Shadow of a Man - review and Guest PoH

Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing

Date of publication: October 11, 201
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.

About the Author :

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.

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.

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

Blog:                            http://www.scifiromance.info

Twitter:                        @mariahammarblad

Goodreads:                  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4114780.Maria_Hammarblad

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

                                                                                     

FOLLOW HER TOUR HERE

Into The Fire Super Book Blast and Giveaway

I'm thrilled to welcome not one, but two fabulous authors to my blog and to be part of their 'Into The Fire' Super Book Blast!

INTO THE FIRE

by Lindsey Fairleigh and Lindsey Pogue

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

The Virus changed them, but that was only the beginning…
…death…mutation…insanity…corruption…terror…
…all that remains is hope.

In the wake of destruction left behind by the Virus, it took Dani and Zoe months to find each other. But their reunion was short-lived. Dani has been taken, and though little distance separates them, they might as well be worlds apart.

From the moment she hears Dani’s scream, Zoe’s only goal is to save her best friend. She and her companions scramble to come up with a rescue plan, but when a ghost from Jake’s past reappears, lines are blurred, decisions become harder, and secrets are revealed…and some secrets are best left buried. To keep heartache and fear from consuming her, Zoe must cling to her determination. She will see Dani again.

Dani awakens inside the final hold-out of civilization: the Colony. Remnants of the former world surround her—electricity, safety, social order—but all is not what it seems. As she faces her most manipulative adversary yet, she loses sight of who she is and who she can trust. Friends become enemies, enemies become allies, and allies will betray her.  Dani will have to decide what she’s willing to do and whose lives she’s willing to risk if she is to have any chance of breaking free.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

“Tell me! Who was I with?”

“Zoe…and Jason.”

“What?” I screeched and scurried away from him to huddle on the edge of the bed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Zoe was in Massachusetts and was probably dead, and Jason…Jason was…I didn’t know. Why would I have been with Jason? Nothing was making sense. Scrunching my eyes closed, I tried to remember, but the harder I tried, the more my head hurt. Panic churned within me, making me feel sick. My heart beat heavily, like my blood was too thick, and my lungs felt constricted.

“Dani,” Gabe said, and I felt the bed shift behind me. He scooted closer, joining me on the edge of the bed and draping his arm over my bare shoulders. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Only when I looked up at him did I realize tears were streaking down my cheeks. “I don’t want to think about them…about any of it,” I told him. “If they’re gone…I just want to forget. I just want to be here, with you.”

“Dani, I think we should…”

I tilted my face up, leaning in closer to the safety and comfort of his body. “What?”

“Probably not be…”

“What?” I asked, raising my hand to his face. I brushed my thumb over his chin, feeling the rough stubble covering it, and angled his face lower.

“In here, doing this.” He breathed in jerkily when my thumb brushed across his full lower lip. It was soft and dry and begging to be kissed.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I whispered, closing the distance between us.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Lindsey Fairleigh lives her life with one foot in a book—as long as that book transports her to a magical world or bends the rules of science. Her novels, from post-apocalyptic to time travel and historical fantasy, always offer up a hearty dose of unreality, along with plenty of adventure and romance. When she's not working on her next novel, Lindsey spends her time reading and trying out new recipes in the kitchen. She lives in the Napa Valley with her loving husband and confused cats.

Lindsey Pogue has always been a little creative. As a child she established a bug hospital on her elementary school soccer field, compiled books of collages as a teenager, and as an adult, expresses herself through writing. Her novels are inspired by her observations of the world around her--whether she's traveling, people watching, or hiking. When not plotting her next story line or dreaming up new, brooding characters, Lindsey's wrapped in blankets watching her favorite action flicks or going on road trips with her own leading man.

Links:

Website:  http://www.theendingseries.com/
Blog:  http://aftertheending-ae.blogspot.com/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TheEndingSeries
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AfterTheEnding
Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/series/99139-the-ending

Buy links:
Amazon:
Into The Fire (The Ending, #2) - not available yet
After The Ending (The Ending, #1) - http://www.amazon.com/After-Ending-ebook/dp/B00BJDUBLU

Barnes & Noble:
Into The Fire (The Ending, #2) - not available yet
After The Ending (The Ending, #1) - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/after-the-ending-lindsey-fairleigh/1114702967

Smashwords:
Into The Fire (The Ending, #2) - not available yet
After The Ending (The Ending, #1) – not available yet

Kobo:
Into The Fire (The Ending, #2) - not available yet
After The Ending (The Ending, #1) – not available yet

The authors will be awarding a $15 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. 
Tour dates and links can be found HERE 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dangerous Attraction - Fantastic prizes, and a boxed set at an amazing price!

