Finalist for the LesFic Bard AwardShe wanted a safe harbor for their love. But rough waters could destroy any hope of starting over… so Al thinks.
Before the SS United States hits land, a stranger approaches Al with a Broadway contract for Juliana. But the offer comes with a threat that can’t be ignored. And unless Al can find a way out, Juliana’s comeback could come crashing down before it even begins…
As she hides the awful truth from Juliana, Al searches for an answer before another obstacle destroys their last chance for happiness…
Paris, Adrift, 1955 is Book 3 in a breathtaking LGBT historical romance series. If you like pulse-pounding suspense, characters who tug at your heartstrings, and true-to-life portrayals of 1950s Paris, then you’ll love award-winning writer Vanda’s stunning series of novels.
Buy Paris, Adrift and set sail on a harrowing journey of love today!
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Note: This piece aired worldwide this week on This Way Out (TWO), the syndicated LGBT radio show. Click here to listen to the entire show.
(TWO is the first international LGBTQ radio news magazine.)
When I heard that the lesbian writer Vanda had a new book out, book three of her Juliana Series, I was very excited. You see, I love historic novels and when a historic novel is written by a lesbian and includes lesbian characters that makes me very happy.
Paris, Adrift is the title of Vanda’s newest novel, and it may be written as the third book in a series, but it can be read on its own. At the same time, there are allusions to previous circumstances that were in the early novels, that the reader all the entire series will get. And if that reader is like me – who has read the series as the individual books were published – this means that the characters are even more real. They have become people with histories – backstories that make the novel I am reading even more complex.
The two main characters Alice (Al) and Juliana, a famous singer whose career Al is managing. The two women are also lovers. They are from New York City and when the novel opens in 1955, they are taking an ocean liner to Paris where Juliana is booked to sing in nightclubs.
The tenor of the times – which are so real that Al and Juliana experience blackmail – reveal to the reader that intense homophobia is as alive and well in Paris as it is in New York. Vanda writes a passage from the point of view of Al that sadly echoes sentiments that I have heard in the not so distant past:
Of course, Max would have no choice but to fire me. I’d lose all my clients. Who’d want to be represented by a mentally disturbed, potentially criminal, unnatural woman? A thing. I’d lose my gay clients too, like Marty. It would be too dangerous for him to be represented by me. I’d never work again, at least not in show business or government or civil service; Is there anything left? I’d be poor again. Maybe scraping by in low level jobs like my father. I’d hate that. I did have savings and stocks so I could hang on for a while. But my work in cabaret. I must have that. It was my life. Still – I’d survive it. Somehow. But Juliana….? She was used to being adored. If it came out that she was … The worst for me would be that this would most likely be the end of us, and that I didn’t know how I would live through.
The novel takes the reader through history – a factually accurate history – that provides for plenty of interesting asides and insights. But ultimately it is a love story between these two women Al and Juliana – and it is a tale of how their lesbian love which must remain hidden is able to survive. As Vanda writes:
“Oh, there have been a few women like us who lived in Paris somewhat openly; women artists who were already considered odd like Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. They weren’t really accepted by most, merely tolerated. Many others who came here to write or be artists kept their relationships secret. No. I don’t think we’ll ever be treated like everyone else.”
“Then let’s stay here all day and pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist. “
She kissed me, and we made love again. Everything would have been perfect …. [except]
There has been much written about the importance of telling our stories. For me, as a member of the lesbian community, as someone who recognizes that our stories are so often marginalized and dismissed, the importance of telling our story – especially in an historic novel in a lesbian context – is proof that we do exist and, in fact, have always existed.
I liked how the author captured the essence of the era. Describing how difficult it was to be a woman and especially a lesbian in the 1950’s.
I received an advance ARC from the author for my honest review and I purchased it from amazon.com.
Something I like to do to support my favorite Indy Authors.
I liked Paris, Adrift, while it’s basically the back story on Juliana, you meet her wayward brother, her Lord father, Aunt Sally and a few of her favorite places in Paris.
I have too admit that I liked both the first and second books, due to WW2, what it was like in NYC was educational reading and then the setting in post war NYC nightclub was fascinating reading.
Felt like Vanda without realizing it, or maybe she knows it, wants the reader to become Alice or Al, as her friends call her. You can’t help but like Al, she’s strong, a tough women for that time period and easily could fit in today’s world.
I did find it weird that Juliana’s Catholic, married a straight husband, yet has all these lesbian extra marital affairs, Al as she manages her, interacts with her, yet she doesn’t want to discuss them with her and it seems like she’s embarrassed by them.
Then you have Al, who is committed to Juliana, doesn’t have any flings but feel like she easily could have, even Vanda flirted a little in Olympus Nights, with the girl trying out for a job giving her a private strip show and then you have the hat check girl, whom always seems to be annoying her.
Me I could easily see her, having a fling with Mercy. Especially with how she saw them off in Paris, Adrift, plus just seems to be jealous of what the two are doing and she can’t do due to Shirl.
I liked that it’s set in Paris, the voyage on the SS United States to Paris was interesting also, like how Vanda took actually history regarding the celebrities from that time period, added real places, and expertly blended it with her fictional characters.
Even being straight, have found Vanda’s, Juliana’s historical series to be educational reading, never was aware of how badly the gay/lesbian community was treated in that era, should be mandatory reading and do yourself a favor by reading her books.
