I'm so psyched today to welcome a relatively new to me author who I e-met through social media (isn't it great), read her novel Karma and fell in love with her characters, her storytelling and her generosity.
So welcome to my stop on the Karma by Donna Augustine blog tour. Enjoy our interview, my review of Karma and Donna has graciously offered one lucky entrant an e-copy of Karma and a needle felted critter she made, US ONLY! exclusively for my blog.
There is also a tour wide giveaway that I'll post too!
I know that you'll be excited to read this amazing new urban fantasy series when you get to the end of the post.
Giveaway details below.
Take it away Donna!!!
- BN ID: 2940149703852
- Publisher: Strong Hold Publishing
- Publication date: 7/8/2014
- Series: Karma , #1
- Format: eBook
- Pages: 344
Overview
People say karma's a...well, you know. Personally, I don't think I'm that bad. It's not like I wanted this job. I wasn't even in my right mind when I accepted the position.
Now, I'm surrounded by crazy coworkers like Lady Luck, who's a bit of a tramp, and Murphy's Law, who's a bumbling oaf. But the worst is Fate. He's got a problem with transfers like myself and I have to see him constantly. It's unavoidable, since we're hunting the same man, my murderer.
Now, I'm surrounded by crazy coworkers like Lady Luck, who's a bit of a tramp, and Murphy's Law, who's a bumbling oaf. But the worst is Fate. He's got a problem with transfers like myself and I have to see him constantly. It's unavoidable, since we're hunting the same man, my murderer.
Read an excerpt:
“No. Just you. Everyone
has their own department. You are Karma.” He pointed toward me dramatically,
the way someone would try and accent a meaning to a person who didn't know the
language.
“I'm not sure I'm
adequately suited for this position. Even for a month. I'm more of a “bygones
be bygones” kind of person. Don't you need someone a bit more vengeful?”
He looked down at the
file spread on his desk. “I would disagree. Your file said you would be an
excellent candidate.”
“May I see that?” I
asked, eying up said file on his desk. How much did Harold know about me?
Everything? That was an uneasy feeling. Even the best of us had our secrets and
even though I considered myself a decent human being, I didn't think I fell
into the saintly category.
The file didn't look big
enough for my entire life to be in it. It didn't even look thick enough for a
short story. Maybe just a highly edited Wiki version?
“No, absolutely not.” He
shut the Manila folder quickly, as if I were going to jump up and try to peek.
The guy took neurotic to a whole other level.
Okay, the file wasn't
that important. I needed to keep the peace and simply explain in better detail
how I'd made an error in judgment. Be nice. My southern mother had always said
you caught more bees with honey than vinegar. She had tried to drill it into my
head since I was a small child. It wasn't something I'd come naturally to, that
was for sure, but it was a valid tactic, even if that wasn't the lesson my
mother had meant to instill.
“Harold, when I agreed
to work for you, I was under the duress of seeing my dead body. You can
understand how jarring that can be, right? I wasn't thinking clearly at all.”
It sounded logical enough to me, but I wasn't sure if he'd ever had the
pleasure of dying and his manner didn't scream naturally empathetic.
He cleared his throat
and I could tell by the set of his mouth that I wouldn't like the next words.
“I'm sorry, but that's not how things work here. Like I told you, there’s a
mandatory one-month trial period. An active one-month.”
He leaned back in his
chair and pushed his glasses up closer to his face. His almost black eyes,
artificially enlarged from the lens, stared at me in a bit of an awkward way. I
wasn't sure if there was a bite to follow up his bark but his magnified beady
gaze sure made the situation less than desirable.
Still, beady gaze and
all, I had to try one last time. Perhaps a different angle. Regardless of my
record, he clearly thought I was an idiot; maybe that was the way to go. I had
no problem playing a stooge if it got me out of here quickly.
“As you stated, I'm a
transfer. You really don't want me. I'm a horribly slow learner. The mistakes
I've made in my life, geesh, you'd squirm if you knew.” I twirled a finger in
my hair for effect and wished I had some chewing gum to smack.
“Yes, I'm well aware.”
