Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/borealis-xii-shadow-of-a-man-epub/
Number of pages: 60
Word Count: 19,000
Formats available: E-book
It's always a pleasure to welcome another SF romance author to my blog and today I'm thrilled to welcome Maria Hammerblad, who not only shares my love of Science Fiction but of animals as well.
Maria has this to say:
"The exotic is attractive
The familiar might be peaceful, comfortable, and secure, but let’s face it: the exotic is attractive. Anything different from what we’re used to tickles the imagination and invokes dreams. Whether they’re dreams about soaking up the sun on a distant beach, going down a glittering slope on skis, or traveling to a distant world, we all have them to some extent.
This sense of adventure brings mankind forward. It makes us explore and invent, and forces us to take risks and break new ground. I also believe that our sense of adventure drives science fiction.
Whether literature gives a glimpse of a different parallel reality, a dystopia where men are slaves to machines, or a brilliant future where sleek spaceships rush to the sky, we love it. Real life doesn’t have the same zing. I could write a story about my everyday life. I got up in the morning, walked the dogs, went to work, had coffee… Much too mundane to be interesting.
I think the same attraction to the exotic rules the mind when it comes to romance. In many cases, being a little bad or dangerous just adds to the thrill. Romance stories in books, TV-shows, and movies overflow with vampires, werewolves, and other almost human heroes.
The trick is to be human enough for the romance to seem feasible, while still being different enough to appeal to the sense of danger and other-ness. I'm personally not that into vampires and werewolves, but I love space and science fiction, both when I read and when I write. If we were ever to encounter an alien civilization I doubt they'd be anything like us, but in fiction, I love having an alien similar enough to have a possible relationship with a human, yet different enough to be sexy.
What do you think? Would you go for the safe and well-known, or plunge in to experience the extraordinary?"
Book Description:
 |
| PURCHASE ON AMAZON |
There might be a place Theresa fears more than Borealis, but she can't think of one. The old and decrepit station houses all sorts of cruelty, and to make it better, this is where her husband Dominic was imprisoned, drugged, and tortured. He returned a mere shadow of his old self, scarred by abuse and Uudon withdrawal.
Borealis is the last place Theresa wants to go, and the only one she can't escape. Dominic's apparent madness does nothing to alleviate her fears. Her once sweet husband has turned into a womanizing monster, and will destroy anyone who gets in her way.
Geo, her faithful and all too handsome bodyguard, appears to be the only one on her side. He once helped rescue Dominic, and pays for the insurrection with a lifetime on the run. This might be a situation not even he can handle, and Theresa fears none of them will make it out alive.
Born
in Sweden in the early 1970s, Maria showed a large interest for books at an
early age. Even
before she was able to read or write, she made her mom staple papers together into booklets she filled with drawings of suns and planets. She proudly declared them, "The Sun Book." They were all about the sun. She also claimed, to her mother's horror, that her being on Earth was a big mistake and that her alien family would come and bring her home at any moment. This never happened, but both the interest in space and the passion for bookmaking stayed with her.
before she was able to read or write, she made her mom staple papers together into booklets she filled with drawings of suns and planets. She proudly declared them, "The Sun Book." They were all about the sun. She also claimed, to her mother's horror, that her being on Earth was a big mistake and that her alien family would come and bring her home at any moment. This never happened, but both the interest in space and the passion for bookmaking stayed with her.
As an adult Maria's
creativity got an outlet through playing bass in a number of rock bands, and
through writing technical manuals and making web pages for various companies
and organizations. She did write drafts for a few novels, but the storytelling
muse was mostly
satisfied through role playing online on Myspace. It was here, while writing stories together with people from around the globe, she stumbled onto Mike. They started talking out of character, and she moved over to Florida to him late 2008. Today the two are married and live in the Tampa Bay area with three rescue dogs.
satisfied through role playing online on Myspace. It was here, while writing stories together with people from around the globe, she stumbled onto Mike. They started talking out of character, and she moved over to Florida to him late 2008. Today the two are married and live in the Tampa Bay area with three rescue dogs.
Besides
writing and playing bass, Maria enjoys driving off-road, archery, and
Tameshigiri.
Upcoming
releases
Borealis XII, to be
released by Desert Breeze Publishing November 2013
Fun
Facts
Favorite
color: Blue
Favorite food: Chicken with cashew nuts
Doesn't eat: Mammals
Favorite TV Show: Star Trek TNG and Leverage
Favorite animal: Border Collie
Quotes: "Full Speed
Ahead" and "Caffeine is good for you"
Find
Maria on the web
Website:
http://www.hammarblad.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/mariahammarblad
Twitter:
@mariahammarblad
Publisher's
website: http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com
My Review
I have to say, that for me, this story was a real page turner and kept me guessing all the way through. Was Dominic really the monster he seemed to have become, and if so, how could Theresa still love him? Was Geo really the faithful companion and protector he appeared, or was he just a bit too good to be true?
I loved the three main characters and there are some very moving scenes in this Novella. We are presented with several twists and turns in the story before the thrilling climax, and the ending, although satisfying, had me wishing there were at least another chapter! Altogether a short, fast read, this thrilling story of loyalty, friendship, and love set against warring facations and espionage, will stay with me for a long time, and I can recommend it as an intriguing and moving read
My Review
I have to say, that for me, this story was a real page turner and kept me guessing all the way through. Was Dominic really the monster he seemed to have become, and if so, how could Theresa still love him? Was Geo really the faithful companion and protector he appeared, or was he just a bit too good to be true?
I loved the three main characters and there are some very moving scenes in this Novella. We are presented with several twists and turns in the story before the thrilling climax, and the ending, although satisfying, had me wishing there were at least another chapter! Altogether a short, fast read, this thrilling story of loyalty, friendship, and love set against warring facations and espionage, will stay with me for a long time, and I can recommend it as an intriguing and moving read
