Lesbian Authors Guild
AJ Adaire
Twenty years ago, AJ Adaire wrote her first lesbian romance novel just to see if she could do it. The novel occupied space on her bookshelf, unread for nearly twenty years until, one day while in a cleaning frenzy, she considered disposing of the neatly stacked but now age-yellowed pages. As she began to read the long forgotten work, she was surprised to discover that the story was enjoyable! Editing and retyping the first book provided a new sense of accomplishment and additional tales followed.
Now retired, there is all the time in the world to write. She lives on the east coast with her partner of thirty-two years. Because they love a challenge, they provide a loving home for two spoiled cats instead of a dog! In addition to writing, any spare time is devoted to reading, mastering new computer programs, and socializing with friends.
AJ’s debut novel, Sunset Island, was published in September 2013. It begins the Friends Series. A novelette, The Interim, (November 2013), continues the story of Ren Madison and her transition towards being able to love again. Awaiting My Assignment, Book 2 of the Friends Series quickly followed in December 2013. It picked up the story of Melanie, Ren’s close friend, and introduced her new partner Amanda. Awaiting My Assignment named one of the Top Twenty Contemporary Lesbian Romances from 2013 by Elaine Lynch writing as E.B. Mulligan, 6/4/2014. Book 3, Anything Your Heart Desires, (March 2014) is the last book in the Friend’s Series for now. It features all the characters from the previous books, and tells Jo’s story.
AJ’s first novel not in the Friends series, One Day Longer Than Forever, was released in June 2014. It’s Complicated followed in October 2014. If you enjoy sailing, or reading about sailing, you might enjoy AJ’s next romance, I Love My Life, released in March 2015.
In 2015, AJ switched gears and wrote an Adventure/Romance called Journey To You It was a finalist in the 2015 Rainbow Awards, and received an Honorable Mention.
Sunset Island
Ren Madison is certain her life couldn't be more perfect. She owns a private island with an Inn off the coast of Maine. Ren treasures her loving relationship with her older brother Jack, his wife, Marie, and dotes on her niece Laura. She has a passionate and supportive relationship with her partner, Brooke, and a successful business that doesn't require her undivided attention allowing her ample time to pursue her true passion, painting. Ren's idyllic world crumbles when Brooke dies. Friends and family worry that Ren may never fully recover from her loss.
Dr. Lindy Caprini, a multi-lingual professor, is looking for an artist to illustrate the book she is writing comparing fairy tales from around the world. To make working together on the book easier, Lindy take a year sabbatical and leaves friends, home, and boyfriend in Pennsylvania and moves to Ren's island. Ren soon discovers that the beautiful and mischievous Lindy is a talented author and a witty conversationalist. Their collaboration on the book leads to a close, light hearted, and flirtatious friendship. Will their collaboration end there?
The Interim
Devastated that her partner cheated, Melanie flees to a new job in Maine where she meets Ren Madison. Ren is dealing with issues of her own after losing her partner Brooke in a plane crash.
What happens in the interim after one relationship ends and you're really ready to love again? For Ren Madison, Melanie was what happened.
The Interim fills in the details of Ren Madison's life on Sunset Island after Brooke, but before Lindy.
Awaiting My Assignment
Awaiting My Assignment tells Mallory and Amanda's story. Revisit Sunset Island friends Ren, Lindy and Mallory in AJ Adaire's Book 2 of the Friends Series.
Bernie was a liar. Amanda learned that much when she caught her lover cheating the first time. Upon discovering a second indiscretion, Amanda vows there will never be another and leaves the relationship, fleeing to her friend Dana in New York State. There, Amanda meets and falls in love with a wonderful woman named Mallory.
However, the consistently surprising Bernie isn’t finished yet. Amanda learns of Bernie's rudest betrayal yet when she receives a package from her recently deceased ex-lover. Contained therein is a very surprising revelation and one final request. The favor comes with a gift that delivers dramatic and life-altering changes not only to Amanda’s life, but to the lives of her closest friends and new partner as well.
Awaiting My Assignment was named one of the 2013 top twenty contemporary lesbian romances by GLBT Reviews.
Anything Your Heart Desires
"Whoa—lesbians!" That was Stacy Alexander’s first thought as she observes the group of women in the new shop across the street kiss each other in greeting. Stacy had been staring out her apartment window trying to think of a motive for the death of the character she’d killed off in her mystery novel. Ah ha—extortion! What could be a better reason for the murder of my heroine than being blackmailed because she’s a lesbian? Now all I need is a lesbian to teach me about the ‘lesbian lifestyle.’
That’s where policewoman Jo Martin enters the picture. Jo has two rules by which she religiously lives her life: never get involved with someone already in a relationship and never, ever date a straight woman.
As Jo and Stacy collaborate on the novel, will Stacy want to gain a more intimate knowledge of the topic, and will Jo hold steadfastly to her rules?
Catch up with old friends Amanda, Mallory, Nic and Dana and meet some interesting new characters in this sequel to Awaiting My Assignment and Sunset Island. Each book is a stand alone novel, but best read in order of publication (Sunset Island, Awaiting My Assignment and Anything Your Heart Desires.)
One Day Longer Than Forever
Dr. Kate Martin needs a vacation after a failed romance with her business partner nearly ruins her. Lee Foster is recovering from her first lesbian relationship that self-destructed when her partner moved several states away, leaving her behind.
Two failed romances, a double booked vacation cabin, and a blizzard—will fate intervene again and turn a passionate affair with a stranger, into something more?
It's Complicated
Victoria Brannigham had a guilty pleasure. Every day she would take a detour, sit on the boardwalk, and wait. She tried not to covet what could never be hers.
Beverly McMannis was lonely, until she discovered another lesbian on the island. Bev eagerly embraced the growing friendship with her neighbor.
Victoria was honest with Bev right from the start; explaining that she wasn't free to explore their attraction. Bev promised to honor the boundaries.
Love isn't always easy, sometimes it's complicated...especially when she doesn't know you're still being faithful.
I Love My Life
Betrayal by her former lover sends Chris Baxter fleeing to Maine. She enrolls in a sailing class to escape the monotony of staring at the four walls of her isolated cabin. A chance pairing with Stephanie Kincaid and her cohorts, Tina and Terry, offers an opportunity for new friendship. A homework assignment offers Chris the potential for more than just knowledge of navigation.
An urgent message interrupts the classmate’s sailing vacation along the coast of Maine. Chris rushes back to her twin’s bedside while the others remain onboard to sail back to their homeport.
Will the revelations from her ex, her sister, and her family, change everything in the new life that Chris has rebuilt?
Journey To You
What do you do if you are one of the few who remain alive after a mysterious, flu-like virus claims most of the global population? This is a question Kim Robins and Peri Henderson have to answer when the world changes and society falls apart.
Violent gangs of looters make it unsafe to remain in the city. Hoping to improve their chances for survival, Kim and Peri decide to hike into the remote forest area of Maine.
Dangerous circumstances along the trail cause the women to join forces with another hiker and her dog. The longtime friends and their new companions set off on a daunting trek filled with both menacing and kindhearted survivors.
In this romantic adventure, the real question to be answered is, will this journey bring each of the women the happiness and safety she seeks?
Journey To You earned an Honorable Mention and was a finalist in the 2015 Rainbow Awards.