Forest Legend Audiobook Tour #DanEllens @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #ForestLegend #YoungAdult #Adventure

The Tale of Ol' Split Toe

Action and Adventure Fantasy for teens

Date Published: 03-31-2026

Narrator: Dan Ellens

Run Time: 10 hours 6 minutes

Mother Nature struggles to maintain equilibrium in a changing world while fire, disease, logging, human displacement, and war repeatedly destroy forests of centuries-old trees. Split Toe, a deer chosen at birth for a unique education, travels through time to understand the interconnected workings of a Michigan forest. He meets humans along the way: Ice Age hunters who trap and kill a mastodon; Mukwoh, a young Ojibwe hunter who stalks Split Toe through swamp and forest; loggers clearcutting Michigan’s white pines; Edra, a woman advocating for the trees; Angus and Grace, pioneers who become a first generation of family farmers; scientists from the future studying the impact of nuclear radiation.

Split Toe witnesses two hundred years of conflict building between modern humans -- who fight to control the natural world -- and Mother Nature, who repeatedly reaches for balance. He wonders whether human ways will ultimately overpower Mother Nature, until he meets a boy who changes everything.

About the Author:

 

 Dan Ellens is an outdoor enthusiast who is passionate about connecting people with nature. 

 He spends nearly half of each year off-grid in an isolated, hand-built, electricity-free treehouse nestled within Winterfield Pines Nature Sanctuary with woodstove heat, handpump water, and oil lamp lighting.

 Dan was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and grew up in southeast Michigan. He has a Mechanical Engineering degree from Calvin University and an MBA from Michigan State University. Dan is retired from a full career in industry and international business. 

During 1996, 1997, and 1998, his family lived as expatriates in Bangalore, India, the inspiration for “A Time for India”, Dan’s second book, now in its second edition. 

 When Dan’s children were small – 10 years old - he took them each on an outward-bound, father-child adventure. The journal of those four trips became Dan’s first book, “Turning Ten: Great Adventures in the Great Lakes”, now in its second edition. 

 Dan is an accomplished woodworker and carpenter. His lifelong love for old-school carpentry inspired “Building the Bunkee: A Photo Anthology of Custom Log Cabin Construction and One Man’s Retirement Dream”. Dan is a hobby artist who is passionate about rescuing, restoring, and finding new homes for fine art. In the wilds, he sees cooking and baking without modern conveniences as their own adventure and creative expression. “Treehouse Letters: The Unabridged Michigan Forest Life Journal” includes entries about his art and his back-woods cooking … and many other things that one might think about while in a tree. 

 “Forest Legend: The Tale of Ol’ Split Toe”, Dan’s upcoming novel – his debut fiction piece written while sitting in his treehouse nest - brings experience from decades of life in the forest together with a rich understanding of mid-Michigan’s pioneer history and changing landscape. In this sweeping adventure, Dan explores the resilience of nature through the eyes of a majestic, time-traveling deer.

Contact Links:

Website

Blog

Facebook

Goodreads

Instagram

LinkedIn: Daniel S. Ellens

Purchase Link:

Amazon

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No Matter What by Stephen Suffron ~ @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #NoMatterWhat #StephenSuffron #YoungAdult #YA

No Matter What by Stephen Suffron

Young Adult / Coming of Age / Christian

Date Published: April 14, 2026

Publisher: Clay Bridges Press

About the Book:

Most people don’t know quite what to make of Jay McGee. His teammates call him “Mac Daddy” ('90s slang for a smooth-talking ladies' man). But Jay is nothing like that. In fact, he just doesn’t fit neatly into any box—honors student, basketball player, church kid—and he’s okay with that, as long as two people notice: Coach Mays, the fiery perfectionist standing between Jay and his basketball dreams, and Nicole Ellis, the cheerleader he’s secretly liked since sixth grade.

When Jay finally seizes a moment of boldness with Nicole, he steps into new territory—only to discover her life is far more complicated than he ever imagined. Maybe he should just focus on basketball. Except Coach Mays seems blind to Jay’s potential, harping only on his flaws.

Caught between pressure, failure, and secrets no one talks about at Sunday school, Jay is forced to wrestle with deeper questions—about who he is, what he believes, and what it really means to be seen, to love, and to become someone worth noticing . . . no matter what.

