Elisa Rolle's Blog, page 103
December 5, 2021
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: By Imperial Decree (ESTO Universe)
By Imperial Decree (ESTO Universe) by Angel Martinez
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.
https://amzn.to/3op2fzh
comments
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.
https://amzn.to/3op2fzh
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Other Girls Like Me
Other Girls Like Me by Stephanie Davies
Wonderful story with a passionate voice of growing up different in a suburban home.
https://amzn.to/3xUOeMU
comments
Wonderful story with a passionate voice of growing up different in a suburban home.
https://amzn.to/3xUOeMU
comments
December 4, 2021
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
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
comments
