Chain Reactions

by Lynn Ames

Some of Diana Lindstrom’s fondest memories involve childhood experiments conducted under the watchful supervision of her Great-Aunt Nora, a celebrated physicist long ago shunned by the family for mysterious reasons.

Now in her adult years and a sought-after scientist herself, Diana learns that Nora is dying. She hires private-duty nurse Brooke Sheldon to care for Nora. Over the days and weeks spent in Nora’s company, Diana and Brooke are privy to Nora’s long-held secrets, along with her deep-seated regrets.

Trapped in a failing body, but with a keen mind, Nora Lindstrom watches as the spark of attraction between her great-niece and her caregiver grows into a flame. Determined to help the two younger women find the kind of deep love they so richly deserve, Nora makes a fateful decision that brings the past and the present directly onto a collision course. After all this time, it’s still about chain reactions.

Genres: Lesbian, LGBT, Lesbian Romance, Family, Romance, Contemporary

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 10, 2019

About the author

Lynn Ames is the best-selling author of sixteen books. She also is the writer/director/producer of the history-making documentary, “Extra Innings.” This historically important documentary chronicles, for the first time ever in her own words, the real-life story of Hall-of-Famer Dot Wilkinson and the heyday of women’s softball.

Lynn’s fiction has garnered her a multitude of awards and honors, including six Goldie awards, the coveted Ann Bannon Popular Fiction Award (for All That Lies Within), the Alice B. Medal for Lifetime Achievement, and the Arizona Book Award for Best Gay/Lesbian book. Lynn is a two-time Lambda Literary Award (Lammy) finalist, a Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award finalist, a Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards Honorable Mention winner, and winner of several Rainbow Reader Awards.

Ms. Ames is the founder of Phoenix Rising Press. She is also a former press secretary to the New York state senate minority leader and spokesperson for the nation’s third-largest prison system. For more than half a decade, she was an award-winning broadcast journalist. She has been editor of a critically acclaimed national magazine and a nationally recognized speaker and public relations professional with a particular expertise in image, crisis communications planning, and crisis management.

For additional information please visit her website at www.lynnames.com, or e-mail her at lynnamesauthor@gmail.com. You can also friend Lynn on Facebook and follow her on, YouTube, and Instagram.

Reviews

[Arn · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF around 60%. I wasn't feeling it. Probably because I'm not a fan of history and by extension historical romances. I have enjoyed some on occasion but they focused on romance and this book until the point I read didn't really do that. I also didn't feel any chemistry or love between the mains, they were thrown together by circumstance and somehow, for some reason they suddenly like each other. Too much telling, not enough showing. I understand that the focus would be more on romance if I continued to read this but I just don't care anymore. So dropped with 2 stars. Not my cup of tea.

I now see I've tried one other book by this author in the past and gave it 1 star. It seems I simply don't enjoy Lynn Ames writing style which is all on me. You might have a wholly different experience.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is amazing! She's never let me down because I always enjoy her books! This delightful story of love and loss has given me a peek into the hearts and minds of the women who put their country first and these phenomenal women held important roles during World War II. I live for books like this one because women's contributions to science, engineering, health, technology and so many other areas has been ignored or left out of history for so long. I have nothing but admiration for the author's research and her dedication to the women who came before us. Anddd… I am very pleased to say that Diana and Brooke will always hold a special place in my heart.

[Heinerway · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Lynn Ames' books, but this was not one of her finest moments. There was no chemistry between the two main characters, and the mystery of what happened to Aunt Nora back in 1945 was no mystery at all.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chain Reactions is a romance novel, but it’s also a story about love in its many forms—familial (both of blood and choice), romantic, and even the love for humanity that might drive someone to seek a cure for a terrible disease. The love between Diana and Nora is exquisitely lovely, still there despite their time apart and with the same purity it held when Diana was a child. It’s that timeless love anyone might carry for a loved one who’s imprinted on their heart, long after any physical connection is severed by distance or death. Every moment between Nora and Diana holds a poignancy alongside the joy of reuniting because they’ve lost so much time and there’s so little of it left between them.

Full review: https://www.lambdaliterary.org/review...

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lynn Ames never disappoints. Love historical romances. A present day story looking back at history. Why did we never learn about all the amazing women that throughout time have made such a difference to our present? Thanks for bringing this story to life. I look forward to more storylines based on historical facts.

[XR · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm really annoyed with myself because I REALLY wanted to like this book more. I've read most of Lynn Ames' books and have rated them fairly high too.

I liked all the characters, I thought Nora's a badass, and the story was nice... but I don't know, the book didn't really *click* for me.

[Ahh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn’t feel the two characters, I just kept reading to see how it ended between Nora and Mary

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming read. Wonderful characters.

[MizLiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lot of history. Narration was a bit dramatic. Good story. I listened to both audiobooks Secrets Well Kept and Chain Reactions by Lynn Ames. I did Chain Reactions first and should have been Secrets first but I didn’t find that bad.
The books brought back memories of being a 18 year old lesbian in 1970 in Phoenix Az, the backdoor out of The Habit bar for police raids, possibly being fired from your job or kicked out of your apartment. I remember Looking for older Lesbians, over 40, they were only at private parties. One set of friends in their 60’s, both alcoholics, one wouldn’t deny her being a lesbian and the other flat refusing to accept it-(a manager at Motorola, sure she would be fired) . Even though they had been together for 30 years.
We lived the Secret life, afraid of neighbors, friends, family. Staying away from children nieces and nephews to not be accused of anything, Never allowing to get too close, we did pay the price and now so much more acceptance. We lost our lovers to family and church pressures.
I am happy with the advancement in knowledge and acceptance that we oldsters have helped in whatever small way we each did over the past 40+ years I have participated in.
Thank you to all my wonderful Authors who are writing the books I so love!

[Ameliah Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Past and Present
Scientist and Dr, Diana has lived her life thinking her beloved great Aunt Nora has abandoned her at age 10. Decades later she finds nothing could be farther from the truth and her 100 yr old aunt is dying. She rushes to her in hopes of finding answers and reconnecting before it’s too late. Brooke is a nurse who worked at the same hospital Nora worked and taught at. She has loved the woman for years and when Nora needs end of life care she does not hesitate to tend to her. Still sharp as a tack, and believing in love above all else, Nora notices the chemistry between Diana and Brooke and sets about to match make and in the process maybe keep the two from living a life without love like she had to do.

WOW… this is a most wonderous book! I simply adored it! Not only are is it a romance with a great plot, it has a lovely secondary story and even better… wait for it…. All the characters are over 50!!!! I KNOW, RIGHT!!!! Love after 50, go figure! It’s so freaking exciting to have a book with women of a certain age!!! Ok, I’ll calm down, but this really is an amazing book! I loved the characters, and not just because of their ages. They are vibrant, relevant, sexy and strong… They have flaws and insecurities but nothing so bad they can’t get past them. The plot is so well thought out. It’s really interesting and intriguing. Nora lived quite the life and her story is fantastic. The whole book is full of things that will hit you on an emotional level, all sorts feelings so be prepared, there is depth and substance here. But then it IS a Lynn Ames book so that’s not entirely surprising…. Well done yet again Ms Ames!!

[Elaine Mulligan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Epic Drama set in New England Medical and academic community with a back story stretching back to WW2! The story opens with wealthy medical scientist and centenarian Nora Lindstrom confronting a terminal diagnosis. She reaches out to her great niece, 45 year old Diana, who she has not communicated with since she was 10 years old. There is a HUGE story there. Diana is on a great medical academic career track at Columbia University in NYC. 50 year old Brooke is burnt out after a career in pediatric oncology nursing, she takes on the task as hospice nurse for her idol Nora while she decides what the next step in her career will be. Will we find out why Nora and Diana have not connected in the last 20 years? Both Brooke and Diana have had successful careers while having little care for personal lives. Will that change? Will Diana's career entice Brooke to explore new career options in NYC? Will lack of communication keep them from exploring a future together? Will Diana learn to enjoy all that Nora provides her or will her grief corrode the it? Will we find out who Mary is? For these answers and more grab a copy now!

[Darlene Vendegna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curse you Lynn Ames, for making me cry. Thank you for creating such compelling, interesting, engaging and charismatic characters. Characters I not only believe I could know, but ones that I want to know. The historical significance of the scientists who worked at Oakridge is unparalleled, especially the unsung contributions of the women. Introducing the reader to an elderly character with such a rich and interesting history, and having us discover it in bits and pieces along with the main characters of this story, was a terrific bit of storytelling and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. In this novel, Ames gives us a beautiful modern day romance that is at once completely formulaic, containing the usual tropes we can all recite, BUT YET, every single thing about the story expands on that framework and provides a richness of narrative that held me in it's thrall throughout. The ending of this novel was perfection. It is tied up like a bow around a beautiful gift I can't wait to unwrap. That gift is going to be Secrets Well Kept. Now pardon me while I go blow my nose.

[Amy Bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotional rollercoaster of the best kind!

Dr Diana Lindstrom learns her beloved aunt Nora, whom she hasn’t seen since she was a young girl, is dying. She hires a nurse, Brooke Sheldon, to take care of her aunt during her final weeks. A romance begins between Diana and Brooke. After Nora’s death, Diana and Brooke begin a quest to discover who Nora Lindstrom really was.

