First Contact by M.A. Abraham – Review, Interview and Giveaway

 

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Description:
Twenty ships have left the gravitational field of the Earth with the intention of colonizing Mars. Each is independent of the other and set to become domed cities upon landing. The mission is simple: go forth to develop the new planet, make it an extension of our home. Well, it sounded simple.

No one expected life on Mars to be easy, they are pioneers and that is a type of life that comes with dangers. What they didn’t expect was for the settings of one of the ships to be off enough to miss their landing, to miss the very planet they were meant to settle.

Even more astounding was to find another planet within a three-week travel period that lies in the shadow of the red planet. It is where they will land, where their ship will unfold to become a domed city. Where life is dangerous in a hostile land and they find unexpected help. The indigenous winged people of the planet don’t live on the surface of the planet, they live in cities in the clouds, but they are willing to extend a welcoming hand to those who have come to their land, as well as teach them what they can to survive. Their relationship begins with three words.

“Welcome to Tantalus.”

 

Review:

First Contact by M.A. Abraham is the 1^st book in her new Tantalus series. This is a Sci-Fi story that has space traveling, romance, mystery, new planet, new species, and interesting world-building. The premise of this story is to introduce us to the two species that will come together by the end, leading the way to a world that will co-exist between humans and Tantalarians, who look human, but they have wings.

But to get there is what First Contact is all about. We meet the humans on a huge space ship with 50,000 people traveling to Mars, where they will live. A few ships have already landed on Mars, working hard to make it livable for humans. Immediately, we learn that the ship has gone off course, with the Captain and his team unable to fix the issue, which means they will miss their landing to Mars. Surprisingly, they see an unknown planet only weeks away, where they will be able to land. The Captain also learns that one of his lieutenants has some physic ability, and was the one whom the planet contacted to let her know they will help them reach their planet. We learn early on that there are a few others, who are also physic. Cara, and her children have tried to hide their physic ability, because they fear for their lives. It seems there are a group of hostiles that have secretly killed those that are physic, as they feel they are witches. Yes, it does have the similarity to Salem. The captain becomes involved in the mystery to find out who is the leader of the group determined to stop the ship from reaching the new planet.

While this is going on with the humans on the ship, there is also another main storyline of the people of Tantalus. Our heroes here are Karia and Mitchel, who are destined to be mates, thereby changing the rules in Tantalus that was led astray many years ago by corrupt men, who wanted to rule the women. With the help of her mother, and the other Phoenix from the past, Karia will be the strongest women, who will bring back the old glory. It is Karia who was able to warn the ship and help guide them to Tantalus. The main story here is the revolution to stop the corrupt rulers, and the hot romance between Karia and Mitchel.

There is a lot of action, romance, and steamy sex going on in both stories. Telling too much more would be spoilers, but each storyline was very well done.

M.A. Abraham has given us another wonderful imaginative new series. First Contact gives us a new race, The Tantalarians and an exciting adventure that will keep us hooked until the very end. This is a different and exciting story, with some wonderful characters. Abraham has built this world that has us looking forward to see what happens next, as they begin to work together. I can’t wait for the next book, Integration.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author

 

Welcome back, M.A. Thank you for taking the time to visit us again at The Reading Cafe, and to give us an update on your new releases, as well as what else you may have upcoming in 2015.

M. A.: Thank you for the invitation, it is always a pleasure to come here.

TRC: You have a new series that will debut tomorrow, Tantalus. This is a different genre than you have written before…..SciFi/Romance. What can you tell us about this new series, and how did you came up with the idea?

M. A.: The Tantalus Series is a look at mankind’s efforts to reach out into space, to find a new start. They are bringing the good traits, as well as the bad ones of our people along with them. As they travel they find there is life on other planets, although it isn’t expected. They are not as prepared to put their best foot forward as people on Earth think we would, but that is all right, because neither are the Aliens encountered. It shows that for all our faults, we are not alone with our actions; people the Universe over are much the same. The Tantalarians are not perfect either. ‘First Contact’ is only the beginning.

