Guest Post: Plethora of Player blog tour: Meet Talia Ramin from The Great Thirst Serial Archaeological Mystery

Welcome, Ms. Talia Ramin. We’re here to talk about this mystery of The Great Thirst. But first, we’d like to hear a little about you.

I was born on the Caspian Sea, but I have US citizenship through my father. My parents died in an accident when I was ten and I went to live with my Uncle Naddy and Aunt Sophia. We traveled for their archaeological work and I also lived at different boarding schools until I came to the States for college.

With your globe-hopping lifestyle, what made you accept a teaching position at such a tiny school as Bradley Central?

I heard about this Bible as Literature program, and wanted a chance to teach kids the truth of the Scriptures. We needed a relatively small group of students to go with us on the trip to search for the Golden Testaments.

We’ve heard you may not have made the best impression on your co-teacher the first week of school.

Everything went wrong. I’m sure Keith thought I was a complete doofus. But once we got going on the class, I could tell we were going to be a great team. Besides, I could see he was the science expert we had been looking for to help in our work.

You and your aunt and uncle used the phrase “hiding in plain sight” several times. What do you mean by that?

I always use the example of Esther in the Scriptures. She didn’t choose to become queen of Persia. And her cousin Mordecai told her not to reveal her Jewish heritage. But she was put into a position of great power and influence just at the right time. I want to be used like Esther was, to help people who are persecuted for trying to protect and spread the Word.

You disappeared from town in the middle of a school week. Care to tell us what happened?

My aunt called me and said my uncle had been seriously hurt. For normal people, it wouldn’t have been that big of a deal to go see them. But they were on a Greek island thousands of miles away.
 Your travel plans took some strange twists and turns, didn’t they?

I certainly didn’t expect to get a police escort to the airport. And when Dr. Ewing showed up, I though I was going to have to defend myself. She can really be intimidating.

When you heard what had really happened to your uncle, what made you think you could do anything about it?

I was prepared to fight to protect my family and our work. I’ve been in training my whole life for this quest. But it did shock me to learn people thought we weren’t trustworthy.

Did it upset you to think Keith Bradley might not want to get involved as your science expert, or even go with you on the survey trip?

I understood his family needed him. God used his family to bless me, too. His father gave me my job at the school, I was able to help with his sister. His grandmother seemed to welcome me and my aunt and uncle, and understand our work.

Why can’t you reveal the archaeological finds you have made and what they mean to your work?

People have fought and died to prevent the destruction of the Word of God through the ages. First of all, we don’t understand how what we found will help with protecting and spreading the Word yet. Second, these are not our secrets to share. We have to protect those who have been doing this work before we started.

Well, then, maybe you can explain what this Great Thirst business is all about?

The Bible says there’s going to come a time when people will be searching everywhere for the Word of God, and not be able to find it.

So you are preparing for the end times? The Great Tribulation or something like that?

We’re preparing for persecution and people having to hide and protect the word to share it.

Purchase the series here:

Prepared

Purified

Pursued 

 

 

Meet Author Mary Findley

Wife of a crazy smart man, mother of three kind of grownups, traveling the US and Canada in a tractor-trailer. Best-selling historical fiction author and co-author of home school curriculum.

Check out her blog.

A Monarch's Tale

Amazing Matilda by Bette Stevens
ISBN-13: 978-1470187668

Purchase the book here: Softcover | Kindle

Inspire the Kids in Your Life to Meet Challenges with Patience and Persistence!
This inspirational tale of a Monarch butterfly and her meadowland friends is the second children's book written and illustrated by Bette A. Stevens.

Packed with action and adventure, this book is sure to entertain and inspire.

TWO LITERARY AWARDS--Excellence in Children's Literature:
* 2013 Purple Dragonfly Book Award (Picture Books 6+)
* THE GITTLE LIST 2013 (Top 10 Self-published Children's Picture Books)
Monarch Butterfly conservation is in the news. AMAZING MATILDA is too! Her storyline and illustrations follow the monarch life cycle and highlight milkweed, an environmentally threatened plant, the only food source for monarch caterpillars.

