#GIVEAWAY INT! Review Wyrd Blood by Donna Augustine - Character Interview Bugs

To celebrate her newest release, Wyrd Blood, Donna Augustine is taking over the blog today with an interview of  her main protagonist, Bugs. She is also sponsoring a #Giveaway of an e-book of Wyrd Blood details follow. 

Enjoy and Good Luck!!

ISBN-13: 978-1945946035
Publisher: Amazon digital services
Release Date: 9-10-2017
Length: 304pp
Buy It on Amazon


Overview:

Sometimes I wonder what life was like before magic burst into existence, before the Magical War of 810 destroyed our world. What it was like before there were Wyrd Blood, or we were forced into hiding.And that's what I've been doing for years, hiding me and my crew. But that's about to end. My crew is starving and things are getting dire. When I get desperate enough to try and steal from Ryker, one of the toughest men in these parts, things go bad and my Wyrd Blood origins are outed.But it's not all bad. Ryker can help keep me alive from the mysterious illness that's been plaguing me. He can also feed my crew. The only thing I have to do in return is start another war.

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Read an excerpt:

Prologue

Brief History of the World

In 1620 BC (Before the Change), magic sprang into existence. No one knew why or how this occurred, as there had never been magic in the world before. Some speculated that it was because of the dual eclipse of the moons. Others said it was because the planet shifted on its axis. But no one had any logical theories on why some people were gifted with magic, and others were not. Or why magic would skip several generations. The only thing that was brutally obvious to all was that magic was power and this was the beginning of a new world.

By 391 AC (After the Change), people gifted with magic had taken control of every country in the land. The power structure had shifted and righted itself to this magical reign and a new normal had taken shape. The Wyrd Blood, as those with magic in their veins were sometimes called, were hoarded as commodities by their stronger brethren. They were kept in gilded cages, bred for more magic, more power.

But even as people found their footing in this new world, no one realized what world they'd be soon living in once the Magical War of 810 began. Because those with the thirst for power are seldom satisfied until they have it all.

Chapter One

910 AC

Ryker stood leaning beside the open door, his face silhouetted by the full moon shining behind him. I didn't need to see his eyes to feel the burn of their stare. The same night breeze that ruffled his dark hair caressed my skin, taunting me with a hint of freedom. It was a stark contrast to the cold stone wall at my back, as I sat in the windowless room.

The world unfolded ten feet away, yet I didn't have any hope of reaching it because of one wrong decision. Wasn't that the way of it, though? A single misstep and everything crumbled around you. Safety, permanency, they were the grand illusions we all tried to partake in. Eventually, though, the truth would shine its harsh light on our endless vulnerabilities. That was when the true survivors stood, while the weak crawled into the shadows.

I wouldn't be among the weak. I forced the fear down, into a dark pit within, as I had so many times before in my life. The regrets were harder to swallow back, but I did, knowing he was searching for weakness. I wouldn't give this man a crumb. He already had too much power, and I wouldn't take part in any illusion of my defeat. I wasn't finished yet, not by a magic mile.

He crossed his arms in front of his chest, his white shirt pulled tight over broad shoulders as he made himself more comfortable. I sat stiff as a board, afraid to reveal anything while we sized each other up in the darkened silence.

"How many days are you going to sit here?" He raised his hand, mocking me as he made a show of counting his fingers. "Going to need the second hand soon."

I didn't laugh at his crude joke. Didn't scowl, either. I'd figure a way out of this mess, and then we'd see who was gloating.

He didn't like me. I didn't like him either, so at least in that, we were on an even playing field.
His hand dropped. "You must realize this is a waste of time."

His tone was that of a person who thought they had all the control. I said nothing, as I had for the last four nights he'd come, my insides charring from restrained anger.

He turned his head, his hawkish profile partially revealed in moonlight. He smiled, and it added a chill to the already cold room.

"What if I tire of this game and kill you? Aren't you afraid to die?"

I was already dying. Probably that much quicker, too, in this hole. I quickly blocked the thought as his magic reached out. I tried my best to keep up my defenses as his magic swirled in the air and filled the room, testing me, surrounding me, trying to find my weaknesses as it attempted to lure me into letting down my defenses.

He might beat me eventually. He was strong, stronger than anyone I'd ever met. But if this was my time to cross the Styx into the forever night, I was going with a fight.

I'd die here if need be. That was the craziest part of knowing you were dying. It trimmed off all the should-haves and cut you right down to your essence. It was a gift of freedom, cursed with a lack of time. It made you think back to everything you'd done, every decision, every word, and see it in that harsh light. Some actions shone and some cast a dark shadow on your timeline.

He crossed his arms in front of him, his forearms rippling. "You're going to give me what I want."

I shrugged, a silent Think whatever you want. Time will tell. 

I tilted my head back, looking at the ceiling. "Are we finished for tonight?"

