Elisa Rolle's Blog, page 121
November 3, 2021
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Duking It Out
Duking It Out by E.J. Russell
Duking It Out was a great joy to read. I found it to be a laugh-out-loud funny, light easy read. The interesting "alternative universe" in which some people have superpowers was smoothly introduced to the reader. One of the characters was introduced as a demisexual and yet the story proceeded with a big dollop of insta-lust, which I usually like but it seemed not right for this character. However, we discover a lot more about the characters as the story progresses which may explain that instant attraction. I would happily recommend all of the books by E.J. Russell in this series, they were all fun and enjoyable to read.
https://amzn.to/2Yh5cb6
comments
Duking It Out was a great joy to read. I found it to be a laugh-out-loud funny, light easy read. The interesting "alternative universe" in which some people have superpowers was smoothly introduced to the reader. One of the characters was introduced as a demisexual and yet the story proceeded with a big dollop of insta-lust, which I usually like but it seemed not right for this character. However, we discover a lot more about the characters as the story progresses which may explain that instant attraction. I would happily recommend all of the books by E.J. Russell in this series, they were all fun and enjoyable to read.
https://amzn.to/2Yh5cb6
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: On Top of Glass: My Stories as a Queer Girl in Figure Sk
On Top of Glass: My Stories as a Queer Girl in Figure Skating by Karina Manta
A heartfelt memoir of teenage angst. The author is engaging and well aware of her faults. The reader comes to trust her because of her ability to unflinchingly stare down her defects and demons. Although the themes include body image, eating disorders, and internalized homophobia, its message and appeal are universal because, as Manta points out, it's the rare teenager who isn't swaddled in a cocoon of insecurity. A life-affirming message for everyone.
https://amzn.to/3BEtkBR
comments
A heartfelt memoir of teenage angst. The author is engaging and well aware of her faults. The reader comes to trust her because of her ability to unflinchingly stare down her defects and demons. Although the themes include body image, eating disorders, and internalized homophobia, its message and appeal are universal because, as Manta points out, it's the rare teenager who isn't swaddled in a cocoon of insecurity. A life-affirming message for everyone.
https://amzn.to/3BEtkBR
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Decision (Diversion #8)
Decision (Diversion #8) by Eden Winters
This series' biggest strength is the characters. It's amazing the growth and maturing those two men go through while still always staying true to themselves. And it's not only the main characters who are multifaceted and lifelike, each side character has a personaliy of their own. The writing style is fast-paced, in depth and compelling. Overall, this was a joy to read, as is the series as a whole.
https://amzn.to/3mHEEsE
comments
This series' biggest strength is the characters. It's amazing the growth and maturing those two men go through while still always staying true to themselves. And it's not only the main characters who are multifaceted and lifelike, each side character has a personaliy of their own. The writing style is fast-paced, in depth and compelling. Overall, this was a joy to read, as is the series as a whole.
https://amzn.to/3mHEEsE
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Healing Hearts (Stealing Hearts #2)
Healing Hearts (Stealing Hearts #2) by K. Evan Coles
A sweet age-gap story of second chances and near misses that is feel-good and heartwarming. Perfect to curl up in bed with.
https://amzn.to/3GMBfRy
comments
A sweet age-gap story of second chances and near misses that is feel-good and heartwarming. Perfect to curl up in bed with.
https://amzn.to/3GMBfRy
comments
November 2, 2021
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Frost & Raine
Frost & Raine by K.L. Noone
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.
https://amzn.to/3BwbHnW
comments
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.
https://amzn.to/3BwbHnW
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Muffin Man
The Muffin Man by Kim Fielding
I've always enjoyed reading Kim Fielding's stories. This one was fun to read. It's a fairytale based in modern times, covering the disaster that was 2020 in both fires and pandemic, but it also has a 'feel' of old world with kings, queens and princesses. And a castle! A magical castle to boot. With a princess that needs rescue, so the king assigns Morli to the task. Morli and Baxter have to jump quite a few hoops to be able to accomplish the assignment and in the meantime, they fall in love. Hurrah, for them and this fun story.
https://amzn.to/2YcN568
comments
I've always enjoyed reading Kim Fielding's stories. This one was fun to read. It's a fairytale based in modern times, covering the disaster that was 2020 in both fires and pandemic, but it also has a 'feel' of old world with kings, queens and princesses. And a castle! A magical castle to boot. With a princess that needs rescue, so the king assigns Morli to the task. Morli and Baxter have to jump quite a few hoops to be able to accomplish the assignment and in the meantime, they fall in love. Hurrah, for them and this fun story.
https://amzn.to/2YcN568
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Smash & Grab (RELIC #1)
Smash & Grab (RELIC #1) by Maz Maddox
The author's voice was a pleasure to read from the first page, and every character was so well-written I expected them to come walking down the street at any moment. Dalton was so very entertaining. I was not expecting dinosaur shifters, but oh man, they were so much fun! Very much looking forward to reading this whole series now.
https://amzn.to/2Y5XYq7
comments
The author's voice was a pleasure to read from the first page, and every character was so well-written I expected them to come walking down the street at any moment. Dalton was so very entertaining. I was not expecting dinosaur shifters, but oh man, they were so much fun! Very much looking forward to reading this whole series now.
https://amzn.to/2Y5XYq7
comments
November 1, 2021
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Franklin in Paradise
Franklin in Paradise by John Patrick
A lot is going on here. A post-apocalypse setting described, in the first person, by someone who is on the autism spectrum in love with someone who is on the asexual spectrum. I think John Patrick Franklin took too much on. Still, Franklin imagined the setting--an Amish museum cum working farm--brilliantly. And kudos for thinking of telomeres as the cause of the apocalypse.
https://amzn.to/31oIcIt
comments
A lot is going on here. A post-apocalypse setting described, in the first person, by someone who is on the autism spectrum in love with someone who is on the asexual spectrum. I think John Patrick Franklin took too much on. Still, Franklin imagined the setting--an Amish museum cum working farm--brilliantly. And kudos for thinking of telomeres as the cause of the apocalypse.
https://amzn.to/31oIcIt
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Conned (The Bureau #6)
Conned (The Bureau #6) by Kim Fielding
The setting is cool, and not too over the top, with most of the features logical or without immediately noticeable inconsistencies. The style is, like, great - spelling, vocabulary, grammar + no in-your-face usage of thesaurus - or using words that mean not what the author thinks they mean. A really smooth read. Characters - 3D and alive, not 2D and cardboard, with change justified by plot. The plot - a proper mystery novel. The deduction is because of deus ex finale.
https://amzn.to/3bw6WQO
comments
The setting is cool, and not too over the top, with most of the features logical or without immediately noticeable inconsistencies. The style is, like, great - spelling, vocabulary, grammar + no in-your-face usage of thesaurus - or using words that mean not what the author thinks they mean. A really smooth read. Characters - 3D and alive, not 2D and cardboard, with change justified by plot. The plot - a proper mystery novel. The deduction is because of deus ex finale.
https://amzn.to/3bw6WQO
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Other Girls Like Me
Other Girls Like Me by Stephanie Davies
I love reading about people’s lives and what got them to being who they are. A fascinating read.
https://amzn.to/3CyQXxb
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I love reading about people’s lives and what got them to being who they are. A fascinating read.
https://amzn.to/3CyQXxb
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