 

What makes it unique:

This book provides a practical way for teens to engage with difficult questions and feel seen in the struggles they’re facing, while also being educational and presenting hard truths everyone will have to wrestle with. It helps the reader ask tough questions about who they are, who they want to be, where they want to go in life, and who they want to bring along on the journey.

The engaging characters and witty conversation pull in the reader and command attention and focus. This is not a story that will be read and quickly forgotten. Unlike generic "coming of age" books, No Matter What tackles the struggles of adolescence with taste and decency, allowing the reader to think and feel throughout the story without becoming unnecessarily uncomfortable or awkward.

 

About the Author:

Stephen Suffron is a dad and longtime pastor, currently serving at First Baptist Church in Denison, Texas. He loves telling stories that connect people across generations through humor and biblical truth. No Matter What began as a short story for a college class and was later expanded into a novel to help guide his own teenagers through high school. Steve and his wife have been married for more than twenty years and are raising four children together.

Contact Links:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

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A Chatter of Bones & Baby’s Breath by Suzanne Phillips ~ #YA #Novellas

A Chatter of Bones & Baby’s Breath
Suzanne Phillips
Publication date: April 21st 2026
Genres: Young Adult

From acclaimed author Suzanne Phillips comes this compelling novella collection–gritty coming-of-age stories in narrative and verse that Kirkus Reviews calls “haunting and heartbreaking. . .an unflinching look at surviving trauma.”

A CHATTER OF BONES
Kaitlyn has come to rely on Olivia, the woman who rescued her from human trafficking, but is learning to trust her instincts and lean into her hard-earned strength. All of this will be challenged when a monsoon bears down on their remote spread, a mountain lion, flushed out of the surrounding hills by the weather, attacks, and human visitors push Kaitlyn to face her deepest fears.

BABY’S BREATH
Teen poet bares the geography of her heart and the “no care” foster care system as she mourns the mother she lost, releases dreams of reunification, and accepts that the only life she can live is the one in front of her.

Recommended for readers age 16+

Add to Goodreads / Purchase from Amazon

—

Read an Excerpt (Baby’s Breath):

TRAFFICK
The world is not safe for girls
Broken
Beaten
Forgotten
Sweetened
The world is not safe for girls
Not in twos
Or with mace
Not screaming for help
Or stony-faced
The world is not safe for girls
With pretty hair
Or pocked skin
With muffin top
Or perfect teeth
The world is not safe for girls
Not in your home or mine
Not in school
Or after
Not with two parents
Or none
There’s someone
Always waiting.
Stroked
Or snatched
Held by the hand
A picked flower
Sold
Bartered
Rented by the hour
Always someone waiting
In the shadows
Or under street lights
In the school cafeteria
At the family BBQ
A friend’s father
Favorite uncle
Colleague
Cop
Neighbor
Father
To prove
The world is not safe for girls.

Meet the Author:

Suzanne Phillips is the author of YA fiction, the Nicole Cobain mystery series (writing as Emery Hayes), and upmarket fiction. For a peek into the writer's life and updates on book releases & events check out her website.

Website / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!

A Chatter of Bones & Baby’s Breath Blitz

—

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Forest Legend by Dan Ellens ~ @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #ForestLegend #DanEllens #YoungAdult #YA #SciFi

Forest Legend by Dan Ellens

The Tale of Ol' Split Toe

YOUNG ADULT FICTION

Science & Nature/Environment Science Fiction/Time Travel Literature & Fiction/Action & Adventure

Date Published: 03-31-2026

Publisher: Mission Point Press

About the Book:

Mother Nature struggles to maintain equilibrium in a changing world while fire, disease, logging, human displacement, and war repeatedly destroy forests of centuries-old trees. Split Toe, a deer chosen at birth for a unique education, travels through time to understand the interconnected workings of a Michigan forest. He meets humans along the way: Ice Age hunters who trap and kill a mastodon; Mukwoh, a young Ojibwe hunter who stalks Split Toe through swamp and forest; loggers clearcutting Michigan’s white pines; Edra, a woman advocating for the trees; Angus and Grace, pioneers who become a first generation of family farmers; scientists from the future studying the impact of nuclear radiation.

