Dec. 7th, 2021

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

When I read the blurb on Goodreads I was sort of leery about the story because of the religious part in it. But then thought, hey, Mr. Feeley co-authored it and I know, by reading a couple of his books, that he deals in the supernatural/horror genre. Plus, it also mentions demons, and that awoken my curiosity, so, Hiho, forward we go. Let's read this book. And Wow! It just blew my mind. I don't want to say much about it but if you like a fast pace, demons, chases, action, mystery, etc. in your stories, this one's for you. I highly recommend it. This was well written by two amazing authors who have never let me down in my expectations concerning their published works. Amazing!

https://amzn.to/31y09EA
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On Top of Glass: My Stories as a Queer Girl in Figure Skating by Karina Manta

I love a good Bio, and this one sucked you into the story. Like I was in a room talking with the author and she was telling me her life story. It was really good.

https://amzn.to/32Xo3K2
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A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee

This book was freaking awesome. I was drawn into the story from the very first page, and rivetted until the last. I’d definitely read more. I found it a bit morbid in parts, but I think that’s what made the story so interesting.

https://amzn.to/3GnyIfu
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The Man from Milwaukee by Rick R. Reed

One of the first thoughts to cross my mind on how to describe Mr. Reed's story is Mastermind, genius. Makes me wonder the amount of research the author has to do to be able to put on 'paper' the wonderful, derange, creepy, horrific stories he puts out. I'd go crazy! LOL This story in particular was done to perfection. If Mr. Reed's goal was to creep me out, Mission accomplished, Mr. Reed. Mission accomplished for this story really creep me out. The twists, especially toward the end, I wasn't expecting, and that is part of the 'mastermind' mentioned above. To have the reader believe in one thing to then learn that no, it's not what you've thought all along, is genius! For anyone who likes horror, intrigue, and the feeling of 'creeped out', this is for you. Highly recommended.

https://amzn.to/3pweQAd
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Stranger Things: Rebel Robin by A.R. Capetta

If you love Stranger Things or have a lot of '80s nostalgia, you'll love this story too. Robin is one of the most interesting characters in this universe, and this glimpse into her backstory fleshes out someone I always wanted to know more about.

https://amzn.to/3rKQbum
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Give Me Grace by Bethany A. Perry

This was a whirlwind with some fantastic ideas. Worth reading.

https://amzn.to/31DWfts
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A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It's beautifully written, intelligent, touching, spooky. It's insightful about what it's like to be a teenage intellectual, what it's like to struggle with mental illness, and how it feels to dip into the darker side of spirituality. All in all, a remarkable read.

https://amzn.to/3GlFcLV
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A Blind Eye by David Jackson Ambrose

I loved this book from the start and was hooked on the story for a number of reasons. The first thing that stood out was the wonderful writing that was both beautiful and gave you a real sense of the place and people without getting too bogged down in detail. And then there were the characters. I had to know more about them. As the story unfolded it didn't disappoint.

https://amzn.to/3IvG2re
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Truth to Light by Eddie Newton

A fantastic fast-paced urban fantasy story with a dose of horror and a trans main character: I loved it, and was one of my top reads of the year.

https://amzn.to/3DyXqYq
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A Leap of Faith by Mel Gough

For me, LEAP OF FAITH is another winner = 10 all around.

https://amzn.to/3Glv065
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Consorts of the Red King by Eden Winters

Riveting and vivid, I was only sorry the story ended. I was incredibly happy to find there was more to this series!

https://amzn.to/3dqrxqu
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Dare to Love by A.L. Brooks

Yeah, mature main characters (over 40)! A late coming out, wounded hearts, great secondary characters. A delicious slow burn romance with believable attraction.

https://amzn.to/31GQtaN
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Heart Failure by Chris Zett

The melting of the ice queen. Loved the two opposite attracts (or grumpy and sunshine) main characters as well as the secondary characters. Characters are well developed. The theme: The workaholic who got stopped is well convincingly done.

https://amzn.to/3ovHGRX
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Breathe by Cari Hunter

Romance with a very British “voice”, real and gritty. Flawed characters with banter and humor. A challenging but worth read.

https://amzn.to/3IvHji0
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The Lost Temple of Psiere (Mystery of the Makers #2) by K. Aten

The Lost Temple is a really fun light read for an afternoon of escapism. It's fast-paced and full of action, well written, and made me smile at times.

https://amzn.to/3orSIrf
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Children of the Stars by K. Aten

Children of the Stars was both a great idea for a story (like superman) and really well delivered. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it if you want your superheroes to be lesbian women.

https://amzn.to/3ouBuJM
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Submissions to the 2020-2021 Rainbow Awards ended on September 20, 2021, and below are the Eligible Categories and Submissions for this year:

Asexual Fiction and Romance
Amy Aislin - Keeping Casey (Keeping Him #1)
Amy Aislin - Shots on Goal (Stick Side #3)
Dusk Peterson - The Awakening (Dungeon Guards #1)
Geneva Vand - Roommates and Space Trees (Iska Universe #2)
John Patrick - Franklin in Paradise
K. Evan Coles & Brigham Vaughn - Straight Up (The Speakeasy #4)
Lisa Henry & Sarah Honey - Socially Orcward (Adventures in Aguillon #3)
W.M. Fawkes & Sam Burns  - Harvest Moon (Wolf Moon Rising #2)

Bisexual Contemporary General Fiction and Mystery / Thriller
Ava Kelly - Catch a Falling Snowflake (Snow Globes)
C.M. Harris - Maiden Leap
Grace Hudson - The Booker (Haunted House Horror)
Kathleen Jowitt - The Real World
V. Clifford - At Sea (A Viv Fraser Mystery #7)

Bisexual Contemporary Romance
Adrian J. Smith - Love Burns
Alyssa Rabil - Splinters of the heart
Amy Aislin - Gingerbread Mistletoe (Lighthouse Bay #2)
Amy Aislin - Keeping Kellan (Keeping Him #2)
Amy Aislin - Risking the Shot (Stick Side #4)
Ava Kelly - Snowdrop in a Storm (Snow Globes #3)
CJane Elliott - The Dancer's Dilemma (Campus Connections #3)
E.J. Russell - The Thomas Flair (A M/M Summer Games Romance)
G.B. Lindsey - Standard Candle
J.L. Merrow - Counter Culture
JC Calciano - Revenge of the Brobot (A Steam Room Story)
K. Evan Coles - Hooked On You
K. Evan Coles - Open Hearts (Stealing Hearts #3)
Katey Hawthorne - The Rise of Virginie
L.A. Witt - Aftermath (Vino and Veritas)
L.A. Witt - I Think We Missed Our Turn
L.A. Witt - Name From a Hat Trick
Lane Hayes - Following the Rules (The Script Club #1)
Lane Hayes - Out on the Ice (Out in College #5)
Lane Hayes - Starting From Scratch 
Lane Hayes - Starting From The Top
Lane Hayes - Stick to the Script (Ace's Wild Book 13)
Rebecca Raine - The Experiment
Richard Natale - Pigeon
Tanya Chris - #20DaysToLA
Tara Lain - Coaching the Nerd (Nerds vs Jocks)
Tia Fielding - Bar None (Hoppy Hare #1)

