2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Entity (A StarStation Novel)

Entity (A StarStation Novel) by Toshi Drake

This series is now on my 'stalk the author until they release the next book' list. I particularly loved the characters and the setting.

https://amzn.to/3DtkgS1

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Born Daddy (Command & Care #2)

Born Daddy (Command & Care #2) by Morticia Knight

Born Daddy is a book where you need time to concentrate. I needed time to process the story arc and get invested with the main characters' trauma. It is so worth the time. I'd recommend the book to everyone.

https://amzn.to/3Dtux0T

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Barely Regal

Barely Regal by E. Davies

It's a sweetheart of a story with a gorgeous plot. I cheered on Wren as he grew and developed and Thom was exactly what he needed. Lovely story.

https://amzn.to/3DwBoGF

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Penetration Test (The Phisher King #3)

Penetration Test (The Phisher King #3) by Clancy Nacht & Thursday Euclid

This book stands alone reasonably well. Unlike the first two books, this one focuses on Sam, a trans guy who's made a very successful career in the FBI by being excellent at what he does, which has so far all been on the tech/computer side. But he's a fit, active guy and willing to dive in when assigned along with Agent Crawford to go undercover in an intolerant gated community, investigating the disappearance of a gay couple. At first, Sam assumes Crawford is the typical cis, het, bro type of agent he usually steers clear of. But Crawford has secrets, vulnerabilities, and more in common than Sam realizes. I enjoyed the characters, the plot, and (as a cis ally) felt the trans rep was well done.

https://amzn.to/3qONEyP

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Dandy Medium

The Dandy Medium by Dez Schwartz

This falls under gothic and gaslamp romance, I think. Both genres I like. There's some lengthy narrations here and there, especially some infodumps at the start of the book, and occasionally some of the wording, phrases, and capitalizations were a tad odd, but these were so minor gripes that I have virtually nothing negative to say. Man, this is such a good damn book. The setting's intriguing but not force-fed to us, the pacing is swift enough to keep interest levels high, and the writing is on-point and still descriptive enough to leave lasting impressions. Though I personally would have loved more sensual scenes between Alfie and Sebastian, I expect more will come in the next installments. Can't wait! As is, this book hits the bulls-eye for me.

https://amzn.to/3cqQfXa