Bellanok is Finally Here!

Ralene Bellnock 1 The Reluctant SaviorToday is the day, my friends!

The day all my dreams (since I was a little girl) come true. There is a book out there with MY name on it. Bellanok: The Reluctant Savior is on Amazon!

Thank You

And there are some many people out there to thank. First, and most important, praise be to the my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, without whom none of this would even be possible.

Next to my family who has always been so supportive. I can’t count the number of times my husband herded the kids so I could squeeze in some writing time. Or the number of times my mom had to listen to me whine/cry/complain over the phone. No matter what, though, they never let me think I couldn’t do it.

God has blessed me with the most amazing community of writer friends. I’ve had some encouraging and discerning critique partners over the years. Most recently, I’ve had 3 women who have gone above and beyond for me and with me, and they deserve some recognition. Please give your virtual applause to Morgan L. Busse (my current critique partner), J.L. Mbewe (cover designer for Bellanok), and Rebecca P. Minor (Director for Realm Makers and a great friend). Thank you, ladies, for all you have done.

More on Bellanok: The Reluctant Savior

A friend of mine asked me to describe my book in one sentence, using the hashtag #ReadThisBookBecause, and here was my response:

#ReadThisBookBecause it’s not everyday a unicorn becomes a nightmare.

That’s just a teeny insight into the world of Bellanok. If that’s not enough to convince you to read it, visit the Amazon page to find out more! I also made a home for the book on my website.

Look for Part 2, Bellanok: The Quest for the Sword, coming around Thanksgiving.

Facebook Party

Don’t forget! If you’d like to learn more about me or Bellanok, I’ll be a special guest at J.L. Mbewe’s Facebook party TOMORROW NIGHT! There’s going to be all kinds of prizes, discussions, and other fun stuff.

12074741_10153508595975743_6134681102410402837_n

More Books!

After you purchase my book (you know you want to!), don’t forget to check out these two books, also out today:

A Time to Speak by Nadine Brandes

AND

Embers by Ronie Kendig

Happy reading this weekend!

The Week of Bellanok . . . and Two More Books!

12071837_10153505589750743_1232367403_nRelease week is finally here. I am so thrilled . . . oh, man, you just do not even know. There’s also a good measure of fear and uncertainty, as there always is whenever we put ourselves out there in a way that makes us vulnerable. But this story is something God put on my heart, so at least I know my Audience of One approves.

This week, I am also working hurriedly on Part 2, hoping to have that done soon so that I can release that sometime around Thanksgiving. Oh, yes, that soon. The plan is to release each of the 5-part serial once a month.

If you have not yet signed up for my newsletter, I highly encourage you to do so. Be the FIRST to know any of the upcoming news about releases and such, as well as fun and encouragement delivered to your Inbox on a regular basis.


So, Bellanok: The Reluctant Savior releases on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015.

It will only be available in e-book format for Kindle. If you do not have a Kindle, I am sure you are aware by now that Amazon has Kindle apps available for your computer, tablets, and phones. Download it to day so you’re ready!

If you have yet to see or hear what Bellanok is about, here’s a little blurb:

Bellanok is a haven for myths and legends . . . until evil discovers a way in. Now the fairy queen, Fauna, must journey from the island realm to the modern world to find the man the Creator appointed to save their kingdom. A man she has been dreaming of her whole life.

Brian is a down-on-his-luck pastor on the verge of giving up on God. He’s tired and frustrated–a failure. No sooner does he make a decision that jeopardizes his career than an unusual blonde woman shows up and tries to convince him he is some kind of savior.

Fauna must open Brian’s eyes to a different reality, and Brian needs to embrace the haven’s secrets. If neither of them succeeds, Bellanok will succumb to evil and the world will lose all trace of innocence.  

 

 

 

12074741_10153508595975743_6134681102410402837_n

On Saturday, October 17, I’ll be a guest at J.L. Mbewe’s anniverary party on Facebook. Not only will you get to chat with me and learn more about who I am and what Bellanok is all about, but you’ll also get to know 2 of my best friends and favorite writers, J.L. Mbewe and Morgan Busse.

 

 

And Two More Novels

While I am super excited about my own novellette releasing, there are 2 other books I am excited about, so I thought I would share them with you.

ATimetoSpeak

 

The first title is the second book in Nadine Brandes’ Out of Time series, called A Time to Speak. This dystopian tales continues to follow a young woman named Parvin and her journey to change her world. I am about halfway through the first book, A Time to Die, and am loving it. I highly recommend it for YA and adult readers alike.

