Friends To Lovers by D.H. Starr & Sedonia Guillone

A collection of three novellas, all of them dealing with the theme of friends with benefits, or better from friends to lovers, as the title suggests.

I know it’s bad to have a favorite in a class ;-) but indeed I have one, and it’s the first novella “It Was Always You”, about two long-time friends who were always too shy to confess each other love, or better one was shy and the other was not ready. Caleb and Kevin were the gay kids at school, but Caleb was nerdy and wallflower and instead Kevin was exuberant and always in the middle of life, whatever life was. Despite their difference they moved their friendship from youth to adulthood, and Caleb was always there for Kevin, pining after the man without having the courage to confess his love. And now Kevin has called telling him he is in love with another man and he wants for Caleb to meet him.

I have to say, don't even think I fell for it: it was clear Kevin had something in mind and that was what made me reconsider him and winning point for this novella to be my favorite of the three.

The second one, “Blind Love”, about 18th century samurai, was almost a fairy tale, even if there wasn’t any fantasy element. It was very refined, with a delicate them, almost if the author was dealing with fragile feelings, although into strong bodies. What impressed me more was, more than the two men, the reaction of the others to them: take Hirata’s father, he wasn’t really worried or upset that Hirata was following his heart and search for his love, Sho, a man, but more than he was leaving his future in his father’s dojo. It was apparently more important their differences in social status, than their equality in sex.

And finally there was “Skating For Gold”, about Olympic skaters. Here the sport theme led me to imagine a story with a grandeur sense, and instead it was almost cozy and familiar, maybe since Lance and Devon are country boys, living in a farm. Sure there was the fighting hard for your dream theme so common to these stories, but all in all, this was more a small town romance than some in the public spotlight story.

Amazon Kindle: Friends to Lovers
Publisher: Ai Press (October 27, 2012)

Reading List: http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle

2013 Rainbow Awards Submission: Vaughn & Xanakas - The Party Boy's Guide to Dating a Geek

The Party Boy's Guide to Dating a Geek by Piper Vaughn and Xara X Xanakas
Paperback: 274 pages
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (September 17, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1620040808
ISBN-13: 978-1620040805
Amazon: The Party Boy's Guide to Dating a Geek
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Ashley Byrne only wants one thing in life: to finish his tattoo apprenticeship and fulfill his dream of owning his own shop. In the meantime, he spends his nights partying, flirting, and having sex. After all, what else is there for him to worry about? Aside from his hair and his clothes, not much. He's hot, and rest assured no one knows it better than him. He's also used to getting what he wants-until he meets Felipe Navarro. Fee Navarro has everything he needs: a great IT job, a nice apartment, and all the high-tech toys his geeky heart could ever want. He doesn't do casual, and he knows guys like Ash are nothing but. Ash may burn hot for Fee, but Fee isn't willing to take a chance on a vain, little party boy with too many tats and an oversized ego. He wants someone to share his life with, and he won't settle for anything less. Too bad Ash has never been the type to give up easily. He has a plan, and he's not stopping until he proves he's more than just a pretty face-he's someone worthy of winning Fee's heart.

2013 Rainbow Awards Submission: A.F. Henley - Inflori

Înflori by A F Henley
Paperback: 186 pages
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (December 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1620040824
ISBN-13: 978-1620040829
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Dustin gave up on being worthy of anyone's affections a long time ago, drowning his problems in substance abuse and meaningless encounters. He has learned it's better to avoid love altogether than risk the inevitable moment when it all comes crashing down. Nicolæ has neither eyesight nor excess, but he does have a wealth of family and intuition. He is nothing that Dustin would have anticipated in a potential lover, but the more Dustin discovers, the more he finds himself willing to accept the risk - even if his conscience and the people in his life keep warning him away.

2013 Rainbow Awards Submission: Talya Andor - A Cut Above the Rest

A Cut Above the Rest by Talya Andor
ISBN: 9781620041918
Word count: 42,000
Pairing: M/M
Book 1 of the Appetite series

Alex always had it easy growing up, indulged by loving, but busy parents as he flitted from one interest to another without settling. Then he discovered the world of fine dining and became determined to be a chef capable of producing such magnificent meals. Despite the doubts of a father who limited his funds, and the difficulties of leaving Germany to live in the United States, Alex stuck to his new goal and graduated the Culinary Institute of America.

