Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Colors of Love
In her latest novel, MIRRORS, Marianne Martin artistically weaves a tapestry of sophistication and psychological introspection with colors of love. The love of friendship between Jean and Shayna is no truer blue that that of an Iris. The love between Shayna and her father challenges the pure whiteness of a carnation, and no author paints passion any redder than Martin.As in all her books, Martin creates conversations that make her characters so unique. You won't be able to mistake that these words are anyone's except Shayna Bradley's: "Look at these wrists...See any shackles on them?...How about these ankles? See any chains? No. You're damn right you don't. I'm a free woman. Been free all my life. Free to be whoever and whatever I choose...No one is going to put ancient chains on me, least of all you." As this passage also illustrates, Martin isn't afraid to take her genre deep into psychological and socialogical issues. Her characters struggle with guilt and self-discovery, and face homophobia, all in three dimension. Yet, through it all, she has stayed true to her genre by weaving tightly into this colorful tapestry a beautiful love story. Marianne Martin has once again won my heart. MIRRORS is a story that I'm sure in time will prove to be a classic. This book has my highest recommendation.
Rating: - Heads Above
MIRRORS is the kind of story and Marianne Martin the kind of writer that raises this novel heads above the typical lesbian romance.
As a reader I want to know what makes characters tick. Martin understands that. She doesn't tell me that Shayna is a workaholic, she shows me what her days and nights are like and lets me into her head so that I understand why. She makes me feel the love between Jean and her husband and the guilt that Jean holds in her heart. I went to church with Jean and listened to the struggle that she has fought in her head since she was a young girl. These are not characters anymore, they are people that I know and care about. When a crisis arises that threatens their happiness and challenges their courage I worry, and find myself wondering what I would do if it were me in their shoes. All this because Martin knew how to put me right in the middle of their world. I want them to be happy, I want them to be courageous. And I don't know if either is possible for them until the last page of the book. That's why this is such a fine novel and Martin the very best in her genre.
Rating: - Romance at a New Level
This is not your traditional form of formula romance. Marianne Martin has successfully raised the level of what I now want and expect from this genre. She has created a unique blend of drama, from real life situations, and love, as it evolves from internal struggle.I was surprised by the depth and complexity of emotions that her characters evoked from me. They ran the gamut from sensing the pain and guilt that Shayna carries from her childhood, feeling the confusion and fear Jean suffers from her Catholic upbringing, to the intensity of love in its many varied forms. As in real life, love is not easily defined or catagorized, but Mirrors offers wonderful reflections of parental love, friendship love, and intimate love. Mirrors is filled with rich descriptions, full characterizations, well-crafted tension, and some of the best internal dialogue I have read. If you are expecting a romance, Mirrors will give you that and more. If you are expecting a realistic look into the lives of contemporary lesbians, you will not be disappointed. This is an excellent book, one you will enjoy reading and re-reading.
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