Rating: 
Summary: MY FAVORITE AUTHOR!
Review: After reading a few of Martin's books, I realized that she is without a doubt my favorite author. Mirrors is a indepth look into "real" lives and all their weaknesses. This exceptional style of writing is far from what you are used to in this genre.
I certainly suggest this book to all.
Rating:
Summary: Mirrors!!
Review: I bought "Mirrors" because of the great reviews people wrote. I loved Shayna and Jean, but it didn't ring true a few things, like when they both realized they loved each other, maybe for Shayna, who has loved Jean for so long and was a open lesbian was more easy, but for Jean just to say that she did love her friend, was a little confusing for me, the author explains in chapters ahead how she has always being a lesbian but just haven't acted on it for pure fears.The book is amazing in so many ways, like when exploring how difficult it is to be a lesbian when you are growing up, my heart ached for Lindy, I cannot imaging going through harassment like that, and like Jean and Shayna I wanted the people responsible to pay for what they did to that girl. I recently came to peace with myself about me being a lesbian, but the truth is that I perfectly understand Jean about not wanting the school to now about her sexuality, It happens the same to me in my work place, I'm terrified that someday it'll happen, but by reading this book I've realized that I shouldn't be afraid, that's just who I am and I'm actually happy. The best part of the book for me was when Shayna finally told someone (Jean) about how she felt when her little brother died and how she has being feeling guilty all those years, it was so very powerful and emotional, I absolutely loved that chapter. I can perfectly identify with Jean about how she felt being a lesbian and having to deal with her religious upbringing, I am catholic and I have dealt with that since realizing I'm a lesbian. Many times I've felt pretty miserable, but with the help of time and one very especial friend I've come to understand that this has not being a choice for me it is just who I am.
Rating: 
Summary: We haven't come a long way, baby
Review: I gave up on Naiad-ish books several years ago. Now, after grad school with more time for leisure reading, I thought I'd try again. Lesbians have come a long way in that time, but apparently lesbian fiction hasn't. This book is ridiculously predictable. There is no real development of the passion between the two main characters, and I never felt the chemistry. The insertion of Serious Theme A, Serious Theme B, etc. was awkward and heavy-handed. The use of "blackspeak" was uncomfortable. Slice-of-life passages are fine, but detailed descriptions of badminton matches and gym class lesson plans don't cut it. All in all, the book is too serious and generally unhappy to be light, fluffy reading, and it's too cliched to be good "make you think" reading.
Rating: 
Summary: good, but not great
Review: I may have expected too much from this book. While it is a good read, it's not what I'm looking for in great fiction. The opening pages were a bit confusing, and I wondered if there was a prequel that I should have read first to get to know the characters. They did eventually develope, but not very smoothly. I especially didn't care for the author's use of language to characterize Serena, "tellin' me what I'm wantin' to hear", etc. while every other person in the book spoke perfectly. I would have like to have known more about the characters, their feelings, their hopes, and so on, but the author skims across some of the issues in the book--homosexuality and religion, inter-racial relationships, Jean's relationship with her husband and her veiled attraction to women. Basically, this book could be much more, but it feels like a skeleton in serious need of flesh and blood.
Rating:
Summary: CLEARLY ONE OF THE BEST
Review: I noticed one of the reviewers said they were confused and thought they may have missed a prequel to MIRRORS. Longtime Martin readers know that this author takes characters that she has introduced in one book and makes them the main characters in another. She develops them and their story over more than one book like mystery and sci-fi writers often do. Although I know it is somewhat unusual for romance writers to use it, I really like this concept. The reader gets to see how the characters fit into regular lives with on-going friendships, new friendships, changing jobs, or moving from one place to another. MIRRORS is a dynamic standalone book, but you do learn more about Shayna and Jean from reading Dawn of the Dance where they were introduced. I met Marianne Martin at a signing in P-Town and she explained that she decided on this concept when the length of her first book was limited by the publisher and she was unable to tell the whole story in one book. I thank her for working around her limitations to give me the whole story even though I have to buy more than one book to get it. It is worth it. It would help readers who are not familiar with this author if the publisher would include a page at the beginning of her books that explains what books should be read together, like they do with other series books. For the sake of clarity, three of Martin's other books form a trilogy of sorts. It's best to read them in this order: Legacy of Love, Love in the Balance, Never Ending. Although Shayna Bradley is a powerful, sexy, and yes vulnerable, character like I love to visualize and read about, Sage Bristo is still my favorite. But don't miss MIRRORS and Dawn.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful reading experience
Review: I really enjoyed the depth to Mirrors. The characters were very three dimensional and the descriptions of the conflicts and compromises they had to deal with as a lawyer and a teacher were compelling. One of the things I really admired about this book was the fact that Marianne K Martin avoided those 'sitcom' moments of resolution - the book addressed hard issues in a realistic manner. I was very satisfied at the end of the novel, although I would not mind hearing about these characters in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Choice!
Review: I usually go for romance in the style of Rodgers, Lindsey, Sherwood, and the newest, "Anything, My Love" by Cynthia Simmons, a fun, exciting and sexy read. I didn't think think I would like "Mirrors" when a friend handed it to me. In truth, it's not your usual romance. Sometimes I wasn't sure it was a romance, but it really made me think. I enjoyed it very much.
Rating:
Summary: Makes you think
Review: I usually go for romance in the style of Rodgers, Lindsey, Sherwood, and the newest, "Anything, My Love" by Cynthia Simmons, a fun, exciting and sexy read. I didn't think think I would like "Mirrors" when a friend handed it to me. In truth, it's not your usual romance. Sometimes I wasn't sure it was a romance, but it really made me think. I enjoyed it very much.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Choice!
Review: I usually pick books by subject and try new authors from recommendations of friends who share my same interests. So it isn't often that I end up with many books from the best-seller lists. This one is an exception. It was highly recommended by a teacher friend of mine and so I bought it. I have not read any of this author's other books, but that is about to change. This was an excellent choice! Mirrors is fast-paced, not filled with overdone descriptions, and is tightly plotted. I loved Ms. Martin's characters and could easily identify with the problems they faced. The romantic side of me loves a book that resolves issues and allows love to prevail. This book did not disappoint me in any way. It was an emotional, satisfying read written by a talented author. I'm looking forward to reading her other books.
Rating:
Summary: AN EXCELLENT JOURNEY THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
Review: I waited with great anticipation for this novel, and I wasn't disappointed! Martin delivers a rich, entertaining, and heartfelt book peopled by characters you wish you knew in real life. How can you help but root for Jean and Shayna--especially since Jean is a teacher! This is Martin's best book so far, but I anticipate many more fine novels from this gifted author. I give MIRRORS my highest recommendation.
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