2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Winter Ball by Amy Lane (327-08-26-2016)

1) Amy's voice--her characters--are always spot-on. Loved the notion of this being "Cinderella from the prince's perspective"--because Skipper is definitely a prince (although I'm not sure how Richie would feel being called a princess…)

2) This was a sweet book. I enjoyed Amy's writing style and characters. The end fell a little flat for me, but overall it was an enjoyable holiday read.

Winter Ball by Amy Lane
Gay Romantic Comedy
Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 25, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1623807972
ISBN-13: 978-1623807979
Amazon: Winter Ball
Amazon Kindle: Winter Ball

Through a miserable adolescence and a lonely adulthood, Skipper Keith has dreamed of nothing but family. The closest he gets is the rec league soccer team he coaches after work―and his star player and best friend, Richie Scoggins.

One brisk night in late October, a postpractice convo in Richie’s car turns into a sexual encounter neither of them expected―nor want to forget. Soon Skip and Richie are living for the weekends and their winter league soccer games―and the games they enjoy off the field. Through broken noses, holiday decorating, and the killer flu, they learn more about each other than they ever dreamed possible. Every new discovery takes them further beyond the boundaries of the soccer field and into the infinite possibilities of the best relationship of Skipper’s life.

Skipper can’t dream of a better family than Richie―but Richie’s got real family entanglements he can’t shake off. Skipper needs to convince Richie to stay with him beyond winter ball so the relationship they started on the field might become their happy future in real life!

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

2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The World As He Sees It by A.M. Arthur (394-09-05-2016)

I cannot say enough good things about this book. It sucked me in, held me tight and didn’t let go, like the best of lovers. Tristan is an amazing character, so bright and hopeful even in the midst of his despair about his memory. And Gabe is the warm and loving protector who doesn’t care about Tristan’s disability, only who Tristan is. The book is an amazing journey into the life of someone with a memory disability and how such a person can find love. It is the best book I’ve read this year.

The World As He Sees It (Perspectives) by A.M. Arthur
Gay Contemporary Romance
Paperback: 280 pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing (October 20, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1619231964
ISBN-13: 978-1619231962
Amazon: The World As He Sees It (Perspectives)
Amazon Kindle: The World As He Sees It (Perspectives)

Love knows no limits...but fear could keep them from seeing it. Perspectives, Book 2 Gabe lives a double life. As Gabriel Henson, he works multiple jobs to support his remorseless, alcoholic mother. As Tony Ryder, he does internet porn for extra cash and regular safe sex without complications. Yet when he encounters a scared young man freaking out in a night club, he's compelled to reach out. Ever since then, the memory of that young man has haunted him. Tristan Lavelle lives his life thirty minutes at a time. After a traumatic brain injury three years ago, he gets through his day recording his life in spiral notebooks and sticky note reminders. A month after Tristan's embarrassingly public meltdown, another chance meeting with Gabe sparks a warm, emotionally fulfilling email relationship. Both men crave more, but fear of the next step stands between them. Until Tristan gets the opportunity to take part in a clinical trial that could improve his memory-if the side effects don't kill him. But for Tristan, the possibility of a real life with Gabe is worth any risk... Warning: Contains two damaged but lovable heroes, secret-keeping friends with good intentions, and an abundance of inappropriate food innuendo.

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