Northern Blue

by Tracey Richardson

When Miranda falls for fellow recruit, Miki, at the Ontario Police Academy, a firestorm of searing passion is ignited. But even Miki can't hold down Miranda's ambition.

Genres: Lesbian Fiction, LGBT, Fiction

212 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1996

About the author

I'm the author of several lesbian romance novels published by Bella Books, including the Lambda Literary Award finalists "Last Salute" and "No Rules of Engagement". I'm a voracious reader, even more so now that I've retired from a 27-year career as a daily newspaper journalist.

Reviews

[Katia M. Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a throwback read to the mid 1990s. You could write an academic paper on how far lesbian fiction and western society has come over the last 25 years holding this book up as an example. Don't read this with modern eyes, it will frustrate you and make you cringe at the craving clitorises, wet creamy folds, I can't be a lesbian because of my career ambition, I'll just pretend to be straight and get engaged to a man, flipping to I'm not the marrying kind if you know what I mean, or don't you know she's one of them kind of portrayal. Even the fact the image on the cover is missing her mouth speaks volumes.

The story is pretty straight forward. Trainee cop gets used by butch PT instructor at the academy then develops feelings for another trainee but runs away vowing never to be used or heartbroken again. She pours everything into her career, desperate to be the best and get promoted. But she has to play the game, so she stifles her sexuality, gets engaged to a high up's son which will help her up the ladder, and makes do with the odd jaunt to an out of town bar for a hook up all the while pining for what she doesn't have and angry at her past. It all comes full circle when her old flame turns up in her department and life and death struggles ensue. Throw in some angst, a one night stand, a need to reassert her sexuality by dominating and ignoring her old flame's feeble proteststions during a sexual encounter followed by declarations of love, a few angry men, and a promotion hanging in the balance, you have the bulk of this book.

It wasn't bad, but it really dates itself. Had I read it in the 90s, I'd probably have gushed all over it desperate for any scrap of lesfic I could get my hands on. I needed to think back and wonder if the characters and portrayals in the book were a true reflection the time of writing. Sadly, they were. There are still plenty of places in the world and people that haven't even caught up to a 90s level of understanding or accepting the diversity of sexuality, but given the fact this book and others like it exists, allows us to reflect on the positive changes that have occurred over the years. Now if only we can get there for all.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

leuk boek, soort comming out.

[Wayne Spiceland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this were a 10 point scale; then this would be a 7. Somehow 3.5 seems sorta of a cop out, like you can't make up your mind. As with most of Richardson's novels, this is a very enjoyable, quick read, a well-spent two or three hours. While it's more of a romance than the typical police story, the climactic event -- no, not the sex scenes, you twit -- is police related, and suspenseful enough to serve as the key moment. Both characters are likable, though you want to smack Miranda upside the head for denying her true feelings. The glimpses of the two women's police training is kind of neat, and a nice change from your typical cop-solves-crime novel. As always with this author, the writing is technically sound, a pleasure to read, and the dialog lows smoothly. One slightly unrealistic element, though: Once Miranda admits her orientation, she seems to be a very passionate person, so, first, it seems a little unlikely that she goes 3 years without sex with woman, and, second, it's really hard to believe that she thinks its perfectly okay that she doesn't enjoy sex with her (male) fiancé. Just doesn't fit with her established character, irrespective of her reasons.

Recommended.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The start of the book was encouraging and the two central roles were developed. At the point where Miki and Miranda meet again until the end of the book is like a downhill race