2014 Rainbow Awards Submissions
Lesbian Historical Romance
First Tango in Paris by Shelley Thrasher
Paperback: 264 pages
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books (July 15, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1626390738
ISBN-13: 978-1626390737
Amazon : First Tango in Paris
Amazon Kindle: First Tango in Paris
It’s summer in Paris, 1972. Frenchwoman Eva Laroche wants to pass her bar exams and get a good job as a trial attorney, but she’s working as a tour guide to pay off debts. American beauty Brigitte Green wants to find a new home in Paris and forget her past that haunts her with vivid waking dreams. Though the beauty of Paris and the magic of its rich feminist culture draw them ever closer, a secret from Brigitte’s past life threatens to destroy their chance for a future together. Can their fragile love flourish in the City of Light?
Gay Erotic Romance
The Foster Family by Jaime Samms
Paperback: 330 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (February 14, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1627985522
ISBN-13: 978-1627985529
Amazon : The Foster Family
Amazon Kindle: The Foster Family
Growing up in foster care has left Kerry Grey with little self-esteem or hope for his future. A college dropout, Kerry scrapes by on a part-time job at a garden nursery. His friendship with his boss and working with the plants are the only high points in Kerry’s life. He’s been dating the man who bullied him at school, but when his boyfriend abandons him at a party, Kerry wanders down the beach to drown his sorrows in a bottle of scotch.
Malcolm Holmes and Charlie Stone have been together for fifteen years. Despite Charlie's willingness to accept Malcolm's unspoken domination in bed,something is missing from their relationship. Early one morning, they rescue a passed out Kerry from being washed away by the tide and Charlie immediately senses a kindred spirit in the lost younger man. When Kerry’s roommate kicks him out, Malcolm and Charlie invite him into their home. As Charlie and Kerry bond over Charlie’s garden, Malcolm sees Kerry may be just who they have been looking for to complete their lives. All they have to do is show Kerry, and each other, that Kerry's submissive tendencies will fit their dynamic.
But someone is sabotaging Kerry at every turn. As he struggles to discover the culprit, he fears for the safety of his new friends. If Malcolm and Charlie cannot help, their lifelong search for their perfect third may not end with the happily ever after they imagined.
Lesbian Paranormal Romance
If I Die Before I Wake by Liz McMullen
Paperback: 212 pages
Publisher: The Liz McMullen Show Publications (June 23, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0692232508
ISBN-13: 978-0692232507
Amazon : If I Die Before I Wake
Amazon Kindle: If I Die Before I Wake
Charlie Dempsey has recently lost her beloved grandmother and is surprised to inherit a treasured family heirloom, the necklace her great grandmother wore on the boat from Ireland to the New World. But with possession of the necklace comes unwelcome and unseen guests that spark a paranormal awakening within Charlie and shakes up her once comfortable life as a first grade teacher in seaside college town. A dark spirit is stalking her, a ghostly child is haunting her, and she finds herself romantically drawn to Faith Lorian, a witch who is the key to unlocking the mystery of banishing the dark spirit once and for all. Together, can Charlie and Faith succeed, or will Charlie be irrevocably drawn into the darkness determined to ensnare her?
Gay Erotic Romance
Sculptor's Desire (Gallant Gentlemen's Guild) by Kerry Adrienne
Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing Inc (August 27, 2014)
Amazon Kindle: Sculptor's Desire (Gallant Gentlemen's Guild)
Book 2 in the Gallant Gentlemen's Guild Series
Rocco Lazzaro is on a mission to find the perfect male body to sculpt. His inability to find "the one" has affected his creativity and he's frustrated by his failure. With a Guild charity auction coming up, he's expected to provide high-quality sculptures, but the pieces he creates feel soulless.
When Devin, a yoga instructor, approaches him and offers to help, Rocco can't quit thinking about the red-hot ginger. Devin's New Age beliefs push Rocco away--he can't deal with reality, much less mysticism.
But Devin is persistent. He knows he's supposed to help Rocco find his muse--and he'll stop at nothing to show him that the line between art and skin is very thin and a true muse can provide inspiration in many ways.
Gay Historical
Happy Independence Day by Michael Rupured
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (August 20, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1632161621
ISBN-13: 978-1632161628
Amazon : Happy Independence Day
Amazon Kindle: Happy Independence Day
Prequel to Until Thanksgiving
Terrence Bottom wants to change the world. A prelaw student at Columbia University majoring in political science, his interests range from opposing the draft and the war in Vietnam, to civil rights for gays, to anything to do with Cameron McKenzie. Terrence notices the rugged blond hanging around the Stonewall Inn, but the handsome man-and rumored Mafia hustler-rebuffs his smiles and winks.
