Nina Romano, author of The Girl Who Loved Cayo Bradley and many other historical novels, combines her love of travel, history, and storytelling to create an exciting thriller set in Leningrad during the 1950s.
Anya, an unwed mother and former ballerina, crosses paths with Andrei, a police photography with ambitions that bring him into treacherous company. Two murders draw the two characters together while also drawing them into the corruption and betrayal of Russian bureaucracy. In their lives, danger unfairly targets those who hold less power than others.
While keeping an emphasis on the romance, mystery, and action, Romano also captures the gritty life of Russia’s everyday people during a turbulent era. Anyone who offers hope also faces threats or maybe poses a threat. It seems hard for Anya to trust anyone, understandably.
The narrative allows readers to see everything through Anya’s perspective. Though she seems judgmental or harsh at times, we learn about the events and people who hardened her. Still, we see her love and devotion for her daughter. Will she also dare to love the possibly duplicitous Andrei? Read this intriguing and sometimes disturbing novel to find out.
In addition to her research and interviews, Romano even traveled to Russia. Romano’s richly descriptive narrative benefits from her devotion to craft and will leave readers happy they read about Anya’s struggles.
A gay Parisian takes in an American and finds an unexpected romance. Todd Verow wrote and directed this imported comedy.
Text:
One night in Paris, Claude (Yann deMonterno) finds a drunk young man (Kevin Miranda) and gives his bed to him for the night. The next morning, Claude’s visitor identifies himself as an American actor named Brad, and they begin a relationship.
Claude’s friend Catherine (Florence d'Azemar) seems happy for him, but also worries, because he had previously regretted following a lover to America. When Brad stands Claude up, Catherine stays over to provide solace. It keeps getting more complicated from there as Claude and Brad develop a passionate love affair.
Despite some sad moments, the story mostly leans toward humor and romance. It also includes some clever satirical jabs at Hollywood. The soundtrack is usually enjoyable enough, except for when it seems to get stuck on certain notes. The photography brings viewers into the Paris streets, showing why they appeal to the characters.
Bad Boy Street is in French and English, with English subtitles. Acclaimed gay filmmaker Todd Verow (Frisk, Vacationland) wrote and directed this likeable film.
Thanks for visiting my blog! Please read about The Acorn Stories. “A lush tangle of small-town life branches out in this engrossing collection of short stories.” -Kirkus Reviews.
"So for those who want a thought provoking and fun sci-fi read, then I would highly recommend Degranon; so hover on over to the bookstore and check this one out." -Blogger Girls
Maximilian Lopez, a Marine Corps veteran and Hispanic author, wrote the science fiction thrillers Echoes of Etherium Series. Vol 1: The Dreams That Bind Us and Vol 2: The Demons That Save Us.
This sci-fi thriller explores the possibility that when we dream, we're merely glimpsing into an alternate reality. Three strangers bound together by a shared dream fight against the current of fate. Can they come to terms with the truth? Are we the only versions of ourselves? Are you the best version of you to exist? They must find each other without losing themselves. Two universes hang in the balance as external forces vie for control of their ability to peer into an alternate reality.
Illustrator: Lyrica Costello.
The Demons That Save Us: Echoes of Etherium Volume 2 book description:
As the clock ticks toward a multi-universal cataclysm, the dangers in both worlds become increasingly clear. With hopes and dreams on the line, unlikely heroes must confront an unyielding force of destiny that threatens to plunge them into its unforgiving depths.
The five unsuspecting test subjects—Corey, Selene, Joseph, and the Finnish twins—are bound by Dr. Kreiner and his father’s experiment to a fate they can barely imagine. When their consciousness is synchronized into their dream selves, it opens a gateway to an alternate reality. With a secret government agent determined to discover the truth, the stage is set for an epic battle against impossible odds.
Strap in for a riveting sci-fi thriller as dreams come alive and fate draws you ever closer toward its relentless grip in book two of the Echoes of Etherium Series - The Demons That Save Us.
Veralyn Keach is a writer and author of the new Fiction vampire series, “The Scent Of A Man.” She resides in Port St Lucie, Florida. She enjoys watching Hulu and Netflix when she is not writing.
This has been an exciting time for her to write a book about vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, sci-fi, paranormal, and romance because she grew up reading and watching fantasy, paranormal, and sci-fi.
Give her stories a chance and you’ll agree when she says you WILL want more.
Available Now! Romance Novella "Then Came You." and Children's Book "Juri - The Chosen."
The conflict of two people resisting love and even fearing it adds to the tension of this short novel. M.G. Cobbett presents a story of two boys who see each other as threats at times but certainly not as friends, much less boyfriends.
The attraction between them grows amid a series of awkward encounters, with their separate worlds often intersecting. They both try to act tough, often out of perceived necessity. They co-exist in an atmosphere that includes rugby, parties, bikers, tattoo parlors, and broken families, but not one that would seem to support gay romance.
