Monday, November 30, 2020

Blog Tour: The Lost King by Frazier Alexander #blogtour #interview #yafantasy #highfantasy #giveaway #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours @SydeFyre

 


YA High Fantasy

Date Published: November 10, 2020

Publisher: FyreSyde Publishing




King Athan vanishes at sea. His children, prince Thalos and princess Thara, drift apart with age, their kingdom falling into ruin. Thalos stubbornly clings to the past; Thara, resentful of her father, looks to the future. In the wake of this decline, a beautiful enchantress usurps the throne from the estranged siblings. She exiles Thalos to the edge of the world and slowly enslaves Thara’s mind.

In his exile, Thalos finds another castaway—an old comrade of his father. Together they begin a voyage in search of the lost king. Thara, meanwhile, resists the new queen’s coercive spells and finds a resistance of creatures still loyal to her father.

With a vast world of enchanted islands and beings between them, Thalos and Thara struggle to restore their family and rekindle the hope of the true king’s return.





Interview

Is There a Message in Your Novel That You Want Readers to Grasp?

 

I’d love for readers to grasp the concept of hope. We’re a forgetful species, and we must continually remind ourselves of what I call the “Universal Story” (or what Mythologist Joseph Campbell called the “Monomyth”), also called the “Hero Story.” The Universal Story is the quintessential narrative of a fall from grace, followed by redemption by a hero’s deeds. It boils down to hope. This story is written on our hearts because God wove it into the fabric of the cosmos. Personally, I believe this theme finds its greatest fulfillment in the Gospel narrative. If we don’t continually remind ourselves of the Universal Story, we’ll drown in the miry bog that is the Post-Modern world.

 

 

 

 

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

 

The most challenging thing for me is the editing stage. I can produce a rough draft quickly, but my rough drafts are extremely rough. Editing, for me, is very labor-intensive, and I go through at least four or five edits before I feel confident with a work. Though honestly, I could edit infinitely, always finding errors to fix.

 

 

How many books have you written and which is your favorite?

 

 I’ve technically written four complete books, but I’ve only been able to publish one of them—The Lost King. The Lost King is by far my favorite.

 

 

If You had the chance to cast your main character from Hollywood today, who would you pick and why?

 

 My main character is Prince Thalos, and the ideal Hollywood actor for him is Avan Jogia, hands down.

 

When did you begin writing?

 

 I began writing around age 8 or 9.

 

How long did it take to complete your first book?

 

 It took me 3-4 years to finish my first ever book. It’s never been published though.

 

Did you have an author who inspired you to become a writer?

 

Hands down J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Lloyd Alexander are the three most influential authors in my life.

 

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

 

My favorite part of the writing process is coming up with ideas. Dreaming. That’s the easy part.  

 

Describe your latest book in 4 words.

 

 Hopeful. Epic. Adventurous. Nautical.

 

Can you share a little bit about your current work or what is in the future for your writing?

 

Absolutely! I have two books in the works:

 

  1. I think my next book will be set 15 years prior to the events of The Lost King. It will tell the story of the famous war that King Athan fought in.

 

  1. Then, I’d like to jump ahead chronologically to about 40 years after the events of The Lost King. This third book will focus on one of the minor characters from Lost King, Kanthus, who is a poet. Kanthus, now very old and blind, tells the whole body of myths and legends that precede the Lost King, all while being pursued by an enemy that wants him captured.

 

So, when it’s all said and done, you’ll be able to read all three books and essentially grasp the entire over-arching mythos that I’ve created for the world of The Lost King. It’s ambitious, but then again, so was The Lost King. I believe I can pull it off.

 

 


 About the Author


Frazier Alexander lives in Denton, Texas with his wife Nicole.

He began writing around the age of nine, inspired by movies such as The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and “sword-and-sandal” epics like Jason and the Argonauts. As a reader, his interests gravitate towards older works and the classics, such as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, Virgil’s Aeneid, Beowulf, and Le Morte D’Arthur. Along with creating his own mythological backdrop for his stories, Frazier is an amateur calligrapher, map-maker, and artist.

 

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Friday, November 27, 2020

PROMO Blitz: My Brother's Keeper by Courtnee Turner Hoyle #promo #mystery #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours

 

 

A Pale Woods Mystery: Book One

Mystery

Date Published: June 26, 2020

Publisher: Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc.



Seventeen-year-old Jerrod has struggled with the guilt of his actions for an event that took place almost a year ago. His friends have abandoned him, his family ignores him, and he lost his best friend. To make matters worse, he was unable to access records that may have revealed his father's whereabouts. His sister, Ella, guides Jerrod as he tries to learn and accept secrets his family has tried to hide. However, a sinister spirit may be influencing Ella's actions, and it has an agenda of its own.


