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Rainbow Reading - Finding Forgiveness

4/14/2015

Rainbow Reading is our weekly series focusing on book reviews with a geeky/sci-fi/fantasty/supernatural flair with LGBTQ characters. Today I review Finding Forgiveness by Dana Marie Bell.

Finding Forgiveness is part of a series called the Poconos Pack, and while I think reading the series does add more depth to this book , it can be read as a standalone.

I love this couple, and have been rooting for them since they were first introduced in another book. The main characters are Ben Malone and Dave Maldonado and they are part of a werewolf pack. Dave is Beta for the Poconos pack and Ben is the Marshall. Dave suffers from severe migraines to the point that the pack doctor is concern about the possibility of a stroke. Ben, as Marshall of the pack, can feel what is going on with certain members, and he misinterprets what Dave is feeling as a constant hangover instead of migraine pain. Ben grew up with an alcoholic father who beat him, and his mother did nothing about it, and now he can’t stand the idea of joining with his mate who he believes has had a drinking problem since the age of 15.

Early in the book, the migraines send Dave to the hospital. It is at this time that Ben finds out exactly what is going on with his mate, and comes to understand how badly he has treated Dave over the years. He is under orders not to stress Dave out in any way, and that includes no talking to him until after Dave returns from vacation. So, what is a mate to do in that situation? Ben goes courting. He leaves Dave chocolate and flowers and venison (the entire dead, bleeding deer on his porch steps!). This does not go over well.

Dave leaves on his vacation that he has been planning for a while - a trip to Florida and Disney during Gay Pride Week. He has thoughts of potentially trying to find another mate while he is gone. Ben however has other ideas, and once he finds out where Dave is going, makes arrangements to travel to the same place. Ben finds Dave, and they do what should have been done years ago - they communicate with each other.

Ben: "You're not dreaming."
Dave: "No? In about three seconds you're going to tell me you're sorry, you can't live without me, and you've got a naked Gerard Butler stuck in your pocket."
Ben: "Two out of three isn't bad."

Don’t worry - groveling is involved on Ben’s part. Ben is able to explain to Dave what he thought and why he thought it, and Dave is gracious enough to forgive Ben.

This is a short book full of mates learning how to communicate and forgive each other. It is a perfect Sunday afternoon read, and I highly recommend this one, and the rest of the series.

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Fun Games You Aren't Playing - Broken Age

4/10/2015

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The famously (infamously?) overfunded Kickstarter game Broken Age sometimes gets bogged down in the criticism of its creators, its slow release schedule, how over budget it is, and all other manner of development drama.

However, even if the worst-case scenario happens and the second part of the game isn’t finished, I got enough more than enough magic out of the first part to make me happy. It’s like playing a hand-painted Disney movie, complete with stunning animation and orchestral soundtrack.

Broken Age features the stories of two young people who decide to fight back against the situations in which they are trapped. Shay is a boy on the world’s most boring spaceship, where the computer “mommy” makes certain that nothing exciting or dangerous ever happens. Vella’s situation is a bit more dire; she’s a girl who is about to become the next maiden sacrifice to a horrific Lovecraftian monster. The stories take place separately, so you’re free to choose whichever you’d like to play at any time.

The game features voice work from geek favorites Pendleton Ward, Wil Wheaton and, best of all, Elijah Wood who plays one of the main characters. If you’re not even a little excited that you get to listen to Frodo Baggins solve puzzles, you might need to check your pulse.

Did I mention that this game is stupidly pretty? This game is stupidly pretty.

Broken Age is a true adventure game, complete with puzzles to solve, items to collect, and mysteries to solve. It’s in the more modern style, so no “LOOK AT” or “PULL” prompts to input, and no bizarre logic that only the most twisted writer could dream of, like the notorious cat-hair-moustache puzzle. The simplicity makes it a great tablet game, although I’m of the opinion that all adventure games are best played curled up on the couch with a warm drink.

The second part of the story will be released on April 28th, so now’s a great time to get started on this awesome game. The first part does end on a pretty big cliffhanger, so if you’re allergic to episodic gaming feel free to wait a few weeks. I’m really excited to see how this one will end, so expect me to be MIA on that date for a few hours!

Smelling irresistibly of Beast Hooker,
The Dungeon Dame

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Rainbow Reading - Loving an Absentminded Astrophysicist

4/6/2015

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Rainbow Reading is our weekly series focusing on book reviews with a geeky/sci-fi/fantasty/supernatural flair with LGBTQ characters. Today I review Loving an Absentminded Astrophysicist by T.N. Tarrant.

