Ellwyn’s Blog

Keeper Of Dragons Aprella Academy Book Tour

What if the key to saving the world lies in the one creature everyone learned to fear?

Dragons, Mermaids, Elves… and Kitsune?

Keeper of Dragons: Aprella Academy Book 1 

by J.A. Culican 

Genre: YA Fantasy, Ranobe 

What if the key to saving the world lies in the one creature everyone learned to fear?

Rhyden was supposed to stay hidden in Ochana, the floating realm of dragons—isolated ever since Prince Jago’s mysterious death. But with an unshakable sense of duty, he defies his people’s decree and enrolls at Aprella Academy, a legendary school where mermaids, elves, fairies, and kitsune shape the world’s magic.

Arriving as the first dragon on campus in a century, Rhyden becomes an instant sensation—and not everyone is thrilled about it. Whispers circulate that the wards protecting the academy are failing.

A priceless artifact has been stolen, dark forces lurk in hidden corridors, and rumors blame the sudden “dragon presence” for the danger creeping past the gates.

Teaming up with a ragtag circle of new friends—Kairo the mermaid warrior torn between land and sea, Fenrick the kitsune trickster hiding unexpected insecurities, Talyssa the elf struggling to atone for her people’s past, and Lirien the quiet fairy sensing a looming evil—Rhyden races to unmask the culprit.

Yet ominous illusions and shocking betrayals await at every turn, threatening to shatter the fragile trust he’s begun to build.

When Rhyden’s draconic power finally awakens, it’s as explosive as the secrets that forced dragons into hiding long ago.

Determined to reclaim the dragon legacy and protect a world that once shunned his kind, he soon learns that defeating hidden enemies may require forging alliances beyond imagination—and confronting a darkness older than the academy itself.

Dive into a ranobe-inspired tale of epic magic, unlikely friendships, and one dragon shifter trying to light the path forward in a realm built on shadows. Will Rhyden spark a new era for dragons—or remind the world why they vanished in the first place?

Perfect for fans of magical academies, secret conspiracies, and unstoppable teamwork, Keeper of Dragons: Aprella Academy is your next addictive fantasy read.

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads

Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DYSKSL6F

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/dragons-mermaids-elves-and-kitsune/id6742664856

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dragons-mermaids-elves-and-kitsune-ja-culican/1147069352?ean=2940181429789

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dragons-mermaids-elves-and-kitsune

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1718625

Books2Read: https://books2read.com/KODAprella1

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/dragons-mermaids-elves-and-kitsune-keeper-of-dragons-aprella-academy-book-1-by-j-a-culican

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/228536302-dragons-mermaids-elves-and-kitsune

Excerpt:

A hush fell across the courtyard, broken only by hushed whispers about the “dragon boy.” My gaze swept the staring faces—some wary, some hostile.

“The wards are failing,” someone murmured. “And it all started when he showed up.”

My chest tightened, a faint prickle of flame stirring under my skin. Elves, mermaids, fairies—they all once fought alongside dragons. But now…

“I won’t watch this place crumble,” I said quietly, forcing my voice not to shake. “Not again.”

Giveaway

$10 Amazon 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

https://sdbook.promo/DragonsMermaidsElvesKitsune

About the Author

J.A. Culican is a USA Today Bestselling author of the middle grade fantasy series Keeper of Dragons.

Her first novel in the fictional series catapulted a trajectory of titles and awards, including top selling author on the USA Today bestsellers list and Amazon, and a rightfully earned spot as an international best seller.

Additional accolades include Best Fantasy Book of 2016, Runner-up in Reality Bites Book Awards, and 1st place for Best Coming of Age Book from the Indie book Awards.

J.A. Culican holds a Master’s degree in Special Education from Niagara University, in which she has been teaching special education for over 13 years.

She is also the president of the autism awareness non-profit Puzzle Peace United. J.A. Culican resides in Southern New Jersey with her husband and four young children.

Website * Facebook * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Author Links

Website:  https://www.jaculican.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaculican

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jaculican

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-a-culican

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.A.-Culican/author/B01GG7GLYE

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15287808.J_A_Culican

Believing In You Book Tour & Giveaway

They’re opposites in every way, but they might just be the perfect match.

Believing In You 

Priestly Family Series Book 1 

by Sharon C. Cooper

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

They’re opposites in every way, but they might just be the perfect match.