Bisexual Fantasy and Paranormal Romance
Adrian J. Smith - Eira (A lesbian fairytale retelling)
Antonia Aquilante - The Envoy's Honor (Chronicles of Tournai #8)
Antonia Aquilante - The Spymaster's Secret (Chronicles of Tournai #7)
Clancy Nacht & Thursday Euclid - Good as Hell
K.L. Noone - Frost & Raine
Kasia Bacon - When I First Saw Red (The Soldiers and Mercenaries)
Lexi Ander - Constant (The Valespian Pact #3)
R.A. Steffan - The Complete Dragon Mistress Collection (Eburosi Chronicles Bundles)

Bisexual Speculative Fiction
Bethany A. Perry - Give Me Grace
E.J. Russell - King’s Ex (Royal Powers II #1)
E.M. Hamill  - Peacemaker
R.A. Steffan - Master of Hounds (Master of Hounds #1)

Gay Alternative Universe/Reality
E.J. Russell - Duke the Hall
E.J. Russell - Duking It Out
Kevin Klehr - Winter Masquerade
Kyell Gold - Love Match volume 3 (2013-2015)
M.D. Neu - TAD
Tinnean - More, By All Mores (Strange, Strange World #5)

Gay Contemporary General Fiction and Humor
David Jackson Ambrose - A Blind Eye
Joe Cosentino - Drama Christmas (Nicky and Noah Mysteries #11)
Joe Cosentino - Drama Faerie (Nicky and Noah Mysteries #9)
Joe Cosentino - Drama Pan (Nicky and Noah Mysteries #12)
Rick R. Reed - The Q
Vincent Traughber Meis - The Mayor of Oak Street
Wendell Ricketts - What We Lost in the Fire and Other Stories

Gay Contemporary Romance
Alexandra Caluen - A Little Turn (Private Contracts)
Alexandra Caluen - Awake & Dreaming (The L.A. Stories)
Amy Aislin - Home for a Cowboy (Windsor, Wyoming #1)
Amy Tasukada - Finding Our Love (Aphrodite’s Castle Host Club)
Amy Tasukada - Year Three (Would it be Okay to Love You? #5)
Bryan T. Clark - Far Away
Bryan T. Clark - Gideon's Wish
Clancy Nacht & Thursday Euclid - His Fake Prison Daddy
E. Davies - Redemption (Men of Hidden Creek #6)
Eden Winters - Drifter
Emma Alcott - After the Crash (A Small Town Hearts Novel)
Emma Alcott - Bad Boy (A Masters of Romance Novel)
Fearne Hill - To Hold A Hidden Pearl (Rossingley #1)
G.B. Lindsey - Out With the Old
Hank Edwards - Snowflakes and Song Lyrics (A Williamsville Inn Story)
Jodi Payne & BA Tortuga - Keeping Promises
Johnny Townsend - Wake Up and Smell the Missionaries
K. Evan Coles - Healing Hearts (Stealing Hearts #2)
K.L. Noone - Seaworthy (Character Bleed Trilogy #1)
Ki Brightly - Bully Beatdown
Ki Brightly - Santa's Bratty Elf
Ki Brightly - Staking His Claim (City Hall Book #1)
Ki Brightly & M.D. Gregory  - Dirty Secret 
L.A. Witt - The Road Home
L.A. Witt - The Walls Between Hearts (A Las Palmas Fencing Club Story)
Laura Lascarso - A Madness Most Discreet
Laura Lascarso - A Soft Touch
Leigh Vining - Can't Erase You
Matt Burlingame - Last Romance
Mia Kerick - Born for Leaving (New England State of Mind #1)
Mia Kerick - Hide Your Love Away (IF I FELL #1)
Mia Kerick - Whatever He Needs
Pat Henshaw - Heart of the Holidays
Pat Henshaw - Making the Holidays Happy Again
Pat Henshaw - The Thaw
Pat Henshaw - When Heart Becomes Home
Rebecca Raine - The Harder We Fall
Rob Loveless - A Family Affair
S.J. Carter - Stupid Love
Slade James - Grumpy Bear (A Bear Camp Novel)
Susan Laine - How I Accidentally Slept With a Prince
Tara Lain - Hair Balls (Balls to the Wall)
Tia Fielding & Lisa Henry - Family Recipe
Tinnean - Always, Ben
Tinnean - The Best
Vinni George - Hold the Door (An Open Doors Novel)
Z. Allora - Not Another Boy Band
Zee Shine Storm - He Made Me Do It

Gay Erotic Romance and Erotica
Charley Descoteaux - Satin Sheets (Kink Awakenings #2)
E. Davies - Barely Regal
E. Davies - Exposed (Dom Nation #1)
Jodi Payne - Soft Limits (A Deviations Novel)
Jodi Payne and B.A. Tortuga - Breaking the Rules (The Triskelion Series #1)
L.A. Witt - Assist (Pucks & Rainbows #2)
L.A. Witt - Bryce (Gentlemen of the Emerald City #3)
L.A. Witt - Cole (Gentlemen of the Emerald City #2)
L.A. Witt - Extra Whip (Bold Brew #8)
L.A. Witt - Luca (Gentlemen of the Emerald City #1)
L.A. Witt - Marco (Gentlemen of the Emerald City #4)
L.A. Witt - Shot on Goal (Pucks & Rainbows #3)
L.A. Witt - Until the World Stops
Laura Lascarso - Master's schiavo
Morticia Knight - Born Daddy (Command & Care #2)
T.J. Blackley - The Silver Medalist
Tanya Chris - A Dirty Dozen (12 hot & heavy M/M shorts)
Z. Allora - Bent Not Broken
Z. Allora - Zombies Blow (Club Zombie Book 4)

Gay Fantasy
Ariana Nash - King of the Dark (Prince’s Assassin #1)
Ariana Nash - Primal Sin (Primal Sin #1)
Arshad Ahsanuddin - The First Age (The Secret Histories #1)
Dan Ackerman - A Lady Who Looks Good When She's Crying (Sunshine and Specter Paranormal Detective Agency #1)
Dan Ackerman - On the Rugged Hills (The Serpent's Throne #2)
Dan Ackerman - The Practical Mage's Guide to Magic and Mayhem
Kevin Klehr - The Midnight Man
W.M. Fawkes & Sam Burns  - The King’s Dragon (Fire and Valor #1)

Gay Fantasy Romance
Aldrea Alien - To Poison a Prince (A Tale of Two Princes #2)
Aldrea Alien - To Target the Heart (A Tale of Two Princes: Hamish and Darshan #1)
Angel Martinez - Geoffrey the Very Strange
Beryll and Osiris Brackhaus - The Pet and his Duke
Dan Ackerman - Casual Magic
E.J. Russell - Best Beast (Enchanted Occasions)
E.J. Russell - Purgatory Playhouse
E.J. Russell - Witch Under Wraps  (Mythmatched)
K.L. Noone - Cadence and the Pearl
Kim Fielding - Farview (Greynox to the Sea)
Kim Fielding - The Muffin Man
L.A. Witt - Ripples & Waves
Laura Weyr - The Eighth Key
Lisa Henry & Sarah Honey - Red Heir (Adventures in Aguillon #1)
Meghan Maslow - Must Love Demons (Magic Emporium #6)
Shannon Blair - Dawn's Light (Duskblade #1)
Tanya Chris - Impossibly Fond
Tara Lain - Better Red (Ever After, New York #1)

