The Tricksters Totem Promo & Guest Post

The Trickster's Totem Description:

Life has returned to normal for fourteen-year-old Evan and his older sister, Claire. That is until Dunkle, a clever but stinky little imp, pays an unexpected visit to their school. He has come to take the siblings back to Sagaas, the mythical realm of the gods. Once again, a Relic from the ancient Mysticus Orb has fallen into the wrong hands. Only Evan and Claire, with their unique mystical abilities, can help find it.

Through the power of the Trickster’s Totem, a coyote trickster has escaped. His laughter echoes throughout the realm, as he spreads mischief and mayhem. He burns an entire crop of popcorn, carves his grinning image into sacred artifacts, and things really get interesting when he shape-shifts into Evan’s friends.

Claire and Evan must capture the Trickster, retrieve the Totem, and be careful not to become sidetracked by robotic Steampunk animals, “sweet” pixie-like Pains, and a problematic mermaid … all while dodging Mothman-like aces. Most surprising, Evan discovers the true reason dragons exist in the Native American Spirit World.

Book Links:

Amazon | GoodReads | Barnes & Noble

Description of the first book in the Relics of Mysticus series, The Serpent's Ring:

Evan and Claire Jones are typical teenagers, forced to go with their parents to yet another boring museum ... that is, until something extraordinary happens to make their day a little more than interesting. After following a strange little creature into a closed exhibit, Evan and his older sister, Claire, discover the Serpent’s Ring, one of the magical relics formed from the shattered Mysticus Orb. Purely by accident, they have awakened its powers and opened a portal to Sagaas, land of ancient gods.

Before the siblings can comprehend what has happened, the Serpent’s Ring is wrenched from Evan’s hand by an enormous fish and flown back to Aegir, the Norse god of the sea. Evan and Claire, accompanied by a band of unlikely heroes, must retrieve the Serpent’s Ring before Aegir uses its immense powers to flood all the lands on Earth.

The Serpent’s Ring is FREE for Kindle May 28^th-June 1^st.  

Book Links:

Amazon | GoodReads | Barnes & Noble

Author Bio: 

A magical part of H.B. Bolton’s childhood was being swept into worlds of enchanting characters, fantastical creatures and extraordinary powers—simply by picking up a book. As a mother and a teacher, she was compelled to create imaginary worlds of her own in order to share them, not just with her children, but with all children. H.B. Bolton lives in Florida with her supportive husband and two highly spirited children. Shh, can you keep a secret? Not only does she write books for the young-at-heart, adventurous sort who yearn to dive into a good young-adult fantasy story, she also writes spellbinding, heart pounding women's fiction. These particular books are written under the name Barbara Brooke, but that's another story, altogether.

Books by H.B. Bolton:
The Serpent's Ring (Relics of Mysticus, Book One)
Breaking Down (a short story)
Hungry (a short story)
Coming May 1, 2013
The Trickster's Totem (Relics of Mysticus, Book Two)

Author links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter  | Goodreads | Pinterest | Amazon Author's Link 

Excerpt from Chapter 16

Something rustled in the shrubs. Evan looked closer and realized the leaves were made of metal. He searched, and when he found a rock, he pelted it. To his surprise, it sounded like he had hit a stack of tin cans. A bunny hopped out, but it wasn’t a real bunny. It looked like a little robot made from the same titanium and copper found in the tree. Cog wheels made up its neck, and its cheeks consisted of timepieces. Its legs were coils instead of muscle and bone, and they sprung as it bounced toward Evan. Wires came from its nose, and they rustled together when it sniffed Evan’s sneaker. It raised its body to smell the rest of him, and Evan noticed tiny cameras in its eyes.

“I’m not sure whether that is one of the coolest or scariest things I’ve ever seen,” Evan mumbled toward Dunkle.

“You are right to fear it, for it belongs to the C’iatqos. I should have realized it sooner.”

“Nobody mentioned they had robotic rabbits.”

“That is not all they—” Dunkle started, but he didn’t finish. A tremendous clank sounded from his left, and both of their eyes flashed in that direction. A large cluster of trees shuttered; about half a dozen trees went one direction, while the other half went the other. Through the center of the trees came five hairy creatures, each standing more than eight feet tall. Muscles bulged from their arms, legs and heaving chests. They came at Evan and Dunkle, glaring down at them. Evan looked at his shoes, and wasn’t certain, but had a feeling the beasts had pointy fangs and sharp claws.

One of the C’iatqos moved closer to Evan. He poked his gargantuan finger at Evan’s stomach and then pinched his arm. He then went to Dunkle and did the same to the imp. The C’iatqo reached inside a hole in the tree. Something clicked, and the branches released their hold on Evan. The roots eased away from Dunkle, and he staggered forward.

The C’iatqo grabbed hold of the imp’s arm with one hand and Evan’s with the other, and tossed both of them over his hairy shoulders. Evan’s face squished into the creature’s sweaty back.  

“Disgusting—moldy eggs,” Evan grumbled, spitting a long, coarse hair from his mouth. He turned his head and gasped for fresh air. To his surprise, his surroundings didn’t smell much better than the C’iatqo. The farther they walked, the thicker the fog and the worse it smelled. A greenish haze had encompassed Evan’s head and rolled into his nostrils. It was as if he had entered a sewer—not pleasant. 

Guest Post

           

C’iatqo is just one word the Quinault Indians use to describe an ape-like man who inhabits the North American wilderness. In The Trickster’s Totem, they are alive and well, constructing Steampunk-style buildings and creating robotic animals in the Native American Spirit World. Evan and Dunkle are captured by one of the C’iatqos’ high-tech contraptions. They are taken to an innovative Victorian-style village and brought before an unfriendly jury. Unfortunately, the C’iatqos are not particularly fond of visitors. Evan and Dunkle are cast into the mines, where they must collect an illuminating golden dust called cochinay (also known as yellow thunder). Evan quickly discovers a few secrets about the C’iatqos and the magical substance that powers their world.

a Rafflecopter giveaway