2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Keeping Kellan (Keeping Him #2)

Keeping Kellan (Keeping Him #2) by Amy Aislin

This was an enjoyable read, following a traditional formula. But not quite. Brant and Kellan live happily ever after, but they don't get everything they want. Better: They realize that sometimes you have to let go of old dreams--in Brant's case, the saving of his childhood ballpark--to realize better, present-day ones. Amy Aislin is a master at making a setting come alive on the page. Amy's settings are just that--backdrops against which the action takes place. Yet the action could not happen without this backdrop. The setting slips in unobtrusively, like a supporting character. I now want to live in British Columbia.

https://amzn.to/2XDc9mt

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Finding Faith: When you're lost, Wynter will find you

Finding Faith: When you're lost, Wynter will find you. (Wynter Series #1) by Kim Pritekel

Well written story, with various layers. The settings were well fleshed out. Interesting how it unfolded. The author writes to invest you in every page.

https://amzn.to/3vPZOIp

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Consorts of the Red King

Consorts of the Red King by Eden Winters

The world building in this story is fabulous, and the characters multilayered and interesting. I liked how they were flawed, yet fitted together so well. I particularly liked how Jorvik developed as a character from someone with a sheltered background to becoming the king his people needed, whatever the cost. I thought the way around that cost was nicely done. The scenes with Jorvik, Tayn, and Van together are sweet. I liked the side characters of Connell and Stone too. Although there is a relationship at the heart of the story, the plot drives it, and is wonderfully complex and political. The ending with its clever way to give all three men what and who they need was a perfect HFN, with the hint of further adventures to come.

https://amzn.to/2XBCXmX