Gay Historical and Historical Romance
Anna Butler - The God's Eye (Lancaster's Luck #3)
E.J. Russell - Silent Sin (A 1920s Hollywood Gay Romance)
Glenn Quigley - We Cry The Sea (The Moth and Moon)
K.A. Merikan - Dig Two Graves (The Man Who Loved Cole Flores and The Man Who Hated Ned O'Leary)
L.A. Witt - The Venetian and the Rum Runner
Lou Sylvre & Anne Barwell - The Harp and the Sea
Mel Gough - A Leap of Faith
Mel Gough - The Valet
Tanya Chris - Manners & Mannerisms

Gay Mystery / Thriller
Amy Tasukada - The Yakuza Path (Flowers of Flesh and Blood)
J.L. Merrow - Stop Cock (The Plumber's Mate Mysteries #6)
J.P. Bowie - Hold Him Close
Joe Cosentino - Drama Runway (Nicky and Noah Mysteries #10)
Joe Cosentino - The Player’s Encore (Player Piano Mysteries #2)
Kim Fielding & F.E. Feeley Jr. - Hallelujah
Marshall Thornton - Cash Out (Pinx Video Mysteries #5)
Marshall Thornton - Fade Out (Boystown #13)
Marshall Thornton - The Less Than Spectacular Times of Henry Milch (The Wyandot County Mysteries)
Marshall Thornton - Year of the Rat (Dom Reilly Mysteries #1)
Rick R. Reed - The Man from Milwaukee

Gay Paranormal Romance
Addison Albright - Weekend at Bigfoot’s
Davidson King - The Blood Boss (Black Veil Series #1)
Dez Schwartz - The Dandy Medium
E.J. Russell - Howling on Hold (Mythmatched)
Eden Winters - Never Underestimate an Omega
Edie Montreux - Medium to Well (Haunted Hollywood Ever Afters #1)
Elizabeth Noble - Scintilla (El Corazon #1)
J.P. Jackson - Summoned (Magus Malefica #1)
Joe Cosentino - The Player (Player Piano Mysteries #1)
K.A. Merikan - Feel My Pain
Kim Fielding - Conned (The Bureau #6)
Kim Fielding - The Solstice Kings
L.M. Somerton - Elemental Faith (Warlocks #3)
Laura Lascarso - Book of Orlando (Mortal and Divine #1)
M.D. Neu - The Called (The Calling #2) 
Maz Maddox - Smash & Grab (RELIC #1)
Meghan Maslow - The Demon’s in the Details
Piper Scott & Virginia Kelly - Peregrine (A Forbidden Desires Spin-Off Story)
R.A. Steffan - Forsaken Fae (The Complete Series, Books 1-3)
Rob Rosen - Sort of Dead
Rosie Jarvis - JT’s Mission (Valhalla Warriors #2)
S.E. Harmon - Spooky Business (The Spectral Files #3)
Sam Burns - The Fantastic Fluke
T. Strange - Rattling Chains
Tinnean - Rainbows in Your Eyes (Strange, Strange World #4)
W.M. Fawkes & Sam Burns  - Wildfire (Sons of Olympus #1)

Gay Romantic Comedy
Dez Schwartz - Hollywood To Horses
Geneva Vand - So We Meet-Cute Again
Geneva Vand - The Mistletoe Problem
Marshall Thornton - Fathers of the Bride
Piper Scott & Virginia Kelly - Finch (Forbidden Desires #6)
S.E. Harmon - Coddiwomple
Tara Lain - Passion of a Papillon (Fuzzy Love #1)

Gay Romantic Suspence
Clancy Nacht & Thursday Euclid - Honeypot (The Phisher King #4)
Eden Winters - Benediction (Diversion #9)
Eden Winters - Decision (Diversion #8)
Fyn Alexander - Blood Money
Joe Cosentino - Found At Last (Finding Giorgio and Finding Armando)
Jules Monroe - Murder in the Big Easy (Wildeblood Coalition #1)
L.A. Witt & Cari Z. - Hitman vs Hitman
L.A. Witt & Cari Z. - Protective Behavior (Bad Behavior #5)
L.A. Witt & Cari Z. - You Had One Job
L.M. Somerton - The Gilded Mirror (Treasure Trove Antiques #2)
L.M. Somerton - The Lucky Cat (Treasure Trove Antiques #1)
Tia Fielding & Lisa Henry - A Desperate Man

Gay Sci-Fi / Futuristic
Addison Albright - When Are You?
Angel Martinez - A Fine Mess (Brimstone #7)
Beryll and Osiris Brackhaus - The PV-3 Mutagen (Virasana Empire: Dr. Laurent #1)
Christopher Michael Carter - Agent Phoenix
Dan Ackerman - Penumbra
Eden Winters - Consorts of the Red King
Kale Night - A Broken Winter
Pelaam - Love Never Dies
Toshi Drake - Entity (A StarStation Novel)
W.M. Fawkes & Sam Burns  - Captured (Star Marked Warriors #1)

Lesbian Contemporary General Fiction
Caren J. Werlinger - Face the Wind (Little Sister Island Series #2)
Elke Lakey and D.J. Fronimos - Watching Cars Go By
Geonn Cannon - How to Steal a Star
Iza Moreau - London, Falling
Jen Michalski - You'll Be Fine
Lee Lynch - Accidental Desperados
Liz Faraim - Canopy (A Vivian Chastain Novel #1)
Liz Faraim - Stitches and Sepsis (A Vivian Chastain Novel #2)
Susan Stocker - Find Your Heart (Embellished Memoir)

Lesbian Contemporary Romance
A.L. Brooks - A Heart to Trust
A.L. Brooks - Dare to Love
A.M. Leibowitz - Every Time We Meet
Anna Stone  - Forever Theirs (Mistress #3)
Anna Stone  - Tangled Vows (Mistress #1)
Anna Stone - Ensnared Hearts (Mistress#2)
C.J. Murphy - Forever Chance (Five Points #2)
C.J. Murphy - Redemption's Road (Five Points #3)
C.J. Murphy - Sovereign Chance (Five Points #4)
Cari Hunter - Breathe
Chris Zett - Heart Failure
D.J. Fronimos and Elke Lakey - Foreign Facades
Ellen Hoil - Safe Haven
Ellen Hoil - Traumatic Love
G. Benson - The Thing About Tilly
Gail Newman - Flight to Paradise
Jae - Chemistry Lessons
Jae - The Roommate Arrangement
Jae - Wrong Number, Right Woman
Jazzy Mitchell - Undertow
Jeanette Watts - A Woman’s Persuasion
Kim Pritekel  - Finding Faith: When you're lost, Wynter will find you. (Wynter Series #1)
Lynn Ames - 46
Quinn Ivins - The Love Factor
Quinn Ivins - Worthy of Love
Renee Roman - Body Language
Stephanie Shea - Chef's Kiss
Sue Graham - Playing with Fire

Lesbian Fantasy
Alli Temple - Uncharted
Catherine Lundoff - Blood Moon (A Wolves of Wolf's Point Novel)
Geonn Cannon - Trafalgar & Boone Against the Forty Elephants
Geonn Cannon - Trafalgar and Boone at Magic's End
Jordan Falconer - Prey for Us
K.L. Mitchell - The Road to Kalazad
Kellie Doherty - Curled Vines and Crimson Trades (Broken Chronicles #2)
S.L. Kassidy - Blood Rain (Warrior Class #3)
S.L. Kassidy - Taming the Wind (Warrior Class #2)