"…I immediately fell in love with Matilda, an amazing, sweet, curious character. What a lovely story with a subtle and yet deep and understandable message for young (and those who are not so young ) readers. This book is one of "must have" books in your library. I already purchased a Kindle version for myself and I ordered two more copies in print for my library." —Vida Zuljevic

Meet Author Bette Stevens 

Inspired by nature and human nature, Bette A. Stevens is an author, retired teacher, wife, mother of two and grandmother of five. Stevens lives in Central Maine with her husband on their 37-acre farmstead where she enjoys writing, reading, gardening, walking and reveling in the beauty of nature. She advocates for children and childhood literacy and for monarch butterflies, an endangered species. Stevens's children's activity book, THE TANGRAM ZOO and WORD PUZZLES TOO!, was first published in 1997 by Windswept House Publishing, Mt. Desert, ME; a second edition was self-published by the author in 2012. AMAZING MATILDA, Stevens's second children's book, self-published in 2012 won a 2013 Purple Dragonfly Book Award (Honorable Mention for Excellence in Children's Literature - Ages 6 and older category) and also placed #9 on The 2013 Gittle List for Self-published Children's Picture Books. Stevens has written articles for ECHOES, The Northern Maine Journal of Rural Culture based in Caribou, Maine. In 2013, the author published her first book for the YA/Adult audience: PURE TRASH: The story, a short story of a boy growing up in rural New England and prequel to DOG BONE SOUP, debut novel released January 2015.

From The Author:
"I love to walk and enjoy nature's beauty, whether at home or on the go. I'm passionate about the beauty in the world around me and enjoy jotting down notes and composing short poems. The coast is one of my favorite places to relax. I'm a nature collector: everything from seashells to birds' nests. When I was teaching, these treasures filled my classroom and provided inspiration for reading, writing and research. It was hands-on fun and excitement and I enjoyed every moment spent learning with, from and about my students. One thing I learned is that many children don't have an adult to read to them or listen to them read and talk about those books. Many of my blog and facebook posts will focus on how we can improve childhood literacy by reading to the children in our families and communities. My own childhood was filled with books and adults who shared and encouraged a love of reading. I've written some poetry and several short stories. I plan to write some adult fiction, including a coming of age story, and write reviews on some of my favorite books. I'll be sharing some of your stories, poems and tips on reading and writing, too. Let's have fun learning, living, sharing and loving language together." Bette A. Stevens

What prompted you to write "AMAZING MATILDA: A Monarch's Tale"?

Bette: As a prolific reader, and with some creative writing experiences in my new 'teacher toolbox,' I was hooked right from the start. Meld that love of literature with a desire to inspire students to be all they can be and you've got a brand new children's book writer: me, the author of AMAZING MATILDA: A Monarch's Tale, my second children's book. The teacher me wanted to integrate a story with core curriculum elements. A Monarch would be the perfect main character: as an indicator species and with Monarch habitat (milkweed) rapidly disappearing, it would be a great way for children to learn life science and environmental science concepts, all while enjoying an inspiring story. Monarch research was my first step. I thought the fit would be perfect because the challenges to be met in the natural world parallel the challenges to be met in the lives of the children. And so, I started to write and rewrite and rewrite... All of the tweaking was on the literary side of the story. I wanted it to be used to teach (model) the use of repetition, alliteration, metaphor and simile in writing stories. It was lots of fun and the first year I placed Matilda's story in a storybook format in a binder (no illustrations yet). I read it aloud and my fourth graders wanted to read it during their free time and make their own illustrations. We were raising silkworms in the classroom at the time. I continued to read the story aloud to my students (4th, 5th and 6th graders) over the years. During that time, I continued to make revisions and used those models as a teaching tool as well. As a retired teacher, I've had time this year to create the illustrations (pencil sketches and watercolor). My background in desktop publishing gave me the incentive to check the internet to find out about self-publishing. Voila! After more than a decade: AMAZING MATILDA, is now written, illustrated and published.
 

Best-selling Author Paulette Harper Does It Again

Living Separate Lives by Paulette Harper
Genre: Christian Fiction, Novella
ISBN: 978-0989969109
Publisher: Thy Word Publishing

Purchase the book here: Softcover | Kindle

Four Friends, One Secret and The Weekend That Changed Their Destiny

Candace Walker, Kaylan Smith, Jordan Tate, and Tiffany Thomas have their share of sorrows, but neither of them realizes how deep the sorrow goes. What happens when they agree to meet for a weekend of relaxation in beautiful Napa County? Which one will leave the same or worse?