Split Toe witnesses two hundred years of conflict building between modern humans -- who fight to control the natural world -- and Mother Nature, who repeatedly reaches for balance. He wonders whether human ways will ultimately overpower Mother Nature, until he meets a boy who changes everything.

About the Author:

 

 Dan Ellens is an outdoor enthusiast who is passionate about connecting people with nature. He spends nearly half of each year in an isolated, electricity-free treehouse on Winterfield Pines Nature Sanctuary with woodstove heat, handpump water, and oil lamp lighting.

Dan has written four nonfiction books intended to inspire adventure, promote self-sufficient lifestyles, and connect people with nature.

 

While not in the wilds, Dan and his wife live in the small community of Salem, Michigan.

Contact Links:

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

Instagram

LinkedIn: Daniel S. Ellens

Purchase Links:

https://mybook.to/ForestLegend

Amazon

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

A Sea of Ships and Souls by Jordan S. Keller ~ #BewitchingBookTours #YA #Fantasy #Adventure

A Sea of Ships and Souls

Jordan S. Keller

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Adventure 

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Date of Publication: March 9, 2026

ISBN: 978-1509264612

ASIN: B0GBY23QNF

Number of pages: 242

Word Count: 83,000

Cover Artist: The Wild Rose Press

Tagline: A Dread Pirate’s curse. A Sea Sprite’s secrets. And one boy who dares the tides.

About the Book: 

As the son of two washers, Jace Kit has only dreamed of adventure—until a fabled Sea Sprite washes ashore and turns his world upside down.

The Sea Sprite needs a hero to save the Ocean Queen from a ruthless pirate terrorizing the Remos Ocean. With a legendary trinket and handmade boat to his name, Jace is her only hope—even though he knows the trinket is fake.

With Jace's skilled sailing and the Sea Sprite’s magic, the pair enters a competition to win a ship capable of catching the pirate. The only thing darker than the depths are the Sea Sprite’s secrets, and Jace realizes too late his adventure might cost a price too high to pay.

Purchase Links:

Wild Rose Press      Amazon     BN     Indie Bound     Walmart

Read an Excerpt:

The cove was calm when Jace arrived. The horrors carried in by the damaged ship were washed away with the tides overnight. The clear waters took Jace’s breath away, as it did every time, and for a moment, he forgot his purpose for coming. Legends told of angry Sea Sprites luring sailors into the water and returning their skulls to empty offering bowls. Their mystic lullabies compelling sailors to leap headfirst off their ships.

It wouldn’t take a magic song to lure Jace. He’d followed the stunning refraction of water and sky without question. Without hesitation. Without regret. The compass needle in his soul never wavered from the water, his true north.

Jace stepped toward the shore, his leather boots sinking into the sand and his gaze unwavering from the water. I’ll stop at the waterline, he reminded his body. His soul pouted at the refrain, and his legs stopped an inch from the foamy wave cresting the sand. As the wave pulled back into the ocean, the distance returned some sense to Jace. He couldn’t walk himself into the middle of the ocean without risking ruining his boots, which his parents worked hard to get him. Nor could he get far enough into the cove with just his legs to satisfy his hunger.

About the Author:

Jordan S. Keller is the award-winning author of the Ashes Over Avalon superhero trilogy, the cyber-punk dystopian Failing Gravity, and oceanic adventure A Sea Of Ships and Souls. She is a type-one diabetic, a serial dog walker, and is impatiently waiting for her favorite bands to visit. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband and their critters. 

You can visit her online at: 

https://www.jordanskellerauthor.com/  

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089315640473

https://www.instagram.com/jordanskellerauthor

https://www.tiktok.com/@jordanskeller_author

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Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

Amazing Amanda and the Crazy School Carnival by Beverly Abear ~ @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #AmazingAmandaCarnival #BeverlyAbear #KidsBooks

Amazing Amanda and the Crazy School Carnival by Beverly Abear

Kids Books / Young Adult

Date Published: 01-14-2026

Amazing Amanda and the Crazy School Carnival includes comedy and yet realistic life issues. Readers will laugh, giggle, worry, and cheer Amanda's attempts at growth. Amanda is a pre-adolescent girl who deals with body issues, middle-school drama, angst with new girls, coming of age issues such as seeing beyond the surface, handling responsibilities of leadership, and questions about faith. Set in a mid-size central Minnesota town, the story is told exclusively from Amanda's point of view. Amazing Amanda is a clean, family friendly story.