10 Award-winning, bestselling authors – 10 Hot Heroes – 10 Romantic Suspense Page Turners

99 CENTS THROUGH NOVEMBER 16th!

With nine full-size novels from bestselling romantic suspense authors and a brand new Christmas novella from New York Times bestselling author, Rebecca York, this boxed set can’t be missed. Sexy, steamy heroes to heat you up and twisting plots to keep you turning page after page well past midnight!Grab it at the introductory price of 99 cents. That’s 10 books for less than a buck!

From sweet to scorcher, these stories are a must read. Fall in love with our sexy cops, tough military heroes, and hot CEOs. Treat yourself to an amazing reading experience by top authors of romantic suspense collected in one boxed set at a price that can’t be beat.

Ignited by award-winning and national bestselling author, Kaylea Cross – Can sexy ex-SEAL Hunter Phillips keep Khalia safe from the terrorists who took her father’s life? (Scorcher)

Secret Guardian by international bestselling author, Jill Sanders – Will ex-special forces hero, Ethan, save Ann in time, only to lose himself to love? (Scorcher)

Deathscape by Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence recipient and Rita Award finalist, Dana Marton – Detective Jack Sullivan will do anything to put Ashley in prison for her crimes…even if he’s falling in love with her. (Sensual)

Legal Ease by award winning and national bestselling author Lori Ryan – Marrying Kelly solved the problems this steamy CEO faced at his company, but will he ever be able to forgive himself for the price she has to pay? (Scorcher)

The Killing Game by international bestselling author, Toni Anderson –Forced to choose between his country and his heart, British SAS Soldier, Ty Dempsey risks it all to save a wildlife biologist caught in the crosshairs of a ruthless killer. (Sensual)

Fallen SEAL Legacy by national bestselling author, Sharon Hamilton – Will Navy SEAL Cooper be able to survive the loss of the woman he loves, or will his self-sacrifice be enough to keep Libby safe? (Scorcher)

Three Days in Seattle by national bestselling author, Debra Burroughs – Trying to stay a step ahead of a lunatic set on revenge, Kate and Ryan are locked in a desperate race to find her missing sister and capture the madman before both women wind up dead. (Sweet)

See Me in Your Dreams by Patricia Rosemoor, Golden Heart Winner and two-time recipient of the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award – Her dreams allow her to see through his missing daughter's eyes, but he thinks she’s a con woman...until she dreams of something known only to him and the girl. (Sensual)

Catching the Bad Guy by national bestselling author, Marie Astor – Top-notch white collar crime investigators Janet Maple and Dennis Walker team up to solve what could be the biggest case of their careers, but will their attraction to each other get in the way? (Sensual)

Bonus Christmas Novella, Christmas Captive by Romantic Times Career Achievement Award Winner and Rita Finalist, Rebecca York – Her special sight let her glimpse the Christmases past of this international financier, but did he have a Christmas future?

Dangerous Attraction Pre-Sale Links:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/18Ya4Oc
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1ahU8nO
Smashword: http://bit.ly/1bOocy8
iTunes: http://bit.ly/1cmZDsi
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1gfq2J7

BARNES & NOBLE PURCHASE LINK

The authors are giving away multiple prizes! There are too many to list, lol. You can check them out and enter here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Link to tour schedule: http://wp.me/p3SVfE-8W

Excerpt from SEE ME IN YOUR DREAMS by Patricia Rosemoor:
“Seamus McKenna came to her rescue at a desperate time." Keelin remembered the tale her grandmother had repeated both with sadness and joy many times through the years. "A child Gran tried to heal died. There was no helping it, for the parents waited too long and expected a miracle. The fever took the lad. But the family blamed Moira, came after her, determined to burn the witch in her enchanted cottage."

"But Seamus stopped them."
  
Keelin nodded. "A tinker by trade, he lived on the road in a caravan and made his way by fixing tools and such for people. He was repairing a drying rack in the herb shed when trouble arrived. He protected Moira with his own life and so won her heart. She, in turn, tamed a bit of the wildness in him, enough to convince him to settle down with her."
  
"Sounds like a fairy tale."
 
 "My family is from Éire, after all," Keelin said with a grin. How good it felt to smile. To feel days of tension drain from her, if only for a short while. "A land of many wondrous tales."
  
"You'll have to tell me more."
 
He made it sound as if she would be around for an indefinite period. As if he was suddenly enjoying her company. And despite the many heated words that had passed between them, despite the distrust that still lingered like a dark shadow in the background, she found the idea of spending some peaceful time with Tyler oddly appealing.
  