For Candace Walker, life has left her battered and bruised. Kaylan Smith has struggled with prejudice from her in-laws. After fifteen years of marriage, bitterness is trying to raise its ugly head for Jordan Tate, whose husband wants to call it quits. And for Tiffany Thomas, dealing with rejection has never been one of her greatest feats.

Although they have been friends for years, they thought they knew each other well. But will a secret destroy their relationship and bring the sisterhood to a complete halt? Will they be able to forgive and allow God to mend that which might be torn?

Book Review By: Karen Rodgers

 This story by author Paulette Harper-Johnson is about four friends who were close during high school, but haven't had a heart-to-heart session in quite some time. When Candace, who has been beaten down by family, men and life in general, thinks back to happier times, she remembers how good she felt when she attended church with longtime friend, Kaylan, and she decides it's time for a change. She reaches out to her and Kaylan, after listening to Candace's tales of woe, decides that all four friends—Candace, Kaylan, Tiffany and Jordan—each with her own set of issues, would benefit from some rest and relaxation, so she invites them all to her home on the vineyard for a mini-retreat, and they all accept. But little do they know that instead of making their bond tighter, a secret sin revealed will cause a major rip in the fabric of their friendships. When tragedy strikes the offending friend, the women are faced with a choice: forgive and restore or let Satan win another round. Author Paulette did an awesome job of shaping each character. Their issues and personalities were well matched, making the story believable. She described the setting so well that I could clearly visualize the scenic vineyard where they took refuge for their "restful" retreat. I recommend this book because I enjoy Christian fiction that takes on real life issues and offers Christ and His way of doing and being as the answer.

Meet Author  Paulette Harper

Paulette Harper is an award-winning and best-selling author. She is the owner of Write Now Literary Virtual Book Tours and is passionate about helping authors succeed in publishing and marketing their books. Paulette has been writing and publishing books since 2008. Paulette is the author of That Was Then, This is Now, Completely Whole and The Sanctuary. Her articles have appeared on-line and in print.

 Check her out here: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Pinterest

Another Romance by Steven Manchester

Pressed Pennies by Steven Manchester
Publisher: Fiction Studio Books
ISBN: 978-1611881356

Purchase the book here: Softcover | Kindle

Rick and Abby grew up together, became best friends, and ultimately fell in love. Circumstance tore them apart in their early teens, though, and they went on to lives less idyllic than they dreamed about in those early days. Rick has had a very successful career, but his marriage flat-lined. Abby has a magical daughter, Paige, but Paige's father nearly destroyed Abby's spirit.

Now fate has thrown Rick and Abby together again. In their early thirties, they are more world-weary than they were as kids. But their relationship still shimmers, and they're hungry to make up for lost time. However, Paige, now nine, is not nearly as enthusiastic. She's very protective of the life she's made with her mother and not open to the duo becoming a trio. Meanwhile, Rick has very little experience dealing with kids and doesn't know how to handle Paige. This leaves Abby caught between the two people who matter the most to her. What happens when the life you've dreamed of remains just inches from your grasp?

Pressed Pennies is a nuanced, intensely romantic, deeply heartfelt story of love it its many incarnations, relationships in their many guises, and family in its many meanings. It is the most accomplished and moving novel yet from a truly great storyteller of the heart.

Meet Author Steven Manchester

Steven Manchester is the author of The Rockin' Chair, as well as the #1 best seller, Twelve Months (2013 San Francisco, DIY & New England Book Festivals award winner). He is also the author of A Christmas Wish (Kindle exclusive), Goodnight, Brian (2013 Southern California Book Festival award winner), and Pressed Pennies (due out May 2014). His work has appeared on NBC's Today Show, CBS's The Early Show, CNN's American Morning and BET's Nightly News. Three of Steven's short stories were selected "101 Best" for Chicken Soup for the Soul series. When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or his four children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing.


