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Flashback
Steve Petersen is a very troubled man. Sole survivor of a Taliban POW camp, he often thinks only parts of him returned; his sanity appears to have been left behind. He seeks solace in alcohol and drugs, but nothing helps block the images from his mind for more than minutes at a time, and he is trapped in horrifying flashbacks.
He is more than surprised when he wakes up in a bright and merry bedroom that turns out to belong to the widow Anna, a woman he has rudimentary memories of meeting. Knowing he should leave isn’t the same as doing it, and before he knows what’s happening, he finds himself pulled into a world with real life problems, such as folding laundry, and what’s for dinner.
Whiskey is no longer his first priority, and not being alone in his waking nightmare is a relief. That is, until Anna disappears. Steve finds himself forced to return to Afghanistan, a place where he’ll have to face both external enemies and himself.
He is more than surprised when he wakes up in a bright and merry bedroom that turns out to belong to the widow Anna, a woman he has rudimentary memories of meeting. Knowing he should leave isn’t the same as doing it, and before he knows what’s happening, he finds himself pulled into a world with real life problems, such as folding laundry, and what’s for dinner.
Whiskey is no longer his first priority, and not being alone in his waking nightmare is a relief. That is, until Anna disappears. Steve finds himself forced to return to Afghanistan, a place where he’ll have to face both external enemies and himself.
- GenresContemporary
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2013
33 people want to read
About the author
Maria Hammarblad
28 books88 followersBorn in Sweden in the early 1970's, Maria showed a large interest for books early in her life. Even before she was able to read or write, she made her mom staple papers together that she drew suns in, and proudly declared them to be the "Sun Book." They were all about the sun. This fascination with books and writing lasted through her teens, but as an adult, her career veered off towards desktop publishing and technical literature.
Even on this winding road through very different employers, she managed to always incorporate writing in her work, making a living by making user manuals and documentations for computer systems. Not until the year 2000 did she find what would be her professional home at SSAB Swedish Steel, where she worked with logistics for the better part of a decade.
During 2008 she felt that it was time for a change, and she promptly enrolled in college and relocated to Florida in November that year. This change of lifestyle gave her the peace of mind and time she needed to pursue her interest in writing fiction, and this far it has resulted in three published novels; "Kidnapped," "Touch of the Goddess," and "Undercover," and several more are on the way.
Even on this winding road through very different employers, she managed to always incorporate writing in her work, making a living by making user manuals and documentations for computer systems. Not until the year 2000 did she find what would be her professional home at SSAB Swedish Steel, where she worked with logistics for the better part of a decade.
During 2008 she felt that it was time for a change, and she promptly enrolled in college and relocated to Florida in November that year. This change of lifestyle gave her the peace of mind and time she needed to pursue her interest in writing fiction, and this far it has resulted in three published novels; "Kidnapped," "Touch of the Goddess," and "Undercover," and several more are on the way.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 16, 2014
With this intriguing story readers are deftly reminded that change can only come from inside oneself.
Read full review in the 2013 September issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2013 September issue of InD’tale Magazine.
September 18, 2018
Reluctantly only 3 stars
I usually only leave reviews when I have just positive things to say. But in this case I have written one because I felt this book is so close to being oh so much better.
I really enjoyed the storyline. It drew me in from the first page. Steve suffers with PTSD and he copes by drowning his anxieties in alcohol and drugs. He suffers with flashbacks which plague him day and night. He is at the end of his tether and is contemplating suicide. The story then follows Steve's determined struggles to become a better person for the woman he loves. The author's descriptions of Steve's state of mind throughout the book, the scale of his addictions and his battle to become clean are very moving and sympathetically told.
However, Annie is a different matter. She is portrayed as a very kind and caring person. But there is something missing. Her character lacks depth. There is no sexual chemistry between Steve and Anna. No passion. I'm not talking about sex but about those deeply intense feelings that define a great love story.
I don't want to give the plot away but does the sudden ending mean there is to be a sequel? It doesn't say: to be continued, but the story just suddenly stops. It seemed as if the last chapter (where all the loose ends are tied up) had been mislaid.
This could so easily have been 5 stars but as it stands I can only give 3.