Fresh out of school, he is eager to begin work at the restaurant owned by a good friend of his father's, a restaurant well known for the beautiful, innovative meals its chefs create. He is primed to join the ranks of those masterful chefs—until the day he starts, and learns that he is nothing more than kitchen lackey, lower in rank than even the dishwashers.

Worse, his boss is none other than Nik, the beautiful, infuriating, highly talented classmate that Alex could never best—or resist.

2013 Rainbow Awards Submission: Isabella Carter - A Shadow of a Dream

A Shadow of a Dream by Isabella Carter
Paperback: 306 pages
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (February 20, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 162004031X
ISBN-13: 978-1620040317
Amazon: A Shadow of a Dream
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Solving a murder is never an easy matter, even when circumstances are ideal. For Basil, circumstances are far from ideal. Because the murder is far more complicated than at first it seems, and before he can even begin to solve it Basil must contend with a council that refuses to listen to him, a partner he despises, and a thief who is a temptation that Basil cannot seem to resist …

2013 Rainbow Awards Submission: E.A. Clarke - Bite Your Tongue

Bite Your Tongue by E.A. Clarke
Paperback: 188 pages
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (December 19, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1620040913
ISBN-13: 978-1620040911
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Returning home after a decade away to collect the inheritance left to him by his famous mother, Jude does not expect to actually attend her funeral-his family has always preferred him out of sight, out of mind. The very last person he expects to encounter is Connor, an old lover. Now a priest, Connor is stuck in the middle of an ugly scandal that is only one of several problems facing them as they struggle to hold their lives together and rekindle an old flame.

2013 Rainbow Awards Submission: Samantha M. Derr - Private Dicks

Private Dicks: Undercovers edited by Samantha M Derr
Paperback: 426 pages
Publisher: Less Than Three Press LLC (October 2, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 162004028X
ISBN-13: 978-1620040287
Amazon: Private Dicks: Undercovers
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Temper by Siobhan Crosslin-Reese hates deception, but that's all his life has been since he was sent to investigate a wolf pack on clashing sets of orders. Keeping his lies separated is all that's keeping him alive, and it's a job that grows harder by the day-especially with the unexpected complications of the alpha he's investigating. The PI and the Rockstar by K-lee Klein-Mason is a detective. He's not flashy or hip and he doesn't have an office conducive to entertaining wealthy clients. But when made-of-money Durango and his gum-snapping daughter hire him to do surveillance on a popular rockstar named Jade Jonathan Lee, Mason's business world collides with his personal life, and the result is a mystery that must be solved. Glamour by Holly Rinna-White-When his little brother is kidnapped, Jason hires Erich, PI and long-time crush, to find him, terrified of what will happen if people learn his brother is unregistered psychic. But when Jason is kidnapped as well, he learns he and his brother are not the only ones keeping secrets. The Virginia Gentleman by Alison Bailey-When the Virginia Gentleman rides into town, it's a sure bet that trouble ain't far behind. He's quick on the draw, feared by all, and one sad little group of train robbers is about to find out why it's never wise to bet on trouble. The Royal Inquisitor by Megan Derr-Esmour is one the best Inquisitor's in the kingdom, but the penance bracelets on his wrist serve as constant reminder that once he was not a master of deception, but a victim. To solve his latest case, he must work alongside the liar who changed his life, and the love he learned too late was never real. Regarding the Detective's Companion by E.E. Ottoman-Jamie is desperate: he has no money, rent is coming due, and if he does do something soon he'll be forced back into a life of charity and pity. So when he is brought a case, Jamie takes it-even if it will mean lying to his client, manipulating the suspect and propelling himself into the middle of a plot involving murder and political intrigue. The Demon Bride by Isabella Carter-One dead body left at the door is more than enough, but after three are left on the stoop of his father's agency and no one else is willing to investigate, Quinton decides he'll just have to solve the mystery himself. Too Dangerous by Sasha L. Miller-Shi is good at what he does, no matter what his stupid ex thought. Danger comes with the territory, especially when that territory includes a special license to do select work for the government. But when the government needs him to fix something that defeated even their most elite, Shi learns that some situations are too much even for him.

2013 Rainbow Awards Submission: Megan Derr - Love You Like a Romance Novel

Love You Like a Romance Novel by Megan Derr
Paperback: 248 pages
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (January 9, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1620040964
ISBN-13: 978-1620040966
Amazon: Love You Like a Romance Novel
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Jet gave up everything to make it to the top of rock. On track to take over his family's business and wealth, he defied everyone to start at the bottom and work his way up to become drummer of one of the world's most popular bands, Forever and a Dai. And his family might have forgiven him if he hadn't taken his cousin Dai with him. Jason is everything Jet chose not to be: an obedient son, a powerful and respected lawyer, wealthy, established, and set to inherit the family kingdom. Dai's brother, and Jet's cousin, he is a constant reminder of everything Jet should be and is not. But everybody has secrets, and those secrets are all about to come out.

2013 Rainbow Awards Submission: Joann Lee - Broken Star

Broken Star by Joann Lee
Paperback: 228 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (January 16, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1481862715
ISBN-13: 978-1481862714
Amazon: Broken Star
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From the outside looking in, Lynn Feoras seemingly has everything a woman could desire. With numerous platinum selling CDs, lavish homes, and the ability to bring down the house with her powerful vocals, who could want for more?

Lynn.

Alexis Donatella is a jaded SVU officer who has no tolerance for the rich and famous. She has devoted her life to raising her daughter and to the Florida division of the Special Victims Unit. Venturing into a relationship is the furthest thing from her mind.

When Alexis and Lynn meet on the sandy beaches, sparks do not exactly fly, at least not for Alexis. When you add in a rambunctious child, a tragic secret from Lynn’s past, and obstacles no one could have foreseen, it makes for one frenzied summer.

In the midst of madness, is it possible for these two women to find love?

2013 Rainbow Awards Submission: Alex Kidwell - After the End

After the End by Alex Kidwell
Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (January 21, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1623803071
ISBN-13: 978-1623803070
Amazon: After the End
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After Quinn O'Malley loses his partner of ten years, Aaron, to cancer, he withdraws from everything. In a single tragic moment, he goes from an artist with a loving partner and a future to an uninspired comic book store owner who barely exists. He hides behind a shield of grief, refusing to let Aaron go. He feels guilty for even trying to imagine a life apart from what he'd had.

The charming party planner Quinn's best friend insists he meet on a blind date isn't someone he's ready for. Brady Banner walks into Quinn's small frozen world and turns everything upside down. For years, Quinn has focused on endings, but as Brady begins to thaw his existence, Quinn realizes that one moment can do more than stop a life-it can also start a new one.

2013 Rainbow Awards Submission: Lee Pulaski - An Eagle River Christmas

An Eagle River Christmas by Lee Pulaski
Paperback: 274 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (September 27, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1475234260
ISBN-13: 978-1475234268
Amazon: An Eagle River Christmas
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Rory Woodward thought he would never set foot in Eagle River again. He left years ago to get away from his family, the Redstones. Now, with word that his grandmother is dying, he must leave his peaceful life as an author in San Francisco to come home and pay his respects. To do so, though, he must confront an overbearing mother, a viciously greedy sister, and the rest of his kin, who are all eager to take the Redstone reputation for benevolence and shove it in the coffin with matriarch Winifred Redstone. Staber Montana never enjoyed the life of leisure the Redstones have. He has spent most of his life fending for himself while dealing with his drug-abusing, overpossessive mother and alcoholic brother. He has never kept a healthy relationship because his mother would scare away potential mates. More than anything, he wishes he could escape his life. Rory and Staber may come from two different lives and backgrounds while growing up in the same town, but their paths are about to cross at the most wonderful time of the year. They find themselves drawing closer, but they need to find a way to keep their overwhelming pasts at bay long enough to see if they can create their own Merry Christmas, perhaps the first of many.

2013 Rainbow Awards Submission: Jamie Fessenden - By That Sin Fell The Angels

By That Sin Fell the Angels by Jamie Fessenden
Paperback: 210 pages
Publisher: Itineris Press (August 29, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1613726996
ISBN-13: 978-1613726990
Amazon: By That Sin Fell the Angels
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Itineris Press, the best in quality GLBT faith-based fiction, is proud to offer By That Sin Fell the Angels by Jamie Fessenden.

It begins with a 3:00 a.m. telephone call. On one end is Terry Bachelder, a closeted teacher. On the other, the suicidal teenage son of the local preacher. When Terry fails to prevent disaster, grief rips the small town of Crystal Falls apart.

