Bible Study for Teenage Girls Journal by Bulverde Books

 

This paperback makes a GREAT Christmas gift for Christmas 2020. It is an excellent stocking stuffer.

The Bible Study for Teenage Girls Journal: Hope and inspiration with the Word of GOD: Start your teen on a path of discovery makes a wonderful gift for your teenager as she selects Bible Verses and records them in the journal. This book is an ideal Bible Study aid. Support a veteran. Free shipping with Amazon Prime.

Available on Amazon

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Ed Benjamin is the publisher of Bulverde Books. He retired from the United States Air Force in 1990 where he served as an aircraft maintenance supervisor.

He currently works part-time as a proposal writer helping companies obtain business with federal, state and local governments.

He also writes short stories and novellas; some of which he offers for sale via digital download. He is currently working on a full length novel featuring Harry Miles.

For more information, visit Ed's website at http://EdBenjaminBooks.com

Ed also publishes gratitude journals, wedding planners, reissues of classic novels, and other publications via his two publishing ventures at Bulverde Books and Front Porch Press. These works are available exclusively on Amazon via Kindle Direct Publishing.

Ed is located on Twitter at @colbenjamin

Readers may contact Ed via email at Flowingwp@gmail.com

Ed and his spouse live in Bulverde, Texas - also known as the "front porch" of the Texas hill country.

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel are of interest to my readers.

Read an excerpt from Sword of Soter (Sacred Armor Triology #2) by Ralene Burke #SOSPrism

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Welcome to the book tour for Sword of Soter by Ralene Burke! This is the second book in her Sacred Armor trilogy. Please enjoy an exclusive excerpt that I have for you. Follow the tour for even more, including my interview with her at Candrel's Crafts, Cooks, and Characters. Plus there's a great giveaway at the end!

Sword of Soter

(Sacred Armor Trilogy #2)
By Ralene Burke
YA Fantasy, Christian
Paperback & ebook, 275 Pages
September 25th 2019 by Elk Lake Publishing Inc

NEW KINGDOM. NEW FRIENDS.

NEW DANGERS.

NOT EVERYONE CAN BE TRUSTED …

Karina, Tristian, Rashka, and Sam venture forth into the wilderness of Soter on the next leg of their quest to retrieve the Armor of the Creator. With the ancient evil already affecting the kingdom, nothing in Soter is what it seems—from what skulks beneath the canopies of the woods to what lies within the sleek white and gold of the capitol city to the people Karina and Tristan have known since they were children.

Danger lurks around every corner. Discerning who to trust is paramount to staying alive and discovering the location of the Temple of Soter. Yet, to Karina’s horror, Faramos’s reach finds them time and again. The longer they are forced to dawdle, the more people are affected by the growing panic in Soter, and the closer Faramos is to taking over the Three Kingdoms. Can Karina retrieve the information they need while Tristan keeps his brother at bay? Or will the entire quest disintegrate before they even arrive at the temple?

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Also available on KindleUnlimited.

Read an excerpt:

From Chapter 14:

Holding his monocle, the man offered a deep bow, to which Karina nodded. There was something familiar about him. “Greetings, Queen Karina. How nice to see you again. You are welcome indeed. I am sure you have forgotten by now, but I am Bormain, steward of the roy—by the Creator, Tristan Lemur, is that you?”

Karina fought to maintain her composure as she turned to Tristan, who stiffened before holding out his hand in greeting. “Bormain, my good man, it is good to see you again.”
Bormain looked a bit flustered. “I did not realize we had two royal guests.” He quirked a brow. “Much less that you were traveling together.”

Several memories resurfaced concerning this strict steward—especially getting into trouble for childhood antics with the princess. Karina stepped forward, brandishing a warm smile. “I have an urgent quest that requires the king’s assistance. Tristan and Rashka, Guardian of Shadowed Forest, are providing escort.” 

Bormain frowned. “I apologize, Your Majesty. The king is not seeing anyone today. Perhaps if you shared your need with me, I can be of assistance.”

“I thank you for your offer, sir. However, the quest is of a sensitive nature. I must insist on seeing the king himself.”

His frown deepened, making the wrinkles around his mouth even more apparent. “Really, Your Majesty, I must insist.”

