Here’s an unusual tale of historical romance placed in the recent history of the 1970s. It also happens to involve two women instead of a woman and a man.
The story begins with the first meeting between Erin O’Fallon and Carol Johnson, and it does not go smoothly. In fact, Officer Johnson winds up arresting the pretty blond protester. Separated by an enormous gulf of principles and life experience, they nonetheless find themselves fascinated with each other. As matters progress, it gets harder and harder for Erin and Carol to resolve their own ethics with their respective environments. By growing closer together, they find the strength to stand up for their inner truths regardless of what anyone else may think. That they find true love along the way is almost incidental. This story is sweet and bitter by turns, like real life. The characters aren’t perfect; they argue and stumble and pick themselves up to go on. The sociological aspects are neatly done. For those of you too young to remember the era, it’s an interesting introduction; for those of you who were there, it's a groovy reminder. — Fearless Reviews by S.Ardrian 4/6/03

Erin O'Fallon is a radical activist on the verge of graduation. Living in a commune and attending collage with like-minded people - each willing to risk everything for what they believed to be right. 
Carol Johnson is a young cop still searching for her own identity. Living in the home left to her by her deceased parents, working in the only job she can imagine, never thinking to question or explore her own needs or desires. 
The time is 1972 - a time when all of society seemed to be at war - and as the 'flower power' era is coming to an end, these two women confront each other from opposite sides of an explosive demonstration that proves to be more tame than the rocky road they will travel to find themselves and each other. 

I confess I found One Belief Away by CN Winters to be a bit of a mixed bag. Many of the situations within the book brought to mind old memories and emotions - an intriguing addition that enhanced my enjoyment of the storyline. However, because events were mentioned but not explained, I suspect that much of the impact could be lost on those who are unfamiliar with the time, and in my opinion, that's a shame. 

The storyline itself is pretty standard - girl-meets-girl and feeling wildly attracted to each other, they over-come all manor of differences to live happily-ever-after. And if you are looking for a light-read, One Belief Away is a very good choice. 
All of that said, I will add that I found myself spellbound and in awe of the manner in which Ms. Winters relayed the deep feelings that can hit a woman when she first recognizes herself as a lesbian. Never have I seen, heard or been able to express how deeply this discovery can cut through a woman's life, and her own understanding of self. 
So, I would recommend this book for a number of reasons - a deeper understanding of what self-knowledge can create within a woman - a light-read - a walk down memory lane. 
Until next time...
- Therese Jansen LesbianWorlds.Com (March 2003)

It’s 1972 and the flower-power movement is on the brink of winding down. But college senior Erin "Skylon" O'Fallon still holds strong beliefs against both the Vietnam War and the suppression of individual rights by the establishment. With friends from her commune, she demonstrates against the "oppressors" and is arrested by a surprisingly gentle policewoman. Officer Carol Johnson doesn't fit the "pig" stereotype Erin has taken for granted. The cop treats her like a human being and expresses an interest in what motivates the student to support her cause so vigorously. When they are thrown together again at a later protest, Carol literally saves Erin's life and the women make sincere efforts to understand the opposing philosophies that drive them both. A cautious friendship grows from curiosity to attraction to love, and each must face the repercussions of that intimacy in their separate lives. Can a flower child relinquish some of her anti-establishment views without losing her commune's allegiance? Can a female cop withstand the discrimination of the police "brotherhood," or must she sacrifice her career to remain with the woman she loves? Wrenching decisions ensue, and the reader gets caught up in the emotional turmoil the women undergo in their quest for common ground on which to build a life together. 
In One Belief Away, author CN Winters delivers a provocative tale of two women whose conflicting ideals threaten to stymie their growing love. Her powerful narrative scrutinizes prejudice in the broad arena of politics and in the narrower arena of gender preference. As it shadows real-life events in the history of human rights in America, One Belief Away challenges readers to question the validity of bigotry in any form. 
—Nann Dunne
Editor, JustAboutWrite.com (Feb. 2003)