This is Abear's debut novel.

Coming soon: Book 2 Amazing Amanda and the Mystery of the Black Cat and Book 3 Amazing Amanda and Her Bright New Day. The series takes readers through Amanda's entire sixth-grade experience.

 

Read an Excerpt:

Amanda lurched down the hall, flapping her arms like a pelican trying to dry her armpits, and flew past the locker area and into her homeroom class. As sunshine streamed through open windows, she hoped a breeze reached her soon.
She shrank down when she got into her seat, the last desk in the middle row of five. Head and shoulders taller than most students and twice as wide, she preferred the back. That was better than hearing, “Amanda scrunch down so I can see,” or “Amanda, could you move a bit to the left?” and other—not so nice—comments.
When the bell rang, she punched out her left arm. “Yay! I made it on time.”
“Watch it,” Charlie Piggott said in the row to her left. His blue eyes widened. “Almost got me that time.”
“Sorry.” Amanda grimaced. “Really.”
“It’s okay. Better luck next time.”
“Huh?”
“To hit your target.”
She frowned. “I don’t want to hit you.”
He broke out in a grin. “Amanda, I’m just kiddin’ ya.”
Amanda grinned back. “You’re a pal.” After she dragged her science stuff from the book bag, she kicked the bag under the desk. Tucking her thatch of brown hair behind her ears, she wiped sweat from her forehead and closed her eyes to slow her breathing. She sensed the noise and chatter fading away…
“Before you get too settled, Amanda.” Miss Holter’s voice pierced through Amanda’s mist of serenity. “Please close the door.”
Amanda scrambled to her feet, smacking her thighs against the desk. “Ow!” She gritted her teeth and lumbered to the door.
As she started to close it, Miss Holter said, “Then come to the front of the class.”
Amanda jerked, slamming the door.
“Uh Oh’s” escaped from several students as heads swiveled toward her.
Confused, Amanda stumbled over a bookbag on her way to the front, mumbling, “One more thing and I’m going to scream.”
Standing beside Miss Holter made Amanda feel almost petite.
When the teacher turned, she whispered to Amanda, “Go ahead and sit in the chair there beside my desk.”
Amanda glimpsed the corners of her teacher’s mouth turn up ever so slightly and wondered what she wanted. If I’m not in trouble, why am I here? Miss Holter, her favorite teacher, had never done anything to embarrass her before.
The teacher motioned for their full attention. “In faculty meeting this morning, Principal Primson announced we’re having a carnival fundraiser. The sixth grade will be putting on the event. A student representative will help organize the students as we work on the carnival. The four homeroom teachers each nominated one student who must accomplish three challenges.”
“Sounds like too much work,” Mark Nelson said, scrunching his face.
The teacher nodded. “It will be. But a student with real leadership potential should not find the challenges too difficult. The tasks may even be invigorating for him or her.”
A zing of excitement crept up Amanda’s spine.
The teacher crossed her arms with a smug look. “My nominee—no, pardon me—our section 6B nominee is the very best.”

About the Author:

As a teacher for almost thirty years, Beverly Abear enjoys writing for middle-grade and young adult readers. She has several stories in progress that she hopes to finish and get published. The Amanda stories are mostly set in a k-6th elementary school like the one the author attended in northern Minnesota. Because her faith has greatly affected her life, Beverly's passion for her readers is that they grow to trust in the Lord and enjoy an abundant life in Him.

Amazing Amanda and the Crazy School Carnival is Beverly's debut novel.

Contact Links:

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

Purchase Links:

https://mybook.to/AmazingAmandaCarnival

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Bookshop

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If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

Forest Legend -The Tale of Ol’ Split Toe by Dan Ellens ~ @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #ForestLegend #DanEllens #YoungAdult #YA

Forest Legend -The Tale of Ol’ Split Toe by Dan Ellens

The Tale of Ol' Split Toe

YOUNG ADULT FICTION

Science & Nature/Environment Science Fiction/Time Travel Literature & Fiction/Action & Adventure

Date Published: 03-31-2026

Publisher: Mission Point Press

Mother Nature struggles to maintain equilibrium in a changing world while fire, disease, logging, human displacement, and war repeatedly destroy forests of centuries-old trees. Split Toe, a deer chosen at birth for a unique education, travels through time to understand the interconnected workings of a Michigan forest. He meets humans along the way: Ice Age hunters who trap and kill a mastodon; Mukwoh, a young Ojibwe hunter who stalks Split Toe through swamp and forest; loggers clearcutting Michigan’s white pines; Edra, a woman advocating for the trees; Angus and Grace, pioneers who become a first generation of family farmers; scientists from the future studying the impact of nuclear radiation.