“If I cannot see the king today, I will have to wait to see him tomorrow.”

“But he may not be seeing anyone—”

“He will have to see me at some point. The fate of the three Kingdoms depends on it!” Karina narrowed her eyes at the steward, and the man practically shrank under her glare.

“Very well, Your Majesty. Of course, the king would insist you stay here in the palace. Let me show you to your rooms.” He turned to Tristan. “Would you like your usual rooms as well?”

Tristan shook his head. “No, I need to stay with Queen Karina.”

“Of course. We will put you in one of the larger suites granted the royalty of Aletheia then. It is wise to keep everyone together.”

Was that an observation or a warning?

Other Books in the Series

Armor of Aletheia

(Sacred Armor Trilogy #1)

By Ralene Burke

YA Fantasy, Christian

Paperback & ebook, 268 Pages

August 29th 2018 by Elk Lake Publishing Inc.

The death of her king changes Karina’s life forever. Fleeing the royal house, she must leave her life behind to seek out the Armor of the Creator—to save the very people who now hunt her.

Faramos, the evil warlock waiting to unleash hell, knows the Creator has already chosen his warrior, so he sends his bounty hunter to retrieve her. After Tristan abducts her, he witnesses Karina’s gentle nature and strong independence, and he finds he can’t complete his assignment.

Together, they set out to retrieve the armor and defeat the hordes of creatures sent to destroy them. But is Tristan’s heart secure as he faces certain death for defending the queen? And will Karina have the courage to become all the Creator intends her to be? Failure will condemn the world to eternal darkness.

(Affiliate link included.)

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble

Also available on KindleUnlimited.

About the Author

Whether she’s wielding a fantasy author’s pen, a social media wand, or a freelance editor’s sword, Ralene Burke always has her head in some dreamer’s world. And her goal is to help everyone #SHINEBeyond their circumstances! Her fantasy novels are available on Amazon.

When her head’s not in the publishing world, she is wife to a veteran and homeschooling mama to their three kids. Her Pinterest board would have you believe she is a master chef, excellent seamstress, and all-around crafty diva. If she only had the time . . . You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or at her website.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│BookBub│Twitter│Instagram│Newsletter

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will win a prize pack that will include print copies of Armor of Aletheia and Sword of Soter, a plush blanket, a tumbler with candy, a journal, and a pen all inside a half-bushel basket inlaid with a gorgeous book print material.

US only

Ends November 6, 2019

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Read an excerpt from Evermore by Jody Hedlund with Giveaway

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Always

(The Lost Princesses #0.5)
By Jody Hedlund
Christian YA Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 136 Pages
August 13th 2019 by Northern Lights Press

A fierce elite guard. A loyal lady in waiting. They must work together to save three princesses from certain death.

On the verge of dying after giving birth to twins, the queen of Mercia pleads with Lady Felicia to save her infant daughters. With the castle overrun by King Ethelwulf’s invading army, Lady Felicia vows to do whatever she can to take the newborn princesses and their three-year old sister to safety, even though it means sacrificing everything she holds dear, possibly her own life.

Gravely wounded in battle and knowing all is lost to his enemy, the king of Mercia tasks Lance, one of his fiercest elite guards, to protect his family along with keys to an ancient treasure. As Lance makes plans to sneak the princesses out of the capital city, he doesn’t need or want Lady Felicia’s help.

With the dark enemy in pursuit, Lance and Felicia must put aside their differences to outrun King Ethelwulf and prevent him from killing the princesses. In a desperate attempt to hide the young girls, Lance and Felicia agree to a marriage of convenience, a decision that will change their lives—and hearts—forever.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads│Amazon│
Barnes & Noble│Book Depository
Also FREE through KindleUnlimited

Evermore

(The Lost Princesses #1)
By Jody Hedlund
Christian YA Historical
Paperback & ebook, 222 Pages
August 27th 2019 by Northern Lights Press

An ancient key. A secret treasure. And a princess destined to use them both to fight evil and restore peace.

Raised by a noble family, Lady Adelaide has always known she’s an orphan. Little does she realize she’s one of the lost princesses and the true heir to Mercia’s throne…until a visitor arrives at her family estate, reveals her birthright as queen, and thrusts her into a quest for the throne whether she’s ready or not.

