Ricochet in Time
Being hated is an ugly, but very real experience, even in the land of “Minnesota Nice” where no one wants to believe discrimination exists.\ \ \ \ But, what if you were hated for just being who you are? What if you were hated, not for what how you looked or what you believed in, but because of who you chose to love? \ \ \ \ Danielle “Dani” Corbett and her girlfriend Meg O’Donnell know firsthand what hatred can cost. After a vicious and intentional attack fueled by nothing more than hatred,...
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Being hated is an ugly, but very real experience, even in the land of Minnesota Nice where no one wants to believe discrimination exists. But, what if you were hated for just being who you are? What if you were hated, not for what how you looked or what you believed in, but because of who you chose to love? Danielle Dani Corbett and her girlfriend Meg O Donnell know firsthand what hatred can cost. After a vicious and intentional attack fueled by nothing more than hatred, Meg is dead and Dani is left physically injured and emotionally scarred. Since her injury prevents Dani from fleeing on her motorcycle, which is her normal response to a crisis, she must find a way to deal with her grief and rage. But as one door has closed for Dani, another opens when Grace Beaumont, a young woman who works as a physical therapist at the hospital where Dani is treated, befriends her and helps her to heal. With Grace's friendship and the help of Grace s aunts, Estelline and Ruth, Dani manages to get through the ordeal of bringing Dani s attacker and Meg s killer to justice. Through her emotional journey Dani finds love, acceptance, and family. Filled with memorable characters, RICOCHET IN TIME is the story of one lonely woman s fight for justice and her struggle to resolve the troubles of her past and find a place in a world where she belongs.Midwest Book ReviewLori Lake is one of the best novelists working in the field of lesbian fiction today. Her latest novel is Ricochet In Time in which we are introduced to Danielle "Dani" Corbett, a woman who has learned from personal experience what being the target hatred just because your inborn sexual orientation is different from that of most others. A lethal attack motivated by sexual bigotry and prejudice leaves her girlfriend, Meg O'Donnell, dead, and Dani physically injured and emotionally scarred. With the help of hospital physical therapist Grace Beaumont and the help of Grace's aunts, Estelline and Ruth, Dani is able to work through her near devastating grief and almost overwhelming rage, as well as bringing Meg's killer to a well deserved justice. Ricochet In Time is a compelling read from cover to cover as it showcases an impressive struggle to find a personal place in the world and an enduring justice for a friend.
The Saturday morning sun shone bright and clear when Grace wheeled her rattling VW into the drive at Dani's garage and parked on the dirt apron next to the cement driveway. She saw Dani peering out from the back of the dim garage and waved at her as she got out of the car. By the time Grace opened the VW's back door to get her things, Dani was limping toward her. She stopped and frowned as Grace struggled with a suitcase and sleeping bag. \ "I'm not a critical person, Grace," Dani said. Grace paused to glance over shoulder as she muscled the suitcase through the door and set it on the sidewalk. "But I have to ask you what you think we're going to do with all that."\ "What do you mean?"\ \ "We're going camping. On a cycle. Come here." She took Grace by the arm, led her into the garage, and pointed at the Honda Nighthawk. "Where exactly would we be putting that great big steamer trunk of yours?"\ \ Grace laughed. "I don't know. For some reason, it never occurred to me."\ \ "What've you got in there anyway?"\ \ "Oh, necessities. Stuff I thought I might need."\ \ "Show me." Dani picked up the suitcase, brought it into the dimly lit garage, and laid it across two sawhorses. "Open it up."\ \ Grace flipped the two latches and folded the suitcase open. Dani stood staring a moment, then stepped closer and pointed in her suitcase. "Where would we be plugging in this mammot blow-dryer? It'll be too cold to wash your hair in the stream, so you can ditch the shampoo and conditioner. And why in the world are you bringing so many clothes?"\ \ "Just in case we get wet?"\ \ "I have a tarp and a pup tent. We won't get wet."\ \ "I hate to be wet or cold and now that it's practically winter, it gets pretty nippy at night, so we might need extra warm clothes. "\ \ "Not six full outfits! Just pick out one shirt, one sweater, skivvies, and extra socks. Roll 'em up in one pair of jeans. Stick 'em here in the saddlebag. That's all you'll need. Really. Trust me. We'll be just fine. While you're doing that, I'll take your sleeping bag, roll it out on the cot where it won't get dirty, and compact it some. It's a little bulky in this hay bale shape."