Elisa Rolle's Blog, page 113
November 20, 2021
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Valet
The Valet by Mel Gough
I have to admit, I am generally not drawn to period pieces. Having said that, every now and then I come across a tale that is so wonderfully crafted, that you cannot help but be whisked away into another era and live the life that unfolds within the pages of the story. Gough has achieved time travel with this novella. Despite my initial hesitation, I felt as though I was living in the English countryside at the beginning of the century, and it reminded me of the popular TV series, Downtown Abbey. My only wish was that this had been longer. Well done.
https://amzn.to/3csX7n8
comments
I have to admit, I am generally not drawn to period pieces. Having said that, every now and then I come across a tale that is so wonderfully crafted, that you cannot help but be whisked away into another era and live the life that unfolds within the pages of the story. Gough has achieved time travel with this novella. Despite my initial hesitation, I felt as though I was living in the English countryside at the beginning of the century, and it reminded me of the popular TV series, Downtown Abbey. My only wish was that this had been longer. Well done.
https://amzn.to/3csX7n8
comments
November 19, 2021
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Harvest Moon (Wolf Moon Rising #2)
Harvest Moon (Wolf Moon Rising #2) by W.M. Fawkes & Sam Burns
I loved this book. I rarely give this high a score but the only possible “hit” I could give was I felt the description of farming showed the authors had little knowledge of farming but did a good job of researching the tidbits needed to make the plot fit together.
https://amzn.to/3CxIZDH
comments
I loved this book. I rarely give this high a score but the only possible “hit” I could give was I felt the description of farming showed the authors had little knowledge of farming but did a good job of researching the tidbits needed to make the plot fit together.
https://amzn.to/3CxIZDH
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Gilded Mirror (Treasure Trove Antiques #2)
The Gilded Mirror (Treasure Trove Antiques #2) by L.M. Somerton
The guys from the Lucky Cat are back and this time they are on the hunt for buried treasure. Landry and Gage have become one of my favorite couples. I love the chemistry that exists between them. Hope to see them back for more.
https://amzn.to/3DJHvHC
comments
The guys from the Lucky Cat are back and this time they are on the hunt for buried treasure. Landry and Gage have become one of my favorite couples. I love the chemistry that exists between them. Hope to see them back for more.
https://amzn.to/3DJHvHC
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Lucky Cat (Treasure Trove Antiques #1)
The Lucky Cat (Treasure Trove Antiques #1) by L.M. Somerton
Even though I found some aspects of this story to be predictable, I really enjoyed it and could not help staying up late into the night just to see what would happen next.
https://amzn.to/3wZ6uEw
comments
Even though I found some aspects of this story to be predictable, I really enjoyed it and could not help staying up late into the night just to see what would happen next.
https://amzn.to/3wZ6uEw
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Wildfire (Sons of Olympus #1)
Wildfire (Sons of Olympus #1) by W.M. Fawkes & Sam Burns
Although I felt at times as if i was entering into the middle of a series, I really enjoyed this book. The authors had a way of pulling me into the world they created and left me wanting more. I can not wait to see what the next book has in store for us.
https://amzn.to/3nuuWua
comments
Although I felt at times as if i was entering into the middle of a series, I really enjoyed this book. The authors had a way of pulling me into the world they created and left me wanting more. I can not wait to see what the next book has in store for us.
https://amzn.to/3nuuWua
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Hollywood To Horses
Hollywood To Horses by Dez Schwartz
This book was a lot of fun! I appreciated the sharp, concise writing style and the twisty, turny relationship development between the prickly Mateo and still-waters-run-deep Christopher, particularly the gradual reveal of what exactly Mateo's hangups were. The side characters Emily and especially Cameron were delightful. I could have used a little bit more with Douglas (I felt some inconsistency with his characterization), but the plot was well paced and cheerful, not to mention exciting! I broke out cackling several times over some absolute gems of one-liners. My piny bone (like the funny bone, only it goes off when there is a delicious amount of pining going on somewhere) was aching wonderfully. A short, sweet read with a romantic finish.
