2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Racism by Proxy

Racism by Proxy by Johnny Townsend

Racism is a white person's problem and Townsend – gay, ex-Mormon, social justice warrior in the very best sense – tackles it head-on – along with all the lies and disinformation foisted on humanity to keep the folks at the top of the food chain in control. Anybody who sneers at Boomers; for indifference should read this book (as should anyone who thinks Christopher Columbus was a hero.)

https://amzn.to/31vWkjc

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Protective Behavior (Bad Behavior #5)

Protective Behavior (Bad Behavior #5) by L.A. Witt & Cari Z.

Top-notch contemporary thriller, intelligent protagonists who use their brains as well as their passions. A new author to watch for!

https://amzn.to/31sThbJ

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Aftermath (Vino and Veritas)

Aftermath (Vino and Veritas) by L.A. Witt

A great realistic approach to issues of chronic pain, rebuilding a life after injury, and also of child custody - and the difficulty of regaining self-worth when your world falls apart. This book kept me reading and caring about the main characters.

https://amzn.to/3EjTWKG

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Fade Out (Boystown #13)

Fade Out (Boystown #13) by Marshall Thornton

This story completes the saga of Nick Nowak, ex-cop, private detective, gay man in Chicago as HIV makes its inroads on the community. The ending of this book wasn't any of the ones I expected, and yet it feels right. There is the feeling of a weight lifted, and hope, and that's all we can ask for our favorite book heroes.

https://amzn.to/3lBCHgu

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Year of the Rat (Dom Reilly Mysteries #1)

Year of the Rat (Dom Reilly Mysteries #1) by Marshall Thornton

It took me a bit of time to connect with Dom, but that was true of the Nick Nowak stories too, so I wasn't worried. And sure enough, about halfway in, this story grabbed me and I stayed up late to finish it. (And was glad I did, with a satisfying but not too tied-in-a-bow ending.)

https://amzn.to/31scTMX

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Snowflakes and Song Lyrics (A Williamsville Inn Story)

Snowflakes and Song Lyrics (A Williamsville Inn Story) by Hank Edwards

Will and Rex's romance is a delight to read. The story has great pacing with good humor, and a satisfying HEA. It is wonderful to read a story with diverse body types and how that could affect a person's confidence.

https://amzn.to/31pmKTK

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Redemption (Men of Hidden Creek #6)

Redemption (Men of Hidden Creek #6) by E. Davies

Chad and Jasper are good for each other. They are both coming out of bad spots in their lives and help each other when they need it most. Redemption has good story structure, character development and gives a satisfying HEA.

https://amzn.to/330enP9

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Must Love Demons (Magic Emporium #6)

Must Love Demons (Magic Emporium #6) by Meghan Maslow

Nico and Flame have good tension and they have a great opposites attract romance within a mystery. The world has great development alongside the characters and is thoroughly enjoyable. All the little adds of creatures and people in the world make for a rich background.

https://amzn.to/3ptQ8QM

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Geoffrey the Very Strange

Geoffrey the Very Strange by Angel Martinez

Apsic and Geoffrey are perfect for each other. Geoffrey, his family, and the town, give a place of acceptance that Aspic has been searching for and needs. Aspic gives Geoffrey the confidence to be who is and love himself and open himself back to others after shutting himself off for so long. The world and town are a joy and expertly built to enhance the reader experience. The secondary characters are rich and add to the appeal of the story and we get some trademark Martinez uniqueness to problem-solving and using things in unexpected ways. Martinez understands fantasy, and she developed a great fantasy world, but she also turned expected tropes on their heads and made it even better.

https://amzn.to/3ptSijg

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: A Fine Mess (Brimstone #7)

A Fine Mess (Brimstone #7) by Angel Martinez

The finish to the Brimstone series is excellent. All the loose storylines come together and get a payout. We get the answers we've wanted for this found family and they get the ending they deserve. This is a strong ending to a fun and wild series, with laughs and serious moments for us to enjoy this crew.

https://amzn.to/3omexsf