Reviews and Reader Comments for Beautiful Game, released July 2011
Just About Write review, October 2011: Reviewer RLynne of the lesbian fiction e-zine JAW had this to say about Beautiful Game: “Christie captures the life of a college jock, from the roughhousing to the incredible tension and excitement of the game. Even those who are not soccer fans will be gripped by the exciting championship action. And, she captures the equally incredible sweetness and heartache of a first adult love. Edited by Katherine V. Forrest, Beautiful Game is a wonderful romp back into the ups and downs of college life. Christie’s characters are wonderful, and… San Diego is a beautiful place to visit.”- The Rainbow Reader review, July 2011: A reviewer of lesbian fiction gave the book a 5.1 out of 6.0, and wrote that she bought the book expecting it to be a guilty pleasure not destined for reviewing. However, “then it had to go and be fantastic,” she wrote, “make me warm and happy inside, and refuse to let me go until I had finished the last sentence and hugged my Kindle to my chest with all the strength in my little blogging body.”
- Reader comment, 9/3/11: “I started reading Beautiful Game yesterday afternoon. When I went to bed to read more, I just couldn’t stop. To my chagrin, it’s now 1:30AM here and I just finished the last page. Very touching story. Great characters. Thanks!”
- Reader comment, 8/2/11: “I finished Beautiful Game last night and the only complaint I have is that it’s over. The descriptions of the soccer games, the baseball bashing, the pace of the story, the character development, all wonderful. Your best novel yet. Call me a satisfied reader, yet again. Thanks!”
- Reader comment, 7/21/11: “I’m trying to find the right word to express how I felt as I read your book. I enjoyed it so much I was reading it slower than normal because I wanted to ‘savor’ the words, the emotions and the feeling of living back in the 90s when letters were written, long distance bills existed and a flashing red light meant a message was left. A beautiful story. And I learned a little about soccer. Thank you for this wonderful story.”
Reviews and Reader Comments for Leaving L.A., released January 2011
Lambda Literary Foundation review, August 2011: Pamela Bigelow of LLF gave Leaving L.A. 5 out of 5 stars, and wrote, “You’ll laugh out loud, you may even cry, but you won’t want to put this book down and undoubtedly will be annoyed when your everyday life insists that you set the book aside. Leaving L.A. could very well end up as one of the ten best books of 2011.”- Just About Write review, May 2011: Reviewer Anna Furtado wrote, “Leaving L.A. is a well written, absorbing story. The attraction of the two women lingers long in the reader’s thoughts. The relationship between them is haunting, and the character of Laya is entertaining and delightful. This is not another ‘glamorous actress in Hollywood’ story. It is about interesting characters that goes beyond Hollywood and allows us to see a star as a real person with desires and foibles. A love story well worth the read.”
- EDGE Seattle/ OUTview review, April 2011: Writer Kate West reviewed both Leaving L.A. and Solstice and had this to say about LLA: “This novel moved me and I felt much more connected to the characters than the ones in Solstice. Maybe it’s because the characters are a little older or because I could relate to some of Tess’s and Eleanor’s experiences a little more. But, regardless, I actually teared up when finding out Tess’s childhood secrets.”
- Reader comment, 5/24/11: “I just finished reading Leaving LA and absolutely LOVED it! Thank you so much for such a wonderful story. I was so sad when I neared the end of the book ’cause I didn’t want the book to end…ever! Looking forward to reading more from you.”
- Reader comment, 3/2/11: “I just finished Leaving L.A. I loved the story, it is a beautiful romance. The characters are great, including the extremely sweet and smart kid. Once I started reading it, it was very hard to put it down until the end.”
Reviews and Reader Comments for Solstice, released March 2010
EDGE Seattle/ OUTview review, April 2011: Writer Kate West reviewed both Leaving L.A. and Solstice and had this to say about Solstice: “The story is told in first person narrative by each of the characters in turn, flipping back and forth between the thoughts, feelings and perspective of each protagonist. I enjoyed this view into the brains of Sam and Emily, and I found it entertaining and interesting to get the take each of the characters had on the same situations. And, I have to admit I loved reading about the streets, neighborhoods, zoo and even our local WNBA team here in Seattle. Christie did an excellent job on the details and this first effort was an enjoyable read.”
- Reader comment, 10/4/10: “Thank you for a great story. I particularly enjoyed knowing what was going on in both Sam and Emily’s minds as the relationship developed. Looking forward to Leaving L.A.”
- Reader comment, 5/2/10: “Just finished your book Solstice. It was great! I hope you continue writing such wonderful stories about women and trials we all go through to find that ‘right one.’”
- Reader comment, 4/25/10: “I read that this was your first published book, congrats, as it’s great! I bought it Friday, read it Saturday, and had to email you on today, Sunday, because I enjoyed it so much! You write beautifully about life in Seattle–I pictured every spot you mentioned!”
