Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Awaken by Lauren Wagner. This book tour was organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. On my stop, I have an excerpt from the book as well as the tour wide giveaway for a chance to win a $10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card. Be sure to visit the other stops on the tour for more content. Enjoy!
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Title: Awaken
Author: Lauren Wagner
Publisher: Cinnabar Moth
Publication Date: March 1st 2022
Print Length: 223 pages
Genre: Speculative Fiction
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Natalia has embraced the choice of her people. She is honored to have been chosen as their human sacrifice and will surrender her life to the Gods. She awaits the call of her people for that final moment, living a life of solitude until it’s time. But then her death is stolen from her—she is kidnapped by her own guards and forced into an eternal slumber.
Hundreds of years later—now—Natalia is woken in a world that’s completely unfamiliar. The archaeological team was not looking for her. They were looking for Estancia, the lost city of gold, and Natalia agrees to guide them.
While they journey through the treacherous jungles of Argentina, Natalia stumbles upon the alarming truth of her past. Her life’s prophecy must be fulfilled to restore balance to her people, but only she can decide whether that balance is worth her death.
Goodreads * Amazon * Barnes & Noble *
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EXCERPT:
I wake to a set of ocean blue eyes filled with disbelief and a smooth, unyielding face. Shock holds his cheeks tight. His lips purse together.
I am dreaming, I tell myself. One more moment and the dreams will subside. I will take another scale and my dreams will diminish. But until then, I remain in a daze. Confused with magic or maybe poisoned with despair, I feel my body move, but only in acute awareness. My muscles scream at me as my toes curl and my fingers stretch. I have a vague memory of moving my head from side to side. My eyes search for the Keeper, in fear he might stop this intrusion, yet I find only stone in a glorious lizard shape that reaches to the far end of the cave. He, as well as his magic, has gone.
The blue eyes belong to a man. Not yet filled to his height, but no longer built like a boy. Strange clothing falls too loose on his frame. His dirty shirt tucks into ripped pants held by a worn leather belt. Grime covers his pale skin. His hair is short and rumpled at the top of his head.
A man drops from the sky next to him and speaks a language not of my own. I listen for my breath. In or out. But in my shocked silence, I feel my heartbeat.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lauren Wagner’s love for reading started as a young adult after discovering her town’s public library. After carrying out piles of books at a time, and re-reading them over and over again, she discovered her love for writing. She writes fantasy and science fiction as well as post-it notes about her future stories. Awaken is her debut novel.
She grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago where she presently resides with her husband and two children. She currently teaches upper elementary students to love and obsess over written works of art.
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GUEST POST:
- What does your writing space look like?
I typically write in my family room with my feet propped up on the coffee table and my computer situated on a lap desk. I have a hard time writing with music or the TV on, but strangely enough, I struggle with complete silence. I, therefore, often write with the TV on mute. Something about the background movements helps my mind stay focused on what I am doing rather than sinking into my thoughts about the world I am trying to escape from.
I have attempted to write at a desk before but often find it doesn’t come as naturally to me. Something about a desk makes me feel like writing is work and, therefore, a little bit forced. I would much rather be on my couch, with a blanket wrapped on top of my lap, letting my writing pace match my mood.
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GIVEAWAY:
Lauren Wagner will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Good luck!
(All the Ups and Downs is not responsible for this giveaway, its entries, or the prize. Goddess Fish Promotions and the author assume all responsibility for this giveaway.)
Sounds like an interesting book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeletegreat cover, this sounds really interesting
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting book and I also like the cover.
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I enjoyed the excerpt. Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds so good and I am loving the cover.
ReplyDeleteheather
hgtempaddy
Sounds like a good book. I like the cover and excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThe excerpt sounds interesting. Thank you for sharing about the book.
ReplyDeleteintriguing cover
ReplyDeleteLooks like an interesting book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest.
The book sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteI like the cover.
ReplyDeleteI am curious - what is Speculative Fiction?
ReplyDeleteHard to imagine her body in stasis for hundreds of years- that kind of technology doesn't even exist now.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great night!
ReplyDeleteDo you have any advice for new writers?
ReplyDeleteDo you listen to music when you write?
ReplyDeleteDo you have Amazon Prime?
ReplyDeleteHappy St. Patrick's Day!
ReplyDeleteHappy St Patricks day :)
ReplyDeleteHave you ever started a book that you decided not to finish?
ReplyDeleteThe book looks really good.
ReplyDeleteWhat author do you most admire?
ReplyDeletethis book sounds unique
ReplyDeleteHow do you take your tea?
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read!
ReplyDeleteMy teenage daughter would love this book.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for the giveaway. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a unique storyline. Sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHow do you "flesh out" your characters?
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a great day!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting book. I was not familiar with the term speculative fiction. I had to look it up to see it is a broader category of fictional elements that do not exist in reality.
ReplyDelete