After a case of mistaken identity, riddled with betrayal, Harrison Grant is struggling to open himself up to other people again. He lost a part of himself while in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, and it seems impossible to move forward.

Enter Nyla Priestly. She’s a woman with a bubbly smile for everyone she meets and who always has a kind word to say. The jaded version of Harrison wants to doubt her personality is real. No one can be that happy all the time. Right? 

Nyla has never been into the broody type. Yet something about Harrison makes her body crave him. Sure, he’s gorgeous and happens to be one of the sexiest saxophone players she’s ever met.

But achieving her dream of owning Moody Days Jazz Club is top priority. She doesn’t have time to deal with a man. No matter how good he makes her feel. 

As Harrison falls for Nyla and helps her fulfill her dreams, can her unceasing love be enough for him to trust again?

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords * More Links * Bookbub * Goodreads

Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXNFVRR1

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/believing-in-you/id6742163994

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/believing-in-you-sharon-c-cooper/1147013965?ean=2940184368726

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/believing-in-you-1

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1711729

More Links: https://sharoncooper.net/believing-in-you

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/believing-in-you-priestly-family-by-sharon-c-cooper

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/228143736-believing-in-you

Excerpt:

It didn’t make sense that she was fantasizing and sometimes daydreaming about the man. Why him? Why did her temporary boss make her want to touch him all over and jump his bones?

Sure, it had been awhile since she’d been with a man, but it hadn’t been that damn long. And sure, he was handsome in a sexy, geek kind of way with an intelligence that was as attractive as the rest of him. However, he was uptight, standoffish, and a workaholic. 

So not my type.

Even with those negatives, the sexual tension that vibed between her and Harrison Grant was hot enough to leave burn marks. It was a good thing that her assignment would soon be over. She didn’t know how much longer she could pretend she wasn’t seriously interested in him.

Then again, who was she kidding? The man was so far out of her league, there was no way he’d be interested in her. It didn’t matter anyway. He seemed like the type to never step out of line. No way would he help her act out some of the fantasies.

 Nyla snorted at the thought and shoved her bag into the bottom desk drawer. No sense in daydreaming about someone she could never…

The door behind her burst open, and she jumped, her hand flying to her chest. “What in the…”

Harrison.

“I told you to always get the caller’s name and tell me before transferring them to my phone,” he ground out, his chest heaving as if he was about to blow a gasket at any moment.

Nyla should be concerned, especially since he had never raised his voice at her, but all she could do was stare at him. The man was too gorgeous for his own good, and the fire in his eyes only made him look that much hotter. 

Even his black, wire-rimmed glasses didn’t detract from his handsomeness. Smooth deep-bronze skin, a thin mustache and goatee, and eyes that were so dark, they almost looked black, made up his perfect face. Then there was the black turtleneck he was wearing. It molded over his muscular upper body, and the black slacks had to be tailored specifically for him to look that good.

Yup. Too damn fine.

“Did you hear what I said?” he snapped, and that shook Nyla from her thoughts.

“I heard you,” she said, though she wasn’t positive that she’d heard everything. Ignoring his rant and scowl, she said, “Good morning, Sunshine. Can I get you some coffee? Tea? Or do you need something stronger, like a shot of tequila, to calm you down?” 

Giveaway 

$20 Amazon 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

https://sdbook.promo/BelievingInYou

About the Author 

USA Today bestselling author Sharon C. Cooper loves anything involving romance with a happily-ever-after, whether in books, movies, or real life.

She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, as well as romantic comedy.

She enjoys rainy days, carpet picnics, and family game night. Her stories have won numerous awards, including The Rochelle Alers Best Series award for her Atlanta’s Finest Series (2022) and The Beverly Jenkins Author of the Year award (2021).

When she isn’t writing, Sharon loves hanging out with her amazing husband, doing volunteer work, or reading a good book (a romance of course). To read more about Sharon and her novels, or to sign up to be notified of her latest releases, visit www.sharoncooper.net

Website * Facebook * Pinterest * Instagram * Bluesky * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Author Links

Website: https://sharoncooper.net/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSharonCCooper21

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sharonccooper/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorsharonccooper/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sharonccooper.bsky.social

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sharon-c-cooper

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sharon-C.-Cooper/author/B007WLT1QO

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5823574.Sharon_C_Cooper

Join Sharon’s mailing list: https://bit.ly/31Xsm36

Guest Post By Maxime Trencavel

About the Author 

Maxime has been scribbling stories since grade school, from adventure epics to morality plays.

