Why #SHINEBeyond?

Readers often ask me where I came up with the #SHINEBeyond tagline and what exactly it means. Of course, I’m all too happy to take the time to answer as this philosophy is something very dear to me.

#SHINEBeyond

Essentially, #SHINEBeyond came about as it encompassed my heart for all my work in writing, editing, and ministry—a cohesive theme seen in everything I was doing.

I am an Encourager

It’s who I am in my soul. My first reaction in most situations is to find a way to encourage the other people involved. Life gets difficult, and everyone needs a cheerleader sometimes.

As I moved into adulthood, I realized how much life had stacked against me, and just how much I would need to overcome in order to be who I wanted to be. Though it was a long process, I found the joy in the journey and in being who I was called to be.

Now, I encourage others to #SHINEBeyond their circumstances, their backgrounds, their experiences, their obstacles, their fears…

No matter what you have been through…

No matter where you are…

No matter what lies before you…

You can #SHINEBeyond the obstacles in your life—and therefore inspire and encourage those around you.

Storytelling

Like I said, #SHINEBeyond was a tagline meant to encompass all of my work, including my writing. In the Sacred Armor Trilogy, each of the major characters has their own #SHINEBeyond story arc. Now, this wasn’t intentional exactly, but it naturally spawned from the type of story I was writing.

In the Sacred Armor Trilogy, the ragtag group of allies has to retrieve the sacred armor of the Creator. Each piece of armor has a power attached to its virtue. For instance, the Belt of Truth allows the bearer to see into a person’s past and present to see what brought them to be who they are or to do what they’re doing.

In order to retrieve each piece, one person in the group must pass a challenge to be sure they can handle the power. So, Karina, who goes for the belt, has challenges that force her to face the truth about herself, the truth about others, and then to trust in herself.

In Armor of Aletheia, the group retrieved 2 pieces of the armor; in Sword of Soter, they retrieve 2 more. (And there’s still 2 left!) So, each person has to deal with a part of their lives so they can #SHINEBeyond their circumstances and help complete the quest.

No matter who you are, the choice to #SHINEBeyond is not an easy one. In fact, it is a choice we must make daily. We weren’t meant to be shadows in this world. We were meant to shine like stars, to shine light into the dark places.

Who is someone in your life that exhibits the #SHINEBeyond philosophy?

A Couple of Quick Items:

I would love to get feedback on some of my plans for social media and such for 2021. If you would like to fill out this quick questionnaire, that would be amazing of you!

Also, I mentioned in my last blog post that I will be relaunching the “Confessions of a…” series. If you would like to participate, there are only like 21 slots available! Sign up now, and I’ll send you the details for the post.

And, if you haven’t already, sign up for my newsletter!

Thank you all for being such amazing human beings. Have a fabulous week!

Moving to #SHINEBeyond in 2021!

“The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” (Robert Burns, To a Mouse) If your 2020 was anything like mine, you garnered a new understanding of this popular quote. Am I right? #SHINEBeyond I did not in 2020.

#SHINEBeyond 2021

Last year, right here on this blog, I toted the plans I had for my writing, my website, and blogging. Little did I know what lay just beyond the winter blahs of 2020.

However, I’ve reached the point where I no longer wish to dwell on that part of my past. With the invitation of a new year, God has picked me up and pushed me forward, and therefore forward I must go. I’m ready to #SHINEBeyond in 2021!

What does that mean for my career? My writing? This website? YOU ALL? Well, let me share a little bit…

BOOKS

So, I finally made progress on Book 3 of the Sacred Armor Trilogy (tentatively titled Temple of Tzedek). I’m hoping my publisher and I can work together to get it out by the end of the summer. Eeee… I know. It’s been a long time coming.

While I’m waiting on that book to come out, I’ll be pounding out the words to a NEW series. Think Game of Thrones meets Avatar: the Last Airbender–YA-style! This Victorian-fantasy series has me all excited and zipping my mouth shut so I don’t spill all the juicy details. (More excited squealing…)

BLOGGING

I aim to return to blogging this year. Yes, I do. Stop looking at me like that. I DO! For now, I’ll be posting once a week. Every other week, I’ll post something along the #SHINEBeyond encouragement/tips.

Then, in between those posts, I’m relaunching the “Confessions of a…” series! Yes, I’ll have all-new posts from new faces as well as some old favorites: authors, business owners, normal people, and everyone in between.

You may notice over the next few weeks that the website gets a bit of a facelift. I don’t think I’ll be changing the overall look and feel–because I still love it!–but I will be updating pages and rearranging things.

OTHER STUFF

My newsletter will resume on Tuesday, February 2! If you haven’t already signed up, you might want to do so. I’ll be sharing all kinds of bookish fun, writing updates, giveaways, and more.

Also, I am getting back into editing, so you’ll see a new tab for that…

Looking further into the year, I snagged a website for #SHINEBeyond, but I’m not sure if/when I’ll do something with that. I would love to launch a separate website that solely focuses on helping and encouraging people to embrace their calling and live their best life. We’ll see what time and God allows.

Whew!

Well, that was a lot of updating, and I’m sure you have to get on with your day. Thank you for sticking around–and for all your support and encouragement over the years. I look forward to this #SHINEBeyond journey with y’all in 2021.

Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter! And if you want to follow the daily shenanigans, you can find me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

What are you looking forward to in 2021?

Cover Reveal: Armor of Aletheia, Sacred Armor Trilogy Book 1

Y’all … it’s finally here. After years of grueling labor. Okay, it wasn’t necessarily grueling, but life did keep getting in the way and the extra time did drive me a little crazy… Ha!

The first book in my YA fantasy trilogy, Armor of Aletheia, will release on September 15, 2018!

I am so excited to share this story with the world. For readers to get to know Karina and Tristan … and Rashka and Sam. All these names, who are these people? Only time will tell. In other words, you’ll have to read the book.

But, Ralene, what is the book about? Glad you asked!

 

Back cover blurb for Armor of Aletheia:

A WORLD IN DANGER, A BETRAYED QUEEN, A
RELUCTANT HERO …

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.

 

Did ya just get a few shivers? Yeah, good stuff. But there’s still a few weeks until the book comes out. So how should I hold you over until then?

Should I giveaway a few ARCs? (Look for some fun stuff the beginning of September!)

Should I give you a sneak peak? (I think I shall be releasing the first chapter sometime soon.)

What? You want to see the cover? Pfft. Are you sure?

I mean, are you really sure?

 

Well, if you insist…

 

Without further ado…

 

(Man, this gal is really annoying, isn’t she?)

 

Ta-Da!

 

 

So…what do you think?

Are you ready for this fantasy adventure?