An Inexpressible State of Grace

Rating:
Summary: Deft Characterizations and Engrossing Plot
Review: After fifteen years, talented attorney Ashleigh 'Ash' Moore's marriage is on the skids, and increasingly, she finds herself thinking of her only other love, a woman who broke her heart in college. Ash usually finds solace in her work, but when she's assigned a high profile corporate case that could make or break her career track to law partner, she doesn't count on the attraction she feels for the client's in-house counsel, sexy, intelligent Renee Silver. Then Ash receives legal papers from her long-lost father concerning the estate of her grandmother, and long buried family secrets begin to emerge. To top things off, she unexpectedly uncovers evidence of corporate ethics violations, which could put her in danger. Whom can she trust? Which secrets from the past will come out, and what about the powerful pull she feels toward Renee?

With deft characterizations, an engrossing plot, and a marvelous sense about the volatility of secrets, Cameron Abbott has crafted an terrific follow-up to her first novel, To The Edge. Because of the author's narrative skill, this fine sophomore novel will go directly to the head of the class. ~Lori L. Lake, author of Different Dress, Stepping Out, Gun Shy, Under The Gun, and Ricochet In Time, and reviewer for Midwest Book Review, The Independent Gay Writer, The Gay Read, and Just About Write.

Rating:
Summary: Not as good as Abbot's first novel
Review: After fifteen years, talented attorney Ashleigh �Ash� Moore�s marriage is on the skids, and increasingly, she finds herself thinking of her only other love, a woman who broke her heart in college. Ash usually finds solace in her work, but when she�s assigned a high profile corporate case that could make or break her career track to law partner, she doesn�t count on the attraction she feels for the client�s in-house counsel, sexy, intelligent Renee Silver. Then Ash receives legal papers from her long-lost father concerning the estate of her grandmother, and long buried family secrets begin to emerge. To top things off, she unexpectedly uncovers evidence of corporate ethics violations, which could put her in danger. Whom can she trust? Which secrets from the past will come out, and what about the powerful pull she feels toward Renee?

With deft characterizations, an engrossing plot, and a marvelous sense about the volatility of secrets, Cameron Abbott has crafted an terrific follow-up to her first novel, To The Edge. Because of the author�s narrative skill, this fine sophomore novel will go directly to the head of the class. ~Lori L. Lake, author of Different Dress, Stepping Out, Gun Shy, Under The Gun, and Ricochet In Time, and reviewer for Midwest Book Review, The Independent Gay Writer, The Gay Read, and Just About Write.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting on multiple levels
Review: Cameron Abbott?s sophomore novel, ?An inexpressible State of Grace,? is the only novel of hers that I have read so far. I was pleasantly surprised by her writing style. I find, too often, that many lesbian romances lack any other points of interest. Abbott masterfully intertwines four plot lines giving each one enough time and development to stand on its own while allowing them to interact with each other, to form an overall narrative arc through out the story. The differences between plot and story aren?t made in a haphazard way like many immature authors. The montage of scenes expertly paints protagonist Ashleigh Moore?s past over the reader?s perception of the present world she is living in.

Unlike another reviewer I found the details of Ashleigh?s professional life to add a depth and reality to Ashleigh?s world. An integral part of Ashleigh?s identity is tied up in her professional life; it effects the way she interacts with her family, her father in particular, and it is responsible for introducing her to her love interest. Ashleigh?s method of reacting to the world is, in every way, the work of a legal mind. As Abbott is a lawyer, readers might compliment her for writing what she knows, rather than failing to truly understand the way other people think.

This book was a joy to read. I utterly enjoyed following Ashleigh as she discovered and finally confronted the truth about herself, learned the causes behind her family?s dynamic, fell in love with Renee, and confronted the ethical failings of people professionally close to her. I highly recommend this book.

Abbott?s passion for what she does is beautifully apparent in the way that she writes; enjoy it.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting insights on law profession
Review: I have only one complaint about this book, it has profanity. The kind that got VP Cheney in trouble (and Sen. Kerry from a Rolling Stone interview).

Rating:
Summary: fantastic!!!
Review: I loved her first book but this one is even better!!! I love the way she writes. She's just great!!! I got into the characters immediately; not every author can get you to do that. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Not as good as Abbot's first novel
Review: I was really really looking forward to reading this second novel of Cameron Abbott's and was really disappointed. The storyline and characters are almost the same as her first novel. However, in this second book, the characters were much less likable and romantic/sexual. I turned this book into my local gay bookstore for a store credit as soon as I could. I would NOT recommend this book and I hope Ms. Abbott's next book has more likable characters and does not get into the nitty gritty of 'the law' and concentrates more on developing the relationship of her characters ....

Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully written
Review: If all books of this genre were this well written, I wouldn't feel the need to throw some of them away. Great writing and a great book.

Rating:
Summary: Love the way she writes
Review: This is a really great book. It's not the light romance that most of lesbian books are, although there is a lovestory in it. But it has much more depth then just a lovestory. And I love the way she writes. It's so easy to read. This book gives you great value for your money.
And I can't imagine that it won't be nominated for a Lambda-book-award.