I received a free book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
It’s rare that a book leaves me a nervous wreck with a stone at the pit of my stomach, but that’s exactly what happened when I finished Paris, Adrift. Just as with the first two books, Vanda has continued to develop these fascinating characters that capture your heart and your imagination, bringing their stories to life. However, unlike the first two novels, we finally get an intimate glimpse into the unique and complex relationship between Al and Juliana that both elates you and breaks your heart.
What would you do if your love was illegal? That’s the question posed by the first two novels, and the question is still prominent in the third installment. But rather than focusing on the social struggles these women face, we get to see their internal conflict on a deeper level. Al is no longer an adolescent navigating her way through the big city. Juliana is no longer just a diva looking for her next tryst. The characters’ relationship becomes the focus of the novel. And what better setting than Paris—the City of Love, herself?
During their time in the City of Light, we get to see Al grow, not as a manager, but as a person. Though she continues to manage Juliana’s career, even when facing challenges that any closeted gay person can understand. Al continues to do what does what she does best—defend Juliana—and finally, Juliana starts to respond in kind. Their relationship is no longer mostly one-sided and we finally see that maybe…just maybe…Al is not the only one struggling with a love that society and the world despises.
The messages are relevant, especially in today’s climate. But while the previous books left me both loving and despising Juliana, I have since developed a sincere sense of empathy. After learning more of her backstory, her reaction to Al’s affections becomes more understandable. I get her. I see myself in her actions, her words, and her reactions. And I know—on some level—what it’s like to walk in her shoes. Don’t get me wrong—it’s just as frustrating as ever, but she’s not being cruel. She’s simply being herself. And what more can we ever ask for than a love where your deepest self is both accepted and appreciated? Finally, Juliana is made human and her humanity is both heart-wrenching and beautiful.
By the end, you’ll be a nervous wreck and that’s okay. Because that’s what great fiction does. It makes us identify with the characters, the tale, and their circumstances until it feels like our own. So, I’ll be impatiently waiting for book four so I can finally find out what happens to these women who feel like a part of my world and an extension of myself. ‘Wow,’ doesn’t begin to cover it.
I know this book series is called the “Juliana Series” but this is the first book that REALLY allows you as the reader to understand what makes her tick. The books up until now have heavily focused on Al independent of Juliana but in this book, you’re able to see them interact on a deeper level. Al isn’t insanely prudish and Juliana isn’t as dismissive of Al’s feelings. It almost feels like their growth in the first two books even allows for their relationship to progress to this level, which is awesome! Reading the growth of their relationship keeps the book series moving in a really natural and meaningful way. I purposely don’t write reviews with spoilers but it’s hard to explain how significant this book is to their relationship without spoilers so I’ll just say, it’s an amazing book that really compliments the series.
Summary
Al thought it was finally her time to be with Juliana in Paris to rekindle their relationship, but she felt a growing distance between them even in the confines of their shared room. Then, as if she wasn’t already having a complicated life, Dan Schuyler made a proposal to star Juliana in a musical. Juliana had a traumatic experience onstage, so she turned down his offer. With Dan’s desperation to revive his reputation, he blackmailed Al that if she doesn’t get Juliana to accept his offer, he will be exposing their forbidden relationship to the public.
Review
Paris, Adrift is a lesbian historical fiction by Vanda and Book 3 of the Juliana Series. I was impressed by how well the prose was constructed, and how well the characters were developed in a way that would engage the readers. I’m straight, but I was able to feel the gravity of a homosexual’s almost unbearable life in the 1950s. Not being able to talk about who you love right out in the open, hiding and feeling ashamed for it, would make the LGBTQ community feel grateful for today’s open-mindedness.
I’m not in favor of infidelity, so at first, I didn’t see Juliana in a good light. But after learning about her family background, I could understand her better. I feel so bad for Al and I wish that things can be easier and that they can just be happy together without any complications, but of course, that’s not how life is. And this is why this book is really good; the story is so realistic and the author knows how to draw an emotional response.
I’m giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. This is a great portrayal of lesbian relationships during the 1950s, a time when you can’t talk about it, and hiding it would be better than being judged by people. I recommend this book to the LGBTQ community, as well as heterosexual readers who have an open mind.
At times I found this difficult to follow or believe. It seemed information was missing that I needed to understand the characters. I never got the feeling that this was a different time period.
I received an advance copy from the author for my honest review. Paris, Adrift is another great addition to the Juliana series by Vanda. This book puts the focus back on Juliana and Al’s relationship pairing them in close quarters in Paris without, for the most part, Juliana’s husband Richard. I enjoyed getting to experience a deeper side of Juliana and seeing the relationship between Al and Juliana develop and grow. And as always, Vanda expertly builds tension between them (Al and Juliana) keeping me completely engrossed and creating another incredible read. Looking forward to Book 4!
I have read the first two installments of the Juliana series as well as this one, and I have to say Paris, Adrift is my favorite of the three. I recieved a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Juliana series, in itself, is a gift. Vanda’s books contain lessons we can all benefit from learning, whether you’re a part of the LGBT community or not. The first two books took place in NYC, while this one takes place in Paris. This gave me a glimpse into the way LGBT persons were treated in a country far, far away from home, in a time period I can only describe as difficult. Not only are Al and Juliana in a new place, they have new situations and stresses to deal with, virtually cut off from everyone else back in the States. The first two Juliana novels featured a variety of characters, and while this one does as well, it focuses mostly on Al and Juliana’s relationship. That is something I absolutely loved. I think it’s fair to say I will be on the edge of my seat until the next book comes out! Which I hope will be soon! If you read the first two books please do not hesitate to read this one. You can’t possibly regret it!