Blog Tour: ELVIA AND THE GIFT OF PASSION by Ruthy Ballard

 

Elvia and the Gift of Passion

by Ruthy Ballard

 

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GENRE: Middle grade science fantasy

 

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BLURB:

 

Adventurous ten-year-old Elvia is sick of her dull-as-dishwater existence, suffocating under the stifling watch her overprotective parents. She longs for a different life, with more freedom and fun. But she gets more than she bargains for when she discovers an alarming family secret and is swept away on an adventure 64,000 light years from Earth. Tanzanian witch doctors, child-eating lions, and submarine exploration on a two-mooned planet enliven this science fiction fantasy adventure, the third in Ballard’s award-winning Tales by Moons-light series.

 

 

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Excerpt One:

 

Alive returned the book back to the shelf and decided to explore the bedframe next. It was riddled with dozens of small, intriguing drawers. Each contained a miniature treasure: a colorful seashell, a pebble of translucent sea glass, a figurine carved out of driftwood, a button made of mother of pearl. But the little note she found in the sixth drawer, neatly printed in a child’s hand, made her catch her breath: “To the Next Findling: I was a findling, too. I hid some loot in the galley. Don’t let Rats get it first! – Immi (London, England).”

 

Alive wondered—only briefly—if she should share the note with Lacie, but quickly decided against it. The message was for her, a findling, not Lacie, an uppy. It was a private message. A secret message, though she had no idea what it meant. She knew that “the galley” was the submarine’s kitchen, but Immi’s use of the word “loot” seemed odd. Wasn’t loot just for pirates? And were there really rats aboard The Sunken Treasure, the finest boat in the Cairntip Fleet? It seemed impossible! Surely, Captain Parker wouldn’t allow it.

 

She folded the note and squirreled it away inside Life in the Arimana Trench, where it would be safe from Lacie’s prying eyes. The book was about mining in the deep ocean. She knew Lacie wouldn’t be the least bit interested in reading it. “There’s a mystery aboard this submarine,” she thought, as she continued to ponder Immi’s cryptic message. The idea thrilled her, and she couldn’t wait to explore the rest of the boat, to learn more.

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Children’s book author Dr. Ruth (Ruthy) Ballard is a scientist by trade who never thought she’d be one. Intimidated by science as a kid, she almost gave up on pursuing it as a career though she found it fascinating. Fortunately, a mentor stepped in and showed her the way. Now, she’s passionate about doing the same for the next generation of science shy, but creative, smart and capable kids. Her award-winning science fantasy adventures lure children in with compelling characters and entertaining, twisty plots that incorporate science in fun, accessible ways.

 

When Ruthy isn’t writing, she is “Dr. Ruth Ballard,” a forensic DNA consultant and a professor at Sacramento State, where she runs a forensic biology research and training program while consulting with attorneys across the country on criminal cases involving DNA evidence. She’s also a folk artist who loves to draw, illustrates her own books, and enjoys hiking and camping with her husband and their four dogs near their home on the Oregon coast.

 

Links:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvNsOhYVGUl_5pHLGyLG8NA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RuthyBallard/

Instagram:  http://www.instagram.com/ruthyballard

Good Reads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16577223.Ruthy_Ballard

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ruthy-Ballard/author/B06Y6KVX5D

 

Buy Link: The Book is on sale for $0.99 during the tour

 

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Elvia-Gift-Passion-Tales-Moons-Light/dp/0997853212/ref=sr_1_1

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GIVEAWAY 

The author will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway