About a Book – Claimed by Nicolai

Introducing Denna Holm

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Where did the idea for the story come from?

I watch a lot of science fiction shows like Star Trek and movies like Star Wars, Stargate, and Starman. I also read a lot of science fiction romance. Starting at a very young age, space and the ability to travel through space has always fascinated me. Writing about an alien race and how they might possibly interact with humans seemed a natural step for me. It helped a lot that I was born with an overactive imagination.

For this particular story, I wanted to bring across a strong, alpha type male, one who’d been raised to take what he wanted, which included a mate. But in Abby, a young human woman, he found his match. She would not be bullied into just accepting her fate. She teaches Nicolai that it isn’t okay to take without asking, and in doing so he risks losing the one person most important to him.

Even though I bring across my message using fantasy and aliens, the message for women caught in abusive relationships is the same. Take charge of your destiny. Take the reins of power back.

Give a quote from the books, one that says little but speaks volumes. 

Could she accept her place at his side—to someday rule on an alien world? Could she accept the loss of her family and friends, accept she would never see them again?

Abby wasn’t sure about anything.

Give a short summary of what the book is about.

“Claimed by Nicolai” is a story about an alien male who must claim a female for a mate or face certain death. Raiden warriors cannot mate with females of their own species and produce healthy offspring, so once they are fully mature they must search for a suitable female from other worlds, Earth being one of them. Males are only given one chance to claim a mate. If they claim a female and she denies his claim, he risks death.

Raiden males are legally allowed to claim any female, with or without her permission, but they cannot consummate the union until after she accepts his claim. This story shows what Nicolai must go through to gain Abby’s trust and acceptance, and she doesn’t make life easy for him.

What genre is it?

Science Fiction Romance

How many pages is it?

398 pages

Why do you think the readers will want to read it?

For romance readers, it brings across the excitement of new love, of learning about one another. Along with the sexual tenstion, this story is filled with details about space and the politics of other worlds. For those who want more than just a love story, “Claimed by Nicolai” offers plenty of action and adventure, mystery, with many colorful minor characters to help add depth to the story. I’ve been told that men tend to enjoy the story every bit as much as women. 😊

Where are you located? 

Roseburg, Oregon

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Description

When Abby Harris takes her faithful German shepherd out for a hike in Oregon’s beautiful mountains, getting abducted by aliens isn’t even a blip on her radar. Her trusty can of bear spray and pocket knife aren’t much help against the seven-foot monsters who swoop in out of nowhere to transport her to a ship in space.

Nicolai Nekbet is Crown Prince for the House of Nekbet on the planet Raiden. Unable to bear healthy children with females of their own species, Raiden warriors must hunt for a bride outside their own world. Nicolai has his heart set on a human even though their planet is protected by an ancient species called Laizahlian. When he sees the tall blonde-haired beauty out in the mountains with only a dog by her side, he knows he must have her.

With Abby safely on his ship, Nicolai injects her with his shaprata, his essence. His shaprata will change her on a cellular level, making them compatible for procreation, but he must still work hard to win her heart. If she rejects their union, it could easily mean his death.

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Excerpt

Nicolai’s nostrils flared as he stood upright, his black eyes intent as he studied her face. When he started to lean over, planning to kiss her, Abby shook her head and pushed him away, not ready to go there no matter how much her traitorous body said otherwise. “But if there is a vampire down there, what will he do if he sees me, Nick?” she pressed, unable to let it drop. “He’ll know I’m human, right?”

“He would recognize you as human, yes, but he won’t interfere, not now. The claiming is done,” he said flatly. “There is nothing anyone can do now to take you from me, not even a Hunter.” He hesitated, stepping farther away from her, Abby grateful, needing time to rein in her rising lust. “We have a lot to do to get ready for this meeting, my love, and you are probably feeling tired from the sobtek.” His black eyes studied her face as though searching for something.

“I guess so. Can he…?” She didn’t know how to word it, her only experience with space and science fiction coming from watching old Star Trek or Star Wars movies.

“Can he what?” Nicolai pressed.

“Can your brother like beam me up from the planet’s surface? You put the sob stuff in me here, so he couldn’t take me off the ship, right? What’s stopping them from taking me from there?”

“It’s possible, but unlikely. Runhura experiences a lot of ground storms that tend to disrupt a . . . beam. It’s not typically safe to use a transporter.” He said the word beam as though it wasn’t what he would normally use. “We’ll travel to the surface in a shuttle, as will Ngozi. Not even Laizahlian trust using a transporter on Runhura, and their technology far surpasses anything we have.”

“Okay, that’s good, I guess.”

“Come,” he said, guiding her over to a chair in front of a mirror. “Try to rest while I braid and weave your hair. I want everyone on Runhura to recognize the future queen for the House of Nekbet, but especially Ngozi. It’s time he learned to accept his position in our society.”

Abby released a deep sigh, not sure anything would be as easy as Nick tried to make it out. “This is so crazy,” she whispered, taking a seat.

He laughed, gently brushing out her hair. “You worry for no reason, my love. They’ll accept you. Once we return to Raiden, my mother will begin to groom you to take her place. You’ll spend a lot of time with her out in the public eye, allowing the people to become accustomed to your presence. This is the way it is done for all brides of royalty. I have no doubt you’ll be loved and respected by our people.”

“Your people, not mine.” She snorted, trying to turn around to glare at him, but Nick held her head steady with both hands. She looked back in the mirror, amazed by how large his hands were. He could probably crush her skull with little more than a thought.

“Mm,” Nick hummed, leaning forward to kiss the top of her head, his eyes meeting hers in the mirror. “They will be your people too. I cannot rule without you, my love. You are my heart and soul, the very air I breathe. If you were taken from me, I would spend the rest of my life trying to get you back. If you were killed, I would also die. This is no game, Abby. We are connected now in ways that you don’t yet comprehend.”