I love everything about this book I fell in love with all three of these women. The character development was amazing, and the story riveting. Diana and Brooke have great chemistry. The attraction begins subtly but grows to become love. When they struggle to find common ground, you can really feel the heartache both women experience.

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥 (This book is so good; you won’t miss the lack of heat)

Lynn Ames never disappoints, and this might be her best book yet!

[Dorothy Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read SECRETS WELL KEPT by Lynn Ames, I expected that CHAIN REACTIONS would be a sequel that followed the post-WWII relationship of Dr. Nora Lindstrom and Mary Trask. Imagine my surprise when discovering that CHAIN REACTIONS was actually the first book published. It does follow after WWII, but it begins with Nora as a 100-year old woman facing terminal cancer. The twists and turns of this novel involve Brooke Sheldon, an experienced nurse taking care of Nora, and Dr. Diana Lindstrom, a great-niece whom Nora hasn't seen since Diana's childhood. Nora's life has been filled with achievements and mysteries; Brooke and Diana are left to search for details and figure out the meaning of Nora's life in relation to themselves. This is an incredible and memorable novel--and one you'll not be able to put down!

[Sandy Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much more than a lesbian romance

This beautiful story of lost love, family separation and VERY late in life redemption is more than a lesbian romance. It touches the tip of the iceberg of unsung heroines whose accomplishments and contributions remained hidden from the history books simply because they were women. It reveals the sacrifice many of those same women had to make in order to do the important work that they were destined to do, in fields dominated by men; science, technology, medicine, and academia. Many lived their life in hiding and without the love of a partner or even the love of their own family. The world asked so much of these women, but could not accept them for whom they were, lovers of women. Lest we forget...

[Parks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actual rating: 2.5/5

Interesting premise, but could have been executed much better. The dialogue was dry and there wasn’t enough narration bridging the conversations. It was like reading a script, honestly. I have no doubt it could have been compelling but it fell short so much. I decided to read this because a review over at Secrets Well Kept said to read this first. Hope the next book is better!!

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
This is a beautiful book by Lynn Ames who is an amazing author. A niece finds out her great aunt is dying and wants to see her. The story of why the great aunt disappeared from the niece's life is the rest of the book. What I appreciated most (besides the great writing) was that the author told stark truth about how gay people were force to live and how even their families essentially blackmailed them.

[teri Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brand-new is brought back to take care of her favorite Aunt she heard died years ago. Not only is she alive , but sorry and full of wisdom and hope for her and love life to be. Aunt Nora attempts to st to st her up with her care taker and Diane has been hurt in the past, but she is somewhat responsible with her long hours as a scientist. What will she do?

[PJ Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thourghly Enjoyed this Story

I have enjoyed other stories by Lynn Ames nd was not disappointed with this novel. The research was great and the story was very heart warming. All my feelings were involved. I laughed and cried felt warm and fuzzy also got protective of the characters. My idea of a great story. Was very pleased when noticing there was a presequal.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend reading Secrets Well Kept before reading Chain Reactions. I've greatly enjoyed this book. It was a privilege to see the end result of Nora and Mary's relationship from Ms. Ames' Secrets Well Kept. Watching the budding relationship and subsequent love between Diana Lindstrom and Brooke Sheldon was a wonderful treat.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fictional history story.

Women have been contributing to growth and success around the globe for lifetimes. Read this novel and learn an important moment in history woven with a delightful story of love lost and found.

[Margaret Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Story!

I love the intertwined stories in this book. Plenty of time to develop the characters and learn from them.
I enjoyed the peek at the Oak Ridge, Tennessee or the 1940's. We are so use to our stories being hidden. This book is a great way to honor their stories.

[chaos]

the audiobook narration was good and i loved the grown women falling in love. some of the plot “twists” were predictable, but more than anything it made me want to read more about Dr Lindstrom’s life

[D. O'Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Lynn Ames success! This book was so well written and kept my interest from the first page to the last. I love the depth of the characters and how the story is woven around their strengths and flaws. When I finished I spent the next few hours reading about the historical background.

[Doug Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical romance with a number of very well developed characters. Very good read.

[Melissa Gessling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic as always!

Lynn's work is always on point and this book is no exception. Great characters and well told story! Can't wait for more of the story¡

[Margaret L. Hedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

I loved Chain Reactions. Beautiful, romantic story. I love the way the history is woven through the story. Sad to realize how many unsung women heroes there are.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

Great book by Lynn Ames. Aunt Nora was a crafty one, and in typical lesbian fashion, the main characters just need to get out of their own way. Definitely recommend.

[Pamla Messinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

History

Love story over time. Didn’t end ! Nora was an amazing woman, her neice is too. Just enjoy the read.

[AGC · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Audio version) The story was compelling and enjoyable. The characters had interesting back stories and were three dimensional. I found the narration enjoyable.