Split Toe witnesses two hundred years of conflict building between modern humans -- who fight to control the natural world -- and Mother Nature, who repeatedly reaches for balance. He wonders whether human ways will ultimately overpower Mother Nature, until he meets a boy who changes everything.

Read an Excerpt:

Chapter 5 – The Sacred Circle – AD1409

Page 54

Copyright @ 2026 by Daniel S. Ellens 

And here, within the ancient circle, the barrier between the physical world and the spirit pool was thin. He could hear them now, whispering to each other in the wind.

Waawaashkeshi breathed deeply, looked up into the tree foliage, and asked the spirits the question that was weighing on him.

“Was that really necessary? The hungry cougar? The human stalking me? This flea? The problem at the river? I nearly broke my neck. It is still sore.”

Waawaashkeshi stretched his neck upward and to the side in a circular motion, lifting his chin. He was speaking to himself. Listening for an answer that would come from within.

“Am I not a chosen deer? Why do you not protect me from such things?”

The spirit’s answer seemed to whisper through his mind like wind through the leaves.

“Waawaashkeshi, you know that physically, you are an ordinary deer. You learn from experience as any other living thing learns from experience. You are as big and strong as your kind can be. Your chances of survival are better than other deer because of your strength and the wisdom you’ve gained from your experiences. Your adversaries are mighty, which will only make you stronger … if you survive. Your judgment grows, like a river fed by many streams. You would never be able to understand what you must learn if you were not an ordinary deer who faces real suffering. You are not protected from the natural trials of life because trials are a part of life. Do you think you could understand the strength of the river without such a crossing? Do you think you would have found out about the living soil if you had not crossed the river? Knowing such things is important. Your experiences will guide you in the future. They will help you understand the natural world, the forest, and its inhabitants. They will help you survive. These are your lessons.”

About the Author:

 

 Dan Ellens is an outdoor enthusiast who is passionate about connecting people with nature. He spends nearly half of each year in an isolated, electricity-free treehouse on Winterfield Pines Nature Sanctuary with woodstove heat, handpump water, and oil lamp lighting.

Dan has written four nonfiction books intended to inspire adventure, promote self-sufficient lifestyles, and connect people with nature.

 

While not in the wilds, Dan and his wife live in the small community of Salem, Michigan.

Contact Links:

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

Instagram

LinkedIn: Daniel S. Ellens

Purchase Links:

Amazon Paperback

Amazon eBook

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

One Grey Night it Happened by Michael Fields ~ @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #oneGreyNightitHappened #MichaelFields #YAMystery

One Grey Night it Happened by Michael Fields

YA - Mystery Thriller

About the Book:

Falsely accused and pursued by the local police, Lucas Bradshaw, a gifted black athlete, escapes Virginia, and with the help of a friend he enrolls in the predominately white Bloomington High School in Central Pennsylvania.

Set in the mountains of Central Pennsylvania, “One Grey Night It Happened” recognizes the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of Pennsylvania’s wilderness region.

Running from a notorious mountain clan, a young and defiant Jeremiah Willis departs Arrowhead Mountain and enrolls in Bloomington High School. A black transfer student and gifted athlete, Lucas Bradshaw, enrolls that same morning.

The day before he enrolled, Lucas witnessed a school massacre in his Virginia school, Robert E Lee Academy, and now is the target of a massive manhunt.

Sparks fly when Jeremiah and Lucas meet. They form an unlikely alliance and become allies in the fight against bullies, racists, and corrupt officials. The boys share a deep reverence for nature. When developers plan a million-dollar Dream House on Arrowhead Mountain, Jeremiah and Lucas work together to protect the forests. Suspense mounts at a torrid pace. Either tragedy or triumph awaits Jeremiah and Lucas.

