2016 Rainbow Awards: Puppet Boy by Christian Baines (313-08-25-2016)

Puppet Boy by Christian Baines
Bisexual Contemporary General Fiction
Paperback: 314 pages
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books (November 16, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1626395101
ISBN-13: 978-1626395107
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A school in turmoil over its senior play, a sly career as a teenage gigolo, an unpredictable girlfriend with damage of her own, and a dangerous housebreaker tied up downstairs. Any of these would make a great plot for budding filmmaker Eric's first movie. Unfortunately, they're his real life. When Julien, a handsome wannabe actor, transfers to Eric's class, he's a distraction, a rival, and one complication too many. Yet Eric can't stop thinking about him. Helped by Eric's girlfriend, Mary, they embark on a project that dangerously crosses the line between filmmaking and reality. As the boys become close, Eric soon wants to cross other lines entirely. Does Julien feel the same way, or is Eric being used on the gleefully twisted path to fame?

Rainbow Awards Guidelines: http://www.elisarolle.com/rainbowawards/rainbow_awards_2016.html

2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Imperfection of Swans by Brandon Witt (020-02-25-2016)

There are honestly no words to describe the real, raw, and ultimately beautiful emotions I experienced reading this book. The real: the vulnerability, the strength, the reality of eating disorders, the love of the family we choose and who chooses us. The raw: the feelings of not measuring up, either Kevin or Casper, to themselves, for each other, to family and friends, the reality that one may not actually live to see his dreams realized, the facts that pain can be a minute by minute agony, whether physical, spiritual, emotional. The beautiful: the love expressed throughout the book, the fact that life does not have to be perfect to be gloriously beautiful, and the reality that while one may still struggle, lifelong, with problems, and those problems may not be ever solved, it is imperfectly beautiful. When one loves and allows love to see them, broken and all.

The Imperfection of Swans by Brandon Witt
Gay Contemporary General Fiction
Paperback: 284 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (January 18, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1634768167
ISBN-13: 978-1634768160
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Kevin Bivanti’s dream is to open a wedding dress shop, a place with the stunning gowns to make every bride-to-be feel adored. At thirty-eight, he quits a successful advertising career to buy an old brownstone in a trendy Boston neighborhood and to make his dream a reality. When one of his cosigners drops out, fate intervenes, ushering in Casper James, who hopes to open his own bakery. With Casper willing to take the risk, their ambitions meld into a wedding dress and wedding cake boutique.

Extensive renovations to the brownstone, an affair with his ex-husband, family drama with his mothers, and the anxiety of significant life changes push Kevin to the brink of a nervous breakdown. In the midst of stress and uncertainty, Casper becomes more than a business partner, a mutual attraction that adds another layer of intensity and risk.

With their dreams on the verge of reality, Kevin and Casper must find the courage to face the stress of managing their attraction, the gamble of a new business venture, and the resurgence of Kevin’s personal demons.

Rainbow Awards Guidelines: http://www.elisarolle.com/rainbowawards/rainbow_awards_2016.html

2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Between Ghosts by Garrett Leigh (119-06-03-2016)

A realistic portrayal of life ‘on the frontline’. I loved everything about this story – the characters are authentic, the dialogue is natural, and the narrative flows smoothly. I greatly appreciate the author’s respectful portrayal of Nat’s bisexuality. The sex is very well done, the attraction between the main characters is tangible. It’s all wonderful – one of those stories I’m gutted is over.

Between Ghosts by Garrett Leigh
Bisexual Contemporary Romance
Paperback: 214 pages
Publisher: Riptide Publishing (November 19, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1626493529
ISBN-13: 978-1626493520
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In 2003, journalist Connor Regan marched through London to add his voice to a million others, decrying the imminent invasion of Iraq. Eight months later, his brother, James, was killed in action in Mosul.

Three years on, Connor finds himself bound for Iraq to embed with an elite SAS team. He sets his boots on the ground looking for closure and solace—anything to ease the pain of his brother’s death. Instead he finds Sergeant Nathan Thompson.

Nat Thompson is a veteran commander, hardened by years of combat and haunted by the loss of his best friend. Being lumbered with a civilian is a hassle Nat doesn’t need, and he vows to do nothing more than keep the hapless hack from harm’s way.

But Connor proves far from hapless, and too compelling to ignore for long. He walks straight through the steel wall Nat’s built around his heart, and when their mission puts him in mortal danger, Nat must lay old ghosts to rest and fight to the death for the only man he’s ever truly loved.

Rainbow Awards Guidelines: http://www.elisarolle.com/rainbowawards/rainbow_awards_2016.html