Blessed with living in multicultural pluralistic settings and having earned degrees in science and marketing, Maxime has worked in business and sports, traveling to countries across five continents and learning about cultures, traditions, and the importance of tolerance and understanding.

Maxime’s second novel, The Matriarch Messiah, was conceived, outlined, written, and edited in different locations in Belgium, including the Turkish and Kurdish neighborhoods of Brussels, in various islands of the Caribbean, in Colombia, in Madrid, Malaga, Mallorca, Spain, London, UK, and on the two coasts of the United States.

Website * Facebook * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Author Links

Website: https://tailofthebird.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MaximeTrencavel/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maximetrencavel/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maxime-trencavel

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Maxime-Trencavel/author/B075R91XJV

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17168784.Maxime_Trencavel

How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book? 

When conjuring up the legend of how monotheism might have been created at the world’s oldest temple, Göbekli Tepe, I originally planned a typical patriarchal lineage which passed down the faith created by these pre-Neolithic people in 10,000 BCE.

The book had the operating title “The Object”. My novel folders are still labeled “The Object I”, “The Object II”, and so forth. 

But a trusted associate challenged me on the overused notion of patriarchy. The presumption of men creating religion discredited half the world’s population as usual.

Why not a matriarchy she asked me. And “The Matriarch” title and premise was born.

One will note that The Matriarch Matrix starts with Peter Gollinger’s story and how his grandfather passes down the legend of the black object he received from his grandfather and so forth.

That was a left over of the patriarchy storyline. The matriarchy story starts chapters later when the pre-Neolithic man, Orzu, saves Nanshe from the terrors of a malicious race of giants of the north.

Nanshe becomes the founding matriarch, for which Zara, who is introduced two chapters earlier, is a descendant. 

In the patriarchy outline, Zara was supposed to be a minor character shuttling around Peter and Father Jean-Paul Sobiros to the ruins of Göbekli Tepe.

Once the storyline turned into a matriarchal one, Zara became a major character.

After my first copy edit draft, my beta readers named Zara as the strongest most compelling character in the book. Voila, Zara then took center stage. The last seventy percent of the book is very Zara centric. 

Every story has to have a nemesis. Well, I just listened to an old RWA conference presentation which refuted this notion, but most readers are looking for a clear nemesis.

So, an evil incarnate all powerful, all invasive Russian oligarch was created. Alexander Murometz, the head of the MoxWorld empire. He is kind of a Darth Vader who actually has clever dialogue. You’ll find out why in The Matriarch Messiah. 

In The Matriarch Messiah, a new secondary character had been scripted in the first draft. Rachel, an Israeli Torah historian and archeologist.

Think a feminine Jewish Indiana Jones. She was only supposed to be a minor nuisance in the way of Zara’s reluctantly proclaimed prophetess status promoted by Alexander Murometz, of course.

But the developmental editor hammered away in her comments how more needed about this new character.

And voila, Rachel shares center stage with Zara in The Matriarch Messiah as the legend of the blue cavern says: “Two women will fight for the light. One must die. For only in the death of life can one be in the chamber of the blue light.” Who will die? Who will save us all?

**Releases March 17th – Preorder Now for Only .99cents!**

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads

Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DZ334PM7

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-matriarch-messiah/id6742783963

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-matriarch-messiah-maxime-trencavel/1147088976

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Maxime_Trencavel_The_Matriarch_Messiah?_bbid=260482728&_bbreg=us&_bbtype=blog&id=I_9LEQAAQBAJ

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-matriarch-messiah

Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/bQk0Ve

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-matriarch-messiah-an-epic-sci-fi-suspense-thriller-mystery-of-the-matriarchs-book-2-by-maxime-trencavel

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/228673788-the-matriarch-messiah

The Adventures Of The Unicorn Poo Book Blast

GENRE:  Children’s Picture Book

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blurb:

Join Sonny and Bailee on their adventure to find a magical Unicorn. The only way to find the magical Unicorn is to follow the trail of POOs until they find a rainbow-coloured, cotton-candy smelling, glitter-covered POO.

