Jacqueline Keys was ostracized from her small hometown of Pine Springs, Texas when she was seventeen, sent away because she was gay. Her family was the largest employer in the county, owning Pine Springs Lumber, and her father was mayor of this small town. Her mother could not accept the fact that her only child was gay, could not tolerate the gossip about her family. So, with a hundred dollars in her pocket and a one-way bus ticket out of town, Jacqueline was told not to come back until she had come to her senses. And that included being prepared to marry the son of a business associate of the family.
Fifteen years later—long after she’d hitch-hiked to Los Angeles, long after she’d worked nights to put herself through college, and long after she’d written her first best seller, No Place For Family—Jacqueline is persuaded to go back to the tiny town of Pine Springs after her father’s death.
The quick trip she’d envisioned for the funeral turns into weeks as she learns her father’s business is suddenly hers to manage. And she is also again face-to-face with the woman who, as a teen, had been Jackie’s first crush. She and Kay had been inseparable as kids, and later as teens. They find themselves falling back into their old habits, and Jackie is soon fighting the same feelings she’d had when she was seventeen.
But living behind the pine curtain, Kay is afraid of her love for Jackie, afraid of what her family will say, afraid of how the town will react. Jackie refuses to hide, refuses to crawl back into the closet, so once again, she leaves Pine Springs…alone.
GCLS Goldie Awards
Behind the Pine Curtain: Winner, Best Lesbian Romance.
Lambda Book Report
Cecilia Martin - September, 2006: Gerri Hill dazzles us again with her wonderful storytelling and strong female characters in Behind the Pine Curtain from Bella Books. I love all of her previous novels, especially Gulf Breeze, and this latest addition just may become my favorite.
Just About Write
August, 2007: Behind the Pine Curtain is another terrific romance offering by Gerri Hill. The characters seem like people we all know. Because of this, we want them to succeed. This tale is truly engaging and perfect for the eternal romantic in all of us. Don't miss it.
December, 2006: Gerri Hill delivers very satisfying romances with every book, and Behind the Pine Curtain is no exception... Behind the Pine Curtain is delightful and inspiring. It is a must read for all romance fans.
Lesbian Fiction Reviews
February, 2010: Hill's writing style is so easy to lose yourself in and her characters are strong, yet vulnerable. I wished that there was more of the story but still felt satisfied at the end.
Lira D –
The fact that I finished this book in a weekend speaks volumes. I loved it! Loved the story and the characters. I loved the anticipation of what was going to happen between Kay and Jackie. The little hints here and there was an open door to Kay in my opinion. I could just feel what they were feeling and my heart pounded right along with them. A few parts are cliché of course- but it’s a romance novel… what do you expect?! The storyline was interesting to me and I didn’t mind when it steered away from the 2 main characters. I think the book could have used another few chapters at least and an epilogue. We need a follow up to this story! I recommend this book for a good light read. I will reread this again, I have no doubt.