Embrakment 2577 by Maria Hammarblad



Born in Sweden in the early 1970's, 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
Flashback, to be released by Desert Breeze Publishing June 2013
Operation Earth, to be released by Desert Breeze Publishing August 2013
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
When Alexandra wakes up to an unknown environment, populated by a cat-like woman with a tail and a hologram of a rockstar, she knows she has to be hallucinating. Maybe she has hit her head, or finally suffered a nervous breakdown. It doesn't get any better from finding out she died and was taken into the future by the elusive Adam, whom she can't remember, or from people telling her she's on a spaceship.

The last year or so is gone from her memory, and she has no choice but to try to adapt. As days go by, her new environment becomes more and more unnerving. She finds herself helpless, and completely dependent on a man who isn't even human.

Contains all three novellas from the Embarkment series; "Brand New World," "High Gravity," and "Adam and Eve."
Q) What inspired you to write this story?

Many years ago I walked on a beach and thought, “I wonder what would happen if a spaceship were to crash right here right now.” A bit peculiar, I know, but in my head ideas like that come every day. I intended to write a normal science fiction romance adventure, but after about half a page I found myself giggling, and the first Embarkment novella teeters on the edge of being a spoof. (Most readers realize they shouldn’t take it too seriously when the main character meets a hologram of a rock star, others seem shocked, lol.)

I had gotten the worst giggle out of my system when I started on the second novella (High Gravity) and from there on, they’re less bizarre and more like normal books. ;-)

Q) How long did it take you to write?
The first draft came quickly, but I’ve re-written it a couple of times, so it depends on how you count. A couple of months or a few years.

Q) What is your favorite thing about writing?
I love spending time with the imaginary people in my head. The real world disappears, leaving room for adventures and unexpected events.

Q) What is your least favorite thing about writing?
I think… when the real world intrudes. Mundane things like going to work or making dinner are quite annoying when you have a space battle playing out in your head.

Q) If you could be any famous person for one day, who would you be and why?
That is a good question… I’d love to be in the head of Margaret Atwood for a day, to see what it’s like. I’m Swedish originally, I learned English in school, and Atwood’s novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” was the first novel I read in English. She’s brilliant.

Q) What is the oldest thing in your fridge and how old is it?
Oooh, my fridge can be a scary place; I save too much stuff thinking I’ll eat it later, but later never comes. I just threw out some Swedish sweets with a best before date in 2007. With that gone, I think it’s a package of smoked salmon. Touching it and moving it to the trash seems dangerous.

Q) What can readers expect from you in the future?
I have three exciting book releases with Desert Breeze Publishing this year. First out is a novel called Flashback that will be available in June. This is a contemporary romance about a war veteran with PTSD who struggles to get through life. He’s trapped in horrifying flashbacks, and just being around other people seems impossible. Entering a relationship is against all reason, but he meets a woman who pulls him into a normal world filled with everyday problems, like “what’s for dinner.” Just as he starts to think everything might be okay, she’s snatched away. In order to save her, he’ll have to face both real danger and himself.

Next up is Operation Earth, a science fiction romance that will be released in August, and in November I’m releasing a still unnamed novella in Desert Breeze Publishing’s Borealis series. I’m excited about that one; the series is set around a space station some time in the future, and different authors write stories about it that entwine, but give different points of view.
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