Wounded Blog Tour: Character Interview w/Hunter + Giveaway!

 

A couple of month's ago, someone in the blog-everse was talking about a book called Wounded; a story of a tortured heroine and hero who find their way to one another despite numerous obstacles.  I marked it down as "to-read" on Goodreads because it sounded like me, and then went on my merry way.

 

Then I was offered the chance to participate in the tour, reminding me I had wanted to read it and I thought I could kill two birds with one stone. 

 

OMG!  From page one this story grabbed me and wouldn't let me go.  There were scenes that totally devastate dme, making me tear up even as I kept turning the page, both dreading and desperate to know what happened next. 

 

Having finished it (in less than two hours, mind you), there were some questions I had on my mind that Hunter--the hero--was able to answer for me.

 

 

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Me:  First, let me say thank you for stopping by to talk about Raina and the past.  I will keep it short and sweet since I know some men find it uncomfortable to admit to having feelings.

Thanks for having me here. You know, I think it’s not so much that men don’t HAVE feelings, it’s just that we don’t like to talk about them, and we’re never sure what to say that won’t make us sound like pu—excuse me, sissies. 

 

 

Me:  Has it been an adjustment for you, returning to Des Moines?  It has to be a hard adjustment after so much time overseas?

Returning to Des Moines has been a huge adjustment. I came into manhood in the Corps. I learned everything I know about everything as a grunt. Being a civvy, a civilian, hasn’t been easy. But I will admit I’m glad to be out of Iraq, out of combat and the constant pressure of everything over there.   

Me:  Speaking of adjustments, how has Raina adjusted to life in the States? Have the two of you had problems?

 

Rania has adjusted amazingly. She’s incredibly resilient and so intelligent. She’s flourishing here, and she’s happy, I think. I hope. Of course we have problems. Everyone has problems. Every couple argues. It’s the little things, you know? Learning to live together, learning to deal with each other’s foibles and flaws. But we get past them. We talk about them and move on.

Me: Do you still have moments where you have to stop because the memories of your overseas time become overwhelming?

Well, sure. I’ve talked to a therapist about things, and I know some guys may give me crap about that, but I’d rather be healthy and learn to cope than be all macho and think I can deal with it on my own.

Me:  Some would call you a hero for your work in the military and for rescuing Raina: what would you say to this?

I’m not a hero. The guys who didn’t come back are the heroes. The guys who lost limbs are heroes—and I’m including the women of the armed forces in this too. There’s a lot of brave, badass chicks in the corps, and they’re heroes too. Rescuing Rania? That doesn’t make me a hero either. I love Rania and couldn’t live without her. In a sense, then, what I did was selfish. I need her. Yeah, I did it because no one should have to endure what she did, but I couldn’t NOT do it. 

Me:  How have you changed since meeting Raina, getting married, and coming home?  Are you comfortable with who you have become?

Rania makes me a better man. I’ve learned so much from her. She doesn’t complain. She reminds me that the little inconveniences we call problems here in the US are nothing at all. When you’ve faced starvation and death and lived your entire life in a warzone, things like traffic jams and bad cell reception are ridiculous. She reminds me to be grateful. Am I still comfortable with who I am? Yeah, for the most part. I still struggle with my temper sometimes, but Rania calms me.

 

Me:  On to a more positive topic.  I hear you have a baby on the way (congratulations, by the way): how do you feel about becoming a father?  

 

Thanks! I’m excited, and beyond happy. I don’t mind admitting I’m a little scared. Ok, a LOT scared. Being a father is a big, big deal, and I just hope I don’t screw the poor kid up. Rania, though…she’ll be an incredible mother.

 

Me:  Will you tell your children about how you and Raina met and came together?

That’s a tough one. I haven’t even really thought about that, honestly. From where I am right now, I don’t think we’d tell our children everything, no. Not to hide it from them, but just because until they’re adults and have seen more of life, I’m not sure they’d understand. A lot of that story is Rania’s to tell, so It’d be more up to her. She’s not ashamed of who she is, but it’s a tough thing for anyone to understand, much less children.

 

Me:  Is there anything you want to accomplish but haven’t yet?

Being a better husband? Fatherhood is the next great adventure. I’d really like to learn to surf someday, but I’m not sure that’s what you’re talking about.



 Me:  What plans do you and Raina have for the immediate future?  

Well, we’re saving for a house. We’ve been living in a condo, and we’d like to be in a house by the time the baby is here. That’s our big challenge right now.



Me:  Thanks, again, for stopping by and sharing your story.  I hope I wasn’t too offensive with my questions; with such an interesting person, it was hard not to discover your inner thoughts.

No problem at all. You didn’t offend me at all. Thanks for having me here.  

 

***

 

And now a tantalizing glimpse of Wounded...

I think I confuse her as much as she does me.

She's back, cleaning herself up. It's a familiar pattern now. She returns from the building next door, a half-destroyed mosque, I think it's called. The irony of a prostitute operating in a bombed-out church isn't lost on me.

Wounded--Jasinda Wilder
Self Published
Buy Links:   Amazon    Barnes and Noble  


War has taken everything from me. My family. My home. My innocence. In a country blasted by war and wracked by economic hardship, a young orphan girl like me has very few options when it comes to survival. Thus, I do what I must to live, to eat, and I try very hard to not consider the cost to my soul. My heart is empty, and my existence brutal.

The one impossibility in my life is love.

And then I meet HIM.

War is hell. It takes a chunk out of a man's very soul to do the kinds of things war demands of you. You live with fear, you live with guilt, and you live with nightmares. If you haven't been through it, there's no understanding it. War leaves no room for love, no room for tenderness or softness. You gotta be hard, closed off, and ready to fight every moment of every day. Lose focus for a split second, and you're dead.

Now the only thing that can save me is HER.

 

You can find Jasinda on Twitter @JasindaWilder, Goodreads, Facebook, or at her website!

 

 

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