Excerpt:

Once upon a time there was a little boy called Sonny and a little girl called Bailee.

They were going to go on an adventure to find a magical Unicorn.

Bailee asked Sonny, “How are we going to find a Unicorn?”

Sonny said, “We have to find some Unicorn POO!”

Giveaway:

Reice Godfrey will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f5104/

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  

https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2025/02/book-blast-adventures-of-unicorn-poo-by.html

About The Author:

Join Sonny and Bailee on their adventure to find a magical Unicorn. The only way to find the magical Unicorn is to follow the trail of POOs until they find a rainbow-coloured, cotton-candy smelling, glitter-covered POO.

AMAZON.COM: https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Unicorn-Poo-Reice-Godfrey/dp/0228878942/ref=sr_1_1

The Cities Below Book Tour & Giveaway

Secrets, demons, lovers and murder…

Who can you trust?

In the Dark 

The Cities Below Book 1 

by Jen Colly 

Genre: Paranormal Romance 

Fate will not be denied.

Faith should be crowned “Queen of the Wrong Place and Wrong Time.” Her impulsive, solo trip to Paris seems like a genius idea – until she loses her way back to the hotel. In the rain. At night. When the two men she flags down for directions shove her into the nearest alley, she fears the worst.

Soren was irritable. Not surprising as he’d held off feeding as long as possible. The thought of feeding from someone he knew turned his stomach, and so he ventured above to become just another body in the chaos of Paris. But when the cries of a female in distress reach his ears, everything inside him demands he protect her, and he is unable to hide the true nature of his species.

Soren has no choice but to keep her and bring her to his underground city. It doesn’t take him long to realize why he’d been drawn to Paris, to that street, that alley…Faith. She is the other half of his soul. Admitting the truth to her could damage the fragile connection they built, but when an old enemy, lurking in the dark attacks, they are separated. Now, he may never have the chance.

**Get it 75% off at Smashwords until March 8th!**

Amazon * Apple * Kobo * Smashwords * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads

Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Cities-Below-Book-ebook/dp/B0DWK7QD8L

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/in-the-dark/id6741530629

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/in-the-dark-177

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1702915

Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/4D0JYA

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/in-the-dark-the-cities-below-1-by-jen-colly

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227801155-in-the-dark

Bound 

The Cities Below Book 2 

His heart belongs to one woman, his life to another.

Keir didn’t exist. Not anymore. The Lady of Galbraith had saved him from death. Forever indebted to her alone, Keir had become her confidant, her spy, her assassin. He was her secret weapon against those trying to remove her from power. When Keir is ambushed by a pack of demons, he used the last of his strength to return home and warn the Lady of impending danger.

To say she was stunned when a dying man fell to her feet, was an understatement. For the first time in her life, Cleo acted on instinct and without hesitation – their lives now undeniably bound together. Her single act of benevolence left her reeling, confronted with the knowledge that a stranger had more care and consideration for her well-being than her own family. 

Political upheaval is sweeping through the city of Galbraith, splitting alliances and stoking discord. When Cleo is abducted, taken in retaliation from the side she’s chosen, only Keir can get her back. And he will, even if he must start a war.

Amazon * Apple * Kobo * Smashwords * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads

Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bound-Cities-Below-Book-2-ebook/dp/B0DWL8QLM4

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/bound/id6741530727

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/bound-253

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1702936

Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/4A0RNe

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/bound-the-cities-below-2-by-jen-colly

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227820174-bound

Beneath the Night 

The Cities Below Book 3 

Demons are not the only enemy among them…

Waking from a seven year healing sleep should have been the biggest shock of Navarre’s night. It was not. The brave female standing before him was, without a doubt, his fated mate. That wasn’t the stunner either. She’d been sent here to feed him, to bring him back and restore his strength, risking her life to save his. Still, not yet the biggest surprise. What had Navarre reeling was her red hair. She was decidedly not his kind.

Cat had responsibilities. Five, to be exact. The children in her care were not hers, but she would do anything to protect them, and that meant staying in Balinese. The evidence of her mixed species was something she could not hide. As this city belonged to Navarre, only he has the authority to allow her to stay. Cat willingly faces her greatest fear, and with it, her past.

