Science Fiction and Fantasy

Of Angels and Demons…

September 21, 2015 By Brandon Leave a Comment

Welcome S.R. Carrillo to the blog with her LGBTQ dark fantasy, the Soul series.

Evil has flourished since the beginning of time, but at long last it has come to pass—that the world should end at the hands of the divine. A Lesser Earth thrives in the ashes of the old world.

As does an unnamed lost boy, the abandoned effigy of evil, who wanders the globe without a clue and without a purpose.

The Last Angel Ero’s only task is to find this boy and raise him into the arms of Grace. He doesn’t expect to question that purpose—and he certainly doesn’t expect to find an affinity with the evil inside the boy he names Sol. [Read more…] about Of Angels and Demons…

Spotlight on paranormal M/M – Awakened

August 3, 2015 By Brandon Leave a Comment

Welcome Kenneth Creech to the blog with his paranormal M/M novel, Awakened.

Blurb

Caleb McEllis has been haunted by the same nightmare for as many years as he can remember; he is swallowed by darkness and unable to escape. Which was the perfect metaphor for the small conservative town where he grew up. Once he graduated from high school, he vowed to never return, hoping to escape the teasing he experienced since childhood.

On his way to work one night, his nightmare comes to life and something in the darkness comes for him, causing him to careen off the freeway and flip his car. During the ensuing chaos, a stranger pulls Caleb from the wreckage moments before lighting it on fire. As the night continues, Caleb discovers that this stranger knows more about him than he should, perhaps even more than Caleb knows about himself.

Caleb is forced to trust the stranger or run the risk of being killed by whatever attacked him on the road. He soon learns that the things he thought he knew about himself are based on lies he’s been told since childhood and as they unravel he is forced to confront the truth about what he really is. In order to survive, Caleb must let go of his past and embrace his true nature. Proof that puberty is hard for everyone, but for Caleb, it could be murder.

Awakened is a young adult paranormal fiction novel that is infused with humor and a little bit of male on male romance. It’s a twist on the traditional shifter genre, and will leave you wanting more! Awakened is the first in the series.

Get it from Amazon

Author Bio

Having been an avid reader of paranormal and sci-fi books since childhood, the genre is part of Kenneth Creech’s everyday world. Kenneth has the sometimes annoying habit of watching the people around him, which has led to some of his best inspiration, as he imagines what is going on in their lives and their minds. While writing Awakened, Kenneth also used some of his own dreams as inspiration for how the events unfolded in the story. When not writing, Kenneth also helps other writers by editing their works, getting them polished and ready for the world to read.

Connect on Twitter.

New LGBT SciFi – Willem of the Tafel

May 28, 2015 By Brandon Leave a Comment

First of all, before I even get started, I need to say thanks to Brandon. As I was typing the name of this document to make sure it got saved properly, my Mac reminded me gently that I already had a “Blog post for Brandon Shire” in my folder. Curiosity kills the cat, so I looked and yes, back in July 2013, just days after I had published my first two novels, Brandon had me on his blog, giving me a chance to talk about them.

This is my third appearance, I kind of missed out on “The Fallen Angels of Karnataka”, but it’s like coming home, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity. Brandon is one of the first authors I got to know on Twitter after reading one of his books, and we’ve been “at it” ever since, and even though his face still eludes me, I consider him one of my author friends, a tight-knit community for sure. So here is a virtual hug and a HOORAY for having me on his blog yet again! 🙂

Today is the release day of my fifth novel. So much has changed since I first wrote “Family Ties” back in January 2013. The sensation of putting down the pen on your first book is obviously a feeling you’ll only ever have once, and it’s an emotion that stays with us for the rest of our lives. Mixed into the accomplishment are fears of “what next?”, “Is this worthy of being published?”, “Is it any good?” and “can I do this again?” I seriously doubt that I have all the answers to those questions. Apparently, my work was good enough, judging by the reviews, I managed to get the book published, and – since today marks my fifth novel – I was able to do it again. [Read more…] about New LGBT SciFi – Willem of the Tafel