 

 

 

Embers

 

The second book is Embers by Ronie Kendig, the first novel in her Abiassa’s Fire series. This is Ronie’s first foray into the realm of fantasy writing. Her books up until now have fallen under her well-known tagline, Rapid-Fire Fiction, and have been more suspense/romantic suspense. I’ve enjoyed all the books I’ve read from her. If she applies the same tactics in Embers, suspense with a twist of fantasy, I’m sure this novel is going to be a hit!

 

 

So, now you have THREE books to enjoy this weekend. How will you ever choose?

Who said anything about choosing?

Support literacy in America and buy all 3! Not that I’m biased or anything.

Which stories sound the most interesting to you? What do you think of the awesome covers?

Frank the Chair and my Cousin

I’ll bet you didn’t know that the literary bug runs in my family, did you? Reading and writing both run in my DNA. A couple of my aunts, as well as my mom, have been librarians at one point or another. I have a cousin that does some editing and reviewing for books. Then there’s my cousin, Jessica. She published a book. Check out more . . .

12046757_10206655797932262_2048678102102201225_nFrank the Chair (by Jessica Freeman)

I’m a graphic designer first and foremost, but I actually have been doing photography for much longer. I still do some photography here and there for my clients, but my main focus is design. At the beginning of 2014, I told my husband, Aaron, that I missed doing photography. But, I didn’t necessarily want to do it as part of my business–I wanted to create a personal photography project that would just be a fun outlet.

Enter: Frank the Chair.

Frank the Chair is a small, green chair that doesn’t have any hands. He loves to go on adventures that no other chair has gone on before! He has traveled around to many parts of Georgia, but has also been to Washington, D.C., Nashville, Missouri, and even El Salvador.

After a few months of this project, Aaron brought up the idea of doing a children’s book, but I just wasn’t sure about it. People in our community loved Frank–they would ask where he was when we were out and about, like he was our child. Even so, I wasn’t sure if people loved him enough to buy a book. (Not to mention the fact that I had never written and published a children’s book before.)  

Fast forward to December of 2014, when I lost my mom in a car crash. My mom really enjoyed Frank–I don’t know if it was just following along on his adventures that she liked, or just laughing at the silliness of it all. Either way, she loved him enough to ask how he was doing after he was in the back seat when my car was broken into last year. (Frank was unharmed, in case you’re wondering.)

After my mom’s funeral, I decided that creating a children’s book would be a great way to honor my mom’s legacy. (Ralene here: Her mom was one of the librarians I mentioned!) I had heard so many stories of how much my mom gave her time and resources to provide books for her students and helped other teachers get books for their students. I just wanted to create something that people could have and enjoy. Who better to feature in this children’s book than our very own Frank?

Creating and publishing a children’s book is no small task. We didn’t want to skimp on an illustrator–I know how much kids love pictures! So, to raise the money to pay an illustrator, we launched a Kickstarter campaign. Thirty days later, we had all the money we needed, thanks to many generous family and friends. We loved the distinct style of our illustrator’s work, so there was no need to give direction. We sent over the storyline, some reference pictures of what we were thinking for different scenes, and off she went!

Now, six months later, we have a real book in our hands. It has been amazing to see this project finally come to life. But, the best part has been the responses I’ve received after sending out press releases and posting about the book on social media. I have heard from many of my mom’s colleagues and former students, reiterating how much she meant to them, and how much she impacted the community. My mom loved to read, and loved getting kids excited about reading–and hopefully this book lights that spark in kids who read this book!

511ParBo-1L._SY498_BO1,204,203,200_To Purchase

I love my cousin’s heart–and I loved her mom’s heart. And I think Frank is just cool.

I hope you all will take the time to check out Frank the Chair Visits Kansas by Jessica Freeman on Amazon. Currently, it is only available in paperback.

What else are your kids reading these days?

 

 

Did I mention, though, Bellanok: The Reluctant Savior comes out in ONE week?

12071837_10153505589750743_1232367403_n

 

Cover Reveal: RUN by Glenn Haggerty

I love a good cover reveal, don’t you?

This fall, I’m excited to be working with Taegais Publishing again to launch a new book–the first in a trilogy. You may remember that I helped them last year with the launch of Mortis by Hannah Cobb (excellent YA fantasy).