He was? Hey, wait a
minute; I didn't think I'd done too badly for myself. What were these jerks
writing about me in that file?
“Fate will help you with
that.”
And just like that, I
had bigger problems. I wasn't just stuck here; I was stuck with him. “The guy
who helped me so far?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“It has to be him.”
Harold threw his hands in the air, as if why am I bothering him? Not his
orders.
“Then I'll work alone.”
I'd be clueless but
peaceful. There was something wrong about that guy. There was something too
bossy or too intense. I couldn't even describe exactly what it was about him
that was too much, but it was.
Even the brief moment
I'd actually been in my right mind around him, it was as if his presence
exerted some sort of gravitational pull, stronger than a normal person’s. As if
his intensity could throw me out of orbit. And I didn't want to go out of
orbit. I had enough things to handle besides ping ponging around.
“Non-negotiable. I've
got orders.” Harold folded his hands and rested them atop his desk, littered
with paper.
“From who exactly?”
“The universe.” His chin
notched up a hair.
“Would it be possible to
speak to this universe person? I'm sure they'll understand that there is a
personality conflict.” It was time to bump my complaint to upper management.
“No one speaks to the
universe.”
“Then how do you know
what to do?” I leaned in a little.
“Simple. Through my
orders.” His eyes started to twitch.
“Which you get how?”
“My memos.”
“Then you can send a
memo to the universe. I won't work with him.”
“I'll file your
complaint but it won't matter. And don't forget, as I've already explained, it
has to be an active month.”
Twenty-five days. I've
dealt with worse for longer. One case in particular came to mind. The guy
actually tried to bite me when we lost. Harold didn't seem inclined to bite and
he didn't get into my personal space. I could deal with him.
On the other hand, Fate
looked like he might be the biting sort.
“Do the last five days
count toward the thirty? Time served and all?”
“Yes.”
“These first days were
highly unpleasant. Do you think I could get extra credit for those? Maybe, I
don't know, you could knock off a day or two? Like they do in jail for good
behavior?”He squinted his eyes and tilted his head. I was going to take that
for a no.
“No. Just you. Everyone
has their own department. You are Karma.” He pointed toward me dramatically,
the way someone would try and accent a meaning to a person who didn't know the
language.
“I'm not sure I'm
adequately suited for this position. Even for a month. I'm more of a “bygones
be bygones” kind of person. Don't you need someone a bit more vengeful?”
He looked down at the
file spread on his desk. “I would disagree. Your file said you would be an
excellent candidate.”
“May I see that?” I
asked, eying up said file on his desk. How much did Harold know about me?
Everything? That was an uneasy feeling. Even the best of us had our secrets and
even though I considered myself a decent human being, I didn't think I fell
into the saintly category.
The file didn't look big
enough for my entire life to be in it. It didn't even look thick enough for a
short story. Maybe just a highly edited Wiki version?
“No, absolutely not.” He
shut the Manila folder quickly, as if I were going to jump up and try to peek.
The guy took neurotic to a whole other level.
Okay, the file wasn't
that important. I needed to keep the peace and simply explain in better detail
how I'd made an error in judgment. Be nice. My southern mother had always said
you caught more bees with honey than vinegar. She had tried to drill it into my
head since I was a small child. It wasn't something I'd come naturally to, that
was for sure, but it was a valid tactic, even if that wasn't the lesson my
mother had meant to instill.
“Harold, when I agreed
to work for you, I was under the duress of seeing my dead body. You can
understand how jarring that can be, right? I wasn't thinking clearly at all.”
It sounded logical enough to me, but I wasn't sure if he'd ever had the
pleasure of dying and his manner didn't scream naturally empathetic.
He cleared his throat
and I could tell by the set of his mouth that I wouldn't like the next words.
“I'm sorry, but that's not how things work here. Like I told you, there’s a
mandatory one-month trial period. An active one-month.”
He leaned back in his
chair and pushed his glasses up closer to his face. His almost black eyes,
artificially enlarged from the lens, stared at me in a bit of an awkward way. I
wasn't sure if there was a bite to follow up his bark but his magnified beady
gaze sure made the situation less than desirable.
