Love in the Balance

By: Marianne K. Martin

Narrated by: Abby Craden

"Not only does [Love in the Balance] have love and excitement, but it has issues very close to all of us." (The Alabama Forum Gaiety)

"Marianne Martin is a wonderful storyteller and a graceful writer with a light, witty touch with language and a sensitivity to the emotions of people in love." (Ann Bannon)

Real life has a way of sneaking up on you.

Connie dates men. Sure, she's just dumped one, and she'll take her time finding another one. Instead she finds Kasey who happens to be a woman, a lesbian, actually. Connie assumes they'll be good friends, but soon realizes she wants more.

Kasey, though, has already had her heart broken. Her ex-girlfriend left her for a man. Kasey won't take a chance on that happening again. And her friends won't let her, either. Especially not Sharon.

If this is love, Connie has a lot of convincing to do and a lot of people to win over. Just when it seems like maybe she has, real life comes sneaking up again. Some people hate lesbians, hate them enough to kill. And it's not obvious that the authorities care. Connie and Kasey and Sharon must each put their doubts to the side and work together to get justice.

Marianne K. Martin is the author of eight novels and has been shortlisted three times for the Lambda Literary Award.

©1998, 2001, 2010 Marianne K. Martin (P)2023 Marianne K. Martin

Wonderful!

Wonderful, simply wonderful and Abby Craden was excellent as always. She brings a book alive like no other. Highly recommend.

Timeless

Love in the Balance. The title alone encompasses so much on so many levels of what love is, or should be, individually and collectively, I've read and reread this book many times, and am glad to say it translates seamlessly into an audiobook. That is a stellar endorsement of the talents of the author, Marianne K. Martin. I love that this book is as relevant today as when originally released in 1998. ... except for a staggering event, which unfortunately still happens even today.
This story could have been written today. The love between the main characters, friends, and community softens the blows. Some. Did I cry? Again? Yes. Every time. tears of joy, pain, frustration, and triumph.
DO NOT MISS THIS TREASURE.

Loved it!

I read this book so long ago but it always remained one of my favorites. When I saw it released on audible, oh my gosh, I was ecstatic. And then with Abby as narrator, icing on the cake. I can't wait for the others to come out on audible and I hope Abby narrates them all. I love this author's writing. Definitely worth your credit.

Love is Love

New author to me but I would listen to more of her books. Sometimes it’s hard to remember what life was like in the late nineties, especially for the LGBTQ community. We have come far but not far enough it seems sometimes. Abby Craden is the best.

A beautifully done classic!

There are a handful of paperbacks that I have held close to my heart and read too many times to count over the last two decades. This is one. I have practically worn the Naiad Press version out and couldn't have been more thrilled to learn that it was being released on audio with Abby Craden narrating. A dream come true, really.

The story was written and set in the late 90s, when there were very few people were out - a good number of LGBTQ folks still having to be in the closet for fear of workplace and social discrimination. While this story is not entirely about that - it's a toaster oven romance - there are still discriminatory practices addressed both in and out of the LGBTQ community.

The romance between accountant Connie Bradford and construction contractor Kasey Hollander is achingly beautiful. Kasey has fallen in love with a straight woman before and she's determined not to let that happen again. But when Kasey secures the services of Connie's firm, their professional relationship turns into a beautiful friendship that awakens stronger feelings in both women. But they don't just have their own fears and challenges to face - but those of Kasey's close knit community of friends who don't want to see her hurt again.

As their relationship progresses, a devastating event rocks their community that brings about changes to them as individuals and their group as a whole.

While I always felt their story was incredibly moving, the addition of Craden's performance of the work made it all the more impactful.

Loved it - and really hope to see even more classics released on audio. Thank you, Marianne K. Martin, for making that happen.

Excellent book

This book was wonderful took me back to many years ago. The MC were wonderful. Narration was excellent