Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Nudging Fate by E.J. Russell

Nudging Fate (Dreamspun Beyond Book 20)

"This story by E.J.Russell had me entertained from start to finish. Filled with humor and a lively imagination, the author transported me to a land filled with fairies, elves, ogres, gnomes all caught up in preparations for the Fairy Queen's son, Rey, to choose a consort and accept the coronation ring. Anders Skuldsson known as Andy is in charge of this epic, unaware that Rey's twin brother Conall is actually standing in for Rey who is off having a grand old time in Vegas. To say havoc ensues is putting it mildly, and the result is hilarious. I laughed out loud several times and if I have one complaint it's only that I could have gone on reading so much more of these characters' antics. An easy 40 pt score from me."

"This book was very cute. The characters were extremely well rounded and I loved them so much. I was on the edge of my seat at times and couldn't wait to get back to my book. It has been a while since I was so excited to find time to read."

An Enchanted Occasions Story

Not exactly a match made in Valhalla.

Half-norn event planner Anders Skuldsson is under strict orders from Asgard not to meddle with Fate. But with Enchanted Occasions’ latest booking—a competition for the hand of Faerie’s one true prince—crashing around his ears, it’s really difficult to toe that particular line. But if Andy pretends to be a contender for the prince…. It’s only temporary, so Odin can’t blame him. Right?

Conall of Odstone’s half-brother, Prince Reyner, was supposed to choose a mate before being crowned and wed. But the idiot left Con to impersonate him. Again.

When Con meets Andy, his anger turns to desire… and despair. Even if Andy forgives him for his imposture, how could someone eligible for a prince’s hand settle for the court outcast? And the double-deception isn’t their only obstacle. Unless Andy makes the right choice, their fates could be sealed by…well… Fate.

Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The River City Chronicles by J. Scott Coatsworth

The River City Chronicles

"I absolutely loved The River City Chronicles. The author acknowledges Armistead Maupin in the Foreword, but truthfully, I loved this book way more than Maupin. I figured out fairly early on where some of the plot points were headed, but it didn't matter. It was just lovely to be immersed in this world. If only this was 'book 1' then I could visit again and again."

A group of strangers meets at Ragazzi, an Italian restaurant, for a cooking lesson that will change them all. They quickly become intertwined in each other's lives, and a bit of magic touches each of them.

Meet Dave, the consultant who lost his partner; Matteo and Diego, the couple who run the restaurant; recently-widowed Carmelina; Marcos, a web designer getting too old for hook-ups; Ben, a trans author writing the Great American Novel; teenager Marissa, kicked out for being bi; and Sam and Brad, a May-September couple who would never have gotten together without a little magic of their own.

Everyone in the River City has a secret, and sooner or later secrets always come out.