Elisa Rolle's Blog, page 101
December 7, 2021
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards: Lesbian Contemporary Romance
And the Rainbow Award goes to:
Wrong Number, Right Woman by Jae:
- Nice slow burn romance with “ real characters. Totally relatable. Easy read, wetting flows through whole book.
- Sweet story capturing a slow burn alliance between two women, one straight, one lesbian, who meet because of a wrong number. Story had great dialog and good characters but suffered a bit from too much inner thought, which in turn affected some of the pacing. Overall, a lovely story.
- 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!
Runners Up:
The Love Factor by Quinn Ivins
Forever Theirs (Mistress #3) by Anna Stone
Safe Haven by Ellen Hoil tied with Breathe by Cari Hunter
The Thing About Tilly by G. Benson
Chemistry Lessons by Jae
Dare to Love by A.L. Brooks
Ensnared Hearts (Mistress#2) by Anna Stone
comments
Wrong Number, Right Woman by Jae:- Nice slow burn romance with “ real characters. Totally relatable. Easy read, wetting flows through whole book.
- Sweet story capturing a slow burn alliance between two women, one straight, one lesbian, who meet because of a wrong number. Story had great dialog and good characters but suffered a bit from too much inner thought, which in turn affected some of the pacing. Overall, a lovely story.
- 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!
Runners Up:
The Love Factor by Quinn Ivins
Forever Theirs (Mistress #3) by Anna Stone
Safe Haven by Ellen Hoil tied with Breathe by Cari Hunter
The Thing About Tilly by G. Benson
Chemistry Lessons by Jae
Dare to Love by A.L. Brooks
Ensnared Hearts (Mistress#2) by Anna Stone
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards: Bisexual Contemporary Romance
And the Rainbow Award goes to:
The Dancer's Dilemma (Campus Connections #3) by CJane Elliott:
- This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I was pulled in by the main character, Tyrone, who is well drawn and quite engaging as he goes about his life. The secondary characters are also fully realized, and the story flows well. This book is the third in a series, and these characters' lives were explored in previous books. However, the careful writing here makes it easy to fully enjoy this novel as a standalone.
- Sweet, and at times heartwrenching second chance romance. The idea of knowing that the man who gave you a do-over is leaving the country to pursue a dancing career is heartbreaking for Nat. Luckily, dancer Tyrone is told that choreographer Arnaud is not only proposing romance exclusively for him but has done so with other dancers allowing Tyrone to drop the idea of leaving for France. I enjoyed reading this story.
Runners Up:
Revenge of the Brobot (A Steam Room Story) by JC Calciano
The Thomas Flair (A M/M Summer Games Romance) by E.J. Russell
The Experiment by Rebecca Raine tied with #20DaysToLA by Tanya Chris
Starting From The Top by Lane Hayes tied with Keeping Kellan (Keeping Him #2) by Amy Aislin tied with Gingerbread Mistletoe (Lighthouse Bay #2) by Amy Aislin
Open Hearts (Stealing Hearts #3) by K. Evan Coles
comments
The Dancer's Dilemma (Campus Connections #3) by CJane Elliott:- This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I was pulled in by the main character, Tyrone, who is well drawn and quite engaging as he goes about his life. The secondary characters are also fully realized, and the story flows well. This book is the third in a series, and these characters' lives were explored in previous books. However, the careful writing here makes it easy to fully enjoy this novel as a standalone.
- Sweet, and at times heartwrenching second chance romance. The idea of knowing that the man who gave you a do-over is leaving the country to pursue a dancing career is heartbreaking for Nat. Luckily, dancer Tyrone is told that choreographer Arnaud is not only proposing romance exclusively for him but has done so with other dancers allowing Tyrone to drop the idea of leaving for France. I enjoyed reading this story.
Runners Up:
Revenge of the Brobot (A Steam Room Story) by JC Calciano
The Thomas Flair (A M/M Summer Games Romance) by E.J. Russell
The Experiment by Rebecca Raine tied with #20DaysToLA by Tanya Chris
Starting From The Top by Lane Hayes tied with Keeping Kellan (Keeping Him #2) by Amy Aislin tied with Gingerbread Mistletoe (Lighthouse Bay #2) by Amy Aislin
Open Hearts (Stealing Hearts #3) by K. Evan Coles
comments
December 6, 2021
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
