Olive Oil and White Bread (36 page)

“I think there's nobody else in the world I'd rather spend another twenty-two years with. And then more. Yes. I would love to marry you.”

Angie's heart felt as though it might burst from the emotion. She jumped back onto the bed and scooted next to the dog so they both peered down into Jillian's face. Angie looked deep into her eyes—which were wet—and they stayed that way. As a tear spilled over and dropped from Angie's cheek to Jillian's, she said simply, “I love you.”

Jillian brushed Angie's hair away from her face, sifted the strands through her fingers. “I love you, too.”

About the Author

Georgia Beers is a Lambda and Goldie award-winning author of lesbian fiction. Born and raised in Rochester, New York, she still lives there with her partner of twenty years, their two dogs and a cat. When not writing, she watches too much TV, reads voraciously, and invents new reasons not to work out. She is currently hard at work on her eleventh book. You can visit her and find out more at
www.georgiabeers.com
.

Acknowledgments

I'm not ashamed to admit that this was a tough one. Make no mistake, spanning nearly a quarter of a century with the same two characters is an exercise in patience and self-discipline, but I am very proud of the end result, and I couldn't have produced it without the help of some very important people.

My editors, Kelly, Caroline, and Jess. I have admittedly cursed each of you at one time or another, but ultimately, you had the book's best interest in mind, and your suggestions were logical and creative at the same time. Thanks for your hard work in making this a better story.

My writing support system, including my writing group at home in Rochester, as well as my writer and non-writer friends who are always a mere keystroke away. Writing is very solitary, and even people like me who enjoy solitude can find themselves in need of a little reassurance from others. When I was frustrated, angry, or all tapped out of creative energy and ready to pitch my computer out the window, I could send a note off to Steff or Rachel or Melissa or Nikki, and they were there for me. You guys kept me going, kept me positive, kept me writing. For that, I am eternally grateful.

My wonderful wife Bonnie. I would never have begun to even think I could write a story about a couple who's been together for over twenty years without having experienced it myself. 2014 marks our twentieth year
together (!), and there is nobody on this earth I can imagine having by my side through the good and the bad, the bumps and the smooth sailing, the gains and the losses. You are my love, and I am incredibly lucky to have you. Heart (aka Boobs with a Hat On).

Lastly, my readers. For several years, I have received e-mails and requests from dozens and dozens of readers asking me when I would write a romance featuring a long-term couple. It was a unique idea, albeit a bit daunting, and I rolled it around for quite some time before an idea struck. You are holding in your hands the result of your wishes. Thank you so much for all of your encouragement and support. This one's for you.

Bywater Books

FINDING THE GRAIN

Wynn Malone

The tornado that ripped through Blue Riley's family farm tore her teenage life apart, killing her parents in her last month of high school, forcing her to abandon her home in Alabama and face an uncertain future.

But the support of her aunt, the excitement of college, and an unexpected love help her through her grief. Then disaster strikes again.

This time Blue casts herself adrift. For nearly twenty years she moves from town to town, job to job, woman to woman until at last she rediscovers the farming life that shaped her. Working with her hands reveals her true passion and finally Blue finds peace. Until the day her past walks through the door.

Wynn Malone paints a richly textured portrait of the South while Blue's search for love and meaning amid the ruins of her life reminds us of the hard choices we all have to make.

Print ISBN 978-1-61294-045-8

Ebook ISBN 978-1-61294-046-5

Available at your local bookstore

or call 734-662-8815

or order online at
www.bywaterbooks.com

Bywater Books

LAST CHANCE AT THE LOST AND FOUND

Marcia Finical

In 1972 Bunny LaRue was young and beautiful. Days in the sun on the beach at Malibu and nights in the bars with the girls. Sex, drugs, and fun were everywhere and Bunny embraced it all.

After a photographer sees her on the beach Bunny finds herself making big money modeling for a lingerie catalog. Then she falls in love and life seems to be giving her everything she has ever wanted—until the day she loses it all.

As they years slip by life doesn't stay easy and Bunny must find the strength to confront her past and create a new future . . .

Last Chance at the Lost and Found
is the compelling story of one woman's journey through twenty-five yeras of living as a lesbian and her determination to find love and happiness.

Print ISBN 978-1-932859-28-7

Ebook ISBN 978-1-932859-81-2

Available at your local bookstore

or call 734-662-8815

or order online at
www.bywaterbooks.com

Bywater Books

UNDER THE WITNESS TREE

Marianne K. Martin

Civil War Secrets inspire a present day love story

An aunt she didn't know existed leaves Dhari Weston with a plantation she knows she doesn't want.

Dhari's life is complicated enough without an antebellum albatross around her neck. Complicated enough without the beautiful Erin Hughes and her passion for historical houses, without Nessie Tinker, whose family breathed the smoke of General Sherman's march and who knows the secrets hidden in the ancient walls—secrets that could pull Dhari into their sway and into Erin's arms.

But Dhari's complicated life already has a girlfriend she wants to commit to, a family who needs her to calm the chaos of her mother's turbulent moods and a job that takes the rest of her time.

The last thing she needs are Civil War secrets that won't lie easy and a woman with secrets of her own . . .

Tangled Roots
, the prequel to
Under the Witness Tree
,

will be available from October 2014.

Print ISBN 978-1-932859-00-3

Ebook ISBN 978-1-932859-94-2

Available at your local bookstore

or call 734-662-8815

or order online at
www.bywaterbooks.com

At Bywater Books we love good books about lesbians just like you do, and we're committed to bringing the best of contemporary lesbian writing to our avid readers. Our editorial team is dedicated to finding and developing outstanding writers who create books you won't want to put down.

We sponsor the Bywater Prize for Fiction to help with this quest. Each prize winner receives $1,000 and publication of their novel. We have already discovered amazing writers like Jill Malone, Sally Bellerose, and Hilary Sloin through the Bywater Prize. Which exciting new writer will we find next?

For more information about Bywater Books and the annual Bywater Prize for Fiction, please visit our website.

www.bywaterbooks.com