Now, we’re getting ready to release Run by Glenn Haggerty, an upper MG adventure novel. Here’s a blurb for ya . . .

 

At thirteen, a boy can run from lots of things, but he can’t always hide . . .

Awkward newbie, Tyler Higgins, has to navigate the middle school friendship jungle. But how can he focus on friends when a mysterious plumber casing the neighborhood threatens his life?

While chasing the cool kids through the woods, he tumbles into a ruined house where a shadowy creeper emerges from the basement. Tyler escapes, but for how long? The gigantic ninja-like goon sniffs him out and threatens to carve him up—along with his family.

Tyler finally connects with a rich kid, but a showdown brews. The plumber has a secret and lots of stolen cash—and Tyler’s friend is locked in on the plumber’s hideout. Now Tyler must risk his life or lose his new friend—permanently.

 

Sounds pretty interesting, doesn’t it? I’d like to read it myself. It’s a good thing I have some kids in the MG age group! So, how about that cover now . . .

print front cover small

By the way, if you don’t know much about Glenn Haggerty, then you don’t know that he founded a website called Christian Books for Tweens and Teens, which provides reviews on clean reads for tween and teens. There’s also a Facebook page to visit and chat. I highly recommend you check out both.

And stay tuned, Run will be released the beginning of October 6th!

MY Cover Reveal: Bellanok: The Reluctant Savior

So, the time has come at last. My agent, Julie, and I have been working hard to polish Bellanok: The Reluctant Savior, the first part of the 5-book mini-series, and make it shine. I’m very excited to share it with you all in October. I know it’s a long wait, though, so I thought I’d at least share a little something with you today.

How about a book cover?

Kirk DouPonce, a titan in the cover design world, let me interview him a couple of months ago for the Realm Makers blog about the importance of book cover design. It’s a great post!

I love book covers, and it’s definitely one area I am very picky about. Luckily, I have a fabulous friend who is great at cover design. You can check out more of what Jennette does at Master Design Solutions, where she works with her husband on anything from website design to book covers.

Anyway, back to Bellanok. Here’s a little blurb about the book, in case you haven’t heard about it yet.

Bellanok is a haven for myths and legends . . . until evil discovers a way in. Now the fairy queen, Fauna, must journey from the island to the modern world to find the man the Creator appointed to save their world. A man she has been dreaming of her whole life.

Brian is a down-on-his-luck pastor on the verge of giving up on God. He’s tired, frustrated, and feeling like a failure. No sooner does he make a decision that jeopardizes his career than an unusual blonde woman shows up and tries to convince him he is some kind of savior.

Fauna must open Brian’s eyes to a different reality, and Brian needs to embrace the haven’s secrets. If neither of them succeeds, Bellanok will succumb to evil and the world will lose all innocence.  

Now that I’ve given you a taste of what’s to come, here’s the real treat. Without further ado, I present Bellanok: The Reluctant Savior book cover!

 

Ralene Bellnock 1 The Reluctant Savior

 

What do you think? 

Do you have a favorite book cover? What do you like about it?

 

Forged Steel Cover Reveal!

I get very excited whenever one of my critique partners, past or present, achieves their dreams in one way or another. So I have to take some time to support them and spread the word.

Today, fellow fantasy writer and all-around fun gal H.A. Titus is having a cover reveal for her novel, Forged Steel. Now, I got to see this story in its early stages, so I can weigh in on how great the story was back then. I can’t wait to see it now!

Backcover blurb:

Downton. Coffee shop. 2 AM.

One minute, Josh is firing off sarcastic remarks at his best friend Marc – the next, they’re running from shape-shifters. Apparently, even best friends don’t share all their secrets.

Now Josh is in danger. He can see the monsters among the humans.

When Marc is kidnapped, Josh finds himself pulled into the schemes of the fae courts, and throws in his lot with Marc’s allies: the lovely Larae, a human named David, and the fighter, Eliaster. But what began as a rescue mission becomes something much more involved…

And all Josh wants to do is get out before it’s too late.

 

Forged Steel coverForged Steel is a new adult urban fantasy by H. A. Titus, releasing on July 17th. It will be available in print (Amazon) and ebook (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iBooks, and Scribd) If you’d like a chance to win free books, ask questions, and hear trivia about the writing/publishing of Forged Steel, there will be a Facebook event party on July 17th from 7-9 pm eastern time on the author’s page, H. A. Titus Author.

The first five chapters are available for preview on Wattpad.