A newlywed struggles with mental health and job insecurity, but finds joy in her artwork and marriage.
A teacher faces bigotry in the small town he grew to love.
Swimming laps in a pool makes a young man reflect on his odd encounters.
Faustian legend receives a satirical update.
Those situations just hint at what readers can find in Duane Simolke’s collection of West Texas tales, set at the end of the twentieth century.
“A lush tangle of small-town life branches out in this engrossing collection of short stories.” –Kirkus Reviews
On the planet Valchondria, no illness exists, gay marriage is legal, and everyone is a person of color. However, a group called “the Maintainers” carefully monitors everyone’s speech, actions, and weight. The Maintainers also force so-called “colorsighted” people to hide their ability to see in color.
The Iroquois scientist Taldra sees her twin gay sons as the hope for Valchondria’s future, but one of them becomes entangled in the cult of Degranon, and the other becomes stranded on the other side of a doorway through time. Can they find their way home and help Taldra save their world?
Winner of a StoneWall Society Pride In The Arts Literary Award.
“A fascinating scifi excursion.” –Ronald L. Donaghe, author of Cinátis
“Well written and fun.” –Blogger Girls
This revised, twentieth anniversary edition includes the opening chapter from Sons of Taldra: A Science Fiction Adventure.
Alien shapeshifters have found the human world. Leader and her sons must stop the invasion. Maintainer Admiral Nil blames Leader for a series of tragedies and might pose an even greater threat than the changelings that want to feed on humanity.
One of Leader’s twin sons, Telius, simply wants to marry the man he loves. The other, Argen, struggles with the residual effects of a deadly drug addiction. The young men rally to Leader’s side as she faces humanity’s greatest threats.
“Refreshingly different, and at its beating heart is some much needed diversity that slots in effortlessly and with purpose.” –Sebastian J. Brook, 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
“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.” —Tome Tender
“The author has a captivating writing style, creating a world full of whole and realistic characters and concepts with plenty of action.” —R.L. Wood, author of Dark Little Women: Girl Power!
“Highly-imaginative sci-fi adventure set in an alternate universe.” —Self-Publishing Review
In an alternate reality, Earth is Valchondria. The one-world government consists of Leader, the Supreme Science Council, and a police force called “the Maintainers.”
Degranon: A Science Fiction Adventure introduces the Iroquois scientist Taldra. One of her sons becomes trapped on the other side of a time portal while the other loses himself to the religious cult Degranon. Can they find their way back to each other before the Degrans destroy Valchondria?
In Sons of Taldra: A Science Fiction Adventure, alien shapeshifters and the secrets of the Maintainers threaten humanity. First published in 2016 as an eBook, Sons of Taldra now appears in this collection with the revised, twentieth anniversary edition of Degranon.