Queering the Beyond with Adam Sass

May 12, 2015 By Brandon 1 Comment

With the creation of new worlds, aliens, and inter-galactic politics one would think that science fiction is a literary genre welcoming of diversity. However, both queer and female voices in sci-fi are often either hard-to-find or snubbed by the genre’s readers. Startling Sci-Fi: New Tales of the Beyond edited by Casey Ellis (New Lit Salon Press) is inclusive of both queer and female voices. The collection also attempts to disprove the misnomer that “literary fiction” and “genre fiction” can’t be one in the same. I sat down with one of the anthologies authors, Adam Sass, to find out how he’s helping to queer the beyond.

Brandon: Why do you think Science Fiction attracts so many gay readers and writers?

Adam: It has a flair, doesn’t it? Sci-fi writing lends itself to splashy, showy, larger-than-life characters. It colors the mundane, presents big ideas, creates fabulous powers, and features operatic drama; all things gays (on average) find to be mother’s milk. It’s also a genre that’s big on metaphor. Gays can really rock a metaphor.

Brandon: Pop culture plays a big role in your story, “98% Graves.” Can you discuss pop culture’s influence on your work in general and in this story specifically? [Read more…] about Queering the Beyond with Adam Sass

Andrew Q Gordon’s The Eye and the Arm – #Fantasy

April 16, 2015 By Brandon 2 Comments

Friend and author, Andrew Q. Gordon has a new book out in his Champion of the Gods series, and it looks GOOD. Check it out below, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway on the bottom of the post. ~B.

Blurb:

After defeating Meglar at Belsport, Farrell returns to Haven to recover from his injuries, but Khron, the god of war, has other ideas. He gives Farrell a new mission: free the survivors of the ancient dwarf realm of Trellham from their three-thousand-year banishment. To fulfill Khron’s near impossible task, Farrell will need the help of his distance ancestor, the legendary wizard Kel. But Kel has been dead for a thousand years.

Farrell finds information hinting that Kel is alive, so he moves his search to Dumbarten, Kel’s birthplace. To reach Dumbarten unannounced, Farrell and Miceral disguise themselves as mercenaries on board a merchant vessel. Their journey is disrupted when pirates attack their ship. While attempting to subdue the attack, Farrell is struck down by one of Meglar’s minions. [Read more…] about Andrew Q Gordon’s The Eye and the Arm – #Fantasy

Spotlight on Gay Fantasy – Dark Tale of Randamoor the Recluse

March 29, 2015 By Brandon 3 Comments

In a nutshell, if you’re looking to fall hopelessly in love with a gay 17-year-old who wields a sword, this is your series. There are 7 books in total. The first part of the 7 book series (Dark Tale of Randamoor the Recluse) is a trilogy called The Invisible Chains. The second part of the series is 4 books: The Invisible Hands. I’ve only featured book one here to get you started on this epic journey. Enjoy!

Blurb:

Anaxantis, prince of Ximerion.

You will hate him… if your heart isn’t big enough.

While the kingdom of Ximerion is threatened at its southern border by a major power, the high king sends his two youngest sons, the half brothers Anaxantis and Ehandar, as Lord Governors to the Northern Marches where minor raids by wild barbarians are expected. Under the guidance of an old and trusted general, the king hopes to keep the young princes far from the major conflict in the south, while at the same time providing them with a valuable learning experience. The estranged half brothers are rivals, but soon they feel attracted to each other. As if this was not enough of a complication, they begin to suspect that they were set up by their own father. The result is a fierce struggle for power where the lines between hate and love become almost indistinguishable and where nothing is what it seems.

Get it FREE from Amazon

Author Bio:

Andrew Ashling started writing in January 2009, mainly gay, m/m, slash, and yaoi stories. He has no great literary ambitions. He just tells great stories that play with expectations, boundaries, and even taboos. Connect with him on Twitter.