Hello, reader friends! Join me in welcoming author friend Ralene Burke for a quick q&a as part of a Prism Book Tours blog tour (#SOSPrism) and giveaway celebrating Sword of Soter, the second book of the Sacred Armor Trilogy!
about the author
Whether she’s wielding a fantasy author’s pen, a social media wand, or a freelance editor’s sword, Ralene Burke always has her head in some dreamer’s world. And her goal is to help everyone #SHINEBeyond their circumstances! Her fantasy novels are available on Amazon.
When her head’s not in the publishing world, she is wife to a veteran and homeschooling mama to their three kids. Her Pinterest board would have you believe she is a master chef, excellent seamstress, and all-around crafty diva. If she only had the time . . .
You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or at her website. Connect with Ralene through her newsletter or follow her on Goodreads or BookBub!
q&a
What is your favorite activity or hobby not related to books?
R: Ha! I wish I had time for hobbies. Does watching TV count? Oh, wait. I love playing board games with my family. We love finding new board games and then obsessing over them for a while. Hehehe…
B: Okay, good! Yes, board games count! Nothing but TV watching would just make me sad for you.
Share your inspiration behind Sword of Soter.
R: Sword of Soter is Book 2 in the Sacred Armor Trilogy. This series was based on the premise question, “What if the armor of God (from the Bible) were real?” Granted, though the story is written from a Christian worldview, it’s not in-your-face preachy type. The story developed into its own epic fantasy adventure that was so fun to explore. From the various powers granted to the armorbearers to the challenges required to obtain each piece, there was so much intricate planning and crazy twists.
B: Sounds quite exciting and challenging!
Do you have any writing quirks?
R: Quirks? Well, I have to have a tall glass of iced tea. That’s really it. I can’t drink coffee. Oh, and I have to have relative quiet. That’s odd to me because the first few novels I wrote were among 2-3 toddlers, and quiet was not a thing. Maybe my body adapted at the time. Now, though, I can’t have the TV on, can’t have the kids bothering me…
B: I feel the same way about quiet, such a precious commodity.
What did you learn or discover about yourself (or your characters) while writing Sword of Soter?
R: Well, I discovered I could write 10k words in a single day on multiple Saturdays. Ha! Life was kind of hectic, and I kept having to catch up on my word count goals.
On a more serious note, writing Rashka’s story in this book, helped me work through some of my own issues of “trying to do it all on my own.”
B: Writing 10k words in a day is mighty impressive! Mmmhmm, I’m guilty of trying to do it all!
What book(s) are you reading right now?
B: My daughter enjoyed Serena Chase’s series!
What is your reading style?
R: Well, as part of my nighttime routine, I curl up in bed and read for at least 30 minutes at night before I go to bed. However, it usually ends up more like an hour or 2. I read both physical books and on my Kindle, don’t really have a preference. (I’m not a fan of reading on my phone.)
B: The phone is a last resort for me too! Thanks so much for visiting with us, Ralene!
about the book
Sword of Soter by Ralene Burke (Sacred Armor Trilogy 2)
YA Fantasy, Christian
Paperback & ebook, 275 Pages
September 25th 2019 by Elk Lake Publishing IncNEW KINGDOM. NEW FRIENDS.
NEW DANGERS.
NOT EVERYONE CAN BE TRUSTED …Karina, Tristian, Rashka, and Sam venture forth into the wilderness of Soter on the next leg of their quest to retrieve the Armor of the Creator. With the ancient evil already affecting the kingdom, nothing in Soter is what it seems—from what skulks beneath the canopies of the woods to what lies within the sleek white and gold of the capitol city to the people Karina and Tristan have known since they were children.
Danger lurks around every corner. Discerning who to trust is paramount to staying alive and discovering the location of the Temple of Soter. Yet, to Karina’s horror, Faramos’s reach finds them time and again. The longer they are forced to dawdle, the more people are affected by the growing panic in Soter, and the closer Faramos is to taking over the Three Kingdoms. Can Karina retrieve the information they need while Tristan keeps his brother at bay? Or will the entire quest disintegrate before they even arrive at the temple?
Available on KindleUnlimited.
tour giveaway
One winner will win a prize pack that will include print copies of Armor of Aletheia and Sword of Soter by Ralene Burke, a plush blanket, a tumbler with candy, a journal, and a pen all inside a half-bushel basket inlaid with a gorgeous book print material.
US only | ends November 6, 2019
enter giveaway here
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
also available
Armor of Aletheia by Ralene Burke (Sacred Armor Trilogy 1)
YA Fantasy, Christian
Paperback & ebook, 268 Pages
August 29th 2018 by Elk Lake Publishing Inc.The death of her king changes Karina’s life forever. Fleeing the royal house, she must leave her life behind to seek out the Armor of the Creator—to save the very people who now hunt her.
Faramos, the evil warlock waiting to unleash hell, knows the Creator has already chosen his warrior, so he sends his bounty hunter to retrieve her. After Tristan abducts her, he witnesses Karina’s gentle nature and strong independence, and he finds he can’t complete his assignment.
Together, they set out to retrieve the armor and defeat the hordes of creatures sent to destroy them. But is Tristan’s heart secure as he faces certain death for defending the queen? And will Karina have the courage to become all the Creator intends her to be? Failure will condemn the world to eternal darkness.
Available on KindleUnlimited.
Are you a fan of board games too? Share your favorites in the comments!
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Faithfully Bookish 
Thank you for hosting Sword of Soter this week! I had fun with the interview. 🙂
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It’s a pleasure to have you, Ralene! I’m so glad you enjoyed the questions, interviews should be fun!
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I Love monopoly. Your book sounds awesome.
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