All About Covered Hearts

A young woman lit with neon squiggles of orange and red light is wearing a glittery jacket. She is holding a microphone above her mouth. In the background are charred pages of musical staves. Text reads, A Coin of Love Romance, Covered Heart, 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 punk 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 Barlow personally booked a table for eight at Amnesia’s Garden 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, and that she can’t seem to stop staring at Lauren.

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, in both cases, Paul Simon and Trent Reznor were around to say that the new covers were nothing short of spectacular, and that these new renditions now “owned” their 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.

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.
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.
Reader Comments about Velvet in Venice
A lovely sweet story of two young women following their dreams.
Knight of Nights Voted Historical Romance of the Month!
I Heart SapphFic readers have voted Knight of Night the Historical Romance of the Month!
Velvet in Venice – ” Beautiful story in a wonderful place”
Velvet in Venice had a beautiful ending, just what we need these days.
Wind in Her Hair is Unexpected and Inspiring
This was such an unexpected and inspiring book.
Goodreads Reviews for Knight of Nights
This story is unique, full of magic and adventure, love and nature and spirituality.
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.
Spreading Her Wings in the Sun – Wind in Her Hair Review
A 5 star read that I highly recommend. – Gail at Kindle Canada
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 ...
Wind in Her Hair – You Can’t Stop Till the End!
Such a lovely story… You can’t stop till the end!
Knight of Nights – Rachel Lacey at The Lesbian Review
The ending is wonderful and filled my heart with hope and 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.
Velvet in Venice at the Lesbian Review – “Perfect Romance”
A tiny touch of magic makes everything better, even an already perfect romance.
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…
Authentic Period Detail in Wind in Her Hair
If you are looking for a strong, independent heroine, you will discover her…
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.