Cameron McKenzie dropped out of college and left tiny Paris, Kentucky after the death of the grandmother who raised him, dreaming of an acting career on Broadway. Although he claims to be straight, he becomes a prostitute to make ends meet. Now the Mafia is using him to entrap men for extortion schemes, he is in way over his head, and he can't see a way out-at least not a way that doesn't involve a swim to the bottom of the Hudson in a pair of cement flippers.
Cameron is left with a choice: endanger both their lives by telling Terrence everything or walk away from the only man he ever loved. The Mafia hustler and the student activist want to find a way to stay together, but first they need to find a way to stay alive.
Lesbian Biography / Memoir
Lesbian Crushes at School: A Diary on Growing Up Gay in the Eighties by Natasha Holme
Paperback: 238 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (July 23, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1500350494
ISBN-13: 978-1500350499
Amazon : Lesbian Crushes at School: A Diary on Growing Up Gay in the Eighties
Amazon Kindle: Lesbian Crushes at School: A Diary on Growing Up Gay in the Eighties
In 1983 thirteen-year-old Natasha is in love with her French teacher, Miss Williams. When Natasha is cruelly banished from Miss Williams's class forever, the love develops into obsession … stalking … unhealthy behaviour … and painfully misguided cries for attention. This uncomfortable yet light-hearted memoir in diary form is primarily a record of obsession. Natasha is a love-sick lesbian teenager in an all-girls school in the eighties, juggling her Latin homework, Bible study, a crush on Elaine Paige, and her suppressed sexuality. How can she make sense of it all? But more importantly … tormented by unrequited love … how can Natasha make Miss Williams love her back? Take a sneaky peek inside …
Bisexual Contemporary Romance
Fusion (North Star Book 2) by Posy Roberts
Paperback: 300 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (November 18, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1627982221
ISBN-13: 978-1627982221
Amazon : Fusion (North Star Book 2)
Amazon Kindle: Fusion (North Star Book 2)
Sequel to Spark
North Star: Book Two
How do you tell your friends and family you've fallen in love with a man when they've only ever known you as straight? How do you explain to your kids that you loved their mother very much, but your new partner is your best friend from high school?
Kevin Magnus must figure it out while trying to build a relationship with Hugo Thorson, whose bigger than life, out-and-proud drag queen persona is simply too big to be contained in a closet-even for the time it takes Kevin to come up with an explanation for his kids and Erin, his soon-to-be ex-wife.
But Erin faces an even bigger obstacle-one that shakes the entire family to the core. When she unexpectedly turns to Hugo, they form a connection that forces Hugo to grow up and offers Kevin the chance to become the kind of father he wants to be. Despite the coming complications, they'll all benefit from a fortunate side effect: it becomes clear that Hugo is very much a part of this unconventional family.
Gay Contemporary Romance
Out of the Gate by EM Lynley
Paperback: 270 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (April 21, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1627986820
ISBN-13: 978-1627986823
Amazon : Out of the Gate
Amazon Kindle: Out of the Gate
British actor Wesley Tremayne thinks he's close to hitting the big time-a film career-with his role as a hunky explorer on a popular American TV show. Success should be just around the corner, as long as he keeps his sexual orientation a secret. Wes's best friend and beard, Julia Compton, forms the other half of a glamorous Hollywood couple that's merely a façade.
Evan Taylor left his acting career behind five years ago without looking back. He's always been more comfortable around horses than people-especially Hollywood types. His new life training racehorses is a dream come true, but increasing financial problems and an abusive boyfriend have him doubting himself and his choices.
Then Wes and his friends buy a third-rate racehorse-partially for publicity-and send him to Evan's stable. Wes's friendship with Evan soon develops into an overpowering attraction he can't act on. He's never met a man like Evan, but if there's any chance for a future together, Wes must choose between a career he loves and the man he adores.
Gay Contemporary Romance
An Intoxicating Crush (Delectable Book 3) by EM Lynley
Series: Delectable
Paperback: 234 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (July 10, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1623808723
ISBN-13: 978-1623808723
Amazon : An Intoxicating Crush (Delectable Book 3)
Amazon Kindle: An Intoxicating Crush (Delectable Book 3)
A Delectable Novel
Simon Ford's success is hard-won. He grew up in Napa and resents the rich people who have moved into the valley, changing the culture by opening boutique wineries and pricing the locals out of the market.
Austin Kelvin runs an award-winning winery his father started after making a fortune on Wall Street. He lives the posh lifestyle Simon resents but secretly longs to attain. However, Austin's world isn't as luxurious and privileged as it seems: he didn't inherit his father's business savvy, and his winery is going under.
