2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Hallelujah

Hallelujah by Kim Fielding & F.E. Feeley Jr.

Top marks to the authors for the smooth writing style and keeping me constantly on edge.

https://amzn.to/3rAP6Fv

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Hitman vs Hitman

Hitman vs Hitman by L.A. Witt & Cari Z.

This is a dark story with characters that are a little on the rough side so if that is a problem for you, you may want to skip this book. On the other hand if you love characters that make no excuses for who they are and a mystery that will keep you guessing then i recommend you pick this book up. I already have book two on my reader and can't wait to start it.

https://amzn.to/3rFikmn

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Other Girls Like Me

Other Girls Like Me by Stephanie Davies

I find this almost identical to the hundreds of other very well-written lesbian coming-of-age books (the cover is all wrong, Davies is the older end of my own generation, and I'm pushing 70) -- but it's a high number because it covers a lot of politically sensitive ground that younger bi-lez women may not be aware of.

https://amzn.to/3xUJrLy

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Hair Balls (Balls to the Wall)

Hair Balls (Balls to the Wall) by Tara Lain

I Love, Love, Love reading Tara Lain's books. They always give me so many good feels and leave me super content. There's everything to like about the MCs and the secondary characters in this story. You betcha I'd recommend for anyone who wants a good feel tale.

https://amzn.to/3GiG8kd

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Summoned (Magus Malefica #1)

Summoned (Magus Malefica #1) by J.P. Jackson

I love these characters! The main folks all have distinct, nuanced motivations, which is most welcome and makes for a much more interesting story. I especially appreciate that the villain is not exactly a villain, though he does villainous, bigoted things in the name of love. I adore the vastness of the magical world being built here; there is so much to unpack and I would gladly visit again. Punctuation and grammatical errors make the read a touch difficult, but the author counters with good setting and atmosphere building. I really fell into this world. I particularly liked the character development of Cam: he comes so far in such unexpected directions. Well done!

https://amzn.to/3rAIyGR

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Silver Medalist

The Silver Medalist by T.J. Blackley

I enjoyed this alot. I give it full marks.

https://amzn.to/3Ghm41M

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Dig Two Graves

Dig Two Graves (The Man Who Loved Cole Flores and The Man Who Hated Ned O'Leary) by K.A. Merikan

The slow burn and rich development of the characters and plot made this novel epic in my opinion. It’s quite lengthy but every chapter moves and builds and envelops the reader in a time and place of the past. I didn’t want to put it down as I had to devour whatever would happen next to the problematic heroes. The multidimensional characters were expertly portrayed and not a single one—not even a minor side character— felt flat. I was immersed in the world and enjoyed every moment.

https://amzn.to/3lFwPmt

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Awakening (Dungeon Guards #1)

The Awakening (Dungeon Guards #1) by Dusk Peterson

This was the sort of book that had me wondering what on earth was I reading and kept me wondering what we going on. It was also a challenging read, nothing was predictable and I felt my brain had a good workout with this book. I couldn't race through the story quickly. I will certainly be looking for more like this from the author.

https://amzn.to/3ppCWMS

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Foxhunt

Foxhunt by Rem Wigmore

A beautifully written fantasy story that transported me into a different world with great rich details delivered in just the right way to give me enough information and keep me reading to find out more.

https://amzn.to/3rDf1fC

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

Entity (A StarStation Novel) by Toshi Drake

This book drew me in and kept me hooked from start to finish. I enjoyed the writing style and the many intriguing aspects of the horror science fiction story. It was one of the best books I've read this year.

https://amzn.to/3IlwsHB

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Penumbra

Penumbra by Dan Ackerman

I enjoyed finding out about the social hierarchy in this society that teetered on the edge of disaster. Chapter after chapter kept me on the edge of my seat waiting for a revolution. A thoroughly good read.

https://amzn.to/3IoxMcQ

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Dig Two Graves

Dig Two Graves (The Man Who Loved Cole Flores and The Man Who Hated Ned O'Leary) by K.A. Merikan

Love has many peaks and valleys and in the Wild West they are more dangerous, gritty, and hard-won than anywhere else in America. Cole and Ned’s journey toward reconciliation and a happy ending takes many detours and is frequently in doubt, but strong writing and a firm grasp on the story keep the reader page-turning until the end.

https://amzn.to/3lGmZRv

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Love Factor

The Love Factor by Quinn Ivins

Oh, this is what a debut looks like by Quinn Ivins? By all means well done! This romance is set at the brink of freedom for gay people in the late 90s – young students are coming more and more out, others who group up in the closet still practice silence. A silence which comes at great cost personally. The author does an extremely good job to capture this historic moment: an out grad student age 30 and her professor age 39. Been there done that: in a misogynistic, sexist environment it was indeed a great achievement to succeed, most lesbians wouldn’t risk coming out and get strike two against them which in many cases would have been a strike out. Very well done – although there are a few possible ahistoric references (trans woman were by no means casually regarded as woman, to ask a lesbian whether she is a lesbian or bisexual was offensive, since acceptance of bisexuality was not really there and I think yoga moms with strollers is more recent than the late 90s) – it shows how far we have come in two decades. I loved that there a two female mathematicians – yeah! The story is well done, the plot and pace appropriate and I really like – because it’s true to the characters and the times that the love story was very low key until it could come out of the closet too with a big roar.

https://amzn.to/3lCLZJj

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Envoy's Honor (Chronicles of Tournai #8)

The Envoy's Honor (Chronicles of Tournai #8) by Antonia Aquilante

Wonderful fantasy world building and characters. The author weaves reality into an alternate world of magic and dragons, and course, love. Kirill and Griffen, and indeed all the characters involved in this slow burn romance are well drawn and likeable and deserve their HEA.

https://amzn.to/3IouLJq

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Constant (The Valespian Pact #3)

Constant (The Valespian Pact #3) by Lexi Ander

I have had the pleasure of reading all the books in this Valespian series - Constant, not only fill in the gaps left over from the previous too books, it also re-enforce Lexi Anders skill as a fantastic world builder. The character in this third book are fully formed - you either love them or hate them. The multi-laying of the personalities was a very pleasing thing to watch develop. The world building was phenomenal. the fact this entire series leaned into the space opera aspect and fleshed it out properly out was an added bonus for me. I wont be forgetting this book, these character, or this author anytime soon. Very pleased to have found this series.

https://amzn.to/3lDvzR4