Featured Author: Maximilian Lopez #ScienceFiction

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.

@maximilian.lopez With book three coming out this summer, get your hands on book one and support an indie author and a talent artist cause this book cover is 🔥 😊 #tbrlist #booktok #readingcommunity #sciencefictionbooks #indieauthorsoftiktok #tbrpilekeepsgrowing ♬ Say So (Instrumental Version) [Originally Performed by Doja Cat] - Elliot Van Coup

The Dreams That Bind Us: Echoes of Etherium Volume One book description:

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.

Illustrator: Lyrica Costello.

Visit the author at X, Goodreads, Threads, and TikTok.

Featured Author: Veralyn Keach

Biography (from VeralynKeach.Com):

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 Scent of a Man: Half Vampire/Half Man book description:

This was all Gabriel Stones’ fault!

Ariel Landford realized she was to enter a whole new life when Damian Vanburg suddenly appeared. Half-vampire/half-man.

Will Ariel lose one man to the scent of another, or will she lose everything including her life?

Visit the author at VeralynKeach.Com and X.

Book review: The Right Price by M.G. Cobbett

The Right Price by M.G. Cobbett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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.


View all my reviews

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.

Sons of Taldra Trailers #SciFi Trailers

Taldra: Science Fiction Adventures. Newest reviews and now a playlist!

Taldra: Two Science Fiction Adventures at Barnes & Noble (print and eBook).

Taldra: Two Science Fiction Adventures at Amazon (print and eBook).

Taldra: Two Science Fiction Adventures at Smashwords.

Add Taldra to Your Goodreads Reading List.

Taldra Music Video Playlist:

Feed My Reads Interview with Taldra.

Taldra Discussion in Two Gay Geeks Webcast.

Instagram Book Promotion: Taldra.

Instagram @caty.books: Taldra.

BookPromotions BookTok: Taldra.

BookTok: My Taldra Video.

BookTok: My Meet Taldra Video.

“Creative and unique.” —R.L. Wood. Read this SciFi Book Review.

“I hope to see more by this author.” —Emily. Read this SciFi Book Review.

“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

In Sons of Taldra: A Science Fiction Adventure, alien shapeshifters and dark secrets threaten humanity.

“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.

Tweets with keyword Taldra

Rock and Pop Playlist for Taldra #ScienceFiction Adventures

#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.

Taldra playlist:

The Acorn Stories has received a Fiction-Anthology Silver Medal Book Award from Readers’ Favorite.

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 .

Join me on social media

LinkTree * TikTok * BookBub * GoodReads * StoneWall Society * AuthorsDen * Blogger * YouTube * Pinterest * Instagram * AllAuthor *

My Books, Etc. (A Mirror of the Web Version's Sidebar)

Sons of Taldra: A Science Fiction Adventure. In an alternate reality, an Iroquois scientist and her twin gay sons battle shapeshifting aliens. * Both Taldra Novels in One EBook * Chapter 1 at Wattpad * Book Teaser, Spoiler Alert * Writing a Novel * Glossary

The Acorn Stories. “A lush tangle of small-town life branches out in this engrossing collection of short stories.” -Kirkus Reviews. * Excerpts from The Acorn Stories * The Individual Stories * Reading Group Questions * Historical Acorn, Texas * Texas Tales Book Trailer * Comedy & Drama Book Trailer

The Acorn Gathering: Writers Uniting Against Cancer. Join the fight against cancer by purchasing this fundraising fiction collection, with stories by Jan Chandler, Shawna R. Van Arum, Huda Orfali, Timothy Morris Taylor, and Bill Wetzel. * Book Reviews * News and Authors * HD Book Trailer * Excerpts from The Acorn Gathering * Free Story: Fat Diary: Humor

Degranon: A Science Fiction Adventure. An Iroquois family gets caught in a battle between two oppressive worlds. * Both Taldra Novels in One EBook * We’re Glad Our Son Is Gay * The Maintainers Arrive * Reading Group Questions * Glossary

Holding Me Together counters homophobia, promotes equality, and celebrates life! * Reactions to Homophobia * Home (Gay Romance) * The Bible and Gays * Selected Poems eBook

The Return of Innocence: A Fantasy Adventure blends humor and romance with exciting fantasy action. * Characters * HD Book Trailer

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

* Press Releases

* Book Index: Genres, Themes, and Keywords

* Bio, With Links

Resources:

Ray Ferch’s BookHylla book search

Rebecca Crunden’s List of Resources for Indie Authors

The Literary Tribune

First Bookshop (UK)

It’s A Wrap Cover Designs

DystopianNovels UK

QueerSciFi

Gay Flash Fiction

Author/Blogger Michael Ampersant

Author/Blogger Leonard Tillerman

Judas Kiss: Gay Movie Review

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.

Thanks for visiting my blog! Please read about my books The Acorn Stories and Degranon: A Science Fiction Adventure.