2017 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Standing Stones: The Chronicles of Caymin

1) I was captivated from the moment the brother carked it in the opening scenes. And didn’t stop reading until the book was finished. Though for the life of me I wish they could use normal everyday names, but then it probably wouldn’t be the same story.
2) Caren Werlinger continues her magical storytelling in this third book of the Dragonmage Saga. Werlinger is a master of mood, a hugely skillful director of pace and dialog and a rare artisan of the dual talents of characterization and world building. The Best of the Best.

The Standing Stones: The Chronicles of Caymin (The Dragonmage Saga #3) Caren J. Werlinger
Lesbian - Fantasy
Series: The Dragonmage Saga
Paperback: 348 pages
Publisher: Corgyn Publishing (June 1, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0998217905
ISBN-13: 978-0998217901
Amazon: The Standing Stones: The Chronicles of Caymin (The Dragonmage Saga #3) Caren J. Werlinger

Caymin and Péist, the young dragonmage and dragon who helped to end the last dragon war, have returned from that conflict longing only for peace. But peace is not to be found. Éire is on the brink of being torn asunder as Christians battle pagans, raiders from the north attack the coast, and their enemies—the power-hungry dragonmage and dragon they fought in the otherworld—have escaped from their prison. Caymin and Péist are the only ones who can thwart them but, in order to do so, they’ll have to do the unthinkable—bring all of the dragons and their mages back to this realm. The dragons can only be summoned and controlled by one who holds the Méarógfola—the Bloodstone. The problem is, the Bloodstone hasn’t been seen since it was stolen a thousand winters ago. In a race through time, Caymin and Péist will have to go back through the Portal, back a thousand winters, back to set in motion everything that must unfold as it was meant to. Finding the Méarógfola is only the beginning of their challenges. Old factions among the dragons make them as difficult to control as the human clans. Destroying the Bloodstone is the only way to end this once and for all, but there are those who will do anything, anything, to get their hands on it.

2017 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Dog Biscuits (Underdogs #6) Geonn Cannon

1) I think I’ll more than likely go and read more books in this series, because this book was a good read. I looked at the cover and thought No way, but it proved me wrong.

Dog Biscuits (Underdogs #6) Geonn Cannon
Lesbian - Mystery / Thriller
File Size: 648 KB
Print Length: 184 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Supposed Crimes (July 1, 2017)
Publication Date: July 1, 2017
Amazon: Dog Biscuits (Underdogs #6) Geonn Cannon

Ari is currently working for Gilles Girard & Moreau on a probationary basis, and her next assignment has piqued Dale's interest: Seattle is finally getting a hockey team! The owner, a client of the firm, asks her to do a background check on the players who will make up the roster to ensure there are no nasty scandals waiting to be uncovered. Ari follows the new recruits while Dale digs into their pasts.

The first few targets don't show up any red flags, but any hope of an easy case is destroyed when she and Dale are the victims of a sudden, unprovoked attack.

Certain that the attack is related to the hockey team, Ari redoubles her efforts to find out which player is behind it and what they're hiding. Determined to find the truth, she also knows she has to proceed with caution. Hockey can be a brutal sport, and its players can be even more dangerous off the ice.

Dogs of War, #3 of this series, won a Rainbow Award and a Golden Crown Literary Society award.

2017 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Conquest: Kai's Story (The Four Horsemen #1) Kaden Shay

1) I usually don't like books written in first person, but this one was pretty good. I found myself getting absorbed into the lives of the characters.

Conquest: Kai's Story (The Four Horsemen #1) Kaden Shay
Lesbian - Sci-Fi / Futuristic
Paperback
Publisher: Supposed Crimes, LLC (December 1, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 194459129X
ISBN-13: 978-1944591298
Amazon: Conquest: Kai's Story (The Four Horsemen #1) Kaden Shay

In the late 24th century, life seemed to be going well for the human population of Earth. War, famine, debt, and disease had been eradicated and a new era of peace and discovery was ushered in. However, as history has taught us over and over again, there is rarely a rise without a corresponding fall.

When a new technology which brought free, clean energy to all of mankind failed, the planet and its human population suffered great loss. With most of the people once inhabiting the planet dead or dying, a new time of human rose to the place of survival: the Regen. Able to use the deadly radiation leaked into Earth's flora, fauna, and atmosphere as a healing agent, the Regens constantly regenerate their cell structure. The result is a lack of radiation-caused disease and lengthened lifespans.

However, each and every human being must have its opposite and for the Regens this meant the Purists. Average humans who were somehow immune to radiation poisoning and other effects. Taking up their side against the Regens and labeling them evil, a new era of struggle, powerplays, and fighting dawned.

Follow four Regen Resistance Generals in their quest to be named as equals to the Purists. Each General, giving a nickname by the Purist leaders, represents one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Meet Kai, known by her enemies as Conquest, in this first installment of a set of four novels.

2017 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Point Two Max Ellendale

1)I liked the characters in this story, and the way the story evolved as the book went on. I will definitely re read the book in the near future just to see what I missed the first time around.

Point Two Max Ellendale
Lesbian - Mystery / Thriller
Paperback: 413 pages
Publisher: Independently published (May 17, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1520477228
ISBN-13: 978-1520477220
Amazon: Point Two Max Ellendale

The case is reopened... "I can't believe this shit is happening again. Four Point's dead and yet, everyone I care about is unsafe. Again. Brody's gone, Maggie's hurt, and now Ben and I have to fix everything ourselves. This time, I'll be the one watching..."

2017 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Drama Queens and Devilish Schemes (Actors and Angels #3)

1) Okay, at first I wasn’t sure I liked it, but it kind of grew on me, and I know I’ll read it again and will eventually go and read more in the series to see where everything started.

Drama Queens and Devilish Schemes (Actors and Angels #3) Kevin Klehr
Gay - Alternative Universe/Reality
Series: Actors and Angels (Book 3)
Paperback
Publisher: Ninestar Press, LLC (June 19, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1947139266
ISBN-13: 978-1947139268
Amazon: Drama Queens and Devilish Schemes (Actors and Angels #3) Kevin Klehr

Adam is dead, but that's not his only problem. His husband, Wade, is still alive and sleeping with losers. His guardian angel, Guy, has grown fond of the liquor cabinet. And Adam suspects his demise was the result of foul play.

Meanwhile, in the depths of the Afterlife, the devil forces Adam to put on a play for the sinners. If he fails to entertain them, Guy's parents will spend eternity in the Underworld.

As he gambles with the freedom of the damned angels, Adam comes to terms with infidelity, friendship, and the reason why he was the victim of a double murder.