Beneath the night, a dark plot unfolds, and Navarre finds himself in danger of losing not only Cat, but his entire city.

Amazon * Apple * Kobo * Smashwords * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads

Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Night-Cities-Below-Book-ebook/dp/B0DWL8X6RN

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/beneath-the-night/id6741591508

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/beneath-the-night-4

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1703466

Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/brEewe

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/beneath-the-night-the-cities-below-3-by-jen-colly

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227820803-beneath-the-night

Sheltered 

The Cities Below Book 4 

When the enemy is your mind, there is no escape.

Bette feared the city, and for good reason. Valenna had become corrupt, targeting citizens with any substantial amount of wealth or power to their name. Her self-imposed solitary confinement caused her to lose track of time, and her sanity. She could no longer live this way. Only three solutions existed: allow Valenna to dictate her fate, die in the sun, or flee to the fabled city of peace. Bette ran.

Rollin was a Guardian. His job defined his life, the man he’d become, and his core beliefs. Everything he did was in service to the city of Balinese and the citizens within. When a terrified female crashed into his arms, begging for help, he did not hesitate. Everyone and everything seemed to frighten her, except Rollin. He took her home, and once safe under his protection, she began to flourish.

Problem was, in her plea for sanctuary, she claimed a demon chased her toward Balinese, but none had been found. His affection for her grows rapidly, as does his concern over her lie. Then, the arrival of a demon forces Rollin to question his beliefs, his place among the royal family, and the motives of the woman he so lovingly sheltered.

Amazon * Apple * Kobo * Smashwords * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads

Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sheltered-Cities-Below-Book-4-ebook/dp/B0DWL8MD9P

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/sheltered/id6741591017

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/sheltered-20

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1703498

Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/3Rk5Lp

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/sheltered-the-cities-below-4-by-jen-colly

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227820615-sheltered

The Guardian

The Cities Below Book 5 

Prepared to die…fighting to live.

Savard was in a mood to die, but when a human insists on saving his life, death is no longer an immediate option. He knew of no species – human, vampire, or demon – that could see him while in his invisible Spirit form. Unique to this world, this woman’s singularity was a danger to the entire vampire race.

Waking behind bars in an underground vampire city was not how Sera envisioned her night drive ending. She has come to expect nothing from those who pass through her life, but this man, dying on the side of the road, proves to be different. Savard fights to free her from tyrannical vampire laws and to hide her unique abilities. What Sera doesn’t understand, is why he would fight his growing love for her.

Savard’s haunted past threatens to tear them apart. Soon, Sera discovers just how far her guardian is willing to go, and what he’s willing to do, to keep her safe.

Amazon * Apple * Kobo * Smashwords * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads

Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Guardian-Cities-Below-Book-ebook/dp/B0BHVXP567

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-guardian/id6443281036

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-guardian-170

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1303672

Books2Read: https://books2read.com/cbtheguardian

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-guardian-the-cities-below-5-by-jen-colly

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/224040047-the-guardian

Night Stalker

The Cities Below Book 6 

He had every intention of crossing a line.

In all honesty, Jake had to give his trip to Paris mixed reviews. Beaten and broken by seemingly invincible men with eerie red eyes marked the low point, but abduction by a sexy, knife-wielding vampire? Better than fireworks on the Fourth of July. She was the best medicine for a wounded man’s body and soul. A few busted ribs cost him precious time, but he had to keep moving. Call it vengeance or justice, either way, Jake had a man to kill.

Dulcina had witnessed the destruction left in the wake of demons for far too many years to be rattled by a bloody body. She brought him home and catered to his comfort. Big mistake. The smart-mouth, irritatingly likable man pulled through, and was determined to leave, but with knowledge of other species in his head, the human is a problem.

To stop Jake from escaping, Dulcina promised to help him finish his mission, but the price was steep, and neither were prepared for what they discovered. Secrets are uncovered, and as a Night Stalker charged with protecting all species, Dulcina is forced to make a difficult choice.

**NEW RELEASE!!**

Amazon * Apple * Kobo * Smashwords * Books2Read * Goodreads

Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Night-Stalker-Cities-Below-Colly/dp/B0DX7JTH9Z

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/night-stalker/id6741716247

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/night-stalker-21

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1705159

Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/mdRqxW

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227990214-night-stalker

Giveaway

$25 Amazon 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

https://sdbook.promo/TheCitiesBelow

About the Author 

Jen Colly is the rare case of an author who rebelled against reading assignments throughout her school years.