M.G. Cobbett gives distinct voices to Mitchell Price and Owen Andersson, flitting between their perspectives in a way that captures the hesitation, misunderstandings, and joy of starting a romantic relationship. Does that relationship stand a chance? Will their separate worlds keep them separated from their true feelings? Grab this short, engaging read to find out what happens.
Thanks for visiting my blog! Please read about The Acorn Stories. “A lush tangle of small-town life branches out in this engrossing collection of short stories.” -Kirkus Reviews.
“The writing is imaginative and makes you think, adding depth to the tale.” —Rella B. Read this SciFi Book Review.
“Edge-of-your-seat action, scenes that detail the turmoil and terror of an alien attack and an inside look at love and acceptance for humanity’s differences.” —Dianne at Tome Tender. Read this SciFi Book Review.
“A highly-imaginative sci-fi adventure. Simolke’s alternate universe hits all the right notes between the fantastic and the believable. There is a dizzying and impressive array of ideas that permeate this novel. Taldra is a great sci-fi read, especially for those who enjoy history and religion mixed in with technology. This is one story where all three blend seamlessly into one.” Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★ Read this SciFi Book Review.
Set in an alternate reality, the Taldra novels focus on gays, people of color, and powerful women. Degranon: A Science Fiction Adventure flings an Iroquois family into a battle across time and space.
Winner, StoneWall Society Pride in the Arts Award.
“A thought provoking and fun sci-fi read.” —Blogger Girls
“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
Excerpt:
Lorfeltez stopped speaking. The audience grew still and quiet. The Maintainers had arrived. They filed through the crowd like a swarm of insects, freely pushing and shoving with all the authority their office granted them, elbowing several people, and pushing a few out the doorways.
Part of the crowd disappeared, as if the weight of the entering officers forced them outside. However, many of them failed to move away in time, and the Maintainers grabbed at their collars or even punched at them, before finding the sources of the disruption.
A female Maintainer yanked the holo-projectors away, knocking them to the floor, then used the handle of her sleep rifle to destroy them, sending hot metal parts and wires everywhere. One of the wires gashed a woman’s arm, sending out a small spurt of blood. Before even noticing her, the Maintainers handcuffed all five men, even while the crowd continued to shift madly about, trying to escape. One of the Maintainers assisted the injured woman, holding his hand over the cut on her arm.
Dr. Lorfeltez saw an elderly red woman in the audience, frail to the point that she had obviously lived beyond the virus’s benefits. One of the Maintainers waved his laser pistol around to scare away the remnants of the controversial gathering. He threw the metal cylinder up in the air and let it drop glove-like around his left hand.
(Excerpt from the revised, third edition of Degranon, Copyright 2016.)
Keywords: gay marriage, love is love, LGBT, queer, POC, People of Color, Native American, Iroquois, Navajo, African American, Black, Hispanic, Latino, Latina, Asian, Middle Eastern, religion, faith, atheism, cults, diversity, DiversityInSFF, strong females, powerful women, women, alternate reality, space epic, romance, free speech, individuality, scifi, SyFy.
#SciFi This isn’t a distant world or a distant future. This is an alternate reality that makes us look at our world, right now. Taldra isn’t some alien creature. Taldra is us. Her world, Valchondria, is Planet Earth.
From the review: "Duane Simolke presents an enthralling collection of slice-of-life stories set in a fictional Texas town. These tales shed light on the various facets of human behavior and showcase how seemingly mundane events can change the course of people's lives." Read the full book review by Pikasho Deka at https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/the-acorn-stories .
Judas Kiss: Strong Ensemble Creates Tale of Magic, Redemption.
Summary:
Gay film favorite Charlie David stars as a reluctant movie festival judge who encounters a film with the same title as his past entry, made by a young man who shares his name. David leads an ensemble cast in a tale of magic and possible redemption. This is a repost of one of my 2011 reviews for This Week In Texas.
Text:
Judas Kiss brings special effects and some twists on the familiar redemption tale to gay cinema. Though both work well, the strong ensemble cast in particular makes this new J. T. Tepnapa film memorable.
Besides his novels, screenplays, and constant appearances in gay films, Charlie David has worked as a host on several TV networks. His easily recognizable face and voice become slightly haggard and troubled in his role as Zach, especially after Zach’s friend Topher convinces him to serve as a judge at a film festival.
Unfortunately, Zach previously derailed many of his ambitions by cheating with his entry years ago, at the same festival. So returning brings back countless bad memories. Those memories become worse after an anonymous one-night stand. The young man from that night appears before the judges, using Zach’s real name, Danny Reyes, and presenting Zach’s film, Judas Kiss.
By this time, the audience can already see that Zach has entered some sort of alternate time line or parallel dimension, in which he can interact with his younger self, to put it mildly. The film’s descriptions and trailer give away these same details, and much more—too much, really.