Lesbian Fantasy Romance
Angel Martinez - The Solstice Pudding (The Pudding Protocol Universe)
Barbara Ann Wright - Lady of Stone
Barbara Ann Wright - Not Your Average Love Spell
Barbara Ann Wright - The Noble and the Nightingale (The Sisters of Sarras #1)
Edale Lane - Viking Quest
Eule Grey - I, Volcano

Lesbian Historical and Historical Romance
Cara Malone - The Beginning of Everything
Caren J. Werlinger - Invisible, as Music
Edale Lane - Chaos in Milan (Night Flyer Trilogy #3)
Edale Lane - Merchants of Milan (Night Flyer Trilogy #1)
Edale Lane - Secrets of Milan (Night Flyer Trilogy #2)
Elena Graf - The Imperative of Desire (Passing Rites #1)

Lesbian Mystery / Thriller
Adrian J. Smith - Stone's Mistake (Agent Morgan Stone #1)
B.J. Phillips - Murder at Leisure Lakes
Geonn Cannon - Monarch (Claire Lance #6)
Geonn Cannon - The Fight in the Dog (Underdogs #9)
Geonn Cannon - The Wolf Who Cried Girl (Underdogs #10)
Jane Alden - The Crystal’s Curse
Jane Alden - The Payback Murders
Jody Klaire - Hayefield Manor
R.E. Conary - Where The Hell Is Tessa Ryker? (Rachel Cord Confidential Investigations)

Lesbian Paranormal Romance
Ann & Michele Modtland - The Life in Death
G. Benson - Dead Lez Walking
K. Aten - Embracing Forever
Karen F. Williams - Coyote Blues

Lesbian Speculative Fiction
A.L. Brooks - Never Too Late for Heroes (The Superheroines Collection)
Angel Martinez - The Anti-Quest (The Pudding Protocol Universe)
Benjamin Medrano - Chosen of Chaos (Eve of Destruction #1)
Geneva Vand - Loving Olivia
K. Aten - Children of the Stars
K. Aten - Remember Me, Synthetica
K. Aten - The Lost Temple of Psiere (Mystery of the Makers #2)
Matt Doyle - Half-Light (The Cassie Tam Files #5)
Rae D. Magdon - Lucky 8 (Lucky Breaks #2)
Rae D. Magdon & Michelle Magly - Eclipse (Dark Horizons #3)
Sandra Barret - Eye of the Damned (Terran-Novan Universe Series #3)

LGBTA Anthology / Collection
A.J. Fitzwater - The Voyages of Cinrak the Dapper
Chris Zett - Glimpses
Daniel M. Jaffe - Foreign Affairs: Male Tales of Lust & Love
Jess Faraday - Shadow of Justice
R.E. Conary - Rachel Cord Confidential Investigations Boxed Set
Xequina Maria Berber - The Only Female Cross-Dresser in Memphis and Other Stories

LGBTA Biography / Memoir and Non Fiction
Johnny Townsend - Racism by Proxy
Karina Manta - On Top of Glass: My Stories as a Queer Girl in Figure Skating
Megan Casey - The Lesbian Private Eye
Mike Talplacido - Kiss My Mike
Stephanie Davies - Other Girls Like Me

LGBTA Young Adult
A.R. Capetta - Stranger Things: Rebel Robin
Auriane Desombre - I Think I Love You
Damian Serbu - The Bachmann Family Secret
David Levithan and Jennifer Niven - Take Me With You When You Go
Gideon Marcus - Kitra (The Kitra Saga)
Iza Moreau - Desert Girl (Elodie Fontaine Mysteries #4)
M. Raiya - Owl
Mia Kerick - Dead Sea (Mia Kerick Story Ballads #2)
Victoria Lee - A Lesson in Vengeance

Transgender Contemporary Romance
A. Zukowski - Blue Jay (London Stories #3)
Clancy Nacht & Thursday Euclid - Penetration Test (The Phisher King #3)
Clancy Nacht & Thursday Euclid - The Prodigal Prince's Fake Fiancé
E. Davies - Freedom (F-Word)
G.R. Lyons - Taken by Storm (Dandies, Inc. #4)
Jane Kolven - The Queen Has a Cold
Tia Fielding & Lisa Henry - Recipe for Two

Transgender Speculative Fiction
Angel Martinez - By Imperial Decree (ESTO Universe)
Dorian Graves - Corpses and Cognac (Deadly Drinks #2)
Eddie Newton - Truth to Light
J-L Heylen - The Deception Engine - Part Three
Minerva Cerridwen - The Dragon of Ynys
Rem Wigmore - Foxhunt

Debut Novel
Alyssa Rabil - Splinters of the heart
Auriane Desombre - I Think I Love You
Elke Lakey and D.J. Fronimos - Watching Cars Go By
Eule Grey - I, Volcano
Gideon Marcus - Kitra (The Kitra Saga)
Grace Hudson - The Booker (Haunted House Horror)
John Patrick - Franklin in Paradise
Kale Night - A Broken Winter
Karina Manta - On Top of Glass: My Stories as a Queer Girl in Figure Skating
Laura Weyr - The Eighth Key
Liz Faraim - Canopy (A Vivian Chastain Novel #1)
Mike Talplacido - Kiss My Mike
Minerva Cerridwen - The Dragon of Ynys
Quinn Ivins - The Love Factor
S.J. Carter - Stupid Love
Shannon Blair - Dawn's Light (Duskblade #1)
Slade James - Grumpy Bear (A Bear Camp Novel)
Sue Graham - Playing with Fire
T.J. Blackley - The Silver Medalist
Vinni George - Hold the Door (An Open Doors Novel)

The 2020-2021 Rainbow Awards will be announced on December 8, 2021.
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An honorable mention is at least a rate of 36 or more out of 40. I'm glad to announce all the 2020-2021 Honorable Mentions of the Rainbow Awards:

