And the Rainbow Award goes to:



1-tie) Andrea Speed - Infected, Freefall

Infected, Freefall is a complex who done it, full of plot twists and just the right amount of drama. The pacing and dialogue, were excellent, both quick and witty without trying too hard. Overall though, great read. –Tim

Paperback: 350 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (November 25, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1613722494
ISBN-13: 978-1613722497
Amazon: Infected: Freefall

In a world where a werecat virus has changed society, Roan McKichan, a born infected and ex-cop, works as a private detective trying to solve crimes involving other infecteds. Conceived bearing the lion strain of the virus, Roan is the only fully functioning virus child in the country-maybe in the world. But that doesn't mean he's okay. He's still struggling with the death of his husband and the guilt of finding new love; his old enemy, the Church of the Divine Transformation, is becoming increasingly hostile; and he's taken on a tragic cold case involving a long-missing boy. As Roan fights to control the lion inside him, his world explodes with all kinds of trouble. The leader of the church is ramping up the violence against him, calling Roan out as a traitor to his kind. There's a loose Infected terrorizing the city. And Holden, male prostitute and Roan's unofficial assistant, brings him a case involving the suspicious death of one of Holden's clients, which puts Roan far too close to a murderer for his state of mind....

Vaughn R. Demont - Coyote's Creed ()

I believe this book is a perfect fit in its category. A truly compelling and delightful read. –Susan

Reading the beginning of the book, I was expecting to dislike it. Knowing for the blurb that the character referred to early on as “uncle” would then become love interest, instantly gave me a feeling of “ick”, but, the writers makes everything clear as the story unfolds as to what the relationship really is and the story turned from “ick” to “wow”! –Theresa

Paperback: 280 pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing (September 4, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1609287835
ISBN-13: 978-1609287832
Amazon: Coyote's Creed (Broken Mirrors)

Always have an ace up your sleeve. Broken Mirrors, Book 1. If con games were taught in high school, Spencer Crain would be on the honor roll. As it is, he’ll be riding the edge of failure to graduation next month. Then Spence gets the news that his long-gone father is not only dead, but was a Coyote, one of three clans of tricksters in the City. With a near-catatonic mother on his hands, Spence couldn’t care less about the Coyotes’ ongoing feud with the Phouka and the Kitsune—until it lands on his doorstep. Suddenly he’s thrown headfirst into a dangerous world he knows next-to-nothing about. His only guide is Rourke, dashing King of the Phouka, plus a growing pack of half-siblings, a god, and Fate herself. As Spence embarks on a journey to learn the Coyote’s creed, the truth about his heritage, and how to handle his growing attraction to Rourke, he wonders when his life turned from TV sitcom to real-life danger zone. And what price must he pay to survive the next roll of the dice…

2) William Holden - Words to Die By

Dark but very good. –Andrew

Paperback: 264 pages
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books (March 13, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1602826536
ISBN-13: 978-1602826533
Amazon: Words to Die By

Delve into the darker side of human nature with these sixteen stories by William Holden. As darkness enters the mind through revenge, jealousy, paranoia, or the uncanny operations of a supernatural force, these stories lead you onto new heights of fear… and arousal. In "Felonious Behavior," Jack Stevens takes matters into his own hands when the police can't or won't do anything about the driver who ran him down. In "The Other Man," a sex doll named Joey finds life through jealousy over his owner’s new boyfriend. "Fear #2 - Hierophobia, The Fear of Priests" tells of Gian, who returns home to confront his childhood fear—only to find that the priest who once terrified him isn't human, and his destiny is to follow in the priest’s dark footsteps. The human mind is fragile. How much fear one person can handle depends on how deep the darkness runs.

3-tie) Kate McMurray - Across the East River Bridge

I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. After reading the synopsis, I didn't think I'd be interested in this type of storyline. I was definitely in for a surprise. –Jenna W.

Publisher: Loose Id LLC (October 10, 2011)
Amazon Kindle: Across the East River Bridge

When Finn’s boss sends him to a museum in Brooklyn, the last person he expects to see is his old rival, Troy. Although Finn and Troy have undeniable sexual chemistry, Finn still blames Troy for sending his career off the rails but Troy has research Finn needs. Troy also has an intriguing story; the museum he curates is haunted by the ghosts of two men who died under mysterious circumstances in 1878. Troy strikes a deal: he’ll help Finn if Finn helps him find out what happened to the men who died. From diaries, police reports, and newspaper articles, Finn and Troy piece together the lives of the two dead men--and the romance that bloomed between them. As it becomes clear that the men were murdered, it also becomes clear that the ghosts are real and are capable of manipulating the dreams, thoughts, and actions of the living. When Finn and Troy start falling for each other, Finn worries that it’s all an illusion concocted by the ghosts to keep them working together to solve the mystery, but Troy is convinced the love between them is real. But how can he get rid of a couple of ghosts and prove it?

J.L. Merrow - Midnight in Berlin

I really enjoyed the author's sarcastic humor throughout the story. It's hard to find authors that make you laugh. It was nice that the setting was "off the beaten path" by placing it in Germany and using some German words in the dialogue. I was mildly surprised there wasn't more eroticism involved. –Jenna W.

Paperback: 232 pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing (January 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1609288904
ISBN-13: 978-1609288907
Amazon: Midnight in Berlin

The hookup from hell…or the ride of his life? Leon’s drifter lifestyle gives him the freedom to attend as many music festivals as his heart desires. Even the ones that leave him covered in feathers. Wet feathers, thanks to the rain as he hitchhikes back to his hostel. When he’s offered a ride by a good-looking man in a Porsche, Leon thinks it’s his lucky night. Until he discovers his savior from the storm hides a dark secret: he’s a werewolf. At first glance, Christoph thinks the shaggy stranger walking Berlin’s streets is a rogue werewolf. By the time he realizes his mistake, it’s too late for both of them. Forced to turn Leon into a monster to save his life, Christoph still has to suffer his pack leader's brutal punishment for endangering them all. Leon awakens, horrified by what he’s become—but it’s his lover’s fate that spurs him to action. Freeing Christoph is easy, but the aftermath complicates everything as they go on the run, desperate to uncover the secrets their pack leader is hiding. Secrets the pack will kill to protect…

Honorable Mention:



6) Cardeno C. - Wake Me Up Inside ()

This book had everything. Nicely developed plot that kept you surprised. Both main and side characters are fully expended. Realistic setting of the small town where shifters leave alongside humans: together but separate. The books flows smoothly. –Tessa

Paperback: 250 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (August 15, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1613727119
ISBN-13: 978-1613727119
Amazon: Wake Me Up Inside

7) L.A. Witt - The Given & The Taken

Fantastic story. –Andrew

I loved this story, would be my favorite so far of the rainbow books for this year and I spent several evenings sitting up later than I intended as I wanted to find out what happened next. –Anne B.

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing (December 4, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1609288408
ISBN-13: 978-1609288402
Amazon: The Given & the Taken (Tooth and Claw)

8) Ethan Day - A Token of Time

Ethan Day is one of the authors I greatly admire, especially due to his particular style of writing - a unique blend of humor, irony, satire - that makes me laugh, engages my mind and tugs at my heart (often all at the same time). I did not think he could utterly surprise me yet again, at least until I started reading this book... –Lily

Paperback: 428 pages
Publisher: MLR Press (April 20, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1608206505
ISBN-13: 978-1608206506
Amazon: A Token of Time

9) Isabelle Rowan – Ink

Isabelle Rowan has created a wonderful m/m love – and thriller (which I love!) novel between two opposite men, unlikely lovers – men who seem destined to meet in this lifetime (or the next?) The story does drag at some points in the beginning, but the thriller of the last fifty pages or so are well worth the wait. –Jon

Well written and intense story of a vampire who wants to die and the human lover who won't let him. –J.P.

Paperback: 230 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 12, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1613722532
ISBN-13: 978-1613722534
Amazon: Ink

10) Peter Hansen - First Watch/ Damon Suede - Grown Men/ L.A. Witt - A Chip in His Shoulder

One more nice read. –Tessa

L A Witt's 'A Chip in His Shoulder' was a very convincing exercise in dystopian world-building that left me wishing desperately that there was more story to be told after this novella finished, and Damon Suede's 'Grown Men' was an absolute scream to read - such strong character voices and a great sense of play at work. Peter Hansen's story was also accomplished, with strong shades of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas - meets - Call of Chthulu about his world-building. –Michelle

Publisher: Riptide Publishing (October 27, 2011)
Amazon Kindle: First Watch
Amazon Kindle: Grown Men
Amazon Kindle: A Chip in His Shoulder

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