2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Quillon’s Covert (335-08-28-2016)

1) Wow! What a story this turned out to be. Although in many people's eyes, this is quite a big taboo, this story is well written and sexy as all get-out. The eroticism is quite strong with Marty, the son, developing strong feeling toward his father. Feelings that, as years go by, are returned. The story starts when Marty is 14 yo. For two weeks each year, Mary and his father go to the family cabin. This is where the story develops. There, they spend their time naked, talking about life, about Marty's tormentors at school because of his stuttering, and, once Marty is of age, the sex begins. I loved both these characters, the caring the Martin, the father, has for his son. Well done, well written. I'd love to read more from these authors.

2) Even though the subject matter is taboo for some, a very good read.  The characters draw you in .  Look forward to reading more from these 2 authors.

Quillon’s Covert by Joseph Lance Tonlet & Louis Stevens
Gay Erotic Romance
Paperback: 186 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition (December 1, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1519399847
ISBN-13: 978-1519399847
Amazon: Quillon’s Covert

Martin is a guy’s guy, one who enjoys the simple things in life: baseball games with his son, family days, barbecues, and date nights with his lovely wife.

Once a year for two weeks, Martin takes his son, Marty, to Quillon’s Covert, a rustic family cabin secluded in the beautiful California mountains. Since before those long days of learning to play ball, Marty has loved his dad, but as Marty matures, Martin starts to see something else settle in his son’s uncertain gaze. What’s there lingers a little more than it should, and it seems far more appraising than it once was.

As Marty shows every sign of taking the lead, Martin is faced with the tough choices most parents never see: lose his son by being a father, or try to balance what’s best for their relationship by being something… more.

But with another trip to Quillon’s Covert on the horizon, has the point of no return already begun?

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

2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Moment of Silence by Karen Stivali (299-08-21-2016)

Nicely done story. The drawing together of the decisions each main character is faced with holidays and family issues was compelling. It was a great read.

Moment of Silence (Moments In Time #4) by Karen Stivali
Gay Contemporary Romance
Paperback: 230 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 18, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1623808979
ISBN-13: 978-1623808976
Amazon: Moment of Silence (Moments In Time #4)
Amazon Kindle: Moment of Silence (Moments In Time #4)

A Moments In Time Novel

Growing up, Jason Stern led a charmed life complete with devoted sisters, a father who was one of Brooklyn’s most respected rabbis, and a mother who made the world's best babka. He headed to NYU ready for anything―except falling for the wrong guy, coming out, and getting disowned by his once-loving family. In spite of that, Jason managed to graduate with honors. He's got friends who treat him like family, and he's proudly running the largest LGBTQ teen shelter in Manhattan. Life is good, but he's still falling for the wrong men.

When charming, sexy Quinn Fitzpatrick begins work at the shelter, Jason falls hard and fast. Quinn is tall, blond, funny―damn near perfect. Only if Quinn’s gay, even he doesn't seem to know it. If he does, he's not telling anyone. And he's about one ceremony away from becoming a Catholic priest.

Long hours of work turn to long nights of talking and laughter, and Jason dares to hope this time he's falling for the right guy. But Quinn's got a past to deal with and major decisions to make about his future. When Quinn leaves for a silent retreat, Jason knows the silence may change everything.

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

2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Whither Thou Goest by Tinnean (84-04-16-2016)

I enjoyed this story, and it reminded me of the Fay Wray King Kong movies. Interesting layered characters - it's the first time I've read a story with different perspectives all told from 1st person POV, and I thought the author pulled that off really well.

Whither Thou Goest (Finding Home #2) by Tinnean
Gay Alternative Universe/Reality
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (April 8, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1634769856
ISBN-13: 978-1634769853
Amazon: Whither Thou Goest (Finding Home #2)
Amazon Kindle: Whither Thou Goest (Finding Home #2)

"Finding Home: Book Two "

Johnny Smith meets Church Chetwood during the dark days of the Great Depression. He knows Mr. Chetwood can t be his forever. Why would the handsome and charming director want to stay with a young man who has nothing but his body and skills in bed to offer? His Mr. Chetwood can have any woman or man he wants, but Johnny is going to keep him as long as he can.