At the epicenter of the tragedy, seventeen-year-old Jonah Riverside tries to make sense of it all. Finding Daniel’s body leaves him struggling to balance his sexual identity with his faith, while his church, led by the Reverend Isaac Thompson, mounts a crusade to destroy Terry, whom Isaac believes corrupted his son and caused the boy to take his own life.

Having quietly crushed on his teacher for years, Jonah is determined to clear Terry’s name. That quest leads him to Eric Jacobs, Daniel’s true secret lover, and to get involved in Eric’s plan to shake up their small-minded town. Meanwhile, Rev. Thompson struggles to make peace between his religious convictions and the revelation of his son's homosexuality. If he can’t, he leaves the door open for the devil—and for a second tragedy to follow.

2013 Rainbow Awards Submission: James Erich - Dreams

Dreams of Fire and Gods: Dreams [Library Edition] by James Erich
Paperback: 252 pages
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press (December 15, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1623809169
ISBN-13: 978-1623809164
Amazon: Dreams of Fire and Gods: Dreams
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Library Edition

Dreams of Fire and Gods: Book One

A thousand years ago, two factions of gods, the Stronni and the Taaweh, nearly destroyed the Kingdom of Dasak by warring for the land and the frightened humans who lived there. Then suddenly the Taaweh vanished and the Stronni declared victory.

Now, as tensions escalate between the emperor and his regent, Vek Worlen, the vek's son, apprentice mage Sael dönz Menaük, finds himself allied with a homeless vagabond named Koreh. Together they flee the capital city and make their way across a hostile wilderness to the vek's keep, mere steps ahead of the emperor’s assassins.

But Koreh has dreams—dreams of the ancient Taaweh—and he knows the looming war between the emperor and the vek will be nothing compared to the war that is about to begin. The Taaweh are returning, and the war between the gods may destroy the kingdom once and for all.

2013 Rainbow Awards Submission: Dorien Grey - Dante's Circle

Dante's Circle by Dorien Grey
Paperback: 204 pages
Publisher: Zumaya Boundless
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1612710654
ISBN-13: 978-1612710655
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An Elliott Smith and John Mystery Book 4 Dante Benevetti is the darling of the music world...and why not? He's handsome, talented-and arrogant as only a man convinced of his own brilliance can be. As far as he's concerned, the rest of the world exists for his benefit. So, when he hears Dante is dead, a victim of murder, Elliott isn't really surprised. Nor is he surprised when Dante comes for a post-mortem visit, demanding Elliott find out who killed him. Was it the well-known lyricist who was the only one in the house at the time? The talented young musician whose work Dante plagiarized? Or some unknown the great pianist had mortally offended?

2013 Rainbow Awards Submission: George Seaton - Saving Skylar Hand

Saving Skylar Hand by George Seaton
Publisher: MLR Press (Dec 13, 2012)
Amazon Kindle: Saving Skylar Hand

Lifelong love of two boys growing up on the west-central Texas scrub, their lives entangled by the dynamic of families so starkly different.

Skylar Hand and Cody Pinnt share their lives upon the west-central Texas scrub. Both born to a cattle rancher's life, their view of the world and their place in it, takes one down a path toward heady dreams of a future away from the land. The other sees worth only in trudging his days, as his daddy has, upon the land; his dreams confined to what he has known his entire life. Their love is sorely tested by the choices they make.

Good thing it's the season for miracles.

2013 Rainbow Awards Submission: Elan Barnehama - Finding Bluefield

Finding Bluefield by Elan Barnehama
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books (September 18, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1602827443
ISBN-13: 978-1602827448
Amazon: Finding Bluefield
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When Barbara Phillips arrives in Bluefield, Virginia, to begin her medical residency, she thinks she is headed for an uneventful few years filled with work in an obscure little town where no one knows her—which is exactly what she wants.

Everything changes when she enters Nicky’s diner and begins a journey that will last a lifetime as she falls in love against her better judgment and best-laid plans. The free-spirited Nicky later attends the 1963 March on Washington and impulsively and anonymously sleeps with a man in hopes of getting pregnant and starting a family with Barbara. When Nicky gives birth to Paul, her sister steps in to adopt Paul for his own “protection.”

Nicky, Barbara, and Paul escape Bluefield and make a life in upstate New York, only returning to Bluefield years later upon hearing of the death of Nicky’s sister. As their journey comes full circle, Barbara, Paul, and Nicky find their return to Bluefield is the catalyst for facing family secrets and forging family ties.