Karma Series
Book One
Donna Augustine
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Strong Hold Publishing
Date of Publication: July 9, 2014
ISBN: 0692248463
ASIN: B00LMNRWQ4
Number of pages: 344
Word Count: 72,000
Cover Artist: Donna Augustine
Book Description:
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 it. 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.
Available at Amazon
I was immediately drawn into the story and once I started I couldn't put it down. I can't wait for the next book in the series. ~ Review by BookGirl
“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.
1. Did you always wanted to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
I never thought I’d be able to make a living at it but I always knew I wanted to write a book. It was on my bucket list.
2. When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?
I still don’t. I write full time, it pays my bills, and yet when people ask me what I do, I feel like a fraud calling myself a writer.
3. Do you do another job except for writing and can you tell us more about it?
I’m fortunate enough to be able to write full time at this point, which I never imagined would be a possibility.
4. What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?
Woman dies and discovers the secrets to an agency who controls the Universe, then gets a job working for it.
5. How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
I get a small acorn of an idea that blooms over the course of a few months. Then it takes another 3-4 months to get it down.
6. What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
I’m thinking of dipping my toes into paranormal romance before I go back to urban fantasy but there are many genres that appeal to me. I’d like to try a contemporary romance at some point and also a high fantasy. I love post-apocalyptic, too. I’ve already crossed into that a bit with my book Shattered.
7. What genre would you place your books into?
I’d say I’m solidly in the urban fantasy category but there is always a love interest, albeit slow moving.
8. What made you decide to write that genre of book?
That was incredibly easy. It’s my favorite genre to read.
9. How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?
I’ve dabbled on and off writing for years but didn’t crack down and take it seriously until about four years ago.
10. Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
I lounge on the couch with my feet up as I listen to alternative music. For the rewrites, I still lounge but I need it to be completely quiet. I’ll take breaks to make coffee, tea, lattes or any other caffeine I can find.
11. Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?
The book typically comes first but with Karma I knew the title early on. It was kind of an obvious one.
12. How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?
I like male names that have a hard consonant. I’m fond of names that begin with C for no reason I can explain.
13. Are character names and place names decided after their creation? Or do you pick a character/place name and then invent them as you go along?
Sometimes I think I know who they are but they’ll usually throw me a couple of surprises as they develop.
14 Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")
I’m a very live and let live type. I don’t particularly like having other people’s morals thrust upon me so I try and avoid inserting them myself.
15 Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or paperback?
Ebook since I’m always fighting eyestrain and I like the large font.
16 Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favorite/worst book to movie transfer?
Some do and some don’t. I think there are so many factors that come into play. Fight Club was a fantastic movie.
17 Your favorite food is?
Tirimasu
18 Your favorite singer/group is?
Sons of Leon
19 Your favorite color is?
Tan
20 Your favorite Author is?
Karen Moning
A native of New Jersey, when she isn’t writing, or overdosing on caffeine, she can occasionally be spotted in disguise at the local dog park.
Thank you for having me!
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