Sandra's Book Club: Blog Tour: AWAKEN by Lauren Wagner

Awaken

by Lauren Wagner

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GENRE: Speculative Fiction

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BLURB:

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.

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Excerpt One:

They groomed me as a child. They taught me how to look, how to listen, and even how to die. They prepared me to live entirely for others. Die for others. I am destined to be the queen of Estancia, to live in a noble house filled with my own personal court and guards sworn to protect me at all costs, right until the moment of my death. Even as they tear me from my bed in the dark of night, I must remember this is their purpose, just as much as it is mine.

“May I say goodbye to my father?” The confidence in my voice covers the fear trembling in my gut.

“No, milady. There is no time.”

The guard throws a musty cloak over my soft linen nightclothes. The stale smell overpowers the eucalyptus of the lotions on my skin, making my eyes water in disgust. I feel no better than a horse being led by the reigns.

I grip my golden slippers and run out of the house. My bare feet touch the wood of the floor and memorize the soft pitter-patter that vibrates in response. The same guard places me on top of the nearest horse. Black as midnight, silky as the hidden clothes under my cloak. My hands fumble for the reins as I lean forward and fight for my balance. I am not accustomed to riding horses.

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Question: Tell us about your antagonist:

Author Answer: Everyone loves a good villain—especially the villain himself. In Awaken, this is, in fact, the villain’s most significant flaw. He thinks so highly of himself that he becomes clouded by centuries and centuries of selfishness. He blamed Natalia for his kingdom’s sufferings and, therefore, all of his shortcomings. He vowed to take revenge because he took her lost opportunity at sacrifice as a personal insult. He took what he wanted, when he wanted, and Natalia was the one thing that had managed to escape him. He was a king, and her disappearance was an embarrassment. Ironically, the same thing that freed her from the sacrifice was his source of power. He was so blinded by power and revenge that he lost sight of what her sacrifice was initially intended for. Thus, he made choices that led him to be the reason for his kingdom’s need for Natalia and everything she represented. A chance. A future. A new beginning.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

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.

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Awaken-Lauren-Wagner-ebook/dp/B09RHCBRYP/ref=sr_1_1