#SOSPrism Blog Tour: Sword of Soter

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

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?

 

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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.

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Also available on KindleUnlimited.

Interview:

Q: In 10 words or less, how would you describe SWORD OF SOTER and the Sacred Armor Trilogy?

A: The Sacred Armor Trilogy is a tale of embracing your calling and making a difference.

Q: Why do you love writing? When did you first have a love for writing, and how was it formed?

A: I love writing because it is a way for me to share my experiences and wisdom with the rest of the world. I have always been a writer, my first piece published when I was in 3rd grade (in a local literary magazine), and my parents/teachers indulged this passion as I grew up. I took almost every writing class/opportunity offered as I grew up.

Q: Who are your favorite authors, and which ones have had an impact on you? Who has affected your writing style the most?

A: I always struggle with who my favorite authors are because that tends to change. However, from early on, authors like C.S. Lewis, Lois Lowry, Lois Duncan, and Carolyne Keene inspired me to want to be an author myself. Later, authors like Frank Peretti influenced me more as a writer. 

Q: What are your favorite genres to read and write? What are your favorite books?

A: I love most of the speculative genres (fantasy, supernatural, etc.), except for hard sci-fi. I have a special passion for fantasy, which is what I’m currently writing. Followed by supernatural. 

As weird as it may seem, I don’t really have any favorite books. At least none that stick out to me. The Story of WITH by Allen Arnold is my traditional response because this book has been an inspiration and I’ve read it like 3-4 times in the few years its been out. The Chronicles of Narnia still hold a special place in my heart. 

Q: What do you do when you’re not writing? Is writing a part-time or full-time job?

A: Writing is a part-time job right now. One day, I’d like for it to be a full-time job, but I wear too many hats right now. I am also the Marketing Director for Realm Makers and a freelance editor. Outside of the publishing world, I’m wife to a disabled veteran and a homeschooling mama of 3!

 Q: Which genre is your favorite? If you could only write or recommend readers read one, what would your ‘go-to’ genre be?

A: FANTASY! I love that fantasy allows us to expand our imagination, to create new worlds, new peoples, new creatures. We can explore all the stuff we face in real life, but in a way that is removed and still provides a sense of escape. 

Q: Which character was the easiest to write, and who was the hardest to write?

A: So far, Karina has been the easiest to write because she is the most like me. It doesn’t take much to imagine her response to things that happen. Faramos, the villain, however is the hardest. I have [to] figure out how someone can be so twisted as to think he is doing something GOOD and justify all the horrible things he does.

Q: What is your go-to cure for writer’s block?

A: Laundry. Often times, laundry gives me something to do while allowing my mind to wander through whatever I’m writing. By the time I’m done folding clothes, I’m usually ready to write again. 

Q: Where is your favorite place to read or write?

A: I am a more regimented person, very Type-A. I prefer writing at my desk, in front of a window. However, I love to curl up in my bed to read a book! Though, technically, I’ll read just about anywhere for hours if allowed. 

Q: Do you have any tips for any aspiring authors or writers?

A: Take the time to learn your craft. Read books, go to conferences, find a critique group, etc. Rare is the writer who will succeed without investing in themselves and their career. 

Review:
If I enjoyed the first, I loved reading Sword of Soter! From the start, I was quickly pulled back into to this series, and having already met some of the main characters, this one holds more character growth and I loved all the awkward tension as Tristan and Karina learned to work together both with each other, and with others. I also felt this one is a smoother read, and the pacing was much better. Again, the first set up the story, so this one was able to move though, and while there is still plenty of background, it’s more about what she characters are currently learning, and less about the past, well except for those details left unsaid from the first that readers knew gleaned, but that were saved for later to develop the series. This series had a way of ‘reading my mind’ as even in the first I’d think, ‘I wish they would…’ or ‘what would happen if…’ and most often, it happens! Lol, it’s rare that I find this, but I loved seeing these parts play out, as it added to story, often being things that forced the characters to deal with things they had otherwise been avoiding.

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.

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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

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