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Ben Brock

B. A. Brock has lived most of his life in the Pacific Northwest. He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in 2007 at Portland State University--which he mostly uses to contemplate how we can achieve a civilization more closely aligned with Star Trek. When not writing, Brock spends his time reading/reviewing novels, training for marathons, and bemoaning the fact that the world has yet to make a decent gluten free donut.

“The Artifact of Foex” by James L. Wolf

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Genre: Queer Science Fiction Length: Novel   CHET IS a student of archaeology, nearing the completion of his studies. His current project has been field work in a patch of solidified lucid mud, capable of perfectly preserving objects stuck in it throughout the ages. It’s same old same old for Chet, until two Flame (god-affiliates with unusual powers) show up, and assist with unearthing the artifacts, including a complete person. Fenmore, a rogue from three hundred years ago, takes the artifact, and with the help of the Flame, runs with it. Chet gives chase, and from that point on, his … Read more

Review: “The Left Hand of Darkness” by Ursula K. Le Guin

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Genre: Queer Science Fiction Length: Novel Series: Hainish Cycle (all are standalones set in the same universe)   THE FIRST edition of this book was published the month after I was born, so while I was reading Catwings, Le Guin kindly had this book waiting for me for when I was older. How thoughtful of her! This is an “idea story”, where unlike some science fiction, it is not character or plot driven, but rather seeks to answer a question. What would happen if there was a single gender, capable of binary sexes? Le Guin attempts to answer this question … Read more

Review: “Tide of War” by Lori A. Witt

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Genre: LGBTQ Science Fiction Length: Novel Series: Defending Epsilon #1   EVERY DAY Lieutenant Commander Kyle West fights the good fight against Earth’s greatest enemy, the Menarians. For centuries they’ve been on the defensive–Earth never getting the advantage–even when they send their best fighters to Epsilon, a remote base where they offensively attack the Menarians on their own world, Menar. For years the brass have been trying to get Kyle to join the elite, and take his skills to Menar, but Kyle has a few very good reasons for staying Earth-bound. Until he doesn’t, and loses everything he cares about. … Read more

Review: “Lines of Sight” by Wolf Specter and Clara Coyle

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Genre: Gay Paranormal Mystery/Thriller Length: Novel Series: Covert Investigations #1   RUSS CALLAHAN is a private investigator. His job is to expose other people’s secrets, and when he gets an assignment to uncover the wrongdoer in Accelera Pharmaceutical Labs, it becomes clear Daniel Langston is a man of many secrets. Not only that, but Daniel seems to always be one step ahead of Russ, and knows more about him than anyone should. Russ quickly uncovers a plot that could ruin Accelera, ruin him, and put everyone he’s ever loved in danger. If he doesn’t act, the bad guys could walk … Read more

“Immortal Sins” by Thursday Euclid and Clancy Nacht

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Genre: M/M Paranormal Romance Length: Novel Series: Immortal Sins #1   OWEN CLARK works as a security guard at the Houston Museum of Natural History. After a brutal breakup, he’s living low key, but it’s safe to say that his new life is a bit boring. Well, never fear, Owen, because you’re about to be stalked by a centuries old vampire (from Sparta), who has some pretty kinky plans for you… which you manage to make kinkier… because you’re just that kind of special. You two were made for each other. All joking aside, I loved this novel. This is, … Read more

“Strain” by Amelia C. Gormley

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Genre: Gay Erotic Science Fiction Length: Novel It’s post-apocalyptic Earth–Oregon, actually (I’m an Oregonian!). There was a terrible virus, which rampantly spread through the world’s population and basically turned people into zombies, killing most, and dooming the rest. Not only that, but several forms of the virus are airborne (that’s really bad news). As with quite a few post-apocalyptic survivors, Rhys Cooper has lived most of his life in a rural religious commune, and when zombies break into his family’s compound, he gets exposed. Lucky for him, the regional task force full of super human soldiers finds him, and they … Read more

“‘Til Darkness Falls” by Pearl Love

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Genre: M/M Mystery Romance Length: Novel   THIS FANTASTIC mystery starts off in the historical past, with a prince falling in love with a slave in Ancient Egypt. The prince is forced into a marriage, and the soon-to-be princess is furious that the prince loves a slave, so she not only arranges the death of the slave, but curses them to misery for all eternity, compelling them to live their hopeless tale throughout the ages. The only caveat: she has to be there in every one of their incarnations to ensure their unhappiness, or she gets damned for all eternity. … Read more

“Song of the Navigator” by Astrid Amara

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Genre: Gay Science Fiction Length: Novel TOVER IS one of Harmony Corporation’s best navigators. The cochlear implants they inserted in his brain are designed to help him hear minute spatial frequencies, so he can send shipments through interdimensional space with the vibrations of his voice. For his impressive work, he’s given everything he wants: fame, fortune, and an aviary full of exotic birds. Unfortunately, during another one of his many parties, Tover’s ripped away from his charmed life by a group of rebels, and forced to work against his own company. In the midst of an economic battle, Tover’s eyes … Read more

B. A. Brock’s Best Books of 2015

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Best Books of 2015, in no particular order. They are novels I read in 2015, but weren’t necessarily published that year. Usually I try to do ten top books, but I couldn’t decide which one to leave out, so it’s eleven. Most are speculative fiction, because of my review work with QSF, but there are a few exceptions. Blue on Black by Carole Cummings Review: “Blue on Black” by Carole Cummings Channeling Morpheus by Jordan Castillo Price “Channeling Morpheus” by Jordan Castillo Price The Lightning-Struck Heart by T. J. Klune “The Lightning-Struck Heart” by T. J. Klune Zenith by Arshad … Read more

“Channeling Morpheus” by Jordan Castillo Price

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Genre: Urban Paranormal M/M Romance Length: Novellas   CHANNELING MORPHEUS is a series of ten novellas. It focuses on a vampire hunter, Michael, and a vampire, Wild Bill, who fight to stay together. Sometimes the forces that pull at them are other vampires and humans, and sometimes it’s their own natures. Michael’s on a revenge mission to kill every bad vampire. And despite his love, sometimes Bill sleeps with one eye open, because he knows there are no bad or good vampires, or humans really–they’re all killers–and it’s only a matter of time before naive Michael comes to the same … Read more