https://amzn.to/3HAKZP4
comments
This book was a lot of fun! I appreciated the sharp, concise writing style and the twisty, turny relationship development between the prickly Mateo and still-waters-run-deep Christopher, particularly the gradual reveal of what exactly Mateo's hangups were. The side characters Emily and especially Cameron were delightful. I could have used a little bit more with Douglas (I felt some inconsistency with his characterization), but the plot was well paced and cheerful, not to mention exciting! I broke out cackling several times over some absolute gems of one-liners. My piny bone (like the funny bone, only it goes off when there is a delicious amount of pining going on somewhere) was aching wonderfully. A short, sweet read with a romantic finish.
https://amzn.to/3HAKZP4
comments
November 18, 2021
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Dandy Medium
The Dandy Medium by Dez Schwartz
This falls under gothic and gaslamp romance, I think. Both genres I like. There's some lengthy narrations here and there, especially some infodumps at the start of the book, and occasionally some of the wording, phrases, and capitalizations were a tad odd, but these were so minor gripes that I have virtually nothing negative to say. Man, this is such a good damn book. The setting's intriguing but not force-fed to us, the pacing is swift enough to keep interest levels high, and the writing is on-point and still descriptive enough to leave lasting impressions. Though I personally would have loved more sensual scenes between Alfie and Sebastian, I expect more will come in the next installments. Can't wait! As is, this book hits the bulls-eye for me.
https://amzn.to/3cqQfXa
comments
This falls under gothic and gaslamp romance, I think. Both genres I like. There's some lengthy narrations here and there, especially some infodumps at the start of the book, and occasionally some of the wording, phrases, and capitalizations were a tad odd, but these were so minor gripes that I have virtually nothing negative to say. Man, this is such a good damn book. The setting's intriguing but not force-fed to us, the pacing is swift enough to keep interest levels high, and the writing is on-point and still descriptive enough to leave lasting impressions. Though I personally would have loved more sensual scenes between Alfie and Sebastian, I expect more will come in the next installments. Can't wait! As is, this book hits the bulls-eye for me.
https://amzn.to/3cqQfXa
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Penetration Test (The Phisher King #3)
Penetration Test (The Phisher King #3) by Clancy Nacht & Thursday Euclid
This book stands alone reasonably well. Unlike the first two books, this one focuses on Sam, a trans guy who's made a very successful career in the FBI by being excellent at what he does, which has so far all been on the tech/computer side. But he's a fit, active guy and willing to dive in when assigned along with Agent Crawford to go undercover in an intolerant gated community, investigating the disappearance of a gay couple. At first, Sam assumes Crawford is the typical cis, het, bro type of agent he usually steers clear of. But Crawford has secrets, vulnerabilities, and more in common than Sam realizes. I enjoyed the characters, the plot, and (as a cis ally) felt the trans rep was well done.
https://amzn.to/3qONEyP
comments
This book stands alone reasonably well. Unlike the first two books, this one focuses on Sam, a trans guy who's made a very successful career in the FBI by being excellent at what he does, which has so far all been on the tech/computer side. But he's a fit, active guy and willing to dive in when assigned along with Agent Crawford to go undercover in an intolerant gated community, investigating the disappearance of a gay couple. At first, Sam assumes Crawford is the typical cis, het, bro type of agent he usually steers clear of. But Crawford has secrets, vulnerabilities, and more in common than Sam realizes. I enjoyed the characters, the plot, and (as a cis ally) felt the trans rep was well done.
https://amzn.to/3qONEyP
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Barely Regal
Barely Regal by E. Davies
It's a sweetheart of a story with a gorgeous plot. I cheered on Wren as he grew and developed and Thom was exactly what he needed. Lovely story.
https://amzn.to/3DwBoGF
comments
It's a sweetheart of a story with a gorgeous plot. I cheered on Wren as he grew and developed and Thom was exactly what he needed. Lovely story.
https://amzn.to/3DwBoGF
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Born Daddy (Command & Care #2)
Born Daddy (Command & Care #2) by Morticia Knight
Born Daddy is a book where you need time to concentrate. I needed time to process the story arc and get invested with the main characters' trauma. It is so worth the time. I'd recommend the book to everyone.
https://amzn.to/3Dtux0T
comments
Born Daddy is a book where you need time to concentrate. I needed time to process the story arc and get invested with the main characters' trauma. It is so worth the time. I'd recommend the book to everyone.
https://amzn.to/3Dtux0T
comments