Now she prefers reading books in a series, which has led her to writing her first paranormal romance series: The Cities Below. She will write about anything that catches her fancy, though truth be told, her weaknesses are pirates and vampires.

She lives in Ohio with her supportive husband, two kids, and four rescued cats.

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Author Links

Website: https://www.jencolly.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jen.colly.1

X:  https://x.com/collyjen

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/authorjencolly

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jen-colly

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jen-Colly/author/B00O13V3YO

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8634547.Jen_Colly

DEI And Children’s Books

Image by Samuele Schirò from Pixabay

This post expands on my previous post about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Today I will discuss its connection to the Ten Commandments.

The MAGA movement seeks to eliminate DEI initiatives while advocating for Ten Commandments displays in public schools.

I disagree with this completely. The First Amendment to the US Constitution calls for the separation of church and state. It also prohibits the government from establishing a religion and ensures religious freedom for all.

Let’s break down DEI and analyze the Ten Commandments.

For this evaluation, we’ll use a kid-friendly commandments template I found on Etsy. TPT also offers a free version. Despite some slight variations, the general principals are the same.

  1. Put God First
  2. Worship Him Only
  3. No Bad Words
  4. Work 6 Rest 1
  5. Obey Your Parents
  6. Harm No One
  7. Don’t Cheat
  8. If It’s Not Yours Don’t Take It
  9. Tell The Truth
  10. Don’t Be Jealous Of Other People’s Stuff

Let’s start by defining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), then examine how the Ten Commandments relate to DEI and its application in teaching.

Diversity-the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.

Equity- the quality of being fair and impartial.

Inclusion- the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or intellectual disabilities and members of other minority groups.

(Sourced from Oxford Languages)

In my modest opinion, diversity and inclusion align with the 6th Commandment. Diversity and equity are not harmful to anyone.

Equity aligns well with the 9th Commandment. To be fair and impartial, you must tell the truth.

Commandments 7 and 8 are also relevant to the DEI initiative. ‘Don’t cheat’ and ‘if it’s not yours don’t take it’; that’s how you treat everyone fairly and equally.

EdW reports that the U.S. Department of Education has created a portal where the public, students and teachers can report practices of diversity, equity and inclusion in public school classrooms. According to the Trump Administration, DEI practices are seen as divisive and as indoctrinating children.

I find this nonsensical, given that half of the Ten Commandments, as previously noted, are encompassed by DEI. The main focus of my teaching was to instill in my kiddos the importance of embracing diversity, equity and inclusion. Or as the Ten Commandments state ‘harm no one’, ‘don’t cheat’, ‘if it’s not yours don’t take it’, and ‘tell the truth’.

School is supposed to help prepare students for real world diversity where people of all creeds, races, religions and genders live. This can only be achieved if children learn proper social skills and appropriate behavior for interacting with others. This is their recipe for a successful life.

Many children’s book authors aim to incorporate DEI into their stories. Indeed, this is a major theme explored across many children’s books, and I’m no exception.

Kamyla Chung and the Creepy-Crawlies:

The lack of diversity in my classroom book shelf inspired this story. Kamyla Chung is a bi-racial child of Chinese and Black descent.

Kamyla Chung and the Classroom Bully:

This sequel to Kamyla Chung and the Creepy-Crawlies tackles bullying and child abuse, which undermine social equity.

Teddy Bear Tea:

Although the characters in this book are animals, I made sure to include the inclusive line, “In colors of black, brown and tan, we feasted, we danced and we ran!”

A Fish Named Fancy:

People generally assume Fancy is female. This is incorrect. Making Fancy male was intentional; I wanted to show that boys can be fancy too.

In pretend play, children enjoy dressing up and exploring gender roles, such as playing mom and dad.

The boys sometimes want to play roles traditionally considered feminine, like babysitting and baking. The same is true for girls who embrace more traditionally masculine activities like using tools, building with blocks, and making roads for cars and trains.

Gingerbread Kids Hide-N-Seek:

I contacted Dasguptarts to work on this book shortly after the attack on Israel. I made it clear to Dasguptarts that I wanted a Jewish and a Muslim child in the book.

