Hello and welcome!
Do you remember at the beginning of the year I posted about First Contact, book 1 of the Tantalus series by M. A. Abraham being recorded? If not, you can check it out here.
Well… it is done and was released TODAY!!!
Help me congratulate Ms. Abraham and share her big news. Her very first audiobook release and I am soooo excited! I loved the story when I read it. Listening to Brian Callanan, the very talented narrator giving it life, makes it even more special.
Congrats to Mr. Callanan too, looking forward to listening to more. My ears really like his voices 😉
Check out the short audio clips on youtube…
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.”
Here is a clip of the story at the beginning of the book …
… and here is one at the end and one of my fave scene in the book, I got goosebumps reading it, but listening to Mr. Callanan telling it … he captured the characters and their temperaments very well and the voice he gave for my love, Kyllan, the Tribunal Elder is PERFECTION
Buy link: Amazon • Audible US • Audible CA • Audible AU • iTunes
I got to chat with Ms. Abraham about her experience…
Tell us about Tantalus.
Tantalus is basically about a planet that is inhabited by people that have been seeded from other worlds. There is more than 1 species on it, but the main one is the winged people who are dominant. They are open to interaction with others, but are not deluded as to the problems that could cause, or the negative, as well as positive sides of the relationship this could cause. They also realize that they are not perfect, for those that should have been watching over the direction the main population took during their rest period, neglected their duties and it had very adverse reactions from the order of things on the planet. They are not only being approached by people from the Human race, as they wake up to what needs to be done to correct their error, but the restructuring of their social and governmental order within their own people.
First Choice… why the format of parallel stories?
You have to know where you are coming from, to have any idea where you are going. The people from Earth have to make the trip to get to the planet. We need to know what it took, and the problems they encountered on their journey. Also, things are going to take a while to improve.
How did you come to decision to plunge into audiobook world?
Well, I had this little voice poking at my subconscious mind for a few years. We all know who owns it. I need not say more.
I am grinning big and fist pump yessssss
What is the process from deciding to go for it and releasing the audiobook? Was it easier or harder than you anticipated?
Deciding to go for it was making sure that the funds were in place before taking the initial step. Once you get past the first hurdle, it doesn’t seem to be that difficult. Getting the right narrator for the task is a huge plus. It seems simple when you find the right person for the book, one who can connect with the feel for the people you are writing about. I think in most cases it is like anything else, the wrong impression can destroy something that you believe is good, or it can make something mediocre sound like a song to be repeated many times over.
Personal feelings… are you excited, apprehensive?
Nervous as a cat trying to bury something on a marble floor before getting caught. I am even having difficulty writing, and I need to get these books written, I am way behind.
What is the reaction of those close to you to this new adventure?
Some are pacing with me, others are not audiobook fans. It is like picking a car, Ford, Chrysler, Mercedes, GM… one person’s poison is another’s candy.
Why should people pick up this book?
Because it may give you a different perspective from what is on the market today. I do not tend to follow the beaten path when it comes to writing, which means you can expect something different.
How was working with Mr. Callanan… from author’s point of view?
Brian is very professional, if something is off, he catches it, even if it is something that shouldn’t be there. He caught the nuances of the characters right off the top, and the few he didn’t, he rethought when it was pointed out. Some narrators won’t listen to what you have to offer for advice. Those I tended to reject straight off, the last thing a writer needs is more stress in their lives.
Are you glad you did this?
Well, we will find out. I have done a lot of crazy things in my life and often the ones I thought were the nuttiest, were the best.
Why didn’t you do this sooner?
I looked into it, but unlike some, I don’t jump off a mountain unless I know there is a safety net beneath me.
Why Tantalus first and not the Elven Chronicles, which is the bigger selling series of the two?
The right narrator at the right moment. Gabriel was up there, but 90% of the auditions were just wrong for that book. The one I am looking at right now nailed all the names, and that is a feat in itself.
What is the strangest question you have had someone ask about the Tantalus Series?
Why I didn’t connect them to the Elves. I could hear it now, Elves in space using light sabres. That would have been so wrong. Then again, who knows, the night is young. 😉
What is next?
Aura – and I have heard the audition that makes that book come alive already. It will be done in February, and I am soooo looking forward to it.
Me too! It is my fave standalone book of yours! I can’t wait to hear Thorn sigh
Integration, book 2 in the Tantalus series, will be done in April and so you know the narrator on this book, to quote someone we all know, “The scintillating voice of Brian Callanan will narrate this masterpiece”.
LOL I remember that
Thank you so much MA for chatting with me and I wish you much success with this new adventure. I am looking forward to more stories and my ears are ready for more audio time.
To celebrate the brand new release. Ms. Abraham is giving away a few audio copies of First Contact. Let me know in the comments if you would leave Earth for Tantalus if it was an option. I would be on the first ship! 😀
Sexy Mr. Random will pick winners on Sunday, January 28, 2017.
Until next time read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!
SEELKs fire & ice 
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