![Daisuki.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/babelcube/covers/537f56e0514f5_"Daisuki."_daisukijpg.jpg)
Aiko and Reina have been together for almost 20 years, yet one thing remains unsaid between them: "Daisuki," or, "I love you." As they approach their anniversary, their relationship comes to an impasse as Aiko the Japanese housewife begins demanding "I love you" with a side of marriage and romance.
But Reina doesn't understand complex concepts like "love" or other heavy emotions. She's spent years supporting her girlfriend via a soul-sucking salary job and tending to their mutual needs in the bedroom. Isn't that sufficient? In a culture demanding Reina choose between the "feminine" and the "masculine" worlds, it's bad enough she's trying to find her role without Aiko adding extra pressure.
Some words need not saying, but "I love you" is about to destroy a relationship already surviving strange side-lovers and even stranger exploits.
"Daisuki." is a lesbian erotic romance, which puts it in a niche category. Sales are steady across most outlets. It's been a bestseller in its category on All Romance and Google Play, with foreign sales primarily in the non-English speaking European and Southeat Asian markets. Subsequent books in the series have ranked as high as the top 5 overall in lesbian romance on Amazon Japan. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, and the series has gained a lot of dedicated fans since it was first released.
Although it is a niche category, there is a lot of growth potential. in foreign langauge markets. Lesbian romance is highly underrepesented in other languages besides English, especially those about non-English speaking charaters. In my experience, getting in early is one of the key compnents of making long and steady sales in a niche category.
As this is a multi-insallment series, there is also a lot of room for continuation if we both feel it's appropraite. I look forward to hearing from you!
Tokyo; December 17th, 2011
She knew Reina loved her.
Ask anyone who knew them for who they were, and they would say, “Yes, they are so in love! I’ve never met a couple like them before. They inspire me!” It made Aiko blush as if she were a shy teenager again. It made her blush like the day Reina first asked her out on a date.
“Do you remember?” Aiko asked her girlfriend, as they sat in a fancy restaurant and dined in celebration of their anniversary. “You came to me after your rehearsal, and told me you wanted to get ice cream with me.”
Reina put down her wine glass and considered the floral centerpiece on their table. She rarely made eye contact with Aiko in public, even after so many years. “I guess so. It was a long time ago.”
“Nineteen years.” Aiko smiled, the corners of her mouth bashing away her blushing. “Can you believe it’s been nineteen years since our first date?”
“I suppose. You’re the one who keeps track.”
Aiko cleared her throat and pushed aside her empty plate of chicken alfredo. Reina fidgeted with her utensils and her glass, as if convinced everyone waited for them to do something non-platonic. Aiko searched the room: other Japanese couples, all of them heterosexual; an upper-middle class family with two teenagers; a small group of female friends toasting to good times. She and Reina were the sole same-sex couple in there. Doubtless anyone stealing a glance at them would assume they were good friends, or sisters, maybe cousins. The fact they were lovers would never cross anyone’s mind, except for maybe a perverted foreigner.
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Italian
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Already translated.
Translated by Laura Carletti
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Author review: She is amazingly accurate, keeps up great communication, and really awesome to boot! :) |
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Spanish
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Already translated.
Translated by Laura Ballesteros Luján
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Author review: She was a joy to work with, and the editor I had look over her translation (as I am not a Spanish speaker/reader) said she couldn't find anything that stood out. Would recommend! |