About the Author:

 

 Michael Fields, now retired, taught and coached in both public and private high schools in Ohio, Pennsylvania, California, New York, and Southeast Asia for thirty years. He has drawn on this experience to portray a "realistic and sometimes explosive" school environment. In 1967 the author met John Steinbeck in Northeast Thailand. John Steinbeck told him, "If you're going to do this, write about things you know, write about things you really care about. And don't quit your regular job." Following Steinbeck's advice, the author did both.

Contact Links:

Website

BookBuzz

Purchase Links:

Amazon

B&N

Kobo

iBooks

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If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

The Princess of the Wraiths by Peregrinus Hierusalemsis ~ YA Memoir #YA #Memoir

The Princess of the Wraiths

Peregrinus Hierusalemsis

Genre: YA Memoir

Publisher: Books to Hook Publishing, LLC.

Date of Publication: 21st of June 2025

ISBN: 979-8-89283-269-4

Word Count: 262,705 

Cover Artist: Katarzyna Burzmińska 

About the Book:

Biologist-turned-author Peregrinus Hierusalemsis presents “The Princess of the Wraiths: an herbal, bestiary, human zoo, and memoir,” a captivating book that intertwines science, spirituality, and personal growth. This memoir offers a profound look at the intersections of love, knowledge, and resilience, all while reflecting on the author's rich experiences. 

Peregrinus describes the cultural experiences that he lived while growing up in Mexico between the years 1984 and 2002. He also discusses his later life in the United Kingdom and Sweden. During this time, the 2000s culture is explored.

At its core, the book conveys a powerful message: knowledge and wisdom are the ultimate tools for living a successful life. Through deeply personal anecdotes, Peregrinus touches on universal themes such as the influence of global events on individual lives, overcoming fears, seeking spiritual teachers, and navigating love and relationships. Richly illustrated with 94 handmade natural history and people-focused illustrations, this memoir provides not only an intellectual feast but also a visual delight. 

Key highlights include childhood fears of ghosts, mystical experiences, navigating young adult relationships, and insights into the biodiversity of our natural world. Peregrinus also sheds light on his experience avoiding toxic relationships, a lesson that inspired the title, “The Princess of the Wraiths.” The Princess of the Wraiths is a woman who is able to produce nightmares using hypnosis. Defeating her was Peregrinus’s greatest challenge. Through this work, readers will uncover how science and spirituality can coexist to offer a broader understanding of reality. 

This unique memoir is available for free online, making it an accessible and enriching read for anyone interested in exploring the depths of science, spirituality, and personal evolution.

FREE Download at Scribd

Read an Excerpt: 

Regarding death, my grandmother Lorenza used to tell me an anecdote that happened to her while she was a kid. She was an orphan, so she went to live with her grandmother, who became her primary caregiver. My great-great-grandmother lived in Los Ranchos de San José, a village close to Villa Guerrero, State of Mexico. In her house, there was a black cherry tree (Prunus serotina). One night, a great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) perched on a branch of the tree and started to vocalize. My great-great-grandmother thought that such an event was an omen. She claimed that meant that she would soon die. Thus, she told Lorenza to do whatever she could to scare the owl. My grandmother Lorenza was unable to scare the owl. The owl vocalized in the same place for several nights, and my great-great-grandmother died less than a month after the owl started hooting. After the burial, Ismaela arrived to tell her niece Lorenza that she should leave the house to go to live with her, as Lorenza was still a kid. When both were leaving the house, Lorenza claimed that she did not want to leave the building, as she was able to listen to the ghostly voice of my dead great-great-grandmother who was calling her inside…

According to the Graeco-Roman Olympian religion, Ascalaphus was an angel of the Hades God. Hades is the dwelling place of the souls of the dead. The task of Ascalaphus was to snatch the souls of dying people to Hades. Ascalaphus was transformed into an owl by Persephone the Kore, the queen of Hell. Since then, owl Ascalaphus has visited dying people before they finally died. That is why Pliny the Elder stated in his “Natural History” that the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) was an extremely bad omen. Spanish bishop St. Isidore of Seville transferred this superstition to Christian Catholicism in his book “Etymologiae.”