When they have to leave suddenly on the SS August Moon to evade the process servers trying to find Church, Johnny is glad they ll have more time together. But the crew rises up against the good Captain Johansen, urged on by a stowaway who wants the August Moon for himself. Johnny and Church, together with the captain, the cook, a wireless operator, and the little girl Johnny saved from prostitution, are cast off into a small lifeboat and doomed to the open sea. Their other option is to try to land on the island where Church once discovered a saber-toothed tiger. The problem is, the last time Church was on this island, twelve men paid the price with their lives. Will Johnny, Church, and their friends make it out alive this time? "

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

2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Highland Hearts by J.P. Bowie (190-07-21-2016)

I enjoyed the way in which the author unfolded both parts of the story. The characters were interesting, the MCs worked well together, and the hint of paranormal was just enough to let the MCs and the reader drew their own conclusions - perfect. It was easy to visualise the settings especially the house which was really a character in its own right. Very easy to read, flowing writing style.

Highland Hearts by J.P. Bowie
Gay Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Pride Publishing (July 12, 2016)
Amazon Kindle: Highland Hearts

Callum Robertson has inherited his grandfather’s mansion in northern Scotland, but the house comes with a history he knew nothing about—should he be thrilled, or feel threatened as the house seems to lure him in?

When Callum Robertson first sees the old Scottish country mansion his grandfather bequeathed him, his immediate instinct is to sell the antiquated pile for whatever he can get for it—admittedly not much in a downturned market. Then he meets Craig MacPherson, a local farmer with auburn curls and sparkling gray eyes, and suddenly the gloomy old house doesn’t look quite the white elephant it first appeared to be.

Craig tells Callum that it’s rumored the house is haunted but by what or whom no one seems to know. Books flying off shelves then being mysteriously replaced give Callum pause to reconsider his rejection of the idea of an actual ghost haunting the place. When he finds a journal relating to the history of his family, he is, by turn, intrigued then fascinated as the saga unfolds through the writings of his ancestors.

An encounter with what he feels must be the spirit of his great-great-great-uncle Alistair makes him change his mind not only about selling the house, but also about his future with Craig.

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

2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Nobody’s Son by Shae Connor (303-08-22-2016)

This is a wonderful story about Shaun and Conrad (or "Con"). Shaun is raised by his Gran, who is the most important person in Shaun's life until he meets Con. Shae Connor writes a beautiful tale involving family dynamics, a long lost father who appears in Shaun's life to complicate things and a love story between Shaun and Con. Although the story of the long lost father and the impact on Shaun seemed a little predictable, the book doesn't falter in displaying the emotional impact that undergoes as Shaun struggles hide and then weigh telling the truth to his grandmother. Great read!

Nobody’s Son (Sons #3) by Shae Connor
Gay Contemporary Romance
Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (November 16, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 162380969X
ISBN-13: 978-1623809690
Amazon: Nobody’s Son (Sons #3)
Amazon Kindle: Nobody’s Son (Sons #3)

Who wouldn’t want a nice cup of tall, dark, and gorgeous? Shaun Rogers does. He's working at the front desk of a clothing-optional gay resort when Conrad “Con” Brooks walks in. The sweet, funny, and smart IT guy is there to install a new network and security system, and sparks fly between the two men from the start. Trouble is, Shaun’s hiding his sexuality from his grandmother, the only family he has left, and that makes him reluctant to take the leap with Con.

Then a man claiming to be Shaun’s absent father shows up out of nowhere, throwing Shaun completely off balance. His life spiraling toward chaos, Shaun soon discovers that his “father” is hiding secrets of his own. When things come to a head between them, it’s Con who comes to Shaun’s rescue―but the incident could force Shaun into a decision he’s not sure he’s ready to make.

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

2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Alexey Dyed in Red by A.M. Valenza (208-07-26-2016)

This, for me, was written as a fairy tail with self discovery. I enjoyed reading about Alexey, and the safety of his place. The author starts to peel back the layers of Alexey; transforming from him a happy, almost child-like man, to a man who is happy in the decisions he makes and lives well within this own skin.

Alexey Dyed in Red (The Zhakieve Chronicles #1) by A.M. Valenza
Asexual Fantasy
Series: The Zhakieve Chronicles
Paperback: 198 pages
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (August 30, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1620046296
ISBN-13: 978-1620046296
Amazon: Alexey Dyed in Red (The Zhakieve Chronicles #1)
Amazon Kindle: Alexey Dyed in Red (The Zhakieve Chronicles #1)

A century has passed since warlock Alexey arrived in Kalinstad, chased across the ocean and dying from fever. His memories of what brought him to such a state were lost; since then he passed his days quietly, buried deep in the snowy mountains in a place rarely visited by outsiders. His life of peace is brought to a sudden halt with the arrival of two Darkrow, sent by the Blue Emperor to unravel a mystery they will not explain. More than mere Darkrow, they are demons, dangerous and cold, but also beautiful and fascinating in the way they touch and cling and silently watch. When they offer Alexey a chance to become a Darkrow, he accepts—and his whole world falls apart.

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