This book was recommended to me by a friend. I have never read any T.N. Tarrant books, but I’m always up for trying new authors. This is actually two books joined together by a novella in the middle. I did indeed enjoy it.

The book centers on Jareth and Liam. Liam is the astrophysicist in this story, as well as an astrobiologist and a geologist. By any standard, he is a genius. Liam works at the Northwestern Institute for Interstellar Research. He meets Jareth there, who is head of security, during an unfortunate incident involving a co-worker, a set of brass knuckles and a trip to the hospital. Liam is no stranger to the hospital where doctors and nurses know him on sight. Even though this specific incident was not Liam’s fault, it seems Liam is slightly (read this as ginormously) accident prone. Liam lives in his own world, and he has almost no situational awareness. Liam is 23 and has been a full time member of the staff for three years and was a student prior to that.

Jareth goes with Liam to the hospital where he finds out Liam will need to be there at a minimum overnight. Liam’s only concern is Her Royal Highness, Empress the Cat. Liam has a cat sitter for Empress during the day, but doesn’t want to leave her alone at night. Jareth offers to look after Her Royal Highness. Jareth also ends up taking care of Liam after he is in the hospital longer than expected. While Jareth is over, Liam has a flashback. This reveals to us and Jareth the Liam’s horrific parents. Over time, we find out that everyone that showed attention to Liam either wanted to steal his ideas or were jealous of his intelligence and success. This has left Liam extremely reluctant to connect to others as friends much less enter into a relationship.

Jareth slowly convinces Liam to trust him with time and patience. He does this by being there for him at work, and through all the trials and tribulations with his parents. Jareth is able to offer Liam something he has never had – love. The second book is eight years after Liam and Jareth marry. They decide they want to have a child, and decide to try adopting. Obstacle after obstacle is thrown in there path by vengeful people, bigots and one extremely crazy and hateful parent.

These books are high angst. They also have scientific discussions that occur routinely with Liam’s co-workers or just between Jareth and Liam. I know some people found these discussions long and drawn out, but they actually made me look up the information to see how much was accurate. It reminded me why I like reading books by Brian Greene and Neil deGrasse Tyson as well. I really enjoyed these books, and they are in my definite re-read folder on my kindle. I’m now looking for additional books by T.N. Tarrant to absorb.

Have you read this book? If so, please comment below. If there is another book and/or author you would like to suggest for Rainbow Reading, please drop me a line below!

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Fun Games You Aren't Playing - Broforce

4/3/2015

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Work stress got you down?

Frienemies stirring the pot on social media?

Just watched a movie with a sad ending, especially one involving a cute animal character?

Take all your favorite action movies, mash them up with your favorite run-and-gun games, and turn the volume way up, and you’ll get Broforce, my new favorite Explosion Simulator.

Broforce is arcade style with a capital A: once you start a game, it’s “3! 2! 1! GO GO GO!” and you’re thrust in the action. You play as a random action hero “bro” ranging from Rambro to The Brominator, destroying terrorists, attack dogs, plants, dirt, walls, and anything and everything that gets in your way. There is very little that can’t be gunned down or blown up, which is especially fun when playing with friends.

Part of the challenge of Broforce is learning how to use each character successfully; since your player bro is randomly chosen, you’ve got to be able to guide each bro to victory. I love this no-bro-left-behind mechanic, and since you unlock bros slowly as you progress through the game, you’re not overwhelmed by a large team initially. However, if you’re playing with friends new to the game, it can be daunting to continually switch bros as you play.

Gameplay is fast and furious, and you can choose between a traditional arcade mode or a campaign. Especially with multiple players causing chaos, it’s pretty easy to get killed many times playing the game. I’ve rarely been frustrated, though-- you most likely go down in a blaze of glory, and that’s too awesome to be mad at.

Broforce is an early access game, meaning that it’s not quite complete yet. However, it’s very polished, has plenty of characters and content, and most importantly is a lot of fun in its current state. It’s early access status is actually a bit of a bonus; there are plenty of fun updates and improvements coming soon!

Threat Level: Tangerine
-The Dungeon Dame

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Rainbow Reading - Shift In Time

3/30/2015

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Rainbow Reading is our weekly series focusing on book reviews with a geeky/sci-fi/fantasty/supernatural flair with LGBTQ characters. Today I review Shift In Time by Mercy Celeste.