I usually only leave reviews when I have just positive things to say. But in this case I have written one because I felt this book is so close to being oh so much better.
I really enjoyed the storyline. It drew me in from the first page. Steve suffers with PTSD and he copes by drowning his anxieties in alcohol and drugs. He suffers with flashbacks which plague him day and night. He is at the end of his tether and is contemplating suicide. The story then follows Steve's determined struggles to become a better person for the woman he loves. The author's descriptions of Steve's state of mind throughout the book, the scale of his addictions and his battle to become clean are very moving and sympathetically told.
However, Annie is a different matter. She is portrayed as a very kind and caring person. But there is something missing. Her character lacks depth. There is no sexual chemistry between Steve and Anna. No passion. I'm not talking about sex but about those deeply intense feelings that define a great love story.
I don't want to give the plot away but does the sudden ending mean there is to be a sequel? It doesn't say: to be continued, but the story just suddenly stops. It seemed as if the last chapter (where all the loose ends are tied up) had been mislaid.
This could so easily have been 5 stars but as it stands I can only give 3.
August 31, 2021
This book started off fine.
However, it felt like it was a collection of ideas drafted by the author. The first part and the second part of the book did not really fit together.
I would have liked more background information on the characters. Why did they act like they did and how did they feel?
To many open questions at the end, which felt rushed and out of context.
I think the author had a lot of good ideas in her head, but should have had a good editor telling her to drop some and concentrate on others.
However, it felt like it was a collection of ideas drafted by the author. The first part and the second part of the book did not really fit together.
I would have liked more background information on the characters. Why did they act like they did and how did they feel?
To many open questions at the end, which felt rushed and out of context.
I think the author had a lot of good ideas in her head, but should have had a good editor telling her to drop some and concentrate on others.
September 29, 2013
Flashback by Maria Hammarblad is another exciting adventure. I applaud Hammarblad’s effort at giving the reader an up close look at “Posttraumatic Stress Disorder” and how devastating it can be, not only for the victim, but also for anyone close to them.
The story of Steve and Anna begins as an accidental meeting which turns into an unlikely love affair. The story plods on with drunken episodes and bad dreams, but just when you think the tale has met its calm, a thrilling adventure begins in a shocking twist.
I have to say this was not my favorite Hammarblad book, as I am extremely fond of her Goddess books and Embarkment series, and let’s just face it Hammarblad is Science-Fiction GOLD! However, this story is certainly worth reading. As an author, I find myself second guessing my own talent every time I read anything written by Maria Hammarblad. Her ability to draw you into character emotion is paralleled by no other and her flawless style paints a scene so clearly you can feel it.
I encourage you to check out Flashback or any of Maria Hammarblad’s publications. If you love action, romance and excitement, you won’t be disappointed. I can almost bet you will become a HUGE fan, just as I am.
The story of Steve and Anna begins as an accidental meeting which turns into an unlikely love affair. The story plods on with drunken episodes and bad dreams, but just when you think the tale has met its calm, a thrilling adventure begins in a shocking twist.
I have to say this was not my favorite Hammarblad book, as I am extremely fond of her Goddess books and Embarkment series, and let’s just face it Hammarblad is Science-Fiction GOLD! However, this story is certainly worth reading. As an author, I find myself second guessing my own talent every time I read anything written by Maria Hammarblad. Her ability to draw you into character emotion is paralleled by no other and her flawless style paints a scene so clearly you can feel it.
I encourage you to check out Flashback or any of Maria Hammarblad’s publications. If you love action, romance and excitement, you won’t be disappointed. I can almost bet you will become a HUGE fan, just as I am.
July 17, 2013
I just finished Flashback and stayed up way too late and even skipped some of the things I should have done because I couldn't put it down. Maria Hammarblad has written another great story full of wonderful characters, dramatic plot twists, moments of true terror, and a love that grows and fills the story and makes getting through the scary times possible. Great book!
June 25, 2013
What an intense ride! When I start a new book I always think I should try to draw the pleasure out and not finish it at once. That didn't work. Once you start you can't stop!
February 19, 2014
3.75 / 4 Stars
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews