Release Blitz + Giveaway: Once Upon a Rainbow (Volume Two) by Various Authors

Once Upon a Rainbow Volume Two is out! Celebrate with IndiGo Marketing and the eight authors from the anthology: Jennifer Cosgrove, Sara Codair, Emmalynn Spark, K.S. Trenten, Lina Langley, Rebecca Langham, Sita Bethel, and Tray Ellis! Learn more about the fairytale retellings today and enter in the giveaway to win a NineStar Press eBook!

Title:  Once Upon a Rainbow, Volume Two

Author: Jennifer Cosgrove, Sara Codair, Emmalynn Spark, K.S. Trenten, Lina Langley, Rebecca Langham, Sita Bethel, Tray Ellis

Publisher:  NineStar Press

Release Date: February 5, 2018

Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male, Female/Female

Length: 125366

Genre: historical, paranormal, contemporary, LGBT, fantasy, magic, royalty, lesbian, lawyers, family, contemporary, captivity, immortality, historical, friends to lovers, criminals, trans, dark, dystopian, political

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Synopsis

Your favorite stories from childhood have a new twist. Eight fairy tales of old with characters across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.

Coming Home by Jennifer Cosgrove – No one ever expects to be Prince Charming.

Snow Fox by Sara Codair – Jealous Queen E’s attempts on Snow Fox’s life are trending.

Deathless by Emmalynn Spark – Love means finding new ways.

At Her Service by K.S. Trenten – Dancing to her true desire.

Shattered Glass by Lina Langley – The resistance was never ready for this.

Finding Aurora by Rebecca Langham – Setting out to save the sleeping princess does not go as planned.

Master Thief by Sita Bethel – He became the greatest thief in the world so he could steal his squire’s heart.

The True Love Curse by Tray Ellis – True Love would be wonderful, but the curse keeps getting in the way.

Excerpt

Coming Home by Jennifer Cosgrove
Scott Prince has everything, but it doesn’t mean that he enjoys all the responsibilities that come with it. It is, at times, a lonely life. But things start looking up one evening when, at an obligatory social event, he meets a handsome man while stepping out for some air.

But then the man disappears. Scott and Molly, his best friend, find him again in a very unexpected place, and the mystery deepens. A tale of an evil stepmother and horrid stepsisters versus a man who is fiercely independent, and a Prince that will do whatever he can to help him escape his situation and come home.

Snow Fox by Sara Codair
Working at a fast food chain and photo blogging about her transition, Rosa Nieves, known to the internet as “Snow Fox,” is just trying to pay for nursing school. But when her photos go viral, Queen E can’t tolerate the idea that there is a badder bitch than herself, and sets out to murder Snow Fox. Can Rosa survive the wrath of a jealous, rich bitch with an enchanted smartphone? Or will one woman’s vanity be her doom?

Deathless by Emmalynn Spark
Prince Ivan has never been particularly good at being a Prince, so when he comes to rescue his wife from the evil wizard, he ends up offering himself in her place. Vanya soon learns that, while Alex may be an evil wizard, he’s a hell of a whole lot more. But the Prince kills the evil wizard, right? There’s no way the Prince and the Evil Wizard could love each other instead? Sometimes, love means writing your own happy ending.

At Her Service by K.S. Trenten
Cinders would much rather fondle her mistress’s bony feet than go to a ball. Magic whisks her away, in spite of herself to a night of lights, dancing, and mystery where she discovers her true heart’s desire. For nothing is what it seems where enchantment, fairy godmothers, and princes are concerned.

Shattered Glass by Lina Langley
Kai Axelsson is on the most dangerous mission of his life.

A timely twist of fate. A clever deception. And suddenly he’s found himself a place among the staff at Sandheim Palace, entrenched among the people bound to serve a despotic queen. Kai’s only job is to feed the propaganda machine while staying out of sight–yet when he catches the attention of the queen’s brother, what began as an information gathering mission becomes a battle for Kai’s very soul.

Powerful. Magnetic. Immortal. With a breath of frost and a sliver of glass, the crown prince Alexander weaves his spell around Kai, intent to claim him forever and draw him into the darkness of their world. Yet where Alexander’s heart is made of ice…it’s the fire in Johann’s that could be the key to bringing Kai home.

Johann never wanted to let Kai go on this mission. And now a fatal misstep could mean losing the only man he’s ever loved. Only Johann can break the spell entangling Kai’s heart in thorns of darkest glass.