Unable to tolerate King Ethelwulf’s cruelty and lawlessness, Christopher Langley left Mercia years earlier, training a group of rebels in neighboring Norland. When he returns home after his mother’s death, he discovers that not only is Adelaide all grown up, but she’s also the rightful queen of Mercia.

When King Ethelwulf discovers Adelaide’s location, he’ll stop at nothing to capture her and the key she holds to the ancient treasure. Christopher is just as determined to protect Adelaide so she can lead the growing rebellion. When feelings ignite between the two old friends, forces threaten to destroy their love and rip them apart forever.

Read an excerpt:

“We need this victory more than any other.” I stiffened my shoulders as Mitchell began to thread the belt from my cuirass to the cross-shaped hole at the base of the helm. Though I couldn’t see Mitchell anymore, I sensed his troubled gaze upon me. With the customary Langley brown hair and eyes, he was small of stature for a man, more scholarly and interested in his studies than in tournaments. However, like any good nobleman’s son, he’d been trained to use both his mind and body. 

Much to the chagrin of my aunt and uncle, I’d trained right alongside Mitchell and my other cousins. Aunt Susanna oft lamented I was too much like my cousins and that she’d failed to raise me as a proper lady. I oft replied I would have it no other way.

The great helm lay heavy against my chain mail hood and padded coif. I was smaller than Mitchell, but we were close enough I’d jousted in his stead at tournaments. Always in the past, I’d enjoyed the challenge of taking part in competitions disguised as Mitchell. And always in the past, he’d humored my whims, relieved to escape his obligations.

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Goodreads│Amazon│
Barnes & Noble│Book Depository
Also FREE through KindleUnlimited

Other Books in the Series

Coming late September and October. Pre-order now! (Affiliate links included.)

About the Author

Jody Hedlund is a best-selling and award-winning author who loves fairy-tales and happily-ever-afters. She makes her home in Midland, MI with her husband and five teen-aged children. When she’s not writing another of her page-turning stories, you can usually find her sipping coffee, eating chocolate, and reading.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│
Pinterest│Instagram│BookBub

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive the prequel and all three books in The Lost Princesses series (Always, Evermore, Foremost and Hereafter) in paperback or ebook (winner's choice, if winner is outside the US ebooks only)

Ends September 25, 2019

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Days of Fantasy for Christmas: C.E. Laureano

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Today's stop is a Christian YA Celtic fantasy from C.E. Laureano. Enjoy an excerpt from this one before you download your copy. And of course enter the giveaway at the end! It's a big one!

C.E. Laureano for

Days of Fantasy for Christmas

Oath of the Brotherhood

(Song of Seare #1)
By C.E. Laureano
Christian Young Adult Celtic Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 435 Pages
May 1st 2014 by NavPress

In a kingdom where the Old Ways hold fast and a man’s worth lies entirely in his skill with the sword, Conor Mac Nir is a scholar, a musician, and a follower of the forbidden Balian faith: problematic for any man, but disastrous for the son of the king.

When Conor is sent as a hostage to a neighboring kingdom, he never expects to fall in love with the rival king’s sister, Aine. Nor does he suspect his gift with the harp (and Aine’s ability to heal) touches on the realm of magic. Then his clan begins a campaign to eliminate all Balians from the isle of Seare, putting his newfound home in peril and entangling him in a plot for control of the island that has been unfolding since long before his birth.

Only by committing himself to an ancient warrior brotherhood can Conor discover the part he’s meant to play in Seare’s future. But is he willing to sacrifice everything―even the woman he loves―to follow the path his God has laid before him?

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Book Depository

Excerpt

King Galbraith had always loomed large in Conor’s memory, but he had chalked it up to a child’s outsized perceptions. Now, he realized his memories were accurate. Clad in a wolf’s-fur cloak with the steel crown of kingship upon his brow, the king nearly filled the throne. His waist-length hair, brown-blond like Conor’s, fell in warrior’s braids over his shoulder, and several plaits decorated his long beard. Beside him stood Lord Riocárd, Galbraith’s champion and captain of the guard, bearing the sword of kingship. The captain was a formidable man in his own right, fierce-eyed and broad-shouldered, but even he was dwarfed in his lord’s presence. 

