Julia Watts

When Lily's lover, Charlotte, is killed in a tragic car accident, Charlotte's homophobic family threatens to exert their legal rights and seize custody of their daughter's biological child, Mimi. Griefstricken over the loss of her lover, Lily vows to do anything she can to keep from losing her beloved daughter too.The solution? A marriage of convenience to her Bugle Boy-wearing, trust fund-spending gay neighbor, Ben, and a quick move to Ben's hometown in rural Georgia where his powerful family will ensure that their new "daughter-in-law" gets custody of Mimi. Provided, that is, that the two can convince Ben's parents that their marriage is the real thing.Living as a married couple, Lily and Ben soon discover the outrageous perks and pitfalls of compulsory heterosexuality. Determined to keep up appearances in order to keep her child, Lily ignores her own inner needs -- until a beautiful country veterinarian offers her a prescription for some sexual healing.

Wedding Bell Blues

Carol Bailey

I'm finding this to be a bit tough to describe why I enjoyed this book but I think it's because it's not a typical lesbian "romance" and I read with the intention of just enjoying it. The main character Lilly is interesting and comes across as being 3 dimensional. The supporting characters in the McGill family are fun and engaging. I only wish we had seen more of granny.

The things a woman will do for love…and Lily had love, lots of it. But her partner Charlotte is dead. Their daughter Mimi keeps her sane—until Charlotte’s family claims they have all the rights to Mimi, who is their blood kin, and no “real” relation to Lily. With what’s left of her world balanced on a razor’s edge, any choice to find safer ground seems reasonable. Even getting married. Married to her Bugle Boy-wearing, trust fund-spending gay neighbor, Ben. Married and relocated to rural Georgia where Ben’s powerful family will make sure Lily gets custody of Mimi. Just one little trick involved: convincing Ben’s parents their marriage is the real thing. It doesn’t seem like keeping up appearances will be that hard. But the charade gets more difficult when a beautiful country veterinarian offers Lily a taste of what she’s pretending she no longer craves… The outrageous perks and pitfalls of compulsory heterosexuality are humorously explored by the talented pen of Lambda Literary award-winner Julia Watts, known for her wit and wry observations about the quirks of Southern life. First Published by Naiad Press 1999.

Wedding Bell Blues

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