Still, beady gaze and
all, I had to try one last time. Perhaps a different angle. Regardless of my
record, he clearly thought I was an idiot; maybe that was the way to go. I had
no problem playing a stooge if it got me out of here quickly.
“As you stated, I'm a
transfer. You really don't want me. I'm a horribly slow learner. The mistakes
I've made in my life, geesh, you'd squirm if you knew.” I twirled a finger in
my hair for effect and wished I had some chewing gum to smack.
“Yes, I'm well aware.”
He was? Hey, wait a
minute; I didn't think I'd done too badly for myself. What were these jerks
writing about me in that file?
“Fate will help you with
that.”
And just like that, I
had bigger problems. I wasn't just stuck here; I was stuck with him. “The guy
who helped me so far?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“It has to be him.”
Harold threw his hands in the air, as if why am I bothering him? Not his
orders.
“Then I'll work alone.”
I'd be clueless but
peaceful. There was something wrong about that guy. There was something too
bossy or too intense. I couldn't even describe exactly what it was about him
that was too much, but it was.
Even the brief moment
I'd actually been in my right mind around him, it was as if his presence
exerted some sort of gravitational pull, stronger than a normal person’s. As if
his intensity could throw me out of orbit. And I didn't want to go out of
orbit. I had enough things to handle besides ping ponging around.
“Non-negotiable. I've
got orders.” Harold folded his hands and rested them atop his desk, littered
with paper.
“From who exactly?”
“The universe.” His chin
notched up a hair.
“Would it be possible to
speak to this universe person? I'm sure they'll understand that there is a
personality conflict.” It was time to bump my complaint to upper management.
“No one speaks to the
universe.”
“Then how do you know
what to do?” I leaned in a little.
“Simple. Through my
orders.” His eyes started to twitch.
“Which you get how?”
“My memos.”
“Then you can send a
memo to the universe. I won't work with him.”
“I'll file your
complaint but it won't matter. And don't forget, as I've already explained, it
has to be an active month.”
Twenty-five days. I've
dealt with worse for longer. One case in particular came to mind. The guy
actually tried to bite me when we lost. Harold didn't seem inclined to bite and
he didn't get into my personal space. I could deal with him.
On the other hand, Fate
looked like he might be the biting sort.
“Do the last five days
count toward the thirty? Time served and all?”
“Yes.”
“These first days were
highly unpleasant. Do you think I could get extra credit for those? Maybe, I
don't know, you could knock off a day or two? Like they do in jail for good
behavior?”He squinted his eyes and tilted his head. I was going to take that
for a no.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
one e-copy of Karma plus one needle felted kitty pictured below
US ONLY
use the Rafflecopter form to enter
Thanks Donna!!
Good Luck!!
Donna Hi!
Welcome to The Reading Frenzy!
Tell my readers a little about Karma.
It’s about a woman,
Camilla, who dies abruptly. She makes a desperate decision in her effort to
cling to the life she had. She ends up working for an agency that keeps the
Universe working smoothly.
Most readers would
categorize it as an urban fantasy. Even though there is a romantic subplot, it
isn’t a romance or not a standalone, anyway. There’s also mystery and fantasy. It’s
a dark read and will become even darker as the story progresses.
Donna as you know I
loved the novel, I found it a fresh and unique foray into fantasy.
Where did the idea for Karma come from?
Thank you so much,
Debbie! I’m not sure what actually sparked it into a book idea but I’ve spent
years watching really lousy people do the nastiest things and seemingly walk
away unscathed. I think my brain just wanted a world, even if I had to make it up,
where things seemed to even out.
Was it always slated as the beginning of a series or did you make that decision
later on? How many novels are planned for the series?
It was always going
to be a series. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to write the entire story in
one book. The first is 72,000 words and the second is 77,000. There’s going to
be, at minimum a third, and possibly a novella. If I did all of them in one
book, it might have scared people.
Karma was awarded a
Top Pick by Night Owl reviews. Congratulations!
How important are reviews to you?
Do you read them all?