The idea for Tantalus was formed many years ago, when I had an Astronomy fetish. I have always been interested in the worlds beyond our own and the sciences that are connected with the study of them. I used to fantasize about life on other planets, and searched out all the information I could find to feed that curiosity. I believed, and still do, that we are not the only people in the Universe, life is too diverse for such small expectations. There was a time when my dream was to work in a planetarium, but life had other plans for me.

TRC:   Can you please give us a brief synopsis of Tantalus, and how many books are you planning for this series?

M. A.: Twenty ships have left the gravitational field of the Earth with the intention of colonizing Mars. Each is independent of the other and set to become domed cities upon landing. The mission is simple: go forth to develop the new planet, make it an extension of our home. Well, it sounded simple.

No one expected life on Mars to be easy, they are pioneers and that is a type of life that comes with dangers. What they didn’t expect was for the settings of one of the ships to be off enough to miss their landing, to miss the very planet they were meant to settle.

Even more astounding was to find another planet within a three-week travel period that lies in the shadow of the red planet. It is where they will land, where their ship will unfold to become a domed city. Where life is dangerous in a hostile land and they find unexpected help. The indigenous winged people of the planet don’t live on the surface of the planet, they live in cities in the clouds, but they are willing to extend a welcoming hand to those who have come to their land, as well as teach them what they can to survive. Their relationship begins with three words. “Welcome to Tantalus.”

At this point I am looking at 4 books, however, I never expected the Elven Chronicles to go on as long as it has, will. With that in mind, anything is possible.

TRC:   What challenges or difficulties (research, logistics, etc) did you encounter writing this story and series?

M. A.: This world would have been a lot more difficult to write if I wouldn’t have had such a diverse education. I still read and watch anything I can about space, I find it fascinating, not only the concept, but also the mathematics that goes with it. (Yes, I can be a geek about the subject, when I get in the mood.)

TRC:   How many books do you still anticipate for The Elven Chronicles?

M. A.:  At this time I can say for sure that there are 7 or 8 titles left for me to publish in the Elven Chronicles, starting with ‘For The King and Elven Empire’ (Novel) in June. That will be followed by my Christmas release, “Surrounded by the Light’ (Novella) (which I haven’t written yet). ‘Tratchars’ (Novel) will follow, with ‘Eärwen’s Song’ (Novel), and 3 others after. They are all in my mind, just not the last 3 titles, or the length of the last 3. I believe by then everyone will be happy to see the end of that series. Some say they are not happy to see those words, but that is the way the cookie crumbles.

TRC:   What are you currently working on now? Also, would you like to share with us what you may have upcoming in 2015/2016.

M. A.:  I am currently working to finish off the manuscript for ‘Integration’, and by the time anyone reads this, I should be over 3/4 finished. I have already begun ‘Surrounded by the light’, ‘Tratchars’, and ‘Eärwen’s Song’.

In 2015 I am releasing ‘For the King and Elven Empire’, ‘Integration’ and ‘Surrounded by the Light’. In 2016 I will release ‘Tratchars’, ‘Hunter’s Challenge’, ‘Forbidden Contact’, and a couple EC Novellas still to be named. In 2017 I will release ‘Eärwen’s Song’, not sure about after yet.

TRC:   When not writing, what do you like to do to relax?

M. A.: I am an avid reader, when my mind isn’t so full of characters blurting out their stories that I can’t think about anything else. I like to visit the mountains and I work for a small company. There is always something to do to keep my mind occupied. I am not someone who can sit still for long, I need a project.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

M.A.: Nothing I should talk about, there are rumors of another series and some stand alones flying about. Shhh…

TRC: LOL   Such a tease 

TRC:   Thank you, M.A. for giving us an update on what we can look forward to in 2015, and beyond. We wish you the best with First Contact.

M. A.:  Congratulations on the anniversary of your site, you are all doing a wonderful job.

To learn more about M.A. Abraham, you can find her at the following links:
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads /  ITunes

 

M.A. is offering an e-copy of FIRST CONTACT to TWO (2) lucky commenters at The Reading Cafe.

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9. Giveaway runs from February 9-February 14, 2015