In Absentia — Kelli Jae Baeli

"This book is funny. Really funny in places. And clever. There's a lot more going on here than just a romance, if you're expecting hearts and flowers then you'll get it, but there's a whole lot more besides. I understand that Ms Baeli is going to write a threequel, but not for a while yet. It doesn't matter. I can wait. Impatiently, tapping my foot and looking at my watch.""Mirroring real life, just when you think it can't get any better â€" it doesn't." ~Opinion DykeChristmas is just around the corner. India and Tegan are immersed in their idyllic life in Rain Falls, free of the wretched machinations of one Napoleon Fry, and exploring their storybook romance. Everyone seems so enthusiastic about how India has changed, and rightfully credits Tegan with her transformation. India thinks of herself as dark-roasted, just like her favorite coffee. She's aware of her dark side, and that darkness is the absence of light. India usually prefers darkness; she prefers the absence. Now, she has this presence. Tegan. And so the darkness doesn't seem all that precious to her anymore. Not so long ago, India had been certain that she could never share a bed with anyone unless they purred and had paws. And while she's heard Tegan purr in their intimate moments, the paw thing is missing. Unless she counted Tegan's soft hands. Which she decided to count. To Tegan, India is the gift horse, when all Tegan had known were the Trojan-variety; women who used whatever means necessary to get what they wanted, under the guise of being generous. But now, that life she loathed has been left behind. No more last-call pick-ups from lesbian bars when someone took pity on the gimp-girl; no more dealing with her insensitive and often cruel mother. No more living in that awful basement she had called the Dungeon. The only thing better than what she has right this moment, would be a miracle cure that would get her off the crutches, out of the wheelchair. So she can run. Just take off and run through the wind and rain and snow and sunshine, feeling the strength of her legs and the rhythmic slapping of her feet on the ground. So she could go for walks with India, and hold hands. But she can't expect to have it all. And she doesn't. What she has is plenty good enough. It's almost perfect.But these two authors understand that there's a line between fact and fiction. And amid the usual humorous moments, they are about to have their relationship tested in ways they can't imagine.