I’ll say upfront, I’m a big fan of Mercy Celeste. I've read all of her m/m books. I love her contemporary novels – she interweaves plots, twists and turns, secrets and lies like a master. I tend to do an initial read through a Mercy book very quickly. I always come back to re-read later and find new twists and turns that I missed the first time around. I didn't think I was going to get that with this book. I thought to myself “Oh, look Mercy wrote a cute story about a shifter who turned from a house cat into a human”. I should have known better. This book is quintessential Mercy with all the plot twists that her fans love.

Morgan is a normal among his family of powerful witches. He comes off as almost boring initially. He primarily looks after the family home on an island. He has signed a blood oath when he was young to never lay with a man. He doesn’t remember doing it, and it seems his parents knew nothing about this.

Enter Fane. Fane is chaos. He is the Siamese cat that has been around the family for years although that is not realized until later in the story. Fane was once a soldier in the civil war, and was cursed to live in this form for 150 years. The curse is broken when Morgan kisses Fane.

Fane "My purr is broke"
Morgan "People don't purr"

I though you might bark at me for a second. Don't like to be barked at. And I miss my tail. I liked my tail.

The first third of the book deals with Fane trying to figure out how to be human again. He has an obsession with tuna, a fascination with watching the toilet flush and loves chasing the birds on the beach. He seems to want to go back to being a cat as he starts to remember his old human life and comes to the realization that all the people he once knew are dead. Or are they?

Enter Falyn - Fanes younger brother. Fane and Falyn reconnect just in time. It seems the witch council is coming after Morgan for breaking his blood oath to never have sex with a man (yes, the man is Fane). Falyn is able to wisk all of Morgan’s family off to Falyn’s home. We learn that Falyn is the Alpha to werewolves. Turns out that Fane was supposed to be the Alpha, but he left to go fight in the civil war. There are definite issues to be worked out between the brothers.

I don’t want to give everything away, but the remainder of the story reveals the secrets and lies that have been going on for over a century. There is a reconciliation of family, an evil witch that gets her just desserts and a happily ever after.

You will laugh, curse, and cheer. Buy this book - you will not be sorry. Let me know in the comments below what you thought about the book

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Fun Games You Aren't Playing - Gone Home

3/29/2015

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Speaking of games that can’t be classified, why isn’t there a catchy name for games that are very heavy on story side, but light on the gameplay?

Usually they get lumped in with “adventure” games, which I think does a disservice to the game, having to live up those legacy expectations of obscure puzzles and “PICK UP rubber chicken with a pulley in the middle”.

These games aren’t visual novels either, which also have a very well-defined format (usually involving anime waifus). If MOBAs and Metroidvanias can have a consistent designation, why not these games?

This week’s game is Gone Home, which belongs to the only subspecies of this genre with an actual amusing nickname: walking simulator! True to the slightly-pejorative nickname, in the game you walk around a lot. Billed as an “interactive exploration simulator” (IES? not catchy) Gone Home is the story of an empty house and all the secrets it hides.

Without resorting to spoilers, in the game you’re a bit of a detective, examining all the junk left lying about. Letters, ticket stubs, notes passed in school, mixtapes, post-it notes, anything and everything lying about could potentially be part of one of many stories.

Some of the junk is just junk, but even that stuff helps to set the nostalgic mid-90s scene. Audio logs fill in the blanks of the main story, a-la-BioShock (not a real surprise, considering the team behind Gone Home also created DLC for BioShock 2).

Even if you’re like me and don’t care for the “teen romance” plot in Gone Home, there’s plenty to poke at that isn’t related to the hormonal teen girl that lives in the house. What really intrigued me was what the parents were up to in their spare time, and the past of the house. The setting itself is also spooky, with creaking floorboards and flickering lights. It’s not a full-on horror game, but I’d definitely recommend playing it in the dark.

I’m one of those that picks up every stupid item in open-world RPGs, so Gone Home was a fantastic playground where I got to do just that. If you absolutely must have a jump button, feel free to pass on this one. Next week, I’ll feature a game where there will be plenty of jumping and shooting things, don’t worry.

Watching taped episodes of the X-Files,
The Dungeon Dame

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Binge Watch Wednesday - Orphan Black

3/25/2015

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by Annie

This article is spoiler free, I am not here to ruin fun.