Richard Harmon gives a brooding and sometimes creepy performance as Danny, the young film student with a dark past and a desperate need for people to see his film. Harmon’s previous movie and TV roles include Smallville, The Killing, Caprica, Tower Prep, and Percy Jackson & the Olympians.
The cast also includes Brent Corrigan (In The Closet, Milk, Chillerama, The Big Gay Musical); Genevieve Buechner (Caprica, The 4400, Finding A Family, The Killing); Timo Descamps (a Belgium actor/pop star who also sings on the soundtrack); and several other talented actors. They all give strong performances, certainly much better than some of the wooden acting in otherwise likeable gay films.
In fact, the productions values in general easily rival mainstream work. While the plot might rely on familiar conventions, it also takes some risks, and allows the actors to make its “What If?” questions appealing. As a fan of both gay film and science fiction/fantasy, I had long looked forward to finally seeing this completed project, after reading about early plans for it at the doorQ gay scifi/fantasy/horror site. Besides enjoying the end result, I want to see more from the makers of Judas Kiss.
Director J. T. Tepnapa plays a gay officer in the long-running web series Star Trek: Hidden Frontier. He has received numerous awards as a writer, director, and actor. He co-wrote Judas Kiss with his frequent collaborator, Carlos Pedraza, whose film credits include several web-based projects. Jody Wheeler, known as a writer/director and for launching doorQ, co-produced.
During July 2024, find my books and many more for a promotional price at @Smashwords as part of their Annual Summer/Winter Sale! https://www.smashwords.com/shelves/promos/ https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/duanesimolke #SWSale2024 #Smashwords
N. N. Light’s Book Heaven presents Duane Simolke #authorspotlight #sciencefiction #shortstories #fiction #mustread
Read this author spotlight at N. N. Light’s Book Heaven about my fiction, fantasy, and science fiction. It covers a lot of my writing journey. #BookThreads
“Duane Simolke presents an enthralling collection of slice-of-life stories set in a fictional Texas town.” —Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite. Read the review on Bookstagram/Instagram.
🐲🧙♂️🦸♀️⚔️Though born into a noble maternal lineage, Sasha grows up in exile. The teen girl goes home and becomes a legend. Free on Kindle Unlimited.
Use the coupon code BNPTAS50 at Barnes & Noble to get half off The Acorn Stories eBook through my birthday (May 28, 2024). “A lush tangle of small-town life branches out in this engrossing collection of short stories.” -Kirkus Reviews.
KoboPlus users can read most of my eBooks at no extra cost with their membership. A First Nation family gathers allies to protect the Earth of an alternate reality in the #SciFi duology Taldra.
Jane at Tweetables.Com reviewed my Texas fiction collection The Acorn Stories and interviewed me about my writing. In a follow-up interview for the 2nd anniversary of Tweetables, I talk about my scifi novels and the importance of book blogs. https://www.tweetables.com/2024/03/revisiting-duane-simolke.html
From the video description: "This is the story of how a low-budget Australian film – The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert – changed the course of history, loudly and proudly bringing a celebration of gay culture to the world that continues to resonate 20 years on. Narrated by Terence Stamp, Between a Frock and a Hard Place is also a social history of gay culture in Australia, drawing on footage from the famous movie as well as Sydney in the 80s. A time when the AIDS epidemic had taken hold, this time provided inspiration to director Stephan Elliott, who wanted to tell a story about the world of gay people, celebrating in the face of sadness and fear with flamboyant defiance. Includes interviews with the film’s key players – director Stephan Elliott, actors Terence Stamp, Guy Pearce and Hugo Weaving, and the creative team, as well as drag artists and members of the gay community."
“Refreshingly different, and at its beating heart is some much needed diversity that slots in effortlessly and with purpose.” –Sebastian J. Brook. Read the review at Doctor Who Online.
“Overall, this book was 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
I saw Alexander Birrell's gay thriller The Latent Image on Tubi. It’s a creepy intersection of danger, desire, love, fear, and creativity. Maybe someone with such an active imagination shouldn’t isolate himself in the woods while writing scary stories, but we get an unpredictable film with a lot of meta touches.
Argen (short hair) and Telius (long hair) in #Marvel or #Manga style character artwork by @kurokonekokamen based on #SciFi #sonsoftaldra. #sff #SciFiArt
Taking a break!
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Hi everyone!
This is just to let you know that I'm taking a break from blogging - there
are too many books to read and projects I need to get back to, s...
Book Review: Sin:Thetica, Keith Anthony Baird
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Book Review: Sin:Thetica, Keith Anthony Baird SciFi Mystery/Thriller:
Sin:Thetica, Keith Anthony Baird Pennsylvania, my home for the past 21
years, is...
Dark Eyes by Nina Romano
