Maybe We Run

Start your week with this new rock track from ‪Redline Addiction. It's got a feel-good sound, and the lyrics capture a lot of positive vibes. #MusicRecs

Louder Than Words - an LGBTQ ( GAY ) Film

Louder Than Words is a sensitive and touching gay short film about a deaf dancer, his close friend, and someone new who has entered their lives. Unlike too many other gay films, it's not only well-made but also projects a happy and hopeful tone.

The Whisper that Replaced God Part II: Silent Almighty Book Review

You might want to first read my review of Part I, so I provided that link to my previous post. Unlike most of the book-related ideas that occur to me when I wake up at 3 in the morning, I remembered that one. The review this blog entry’s title promises will now commence.

The Whisper that Replaced God Part II: Silent Almighty by Timothy Wolff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

With Part II, Timothy Wolff takes advantage of the story’s split release by letting his MC and narrator Muse comment on some of the reader reactions to Book I. Not surprisingly, it gives this fast-paced volume a level of meta cleverness that makes the pages turn even more quickly.

The story takes unexpected turns, with Mute venting frustration at how so many people follow his new rival, Deaf. Mute resorts to increasingly dark choices and justifications, but the humor keeps the narrative itself from becoming bleak or depressing. Some of the lines work as simply funny, while others reflect clever commentary on human nature, power, storytelling, and social media—even if social media might not exist within Mute’s world. I’ll avoid spoilers and say Mute takes readers on a rewarding journey.

Readers who like fantasy with exciting action and outrageous humor should add Timothy Wolff to their reading list.


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Thanks for visiting my blog! Please read about my books, including the small-town fiction collection The Acorn Stories and my free eBook Degranon: A Science Fiction Adventure.

The Whisper that Replaced God (A Silent Duology Book 1) Book Review

The Whisper that Replaced God by Timothy Wolff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Whisper that Replaced God (A Silent Duology Book 1) works as an entertaining fantasy, but the first-person narration adds some much-needed levity. Mute remains aware of readers, not wanting to bore, insult, or trouble them with superfluous or unpleasant details. All of it reveals much about his personality and past, thus adding to the richness of the story.

We even get commentary that evokes the art of storytelling and the frustrations of contemporary writers. While such inclusions might become whiny and self-indulgent in less skillful hands, Timothy Wolff uses playful observations about the struggles of storytelling to make the story itself even more fast-paced and intriguing.

Of course, we also get the story itself, with Mute’s tragic life revealed in action-packed sequences and emotional betrayals. Mute’s experiences give him the insight and determination to survive it all.

In just over eighty pages, Wolff captures a lifetime of strife and pain that may or may not lead to a sense that Mute’s fate will justify his journey. One still needs to read Book 2, after all, but this satisfying read makes Book 2 irresistible.

View all my Goodreads reviews.

Thanks for visiting my blog! Please read about my books, including the small-town fiction collection The Acorn Stories and my free eBook Degranon: A Science Fiction Adventure.

Same Sex Book Review

Same Sex: Gay SF Clone Erotica by J W Steed
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Author Peter Schutes introduces two tales of clones and gay male desire. Schutes offers an introduction that shows a love for science fiction and concerns about oppression.

That introduction also explains the unlikely genesis of this unique collection. Despite similar concepts, the stories differ in feel and setting, both going in unexpected directions while both delivering an enjoyable read.

In “Journey’s End,” author J. W. Steed brings readers to a terraformed planet. Jeremy still harbors feelings for Benny, but Benny falls for one of Jeremy’s clones. Complications arise, with Jeremy worried about his obsession with observing that new relationship. It affects his job and his interactions. The tone becomes whimsical at times, thanks to Jeremy’s observations and quirks.

“Billy Club,” by Frank Slater, takes place in a different future but a more down-to-Earth setting, with a crooked system of cloned cops. This story features much rougher characters than the first one and focuses much more on desire. The officers, all known as Billy but with different badge numbers, become entangled with local gay men in a way that might expose corruption. The first-person narrator often sounds like he belongs in an old detective movie, but he takes the story into racier territory.

View all my Goodreads reviews

Thanks for visiting my blog! Please read about my books, including the small-town fiction collection The Acorn Stories and my free eBook Degranon: A Science Fiction Adventure.

Books Written or Cowritten by Duane Simolke

Degranon: A Science Fiction Adventure. An Iroquois family gets caught in a battle between two oppressive worlds. Free eBook!

Sons of Taldra: A Science Fiction Adventure. In an alternate reality, an Iroquois scientist and her twin gay sons battle shapeshifting aliens.

Taldra: Degranon and Sons of Taldra together in one volume.

The Acorn Stories. “A lush tangle of small-town life branches out in this engrossing collection of short stories.” -Kirkus Reviews.

The Acorn Gathering: Writers Uniting Against Cancer. Join the fight against cancer by purchasing this fundraising fiction collection.

Free Story: Fat Diary: Humor.

Holding Me Together counters homophobia, promotes equality, and celebrates life!

Selected Poems eBook.

The Return of Innocence: A Fantasy Adventure blends humor and romance with exciting fantasy action.

Stein, Gender, Isolation and Industrialism: New Readings of Winesburg, Ohio examines the best-known work of the influential American writer, Sherwood Anderson.

That Jacobs Boy #badboystexas #smalltownlife #smalltownstories #smalltownproblems

Maybe the Right Girl at the Right Time Can Save a Kingdom

@duanesimolke The Return of Innocence: Maybe the Right Girl #booktok #fantasy #fantasybookstok #fantasybookstagram #yafantasybooks #booktoker ♬ O Fortuna - Techno Remix - Karmaik

The Return of Innocence: Maybe the Right Girl video. #booktok #fantasy #fantasybookstok #fantasybookstagram #yafantasybooks #booktoker

Discover unity, courage, and love as Taldra fights for humanity’s survival.

Discover unity, courage, and love as Taldra fights for humanity’s survival. https://t.co/42Pd7d05MR @duanesimolke#SciFiBooks #ScienceFiction #SciFiLit #SpeculativeFiction #Dystopian #IndieScifi #FuturisticWorlds pic.twitter.com/twVi0tPolc

— PromoCorner - Find your next Book. (@PromoCornerX) April 10, 2025

PromoCorner created this video for Sons of Taldra: A Science Fiction Adventure and posted it on social media.

"Refreshingly different, and at its beating heart is some much needed diversity that slots in effortlessly and with purpose." –Doctor Who Online

"The most intriguing aspect of the story is controlled by emotion as relatable characters grow and brave it all together, selflessly helping each other." –Enas Reviews

"A quick fun read for anyone who enjoys sci-fi and adventure books. The plot was compelling and the characters were engaging." –Fiction Flock

"An explosive book that will mean different things to each reader. The familial love and romantic love that shine make it even a deeper read." –N. N. Light's Book Heaven

"I recommend this book to science fiction readers and those who like complex storylines." –Review Tales

"In Acorn, Texas, every hidden story wrestles with humor and heart."

In Acorn, Texas, every hidden story wrestles with humour and heart.https://t.co/8K70gN75Oi@DuaneSimolke #booktwitter #bookstoread #booktwt #bookreader #booksbooksbooks #fortheloveofbooks #booklove #kindlebooks #kindle pic.twitter.com/9QrPKNgSR2

— PromoCorner - Find your next Book. (@PromoCornerX) April 7, 2025