My goal was to include everyone and demonstrate that friendship transcends differences. Children shouldn’t suffer the indignity of exclusion because of the terroristic acts of others.

My books are a small representation of what most authors include in their stories. Will that work in an ultra-conservative classroom? They could ban the books, but that would mean banning nearly every children’s book ever written.

Bad Border Book Blast & Giveaway

GENRE:  Memoir

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BLURB:

This is the incredible true story of railroad worker and union official Mike Elliott, targeted by his railroad employer, BNSF Railway Company, for his safety-related activities.

As the union’s state legislative board chair, Elliott was the top safety official in the state, and the voice for over 900 rank & file locomotive engineers operating trains around the clock, every day of the year.

When his members reported a plethora of trackside signal malfunctions on the BNSF Seattle subdivision, Elliott went to the railroad first, asking that they fix the problems.

When the BNSF failed to act, he contacted the government’s regulatory authority, the Federal Railroad Administration. That led to an FRA inspection of over 130 miles of the railroad’s track and signal systems turning up hundreds of federal defects – all with potential to put workers and the public at risk.

What followed was a retaliation plot reminiscent of the Nineteenth Century Robber Barons: A management-staged conflict at work, police called in, arrest, jail, criminal charges, and termination from his job – not once but twice.

The wrath, influence and power of North America’s largest freight railroad is unleased in full force and in an all-out attack on a whistleblower’s life, liberties, and career. An amazing journey of one man’s righteous battle against impossible odds and the nearly unlimited resources of a multi-billion-dollar corporation.

Excerpt:

His train was about three-quarters of a mile from the Longview yard office, which it passed less than seventy seconds later. 

The approach signal to Longview Junction South was located at milepost 100.7. The Longview yard office was at milepost 100.3.

If functioning as designed, this signal should have displayed a solid yellow aspect, indicating “approach and proceed prepared to stop at next signal, trains exceeding 35 MPH immediately reduce to that speed.”

Burlington Northern dispatching records indicated that BN 111 passed the Longview Junction approach signal at approximately 12:20 A.M. Just after this time, the conductor of the local freight job, UP Train 59, was walking to the manually operated “hand-throw” switch at the north end of Longview yard.

He later reported to investigators that the five locomotives of BN 111 passed him before he reached the switch, so he only saw the rear portion of the train, whose speed he estimated at 40 miles-per-hour.

While standing beside the switch, the UP 59 conductor heard what sounded “like thunder, just a rolling thunder.”

At 12:24 A.M., BN dispatching records show that the Longview Junction South interlocking had a “power off” alarm. That marked the moment when southbound BN 111 collided head-on with northbound UP 09 at milepost 102.8. At least two motorists driving north on Interstate 5 witnessed the collision.

One told investigators that he was traveling between 65 and 70 miles-per-hour when he passed UP 09, which he estimated “was probably doing 55.” What he saw was “a major explosion. It was unbelievable.”

Another motorist reported that he saw the headlight of BN 111 coming at him; this because the railroad tracks were close and parallel to the freeway. He watched the train, waiting for the two converging trains to pass each other; instead, they slammed head-on into each other.

“There was just fire and devastation,” he said.

The impact of the collision ruptured the fuel tanks of six of the eight locomotives. Fire engulfed those six, as 10,000 to 15,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled onto the tracks and over the banks of the Columbia River.

The first fire-fighting unit arrived at 12:36 A.M., twelve minutes after the collision, and began knocking down the flames surrounding the locomotives.

Although a total of forty-four fire and rescue units responded, the on-scene fire commander soon concluded that no one could have survived the flames; he ordered his units to stand down and let the fire burn itself out to consume the leaking diesel fuel and thus prevent further environmental damage.

About The Author:

Mike Elliott is shown near the engine repair yard for Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad Monday, July 24, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Mike Elliott was born and raised in Washington State. He enjoys the great outdoors of the Pacific Northwest, classic rock & roll music, vintage stereo gear, home cooked meals, and Seattle Mariners baseball. He lives in Tacoma, Washington.

https://amazon.com/dp/1779626037

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/224714537-bad-order

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GIVEAWAY:

Mike Elliot will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f5098/

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  

https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2025/02/book-blast-bad-order-by-mike-elliot.html