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 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.- A gripping story that will delight Kallmaker fans!
- The dialogue is probably the best I have read by this author and she excels at snappy dialogue.
- Kallmaker quietly but effectively sets the stage... Recommended.
- The Kiss that Counted Winner of 2008 Favorite Romance Book as voted by member of the Lesbian Fiction Readers Choice Awards.
- An atmospheric mix of mythical past lives and daunting present-day dangers...
- The whole is a perfectly wrapped bundle of enjoyment for anyone who likes a good romance.
- I love a book where the women are strong and commanding. It was a GREAT read and I couldn't put it down.
- One of my favorite things to do after reading a Karin Kallmaker book is to jump over to my Frosting on the Cake.
- Wine buffs, as well as lovers of a good romance, will enjoy this excellent read.
- I was so elated I wanted to celebrate their Happily-Ever-After when I finished reading it! Phew! What a thrilling, intoxicating ride, indeed!
- Be sure to pick this one up!
- The story was great, I adore the MCs and the narration by Abby Craden, as always, was superb!
- Great read. I just want to keep reading. I would love a sequel.
- Wonderfully written with believable and lovable characters, this is a terrific and moving lesbian novel...
- What a story!
- Both author and narrator are such professionals, they made this audiobook a great experience. Highly recommended.
- The perfect mix of angst and comfort.
- But where the author really shines is what she does for love.
- Masterful storytelling that doesn’t get in the way of generating incredible heat.
- ...Tous ces ingrédients mis ensemble en font un livre qui se lit facilement, et qui, encore une fois, fait rêver.
- 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.
- I had that complete happy sigh that comes after reading an excellent romance...
- As a journalist, and an environmental one at that with a degree in science, this novel grabbed me hook, line and sinker... The love story was beautiful and inspiring...
- The love scenes sizzle, the stakes are high and the ending is happy.
- Roller Coaster Finalist at the 2012 Golden Crown Literary Society Awards for Lesbian Romance.
- “I started with And Now a Word…or Two, and ate the whole thing, buttercream rose and all, savoring every bite.” – Carol Rosenfeld for Lambda Book Report
- Unforgettable is vintage lesbian romance, continuing Kallmaker's string of well-written, thoughtful stories about women surviving difficult times and coming into their own.
- Castle Wrath is the fun, erotic horror lesbian rewrite of Northanger Abbey that we never knew we needed.
- They prevailed with good old fashioned lesbian camaraderie and intelligence.
- In Recognition of Mentorship Awarded by the Executive Director of the Golden Crown Literary Society, the LJ Maas Memorial Award was presented as “recognition of your mentorship of young writers and your commitment and dedication to new authors of lesbian literature.”
- Above Temptation Winner of 2010 Favorite Adventure Book as voted by member of the Lesbian Fiction Readers Choice Awards.
- A fun and sexy read to put you (or someone else) in the mood!
- The growing attraction and feelings the women experience are delicately delineated with a fine touch...
- At times heartbreaking, but overall hopeful, I really loved Darlin’s story and was very pleased with the ending.
- 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...
- ...Oh, the journey is so worth it...
- This is a romance ... that showcases real, internal struggles instead of a sequence of external obstacles neatly resolved before the happy ending.
- One of the finest!
- Deep and layered with meaning. ...The result is an unexpectedly haunting tale told in image-drenched language that stays with you long after the story is over.
- Infatti, più che alla storia d’amore tra le due protagoniste, si dà grande spazio alla loro storia personale, a ciò che le porterà a incontrarsi – solo nella seconda metà del romanzo.
- Libera me se lit d'une traite et démontre avec bonheur que roman sentimental ne rime pas forcément avec Arlequin.
- A cohesive, tightly-knit and dynamic tale!
- Sugar is a literary snack as delectable as the fabulous desserts created by the Seattle chef.
- "A well-written story that I really liked and can easily recommend." - Pin
- One of Karin Kallmaker's best and most engrossing books yet!
- Both author and narrator are such professionals, they made this audiobook a great experience. Highly recommended.
- A fascinating and totally believable roller coaster with unexpected complications and intriguing plot twists...