A.J. Fitzwater
The Voyages of Cinrak the Dapper
A.L. Brooks
Dare to Love
Never Too Late for Heroes (The Superheroines Collection)
A.M. Leibowitz
Every Time We Meet
A.R. Capetta
Stranger Things: Rebel Robin
Addison Albright
Weekend at Bigfoot’s
Adrian J. Smith
Eira (A lesbian fairytale retelling)
Aldrea Alien
To Poison a Prince (A Tale of Two Princes #2)
To Target the Heart (A Tale of Two Princes: Hamish and Darshan #1)
Alli Temple
Uncharted
Alyssa Rabil
Splinters of the heart
Amy Aislin
Gingerbread Mistletoe (Lighthouse Bay #2)
Keeping Kellan (Keeping Him #2)
Risking the Shot (Stick Side #4)
Shots on Goal (Stick Side #3)
Amy Tasukada
The Yakuza Path (Flowers of Flesh and Blood)
Year Three (Would it be Okay to Love You? #5)
Angel Martinez
A Fine Mess (Brimstone #7)
By Imperial Decree (ESTO Universe)
Geoffrey the Very Strange
The Anti-Quest (The Pudding Protocol Universe)
The Solstice Pudding (The Pudding Protocol Universe)
Ann & Michele Modtland
The Life in Death
Anna Butler
The God's Eye (Lancaster's Luck #3)
Anna Stone
Ensnared Hearts (Mistress#2)
Anna Stone 
Forever Theirs (Mistress #3)
Tangled Vows (Mistress #1)
Antonia Aquilante
The Envoy's Honor (Chronicles of Tournai #8)
Ariana Nash
King of the Dark (Prince’s Assassin #1)
Arshad Ahsanuddin
The First Age (The Secret Histories #1)
Auriane Desombre
I Think I Love You
B.J. Phillips
Murder at Leisure Lakes
Barbara Ann Wright
Lady of Stone
Not Your Average Love Spell
The Noble and the Nightingale (The Sisters of Sarras #1)
Beryll and Osiris Brackhaus
The Pet and his Duke
Bethany A. Perry
Give Me Grace
Bryan T. Clark
Far Away
Gideon's Wish
C.J. Murphy
Redemption's Road (Five Points #3)
Cara Malone
The Beginning of Everything
Caren J. Werlinger
Face the Wind (Little Sister Island Series #2)
Invisible, as Music
Cari Hunter
Breathe
Cari Hunter 
Breathe
Catherine Lundoff
Blood Moon (A Wolves of Wolf's Point Novel)
Chris Zett
Glimpses
Heart Failure
CJane Elliott
The Dancer's Dilemma (Campus Connections #3)
Clancy Nacht & Thursday Euclid
Good as Hell
His Fake Prison Daddy
Penetration Test (The Phisher King #3)
The Prodigal Prince's Fake Fiancé
D.J. Fronimos and Elke Lakey
Foreign Facades
Dan Ackerman
On the Rugged Hills (The Serpent's Throne #2)
Penumbra
Daniel M. Jaffe
Foreign Affairs: Male Tales of Lust & Love
David Jackson Ambrose
A Blind Eye
David Levithan and Jennifer Niven
Take Me With You When You Go
Davidson King
The Blood Boss (Black Veil Series #1)
Dez Schwartz
Hollywood To Horses
The Dandy Medium
Dorian Graves
Corpses and Cognac (Deadly Drinks #2)
Dusk Peterson
The Awakening (Dungeon Guards #1)
E. Davies
Barely Regal
Redemption (Men of Hidden Creek #6)
E.J. Russell
Duke the Hall
Duking It Out
King’s Ex (Royal Powers II #1)
Silent Sin (A 1920s Hollywood Gay Romance)
Witch Under Wraps  (Mythmatched)
E.M. Hamill 
Peacemaker
Edale Lane
Chaos in Milan (Night Flyer Trilogy #3)
Secrets of Milan (Night Flyer Trilogy #2)
Viking Quest
Eddie Newton
Truth to Light
Eden Winters
Benediction (Diversion #9)
Consorts of the Red King
Decision (Diversion #8)
Drifter
Never Underestimate an Omega
Edie Montreux
Medium to Well (Haunted Hollywood Ever Afters #1)
Elena Graf
The Imperative of Desire (Passing Rites #1)
Ellen Hoil
Safe Haven
Fearne Hill
To Hold A Hidden Pearl (Rossingley #1)
G. Benson
Dead Lez Walking
The Thing About Tilly
Geneva Vand
The Mistletoe Problem
Geonn Cannon
How to Steal a Star
Monarch (Claire Lance #6)
The Fight in the Dog (Underdogs)
Trafalgar & Boone Against the Forty Elephants
Glenn Quigley
We Cry The Sea (The Moth and Moon)
Grace Hudson
The Booker (Haunted House Horror)
Hank Edwards
Snowflakes and Song Lyrics (A Williamsville Inn Story)
J.L. Merrow
Counter Culture
J.P. Bowie
Hold Him Close
J.P. Jackson
Summoned (Magus Malefica #1)
Jae
Chemistry Lessons
The Roommate Arrangement
Wrong Number, Right Woman
Jane Alden
The Crystal’s Curse
JC Calciano
Revenge of the Brobot (A Steam Room Story)
Jeanette Watts
A Woman’s Persuasion
Jess Faraday
Shadow of Justice
Jodi Payne
Soft Limits (A Deviations Novel)
Jodi Payne & BA Tortuga
Keeping Promises
Jodi Payne and B.A. Tortuga
Breaking the Rules (The Triskelion Series #1)
Jody Klaire
Hayefield Manor
Joe Cosentino
Drama Faerie (Nicky and Noah Mysteries #9)
Drama Runway (Nicky and Noah Mysteries #10)
John Patrick
Franklin in Paradise
Johnny Townsend
Racism by Proxy
Jules Monroe
Murder in the Big Easy (Wildeblood Coalition #1)
K. Aten
Children of the Stars
Remember Me, Synthetica
The Lost Temple of Psiere (Mystery of the Makers #2)
K. Evan Coles
Healing Hearts (Stealing Hearts #2)
Hooked On You
Open Hearts (Stealing Hearts #3)
K.A. Merikan
Dig Two Graves (The Man Who Loved Cole Flores and The Man Who Hated Ned O'Leary)
K.L. Mitchell
The Road to Kalazad
K.L. Noone
Cadence and the Pearl
Frost & Raine
Seaworthy (Character Bleed Trilogy #1)
Karen F. Williams
Coyote Blues
Karina Manta
On Top of Glass: My Stories as a Queer Girl in Figure Skating
Kasia Bacon
When I First Saw Red (The Soldiers and Mercenaries)
Katey Hawthorne
The Rise of Virginie
Kellie Doherty
Curled Vines and Crimson Trades (Broken Chronicles #2)
Kevin Klehr
The Midnight Man
Winter Masquerade
Ki Brightly
Bully Beatdown
Kim Fielding
Conned (The Bureau #6)
Farview (Greynox to the Sea)
The Muffin Man
Kim Fielding & F.E. Feeley Jr.
Hallelujah
Kim Pritekel 
Finding Faith: When you're lost, Wynter will find you. (Wynter Series #1)
Kyell Gold
Love Match volume 3 (2013-2015)
L.A. Witt
Aftermath (Vino and Veritas)
Assist (Pucks & Rainbows #2)
Luca (Gentlemen of the Emerald City #1)
Shot on Goal (Pucks & Rainbows #3)
The Road Home
The Venetian and the Rum Runner
The Walls Between Hearts (A Las Palmas Fencing Club Story)
Until the World Stops
L.A. Witt & Cari Z.
Hitman vs Hitman
Protective Behavior (Bad Behavior #5)
You Had One Job
L.M. Somerton
The Gilded Mirror (Treasure Trove Antiques #2)
The Lucky Cat (Treasure Trove Antiques #1)
Lane Hayes
Following the Rules (The Script Club #1)
Out on the Ice (Out in College #5)
Starting From Scratch 
Starting From The Top
Stick to the Script (Ace's Wild #13)
Laura Lascarso
A Soft Touch
Book of Orlando (Mortal and Divine #1)
Master's schiavo
Laura Weyr
The Eighth Key
Lee Lynch
Accidental Desperados
Lexi Ander
Constant (The Valespian Pact #3)
Lisa Henry & Sarah Honey
Socially Orcward (Adventures in Aguillon #3)
Liz Faraim
Canopy (A Vivian Chastain Novel #1)
Stitches and Sepsis (A Vivian Chastain Novel #2)
M. Raiya
Owl
M.D. Neu
TAD
The Called (The Calling #2) 
Marshall Thornton
Fade Out (Boystown #13)
Fathers of the Bride
Year of the Rat (Dom Reilly Mysteries #1)
Matt Burlingame
Last Romance
Matt Doyle
Half-Light (The Cassie Tam Files #5)
Maz Maddox
Smash & Grab (RELIC #1)
Meghan Maslow
Must Love Demons (Magic Emporium #6)
The Demon’s in the Details
Mel Gough
A Leap of Faith
The Valet
Mia Kerick
Dead Sea (Mia Kerick Story Ballads #2)
Hide Your Love Away (IF I FELL #1)
Whatever He Needs
Mike Talplacido
Kiss My Mike
Morticia Knight
Born Daddy (Command & Care #2)
Pat Henshaw
Making the Holidays Happy Again
The Thaw
Piper Scott & Virginia Kelly
Finch (Forbidden Desires #6)
Peregrine (A Forbidden Desires Spin-Off Story)
Quinn Ivins
The Love Factor
Worthy of Love
R.A. Steffan
Forsaken Fae (The Complete Series, Books 1-3)
Master of Hounds (Master of Hounds #1)
The Complete Dragon Mistress Collection (Eburosi Chronicles Bundles)
R.E. Conary
Where The Hell Is Tessa Ryker? (Rachel Cord Confidential Investigations)
Rae D. Magdon
Lucky 8 (Lucky Breaks #2)
Rebecca Raine
The Experiment
The Harder We Fall
Rem Wigmore
Foxhunt
Renee Roman
Body Language
Rick R. Reed
The Man from Milwaukee
The Q
Rob Rosen
Sort of Dead
Rosie Jarvis
JT’s Mission (Valhalla Warriors #2)
S.E. Harmon
Coddiwomple
S.J. Carter
Stupid Love
S.L. Kassidy
Taming the Wind (Warrior Class #2)
Sam Burns
The Fantastic Fluke
Sandra Barret
Eye of the Damned (Terran-Novan Universe Series #3)
Shannon Blair
Dawn's Light (Duskblade #1)
Stephanie Davies
Other Girls Like Me
Stephanie Shea
Chef's Kiss
Sue Graham
Playing with Fire
Susan Stocker
Find Your Heart (Embellished Memoir)
T.J. Blackley
The Silver Medalist
Tanya Chris
Impossibly Fond
Manners & Mannerisms
Tara Lain
Better Red (Ever After, New York #1)
Coaching the Nerd (Nerds vs Jocks)
Hair Balls (Balls to the Wall)
Passion of a Papillon (Fuzzy Love #1)
Tia Fielding
Bar None (Hoppy Hare #1)
Tinnean
Always, Ben
Toshi Drake
Entity (A StarStation Novel)
V. Clifford
At Sea (A Viv Fraser Mystery #7)
Victoria Lee
A Lesson in Vengeance
Vincent Traughber Meis
The Mayor of Oak Street
Vinni George
Hold the Door (An Open Doors Novel)
W.M. Fawkes & Sam Burns 
Harvest Moon (Wolf Moon Rising #2)
The King’s Dragon (Fire and Valor #1)
Wildfire (Sons of Olympus #1)
Wendell Ricketts
What We Lost in the Fire and Other Stories
Xequina Maria Berber
The Only Female Cross-Dresser in Memphis and Other Stories
Z. Allora
Bent Not Broken
Not Another Boy Band

reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
And the Rainbow Award goes to:

Peacemaker by E.M. Hamill:
- I'm very particular when it comes to Sci-Fi and I expect a lot in these types of stories. I want to be taken away, I want to feel like I'm part of the adventure, or at least sitting alongside the main characters as they have their adventure. Despite this being book two, I felt that the author EM Hamill did an excellent job of giving us enough backstory and history to ensure that the reader didn't feel like they were missing anything. I will admit that Dali is not my favorite character even with how richly they are developed, however that did not take away from the story, they were just not my favorite. Either way, the author provided a wonderful story filled with rich characters and a creative universe. This is a must read if you enjoy Sci Fi.
- If there is something I despise in a story is the fact that by the end of the book yet another issue comes up and it leaves it in limbo. So is the issue with both books 1 & 2. So, if you want to know what happens next, you MUST read the next book. What if the series is 20 or more books long? Are there going to be issue after issue infinitum? This could've been a 10 overall because it IS well written, the plot is like a magnet where it sucks you in, the setting is fantastic, and the characters are likeable (although there are a gazillion of them and sometimes I was confused as to who was who). All in all, it is a good story, just...well, left me wondering what happens next. 

Runner Up:
Give Me Grace by Bethany A. Perry
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 And the Rainbow Award goes to:

Coyote Blues by Karen F. Williams:
- I think Karen is a new author to me. I really got into this read. I would definitely read more from this author.

Runner Up:
Dead Lez Walking by G. Benson
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And the Rainbow Award goes to: 

At Sea (A Viv Fraser Mystery #7) by V. Clifford:

- This was a very well constructed story with a good, strong plot and very well put-together characters. This is the first V. Clifford story I've read and noticed this is a continuing story. I enjoyed it immensely and liked the characters quite well. My only concern is that, being a continuation, if the story will pick up on a future book. This book seems to have an abrupt ending without a resolution. This is not a romance, there were no couples, and most definitely not5 LGBT, or at least not as far as I could see. I'm not even sure if this book should've been included/submitted to the Rainbow Awards. Again, I have not read any of the previous books in the series so I wouldn't know if there are LGBT pairings in the past. It was well written with good pace.

Runner Up:
Maiden Leap by C.M. Harris
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 And the Rainbow Award goes to:

Other Girls Like Me by Stephanie Davies:

- This book is capturing and has great energy. I was lured in by the relationships, uplifted by her actions for good and refreshed by her positive thinking. I personally loved the music references. 
- I love reading about people’s lives and what got them to being who they are. A fascinating read.
- Aspects of this book are nearly poetry, with a unique poignancy and a lyricism that gives this author a special voice. The issues are relevant and handled beautifully. The references to music were alive and perfect as the author recasts the past in ways that have a universal appeal and tap into whatever reservoirs of healing that bravery and pride leverage for a sense of life.
- Wonderful story with a passionate voice of growing up different in a suburban home. 

Runner Up:
On Top of Glass: My Stories as a Queer Girl in Figure Skating by Karina Manta
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 And the Rainbow Award goes to:

By Imperial Decree (ESTO Universe) by Angel Martinez:

- A nicely written space story that had it all: overcoming adversity with ingenuity, embracing who they are without question, trust, romance, and love.
- This is the kind of trans representation I would love to see in queer storytelling. Shiro is running away from his suitors and ends up on Bremen station where he is rescued by Marsh. The romance between them ignites in diversity, but there is more to their story. The trans representation is well-done and just one facet of a much bigger story. The world-building is fantastic, and it is wonderful to see the community-based culture that Marsh grew up in. The secondary characters lift the story of the main characters and add to the overall development of the story. This is one story in part of Martinez's ESTO universe, where each story is stand alone, but for the readers who have read the other stories, there are easter eggs and appearances from other stories. It's a rich universe that I enjoy thoroughly.