About the Author:

Peregrinus Hierusalemsis is a biologist, writer, and seeker whose life has woven together science, philosophy, and spirituality. A graduate of the University of Edinburgh (2010) with a degree in biology, he has published scientific papers on biodiversity and worked in plant sciences, entomology, and molecular biology since 2009. His professional passion lies in systematics, the classification of living things, while his personal explorations reach into philosophy, metaphysics, and the world’s ancient spiritual traditions.

From early encounters with eastern philosophy in childhood karate lessons in Mexico, to late-night debates on western philosophy with friends, to the guidance of a spiritual teacher during his A-level years in the UK, Peregrinus has always sought to understand life’s hidden patterns. These experiences, alongside his scientific training, shape his unique voice which can be described as a bridge between the empirical and the mystical.

His debut work, The Princess of the Wraiths: an herbal, bestiary, human zoo, and memoir, invites readers into a journey that blends memoir with natural history, spiritual reflection, and philosophical inquiry.

Circle of Nine Series by Valerie Biel ~ @ValerieBiel @partnersincr1me #YAFantasy #YA #Fantasy

CIRCLE OF NINE

by Valerie Biel

October 27 - December 31, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

 

CIRCLE OF NINE: BELTANY

Brigit Quinn has always felt like an outsider. Growing up in a small town where her mom’s pagan practices are the stuff of local gossip, she’s spent her whole life trying to be normal. On her 15th birthday, Brigit makes the same wish she always has—to just fit in. But the universe has other plans.

Instead, Brigit discovers she’s descended from a legendary Celtic tribe—guardians of Ireland’s mystical stone circles. A spellbound book reveals her astonishing family history and the incredible abilities of her ancestors—powers she’ll inherit if she chooses to embrace them.

When an ancient evil resurfaces, threatening her family’s legacy, Brigit is forced to quickly make this impossible decision. Will she accept her magical heritage and fight to protect it? Or reject it to live the "normal" life she’s always wanted?

This thrilling mix of magic, self-discovery, and Irish mythology will captivate fans of coming-of-age stories with a mystical twist. Lovers of ancient legends, enchanted stone circles, and family secrets will be drawn to Brigit's journey into a world where her true power could be her greatest strength… or her downfall.

Find CIRCLE OF NINE: BELTANY on Amazon | KindleUnlimited | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

Or click here to read an excerpt!

 

CIRCLE OF NINE: NOVELLA COLLECTION

Return to the Celtic magic that began with the suspenseful, award-winning novel Circle of Nine – Beltany.

Descended from a legendary Celtic tribe that guards the secrets of the ancient stone circles, the Quinn women have a great responsibility to protect their pagan rituals and way of life. As members of the formidable Circle of Nine, they celebrate the holidays of the year from Yule to Samhain, keeping the traditions of the Tuatha de Danann alive through the centuries against insurmountable odds. We first met these women in Circle of Nine – Beltany, and now a set of three novellas reveals more of their engaging stories.

In Bressa’s Banishment the power struggle between Father Banan and village healer Bressa Gormley unfolds amidst accusations of treachery, heresy, and murder. Can the Circle protect their trusted healer and the path of the Tuatha against a growing religious fervor?

Dervla’s Destiny brings us to medieval Ireland where the beloved character Dervla Quinn learns of her gifts and fights tremendous loss, betrayal, and violence, all the while never giving up on finding the love she deserves.

In Phoebe's Mission, when an evil force on a quest for ultimate power threatens the Circle of Nine, Phoebe Quinn must leave Ireland for the first time and travel to the United States to protect their way of life. Along the way, she meets the handsome Macklin Scott, taking her mission, and possibly her future, on a far different course than expected.

Find CIRCLE OF NINE: NOVELLA COLLECTION on Amazon | KindleUnlimited | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

 

CIRCLE OF NINE: SACRED TREASURES

Brigit Quinn thought uncovering her magical heritage was the biggest shock of her life. But a year after learning she’s descended from a legendary Celtic tribe sworn to guard the mystical power of Ireland’s ancient places, the real battle is just beginning. As she trains for her place in the Circle of Nine, Brigit is determined to protect the secrets and sacred traditions of her people.

But when a cryptic warning arrives—hinting at a shadowy force hunting the Sacred Treasures—everything she’s fought for is suddenly at risk. If the ancient weapons fall into the wrong hands, The Circle could be shattered forever.