- Action-spy-story-mystery with dramatic possibilities and breathtaking plot developments.
- The perfect read for a dark night, a cozy armchair and a warm fire in the fireplace.
- There's no doubt that Painted Moon will take you on an emotional roller coaster, but you will certainly enjoy the ride... Beautifully sensitive.
- I love the story of Sydney and Faith. I think anyone can relate to their story in one way or another.
- The future you planned, the family and friends are gone and what’s left can be packed into a small suitcase. This is Lily’s world. But she takes advantage of her positives...
- An upbeat romance that begins with a house fire that threatens a woman's livelihood...
- ...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?
- This cute novel held me enthralled wondering who cake designer Sugar Sorenson would end up with...
- This is a very interesting book, as much for the story as because of who wrote it. There’s not a single second of doubt that this is a Kallmaker book. Her style is everywhere.
- She has a gift for imagery and metaphor that adds sumptuous layers...
- Finders Keepers is a rare gem that should be treasured and revisited regularly.
- A marvelous story of two head-strong women.
- Above Temptation Finalist for the 2010 Lambda Literary Awards: Best Lesbian Romance.
- I couldn't wait to see what happened & would wake up during the night to read more.
- “…Sparks have been created and things happen that were definitely not planned. A sweet romance for a rainy afternoon.” – Golden Threads
- One of the few books about a older woman with a younger woman. Both sensitive and serious as well as filled with humor.
- ...Full of steamy sex and strong emotional realizations
- These [COVID] elements provided the story with a layer of reality that didn't feel depressing,
- This one was entertaining, interesting, beyond imaginary. I loved it. And with Abby Craden’s sexy voice who could ask for more.
- Just Like That Winner of a Goldie award for Best Lesbian Romance at the Golden Crown Literary Society’s 2006 Awards Ceremony.
- An excellent writer, with lots of experience, and it shows.
- There is a warmth to the author's reading that works perfectly for this story.
- In Deep Waters Volume 1: Cruising the Seas Winner of a Goldie award for Best Lesbian Erotica at the Golden Crown Literary Society’s 2008 Awards Ceremony. Co-authored with Radclyffe.
- I like to see a couple fall in love outside of the bedroom...
- What a lovely story. I’ll be reading this one again next year.
- ...Du monde tout une gamme d'expériences intimes rarement contées avec autant de naturel et de légèreté...
- Both characters are expertly drawn and easy to love. I appreciated that Kallmaker made one a wonderfully complex and relatable butch.
- Get this book when you want to find romance in amongst the dumpster fire world in which we live.
- This is a wonderful story that has continued to be a winner. I now understand why Touchwood is a favourite for many readers.
- Pure Pleasure!
- Never has a fictional character’s Happily Ever After delighted me more.
- Great spirit of Christmas story.
- While every story is a little different, some overlap with the same apartment dwellers, lending continuity to the collection so it acts like a novel...
- A sweet holiday romance that is well written and performed.
- She's more than imaginative, she's cleverly inventive...
- She tells stories that can be read over and over again with characters that linger in your thoughts.
- This book was like a fantasy come to life. All my life I have had the hots for librarians.
- If anyone had suggested to me that I would have been moved and enthralled by a fictional alien encounter, I would never have believed it, but there you have it.
- The premise for the story is interesting and imaginative... Refreshing!
- This winning combination gives us fantasy, romance and smut throughout.
- Kallmaker and Radclyffe come together to pen these hot short stories... A perfect bedtime read!
- I can’t talk about my favourite aspect of the book without blowing a massive spoiler. Just know that it’s SO GOOD.
- Car Pool, like many of Kallmaker's books, presents readers with a sweet romance. But, she doesn't shy away from including real-world issues in her books.
- Finders Keepers Finalist for the 2006 Lambda Literary Awards: Best Lesbian Romance.
- A bonus: fun use of exotic locales. Well done, brain-engaging romance.
- Stepping Stone Finalist for a 2009 Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Romance.
- I expect a lot from Kallmaker and she delivered a good romance with interesting characters and a plot line that left me mulling it over for days.
