START OF BACK COVER TEXT - Kay and her life partner lead six very dissimilar women on a two-week trek into the Oszrk mountains, a trek designed to teach basic survival skills to these tenderfoots. Lu and Desiree have been together twelve years. Desiree plans to use the occasion of this trip to reveal a secret that will change both their lives... Poppy Dillworth has lost her precious Irma after thirty-six years of happiness. She sees no reason to go on living and has chosen this trip for her own special purpose. Marcie is a fledgling missionary out to prove her worthiness for assignment to South America. She has deep concerns about Poppy... And there's Jane and Ramona. Conventional women who have led the most conventional of lives. Until they share the intimacy of a tent in the wilderness. Then Jane discovers a passion so far beyond anything she has ever dreamed that she flees Ramona in panic... Meet all these engaging women in this sensual, suspenseful, highly entertaining story. Accompany them all on their Wilderness Trek. - END OF BACK COVER TEXT Every once in awhile I take a step back to read a groundbreaking novel in the lesbian fiction genre. I usually define "groundbreaking" as a novel written 1990 or earlier by a multi-published author. Sometimes I'm disappointed by what I've read, but most of the time I can see the seeds of novels written and published more recently. This was my first Dorothy Tell read and I enjoyed every minute. I'm not sure if it's her general style, but in `Wilderness Trek' she introduces several characters who interact fluidly during a two-week hiking expedition. Knowing how difficult it must be to keep so many characters "straight" (pardon the reverse pun), I was expecting a disjointed, choppy storytelling. However, Tell's style very much reminded me of anything by the talented Saxon Bennett. All the characters had synergy and each had a crucial part to play. Not surprisingly, the book centered mainly around two characters - Jane and Ramona. Both of these women come from marriages - one ended in divorce and one ended in combat. One has children and grandchildren. Both are a little older (i.e., I'm guessing mid-forties) than typical main characters. And both feel an undeniable, yet terrifying pull toward the other. The other characters have stories of their own, but Jane and Ramona take up about half the book on their own. The book was even a little brave in its description of physical intimacy. It's not often a book from this time period (1990) has graphic scenes... they're usually "fade to black." However, Tell does a tasteful job describing things to the reader. I'm glad I took the time to read this novel. It will certainly stay on my shelf to read again in the future. Do yourself a favor and give it a chance.
Entertaining and sweet
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
I bought this book about 7 years ago and have reread it several times since. This book is about a group of women who go on an organized 'Wilderness Trek' and discover many different things about themselves and their fellow traveling companions. There are 3 or 4 stories going here but my favorite is with the cellist and the widow. Very hot love scenes. Those are the portions I've read and reread. Very hot, tender and romantic. Wish there was more on these two.
ThriftBooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. We personally assess every book's quality and offer rare, out-of-print treasures. We deliver the joy of reading in recyclable packaging with free standard shipping on US orders over $15. ThriftBooks.com. Read more. Spend less.