Runner Up:
Foxhunt by Rem Wigmore
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 And the Rainbow Award goes to:

The Solstice Pudding (The Pudding Protocol Universe) by Angel Martinez:

- What a delight! The plot moves along like a (very amusing) river. The ussi-chep starts out RIDICULOUSLY adorable and morphs into a not-so-little critter who is cute in other ways. I liked Tyra's movement through her trauma toward healing and embarking on a new relationship, and Shandi's determination and upbeat spirit were most endearing. The universe is rich and full of wonderful, unique detail. But my favorite aspect of the tale is the wholehearted embrace of all sorts of different viewpoints, lifestyles, family units, and cultural values; this includes some subtle critique of gender bias as well. I hope our future is welcoming and respectful like this.
- Absoluting charming and highly imaginative world building where humans join the various collective and cooperative space civilizations as the newcomers. The word (and world) building is amazing, giving readers a completely new way to assess how we humans, charming but clumsy, might fare if the aliens were our hosts and we were the guests of their societies. Brilliant juxtaposition of realities, really.
- This was a joy to read, and it was nice to have less traditional holidays represented in a story. The romance develops naturally and I appreciate the awkward moments. The space station environment was well thought out and added layers to the story.

Runner Up:
Lady of Stone by Barbara Ann Wright
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 And the Rainbow Award goes to:

Invisible, as Music by Caren J. Werlinger:

- This warm and gentle love story doesn’t have a lot of plot: sort-of-but-not-quite friends to lovers. The setting in upstate New York, I wish she had devoted just a little more time to describing. I love the finger lakes, but she never really made me feel like I was there. I had to fill in too much with my own imagination. But the characters were just about perfect. Lives full of delights and obstacles, interests and frustrations. I felt like I was reading about neighbors I could walk down the street and have coffee with. Her writing style flowed like water in a lazy river. Not destructive, not spectacular like a waterfall, but pleasant, like the water in a river that you canoe in on a summer afternoon. It’s an unusual love story, and deeply satisfying.
- I am glad I got to judge this amazing book! One of the most beautiful books I have read in recent memory. Set in the 80s it perfectly catches the mood and mores of this time. A master storyteller shows us how women had to struggle and survived – I so loved the merry band of strong women! Seeing the two main characters Henrietta and Ryn come into their own was a joy. A must read if there ever was one.    

Runner Up:
The Beginning of Everything by Cara Malone
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 And the Rainbow Award goes to:

TAD by M.D. Neu:

- This was a wonderful story! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the angel of death and the drag queen/hairstylist's lives, especially when it covers an entire life span (get tissues, you'll need them). Although it covers some very tragic events in real life, they were portrayed with care. We have TAD, the angel of death, wanting to diminish the amount of death in catastrophic events which cost him his wings and to be sent to live life on Earth as punishment. Then we have Doug, who cares so much about humanity that when he meets TAD he can't pass by without giving the smelly, dishevelled man a hand, thinking him a homeless man, which he was at the time. Bringing TAD to the salon to give him a makeover, Doug then brings him home where TAD spends years watching Doug ruin his life with alcohol and drugs. This friendship continues throughout the decades until Doug's final days. What a beautiful tale this was. I thoroughly enjoyed this well written story. This is also my first MD Neu book and I'm looking forward to reading others from this author.
- Drag queen befriends the Angel of Death. What a great premise! I loved this, particularly the relationship between Doug and Tad and the way it developed. 

Runner Up:
Duking It Out by E.J. Russell
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 And the Rainbow Award goes to:

Shadow of Justice by Jess Faraday:

- These long short stories, pieced together to create a novel, start off strong and remain consistently engaging. Faraday has a strong command of language and is a solid storyteller. The atmosphere feels authentically Victorian, despite a possible anachronism or two. For instance, one of the stories has a character menaced by a perceived vampire, but the novel is set ten years before Bram Stoker’s “Dracula was published. Undoubtedly, there were popular Victorian legends before that, but it would have helped if the main character could have referred to one so the reader isn’t left wondering. After all, the character talks of Wilkie Collins and Edgar Allan Poe. A couple of the stories end with a limp last couple of lines, disappointing since the stories themselves are consistently riveting. In one story, the story shifts too quickly from Pearce being thoroughly focused on a missing dog to three sentences later forgetting the dog and tracking down a possible curse. The abrupt shift is jarring. And finally, in Scotland, Pearce and Cal have a falling out that in real life would be all but impossible to overcome. I’m all for misunderstandings and mistakes and character imperfections, but I greatly dislike when an author makes their main character do something unreasonable and unforgiveable for no apparent reason other than to create “conflict in the story or relationship. Still, all that said, I found the book beautifully written. It’s accessible and comfortable and thoroughly compelling despite its mostly minor flaws. The breakup with Theo is handled with maturity and pathos. And, spoiler alert, the reunion of Cal and Pearce is lovely. Jess Faraday is an author I will be following.
- While technically an anthology, this book could also be viewed as a novel with eight longish chapters. Each short story is a murder-mystery, complete in itself, but with the same detective main character throughout. The plot of each mystery is intricate and intriguing, and kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat! I mention the novel view because the development of the main character is an arc that spans the eight stories, and we intimately see and feel his growth as he struggles with forces both external and internal. The secondary characters are also drawn with depths that make them vividly real. And speaking of reality, the author's attention to setting drew me in to the point I felt I was actually walking around in 19th-century London, Cornwall, and Edinburgh! I had not heard of this author before, but there's no question: I will read her entire backlist as time allows.
- I had not read anything by this author before and I don't usually like collections of shorter stories. I also don't often read historical fiction, but I do like it, when it is well-written!  This story was! The style of writing, the perfectly crafted and authentic setting and the complex characters really drew me into their ban. While this book is a collection of stories, there is a red line that leads through these stories, a romance that felt interesting and realistic with a lot of chemistry. The mysteries were very different, some very easy to solve, some impossible to solve, but always kept my interest. I loved and devoured these stories and am happy to have found a master wordsmith in this new-to-me author. I will need to check out her other works, too. 

Runner Up:
The Voyages of Cinrak the Dapper by A.J. Fitzwater
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 And the Rainbow Award goes to:

Passion of a Papillon (Fuzzy Love #1) by Tara Lain:

- Tara Lain has some serous writing chops. The writing style is lively and original, and Lain has a gift for the arresting turn of phrase. I knew I would like Passion of a Papillon early on, when I read seeing a world through such rose-colored glasses, she should have gotten pink eye. A really fun read.
- This is one of the most organic meet-cutes I have ever read. Let me be clear about what I mean when I say this: most meet-cutes are helped along by expectation of the interaction, and thus the author is forgiven a certain amount of hand waving in acceptance of this pact between author and reader. But this meeting between potential lovers flows so seamlessly, the characters coming together as a natural procession of events and with so little finagling of the plot-- it's an utter delight. Though I felt the pacing of the story didn't truly find itself until the second half, the tension and reveal were deftly built, and then it was an engrossing ride toward the climactic encounter. And let's not even skimp on how adorable the doggo is! I love Batshit and all her little quirks, not the least of which is her NAME. Still chuckling here. 