You have one month to catch up before season three of Orphan Black premieres. Grab your pink phone and your “Sestra,” and binge on one of the best TV shows out there.

Orphan Black is an intense thriller about clones. It is about secrets, science and crime and all boils down to issues of trust in a world where everything is hidden and fabricated. I don't want to give too much away because uncovering all the details and intricacy of this show is part of it's appeal. It is not a show that you will be bored with after a few episodes.

Every episode connects together and leaves the viewer with both more information and new mysteries. Start from the beginning and don't look for any spoilers on the internet and don't talk to anyone who might tell you spoilers. Don't ruin it for yourself- it is that good.

Tatiana Maslany is amazing, she is truly a gifted actress. Every character she plays is different and so believable as the other character that you constantly forget that it is just one actress. She is so good at what she does on Orphan Black that I could almost believe she really has clones or at least a twin. There is never a time on Orphan Black that you feel you see the usual devices to replicate an actor like using doubles or obviously splicing a scene so there are two of the same actors. They may use these techniques but they do it so well it goes unnoticed.

The supporting cast is talented too, providing the story with drama and even sometimes comic relief. I would name names and go on about them but I don't want to give anything away because even telling you who they play might give away too many details and bring forth too many questions.

Then if you get hooked on the show and want to learn more, most of the cast of Orphan Black will be at C2E2 in Chicago in April! Also, you can dress like the clone club with the new clothing line from Hot Topic.

Go binge and enjoy this awesome show, we hereby release you from all responsibilities and hygiene rituals for the next two days, (just kidding. I mean we would if we could.)

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Rainbow Reading - Into This River I Drown

3/23/2015

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Rainbow Reading is our weekly series focusing on book reviews with a geeky/sci-fi/fantasty/supernatural flair with LGBTQ characters. Today I review Into This River I Drown by TJ Klune.

Synopsis by Dreamspinner Press:
Five years ago, Benji Green lost his beloved father, Big Eddie, when his truck crashed into a river. Everyone called it an accident, but Benji knows it was more. Even years later, he’s buried in his grief, throwing himself into managing Big Eddie’s convenience store in the small-town of Roseland, Oregon. Surrounded by his mother and three aunts, he lives day to day, struggling to keep his head above water.

But Roseland is no ordinary place. With ever more frequent dreams of his father’s death and waking visions of feathers on the river’s surface, Benji finds his definition of reality bending. He thinks himself haunted; by ghosts or memories, he can no longer tell. Not until a man falls from the sky, leaving the burning imprint of wings on the ground, does Benji begin to understand that the world is more mysterious than he ever imagined—and more dangerous. As uncontrollable forces descend on Roseland, they reveal long-hidden truths about friends, family, and the stranger Calliel—a man Benji can no longer live without.

I love anything written by TJ Klune. I also end up making the horrible wookie cry face for almost every TJ Klune book I have ever read. This book hit me harder - it hurt my soul. The description of the relationship Benji had with his father, Big Eddie, and the loss Benji feels after his dad’s death is heartbreaking. For anyone who has ever lost someone close to them, the description is beyond painful. For those lucky enough to have not experienced this level of despair, TJ pulls you kicking and screaming into the sorrow that Benji feels day in and day out. Throughout this book, the reader is pulled into the past and we get to learn about Benji and Big Eddy’s relationship. Normally, I hate when a book jumps from back and forth in time. This was so well done and gave the reader a chance to learn about and love Big Eddy, a character that no longer exists physically in the present but continues to have such a vital impact on the characters in this book.

This is at once the end and the beginning.
This is the story of my love of two men.
One is my father.
The other is a man who fell from the sky.

At Benji’s bleakest moments, he discovers Calliel. Calliel is Benji’s guardian angel who has fallen to earth to help Benji work through his grief. Cal is a fantastic character – honest, kind, protective, selfless and childlike all rolled into one. Cal helps Benji figure out how to continue to live his life instead of standing still while endlessly repeating the worst moment of his life. I love their relationship. I love how the characters in this book grow and change throughout the course of the book.

The first two thirds of the book are filled with the heartbreaking sorrow of dealing with a loved one’s death and learning how to slowly begin to live again. The last third of the book is intense. As always though, TJ ends the book with a laugh. We as readers get to take a breath, and be able to let these characters go, knowing that they have grown over the course of the book, and are well on their way to living again. I re-read a lot of TJ’s books, but have yet to be able to do that with this book. Every time I think about this book, I feel so many things still for the characters. Even though I know in the end, Benji is in a much better place, I haven’t been able to bring myself to read this book again, and put myself through the emotional turmoil. Maybe I will be able to read it again next year. But at least I can leave the book knowing that these characters are happier than when the book began.

Read this book, but remember to have a box of tissues and a friend support line handy. You will not be disappointed.

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Fun Games You Aren't Playing - Detective Grimoire

3/20/2015

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Another point-and-click adventure game this week, and this one is barely even an adventure game!

Detective Grimoire was a quick and enjoyable murder case to solve, like a less wordy Ace Attorney.

Adventure game? Maybe.

But this game fits in that weird adventure game/hidden object game/visual novel crossbred genre, with strong lean towards visual novel. It’s a gaming Liger, or Zonkey!

Detective Grimoire follows the charmingly-animated gumshoe as he interrogates charmingly-animated characters in a charmingly-animated mysterious swamp investigating a murder case where the main suspect is a mythical bog-creature. Needless to say, this game is a lot of fun to look at, and the voice acting is superb. The game is genuinely funny at times- the sketches that Grimoire makes in his notebook when pressuring a suspect are amazing.

Despite its classification as a point-and-click adventure game, there are no puzzles in Detective Grimoire. The action parts are closer to the visual novel style, similar to “open the door!” and “move the thingy” prompts. As a lover of visual novels, I’m totally unfazed, but if you’re expecting puzzles you’re in for a real disappointment.

The game is tightly-paced and doesn't outstay its welcome; you can get 100% of the clues within a few hours. The only downside to Grimoire is that there is no sequel, and thus no more cases to solve. An unfortunate problem seen with all high-quality, detailed indie games made by, like, two people. I want more!

Let’s arrest something that doesn’t even exist!
The Dungeon Dame

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Rainbow Reading - Wave Goodbye To Charlie

3/16/2015

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Rainbow Reading is our weekly series focusing on book reviews with a geeky/sci-fi/fantasty/supernatural flair with LGBTQ characters.

This week I'm reviewing Wave Goodbye to Charlie by Eric Arvin. I’ve been trying all weekend to figure out how to describe this book. It is not gay romance and not quite horror. It is dark and violent with an evilness that lasts long past the point of physical existence, but what seems to define this book is the love that Charlie has for his family that he has chosen to surround himself with.

Charlie is a young prostitute, living in an abandoned haunted carnival. The carnival is surrounded by spine-chilling woods that house a depraved bully in the form of Bull and his dog. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but the reader is introduced to Bull early in the story and we fast learn what true evil really means.

Nessa is a witch that also lives in the woods. She is an interesting character. She knows stuff she shouldn’t be able to know, and can speak to both the living and dead. Nessa is the one who helps explain some of the strange happenings to Charlie and the others as the book progresses. She has her own agenda and is looking for vengeance for a past wrong. She becomes vital when it comes to dealing with the unseen evil that Charlie faces later in the book.

Leroy and Jim act as surrogate fathers for Charlie. They live in a house that was once owned by the caretaker of the carnival where Charlie lives. Leroy tries to feed Charlie every chance he gets, and Jim wants Charlie to live with them so they can offer him some protection. Charlie will not stay with them though. He knows there is something off and potentially dangerous about that house.

Eric Arvin makes magic seem normal and real. He pulls the reader into the story with his vivid imagery of locations and characters. His writing transports you with all the sights, sounds, smells, anger, fear and happiness that his characters are experiencing. This is a violent story with characters in high risk lifestyles that live on the outskirts of society. I smiled, jumped in fright, and cried while reading Wave Goodbye To Charlie. This book makes the reader think about people we might never consider, and their impact on the world or at least their part of it. Wave Goodbye to Charlie is ultimately a story of friendship and family, and how far one person will go to protect their family from the darkness stalking their loved ones.

Just when you think the story has ended and evil has been defeated, Eric Arvin throws another sucker punch. Poor Charlie has one bad thing after another happen to him. But what makes this story unique and inspiring is how Charlie deals with every punch he gets. Most of us would look at Charlie’s life and see someone who should be helped, and who can’t offer much to society. But Charlie focuses on helping his friends to make sure they are safe and protected.

Read this book. You will not be disappointed. If you like it, then I would suggest also reading Woke Up In A Strange Place, Mingled Destinies of Crocodiles and Men, and Azrael and the Light Bringer. If you don’t like it, read it again.

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