Elisa Rolle's Blog, page 133
June 16, 2021
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Hair Balls (Balls to the Wall)
Hair Balls (Balls to the Wall) by Tara Lain
This is an author whose name has been so familiar for so many years, I was surprised to discover I'd never read her work. Character development seems to be her greatest strength (though, honestly, I detected no weaknesses of any kind). By the end of this book, I felt I knew Rick and Jimothy so well they must've been my close friends for many years! The secondary characters are also very true-to-life. The plot took a number of unexpected turns, all of which were driven, quite naturally, by the characters as they developed, and settings were drawn in a way that I always had a clear sense of the surrounding sights and sounds. This is another new (to me) author who I will no doubt binge-read as time and finances allow!
https://amzn.to/3gtBYMm
comments
This is an author whose name has been so familiar for so many years, I was surprised to discover I'd never read her work. Character development seems to be her greatest strength (though, honestly, I detected no weaknesses of any kind). By the end of this book, I felt I knew Rick and Jimothy so well they must've been my close friends for many years! The secondary characters are also very true-to-life. The plot took a number of unexpected turns, all of which were driven, quite naturally, by the characters as they developed, and settings were drawn in a way that I always had a clear sense of the surrounding sights and sounds. This is another new (to me) author who I will no doubt binge-read as time and finances allow!
https://amzn.to/3gtBYMm
comments
June 13, 2021
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Shadow of Justice
Shadow of Justice by Jess Faraday
While technically an anthology, this book could also be viewed as a novel with eight longish chapters. Each short story is a murder-mystery, complete in itself, but with the same detective main character throughout. The plot of each mystery is intricate and intriguing, and kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat! I mention the "novel view" because the development of the main character is an arc that spans the eight stories, and we intimately see and feel his growth as he struggles with forces both external and internal. The secondary characters are also drawn with depths that make them vividly real. And speaking of reality, the author's attention to setting drew me in to the point I felt I was actually walking around in 19th-century London, Cornwall, and Edinburgh! I had not heard of this author before, but there's no question: I will read her entire backlist as time allows.
https://amzn.to/3zmtk9U
comments
While technically an anthology, this book could also be viewed as a novel with eight longish chapters. Each short story is a murder-mystery, complete in itself, but with the same detective main character throughout. The plot of each mystery is intricate and intriguing, and kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat! I mention the "novel view" because the development of the main character is an arc that spans the eight stories, and we intimately see and feel his growth as he struggles with forces both external and internal. The secondary characters are also drawn with depths that make them vividly real. And speaking of reality, the author's attention to setting drew me in to the point I felt I was actually walking around in 19th-century London, Cornwall, and Edinburgh! I had not heard of this author before, but there's no question: I will read her entire backlist as time allows.
https://amzn.to/3zmtk9U
comments
June 11, 2021
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Benediction (Diversion #9)
Benediction (Diversion #9) by Eden Winters
Not having read the previous stories I was a bit out in left field with this installment - however the writing is such that I enjoyed the story very much. The characters a strong, funny even when in a bad mood, and the bonds between them were heart warming. Recommended.
https://amzn.to/357ktuK
comments
Not having read the previous stories I was a bit out in left field with this installment - however the writing is such that I enjoyed the story very much. The characters a strong, funny even when in a bad mood, and the bonds between them were heart warming. Recommended.
https://amzn.to/357ktuK
comments
June 9, 2021
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Roommate Arrangement
The Roommate Arrangement by Jae
Jae always writes well thought-out und well-written books. So expectations when I open a new book of hers are always already high. She is that good. The Roommate Arrangement surpasses these high expectations. It is a slow burn romance around a fake relationship with a perfect mix of starving artist and wounded warrior where grumpy and sunshine collide and make us readers smile. Jae explores in depth the character of her main characters, always with a pinch of humor. She avoids the pitfalls of slow burn, longer book-romances where often at some time the storyline slacks. The Roommate Arrangement keeps the tempo, the development is plot and character driven - add to that a cute dog and you have a perfect score.
https://amzn.to/2Sd1UTj
comments
Jae always writes well thought-out und well-written books. So expectations when I open a new book of hers are always already high. She is that good. The Roommate Arrangement surpasses these high expectations. It is a slow burn romance around a fake relationship with a perfect mix of starving artist and wounded warrior where grumpy and sunshine collide and make us readers smile. Jae explores in depth the character of her main characters, always with a pinch of humor. She avoids the pitfalls of slow burn, longer book-romances where often at some time the storyline slacks. The Roommate Arrangement keeps the tempo, the development is plot and character driven - add to that a cute dog and you have a perfect score.
