind in Her Hair voted I Heart SapphFic Historical Romance of the Month!
Could Make Me Believe a Sheet of Plywood was a Beautiful, Emotional Creature…
She has a gift for imagery and metaphor that adds sumptuous layers…
Search Your Jar of Change!
This quick smooth read will leave plenty of time to search your jar of change to find your own ancient coin of love.
Knight of Nights at Lou Morgan’s Reviews
The way Kirstine and Skyra build a life together without any blueprint or social safety net is nothing short of inspirational.
Steely Resolve Faces Down Intimidation – Checked Out Review
Recommend with 5 stars and look forward to the next book in the series.
Authentic Period Detail in Wind in Her Hair
If you are looking for a strong, independent heroine, you will discover her…
Wonderful Sense of Humour – Wind in Her Hair
I love the interactions between Irene and the coin which for an ‘inanimate’ object has a wonderful sense of humour.
Velvet in Venice – ” Beautiful story in a wonderful place”
Velvet in Venice had a beautiful ending, just what we need these days.
So Much Joy and Happiness – Reader Review of Checked Out
Karin has a great writing style. The humor in this book is wonderful.
A Love Letter to Librarians – Review of Checked Out
This is a book with heart, and it took a wee bit of mine.
Knight of Nights Voted Historical Romance of the Month!
I Heart SapphFic readers have voted Knight of Night the Historical Romance of the Month!
Wind in Her Hair Has You Rooting for Love
The writer has crafted the characters well, and you can’t help but empathise with Irene.
Wind in Her Hair – You Can’t Stop Till the End!
Such a lovely story… You can’t stop till the end!
Velvet in Venice – “Gorgeous Read”
A very well written and gorgeous little read with a bit of magical realism thrown in.
The Subtle Liberation of Irene C – Wind in Her Hair
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.
Wind in Her Hair is Unexpected and Inspiring
This was such an unexpected and inspiring book.
Velvet in Venice at the Lesbian Review – “Perfect Romance”
A tiny touch of magic makes everything better, even an already perfect romance.
Velvet in Venice – “Highly Recommended for Drama-Free, Sweet, Adult Love Story”
Nikki sings her way into Artie’s heart and music plays a key element to their interactions.
Knight of Nights – Rachel Lacey at The Lesbian Review
The ending is wonderful and filled my heart with hope and love.
Reader Comments about Velvet in Venice
A lovely sweet story of two young women following their dreams.
Velvet in Venice – “Excellent 5 Star read!”
The food, architecture, good and bad sides to the city are all explored with the spark between the leads acknowledged subtly and romance slowly pursued ...
The Beginnings of Lesbian Pulp Fiction in Wind in Her Hair
It’s worth reading the notes at the end of the book to learn a little more about Kallmaker’s inspiration and a rumination on the beginning ...
She Can’t Write the Coin of Love Books Quickly Enough for Me!
Checked Out is a sweet heartwarming story that just begs to be read in the run up to the festive season.
Librarian Bona Fide Review – Checked Out
Besides all the correct librarian content… I had to stop reading more than once to get more snacks.
Love Story is Between Irene and Herself – Jude in the Stars
“Irene is a very strong character, once she realizes she can be.” – Jude in the Stars
A Great Idea for a Series
It is definitely a romance and if you haven’t read Ms Kallmaker’s Coin of Love series you are missing out.
Spreading Her Wings in the Sun – Wind in Her Hair Review
A 5 star read that I highly recommend. – Gail at Kindle Canada