Whenever you are
marketing something, reviews are very important. When I’m on the fence about
picking up a book, I always look at them, although I try to read the ones
without too many spoilers.
As to my own
reviews, I try not to read them on a regular basis while I’m writing. The best
way I can explain why I stopped is to give you this example. (Warning. This
piece has been dramatized for your reading pleasure. Okay, it’s actually more
factual than I care to admit.)
Monday Afternoon; A
great review comes in and I’m on top of the world, my confidence is sky high
and my writing is on fire.
Mon Night; I get a
bad review. Writing grinds to a halt as I have nothing but doubts and I’m
convinced every word I write is total shit.
Tues; Mediocre
review comes in. I don’t know what to think. Am I good? Am I bad? It’s too
much. I don’t know whether I just need to work a little harder or throw my hands
in the air and surrender to the gods of average crap.
Wednesday; Another
good review. Yes! Yes! I’m awesome again! My fingers fly across the keyboard
and the words are flowing.
Friday; Back-to-back
bad reviews hit. I’m the worst writer ever. Why am I even bothering? I’m
horrible! How can anyone like this when it’s got so many flaws!
How long have you
been a novelist?
Did your writing career start there or was it segued from something else?
I’ve wanted to write
a novel for as long as can remember. I started and stopped writing more times
than I can count. Then one day, about four years ago, I realized my life was
flying by. It was one of those moments of clarity that sometimes happen. I
realized that if I kept telling myself I’d do this or that next week or next
month it would never happen. The problem with doing everything tomorrow is you
live in today.
Donna I just learned
about your hobby of needle felting. I admit I had to Google it to see what it
was and I was wowed by some of the examples I saw.
How long have you been doing this and what made you start?
I’ve been felting
for years. I’ve never met an art or craft I didn’t like. At one point or
another, I’ve painted (oil, acrylic and watercolor), worked with stained glass,
sculpted, etc. It’s probably easier to name the things I haven’t tried. I can’t
seem to help myself.
Donna thank you so
much for letting me pick your brain a bit today.
Good Luck with Karma! And all you endeavors!
My review of Karma
At 27 Camilla Fontaine’s an engaged successful
defense attorney and by all accounts headed for a promising future. That is
until she dies in a horrific and tragic accident and finds herself not seeing
bright lights or deceased relatives and not fire and brimstone. She sees
Harold, who just happens to manage the UFU, Unknown Forces of the Universe and
learns she’s been chosen to fill the
recently vacated role of Karma. Yeah that, “brings
happiness to good deeds and punishes bad ones”,
The Queen of consequences, Karma.
When she finally comes to her senses she realizes she’s
not cut out for this woo-woo scary responsibility and is determined to use the opt out clause of her contract. The bad
news is that for 30 days she'll have to actively take on her Karma persona and
worse be partnered with the easy on the eyes but very bad attitude, Fate who’s not at all happy with her untimely arrival.
Plus as if that’s not enough there’s
something else fishy going on in the Universe and
she’s smack dab in the middle of it without knowing why or
how to stop it. So it’s a good thing that after
her 30 day stint she’s outta here!
Donna Augustine’s debut novel in her new
series is not a romance, although there are romantic aspects, but a
sophisticated mix of adult dark fantasy and mystery, intrigue and fairytale.
Her vision is unique her voice is as individual as her eclectic, electric
characters and who knew the running of the Universe was orchestrated out of a
non-descript office building in SC. Her co-stars are a memorable cast but it’s her star Karma that really shines. Karma who uses humor
and wit to cope with some pretty incredible happenings and her repartee with
Fate is combustible. So if you’re tired of the same old,
same old fantasy. I suggest you give this one a try, you won’t
be disappointed. Thanks Donna I
can’t wait for book two!
Book Two Jinxed is available now!
MEET DONNA
Donna Augustine’s lifelong ambition was
to become the crazy cat lady. Unfortunately, when family allergies cut short
her dream of living in a house full of furries, she turned her ambitions toward
writing. Combining her love of fantasy, scifi, horror and romance, she tries to
string together interesting twists on urban fantasy.
