Today I have a treat for our young fans of science fiction and fantasy! Take a peek inside of Elvia and the Gift of Passion by Ruthy Ballard with this exclusive excerpt. Follow the tour to read even more. Best of luck entering the giveaway!
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.
Read an exclusive excerpt:
As they neared the back of the plane, a middle-aged African man seated on the aisle motioned for Elvia to stop. He was wearing traditional clothing: a yellow robe and a striped cap. Reaching out to touch her long, red hair, he asked in a thick accent, “May I? It’s so beautiful.”
Elvia nodded, pleased by the man’s attention, but Earl stiffened, a protective fatherly sixth sense kicking in. The passenger was too eager, almost hungry, as his hand found its mark. The glint in his eye was evil—the hairs on Earl’s neck stood on end—and he instinctively pushed Elvia ahead of him, toward the tiny restrooms at the far back, where they turned around and headed up the opposite aisle.
When they arrived back at their seats, Earl leaned over and quietly told Sally about the unnerving incident. They were only six hours into the trip, and there was already trouble.
“Do you think he’s dangerous?” Sally asked worriedly, also keeping her voice low.
“I don’t know. But keep an eye on Elvia when we get to Amsterdam. I don’t want that man getting anywhere near her.”
When the mighty plane touched down and they disembarked into the terminal, Sally protectively steered Elvia into the nearest gift shop. Meanwhile, Earl scanned the visual display announcing arrivals and departures, looking for their Air Twiga flight.
“Tanzania?” asked a deep voice behind him. Earl turned around and found himself face-to-face with the man in the yellow robe. They were about the same height: six feet give or take an inch.
“Yes,” Earl replied warily. “Why do you ask?”
The man eased forward and slipped a business card into Earl’s hand, giving him a smile and a wink as if they were co-conspirators in a crime.
“I’ll give you the best price. Guaranteed,” he whispered, as if worried someone might be listening in.
Earl examined the crudely made card. The man’s name was Jelani Kibiki, and he ran a company called True Believers in Arusha.
“Price for what?” Earl asked, his frown deepening. “I’m not selling anything.”
Jelani blinked, and Earl suddenly realized that the man was sweating. Beads of salty perspiration glistened on his brow, reflecting the harsh airport lights.
“You’re not?” Jelani asked, his eyes growing wide.
Repulsed, Earl backed away and replied, “No. You’ve made a mistake.”
Jelani retreated, too, no longer buddy-buddy.
“I’m sorry, sir,” he said briskly. “I thought you were a businessman.”
“No, I’m a tourist. I’m taking my family on safari,” Earl replied, glad to be setting the record straight. He didn’t want the man bothering them again.
“In that case,” Jelani warned, wagging a finger at Earl as he walked away, “watch over that daughter of yours. She won’t be safe in my country.”
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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
The author will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
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ReplyDeleteThis book looks very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI liked this excerpt
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book.
ReplyDeleteLove the cover - really nice art work.
ReplyDelete