Interview Maria Hammarblad Author of Flashback
Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Maria and Flashback a military romance!
What inspired this particular story?
I don’t remember how I got the original idea to write Flashback, but there was a specific incident that had a lot of impact on the book. I lived in Florida at the time, and winters there can be really cold. It’s not cold on the thermometer, but the high humidity just chills you to the bone. I was on my way home, had stopped at the grocery store, and was driving out of the parking lot when I saw the man.
He didn’t look like all the other homeless people you see there. He was clean, had short hair, had shaved, and wore clean clothes. He stood by the wall, holding a sign saying he was a veteran. I stopped and gave him the cash I had. He thanked me, saying he was going to go get a cup of coffee to get out of the cold.
I was on my way home, my dog waited and needed to go out, and I didn’t even think about staying to chat with him. Afterwards I wondered who he really was, and what his story might have been. He might not have told me, but I wish I’d at least asked his name. I went back later in the evening to see if I could do something for him, but he wasn’t there anymore and I never saw him again. This is years ago, but I still wonder about him.
Anyway, it made me think about how hard it must be to be deployed somewhere and come back. The worlds must be so completely different. How do you readjust? Your family and friends might not get it at all. Of course, my imagination blew all these musings out of proportion and it ended up in Flashback.
What secret do you use to blast through writer’s block?
I need to be outdoors. When my characters stop talking to me, I’ve either been too stressed about real life, or spent too much time indoors. If I take a walk, go outside and look at a tree, or just sit on the back porch, the ideas usually start flowing again. I prefer to sit outdoors and write too. That’s not practical during all seasons and types of weather of course, but I accomplish much more when I’m outside.
Who is your favorite character of all of the books you’ve written and Why?
Parents shouldn’t have favorites, right? Haha! If you don’t tell the other characters, my favorite is Adam from the Embarkment 2577 series. Those are science fiction books, and he is an android. He struggles so hard with understanding both himself and the humans around him. He does well with it most of the time, but sometimes it goes spectacularly wrong.
A peek between the pages of Flashback:
Life outside could sure be exhausting. Anna went into the kitchen, and Steve rested his head back and closed his eyes. Listening to her hum a song, just a little out of tune as she loaded the coffee maker soothed his nerves.
A hard rattling sound made him open his eyes again.
Gunshots, and they were close.
Anna still sang, and she would be an easy target.
He ran through the apartment, making sure to stay away from the windows. Peeking around the corner, his beautiful fiancée was oblivious to the danger.
Women.
How did they survive?
He sprung out from his hiding place behind the wall, shoved her down on the floor, and threw himself over her. After all she did for him, protecting her with his own body was the least he could do.
Anna wheezed, clearly trying to draw a breath.
“Sssh, they’re coming.”
She lay on her back, and the question in her eyes was clear. Have you lost your mind? Of course he had, a long time ago. She should know.
When she opened her mouth, he covered it with his hand, so she couldn’t draw attention to them.
“Don’t you hear them? The shots?”
She shook her head and closed her fingers around his wrist, attempting to pull his hand away.
“I think we’re safe, but be very quiet.”
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Flashback!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Flashback, Maria Hammarblad, Military, Romance by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
Things to be Thankful For – Thankful Author Tena Stetler
What am I thankful for? This year has been a year of discovery for me and I am thankful. I’ve discovered that watching the news is not necessarily a good thing. Terrorists, bombs, wild fires, floods, hurricanes (3 back to back) Whew!
I’m thankful, of course, for the roof over my head, food in my cupboards as well as family and friends. That goes without saying, but I’ll put it out there anyway!
Recently I rented a booth at the Body, Mind & Spirit Expo (metaphysical fair) in Colorado Springs to expand my readership. With this came the opportunity to give a forty-five minute lecture. I chose to talk about why the world needs romance and why I write it. It had been decades since I stood up in front of an audience and spoke. I’m thankful I made it through the speech mostly unscathed.
I’m also thankful I reached a lot of readers that were interested in my genre of books and I was the only author at the Expo. How cool is that? Witches, Demons, Shapeshifters, Angels and Vampires were right up their alley. The people attending the expo ranged from teens to elderly, all genders. In the three day expo, I’d broadened my audience exponentially and had a wonderful time to boot. I will be returning next year!
I’m extremely thankful to be living my dream. A dream made possible by my supportive, extraordinary husband of many moons, and The Wild Rose Press, my amazing publisher. My editor, well, let’s just say…she rocks! I’m thankful for the helpful, supportive authors of The Wild Rose Press! They are always willing to pick you up when you’re down and do the happy dance over your successes. Bless the hearts of my wonderful readers, I am so thankful for them!
Finally, a day never passes without my thanks to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces whose dedication keeps our great nation free. (Comes from living in a military town all my life & marrying a soldier.) We are one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. You may not agree with me, but that’s what is great about this nation. You don’t have to. I’m entitled to my own opinion, as are you. I can write books on any topic I choose without fear of a midnight knock on my door or being carted away. Unless of course our characters come to life, then we are all in trouble. ROFLOL
While I have a lot more to be thankful for, those are the biggies. I wish you all love, laughter, romance and a Happy Thanksgiving!
Little About A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance, Release date November 29, 2017
Stefan is a Native American vampire, former assassin for the Vampire Council. In a twist of fate, he now DJ’s the midnight shift for a small radio station in Whitefish, Montana, on the edge of Glacier National Park where his secret is safe until…
Born in Ireland, Brandy now works as a park ranger and trail guide in the park. During a full moon, Stefan and Brandy’s paths cross in a near physical collision on a trail. Their attraction is immediate and undeniable, almost as if fate demanded it.
Their union was foretold long ago in Irish folk tales where vampires and gryphons, warlocks and demons, witches and faeries must work together for the good of man and magic kind. Is a trip to Ireland the key to unravelling secrets and returning the magic? And even more importantly, will their love survive the trip?
A Peek Between the Pages of A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance – A different vampire tale.
The sun slid behind the mountains, 
setting the azure sky ablaze in hues of red, orange, yellow, and pink. Then red shifted to purple and dusk faded to darkness as he jogged toward the trails. She stood leaning against the rock where he had started his run last night. He’d tried to convince himself to stay away, but in the end, the urge was too strong.
In a whisper of movement, he was at her side with his hand on the rock just above her shoulder. “Waiting for someone? Brandy, is it?” The scent of warm, perfumed female skin wafted over him as he leaned into her.
“It took you long enough, Mr. Talltree.” Her full lips formed a slight pout as she lifted her chin and tilted her face up to meet his. “Nice to see you again.”
There was no hesitation or apprehension in her lovely features as he moved closer, placing his other hand next to her left shoulder, effectively pinning her against the rock. He wanted to wrap his arms around her lithe, warm body and brush his lips over her sexy pout. But he thought better of it, not wanting to scare her off…not yet.
“Yes, it is.” He let his gaze wander leisurely up and down her luscious body. “Didn’t your mother warn you about the dangers of stalking a stranger at night in the park alone?”
Available at
Amazon Amazon UK , Amazon AU, itunes and Barnes & Noble.
Release date November 29, 2017! Just in time for Christmas. Reserve your copy today!
Bio:
Tena Stetler is a paranormal romance and cozy mystery author with an over-active imagination. She wrote her first vampire romance as a tween, to the chagrin of her mother and the delight of her friends. With the Rocky Mountains outside her window, Tena sits at her computer surrounded by a wide array of paranormal creatures telling her their tales. Colorado is her home; shared with her husband of many moons, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a forty-year-old box turtle.
Any winter evening, you can find her curled up in front of a crackling fire with a good book, a mug of hot chocolate and a big bowl of popcorn. Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them.
Contact Information:
One last think I am Thankful for, Everyone that has enjoyed my blogs this year and hope you’ll continue into the new year!!! Have a Happy Thanks Giving!! Eat lots of turkey and pumpkin pie then take a walk around your neighborhood.
**This post was originally part of Angela Hayes’ Thankful Author Series. If you’d like to read more of the fun and interesting Thankful Author’s Series click on the link.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged family, Friends, Military, Romance, Thankful, Thanksgiving, writing by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