\ \ The blonde tramped to the back of the garage and Grace started laughing again. Dani bent over the cot. When she limped back to the front of the garage, Grace saw the gray of her sleeping bag poking out of a tube-shaped, water-resistant duffel bag. "I got both of our bags crammed into this," Dani said. "Now they won't get wet or dirty, and they'll strap on much better. Wait a second and I'll get everything situated."\ \ Dani took tie-downs and lashed the duffel bag to the end of the seat, taking care to make sure it cleared the back fender. "Since you've never ridden before, here are some basic instructions. Here are the foot pegs. See this silver piping? It gets burning hot, so watch where you put your legs. Get settled on this part of the seat, and then hang onto me. Lean with me when we corner. I'll do some practice weaving and turning so you'll get the feel for it. If you need to talk to me, shout in my left ear and I'll hear you better. Oh, and if you want me to stop immediately, reach up and tap on my helmet like this..." Dani picked up her helmet and rapped on it four times with her fingernail. "Okay?"\ \ Grace nodded.\ \ Dani put on the sparkling maroon helmet, then got on the Honda, turned the key, and kick-started it. She wheeled it out of the garage and onto the drive, zipped up her leather jacket, and made a beckoning motion toward Grace. "Wait a sec, pull down the door, will you?"\ \ Grace reached up and dragged the garage door down. She heard Dani say, "Push on the metal ledge at the bottom until it clicks." When it snapped shut, Grace walked over to her car and reached in to get her wallet and sunglasses. She put on her jacket, locked up the car, and turned to Dani who sat waiting and revving the engine.\ \ "How'm I supposed to get on this thing?"\ \ "First, put on a helmet." Dani handed her a shiny new helmet and stood waiting patiently.\ \ "Oh, pretty!" Grace tugged it on her head and snapped the chin strap. "How'd you know I like electric blue?"\ \ "That's what I had available. Let me see...." Dani surveyed the helmet's fit, and pronounced it fine. Then she shifted forward as far as she could, and Grace swung her leg over and settled on the back of the seat. Grace's feet found the foot pegs. Dani scooted back, and they both shifted to get settled against one another.\ \ "Okay, I'm ready," Grace said as she put her arms around Dani's waist.\ \ Dani didn't move. Grace could feel her tense up, and she reached down and patted Dani's thigh. She set her chin on Dani's left shoulder. "Come on now. You can do this. We'll be fine, just fine."\ The blonde still didn't move. Grace said, "Let's go, Dani. I know you'll be careful. Come on."\ Dani revved the engine, kicked the bike into gear, and it rolled forward as Grace leaned into her and took in the smell of the old leather jacket. They pulled out of the driveway and onto the street. Even with the air rushing by, Grace felt no coolness. Her whole body was tingling with warmth and anticipation. She couldn't help but smile.
\ Midwest Book ReviewLori Lake is one of the best novelists working in the field of lesbian fiction today. Her latest novel is Ricochet In Time in which we are introduced to Danielle "Dani" Corbett, a woman who has learned from personal experience what being the target hatred just because your inborn sexual orientation is different from that of most others. A lethal attack motivated by sexual bigotry and prejudice leaves her girlfriend, Meg O'Donnell, dead, and Dani physically injured and emotionally scarred. With the help of hospital physical therapist Grace Beaumont and the help of Grace's aunts, Estelline and Ruth, Dani is able to work through her near devastating grief and almost overwhelming rage, as well as bringing Meg's killer to a well deserved justice. Ricochet In Time is a compelling read from cover to cover as it showcases an impressive struggle to find a personal place in the world and an enduring justice for a friend.\ \ \ \ \ Lavender Magazine"Considered one of the best authors of modern lesbian fiction, her work--part action, part drama, and part romance--gleefully defies categorization."\ \ \ Ronald L. Donaghe"[Lake's] characters are deep-bodied, multidimensional, and convincing... Meet Ruth and Estelline, Grace, Bryce, Cleve, and a whole host of distinct characters, all of whom interact in various important ways with Dani as she fights her way back to full health from her physical injuries and emotional pain. You'll have to read the book to see if the perpetrator of the hate crime is brought to justice. The outcome is far more surprising than you can guess. -Ronald L. Donaghe, author of COMMON SONS\ \