"Sometime, perhaps," she said softly. "But at the moment, I fear I am talked out."
  
Before she knew what he was about, Tyler cupped her chin in his hand and tilted her face to his. Though he held her gently, she could feel the imprint of each finger. Her breathing near stopped. His pale blue eyes seemed to take in every detail of her features. And the longer he took, the harder her heart thudded.

Excerpt from THE KILLING GAME by Toni Anderson:
“Dempsey?” She gave an audible swallow of relief, but she was still shaking with fear.
“I think you can call me, Ty, now you’ve slept with me twice.”
Her fingers sank into his shirt, searching for some sort of anchor in the dense sea of blackness. “Funny.”
“Thank you. How’re you feeling?”
“I haven’t bathed in days and I’m in danger of throwing up every time I remember where I am.” She laughed nervously. The silence grew and he felt her staring at him. “Every time I think about where we are—”
“So don’t think about it.” He smoothed hair off her brow.
She captured his fingers. “Then distract me.” That gave his small brain a jolt. “Tell me something about yourself that isn’t name, rank and number. Tell me why you joined the army.”
Lingering thoughts of sex and arousal evaporated.
Normally, he’d have lied. But he could feel her nervous breath against his neck, knew her panic was right on the periphery. And, for once, he didn’t want to lie. It was a big part of what made him who he was and he wanted her to know. To know him.

Excerpt from IGNITED by Kaylea Cross:
She was only a few yards from him when he reared up with the second rifle and let loose with another stream of bullets. She stopped and risked a glance past him, caught sight of three men bursting into view down the spiral of the staircase. Hunter had held his own so far, but he couldn’t hold off that much firepower alone.

In that moment a surge of cold, hard determination flooded her system. She brought her pistol up, finger on the trigger, prepared to shoot at anything coming up those stairs, but Hunter suddenly swept an arm out and knocked her flat. The air whooshed out of her as her chest hit the hard concrete and something hot and sharp tore into her back, just below her right shoulder blade. A split second later, Hunter’s weight crashed down on top of her. She went dead still beneath him, the repeated boom of gunfire echoing in her ears. She felt Hunter shift and heard the answering bark of his rifle, then he twitched and grunted, rolling away slightly.

Khalia snapped her head up in time to see two of the three gunmen appear at the bottom of the stairs. Hunter must have taken out the third. The remaining two were so close now she could see the whites of their eyes. She didn’t think, only reacted. If she was going to die, she was going to die fighting, not cowering in the corner begging for her life. Rage and adrenaline crashed through her in a toxic, dizzying tide. Everything slowed. Hunter was still struggling to turn over when she brought both arms up to grasp the pistol grip and pulled the trigger over and over.

FOLLOW TOUR HERE

  

Thursdays Bits and Pieces

It's been a while since I posted my 'bits and pieces'. I do apologise.  It's been a slightly hectic couple of weeks.

First of all, my beloved little Jack Russell. Bouncer, was taken ill.  At first the vet thought it was a 'mini stroke' but when he didn't improve as expected, he recommended we took him to a veterinary specialist hospital, for a scan, which unfortunately revealed a brain tumour.  Poor Bouncer, he was ill treated before we had him. had a broken hip and pelvis which had been allowed to heal without veterinary treatment, then last year he went blind, and now this.  Although he's on new medication, which seems to have help enormously, and he's almost back to his usual cheeky self, we've been told the tumour will continue to grow, and there's nothing else they can do for him.  So all we can do is treasure whatever time we have left with him, and give him as much love as we possibly can.

On a happier note, last week we adopted two 'feral' cats to do the mousework down the stables.  We've named them George and Katy, in honour of the Royal baby.  They're both jet black, with a little bit of white fur on their chests, and brother and sister. I don't have any actual pictures, as they have to be kept in their pen for three weeks until they get used to us. They're settling down well though, and Bouncer has seen them but for some reason is not terribly impressed! :)

Then, at the weekend, I went to the Festival of Romance in Bedford.  It was a great event, as always, and I met up with many old and new author friends. The Book Fair was a great chance to meet readers, and on Sunday there was a really interesting programme of speakers for the Conference, with Publishers and Agents, AND I had the chance to speak to a lovely editor who liked my first chapter and wants to see the rest! SO I really need to get that WIP finished and polished before I send it to her, so I'm going into the writing cave, I may be a while! :) )Not too long I hope, wish me luck!)

Nicky Wells and me

Sheryl Browne and Nicky

Our hotel

In the evening, after dinner, I went for a walk by the river.  It is beautiful, especially at night.

And the winners are...

I hope everyone had fun at Halloween and enjoyed all the brilliant Blog Hops that were going on. I took part in three of them and thank you so much to everyone who took part, left comments and followed this blog. I chose the winners by 'Random Generator' to make sure it was fair and there were no spells left in my witches hat, and the following are the winners.

 
SNARKOLOGY PARANORMAL BLOG HOP

Mer
(black cat crystal earrings)

 
 
HALLOWEEN FLASH FICTION

Emily

($10 WRP Gift Card)

 
TRICK OR TREAT BLOG HOP -


Meghan
 (Download of 'Dancing With Fate' or one of my other books)

CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners! I hope you enjoy your prizes.
 I'll be contacting you by email soon.

Trick Or Treat Halloween Blog Hop

For the Snarkology Blog post click HERE
 or see post below

Whoops! Sorry folks, my little dog is ill and I've been so worried about it, I clean forgot about the Blog Hop today.

Thanks to author Francine Howarth for organizing this spooky event. I'm also taking party in the Snarkology Paranormal Blog Hop, so why not take a look at the post below as well if you fancy winning EVEN MORE PRIZES!


Anyway. on to 'Trick Or Treat''. I'm promoting my Greek Muse novella 'Dancing With Fate' for Halloween this year.  Here is a different excerpt to the one on my SNARKOLOGY post.  This novella was first published as part of the Wild Rose Press's 'Song Of The Muses' series and when I regained my Rights to the story I self published it and it is available from Smashwords, or as a Kindle or Paperback edition on Amazon.

BLURB
When Terpsichore, the Greek Muse of Dance, is assigned to revisit 5th Century Wales, and help the people regain their love of dancing, her task seems simple enough. She is unaware there is a hidden agenda. Before she can return to Olympus her path crosses that of the mysterious Myrddin, and her heart is lost.

But Myrddin is promised to another. His mind is set on the dangerous task that lies before him, and the woman he has sworn to save. Nevertheless, he cannot deny the growing attraction between him and the beautiful stranger he meets along the way.

Terpsichore and Myrddin face a deadly force that threatens to part them forever. She seems destined to lose the only man she has ever truly loved. Finally, when all seems lost, in desperation she finds herself DANCING WITH FATE.

EXCERPT

She peered into the shadows at the side of the throne. They were there. Klotho, the youngest, fair hair piled on top of her head, spun the thread of life. Lakhesis, middle-aged but still comely, measured the thread with her rod, and decreed the quality of each life. The most fearsome of all, the ancient Atropos, cut the thread with her shears. Each snip meant a mortal met his death. Terpsichore drew a deep breath. Please. Let me not be too late, let his thread be still uncut.

Atropos looked up, sheers poised. “‘Tis one of the young muses, Terpsichore. If you come seeking Zeus, you are too late. He is not here.”

“Thank you, I know he’s not. It’s the three of you I wish to speak to.”

Something like a cackle escaped the old crone’s lips. “Indeed? It is rare for anyone to come looking for us, especially the muse of dance. Would you not be better inspiring mortals instead of bothering us at our labor?”

“Oh, let her speak, Mother,” Lakhesis broke in, not for an instant taking her eyes off the thread she measured. “Terpsichore, what do you want with us child?”

Terpsichore drew herself to her full height. She would not allow Atropos to intimidate her. “I wish to ask a favor. I am willing to pay.”

“Pray, what have you that would be of value to us?” Atropos interrupted.

“What—what would you wish me to give?” Terpsichore asked, realizing she trod dangerous ground. She shrugged inwardly. No matter. She would give anything, even her immortality, if only Myrddin could live.

DANCING WITH FATE - Available from AMAZON  or SMASHWORDS
http://www.hywelalyn.co.uk  

You'd much prefer a treat wouldn't you.  So use your imagination to ask me for a treat and I'll put your name in the hat to win Dancing With Fate or one of my other two books Starquest or Children Of The Mist if you've already read it,

These are all the other blogs taking part in this event:

1.	Francine	9.	Denise Covey	17.	Susan Hanniford Crowley
2.	Marie Laval	10.	Grace Elliot	18.	Stephen Tremp
3.	NancyJ	11.	Gilli Allan	19.	Hywela Lyn
4.	N. R. Williams	12.	Alison Stuart	20.	Iyana Jenna
5.	Alison Morton	13.	Mary Pax	21.	Vala Kaye
6.	Karen Aminadra	14.	Natalie-Nicole Bates	22.	Yolanda Renee
7.	Lori Crane	15.	Douglas Boren
8.	Derek Birks	16.	Anna Belfrage