On Tour with Prism Book Tours
Welcome to the book tour for Sword of Soter, the second book in the Sacred Armor Trilogy by Ralene Burke! Today she’s sharing with us a bit more about the series and herself as a writer, including her own personal tagline and motto. And you might be surprised about what she’s allergic to! Enjoy getting to know her better and ask her more questions in the comments area. Be sure to enter the great giveaway at the end!
1.) What was the inspiration behind this series?
The Sacred Armor Trilogy was really an answer to prayer…literally. I was praying, asking God what my next project should be when I the idea for the series just hit me. And wouldn’t let go. I had always wanted to write an epic fantasy with sacred objects of great power—this series was perfect!
2.) What more can we expect out of this series?
I hope the readers have come to enjoy the traditional fantasy tropes with a bit of unique flair and the fantastical creatures, both old and new. If they’re anything like me, I also hope they find they can relate to one or more of the characters! Despite all they’ve been through in Books 1 and 2, there is still so much ahead of them!
As the series continues, there’s an ancient evil out there, seeking to destroy the world, not to mention the sociopathic warlock who released it. They’ve got more tricks up their sleeves than I think Karina and Tristan and the others are ready for. There also might be a few more big twists left for Book 3…a few things readers won’t expect!
3.) If you could be a character in any of your books and/or live in any of your settings, which would you choose and why?
Honestly, I’m not sure I’d want to BE any of my characters—I don’t know that I would have survived half of what they’ve been through. However, I would love to live in Aletheia, a kingdom of snowy mountains, an ice plain, and a beautiful forest.
4.) What drives you as a writer?
I am an encourager and a “fix-it” type person. As a writer, I seek to combine both of those traits in a way that can inspire and encourage readers. That can be pretty difficult in fiction, but I don’t mind the challenge. I live for the days when I hear from a reader and they say that my stories helped them in some way.
5.) Your tagline is Shine Beyond. Tell us more about that.
Life is hard. And it doesn’t often go the way we expect. #SHINEBeyond is a motto as much as a tagline. It is the culmination of what I seek to accomplish (or help others to accomplish) through all of my work (writing, editing, ministry). I aim to help others #SHINEBeyond their circumstances, their experiences, and any obstacle that might be standing in their way.
In my writing, this means my stories are full of characters, who are faced with overwhelming odds but are given opportunities to #SHINEBeyond. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t. And they face the consequences of their decisions, just like we do in real life.
6.) What is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?
I am allergic…to COFFEE! *gasp* Yes, it’s true. I also have many other food allergies, but the one that always surprises people the most is my coffee allergy. “How do you survive?” they ask. Well, I am somewhat of an iced tea addict. LOL!
Sword of Soter
(Sacred Armor Trilogy #2)
By Ralene Burke
YA Fantasy, Christian
Paperback & ebook, 275 Pages
September 25th 2019 by Elk Lake Publishing Inc
NEW 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?
(Affiliate link included.)
Goodreads│Amazon
Also available on KindleUnlimited.
Other Books in the Series
Armor of Aletheia
(Sacred Armor Trilogy #1)
By Ralene Burke
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.
(Affiliate link included.)
Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble
Also available on KindleUnlimited.
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.
Website│Goodreads│Facebook│BookBub│Twitter│Instagram│Newsletter
Tour Schedule
Tour Giveaway
One winner will win a prize pack that will include print copies of Armor of Aletheia and Sword of Soter, 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
Thank you for hosting me this week! I had fun with the interview. 🙂