Unlike Others

Jo works for the publisher of a small magazine. She is very good at what she does and enjoys the challenges that come with her job.  Jo is not looking for love, having just ended a relationship with Karen who used her and cheated on her.  No, Jo is going to focus on her work and stay away from women… until she meets Betsy at work.  She is surprised to be so strongly attracted to Betsy, but resolves to stay away from her.  Betsy appears to be straight and has begun dating their boss, Stan.  Feeling terribly lonely, Jo ventures out… and before long circumstances bring her and Linda together.  Linda and Jo are unable to fight the powerful attraction between them, however Jo's heart still yearns for the seemingly unattainable Betsy.  When the relationship between Betsy and Stan grows and becomes entangled, Betsy turns to Jo for help and comfort… which is almost too much for Jo to bear.  Almost.

A highly-talented writer, Valerie Taylor brings us the poignant and absorbing story of a young woman's search for love and fulfillment in a world of shadowed embraces and secret vows.  And, as is often the case with her lesbian pulps, Ms. Taylor refuses to condemn her characters to negative and tragic consequences.

From the novel...

"I liked you right off," Linda admitted, sipping her drink. "I wanted to be more aggressive, but I didn't want to embarrass you in front of your girl."

Jo frowned, disturbed. "Betsy's not my girl. We just work together." 

"Is she gay?" 

Jo was silent.

Linda smiled. "I can almost always tell. She's gay."

Jo stirred restlessly. "Let's forget about Betsy. Let's talk about us."

The slender brunette nodded. "All right. I think we'd be good together. I think we'd make love beautifully.''

Jo trembled, thinking about the months of self-denial, the months of nagging loneliness. "Just like that . . ."

Linda shrugged. "It's as good a reason as any. Do you think it would be wrong?"

"No," Jo murmured, rising, moving to stand beside the pretty girl. "I don't think it would be wrong." 

She rested her hands on the girl's shoulders and Linda's skin felt smooth and warm through the shirt. She exuded a light clean fragrance. Her bosom, small but feminine, rose proudly and Jo knew how she would look when she was nude. "No," Jo whispered, "I don't think it would be wrong at all."

She let her hands slide down until her fingers closed gently over the delicate breasts…