Conor looked away before his eyes could betray his anxiety—into the face of the only man he feared as much as his father. Lord Fergus, the king’s tanist, was an older, paunchier version of Galbraith, and he made the king seem downright warm by comparison. He took Conor in, a slow, predatory smile spreading across his face.

Beside him, a second man scrutinized him as one would observe an insect through glass, emotionless. The druid himself. Conor suppressed another shudder at the symbols of dark power tattooed on his neck and hands.

“Come here, boy,” Galbraith said. “Let me see you.” 

Conor tore his eyes away from the observers and moved forward to kneel on the lowest step, his eyes downcast. He pressed his trembling hands together in front of him. 

“Look at me!”

He jerked his head up and stared forward while the king’s gaze roamed over him.

One corner of Galbraith’s mouth twisted in displeasure. “Tell me, have you started your training yet?” 

Conor swallowed hard. “What training would that be, sir?” 

“Don’t be clever with me. You know to what I refer. Sword, bow, spear.” 

“No, my lord.” Conor’s voice came out strangled, forced from his constricted throat. 

“Then what exactly have you been doing for the last nine years?” 

“Studying, my lord.” 

“Studying?” Galbraith’s tone changed, a note of curiosity in it.

Conor’s heart lifted slightly. “Aye, my lord. History, mathematics, literature, astronomy, law, languages—” 

“What languages?” 

“I can read and write the common tongue, as well as Ciraean, Levantine, and Norin. My Melandran is passable, and I know a bit of the Odlum runes.” 

Galbraith stared at him for a long moment. The hall fell silent but for the crackle of torches and the occasional rustle of a lady’s gown, every eye riveted on the spectacle before them. Then, in one swift movement, Galbraith reached over and ripped the sword from the scabbard in Riocárd’s hands. The ring of metal echoed in the hall as the blade stopped a fraction of an inch before Conor’s eyes.

“The only language our enemies understand is the language of the sword.”

Other Books in the Series

About the Author

C.E. Laureano’s love of fantasy began with a trip through a magical wardrobe, and she has never looked back. She’s happiest when her day involves martial arts, swords, and a well-choreographed fight scene, though when pressed, she’ll admit to a love of theater and travel as well. Appropriately, she’s wife to a martial arts master and mom to two black belt/musician sons. They live in Denver, Colorado, where they are owned by a cat.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest│BookBub

Tour Schedule

(Links won't work until the posts go live.)

December 1st: Launch

December 2nd: Gillian Bronte Adams - The Songkeeper Chronicles

December 3rd: Morgan L. Busse - Mark of the Raven

December 4th: Evangeline Denmark - Curio

December 5th: Kate Avery Ellison - A Gift of Poison

December 6th: J.M. Hackman - Spark

December 7th: Ronie Kendig - Embers

December 8th: C.E. Laureano - Oath of the Brotherhood

December 9th: Belle Malory - The Twelfth Keeper

December 10th: Melissa McShane - Voyager of the Crown

December 11th: J. Ellen Ross - The Remembered Queen

December 12th: Jennifer Silverwood - Silver Hollow

December 13th: Melissa Wright - Blood & Brute & Ginger Root

December 14th: Morgan Wylie - The Age of Alandria Series

December 15th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

Grand Prize #1: Winner will receive a FIRE HD 8 TABLET along with the following ebooks (open to those who are eligible for the Fire Tablet in their area can receive Kindle gifted copies of ebooks):

- CURIO, MARK OF BLOOD and ALCHEMY (The Curio Prequel), and THE ICE CHILD (a holiday novelette) by Evangeline Denmark

- A GIFT OF POISON by Kate Avery Ellison

- THE TWELFTH KEEPER by Belle Malory

- SERVANT O THE CROWN or VOYAGER OF THE CROWN (winner's choice) by Melissa McShane

- THE REMEMBERED QUEEN by J. Ellen Ross

- SILVER HOLLOW by Jennifer Silverwood

- THE FREY SAGA (Books 1-3) ebook box set by Melissa Wright

Grand Prize #2: Winner will receive the following print books (open to continental US residents):