Check him out here: Website | Facebook

 

The Ian's Realm Saga Continues

Dragon Shield by Dianne Gardner
Publisher: Rara Avis
ISBN: 978-1940812212

Purchase the book here: Softcover | Kindle

"Integrity isn't something you do, it's who you are," Aren tells the confused Ian in The Dragon Shield.

Now a young man, Ian returns to the magical Realm to fight against the tyranny that has befallen his friends. But the Realm is a different place, the forest is dying, the Kaemperns have lost the shield that protected them from the dragon, and Ian has a hard time proving his allegiance when trouble follows him through the portal. His struggle to do right buries him in confusion, and he must fight his own will to prove his integrity. The Ian's Realm Saga is filled with sorcery, wizards, magic, and fantasy adventure, great for young readers and the entire family. 

Enjoy this great excerpt!

He stood centered in the blue ring, his trusty leather pouch in hand. With a tap of his thumb Ian left the real world, unaware that the television remote remained behind, pulsating an eerie blue light.
Wind stirred up stones, dirt, and shinning flakes of unfamiliar particles. He wasn’t in Alcove Forest when he stepped out of the circle. Dark walls surrounded him from three sides and he could see stars and a cold night sky in front of him. A campfire flickered, and on the other side of it he saw a small figure, half his height. He recognized the boy immediately.
“You’ve come back, monsieur, alone. C’est bon. Is time to barter, no?”
Ian’s eyes narrowed. The dark-skinned boy’s face glowed like a ghoulish mask in a haunted house.
“I’ve come to find out who you are and what you know.” Ian quickly retorted. “I’m not making any promises.”
The boy laughed quietly and tossed a piece of wood on the fire.
As his eyes grew accustomed to the dark, Ian took notice of his surroundings. An outcropping of stone that had somehow been chiseled away from a huge cliff, perhaps by the wind, hovered above. The ledge he stood on overlooked a vista of desolate country that stretched treeless to the horizon. The stars formed a celestial globe.
“Where am I?” he asked.
The boy shook his head, still smiling. His grin stirred Ian’s anger.

“Where is my father?”
“You know not where you are? Still you think it good, maybe, to know where Père is? How would that help?” He laughed again. “You would still be lost.”
“Tell me where my father is. You said you knew. You said when we were alone we’d talk. So talk.”
Daryl chuckled again. Then he grew solemn. “Ah! But, to tell you I must have the key, no?”
“No.”
The boy’s smile quickly disappeared, the fire danced shadows across his face.
“You won’t get any key. Our world doesn’t need the likes of you in it.” Ian continued.
“That’s your fault? You think I wish your window to go through?” He shook his head. “No, is not my plan. Your world is evil.”
That surprised Ian. Why did this kid want the remote then?
A locust chirped in the desert below. The cold of the night sky dropped the temperature and Ian stepped closer to the fire.
“You’ve been to my world?” Ian asked.
The boy sported a smug smile, but his grin could have been concealing another emotion, for Ian saw his lips quiver slightly. Without warning, the child pulled his dagger; its blade sparkled red from the flames. Ian’s knuckles wrapped tight around the hilt of his sword.
He can’t be alone. How could a child so young have come here by himself?
“Your window lets the wind go, or it keeps the wind in, monsieur. For me, the wind to stay is best.”
The wind! That’s what this is all about.
 

Meet Author Dianne Gardner

The Pacific Northwest is my home. After living in the dry desert of Arizona for over 23 years, I tired of always praying for rain, so I decided to come and get it on my own. Gray skies and deep forests give way to the most glorious summers you could ever imagine. Not to mention the abundance of berries, clams, oysters, salmon, fruits of all kinds, to me the Puget Sound area of Washington is the richest place in the world.
I have seven children, all grown. Sixteen grandchildren that need stories written, and so they are my inspiration.
People always find it fascinating that I lived in a mud house for over 13 years, hauling water from the well in a bucket, cooking on a wood stove, planting blue corn in desert washes, and generally living out of the box. Some of these experiences are tapped into my novels.
 My website is http://gardnersart.com You’ll find books, audios, artwork and how our movie production is coming along on that site.

You can also find Diane here: Facebook | Blog | PDMI | Twitter