Elisa Rolle's Blog, page 102
December 6, 2021
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
I enjoyed this alot. I give it full marks.
https://amzn.to/3Ghm41M
comments
December 5, 2021
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Every Time We Meet
Every Time We Meet by A.M. Leibowitz
Queer Groundhog Day! There's only so many ways to tell a do-over, and so this isn't a groundbreaking novel in that sense, but a bisexual woman lead? That's worthy of celebration on its own. I enjoyed the subtle changes in each iteration of Heidi's do-over day and the suspense of waiting to see if she'd got it right yet. Not the ending I was expecting, no. Much better than that.
https://amzn.to/3oqeqfg
comments
Queer Groundhog Day! There's only so many ways to tell a do-over, and so this isn't a groundbreaking novel in that sense, but a bisexual woman lead? That's worthy of celebration on its own. I enjoyed the subtle changes in each iteration of Heidi's do-over day and the suspense of waiting to see if she'd got it right yet. Not the ending I was expecting, no. Much better than that.
https://amzn.to/3oqeqfg
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Penumbra
Penumbra by Dan Ackerman
A brilliant novel with subtle world-building, slowly immersing the reader into the characters' reality. The author explores themes of morality and social justice through the relationships Arden strives for with his 'subjects'. I loved everything about this novel, even if the ending wasn't quite the one I was rooting for.
https://amzn.to/3Dqx1Mr
comments
A brilliant novel with subtle world-building, slowly immersing the reader into the characters' reality. The author explores themes of morality and social justice through the relationships Arden strives for with his 'subjects'. I loved everything about this novel, even if the ending wasn't quite the one I was rooting for.
https://amzn.to/3Dqx1Mr
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Glimpses
Glimpses by Chris Zett
I haven't read any of the full stories these 'codas' relate to, but they all pretty much work on their own, and I'll certainly be reading them now. This anthology is a lovely gift from authors to their readers.
comments
I haven't read any of the full stories these 'codas' relate to, but they all pretty much work on their own, and I'll certainly be reading them now. This anthology is a lovely gift from authors to their readers.
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: To Hold A Hidden Pearl (Rossingley #1)
To Hold A Hidden Pearl (Rossingley #1) by Fearne Hill
I loved the Britishness of this story - as a Brit, I'm not keen on us being called quirky, but the cap fits for these guys. The chemistry between the two main characters was clear from their very first scene, and I enjoyed the unrushed development of their relationship. I'll definitely be reading the next instalment.
https://amzn.to/3Ghbd7M
comments
I loved the Britishness of this story - as a Brit, I'm not keen on us being called quirky, but the cap fits for these guys. The chemistry between the two main characters was clear from their very first scene, and I enjoyed the unrushed development of their relationship. I'll definitely be reading the next instalment.
https://amzn.to/3Ghbd7M
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Owl
Owl by M. Raiya
This is a well-pitched YA shifter romance where the characters actually read as young adults. Some suspension of belief required to enjoy the plot.
https://amzn.to/3DnOmpd
comments
This is a well-pitched YA shifter romance where the characters actually read as young adults. Some suspension of belief required to enjoy the plot.
https://amzn.to/3DnOmpd
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Thaw
The Thaw by Pat Henshaw
To me, this was perfectly written. This is a story about unrequited love, or at least each of the MCs thought it was. Friends since high school, the two young men weren't aware the other felt the same but with the awareness that their relationship wasn't accepted, especially by one of their parents, they were afraid of letting the other know about their feelings. This was a sweet story, especially toward the end, when finally, all come out in the open and, even though a friend's tragic death was dangling above their heads by feeling guilty, they acknowledge their innocence. We get to see a bit of everything in this story: friends to lovers, hatred toward weakness and toward the gay community, redemption, forgiveness, and so much more. Well-written novella, I highly recommended it.
https://amzn.to/3xUy6ep
comments
To me, this was perfectly written. This is a story about unrequited love, or at least each of the MCs thought it was. Friends since high school, the two young men weren't aware the other felt the same but with the awareness that their relationship wasn't accepted, especially by one of their parents, they were afraid of letting the other know about their feelings. This was a sweet story, especially toward the end, when finally, all come out in the open and, even though a friend's tragic death was dangling above their heads by feeling guilty, they acknowledge their innocence. We get to see a bit of everything in this story: friends to lovers, hatred toward weakness and toward the gay community, redemption, forgiveness, and so much more. Well-written novella, I highly recommended it.
https://amzn.to/3xUy6ep
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The God's Eye (Lancaster's Luck #3)
The God's Eye (Lancaster's Luck #3) by Anna Butler
Filled with action, imagination, and amazing details, with an excellent command of story and setting, this steampunk adventure is a fun read that mashes up history, technology, and Eygptology, picking the reader up off their feet and carrying them away on unexpected and delightful journeys.
https://amzn.to/31wiAJJ
comments
Filled with action, imagination, and amazing details, with an excellent command of story and setting, this steampunk adventure is a fun read that mashes up history, technology, and Eygptology, picking the reader up off their feet and carrying them away on unexpected and delightful journeys.
https://amzn.to/31wiAJJ
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Road to Kalazad
The Road to Kalazad by K.L. Mitchell
Sweet, fun, and cleverly amusing. I was quite taken by Revka and Iyarra and enjoyed their adventures a great deal.
https://amzn.to/3px0waJ
comments
Sweet, fun, and cleverly amusing. I was quite taken by Revka and Iyarra and enjoyed their adventures a great deal.
https://amzn.to/3px0waJ
comments
