EXCERPT and GIVEAWAY
RUN Ragged
(Women's Work Book 2)
(Women's Work Book 2)
by Kari Aguila
RUN Ragged is the second book in the Women's Work series by Kari Aguila. Also available: Women's Work.
RUN Ragged is currently on tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. The tour stops here today for an excerpt and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.
Description
In a devastated country, those in charge rule by fear, inequality, and oppression. Rhia, a strong and independent sea captain, just wants to keep her head down and do her job, until she finds herself trapped in a re-education facility designed to help people fit into the rules of the New Way Forward. The warden claims to be guiding those in her care, but Rhia quickly sees the cracks in the system. As she is faced with torture and brainwashing, those cracks become gaping holes that threaten to pull her down into the depths of despair. Can Rhia resist the slow subversion of re-education and become the reluctant hero the new world needs?
RUN Ragged is the thrilling second story by the award-winning author of Women’s Work. This brilliantly imagined novel is both a scathing satire and a profoundly poignant look at the price we are willing to pay for peace and what we are willing to ignore to keep our conscience clear.
Book Video
Excerpt
As soon as the last student left and the door closed, Laura threw her arms around Rhia.
“What are you doing here?” Rhia demanded in a low whisper.
“Me? What about you? Why aren’t you back in Miranda?”
“Your mom said you went to college in Olympia. That was weeks ago.”
Rhia pulled away from Laura and held her at arm’s length, examining her.
“Never mind that! Jesus, Rhia, why are you in a Re-ed center?”
“I shouldn’t be! You’ve got to help me.”
“Where’s Betty?”
“She’s anchored offshore, about thirty miles north of the trade. I was knocked overboard in the storm a few nights ago. This couple helped me, but then guards found us and brought us here.”
“Why would they arrest you?”
“They’re saying I stole my shipment and ran off with recruiters.”
“What?”
“Laura, you have to tell them I didn’t do it. You have to tell them to let me out of here.”
“Of course! They can’t just lock you in here without letting your prove your innocence. You don’t want to be in a Center, Rhia.”
“I know that! I have to meet with the justice liaison, but she only comes on Mondays, so I’m stuck here until next week!”
“But all the stuff on your boat—”
“Will be ruined,” Rhia finished. “Laura, tell them I didn’t do it. Tell them to let me out of here.”
Laura stared at Rhia, her mouth open as if about to speak. After a moment, she turned away and began to pick up her things and stuff them into her bag. “I don’t know. I mean . . . Rhia, now that I’m thinking about it, I don’t think that would help at all.”
Rhia felt her skin grow cold. “What?”
“Only the justice liaison can let you out, and you just said she’s not here until Monday. You said that yourself. I don’t have that kind of power.”
“Laura Decker, don’t you dare cop out on me. I’ve known you your whole life. You’re strong, and smart, and—”
“There’s nothing I can do!” Laura interrupted.
“Don’t you stand there and tell me you’re not willing to help me.”
“Rhia, it’s not that! I’m just saying nothing good will come of it if I start making waves. And what will they think of me if they know I’m friends with you? You said yourself, you’re only in here until next Monday. If I start causing trouble, they’ll hate me, and I’ll never get into a school.”
Rhia felt as if the floor had shifted beneath her feet, as if the world she had trusted had suddenly tilted out of balance. When she’d seen Laura at the front of the class, she’d been so sure of her imminent freedom. To have it stolen away so quickly made her heart ache.
Praise for the Book
"This is a well written book, that captures you from the beginning." ~ Amy Garnet
"Huge kudos to the author for taking on tough subjects with an unusual perspective and in an engaging way. From my perspective, this book was a step forward for the author - tighter, cleaner and more accessible writing, while maintaining the intriguing premise initiated in the first book and providing thought-provoking suspense. [...] This is definitely worth a read." ~ s2015
"In these days [...] it is easy to overlook the reality that any philosophy can be taken to destructive extremes. This book shows the inner conflict that comes with logic in a world wed to alternative dominances. The author does a great job in capturing the despair of the wrongly incarcerated." ~ ridog
"This book kept me reading from the first page. I love a good mystery and even though Run Ragged is fiction and in the future, I really couldn't put it down." ~ Joan Hetcher
About the Author
Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win a $20 Amazon or B&N gift card.
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