Into Spring

This novel is a spirited look at the lives of young women who are lesbians and comfortable with the knowledge of their sexuality. The story is one of women who are coming to terms with their strengths and weaknesses and who are overcoming personal struggles and allowing their love to flourish. Cassie and Spring, the main characters, meet in very specific circumstances: Cassie is in her late twenties, working on her Ph.D. and needs to observe and write a paper on a young boy, Ryan, who has high-functioning Asperger's, a form of Autism. She has been contracted by her faculty mentor, Dr. Grainger, and an overbearing, manipulative parent, Roger Hobbs, to accompany Ryan for 3 weeks where they live and work with a special teacher for Ryan, Spring. A former college professor, Spring occasionally does consulting work with Autistic students by using her Newfoundland dogs for therapy. She has sheltered herself in her beach wonderland where she has built a lively mix of friends, whom Cassie and Ryan come to adore. Both women are immediately attracted to each other, but, love is never smooth sailing. Each woman has a troubling past. Cassie grapples with the remnants of misdiagnosed childhood epilepsy that left her over-medicated as a child and young woman. She fights to be strong and the kind of woman to whom Spring would be attracted. Four years ago, Spring's life companion died and Spring is still grieving. And there was the unfortunate incident at the university which caused the Spring to be asked to leave her faculty position. In the end, they mesh their lives and plan a future together. We are left with the feeling that there will be obstacles, struggles ' as in all our lives ' but through their love for each other, they will find a way to surmount each problem and win the battles ahead of them.