Haunted by doubts about her powers, the true intentions of those around her, and disturbing revelations about her family’s past, Brigit must navigate a dangerous path of betrayal, magic, and myth. The enemy is closer than anyone suspects—and time is running out. Can Brigit uncover the truth before darkness claims the Circle?

"The first time I summoned a portal, I didn’t understand how I accidentally opened a doorway to another realm. The second time wasn’t a mistake. I was ready—and I stepped through with the grim resolve that my mission must succeed." —Brigit Quinn

Find CIRCLE OF NINE: SACRED TREASURES on Amazon | KindleUnlimited | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

 

CIRCLE OF NINE: MERCY IN THE MIST

The danger was supposed to be over.
The sacred treasures are safe.
The enemies banished to the Otherworld.

But Brigit Quinn’s dreams tell a different story.

The condemned return to haunt her sleep—pleading, accusing, refusing to be forgotten. Something is still wrong, even if the rest of the Circle of Nine insists the threat has passed.

When anonymous warnings surface and the police begin asking questions about the missing, Brigit’s visions intensify, blurring the line between dream and prophecy. The Circle is unraveling. Shadows are gathering.

To restore what’s been broken, Brigit knows they must return to the Otherworld and seek answers from the immortal Elders—knowing that to question them is to risk everything.

In this spellbinding fourth installment of the Circle of Nine series, ancient magic, mortal danger, and Brigit’s quest for the truth collide in a journey that will test the bonds of loyalty, love, and the fragile trust between gods and mortals.

Find CIRCLE OF NINE: MERCY IN THE MIST on Amazon | KindleUnlimited | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

 

Praise for Circle of Nine:

"This was a truly beautiful read. Valerie Biel has a captivating, almost lyrical quality to her work that helps the flow and the smoothness of the piece wonderfully. You can just feel the words slide along as you read and it's a remarkable experience. I enjoyed her storytelling as much as I enjoyed the characters and the plot! Circle of Nine: Beltany is a wonderful blend of present and past, mixed with a healthy dose of Celtic mythology to captivate the brainiacs among us."
~ FIVE STARS from Readers' Favorite for CIRCLE OF NINE: BELTANY

"Each story is intriguing and suspenseful. I enjoyed learning about three generations of strong, independent women, who were tasked with protecting their ancient heritage, and about the men who loved and supported them."
~ Jerena Tobiasen, award-winning author for CIRCLE OF NINE: NOVELLA COLLECTION

"Great writing, enthralling plot, fast-paced, and utterly seductive. . . . This is an extraordinary story with a fantastic setting and characters that remind readers of the sacred in them. I enjoyed the way the author explored the struggle between good and evil in this work and how the conflict reaches every aspect of the story."
~ FIVE STARS from Readers' Favorite for CIRCLE OF NINE: SACRED TREASURES

"Mercy in the Mist delivers spellbinding suspense. Positively enchanting!"
~ Tracey S. Phillips, award-winning author of Forewarned for CIRCLE OF NINE: MERCY IN THE MIST

Series Details:

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Published by: Lost Lake Press

Find CIRCLE OF NINE series at Amazon & Lost Lake Press

 

Meet the Author:

Valerie Biel writes award-winning books for middle grade to adult audiences--stories inspired by her travels and her insatiable curiosity. Her young adult fantasy series, Circle of Nine, was inspired by the myth and magic of Ireland's ancient stone circles. She's also the author of HAVEN, a contemporary middle grade novel, and BEYOND THE CEMETERY GATE, a mystery suspense story. She's a founding member of the Blackbird Writers & a member of Sisters in Crime & the Wisconsin Writers Association. When she's away from the computer, she's likely wrangling her overgrown garden, reading multiple books per week, or traveling the world--often on trips for the The World Orphan Fund charity she and her husband run. She calls a (tiny) portion of her family's century-old Wisconsin farm home, but regularly dreams of finding a cozy cottage on the Irish coast where she can write and write.

Catch Up With Valerie Biel:

ValerieBiel.com
Valerie's Substack Newsletter
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads - @valerie_biel
BookBub - @ValerieBiel
Instagram - @valeriebielauthor
Threads - @valeriebielauthor
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Facebook - @ValerieBielBooks
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Pinterest - @ValerieBiel

 

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CIRCLE OF NINE Series by Valerie Biel

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