New Rainbow Reviews! I’ve been so busy with life, family, and work that I haven’t read much lately. I know – there’s always time for books. However, not so much some times. But this week in RR was a lot of fun because most of the books were gay fiction without a lot of erotica. I love my smut (who doesn’t) but the change of pace has been great. I’m leaving off one review as there is some debate about it but here are the others:
Dark Angels by Pam Keesey (editor)
New Rainbow Reviews up this week. I’m been incredibly busy lately, thus no updates to the blog for a week. *le gasp* I’ve still read various books but haven’t really had the time or energy to write a whole lot of reviews. I may still or may not. But regardless, I do have a bunch of reviews coming up this week. Let’s hope I get back in the swing of things. In the meantime here is the selection from this past week:
A Different Kind of Love by Jay Mandal
Heart of Truth by Eon de Beaumont
Seeds of Time 2: Bread on the Waters by G.S. Wiley
A Different Kind of Love by Jay Mandal
Blurb:
Jay Mandal is unique in his writing of gay love ~ his uplifting stories focus upon romance rather than sex, on fulfillment rather than despair.
Of course, there are tragedies in these pages. Life’s like that. But the difficulties faced and the thrills enjoyed by his characters are the lot of lovers of any gender in a world both bad and beautiful.
This is a collection of beautiful love stories ~ sad, humorous, heart-warming ~ made different simply because the main characters share not only passion and compassion but also gender.
New Rainbow Reviews up this week. I had the privilege of reading some really unique and outstanding stories this past week. They all were highly reviewed, which is a rare week for me. If you only read one from this list – and really you should read them all – read Drag Queen in the Court of Death. I’ve bought three paperback copies (with the old cover) to pass out to friends. The new cover makes me cringe and thankfully I found sellers with the old cover, I hope there were no new edits.
Anyway, for something absurdly different check out the Androgynous Murder House Party. I’d love to talk to someone who read it and compare notes. Anyone who thinks they’re especially clever in figuring out details in mystery stories, try this one and then tell me about it, please!
For a wonderfully sweet romance that spans 2000 years with some great humor, The Rest of Our Lives fills that without any explicit sex even. Shocking, but possible.
Of course I had to get my smut in and read a hilarious Yaoi book where the boy has a self lubricating ass. I kid you not. The visual images totally grossed me out. I’m debating sharing with the world.
New Rainbow Reviews! This was an interesting week that was up and down with some new and familiar authors. I’ve been disappointed lately with the quality of Sean Michael’s work. I realize the irony of the statement, believe me, but we all have our guilty pleasure reading and SM was mine. Lately though and by this I mean the last six months especially I felt there was no thought or effort into the books, which is unfortunate. I’m not sure if I’ll continue to chance on the work under his pseudonym.
But on the good side is the lovely fantasy of Willa Okati’s story and the truly random and hilarious All About Sex. You must read that book. I could only give it 4 stars because it was so entirely random but it’s worth reading and utterly hysterical.
Sex & Chocolate by Reese Johnson
Wet Skin by Kris Jacen (editor)
Another week, more Rainbow Reviews. I kind of forgot last week so there are two weeks’ worth. I’ve been in a dirth of books and not happy with many I’ve read lately but on the plus side, the short stories are going strong. Since I was able to be rather selective from the Dreamspinner shorts, I took authors I know I’ll enjoy and thankfully their stories were wonderful as expected.
A Glimpse Inside by A.R. Moler
Best Gay Erotica 2006 by Richard Labonte (editor)
Blind Desire by I.D. Locke
Dreamspinner short stories.
It Takes One to Know One by Chrissy Munder
Protests and Proposals by Sean Kennedy
A Simple Life by Chrissy Munder
New Rainbow Reviews this week. Not much to say. I’m pretty disappointed in reading some reviews from multiple sites where readers insist on forgiving bad writing just because the genre is m/m. Not only does that lower expectations and quality of work but it also doesn’t give enough credit to those authors that truly deserve it for their outstanding writing. Anyway, my random thoughts on books below:
You Can Leave Your Hat On by Lena Matthews
After Midnight by Audra Beagle
Hell Dogs Squadron 3: Cut Pass by A.R. Moler
Playing The Field: Play On by J.M. Snyder
Second Chance by Lisa Marie Davis
Sins of Arrogance by India Harper
Three of a Kind by Sean Michael
var gaJsHost = ((“https:” == document.location.protocol) ? “https://ssl.” : “http://www.”);
document.write(unescape(“%3Cscript src='” + gaJsHost + “google-analytics.com/ga.js’ type=’text/javascript’%3E%3C/script%3E”));
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker(“UA-9211734-1”);
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}
Once again a Rainbow Reviews Roundup that encompasses two weeks. Some books were good, some not so good and one moved me to tears (*sniff*). Some I’ve already gotten the obligatory “you didn’t get my story” email and that’s ok. It’s becoming routine and here’s to hoping next time I do. Anyway, onto the reviews for those that may care..
A Perfect Scar And Other Stories by Trebor Healey
Teacher Accused by Alvin Granowsky
The Art of Dying by Judith David (editor)
A Heart Divided by J.M. Snyder
Bounty of the Heart by J.M. Snyder
Dreams Delivered by Jaxx Steele
Taste Test: Legendary Creatures by Lorna Hinson (editor)
Drive Me Home by Chrissy Munder
Mourning Doves by Angela Romano
And a little early morning Jackson Square – this one is my picture.
var gaJsHost = ((“https:” == document.location.protocol) ? “https://ssl.” : “http://www.”);
document.write(unescape(“%3Cscript src='” + gaJsHost + “google-analytics.com/ga.js’ type=’text/javascript’%3E%3C/script%3E”));
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker(“UA-9211734-1”);
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}
New Rainbow Reviews! Another week, more reviews. Several short stories and other books, nothing outstanding. I think 4 stars was the highest in the group and only 2 of those but nothing horrible either. I hate assigning stars, some stories it’s just not an honest representation of the book or the review.
Fortunate Son by Fae Sutherland & Marguerite Labbe
Play it Again, Sam by Jamie Hill
Spring Reassurance by Andrew Grey
Taste Test: Public Displays by Lorna Hinson (editor)
The Edge of Desperation by Kris Jacen (editor)
Short stories:
Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come by Clare London
Saddle Up ‘N’ Ride! by Remmy Duchene
Hello again. It’s Monday morning and I’d rather be sleeping. But since I’m up I figured I’d give you the skinny on all my new RR reviews. So exciting! Well anyway, some good books so check ‘em out. Nothing super exciting sadly, although the highlight was GS. Wiley’s lovely little story. More please…
Absolutely You by Stephanie Vaughan
Definitely Christmas by Stephanie Vaughan
Fallen Angels Book 1: Childhood Traumas by Ana Star
Seeds of Time 1: Blue Roses by G.S. Wiley
The Valde: Water by Astrid Amara
three am 