2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Forever Theirs (Mistress #3)

Forever Theirs (Mistress #3) by Anna Stone

Woo, wow, and whoa! Hot women in a poly power-exchange had me excited from page one, which had me feeling cautious, worried it couldn't maintain my glee, but Graf just kept feeding (and exceeding) those expectations. I adored this! My only complaint is that we had to say goodbye.

https://amzn.to/31mWglq

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Far Away

Far Away by Bryan T. Clark

This is a book that I couldn't put down. It was really well written and developed.

https://amzn.to/3dbi9XB

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Wildfire (Sons of Olympus #1)

Wildfire (Sons of Olympus #1) by W.M. Fawkes & Sam Burns

The book was off to a slow start and rather abrupt transition from mundane to magical, but I truly enjoyed it. It took a while, but I grew to like the characters and became comfortable with their rendition of gods in a modern world.

https://amzn.to/3d9DdxV

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Chaos in Milan (Night Flyer Trilogy #3)

Chaos in Milan (Night Flyer Trilogy #3) by Edale Lane

This book, as the third in the trilogy, is given the task of bringing together a very complex and extended plot, and it does so beautifully. The setting is lush, the intrigue is entertaining, and the characters are constant—in their passions and in their determination to succeed. The historical details are fantastic, too.

https://amzn.to/32IBJIM

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Stranger Things: Rebel Robin

Stranger Things: Rebel Robin by A.R. Capetta

Even though I’m not a Stranger Things fan, and am not familiar with the characters, this story worked for me really well as a lesbian coming of age story. It was sweet but true to life, and really captured the 1980s high school experience well. I enjoyed it a lot, and wish there had been stories like this when I was that age…

https://amzn.to/3rv9o3e

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The First Age (The Secret Histories #1)

The First Age (The Secret Histories #1) by Arshad Ahsanuddin

I really believe this was a mixture of Fantasy and Sci-Fi, complete with magicians, healers, telepathic messages, demons (who act very close to Vampires) and the Age of Light vs. Darkness. It was as if I was dropped into the middle of a medieval + futuristic world, and could observe the characters at play with growing fascination. It was well-written, and I will look forward to the second book in the series.

https://amzn.to/2ZMkKnZ

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: To Target the Heart

To Target the Heart (A Tale of Two Princes: Hamish and Darshan #1) by Aldrea Alien

This fantasy novel brings together two princes of different realms, in a setting that effectively blends a romantic version of medieval Scotland with magic, a few elves and dwarves, and far off lands. Hamish isn't the heir, but his mother the Queen is set on him marrying and producing children, despite knowing he's gay. Under her ruthless attempts to make him bend to her will, he's deeply unhappy, despite his love for the rest of his family. Darshan arrives from a very different, decadent and magic-using kingdom, sent on a trade ambassadorship by his ruling father. When they meet, the attraction is rapid, and sweet, but under the rule of a despotic queen, it's neither easy nor safe. The two face adventures, risk, and a range of family on the way to a satisfying HFN. This is a long book but never drags, and I immediately began the next one.

https://amzn.to/3EjYUHe

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Corpses and Cognac (Deadly Drinks #2)

Corpses and Cognac (Deadly Drinks #2) by Dorian Graves

I really enjoyed this book!! The elements of superbeings, humans, huldra, supernatural, transgender, Fae, involving two brothers? The book moved quickly and I want to read the first one & the (hopeful) next one in the series.

https://amzn.to/3luHFvv

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Murder in the Big Easy (Wildeblood Coalition #1)

Murder in the Big Easy (Wildeblood Coalition #1) by Jules Monroe

This was a frustrating book to rate because it was, in parts, so wonderful and showed so much promise. The dialogue was astoundingly good, reflecting subtle nuances about the class, education, and gender of its mainly Black characters. About the setting: it veered from fabulous to head-scratching. Monroe captures snowball flavors, shanties, shotgun houses, and other details marvelously but then makes gaffes that are sure to puzzle anyone familiar with New Orleans. There is no sandy river beach, for instance. The premise of a murdered child seized the imagination immediately, but the plot lost steam midway and meandered. The book would benefit from a ruthless blue pencil, tightening the plot and reducing the page count. Still, there is no question that Monroe is an extremely talented writer with a bright future.

https://amzn.to/3IdgHSX

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Wrong Number, Right Woman

Wrong Number, Right Woman by Jae

This book put Jae back on track for sure. The plot was interesting, the chemistry between the protagonists was evident and it was interesting enough to not feel like the plot was unnecessarily dragged. I particularly enjoyed that the characters were actually interesting in their own rights even beside the romantic plot and relationship. Good book and a fun read!

https://amzn.to/3DdP2gP