- ORPHAN'S SONG by Gillian Bronte Adams

- MARK OF THE RAVEN by Morgan L. Busse

- SPARK by J.M. Hackman

- ABIASSA'S FIRE 3-book collection by Ronie Kendig

- The complete set of SONG OF SEARE TRILOGY by C.E. Laureano

- SILENT ORCHIDS by Morgan Wylie

Ends December 19, 2018

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Days of Fantasy for Christmas: Songkeeper Chronicles by Gillian Bronte Adams

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

It's the 12 Days of Fantasy for Christmas! This first day we are sharing the Songkeeper Chronicles series by Gillian Bronte Adams. Check out all three books in this YA Christian series. And then there's one of my favorite things, a character interview! Be sure to also follow the rest of the tour and then enter the massive giveaway at the end! It's AWESOME.

Please note that affiliate links are present in this post. Should you make a purchase through one, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Gillian Bronte Adams for

Days of Fantasy for Christmas

Orphan's Song

(The Songkeeper Chronicles #1)
By Gillian Bronte Adams
YA Fantasy, Christian
Paperback & ebook, 289 Pages
October 14th 2016 by Enclave

HER SOLO IS A DEATH SENTENCE

Deep within the world of Leira flows a melody that was sung at the beginning of time by Emhran, the Master Singer. Now it is broken, buried, forgotten. But in each generation, a Songkeeper arises to uphold the memory of the Song against those who want it silenced forever.

When Birdie first hears the Song coming from her own mouth, her world shatters. She is no longer simply an orphan but the last of a hunted people. Forced to flee for her life, she must decide whom to trust—a traveling peddler, a streetwise thief, or a mysterious creature who claims to know her past.

With enemies at her heels and war threatening to tear her homeland apart, Birdie soon discovers an overwhelming truth: the fate of Leira may hinge on one orphan’s Song.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Book Depository

Songkeeper

(The Songkeeper Chronicles #2)
By Gillian Bronte Adams
YA Fantasy, Christian
Paperback & ebook, 341 Pages
April 15th 2016 by Enclave

WAR RAVAGES LEIRA AND THE SONG HAS FALLEN SILENT.

Freed from the hold of a slave ship, Birdie, the young Songkeeper, and Ky, a street-wise thief, emerge to a world at war. Hordes of dark soldiers march across Leira, shadowed by whispers of plague and massacres, prompting Ky to return to his besieged home city in hopes of leading his fellow runners to safety.

Desperate to end the fighting, Birdie embarks on a dangerous mission into the heart of the Takhran’s fortress. Legend speaks of a mythical spring buried within and the Songkeeper who will one day unleash it to achieve victory. Everyone believes Birdie is the one, but the elusive nature of the Song and rumors of other gifted individuals lead her to doubt her role. Unleashing the spring could defeat the Takhran once and for all, but can she truly be the Songkeeper when the Song no longer answers her call?

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Book Depository

Song of Leira

(The Songkeeper Chronicles #3)
By Gillian Bronte Adams
YA Fantasy, Christian
Paperback & ebook, 416 Pages
June 5th 2018 by Enclave

THE SONG BIDS HER RISE TO BATTLE.

Reeling from her disastrous foray into the Pit, Birdie, the young Songkeeper, retreats into the mountains. But in the war-torn north, kneeling on bloodstained battlefields to sing the souls of the dying to rest, her resolve to accept her calling is strengthened. Such evil cannot go unchallenged.

Torn between oaths to protect the Underground runners and to rescue his friend from the slave camps, Ky Huntyr enlists Birdie’s aid. Their mission to free the captives unravels the horrifying thread connecting the legendary spring, Artair’s sword, and the slave camps. But the Takhran’s schemes are already in motion. Powerful singers have arisen to lead his army—singers who can shake the earth and master the sea—and monsters rampage across the land.

As Leira falters on the verge of defeat, the Song bids her rise to battle, and the Songkeeper must answer.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Book Depository

Interview with Amos McElhenny

Prior to the events documented in Orphan’s Song, reported by Gillian Bronte Adams

He is already seated when I arrive at the Whistlin’ Waterfly. From the number of empty mugs, I guess he had company or has been here some time—the fly exploring his discarded meal seems to point to the latter. I rummage in my satchel for a parchment and quill as I approach.

GBA: Pardon me, but are you “the great Amos McElhenny”?

AM: (blinks bleary eyes and scowls) So they tell me.