About the Author

Courtnee Turner Hoyle was raised in Unicoi County, surrounded by the traditions and dialect of the area. She embraced the regional stories, mountain views, and culture -except sweet tea and unannounced visits - and sought to correct the misconceptions about the local people and the town stories that turned into rumors. Despite the challenges that face a young mother, she graduated East Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English, with an emphasis in technical writing, and a Bachelor of Business. She received a Master of Arts in Teaching from the same university, and began writing novels. She volunteers with community organizations, and she has been involved with Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians for several years as a Troop Administrator. She also volunteers with the Girl Scout Service Unit in her area. Her responsibilities include planning events, organizing social media releases for the service unit, and writing articles about the activities and accomplishments of all the troops in her county. She resides in Erwin, Tennessee, with her children and husband. She has hiked the section of the Appalachian Trail near her home, has visited many of the caves and other mountain trails in the area, and is fascinated by their enigmatic appeal. She likes reading, writing, and any reasonable music. Most of all, she enjoys sharing adventures with her children and making memories through their experiences.


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Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Release Blitz: BloodLaw by Blaise Ramsay #promo #urbanfantasy #noir #giveaway #releaseday #rabtbooktours @bramsayauthor @RABTBookTours

 


Vampire Chicago #1

Urban Fantasy, Noir, Detective

Date Published: November 25, 2020

Publisher: Indies United Publishing, LLC


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Former ADA Alastair Maddox pursues Prohibition Chicago’s most dangerous monsters after witnessing the deaths of his parents and grandparents as a boy. When a former colleague in Chicago PD comes to ask Alastair for help, he comes face to face with the mysterious Alexandra DeLane. But something’s off. DeLane is way too calm and her eyes are the color of blood. After she escapes, Alastair goes on the hunt only to find himself the prey of an ambitious and mysterious mob boss who plots to have him murdered. The problem? Alastair doesn’t stay dead and comes back as something else. Something more dangerous and straight out of a horror novel.


About the Author

Blaise started her journey in writing at the age of the fifteen with her first unfinished urban fantasy novel based on a popular video game series known as .Hack. From there she moved her journey into designing characters and doing concept art for various paying clients. In her older career, Blaise moved into working for the Indie Gaming industry where she did concept art for the company HollowRobot and their debut game, Johnny Reboot and various other clients. Sadly, the game didn’t go anywhere and Blaise found herself losing interest in what she had done for fifteen years.

In 2017, Blaise embarked on her first ever NaNoWriMo challenge where she finished the Paranormal Shifter Romance, Blessing of Luna which she indie published. It has then produced a second installation into the Wolfgods series titled Bane of Tenebris. Both have recently been picked up by BlackRose Writing.

Both of these books gave birth to the first of Blaise’s three businesses. The first, FyreSyde Publishing, a small press, has recently opened its doors to authors and works alongside them in the ever difficult challenge of book marketing. A running joke is Blaise considers herself an “odd duck” in the sense that she loves the marketing phase more than the writing phase of production. Her other two businesses include full-time freelance ghostwriting and the independent bookstore, GreenWood Grove Booksellers.

After falling in love with the Dresden files by Jim Butcher and later Saints & Shadows by Christopher Golden, Blaise found a new love for Urban Fantasy. Reading the beloved Vampire Files by PN Elrod prompted Blaise to initiate her next phase and begin producing paranormal detective and noir novels. Now she combines the two and loves every minute of it.

She currently lives in the hometown of Bonnie & Clyde with her husband, two adorable kids, two cats and a dog.

 

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Monday, November 23, 2020

Book Blitz: The Five Core Conversations for Couples by Julie & David Bulitt #promo #selfhelp #nonfiction #giveaway #rabtbooktours @thebulitts @RABTBookTours

 

 

The Five Core Conversations for Couples

Relationships/Self Help

Date Published: February 14, 2020

Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing; ebook distributed by Simon & Schuster



Married for 33 years, David, a divorce lawyer, and Julie, a family therapist, have both been witness to families struggling with life’s most difficult challenges. At the same time, they have weathered their own challenges at home: raising four daughters, two biological and two adopted, and dealing with one child’s mental health and behavioral issues. What they’ve learned about saving a marriage or knowing when to call it quits, when to turn to professionals or when to try tough love, could fill a book—and it does.