Before the dark prince’s corruption claims him completely, and Kai is lost forever.

Finding Aurora by Rebecca Langham
Aurora Rose slumbers in the city of Oldpass, a cursed kingdom once allied with Grimvein. She is powerless to control her own fate. At least, that’s how the story goes.

Now, as Grimvein faces attack, Prince Amir has been tasked with the life-threatening rescue of Aurora, his parents hopeful that he will marry the princess and secure safety for their kingdom. Talia, the strongest spellcaster in the known lands, protects and guides the prince in his quest to save a woman that threatens to change their lives forever. In finding Aurora, the pair will realise the truth about themselves and each other, coming to understand just what – and who – they really want in life.

Master Thief by Sita Bethel
Tyv grew up hungry and cold in a shack boarding the property of a noble family. His father could never provide enough food, clothing, or warm shelter, but there was one important thing he gave to his sons- the choice to go find their own destinies.

The True Love Curse by Tray Ellis
Widow Clara Hammond doesn’t have time to worry about misfortune befalling the royal family when she has a house to repair and stepsons to feed, but on her way through the forest she encounters Queen Almarine. The queen is searching for a cure for her ill son, Prince Roald, and Clara can’t refuse helping her. The more time they spend together, the more Clara likes Almarine, and the more it seems that Almarine likes her back.

Henryk Hammond is struggling to finish his law degree when the whole university is shut down in a city-wide search for a solution to Prince Roald’s illness. While waiting in the long line to offer his own meager knowledge an old woman gives him a magical cloak and gains him audience with the Prince. Henryk’s watchful night takes him on a wild ride of dancing and feasting as he follows the Prince out of the palace. As morning arrives, Henryk realizes that to save the Prince they’ll have to confront the enchantress together. There’s only one way up the tower to the witch’s lair, but Henryk is determined to end the curse.

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Reviews: A Holiday to Remember Collection by Various Authors

Life hasn't been easy for Amir since he fled Iran after a brutal imprisonment. The trauma experienced at the hands of the guards left a dark spot on his soul. The one constant in his life since relocating to Chicago has been his lover—now husband—Esmail, whose steadfast love and support has soothed his wounded heart.
​But this Shab-e Yalda, Amir wants to be the one giving his husband something special, because even after the darkest nights, the sun will rise again.




5 Hearts
It's easy to get caught up in the spirit of the season and forget about other's suffering. Bright lights and parties, traditions and festivities - in many religions December is about celebrations. When you're far from home, wracked by panic attacks in a strange land that promised freedom it can be hard. 
Amir can't escape the atrocities of what happened to him and his now husband in their homeland of Iran. Used to a place devoid of tolerance it is hard to accept he is now somewhere where he is safer, he is trying though. Each day he faces new challenges and Esmail is there to help him through the dark days.
This story tells us about one night when Amir wants to bring some of the happier memories of his homeland to his new home. Celebrating Shab-e Yalda is important to him and it may be a struggle but with Esmail by his side he knows he can do it.
A lovely story of hope after horror. I loved Amir and Esmail (especially Amir). I loved the dynamics of their relationship, how they worked together to make a new future for themselves. A beautiful story for this holiday season.

Mel finally gets to go home for Christmas. In his absence, his hometown has changed, and Carlos, his best friend’s little brother, is all grown up and interested in a relationship. But Carlos has his work cut out for him since Mel's having trouble seeing past the little brother part and his big brother, Aldo's determined to keep them apart.







4 Hearts
This story has it all; friends to lovers, home for the holidays, family, and a cold Minnesota Christmas! A cute read that left me warm and mushy all over - exactly how I want to feel after reading about Christmastime romance. 
I love friends to lovers, even if the friend needs to open his eyes and see what is standing before him. Oh and big brother keeps getting in the way! The cutest of Christmas reads.

It's Christmastime and the snow is falling. Restoring an old Victorian manor has been keeping contractor Brett Hawkins busy. The project's meant to be complete by Christmas, but there's no way he can get it done in time, especially with the big day right around the corner.

Meanwhile, his beloved Manuel Aguilar is grappling with depression, and he's consumed by guilt that it's kept him from putting up the decorations. But his biggest concern is that he may be ruining the holiday for Brett. As Manny struggles, unable to recognize his own courage in every small gain, Brett has a surprise that may help break depression's hold.