https://amzn.to/2Sd1UTj
comments
June 8, 2021
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Lady of Stone
Lady of Stone by Barbara Ann Wright
Superb, addictive High Fantasy set in the Pyradiste-Universe. Barbara Ann Wright always sets a high bar in Fantasy. One of the very best High Fantasy I ever read was her first „The Pyramid Waltz“. „Lady of Stone“ is of the same very high quality. She reaffirms again that she is indeed a master writer. Excellent world-building, plot craftmanship, character building. The writing style is outstanding.
https://amzn.to/3z918XS
comments
Superb, addictive High Fantasy set in the Pyradiste-Universe. Barbara Ann Wright always sets a high bar in Fantasy. One of the very best High Fantasy I ever read was her first „The Pyramid Waltz“. „Lady of Stone“ is of the same very high quality. She reaffirms again that she is indeed a master writer. Excellent world-building, plot craftmanship, character building. The writing style is outstanding.
https://amzn.to/3z918XS
comments
June 7, 2021
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Protective Behavior (Bad Behavior #5)
Protective Behavior (Bad Behavior #5) by L.A. Witt & Cari Z.
This is #5 in an ongoing series, but I had no problem reading it as a stand-alone. Skillfully written with well drawn characters - both good guys and villains, this was an easy page turning read. Highly recommended.
https://amzn.to/3colToO
comments
This is #5 in an ongoing series, but I had no problem reading it as a stand-alone. Skillfully written with well drawn characters - both good guys and villains, this was an easy page turning read. Highly recommended.
https://amzn.to/3colToO
comments
June 6, 2021
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Accidental Desperados
Accidental Desperados by Lee Lynch
Great read. Love how Lee Lynch makes the words flow throughout the story. Gives the reader a look at the near past and how life was being lived. Lee’s characters are always well written and endear themselves to the reader. Great addition to the series.
https://amzn.to/3fVcS91
comments
Great read. Love how Lee Lynch makes the words flow throughout the story. Gives the reader a look at the near past and how life was being lived. Lee’s characters are always well written and endear themselves to the reader. Great addition to the series.
https://amzn.to/3fVcS91
comments
June 5, 2021
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Drifter
Drifter by Eden Winters
This is a book that should come with a soundtrack. It's a very intense read, dealing with intense issues: Loss, betrayal, deliverance, and of course, love. So the pictures this story paints are bold enough they would't be out of place on the big movie screen, and the included original lyrics lend even more depth to the whole. The plot is a perfect match of pace and poetry, and the lead characters may be flawed, but they're so innately good people, I'd love to meet them for real. A wonderful book.
https://amzn.to/3fSIgoD
comments
This is a book that should come with a soundtrack. It's a very intense read, dealing with intense issues: Loss, betrayal, deliverance, and of course, love. So the pictures this story paints are bold enough they would't be out of place on the big movie screen, and the included original lyrics lend even more depth to the whole. The plot is a perfect match of pace and poetry, and the lead characters may be flawed, but they're so innately good people, I'd love to meet them for real. A wonderful book.
https://amzn.to/3fSIgoD
comments
June 3, 2021
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Crystal’s Curse
The Crystal’s Curse by Jane Alden
New author to me. Very well written and engaging story that kept my interest throughout. Packed with historical references and I learned a lot about the time. Words just seemed to flow from the pages.
https://amzn.to/3z0SLxo
comments
New author to me. Very well written and engaging story that kept my interest throughout. Packed with historical references and I learned a lot about the time. Words just seemed to flow from the pages.
https://amzn.to/3z0SLxo
comments
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Walls Between Hearts
The Walls Between Hearts (A Las Palmas Fencing Club Story) by L.A. Witt
One of the things I enjoyed most about this story is to see the MCs be in my age group. The writing, as usual from this author, is supreme. The tale was quite enjoyable and about a sport that is not commonly heard of. I appreciated the idea of the MCs not jumping into 'Love' from the get-go, which so many books contain. The attraction they felt, the doubt or confirmation of them thinking they are too old, or that they've suffered enough throughout their lifetime to engage in yet another romance was engaging. Wanting to protect their hearts from the pain of losing the other is quite understandable. I can assimilate myself with their POV. At my age, I, too, am not looking for love. Well done Witt.
https://amzn.to/34G3VKj
comments
One of the things I enjoyed most about this story is to see the MCs be in my age group. The writing, as usual from this author, is supreme. The tale was quite enjoyable and about a sport that is not commonly heard of. I appreciated the idea of the MCs not jumping into 'Love' from the get-go, which so many books contain. The attraction they felt, the doubt or confirmation of them thinking they are too old, or that they've suffered enough throughout their lifetime to engage in yet another romance was engaging. Wanting to protect their hearts from the pain of losing the other is quite understandable. I can assimilate myself with their POV. At my age, I, too, am not looking for love. Well done Witt.
https://amzn.to/34G3VKj
comments
