Unexpected Sparks

This reader was pleasantly surprised with the quality of writing delivered by Gina Dartt in `Unexpected Sparks,' a first-time novel that shows a maturity not often found from first-time authors. Not generally a big fan of mysteries, I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author wove a budding romance with a murder investigation... especially because neither of the protagonists are police detectives. Bookworm and small-town lesbian Nikki Harris finds herself falling in love with seemingly straight bookstore owner Kate Shannon. Despite a warm friendship between the two, Nikki gets nervous that her real feelings will show through and starts to shy away from their relationship. Kate is struggling with unfamiliar yearnings toward the much younger Nikki, and doesn't understand why her friend is suddenly so remote. They continue on this way until the night Nikki panics, seeing flames and smoke a few blocks away... thinking Kate's building is on fire. This potentially life-altering experience is the catalyst that pushes each woman to reveal her true feelings. Their love doesn't have a tentative beginning because they have both been longing for the other for months. Nikki is concerned that Kate will leave her because Kate doesn't know what it really means to be a lesbian in the public eye. Kate is concerned about their 14-year age difference and fears Nikki will find someone younger. Add that to the difference in the size of their bank accounts, and you have the makings of a great romance. Top it all off with an intriguing murder mystery, and you've got a great book overall. Dartt has done a nice job with these characters. Both have well-developed pasts and the telling of their tales is consistent throughout the book. She throws in several important minor characters who round things out nicely and make the story complete. It was refreshing that I wasn't sure who the arsonist is until the last chapter or two. Well worth the time to read. Recommended even if you're not generally into mysteries.

One of the best romances I have ever read. Like a breath of fresh air. Here is a writer who knows how to write. You never feel like you are reading a work of fiction. You are immediately engrossed by the first chapter. The words flow together and I wished it didn't have to end. You'll love the characters as if they were your friends. Kate and Nikki are charming and endearing, insecure and confident, funny and serious. In truth they are all the things you want to have in a romantic couple. Even better, this novel is now in a new expanded edition published in June 2006 by Bold Strokes Books. I can't wait for the next book which is due out October 2006. From the publisher's website - Falling in love is complicated enough without adding murder to the mix. In the midst of bookstore owner Kate Shannon's growing feelings for a much younger Nikki Harris, a fatal fire in an insurance office across the street adds another challenge-and one that could be deadly. Subsequent fires make life hot as they rush against time to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of Sam Madison, all the while dealing with their newfound attraction. Will the unexpected sparks between these two very different women blind them to the true identity of the arsonist? Or will they be able to stop the killer before anything else goes up in flames? Gina has upped the heat quotient in this expanded version of the original publication. Don't miss the all new second edition!

One of the best romances I have ever read. Like a breath of fresh air. Here is a writer who knows how to write. You never feel like you are reading a work of fiction. You are immediately engrossed by the first chapter. The words flow together and I wished it didn't have to end. You'll love the characters as if they were your friends. Kate and Nikki are charming and endearing, insecure and confident, funny and serious. In truth they are all the things you want to have in a romantic couple. Even better, this novel is now in a new expanded edition published in June 2006 by Bold Strokes Books. I can't wait for the next book which is due out October 2006. This is a keeper ! From the publisher's website - **Gina has upped the heat quotient in this expanded version of the original publication. Don't miss the all new second edition!** Falling in love is complicated enough without adding murder to the mix. In the midst of bookstore owner Kate Shannon's growing feelings for a much younger Nikki Harris, a fatal fire in an insurance office across the street adds another challenge-and one that could be deadly. Subsequent fires make life hot as they rush against time to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of Sam Madison, all the while dealing with their newfound attraction. Will the unexpected sparks between these two very different women blind them to the true identity of the arsonist? Or will they be able to stop the killer before anything else goes up in flames?

Forty years old and a prominent businesswoman in her town, Kate Shannon is about to change her life. The owner and manager of Novel Companions, an independent bookshop in downtown, Truro, Nova Scotia, Kate has spent much of the last year becoming friends with a regular customer, Nikki Harris. The 26 years old Nikki is a shy, intelligent, beautiful and openly lesbian woman struggling to survive small town life in the economically depressed Canadian Maritimes. A book lover, Nikki enjoys the cozy atmosphere of Novel Companions, especially since Kate started carrying gay and lesbian fiction. She also enjoys the detailed discussions with Kate of novel plots, characters, favorite authors and related political themes. In fact, Nikki has become painfully aware that she is quite attracted to Kate and has recently cut down on her time at the bookstore, in hopes of weaning her affections away from the charming, presumably straight, owner. A bleak February is looming long and lonely for Nikki.When the insurance office across the street from the bookshop burns down one night, Nikki rushes to the scene to make certain it's not Novel Companions. A perplexed Kate had noticed the new distance from Nikki. Seeing Nikki standing out in the cold, Kate invites the young woman into her apartment above Novel Companions. The two women watch the fire and begin to speculate about its origin. Nikki's natural curiosity is piqued when the body of Sam Madison, the owner of the insurance office, is found in the ashes. She convinces Kate to help her investigate the fire. Kate, willing to go along with an opportunity to spend more time with Nikki, agrees to help. Unexpected Sparks is a classic armchair mystery with old fashioned, timeless clues and important character revelations leading Nikki and Kate to answer the questions of why and how Sam ended up in the burning office. Via their amateur sleuthing project, Kate and Nikki find themselves drawing closer together. Their attraction and developing romance is another theme of Unexpected Sparks. Dartt illustrates falling in love and coming out in a charming and touching manner with respect and humor for her characters. Indeed, her characterization is realistic and perceptive. The elegant and composed Kate is surprised and delighted by the depth and range of the emotions she feels for Nikki. She is also startled by the attention, positive and negative, from customers, friends and neighbors as they begin to hear about her new lavender relationship. Dartt's Truro setting is nicely detailed and provides insight into Canadian small town life, particularly for lesbians. Unexpected Sparks is Dartt's first novel and there are some elements that could be explored more. Several aspects of Nikki's past are still a mystery and readers who know Dartt's Star Trek fan fiction stories might be surprised at the slightly reticent quality of her love scenes. However, these details are minor and take nothing away from one's pl

Unexpected Sparks is Gina Dartt's first novel released through Justice House Publishing, Co. It's a compact little novel that combines a lot of themes - murder mystery, May/December romance, a woman coming out in midlife, gay and lesbian life in a small town. With that many topics, it would be easy to loose track of the story, but that doesn't happen. The story deals with Kate and Nikki, their attraction for each other, and how a murder mystery that has the whole town buzzing helps to finally draw them together. Kate, the older woman, is a major player in the small town's politics and is more cautious in her approach to everything except her attraction to Nikki. She finally feels that all of the pieces are slipping into place with her love for Nikki and doesn't see why anyone else should care. Nikki, a known member of the town's lesbian community, can't wait to solve the crime that Kate has unintentionally witnessed, especialy as it draws her together with this fascinating older woman. Her caution shows up in dealing with the relationship because she knows the problems of dealing with an alternative lifestyle in a small town. She doesn't want to hurt Kate and she doesn't want to be hurt herself. Tying all of this together is the mystery. Who is killing prominent business people and burning down parts of the town and why does this person keep targeting Nikki? It's a good mystery. It's a good story. It probably could have been longer to deal more thoroughly with all of the themes, but then it would have bogged down. Give it a try. I think you'll like it.