5 Hearts
The soul of Christmas is family and home, and is the heart of all Brett's hardwork. Manuel suffers depression and all it entails.
This story struck a chord with me because I know what it is to be caught in the grip of depression; the exhaustion and guilt. Kassandra Lea wrote a story which I understood from the heart; yet, despite the subject of depression being a key component of it, the story exuded warmth and hope and I loved it. It's great to read about depression as is and not just as a result of a big trauma. A beautiful story that warmed my heart.

The public library's computer geek, aka Travis, is content skirting the edges of social interaction. He's fully committed to being a boring, twenty-something IT guy who likes his office more than people, a guy someone like Connor would never fall for. Connor, who works on the library floor as a page, is outgoing, social, and charming and everything else that stands for "fun."

An interaction between the two at the library on Christmas Eve has Travis accidentally mentioning that he failed to find this year's hottest toy for his nephew. Immediately, Connor goes on a quick hunt online, and finds one. The only problem is that the Craigslist seller is hours away and Travis is sure spending hours in a car with quirky, handsome Connor can only end badly.

4 Hearts
You can get anything on Craigslist, right? But what if it's a killer at the other end of the line? 
This was an amusing little story that had me chuckling into my eggnog! Christmas is for geeks too you know! A geek, a dude, a road-trip, Christmas and a possible killer - what more could you want from a Christmas story, I ask you? This is a delightfully quirky read for the holiday season.

Nick is not looking forward to his second Christmas without Sammi, his gorgeous ex-fiancee. She left him on New Year’s Eve, a week after their engagement, and he still doesn’t know why.

A chance meeting whilst out Christmas shopping reveals that Sammi is now Sam, a transgender man. As the reasons behind their break-up become clearer, Nick cannot make sense of his new feelings. He is shocked by the deep attraction he still has to Sam, and what that says about himself.

It will take Nick's straight-talking family, and Sam’s guiding hand, to help him discover that gender is no barrier to love.

5 Hearts
This story is about love lost and love re-found and it really warmed the cockles of my heart. (No, I don't know what the cockles of my heart are either, but you know what I mean). 
Love is all about the person in this story. Nick loves Sam and it's as simple as that for him. He doesn't care if Sam is now presenting as male, after all he's still the same Sam inside just a truer version of himself. 
A beautiful story of acceptance and love set in the holiday season. A truly enjoyable read.

Balancing holidays between two families can make cheerful celebrations into chores. Carson Benedetti's mom has overscheduled the Christmas holidays and she's more than insistent that boyfriend Tynan Harris come into the family fold. There's so much to do Tynan can't find time to bring Carson over to his own family and he feels like they are being left in the dust.

​After dating for nine months, and with their relationship becoming more serious, Tynan's patience is sorely tested by the multitude of Benedetti family traditions keeping them busy. Tynan needs to figure out how to find some breathing room, split their time more fairly, and make Christmas more than just tradition by rote.

4 Hearts
Mothers, hey! Mother-in-law jokes are a staple of British humour so I understood the heart of this story. As a mum myself, as much as I wanted to dislike Carson's mum, I couldn't. I don't like how she emotionally manipulated Carson, but there's a tiny bit of me that completely gets it! I dread the days my kids are elsewhere for Christmas! 
This story strikes at the heart of an oft familiar struggle at Christmas, how to split the time between families. Well written, with a touch of comedy, this story addresses the issue and resolves it with a happy Christmas for all.

Derrek is dealing with the recent, unexpected death of his mother. He’s been alone for five year since his husband Will died, and he’s ready to find someone new and to start living again. Ryan lost his partner, David, in an auto accident, and is dating Alex, who doesn’t treat him right.

Derrek can’t figure out why Ryan won’t see what’s right in front of his face. Why does Ryan come to him to talk about all his hopes, dreams, and fears, then go home to Alex?

If Derrek can figure that out, they might just have a shot.

5 Hearts
Grief is sometimes hidden under the carpet at this time of year. We don't want to think about those suffering lose and bereavement at a time when family and love is the heart of the the celebrations - but it can't be ignored; many people are suffering. J. Scott Coatsworth tackles this subject head on, letting a friendship finally bloom into the more that it's supposed to be. 
One of my favourite holiday reads, this book was written with understanding and depth - and a friends-to-more storyline! Truly enjoyable.

Review copies were provided.