Danita Minnis

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Lauren Wagner will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner.

 

Author Interview: Lauren Wagner

1. How did you choose your genre? What made you write this book?

A lot of my favorite books are dystopian, and my bookshelf reflects that. There’s something powerful about stories with corrupt governments, hidden conspiracies, and dangerous truths. These books remind us how important freedom is—and what it costs when it’s taken away.

That’s what inspired me to write Misguided Trust. I wanted to create a dystopia that tied the past to a future we could actually imagine. My starting question was simple: What happens when you take away something every society needs to survive? That made me think of the long droughts that hurt the Maya civilization, especially in places where cenotes and rainfall were the only water sources. Their once-great society came close to collapse. That idea became the heart of my story—an ancient warning with a modern twist.

But the plot still needed something more—a spark. That’s when I heard “Redneck Crazy” by Tyler Farr. I played it over and over, imagining the perfect scene to match its raw emotion. I didn’t just want the song to inspire a moment—I wanted it to shape the story. So I built an entire relationship around it: one that felt real, messy, and honest. That song didn’t just add to the story—it gave it life.

2. Writers write what they know, and must observe the world. Are you a first born, middle or last child and how does this shape your view of the world?

I’m the baby of the family—the youngest of all my cousins on both sides. My older sister (and pretty much everyone else) would say that made life easier for me. I got what I wanted, had fewer chores, and could get away with things just for being small and cute. That part’s true—but there’s more to it. Being the youngest also meant I was often underestimated. It was easy for people to see me as the “spoiled one” or the “cute one,” but just as easy for them to overlook me. I had to work hard to prove I was more than that—that I was strong, smart, and could stand on my own.

Sure, being the baby came with some perks. But publishing a book? That’s no easy ride. It takes way more than charm to get through that process. Maybe I started in the background, but that just made the plot twist even better.

3. Where is your favorite place to write?

I like writing on the couch with my laptop and my dog curled up at my side. It’s my little creative bubble—warm, quiet, and filled with just enough dog snores to keep things cozy. Plus, my dog’s unwavering support (and occasional attempts to climb onto my keyboard) keeps me focused most of the time.

4. How do you feel about killing your darlings, and what do you do with the remains?

It might sound surprising, but I don’t actually struggle much with killing off characters—even the ones I’ve worked hard to create and deeply care about. That’s not because I’m emotionally detached; it’s because I see each character’s arc as part of a bigger picture. Sometimes, a character’s death brings the most emotional weight or meaning to the story. It can be the turning point that challenges other characters, raises the stakes, or reveals a deeper truth about the world I’ve built. One of the main characters in Misguided Trust died before chapter one ever started. And it was necessary. It was his memory that kept the other main characters going.

5. You are introduced to your favorite author. Who is it, and what is that one burning question you must ask them?

My favorite author is Jennifer A. Neilson. She wrote the Ascendance Series, The Scourge, and Words on Fire. Every single one of her books has a twist I did not see coming. If given the chance to pick her brain, I would ask how she manages to craft such unpredictable plot twists without losing sight of character development. Her stories always keep me guessing, but it’s the emotional depth and resilience of her characters that really stay with me. I’d love to know how she balances suspense with heart—and whether her twists come to her in the planning stage or surprise her in the writing process, just like they surprise her readers.

6. Inquiring minds want to know…tell readers something about you that no one knows.

Sleeping is my superpower. Any time—any place. Airplane turbulence? I’m out like a light. Loud family gatherings? Consider me in dreamland by dessert. I’ve dozed off during movies, band concerts, lunch breaks, and once—no joke—during an MRI. Honestly, if Olympic napping were a thing, I’d have gold medals and a sponsorship deal with a pillow company by now.

7. You are stranded on a deserted island with only a backpack for company. What three items are in your survival pack?

a) A lighter. Not only could I use it to start a fire for warmth and cooking, but I could also light something big to create a signal and (hopefully) catch the attention of a passing plane or ship.

b) A Book. I mean, come on—I’m on a deserted island! What better way to pass the time than relaxing on the beach with a good book? If I’m going to be stranded, I might as well enjoy it.

c)Tweezers. You can do just about anything with tweezers. They’re lightweight, compact, and surprisingly versatile. Need to cut something? Poke a hole with the tweezers and tear the rest. Want to freshen up before your dramatic rescue? Tweezers are your beauty essential. Bugs invading your sleeping space? Tweezers to the rescue. Already caught and cooked dinner? Time to bring out the trusty tweezers for some delicate bone extraction.

8. If you could have one superpower in your existence, what would it be?

If I could choose any superpower, forget flying or invisibility—I want the ultimate stealth skill: the ability to suppress anxiety and social stress. Picture this: I walk into a room full of strangers, heart pounding like a drum solo, and BAM! My superpower activates. With this power, I could survive awkward small talk, spontaneous group icebreakers, and even phone calls with strangers without breaking a sweat.

9. Favorite snack?

I would love to say that my favorite snack is super healthy and organic, but it’s 100% chocolate—because sometimes the best “superfood” is just pure, unapologetic happiness wrapped in foil.

10. Indy 500 – Do you know how to get where you’re going or do you drive the speed limit?

I’m definitely doing my best to keep up with the crowd—trying to hit that Indy 500 pace—but there’s always a little voice wondering if cruising along and actually doing well somehow looks like I’m holding everyone back. So yeah, I’m somewhere between speeding ahead and cautiously sticking to the speed limit, hoping it all balances out in the end.

MISGUIDED TRUST

Lauren Wagner

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GENRE:  Eco Thriller

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BLURB:

Following a catastrophic nuclear war, Sara lives in a town where the government controls every drop of water. Strict rationing tightly regulates residents’ lives, and to fall sick is to be executed. Sara’s life becomes more dangerous and complicated when she first hides and cares for a small boy who has fallen sick, then takes him in when his parents are taken by the authorities.

Determined to care for the helpless child while struggling to keep alive the memory of her long-dead best friend, Sara leans on her friend’s older brother, Josh, an employee of the domineering water company that controls the water rationing. But Josh is under suspicion, and the city’s enforcement unit begins to observe their daily activities. Despite knowing that she’d be executed if her actions were known, Sara finds herself deeply and distressingly attracted to the lead investigator, navigating a complicated romance and finding a glimmer of hope in a world long dominated by fear and control.

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Excerpt:

Interfering with water restoration and conservation laws is strictly prohibited.

I scrutinize the large mahogany desk positioned before me as I sit in my shrink’s office later that afternoon. The legs curve out into claws with such immaculate details. I can’t help but wonder if the claws are supposed to symbolize each one of her patient’s secret desires to claw away at their skin. It’s morbid, really. It just makes people yearn for it more, long for the inevitable pain that accompanies the fight. Place a sword in a knight’s hand, and he will want to fight. Put a claw in a psychiatrist’s office and make it resemble a razor blade.

“Sara? Sara, are you even listening to me?”

Dr. Hammid slides her glasses down her nose and glares at me.

The black rims make her face look pointy and sharp around the edges.

I look up at her without changing the expression on my face. She is an older woman with wrinkles forming around the smile lines on her face. Her short hair makes her look captivating. She is actually brilliant, in small doses. And only brilliant on the days I am willing to listen to her. It’s like eating a piece of chocolate. Tasting one makes you want another, but it leaves you feeling nauseous after a handful.

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Lauren Wagner 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.

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.

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LoloWags

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Misguided-Trust-Lauren-Wagner/dp/1962308340

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