About the Authors

JULIE BULITT is a licensed clinical social worker who has spent more than 25 years working with individuals, couples and families. Her private practice focuses on family, couples and individual therapy, ADHD and Executive Functioning coaching. She has served as a Clinical Supervisor and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant for the Montgomery County (Maryland) Mental Health Association, an Adoption Therapist for the Center for Support and Education in suburban Washington, D.C. She presently serves as the in-house therapist for The Discovery Channel in Silver Spring, Maryland. For more,, visit www.livesane.com.


DAVID BULITT is a partner in the Washington, D.C. Metro law firm of Joseph, Greenwald & Laake, PA. For more than a decade, he has been chosen as one of the area’s top divorce lawyers by multiple publications and recognized as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” and a Washington, D.C. Metro “Super Lawyer.” Praised as “the lawyer who epitomizes stability and old fashioned common sense” by Bethesda Magazine, David has a particular interest in families with special needs children as a result of his personal experiences. He is the author of two fiction novels and multiple articles in legal publications and has appeared on several local shows. For more information, visit www.davidbulitt.com.

DAVID AND JULIE have been married for 33 years. They have four daughters, two of whom are biological and two adopted, and three grandchildren. They divide their time between suburban Washington, D.C. and Bethany Beach, Delaware. Learn more about David and Julie at www.thebulitts.com.


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Saturday, November 21, 2020

PROMO Blitz: Blood Land by R.S. Guthrie #promo #mystery #thriller #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours @BookBuzznet @rsguthrie

 

 

A James Pruett Mystery, Book 1

Mystery, Thriller

Publisher: Wind River Press



Blood Land, the award-winning, must-read first book in series!

Crime's an ugly constant in the big cities. L.A. Chicago. New York. But when a savage murder brutalizes a small town and neighbor turns on neighbor, a tough-as-nails cop is essential to restoring order. Blood Land is a gritty, emotional saga set in the contemporary Wyoming badlands with both greed and vengeance at its core.

When billions of dollars in 21st century natural gas rights hang in the balance, and the town's top law officer's wife is slain by her own brother, a reluctant hero is forced to battle his own demons and ultimately choose between justice, revenge, and duty.

An award-winning, page-turner, in the tradition of Dennis Lehane, Tony Hillerman and James Lee Burke, Guthrie's sparse, haunting storytelling compliments his talent for creating richly-drawn, unflinching law officers with human frailties, a code of honor, and a profound sense of justice.


Don't miss out on the Award-Winning series!

Gold Medal & 2 Best in Categories in Wise Bear Book Awards!

Voted a must-read Page-Turner by Shelf magazine!

An author whose writing will grab you and not let go!

R.S. Guthrie was voted by The Author Show as one of "Fifty Great Writers You Should Be Reading".


Other Books in the James Pruett Mystery Series:


Money Land

A James Pruett Mystery, Book 2

Money Land, sequel to the award-winning Mystery/Thriller series, Blood Land, the book that introduced the popular Sheriff James Pruett.

In this exciting second book, big crime has literally come crashing down on the small town of Wind River, Wyoming. When a small plane bound for the Canadian border carrying money for the Sustantivo Cartel smashes into the remote, glacial Wind River Mountains, the event brings a heartless evil presence to one of the more unknown places on earth.

The tail of the plane is eventually discovered, empty. No drugs. No money. Shortly afterward, people involved in the events begin dying in unconvential, brutal ways. Clearly a new criminal element has come to town. Sheriff James Pruett is not the kind of lawman to back down when his town is in the crossfire, and he will do anything to save the neighbors and friends under his protection, the land of Wind River and the surrounding winderness itself, and most importantly, his family.

Anything.

Again, in the sparse, gritty, poetic styling of James Lee Burke, Tony Hillerman, Dennis Lehane, and John D. MacDonald, R.S. Guthrie brings you his revered hero, a good man ready to battle the merciless cartel, as well as the local branch of a federal agency that has betrayed the patriotic honor of its own sworn duties.

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Honor Land

A James Pruett Mystery, Book 3


Honor Land, the third book in the outstandingly-reviewed series!

In this third James Pruett Mystery, the hero is faced with the biggest challenge of his life: saving the life of an even larger hero. Honor Land is a gritty, emotional story of patriotism, multiple murders, a hero Delta Force veteran, Kyle Yoder, who doesn't understand himself any longer, much less whether or not he is capable of the brutal crimes for which he is charged.

James Pruett and his team will have to uncover the answers if they are to keep Yoder from a guilty verdict and a mandatory execution by lethal injection.

In the tradition of Dennis Lehane, Tony Hillerman and James Lee Burke, Guthrie's sparse, haunting storytelling compliments his talent for creating richly-drawn, unflinching law officers with human frailties, a code of honor, and a profound sense of justice.

