Harmony Paperback – August 16, 2011

I love it when I take a chance on a new author and find something so unexpectedly sweet and engaging... I really enjoyed this story. For me, it's the kind of book I enjoy most in this genre... nothing really heavy. It's agenda-free. No dead lovers. No grief and over-processing. It's just a fun little romance with very likeable and appealing characters who share some sexy chemistry.So it follows the very ordered life of soft butch musician Andrea "Andy" Taylor who is seduced by a closet lesbian with her own kind of ordered life... but that's about all they seem to have in common, lol. Their contrasts are amusing. If you enjoy the kind of chemistry that arises from being involved with a complementary opposite, you'll like this couple.I thought I might be put off by a coming out story like this because I'm so far removed from that myself and tend to stay clear of these man-in-tow-messes (now)... but blond and sexy Brooke turned out to be incredibly endearing... just one of those irresistibly terrible-wonderful attractions we all give into at least once...What's more, Andy's sense of romance and attentiveness is just really sweet... one of those girlfriends you wanna take home to meet the fam... and the musical aspect she brings to this story was something really different for me. Loved it.Next to Andy and the lovely and femmy Brooke, I very much enjoyed Andy's amusing chemistry with her string quartet and her virtuoso-neurotic pillow princess lover... this author knows how to create interesting chemistry between her characters.I'm a little too sweet on this author to be critical because she knows what I like... overall, this story gave me scene after scene of very loveable characters who shared genuine affection for each other. Very often I felt like I was glimpsing scenes from the author's personal relationship(s). Is fictional imagination this sincere?? :)The characters look nothing like those on the cover in my mind... I don't know why some book covers bother me so much, but they do. The characters within are far more attractive!Quick and enjoyable read.... highly recommended easy reading.

This was a nice novel. A coming out story, which I'm still a sucker for. It just seems to give authors a strong framework for real emotion and a defined character journey. And one of the main characters, Andy, is a professional musician, which also falls along the lines of one of the things I really like in my romance novels: characters doing interesting things, like with music, dancing, other brainy endeavors that require talent, or adventure like mountain climbing or whitewater rafting. It runs the gamut, but Andy the violist is right in there, and I loved all the little details about how a viola fits into a harmony and how a musician makes ends meet. Plus the Seattle details rang true, yet weren't very heavy-handed.So Andy meets with "October 5th" (Brooke), the bride of an upcoming wedding, and is struck by her beauty, and also how she doesn't seem like the typical focused bride, but as a master of compartmentalization she puts it behind her until Brooke approaches her. The depth of the connection they establish is unlike anything Andy has experienced, despite its immediacy, and though she feels like it's risky, Andy feels like she has to honor it. But Brooke is determined to make her own decisions and be true to her own life as well.So there are fits and starts. It all seems authentic and genuine, though. Andy and her order and Brooke and her relative chaos just seem to fit together. And their care of each other, and emotional honesty were endearing. Plus, I loved getting carried away with the emotion of the music.This is another author going on my watch list. She's good at characterization, portraying emotion, and meticulously constructing and sticking to motivations. This book is well worth the time to read.

I’ve been steadily catching up on reading this author’s catalog and wow, her first book does not disappoint. What I adore most about about her writing is that there is nary a typical cliche to be found in her romantic themes. In fact, the hilarious twist on the lesbian U-Haul theme that is Andy and Brooke’s predicament was a welcome surprise and built suspense and intrigue that I didn’t expect. It was fun trying to figure out how they were going to navigate such an unusual situation. The sexual tension was built masterfully over much of the book, but underneath that tension was the slow burn of their romance. It was a fascinating balance of intense attraction and slowly falling in love. Amazing how two opposing themes were blended together along to form an intriguing story I couldn’t put down. Harmony was a fitting title indeed.

Well-written lesfic is rare. I think Ms Walsh moves immediately into a very select group with this debut. The plot is well constructed - sufficiently complex to convincingly support the development of interesting characters. Andrea and Brooke are skillfully crafted to be different, complementary and multi-dimensional. It was also enjoyable to have a researched back-story of sufficient depth and substance to add to the overall ambience - importantly, without being intrusive. I also tip me 'at in admiration of the dialogue - 10/10; the sex is better than most lesfic - although with this author's talent, I believe she has it in her to move up the scale (heh, heh) from a 6.58/10 - what's lacking is the subtlety of a more poetic sensuality - but then, I admit to being very picky.Ms Walsh has also paid attention to her scaffolding (thank you, thank you, thank you): almost perfect editing, proofing, and no need to rely on spellchecker - it is obvious that she has learned spelling and grammar somewhere reputable.(Thank you, Ms Walsh for an enjoyable evening. PS: I'm off to buy your next novel.)

Karis Walsh did a great job in showing two very different and emotionally scared women learn to both heal from the past and to find love.

Service by book store was great. The book was in good shape. But the story was not as good as I had hoped.

Andrea is the violist in a string quartet that earns a living by playing at weddings. She is tasked with coordinating and negotiating with the Bridezilla's, amusingly named by the band by their wedding date. Andrea is the controller; ordered life, organized work, distant `relationship'. But she is also the peacemaker who gives in to her domineering family and demanding lover to stop conflict of any kind. Unlike second violin Tina, Andrea does not mix work with pleasure so despite finding October 5th attractive she would never act on her impulses.Brook - October 5th - is instantly fascinated by the gorgeous viola player when the meet to discuss the wedding plans, and has to fight down her urge to have one last wild night, one chance to explore what she has never let herself enjoy.When Brook calls a second meeting with Andi to finalise details of the wedding it will set them up to challenge who they are, and who they want to be.--------------This was Karis Walsh's first novel and what a great addition to the LesFic fold. It is very well written and flows effortlessly as it weaves together the story of Brooke and Andi's worlds and their intriguing journey together.The characters are well rounded and loveable. Ms Walsh has given space to more than just the heroines and we come to know the quartet and their partners, all of whom are likeable and interesting.Brooks personal journey, struggling to find herself and find a balance between people domineering her and helping her, is a great read. At the same time Andi must also realize how her own behavior has trapped her into a cold world or control which costs her early.Lovely romance, well paced and an enjoyable read. You spend the whole book wanting to egg them both on. Well recommended.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book although I did find Brooke rather frustrating at times with her indecision. I’m not sure I would be as understanding as Andy.

Really enjoyed this story. well written and easy to read.

El amor por encima de todo. Cuando hay que decidir si seguir al corazón o a la cabeza, SIEMPRE tiene que ganar el primero