2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Scorpion's Empress by Yoshiyuki Ly (374-09-02-2016)

Awesome read. Loved the entire storyline. Kept my interest throughout, couldn't put it down. Unique storyline and an author who knows how to paint a picture, felt like I was right in the scenes as I was reading them. Totally loved the well developed characters in this story, especially Raj.

The Scorpion's Empress by Yoshiyuki Ly
Lesbian Erotic Romance
Paperback: 186 pages
Publisher: Solstice Publishing (May 31, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1625263805
ISBN-13: 978-1625263803
Amazon: The Scorpion's Empress
Amazon Kindle: The Scorpion's Empress

After years of serving a corrupt government, Ser Videl, an idealistic paladin, learns that her younger sister is tangled in a dark scheme against Raj Mangala, the compassionate yet troubled empress of the city’s oppressed lowtown; the two women meet and are deeply drawn to one another, finding a shared sanctuary in their violently-divided city. Videl’s loving devotion is just what Raj craves, but Raj is wary of letting her guard down while protecting her throne. Determined to prove her worth, Videl chases after Raj and works to unravel the mystery of the plots against the empress. Raj wants Videl to serve her emotional and sexual needs, and the two explore a meaningful relationship of dominance and submission that delves fully into their deepest wants. When the conspiracy against Raj comes to a head, Videl’s loyalties are tested when she is forced to choose between her past and her empress.

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

2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Last Enemy by Christian Beck (397-09-05-2016)

I really enjoyed this book. Not my usual read but the blurb intrigued me. Fast paced. Well rounded characters. Looking forward to reading the sequel.

The Last Enemy (Agents of Influence #1) by Christian Beck
Gay Mystery / Thriller
Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: DSP Publications (July 5, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1632168022
ISBN-13: 978-1632168023
Amazon: The Last Enemy (Agents of Influence #1)
Amazon Kindle: The Last Enemy (Agents of Influence #1)

"An Agents of Influence Book "

Highly decorated Delta Force operator and Iraq war hero Simon Monk loses everything when his romantic partner defects to Beijing after being caught selling US secrets to Chinese Intelligence. Monk is drummed out of the Army from the blowback but gets a second chance at a career when he is recruited into a covert group within the CIA.

Years later Monk s latest assignment sends him to Cairo, where the head of station has disappeared amid a highly publicized sex scandal. But things are not what they seem. When the base chief turns up dead and the Egyptian government looks the other way, Monk and his team hunt down the assassin.

All roads lead to a ruthless and lethal cult from Egypt s ancient past who discard every unwritten rule of espionage to win. Monk is forced to take to the shadows to find and destroy his most dangerous adversaries yet, as a chain of events threatens to ignite war in the Middle East. "

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

2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Resistance by Lillian Francis (411-09-14-2016)

The best was the setting. I felt small-town England seen through a Muslim's eyes. Great. Next best was the character development. Nice to have a practicing Muslim paired up with a Brit.

Resistance (Village Love #1) by Lillian Francis
Gay Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Finally Love Press (July 5, 2016)
Amazon Kindle: Resistance (Village Love #1)

How long can you wait on a promise?

After his first night with Mal, Rick broke the habit of a lifetime and invited the sexy radiographer to spend the weekend in the sleepy English village he called home. Rick isn’t in denial but he’s afraid to reveal his sexuality in the close-knit community that has known him since he was a babe in arms.

The sex is amazing but equally Mal loves lazy days spent in the garden at Slopy Bottom, and every precious moment he spends with Rick. For Mal the village quickly becomes an oasis of peace, far from the noise and grime of life in London, a slice of tranquillity with Rick at the heart. But Mal has defied his family and his religion to be true to himself, and there is no way can he join Rick in his self-built closet, no matter how comfortable it is...

Rick is afraid revealing the true nature of his relationship with Mal will change the way his neighbours see him. He adores these people, this village, and he can’t face the thought of losing everything over who he chooses to sleep with. When the alternative is giving up a man who has slotted perfectly into his life—a man who he might just love—it’s no choice at all. But, knowing what has to be done isn’t always as easy as putting it into practice.

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

2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Lone Star on a Cowboy Heart (417-09-16-2016)

I started with mixed feelings as I ve never read before a book categorized from beginning as asexual and was prepared to be disappointed. Well, I wasn’t. The rhythm seemed a bit stunted but after a few pages it was obvious it fit the book and the old western feeling of it. This book is complicated from romantic and sexual points of view though apparently very simple and straightforward. It portrays the fluidity of human sexuality, the ways it’s different from person to person and sometimes different during a lifetime and with different partners involved. It’s not a book that everybody would enjoy, but it is different and interesting and I, for sure enjoyed it. A good debut story and I’ll be adding this author to my “to watch” list.

Lone Star on a Cowboy Heart by Marie S. Crosswell
Asexual Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (July 25, 2016)
Amazon Kindle: Lone Star on a Cowboy Heart

Sam, a sheriff's deputy in a small Arizona town, is off-duty when he finds himself in the middle of a hold-up at a local diner. He makes it out alive only because of Montgomery, who shoots the robber attempting to kill Sam—but in the fallout, the second robber gets away.

In the aftermath of that ugly night, Sam is determined to know Montgomery better, while Montgomery is determined to find the man who escaped. He's also dead set on avoiding the deputy, having secrets of his own he doesn't want out.

But loneliness is hard, and Montgomery can't resist the companionship Sam is offering—the companionship he's always wanted, but could never find. If they're going to explore it, however, first they'll have to stop the growing threat of the robber who got away...

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

2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Washing of Brains by Johnny Townsend (194-07-21-2016)

1) A lovely writing style, and each story was full of unique, engaging characters. I was drawn in right away and had a hard time putting it down!

2) Bizarre collection of mostly ex-Mormon stories that some may find hard to believe. Informative and at the same time immensely entertaining.

The Washing of Brains by Johnny Townsend
Gay Anthology / Collection / Contemporary General Fiction
Paperback: 276 pages
Publisher: Booklocker.com (August 1, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1634915828
ISBN-13: 978-1634915823
Amazon: The Washing of Brains

A world-weary man becomes a widower for the third time. A budding feminist tries to make a political statement by giving birth to her "illegitimate" son in church just before Mother's Day. Missionaries in Rome try to prevent a terrorist bombing. The Prophet devises a plan to reverse global warming. A Salt Lake bishop is overwhelmed by his congregants' secrets. An unhappy bartender reminisces about the affair he had with his mission president in Paris.

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