Amazon

 

About the Author

R.S. Guthrie grew up in Iowa and Wyoming. He has been writing fiction, essays, short stories, and lyrics since college.

Guthrie's "Blood Land" is the first in the Sheriff James Pruett Mystery/Thriller series and represents a project that is close to his heart: it is set in a fictional town in the same county where he spent much of his childhood and lives.

Guthrie lives in Wyoming with his wife, Amy, a One-year-old Redbone Coonhound, an Australian Shepherd, and a Chihuahua who thinks she's bigger than both!

"Black Beast: A Clan of MacAulay Novel" marked Guthrie's first major release and it heralded the first in a series of Detective Bobby Macaulay (Bobby Mac) books. The second in the series (Lost) hit the Kindle shelves December of 2011.

Readers can catch up with what's new with R.S. Guthrie at his official site, rsguthrie.com , or discussions related to writing at his blog, Rob on Writing (robonwriting.com).


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Friday, November 20, 2020

PROMO Blitz: The Dragon in the Closet by Carolyn Watson Dubisch #promo #juvenile #fantasy #comics #giveaway #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours @CarolynWDubisch

 

 

Issue #1, The Curse

Juvenile Fiction Fantasy Graphic Novel/Comics

Date Published: 9-24-2020

Publisher: Abigail Books



Orin Bean has terrible luck and a problem with monsters. However, his Nana seems to be a powerful witch, but he's really a perfectly normal boy who just happens to have a dragon in the closet. What kid wouldn't want that? A comic book for children ages 5-10.


A Peek Inside




About the Author

 

Carolyn Watson Dubisch is the author and illustrator of 10 children's picture books, and is a creator of 3 comic book series for kids, including "The Horribles", "The People That Melt in The Rain" (writer and colorist), and "The Dragon in The Closet ".

Originally from New York, she currently lives by the ocean in Mazatlán, Mexico, with her husband, fantasy artist, Mike Dubisch, and their three daughters, who are at the moment studying online due to the COVID 19 pandemic. She also has a very old dog and four very young Mexican street cats that keep life interesting every day.


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Thursday, November 19, 2020

Blog Tour: The Winning Game Plan by Jamey Rootes #blogtour #interview #giveaway #rabtbooktours #nonfiction #business @rootes1989 @RABTBookTours @BookWriting1

 


A Proven Leadership Playbook for Continuous Business Success

Non-fiction, Business Leadership, Corporate Marketing, Careers

Date Published: November 10, 2020

Publisher: Elite Online Publishing


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As a leader, you don’t know everything . . . and you never will.

As you level-up in your leadership trajectory, you’re going to have to release some old stuff, even if you think that old stuff is what got you to where you are. Every new leadership opportunity you face—whether leading a new company or department, starting your own enterprise, or flexing your leadership muscles—is a chance to grow as a leader and as a human being.

This book outlines a world-class approach to leading a business, any business, to exceptional and sustained success. These are the same principles that we have used at the Houston Texans since inception, for more than twenty years. Through trial, error, and adjustment, these guiding principles have helped us deliver breakthrough financial results for our partners, a rewarding workplace experience for our teammates, tremendous customer loyalty, and a reputation as a committed caretaker of our community.

What you’ll learn is that challenges are to be welcomed; they are the impetus for change, learning, and growth. But you must learn from the challenges. Follow the guidelines in this playbook and you’ll have a reliable set of resources to meet each challenge head on.





Interview


What was your main drive to write this book? Hard to pin it on one thing, so here are several:

-      I wanted to do something special for the McNair Family. They changed my life. They are billionaires. You cant buy them a gift and Nieman’s. You have to give something that represents your heart.

-      My Mom is in her 80’s and she has Alzheimers. I moved her to Houston a few years ago. She was a librarian and I know that nothing would make her more proud than to know that her son is a published author.

-       The rationale for writing it now (I always wanted to write a book, but never did) was a question from the EVP of the Atlanta Falcons- “Given your modest on field success, how have you guys been at the top of the charts from a business perspective?” This book is an attempt to answer that questions.

 

 

What do you hope readers will learn by reading this book? First and foremost, I hope it is a fun read. Tis is not a text book. I wanted it to be an emotional roller coaster and if that is all it is, great. Second, I love to connect with our fans so showing them a behind the scenes look at how the Houston Texans operate was on my mind. All of the key stories are from the past 20 years. Lastly, I hope aspiring leaders get a clear view of how they can become their best self.

 

 

Did you do much research when planning this book? This is the culmination of 30 years of leadership study as a practicioner, so yes😊

 

 

Did you have any main people who helped you in the process of this book or influenced you to write it? My publishing team, mainly.