When Simon's boss sends him to covertly scope out Kelvin Cellars for a possible takeover bid, Simon sees it as a step toward attaining his financial dreams. Until he falls hard for Austin. The feeling is mutual, but when Austin learns the real reason for Simon's initial interest, he suspects Simon's seduction is merely a means to procure the winery at a bargain price. If there's any hope of winning Austin's heart, Simon will have to risk it all to prove Austin is more than just an intoxicating crush.
Like all Delectable novels, this book includes the recipes used in the story.
Bisexual Erotic Romance
Encore (The Replacement Guitarist Book 4) by Lori Toland
Series: The Replacement Guitarist
Paperback: 374 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1st edition (August 17, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1500872903
ISBN-13: 978-1500872908
Amazon : Encore (The Replacement Guitarist Book 4)
Amazon Kindle: Encore (The Replacement Guitarist Book 4)
Blaze Shinozuka is a bonafide rockstar with his band, Razor's Edge. After his romance with music manager Jason Stockton crashed and burned, Blaze is free to live and love. It's been a wild and heady year that's been blissfully drama free until the one man he's been avoiding comes careening back in to wreak havoc on his heart once again. Jason Stockton has become the superstar he never wanted to be. When his music reality show becomes an overnight success, he's thrust into the limelight against his will. He's coping with intrusions into his private life but then a chance encounter sends him right into the arms of the man he loved...and lost. Their time apart has changed them, except the passion between them burns brighter than ever. With the media hounding them in the midst of multiple scandals, they find they can only depend on one person - each other. Will they learn to trust that their love is enough to see them through it all? Or will this be their final dance before calling it quits, this time for good? This gay romance was formerly known as Into The Light and contains less loving than previous books in the series but more anger and snark. It also contains some female lovin', beloved character death and a possibly repentant pop star.
Charities Donation program progress:
458$ Albert Kennedy Trust: http://www.akt.org.uk/
1190$ Ali Forney Center: www.aliforneycenter.org/
85$ Australian Marriage Equality: www.australianmarriageequality.org/
70$ Audre Lorde Project: http://alp.org/
312$ BiNet US: http://www.binetusa.org/
150$ CARE: careprogram.org/
125$ The Center Colorado: http://www.glbtcolorado.org/
50$ LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland: http://www.lgbtcleveland.org/
574$ COLORS: www.colorsyouth.org/
155$ Covenant: www.covenanthouseno.org/
75$ Diversity Role Models: http://www.diversityrolemodels.org/
300$ The Diversity Center: http://diversitycenter.org/
10$ Gay and Lesbian Foundation of Australia: www.galfa.org.au/
392$ Galop: www.galop.org.uk/
150$ GLYS: http://www.glyswny.org/
250$ Human Rights Campaign: http://www.hrc.org/
75$ Huntsville GLBT Advocacy & Youth Services: http://www.glbtays.org/
250$ It Gets Better: http://www.itgetsbetter.org/
100$ Inland Northwest LGBT Center: www.thelgbtcenter.org/
28$ In Other Words: inotherwords.org/
40$ Los Angeles LGBT Center: www.lalgbtcenter.org/
545$ Lambda Legal: www.lambdalegal.org/
50$ Lambert House: www.lamberthouse.org/
50$ Lancaster LGBT Center: http://www.centralpalgbtcenter.org/
50$ LEAP: http://www.glbtleap.org/
565$ Lost-n-Found Youth: www.lost-n-found.org/
50$ MKE LGBT Center: www.mkelgbt.org/
155$ Moveable Feast: http://www.mfeast.org/
25$ Odyssey Youth Center: www.odysseyyouth.org/
25$ Out Youth: outyouth.org/
50$ Pathfinders: pathfindersmke.org/
260$ PFLAG: community.pflag.org/
175$ Point Foundation: www.pointfoundation.org/
130$ Ruth Ellis Center: http://www.ruthelliscenter.org/
929$ SAGE: giveto.sageusa.org/
25$ Seta: seta.fi/seta-in-english/
50$ Terrence Higgins Trust: www.tht.org.uk/
805$ The Trevor Project: www.thetrevorproject.org/
160$ UCAN: www.ucanchicago.org/
25$ WayGay: http://www.waygay.org/
225$ You Can Play: http://youcanplayproject.org/
100$ YouthCare: www.youthcare.org/
25$ You Will Rise Project: youwillriseproject.blogspot.com/p/our-mission.html
1510$ Other Funds
TOTAL: 10823$*
* more than 150$ is a direct donation from a supporter of the Rainbow Awards who isn't submitting; while some authors were more than generous, arriving to donate 5 times the suggested amount, being the submission fee a non mandatory and voluntary direct donation, we were struggling to raise the same amount as last year and there is who decided to cover part of it. I thank you for all you are doing, and if you wish to donate to the above links, please drop me a note with your donation and I will update the total.
2014 Rainbow Awards Guidelines: reviews-and-ramblings.dreamwidth.org/4162490.html
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