GBA: My readers will be thrilled to know your story. Thank you for agreeing to this interview.

AM: Not sure I did exactly. (He scratches his head.) Who are ye with?

GBA: Uh … The Kerby Post.

AM: Oh. Right. Well, I’ve stayed too long already. Time I was on my way—

GBA: Rumor is you have quite the interesting past for a traveling peddler from … Bryllhyn is it? That Waveryder village in the Westmark? Care to comment on the years you spent in Kerby?

AM: I … ye must be mistaken. I’ve never been t’ Kerby.

GBA: Well, maybe not as Amos McElhenny the traveling peddler. Which is odd since your route takes you to every other village and town nearby. Is there something in Kerby you’re avoiding?

AM: Ye know, I don’t have t’ sit here an’ be interrogated. I’ve more important things t’ do.

GBA: Like checking on that girl at the Sylvan Swan? Speaking of Birdie, how did you meet her?

AM: Well, the innkeeper—Dalton—an’ I are old friends from … back in the day. So I always stop by t’ chat on my way through. She was only a wee wisp o’ a thing when I first met her. Somewhat about her reminded me o’ … well, I just felt I had t’ look after her.

GBA: I see. So what was it about Birdie that reminded you of the Songkeeper Artair?

AM: Well, there was a sort o’ music in her laughter even then an’—bilgewater, what are ye goin’ an’ puttin’ words in my mouth for? Birdie doesn’t remind me o’ him. If she did, I’d stay away, ye can bet yer britches on that. I’d like nothin’ better than t’ forget I ever knew him.

GBA: Why is that? If you don’t mind sharing …

AM: I do mind. (But he doesn’t leave.) He lied t’ us is all. Deceived us with sweet words an’ left us to ruin. What wouldn’t I like t’ forget about that? Was it Nisus put ye up t’ this? Sounds like his doing. Tell him we were fools then an’ he’s a fool now if he still believes. (Stands and throws on his overcoat.)

GA: Wait. (I grab his arm) Look, I know who are and I think my readers deserve to know too.

Amos: Aye. (He pulls free.) I’m the great Amos McElhenny. (He strides away with a muttered “bilgewater” and leaves me with more questions and fewer answers than when I began.)

About the Author

Gillian Bronte Adams is a sword-wielding, horse-riding, wander-loving fantasy author, rarely found without a coffee in hand and rumored to pack books before clothes when she hits the road. Working in youth ministry left her with a passion for journeying alongside children and teens. (It also enhanced her love of coffee.) Now, she writes novels that follow outcast characters down broken roads, through epic battles, and onward to adventure. And at the end of a long day of typing, she can be found saddling her wild thing and riding off into the sunset, seeking adventures of her own (and more coffee).

She loves to connect with fellow readers and wanderers online through her blog, Facebook page, and Instagram.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Instagram

Tour Schedule

(Links won't work until the posts go live.)

December 1st: Launch

December 2nd: Gillian Bronte Adams - The Songkeeper Chronicles

December 3rd: Morgan L. Busse - Mark of the Raven

December 4th: Evangeline Denmark - Curio

December 5th: Kate Avery Ellison - A Gift of Poison

December 6th: J.M. Hackman - Spark

December 7th: Ronie Kendig - Embers

December 8th: C.E. Laureano - Oath of the Brotherhood

December 9th: Belle Malory - The Twelfth Keeper

December 10th: Melissa McShane - Voyager of the Crown

December 11th: J. Ellen Ross - The Remembered Queen

December 12th: Jennifer Silverwood - Silver Hollow

December 13th: Melissa Wright - Blood & Brute & Ginger Root

December 14th: Morgan Wylie - The Age of Alandria Series

December 15th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

Grand Prize #1: Winner will receive a FIRE HD 8 TABLET along with the following ebooks (open to those who are eligible for the Fire Tablet in their area can receive Kindle gifted copies of ebooks):

- CURIO, MARK OF BLOOD and ALCHEMY (The Curio Prequel), and THE ICE CHILD (a holiday novelette) by Evangeline Denmark

- A GIFT OF POISON by Kate Avery Ellison

- THE TWELFTH KEEPER by Belle Malory

- SERVANT O THE CROWN or VOYAGER OF THE CROWN (winner's choice) by Melissa McShane

