Elvia and the Gift of Passion by Ruthy Ballard

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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

Prudence wasn’t hungry. She’d just scavenged the leftovers from dinner, which the cook tossed into a heap outside the kitchen every night. No, she didn’t want to eat Elvia; she just wanted to scare her. Nothing gave Prudence more pleasure than chasing down a human and giving them a piece of her mind—or, rather, a swipe from her claw. It was a rough form of justice, but only fair after all she’d been through.

Elvia was only forty feet from the utility building, skipping with excitement, awed by her daring, when Prudence saw her moment and made her move. Springing from her crouched position, she charged toward Elvia at breathtaking speed.

Elvia heard the rustle behind her and looked over her shoulder just in time to see what was happening. For a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a second, her face lit up with joy. A lion! But then, just as quickly, instinct (and sanity) kicked in. A powerful jolt of adrenaline—a gift from her distant ancestors—shot through her tiny frame. It was a new feeling for coddled Elvia, who’d never been allowed to experience true fear. But she didn’t question it. Reflexively, she swung back ’round and bolted for the nearest point of safety: the door to the women’s outhouse. If only she could reach it in time!

About the Author:

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.

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 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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