2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Beauty and Cruelty by Meredith Katz (209-07-26-2016)

1) I don't often call a book brilliant anymore. This one, however, deserves it. The summary seems to promise a funny, light-hearted little story about fairy tale characters, a little meta-fiction so to speak. And it is that, yes, but it's also so much more. It's a story that asks big questions, about truth and identity, choices and change. And it's so incredibly well-written, you don't even notice what is happening until you find yourself thinking about it, about the characters' answers and about your own. At the same time, the plot never becomes heavy or weighted down but flows smoothly from chapter to chapter to chapter. Technically solid, entertaining, thought-provoking, this is what I'd call Literature with a capital L. And it's the author's first published novel. I'm so going to buy her next one.)

2) An incredibly clever, insightful, well-crafted story of startling originality. A pleasure to read from start to finish.

Beauty and Cruelty by Meredith Katz
Lesbian Fantasy Romance
Paperback: 236 pages
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (October 29, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1620046873
ISBN-13: 978-1620046876
Amazon: Beauty and Cruelty
Amazon Kindle: Beauty and Cruelty

Cruelty, once an evil fairy and now working in fast food, comes home one day to find the lazy, drooling King of Cats on her doorstep. Worse, he comes bearing news Cruelty would be happier not hearing: Sleeping Beauty has gotten tired of lying around and is trying to save the world Cruelty left long ago. Any respectable Archetype knows it's a waste of time; their chances of survival are much better if they can hide in the human world. But since nobody sent her an invitation to the world-saving, she's practically obligated to interfere.

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

2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Tracefinder: Changes by Kaje Harper (321-08-26-2016)

A solid entry in this series, as intriguing and enjoyable as the first.

Tracefinder: Changes (Tracefinder #2) by Kaje Harper
Gay Mystery / Thriller
Publication Date: August 3, 2016
Amazon Kindle: Tracefinder: Changes (Tracefinder #2)

Brian can Find a lost child or a wanted criminal, but when his secret gets out, even Nick’s skills and connections may not be enough to keep them safe.

Brian Kerr is now free of his dangerous boss and his domineering brother. He’s eager to start using his psychic Finding talent to help people, if he can figure out how to do that safely. His dyslexia, and his tendency to act simpleminded under stress, make building his new life a daunting challenge. And while his not-quite-boyfriend, Nick, is willing to support him, in bed and out of it, Brian doesn’t want to lean on Nick. If their relationship is going anywhere, he has to be a full partner and handle his own problems.

Nick Rugo’s walking a tightrope instead of settling into the ordinary cop’s life he’d hoped for. He’s hiding too many things from too many people. He has told professional and unprofessional lies that will come back to haunt him. Now, with Brian determined to start Finding again, he’s not sure he can protect the man he cares for. If all that wasn’t enough to make him start punching walls, he also has a suspicion that Brian’s brother Damon and sister Lori may be out there, lurking, ready to complicate their lives.

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

2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: To Terminator, With Love by Wes Kennedy (222-07-26-2016)

1) This was a quirky, yet surprisingly fun read. Dexter Wu, the genius at MIT created a gentle robot he ironically calls HAL. And Dexter falls into a plot that seems it's equal parts Men in Black, Minority Report, Alice in Wonderland, and standard Rom-Com. There were many twists and turns that made this story predicable and not predictable at the same time. This lends itself to a sequel (as all good movies seem to spawn); and I hope it is just a funny and quirky as the original.

2) Had me hooked with the first line… I will read this book again and see what else this author has to offer.

3) An impressive debut. With a writing style reminiscent of Douglas Adams, I was highly entertained and drawn forward by Kennedy's story.

To Terminator, With Love by Wes Kennedy
Bisexual Sci-fi / Futuristic
Paperback: 164 pages
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (March 25, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1620047470
ISBN-13: 978-1620047477
Amazon: To Terminator, With Love
Amazon Kindle: To Terminator, With Love

Dexter Wu's life is hectic, but he's managing--mostly. He's on the verge of finishing grad school, and that means putting the final touches on his number one project: HAL, a social robot and children's storytelling companion. But his best friend is leaving the country for good, his birthday's coming up, he's swamped with studying for finals, and he hasn't slept in days.

He's also going to destroy the world.

At least, his robot is, according to the possibly untrustworthy Agency, an organization whose mission is to protect the world at all costs. After his birthday party turns into a fight for his life, Dexter's simple life of fast food and Netflix binges is replaced by a glitchy oracle, the world's douchiest secret agents, and an ever-increasing chain of conspiracies.With the help of Andre, a mysterious and disenchanted young agent turned rogue, Dexter sets out to plead his case to the Director in an effort to get his life back to what counts as normal--but he should know by now nothing is ever so easy.

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

2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Avian Emperor by Pelaam (332-08-26-2016)

Great characters, great story, fast paced, funny and well written.

The Avian Emperor by Pelaam
Gay Sci-fi / Futuristic
Publisher: Evernight Publishing (August 15, 2016)
Amazon Kindle: The Avian Emperor

Pinkerton man Bram McCabe likes to work alone. But when a madman titling himself the Avian Emperor threatens the world's skies, he's forced to work with an English team already on the case.

Things go from bad to worse for Bram when he takes more than a professional interest in Vyvian—a man with a secretive past. Each man dances around the other, hiding their true feelings, knowing they live in very different worlds.

The Avian Emperor is as cunning and lethal as he is intelligent and when he kidnaps Vyvian, Bram holds the key to finding him. Bram will do anything it takes to rescue Vyvian. But is he willing to unlock his own inner secrets?

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

2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Unguarded by Lou Kelly (339-08-28-2016)

1) There was nothing about this book that wasn't pretty much perfect. Perfect grammar and editing. The story arc was crafted to happen naturally instead of forced. Each character was easily distinguishable and had a unique voice. And the ending was very satisfying.

2) Nice Romance. Hot, steamy couple. Great performance. Heath, a rock star, sees himself in a gay sex scandal. His previous manager, Miles, had taken control in everything about Heath's career, including his life and sex life, and unbeknown to Heath, he'd taken videos while having sex. The video was leaked then threats of more videos started coming in when Miles saw himself fired. I loved Chloe (Derick's sister and Heath's newer manager), and Derick's friend/business partner Bart made me laugh with his antics. They own B&B Security and Chloe asks Derick to be a bodyguard to Heath after the scandal came out and threats and a home invasion. Well written, funny at times. Overall, I really enjoyed this one.

Unguarded by Lou Kelly
Gay Contemporary Romance
Paperback: 302 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (July 6, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1535216867
ISBN-13: 978-1535216869
Amazon: Unguarded
Amazon Kinlde: Unguarded

If Bodyguard, Derick Britt, can make it through Afghanistan, he should be able to handle guarding rock star Heath MacFayden. But when obstinate and out of control Heath makes headlines for being outed in a gay sex scandal, the situation spirals. Fans clash with protesters; a stalker threatens Heath’s life; and the media drags Derick into Heath’s sex scandal. Through the chaos, Derick finds his professionalism compromised as he discovers the vulnerable man Heath is underneath his rock star persona. Derick can handle being front page news, but can he handle his growing feelings for Heath? Rock stars aren’t supposed to wake up every morning wanting to crawl under a rock, but Heath MacFayden’s world is unraveling. After having his private sex life exposed for the entire world to see, his upcoming U.S. tour is in jeopardy, and he can’t leave his house without being mobbed by reporters. After breaking free from a damaging relationship, Heath finds himself with no one he can trust. Derick Britt is exactly Heath’s type – but the last thing Heath needs is another alpha male telling him what to do, not matter how tempting it may be to lean on someone strong. Heath is determined to guard his heart, but with Derick around that might not be possible. Unguarded is a full-length, stand-alone novel with NO cliff hanger, but lots of steamy sex, salacious scandals, and sizzling suspense.

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

2016 Rainbow Awards Cover Contest

This year all the covers will remain in the poll till the end. BUT I will push your competitive profile letting you know, week by week which covers are in the top 10 :-) this week there are 11 since there is a tie-in. AND... Everyone has a second vote! yes, I will delete only the triple and more votes, not the doubles, therefore go and vote again if you have already. At today we have 15.576 valid votes in total. And continue to vote until the end nothing has been written out! http://www.elisarolle.com/rainbowawards/covers.php

2016 Rainbow Awards: Paralian: Not Just Transgender by Liam Klenk (398-09-05-2016)

1) I really do like reading books like this… I find them simply fascinating.

2) I finally got through Paralian: Not Just Transgender by Liam Klenk Don't take that as I hated the book. He is one heckuva writer, but it felt a little like a Thanksgiving feast. Every morsel was delicious, but it was way too much all at once. This is an example where I think the concept of "Show. Don't tell" went too far. Still, he has led a fascinating life, he writes very well, and I would truly like to meet the man. I think Liam has woven an absolutely amazing bolt of cloth, but he needs help (perhaps a good editor) selecting "patterns" (I think there's more than one book here) that will turn that bolt of cloth into something that will actually be marketable and useful to different audiences. I think also that the manuscript, as is, needs to be preserved historically. His tale has amazing importance in its social context.

Paralian: Not Just Transgender by Liam Klenk
Transgender Biography / Memoir
Paperback: 456 pages
Publisher: Troubador Publishing (May 1, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1785891200
ISBN-13: 978-1785891205
Amazon: Paralian: Not Just Transgender
Amazon Kindle: Paralian: Not Just Transgender

Definition: Paralian - Ancient Greek meaning 'one who lives by the sea'. Paralian is a memoir narrated through the author's relationship to water. We follow Liam Klenk's tumultuous journey to find his authentic self and happiness against more than a lifetime's worth of adversities. At five months old, Liam was adopted from an orphanage and ushered into a unique journey, which introduced him to the characters that would become both the currents that moved him and the rocks that supported him. Liam, who lives in Zurich with his wife, says: "At three years old I began catching odd glances because I was born in a girl's body yet began to introduce myself to people as a boy." Paralian tells the remarkable story of an honest, and at times, challenging life, and offers insight and wisdom from a fluid position - from experience. Liam reveals how exploring the world helped him find a home inside his own body and spirit. Through this ultimately heartwarming and inspiring story, readers learn how Liam never gave up, faced his fears, and always managed to find positivity in each trauma. Written with an engaging sense of humour, this memoir of transcendence and finding oneself will appeal to those who enjoy true stories of courage, resilience, and dedication in the face of adversity. Paralian celebrates life with infectious strength and positivity. Follow Liam's journey from a small river in Germany to the biggest performance pool in the world, from Switzerland to the US, the Maldives to Macau.

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