He let out a short laugh that, unlike the smile, sounded genuine. "I'll leave you to your amusements until tomorrow."


He walked out and shut the door to the empty room while I shined that harsh light back over the last week of my life, and the regrets flooded back to the surface.

Taken from the journal of Barnie Fitch, head newspaper reporter for Valley View, The Valley’s first and only newspaper.

Bugs strolled into the small building nestled in the heart of The Valley, blonde hair wild, and leather pants dingy from a day outdoors. She scanned the room like a woman used to having a price on her head, assessing my few coworkers for any threat.

Her gaze finally landed on me and I smiled, attracted to her against my better judgment and knowing I didn’t stand a chance. I was a calm meadow on a sunny day while she was the cooling breeze that proceeded a storm right before it leveled you. Some beauty was meant to be appreciated from afar. But for today, I could edge slightly closer and marvel.

She stopped in front of me. “Barnie?”

 “Yes. Thank you for coming, Bugs.” I waved my hand towards the free seat at the table across from me. “May I call you Bugs?”

She shrugged in response and took the seat.

“I know you’re only doing this as a favor to Ryker but it’s greatly appreciated. There are many people around here who would like to get to know the newcomer better.” I’d been harassed with questions for weeks. Everyone wanted to know more about the new girl.

“Sure,” she said, eyeing me with suspicion.

I knew I’d immediately said something wrong. Unfortunately, I didn’t know what it was. I decided to start with some small talk, hoping that relaxed her. “That’s an unusual name for a woman. Is that your given name?”

She raised a brow. “Obviously not.”

My pencil hovering over paper, I asked, “What is your real name?”

She leaned forward in her seat. “Why? You trying to sell me out? They get big money for Wyrd Bloods so you better not be thinking of it. You won’t last long if you try.”

I threw my hands up in immediate surrender. “Of course not. I was only asking.”

She stared at me as if she didn’t believe a word of it. Wow, was I blowing this. Maybe a compliment would smooth things over. “I’ve heard your Wyrd Blood markings are quite impressive. Truly stunning.”

Her eyes narrowed. “How do you know that? I don’t show anyone my markings.”

Fuck me. I’d thought others had seen her marks. I certainly wasn’t going to be the one to tell her that some of the kids had spied on her in the showers and told me.

“So how are you doing on this beautiful day?” I asked, a last ditch effort that a clunky topic change might work.

“Why? Did someone tell you I’m sick? I’m fine and screw anyone who says differently.”

This was not going well. Might as well just ask her the question I really wanted to and hope she doesn’t kill me.

“Why did you decide that stealing from Ryker was a good idea?” There it was out.

She stood and leaned on the table, planting both hands flat upon it and getting uncomfortably close. “I never thought it was a good idea. My crew was running out of food. What would you do? Let them starve?” She straightened, making it clear the interview was over.

I leaned as far back as I could, offering no protest.

After a long stare that I took for a warning, she turned and headed towards the door. My coworkers all backing out of her way, obviously having overheard the interview.

As she left, panic struck. “Hey, can you do me a favor?”

She stopped and raised her eyebrows, as if shocked I’d have to nerve to ask.

“Can you tell Ryker that this went well? Or just don’t say anything at all?” Because if the rumors were right, and he was soft on her, I didn’t need that kind of heat coming down on me.

She paused and looked back over her shoulder at me. I thought I was done.

Then she shook her head, as if I were a stray dog begging for food that she pitied. “Fine.” She left the building.

My Review

Wyrd Blood Book 1

Donna Augustine

Augustine’s first in a new series is a melding of sorts of NA- Urban Fantasy and post apocalyptic fiction set in a world almost a thousand years after the demise of civilization. Her attention to detail in her inventive world building gives readers a clear visual of her fantastic people, places and things. Her main protagonists are a fabulous pair, there’s Bugs a mix of wisdom, innocence and common sense and Ryker an enigma whose quiet strength makes him the perfect leader. Her other players are all interesting and the storyline is action packed and engaging and will leave her audience salivating for book two. Well done!

SUMMARY:
It’s 910 AC-After the change when magic was unleashed on an unsuspecting world and forever changed it and not for the better.

Bugs has relied on her Wyrd Blood, (magic) to keep her one step ahead of her enemies and to keep her and her small crew alive and fed in the crumbling Ruined City. But lately something’s wrong, she’s off her game struck low by a strange illness and that’s the only reason she found herself trapped by her enemy. And the only reason she’s alive to tell about it is that he wants something from her.

Ryker, lord of the country of Valley has need of someone with strong magic, someone he can use to get through the wards of a neighboring country. Someone who’s disposable, luckily the culprit just got herself snagged in one of his traps. Unlucky for him, he might have just met his match.

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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.
A native of New Jersey, when she isn’t writing or over dosing on caffeine, she can occasionally be spotted in disguise at the local dog park.

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