Connect with Donna - Website - Facebook - Twitter
MY GIVEAWAY
The Karma blog Tour Schedule:
October 27 Interview
October 27 Interview
The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom
www.creativelygreen.blogspot.comOctober 27 Spotlight
IndieWritersReview.
http://indiewritersreview.wordpress.com/
October 28 Interview
Butterfly-o-Meter Books
http://butterfly-o-meter.com/
October 29 Spotlight
Cassandra M’s place
www.cassandramsplace.com
October 30 Guest blog
The Buttontapper
http://buttontapper.com/blog/
October 31 Spotlight
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too!
http://3partnersinShopping.blogspot.com
November 3 Guest blog
Romantic Reads and Such
http://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com
November 4 Top Ten Foods to “Die” For
Cabin Goddess
http://cabingoddess.com
November 4 Spotlight
Share My Destiny
http://sharemydestiny.blogspot.com
November 5 Guest blog
Marsha A Moore
http://marshaamoore.blogspot.com/
November 6 Guest blog
Roxanne’s Realm
www.roxannerhoads.com
November 7 Character Interview
Eclipse Reviews
www.totaleclipsereviews.blogspot.com
November 7 Review
Sister Sinister Speaks
http://sistersinisterspeaks.blogspot.com/
November 10 Review
Offbeat Vagabond
http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/
November 11 Spotlight and review
More Books Than Livros
http://mbtlbooktours.blogspot.com.br/
November 12 Character Interview
Anya Breton Author’s Blog
http://blog.anyabreton.com
November 13 Spotlight and review
Books N Pearls
http://booksnpearls.weebly.com/blog
November 14 Spotlight
Sapphyria’s Book Reviews
http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/
November 14 Review
Book Briefs Book Blog
http://bookbriefs.net
November 17 Review
Deb Sanders
http://DebSanders.com
November 18 Review
My Book Filled Life
http://mybookfilledlife.blogspot.com
November 18 review
Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock
www.pratr.wordpress.com
November 19 Guest blog and review
Urban Girl Reader
www.urbangirlreader.com
November 20 Interview
Author Karen Swart
www.authorkarenswart.blogspot.com
November 20 Review
Book lovers Club
http://bookslovesclub.blogspot.com/
November 21 Top Ten List
Darkest Cravings
www.darkestcravings.blogspot.com
November 21 Review
Shut Up & Read
http://shutupandreadgroup.blogspot.com/
November 24 Interview
Pembroke Sinclair.
www.pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com
November 24 Guest blog
Fang-tastic Books
www.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
November 24 Interview and Review
The Reading Frenzy
Hosted by Bewitching Book Tours
www.bewitchingbooktours.com
RoxanneRhoads@bewitchingbooktours.com
GoneReading item for today is:
Teeshirt collection
great gift ideas for that discriminating reader
in your life
Click HERE for the buy page
Thank you so much for sharing this!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment!
DeleteThanks for having me, Debbie!
ReplyDeleteDonna thank you it was my pleasure:)
DeleteI read urban fantasy to relieve stress. I escape my real world for fantasy worlds created by writers. Donna Augustine is a WONDERFUL author! Karma is fantastic and I would definitely recommend it to anyone! honestly Donna is one of my absolute favorite authors. Thank you for the giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteWith that being said, I sincerely hope I do not win that cat. Those felted creations freak me out. (I guess I have a phobia!)
Wow Dawn another fan, thanks for commenting. And well if you do win the contest you can always re-gift LOL ;)
DeleteThank you, Dawn!
DeleteThis sounds good, I love urban fantasy for the intense action, side of romance and quests,mysteries, cases that come with each installment.
ReplyDeleteKim I think you'll really like this
Deletethanks for commenting
xo
Love the idea that as I go about living my life there is another world out there hiding in plain sight. Filled with wonderful characters, magic, mystery, and adventure. Karma is a good example of the type of world that is fun to imagine is existing along side the one I'm living in. And I seriously wouldn't mind having Fate knock on my door. ;-)
ReplyDeletehi Donna, I think I'd like having him visit too LOL :)
Deletethanks for stopping by
the stories
ReplyDelete:)
Delete