- THE REMEMBERED QUEEN by J. Ellen Ross

- SILVER HOLLOW by Jennifer Silverwood

- THE FREY SAGA (Books 1-3) ebook box set by Melissa Wright

Grand Prize #2: Winner will receive the following print books (open to continental US residents):

- ORPHAN'S SONG by Gillian Bronte Adams

- MARK OF THE RAVEN by Morgan L. Busse

- SPARK by J.M. Hackman

- ABIASSA'S FIRE 3-book collection by Ronie Kendig

- The complete set of SONG OF SEARE TRILOGY by C.E. Laureano

- SILENT ORCHIDS by Morgan Wylie

Ends December 19, 2018

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'The Download' by Ann Strawn

Em and her friends are all ready to start high school. One of only two African Americans in her class, shy Em just wants to find her niche without making waves. Before freshman year is over she finds herself at the source of a technological tsunami.

The unwitting recipient of a mysterious app, Em starts getting text messages from guardian angels. She wants to fit in and tries to keep her gift secret. But the texts keep gettting more serious. When "mom" and "cancer" come up in the same text Em must decide if she can, or even wants, to control such powerful technology.

Available on Amazon

About the author:

Ann Strawn lives in Renton Washington with her husband, two daughters and ruling Boston terrier. Teens are her favorite kind of people, which works well when you teach middle school. She considers her job total immersion training for writing about kids, technology and social media.

Cell phones and texting are absolute essentials in a kid's world. Kind of like body parts but much more important. Ann wrote The Download to open a window into this reality and add a twist. If an angel wanted a word, why not through that tiny glowing screen?

Review of 'Caught in the Crossfire' by Juliann Rich

Young Adult GLBTQ
Date Published: 6/16/2014

Blurb:

Two boys at bible camp. One forbidden love.

That’s the dilemma Jonathan Cooper faces when he goes away to Spirit Lake Bible Camp, situated along Minnesota’s rugged north shore, for a summer of fun. He is expecting mosquito bites, bonfires with S’Mores, and photography classes with Simon, his favorite counselor who always helps him see life in perfect focus.

What he isn’t expecting is Ian McGuire, a new camper who openly argues against phrases like pray the gay away. Ian is certain of many things, including what could happen between them if only Jonathan could surrender to his feelings.

Jonathan, however, tosses in a storm of indecision between his belief in God and his inability to stay away from Ian. When a real storm hits and Ian is lost in it, Jonathan is forced to make a public decision that changes his life.

Read an excerpt:

Chapter Seven, CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE by Juliann Rich
All rights reserved.

“Hey, wait up! I’ll join you,” Ian called to me as I walked along the beach later that evening, occasionally stopping to pick up and examine a flat, thin stone. Looking for just the right one. “Whatcha doing?”
 

“Not much. Just skipping rocks.” Spirit Lake stretched in front of us. The sound of laughing voices carried over the campground.

“Cool. I’ve never done that before.”
 

“Really? It’s easy. Like this.” I leaned back, arm extended, and aimed low so the stone would skim the surface and skip across it. Except it didn’t. My first attempt flopped and sank. 

“Like that, huh?” Ian mocked. 

“Not exactly.” I picked up another stone, wafer thin and flat, and let it fly. 

One...two...three...yes, four full skips and then it too sank and disappeared, but man, it was beautiful while it flew! “More like that.” Pride crept into my voice. 

“Okay, my turn.” Ian crouched and examined the rocks. He took his time. Finally he chose one, elliptical and rounded at the bottom. 

“Mmm, I wouldn’t—”
 

He stopped me with one glance.
 

“Oh, okay. Whatever you want.” I grinned.
 

Ian wound his arm back like a baseball player and pitched the rock. The splash was even bigger than I’d hoped.
 

“Excellent form, McGuire. You might have broken a record...for the shot put!” 

“Aren’t you just hilarious? Fine, you show me. How did you hold your arm?” 

I picked up the thinnest, flattest rock I could find and reached back with my arm, waist high and parallel to the ground. Ian stepped behind me. He slid his body against mine and stretched his arm out, pressing it against my arm. The breath from his mouth, hot against my neck, stirred my hair. A shiver ran down my back when he whispered, 

“Like this, Jonathan?” 