Runner Up:
Hollywood To Horses by Dez Schwartz



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And the Rainbow Award goes to:

Freedom (F-Word) by E. Davies:
Life doesn’t come with an instruction manual. But Henry’s junk does.
Agoraphobe Jaden shouldn’t have let his big brother put a ticket in a blind date raffle for him. He wasn’t expecting to win. And certainly not an overnight trip to the Grand Canyon with a gorgeous stranger—and his total opposite, a hunky wilderness guide.
Henry's excited to meet a guy he clicks with, having finally finished bottom surgery. He’s been living stealth as the man he is for years, but he’s growing tired of hiding his past. Jaden not only accepts him, he captivates Henry, who resolves to be courageous and vulnerable in the rest of his life.
Back home in Denver, Henry starts to take pride in reconnecting with the trans community, while Jaden pushes himself out of his comfort zone. But freedom always comes at a price. Can they take the plunge into their wide open future together?

Runner Up:
Taken by Storm (Dandies, Inc. #4) by G.R. Lyons
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 And the Rainbow Award goes to:

A Blind Eye by David Jackson Ambrose:

- Painful to read how people are so mistreated. David Jackson Ambrose, I think, has a bright future. Ambrose is very good at setting. When I first began reading the prologue/epilogue to David Jackson Ambrose's novel, I held little hope for it. Boy, was I wrong. This novel is phenomenal, transcending the genre. I can't praise it enough.It was the setting that first drew me in. The Lark Bar, Leviticus Street, and Morristown. No clumsiness here--the characters inhabit the setting, and the setting seems like the destiny that drives them.Then the characterization. What a marvel. These are fully realized people, not stick figures. You can't anticipate what they're going to do until they do it, and then the action seems as preordained as the meeting of Oedipus and his father at the place where three roads meet. There are really no minor characters. Babe and Chance, or course. But Alise and Reuben! Even the bulldog Mitzi. Mister Mitch and Peggy Ann, who help Alise move out of her house. Each one a miracle.Then the plot. You never know where it's going to go. Until it goes there, and, of course, the destination seems inevitable.This is one serious writer who really needs to reach a wider audience.Can't resist quoting this delicious piece of dialogue between white Alise and her mixed-race child, Reuben, as they spend the night in the car:“Mama, can you tell me a story?“What do you want to hear?He shook his head. “Anything.“Okay. Let’s see. There once lived a town mouse in a great big city with a nice big house. The town mouse once visited a relative who lived in the country. For lunch the country mouse served wheat stalks, roots, and acorns with a dash of cold water for drink.Rueben laughed and frowned. “Roots and wheat stalks? Who wants to eat roots and wheat stalks, Mom?“Do you want to hear the story or not?“Okay, sorry.“So, anyway, the town mouse ate very sparingly, nibbling a little of this and a little of that, and by her manner, making it very plain, she ate the simple food only to be polite.“I wouldn’t even be trying to be polite.“After the meal, the friends had a long talk, or rather the town mouse talked about her grand life in the city. . . There were sweetmeats—Rueben snickered. “Sweetmeats? That sounds whack.“Where’d you learn that ghetto talk? You don’t talk like that around me. You leave that right where you got it.He huffed. “Mom. They say that on SpongeBob.“Well, you leave it on SpongeBob. I’m not raising SpongeBob. Okay. How ‘bout this? On the table was some macaroni and cheese, candied yams, mashed potatoes and gravy, and fried chicken with fresh made lemonade.“Now that’s what I’m talking about!“So SpongeBob says ‘now that’s what I’m talking about’?
- It took a long while to get through this book, for several reasons. First, the subject matter is difficult and unpleasant. Second, as a white man reading a book largely about black experiences, I wanted to be as objective as possible, afraid I’d lower my assessment because of my personal discomfort. It also didn’t help that the book is long at 370 pages. That said, I did like learning about PWS, which I’d never heard of before. I liked seeing the different types of cultural appropriation and outright lies (made with the “best of intentions, of course). The opening is great, the POV strong, comparing and contrasting Black/white interpretations of the same experience. There was far too much exposition for my taste, though, but that’s also subjective. It just takes a long time before anything happens. There’s a fascinating dog bite scene, an interesting and unexpected development in the relationship between Babe and Chance, lots of truly interesting stuff in here. But it’s mostly unhappy and tragic, and because of my white privilege, I set the book aside for long periods before returning to it. Because it was uncomfortable. It’s a well-written book, worth reading, but it’s not one I’ll read again. I’m not sure I’m the target audience, though there was plenty of info in there I needed to know. So take my reflections with a grain of salt.
- I loved this book from the start and was hooked on the story for a number of reasons. The first thing that stood out was the wonderful writing that was both beautiful and gave you a real sense of the place and people without getting too bogged down in detail. And then there were the characters. I had to know more about them. As the story unfolded it didn't disappoint.

Runner Up:
Drama Faerie (Nicky and Noah Mysteries #9) by Joe Cosentino
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 And the Rainbow Award goes to:

King of the Dark (Prince’s Assassin #1) by Ariana Nash:

- This was an exceptional book. So good, in fact, that just had to go and buy Volumes two and three right after finishing it. So thank you for the pleasure of getting to read it! Composition of the arc of tension was incredibly well done. Just enough information to keep the reader invested in the proceedings of the story, always with hints thrown in of more to come, but not too sparsely, so I never got confused as to what was going on. A compelling, fascinating, totally absorbing story. Classic high fantasy setting in a vaguely medieval, magic-infused social system.The worldbuilding was subtle, giving a certain sense of place, but only just. I could've done with a map. Introduction and development of the main characters was another highlight of this book. With one exception, however, the side characters remained flat and sketchy. Said exception, though? Scarily brilliant. He almost stole the show from the leads. This would've been yet another ten if not for some editing glitches, like missing half sentences and such. In a book of that high caliber, these oversights stood out.
- This book was a refreshing read compared to the majority of the books I read in the last two years awards. 
- Wow. This is a new author to me, and I’ll be buying the rest of the series as I need to know what happens next. The story and characters pulled me in and kept me hooked until the end.  I didn’t see the character twist coming, especially about a character I got very invested in.  I thought this was a well written, wonderfully executed, dark fantasy. I need to check out the other series by this author now too.

Runners Up:
The First Age (The Secret Histories #1) by Arshad Ahsanuddin
The Midnight Man by Kevin Klehr
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 And the Rainbow Award goes to:

Frost & Raine by K.L. Noone:

- A unique twist on opposites attract pairs a divorce lawyer who is a Cupid and a coffee house owner who is a Frost. Both are nuanced characters who have misgivings about jumping into a relationship. The understated BDSM thread acts to flesh out one of the main characters. Seattle weather also helps to play up the drama between the two.
- One thing I wasn't expecting was to learn that Raine was a submissive. That took me by surprise. I enjoyed the story quite a lot. Both MCs are lovely, as well as the people who work for Dom at the cafe. The coffee creations were out of this world. I'm not sure if I'd have the courage to try some of them, but I'm so glad Raine did, and that he liked them as well. Most of the story concentrates inside the Cafe and there was a lot of fun banter not just between Raine and Don, but with the staff as well as the customers. It felt like everyone was snooping, holding their breath every time Raine came in for his daily coffee. And when they finally confessed their love, It felt as if everyone let out a swoosh of breath, glad to be witnesses of the confession. Overall, quite a fantastic story, enjoyable, one to read again and again.

Runners Up:
When I First Saw Red (The Soldiers and Mercenaries) by Kasia Bacon
The Envoy's Honor (Chronicles of Tournai #8) by Antonia Aquilante

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