 

How long did this book take you to write from initial thought to hitting publish? In some ways, 7 months, but more accurately, 30 years.

 

Do you have plans to write more about this topic or new topics? Not currently. That will depend on the reaction. I have always believed, “Give people what they want.” If they want more, they’ll let me know. If not, I have plenty to say grace over.

 


About the Author

Jamey‎ Rootes has served as President of the Houston Texans since the team’s inception. Under his continued leadership the Texans have consistently been recognized as one of the most valuable professional sports franchises both in the NFL and globally, as measured by a variety of business publications.

Under Rootes’ Management, the Texans extended their sellout game streak to 185 consecutive home games – a Houston NFL record. A testament to his development and dedication to the team’s highly acclaimed customer service strategy and fan experience on game day.

Rootes' hands-on approach to all business functions of the club, including securing stadium-naming rights and sponsorship, coordinated radio and TV broadcasting relationships, engineered the club's successful ticket and suite sales campaigns, led the creation and launch of the team’s identity.

During Rootes tenure, the Texans have earned many distinctions, including numerous “Crystal Awards” and most recently two American Business Awards for marketing excellence. J.D. Power & Associates recognized the team for providing the best fan experience in the NFL and even featured the Texans as a service success story in their book entitled “Satisfaction.” The Texans were also recognized with Sports Business Journal’s PRISM Award, which is given annually to the top major professional sports team based on business excellence criteria.

He also serves as President of Lone Star Sports & Entertainment (LSSE), a sports management agency associated with the Texans. LSSE has been a catalyst for some of Houston's most significant sporting events. LSSE created and now manages the Texas Bowl, Houston's annual college football bowl game, as well as the Texas Kickoff, an annual college football game. In addition to college football games, Rootes also oversees the production of many soccer games put on by LSSE such as COPA America in 2016, the Manchester Derby in 2017 and an International Champions Cup match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in 2019.

Rootes has been one of Houston’s leading executives for more than two decades. Sports Business Journal twice selected Rootes as a member of its distinguished “Forty Under 40” list of leading sports executives, and in 2014 Rootes was named a finalist for Executive of the Year by the Stadium Business Awards. In 2019, Rootes was selected as one of Houston Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs and was selected in 2016 as the first-ever Houston Business Journal’s Business Person of the Year after serving as chairman of the Greater Houston Partnership. Rootes served on the Super Bowl Host Committees in 2004 and 2017 and was also appointed deputy chairman of two public boards for Super Bowl LI. Rootes led the efforts in securing the Texans appearance on Monday Night Football in Mexico for the first time in NFL history and elevated Houston’s visibility on an international scale.

Rootes maintains an active role in the community by serving on the Board of Directors of the Greater Houston Partnership and the United Way of Greater Houston. He also oversees the activities of the Houston Texans Foundation, whose mission is to be “Champions for Youth,” which has donated more than $35 million since its inception in 2002 through annual fundraising events, disaster response programs, the team’s United Way campaign and partnerships with nonprofit organizations on gameday.

Rootes has consistently been at the forefront of disaster recovery, most recently in response to COVID-19. Rootes is co-chairing the Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund, a first-ever partnership between the United Way of Greater Houston and the Greater Houston Community Foundation. The fund has raised over $14 million to support the most vulnerable families and individuals in the community. In 2017 following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, Rootes worked with the league office, NFL teams, the United Way and others to raise funds for those affected by the storm. In total, all NFL-related entities donated over $50 million for Hurricane Harvey relief and recovery along the Texas Gulf Coast.

Prior to joining the Texans, Rootes helped to launch Major League Soccer as the president and general manager of the Columbus Crew. During his tenure, the Crew was consistently among the league’s strongest teams both on and off the field, and Rootes was recognized as MLS’s Executive of the Year in 1996 and Marketing Executive of the Year in 1999. Rootes helped lead the construction of Crew Stadium in 1999, which was the first stadium of its type in the United States. This facility earned distinction as America’s Foremost Sports Facility of the Year and led to the development of numerous soccer-specific stadiums across the United States over the past decade, including BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.

A native of Stone Mountain, GA, Rootes graduated Cum Laude from Clemson University’s Calhoun Honors College. While attending Clemson, Rootes was a member of the Tigers’ soccer team that captured two NCAA titles and he served as Student Body President. While earning a Master's of Business Administration (MBA) with honors at Indiana University, he served as an assistant soccer coach for the Hoosiers. Rootes previously held positions at IBM and Procter & Gamble before entering sports. He lives in West University with his wife, Melissa, and their children, Chris and Caroline.

Follow Jamey Rootes at:

www.linkedin.com/in/jameyrootes



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