Our LGBTQ+ history deserves to be told

Gayla Turner’s Don’t You Dare, weaves together a current-day journey of discovery and a love story that took place between two women in the early 1900s—a story that would forever change her life.

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Our LGBTQ+ history deserves to be told

Gayla Turner’s Don’t You Dare, weaves together a current-day journey of discovery and a love story that took place between two women in the early 1900s—a story that would forever change her life.

Vromans bookstore logo
book baby logo

The Story

Don’t You Dare, starts with my discovery of my Grandma Ruby’s hidden wedding photos dated June 8, 1915, and learning she had a secret – the groom standing next to her was not my Grandfather. I had so many questions for my Grandma, but because she passed away over thirty years ago, there was no way to get the answers I desperately wanted. My curiosity took me on a seven-year journey to find out more about my Grandma Ruby and the woman standing next to her dressed as the groom.

What People Are Saying

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“Ruby and Ella dared to love in a time when the love between two women was considered both a crime and a mental illness. In this book, Turner shows us how these two young women, one her grandmother, defied the social norms of the times and celebrated their forbidden love. This book is a heartwarming testament to the power of love and the power of prejudice to shape our paths, and ultimately our destinies.  I highly recommend this book.” 

—Davina Kotulski, Ph. D. Psychologist and award-winning author of, It's Never Too Late to Be Your Self

“A book that has much truth, tenderness, as well as heartbreak, with a light-hearted touch at just the right moments. Based on a true story that steps back and forth between today and the past, this powerful, moving novel explores the questioning, awakening, and secret embracing of life and love by Ruby Peterson, a lesbian whose roots were in rural America in the early 20th century…Turner shares how the newly-discovered connection to her grandmother has offered enlightenment and joy to her life in the present.”

—Elizabeth Massie, Stoker and Scribe-Award winning author

“I honestly LOVED this book – from the initial premise, I was hooked and it did not disappoint! The switch from the authors experience to her grandmothers life was something that really kept my attention. Ruby’s story, though most of it likely reliant on fiction, was so raw to me. I appreciated the glimpse into how life would be like in those times for sapphic women.”

—Marnie, Goodreads Reviewer

Official Book Trailer for Don’t You Dare

           

  Official Music Video

Jill Knight

Theme Song from the Don’t You Dare Audiobook

Now streaming on your favorite sites. Name your own price to download the music at the songwriter Johnny Schaefer’s website hearjohnny.com. Explore more music by singer/guitarist/songwriter Jill Knight at her website jillknight.com. 

Meet Gayla

By day, Gayla Turner is a bank examiner, utilizing her intuition and curiosity to uncover facts and analyze complex figures. A debut author, she has honed her writing skills with private instructors, editors, and critique groups of established writers in the Los Angeles area. She is a member of the Wisconsin Historical Society, Romance Writers of America, and the Historical Novel Society. In her free time, Gayla enjoys cooking, hiking, looking at old photos, and researching LGBTQ+ history. Born and raised in Southern California, she and her partner live in San Marino, California, and share their home with their adorable dog, Bailey.

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