“Yeah, I like...um, I mean, yeah, like this. For skipping stones.” My heart pounded. I stepped away and looked at Ian. 

“For skipping stones, huh?” His eyes searched mine, looking for the place I never showed anyone. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re really cute when you’re showing off?” 

The rock I’d been clutching slipped through my fingers and clattered onto the beach. 

Panicked, I looked around. Aaron, Sean, and Sara were sitting with a bunch of kids by the bonfire. Jake and his group were hanging down by the dock. I looked back at Ian. 

“Excuse me?”

“I asked if anyone has ever told you that you’re cute before. Especially when you’re showing off.” 

Sara looked in our direction. A frown passed across her face. 

“Ian, what are you talking about? I’m not, you know...” My voice came out like a cross between a whisper and a hiss. 

“Gay?” Though a cool breeze blew off the lake, I felt myself flush with heat. 

“Yeah. I’m not gay,” I whispered. 

“That’s good to know. Thanks for clearing that up.” Ian turned his attention back to the lake. He wound his arm back again like a baseball pitcher, gripping a small boulder in his hand. 

“Is that what you meant earlier? That I’d be a great junior counselor except that I’m...” 

I couldn’t bring myself to say the word. An image of the locked safe in my bedroom flashed into my mind. For my coin collection, I’d said, when I had asked for it for Christmas. No coins, just a couple of books. Rainbow High, The Boys and The Bees. And of course, the copy of Boy Meets Boy. 

Reading’s just a hobby. It didn’t mean anything, right?

“Yeah, but it was just a crazy thought that flew through my head. I mean, of course you’re not gay. You spent a whole minute sucking face with Bethany today. What gay guy does that?” Ian’s voice dripped sarcasm. His arm snapped forward. The stone soared through the air and splashed into the lake. It sank deeper and deeper through the layers of water, cutting through the strong current until it probed the bottom of Spirit Lake. 

I stared at the place where the rock had hit, shattering the perfect surface. The ripples expanded and drifted toward me. “Are you gay?” I whispered. 

“What do you think?”
 

“I think you’re terrible at skipping rocks.”
 

“Yes, I am, Jonathan. I definitely am.” He chuckled.
 

As the ripples eased into the vast lake, I told myself that he was only talking about his rock-skipping skills, but I knew better.

Nothing about Ian skimmed the surface.

**My thoughts**

It's got to be hard enough to figure out your life when you realize that you are gay. I can't imagine how much more difficult it would be when you were involved with a Christian group that believes that homosexuality is an abomination and a product of Satan. It's hard enough dealing with those groups at times, as it is. I have witnessed the persecution first hand against some of my friends. I have witnessed their pain and confusion as they try to understand why they are theoretically so terrible and why they are being shunned by the very God they love, as well as their friends and families.

I thought the author did a great job of getting inside Jonathan's head. She captured his confusion, guilt, happiness, and faith. She provided a number of reactions within the Christian community, covering so many of their different beliefs and opinions. I like how she showed that not all Christians are anti-gay.

I read most of the book on a warm, sunny summer afternoon. It is an easy, interesting read, that kept my attention the entire way. I would be interested in reading more from this author.

Buy links

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Author Bio:

Minnesota writer Juliann Rich spent her childhood in search of the perfect climbing tree. The taller the better! Perched on a branch ten to thirty feet off the ground and surrounded by leaves, caterpillars, birds and squirrels was a good place for a young girl to find herself. Seeking truth in nature and finding a unique point of view remain crucial elements in her life as well as her writing.

Juliann is a PFLAG mom who can be found walking Pride parades with her son. She is also the daughter of evangelical Christian parents. As such she has been caught in the crossfire of the most heated topic to challenge our society and our churches today. She is committed to writing stories that shed light on the conflicts that arise when sexual orientation, spirituality, family dynamics and peer relationships collide.

Juliann recently won the Emerging Writer Award at The Saints and Sinners Literary Festival in New Orleans.

Juliann lives with her husband and their two chronically disobedient dachshunds in the beautiful Minnesota River Valley.

Links
Website: http://www.juliannrich.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Juliann-Rich/198579460259167?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuliannRich1
Blog: www.therainbowtreeblog.com

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