ELVIA AND THE GIFT OF PASSION

 

 

Elvia and the Gift of Passion

by Ruthy Ballard

GENRE: Middle grade science fantasy

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.

Excerpt:

When Lacie arrived home half an hour later, she immediately set to work, placing the first palette on her kitchen table, illuminating it with the bright, full-spectrum light she used for this sole purpose. The colors looked their worst when they were all lit up, and it was from there that she’d have to compensate.

She started at the top left-hand corner and organized her work by row, considering each color in turn. The challenge was to identify an appealing name for each that wasn’t too far off the mark. The first came easily: Secret Meadow. But the next was a real puzzler. It was so nondescript that she finally settled on End of the Rainbow. It certainly wasn’t on the rainbow, of that she was sure, and perhaps someone would think it was a special color for just that reason. It was worth a try, anyway.

The hours ticked past, and, by eight o’clock, she was done. She’d stumbled over one especially horrid shade, naming it Prison Wall three times in a row. But inspiration finally struck, and, with a flourish, she christened it Establish Mint and returned the palettes to her purse, ready to move on to the more important task of the evening: packing for her trip. Lacie wasn’t the kind to travel lightly; she needed the proper attire for every occasion, from formal dinners to picnics on the beach. Unlike her uppy colleagues, most of whom preferred to keep things simple, she always voyaged with an enormous trunk, organized neatly to accommodate as many “necessities” as possible.

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.

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

GIVEAWAY

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway