Welcome to the Rhode Island Authors Showcase! Each day in November, this blog will feature a different Rhode Island author. Read the post and leave a comment and you are eligible to win this day’s giveaway!
Leave a comment every day this month for over 30 chances to win either our Grand Prize (a $250 Amazon gift card), our Bonus Prize (a $100 Amazon gift card), or a Cheer-Up Prize (amount to be determined), just in time for holiday shopping!
A winner will be randomly selected one week after the publication of the blog post, and the Grand Prize and Bonus Prize winners will be randomly selected on December 7, 2021. For the daily giveaways, the author will contact you directly to coordinate delivery. Print books for delivery within the US only, please.
Author Hank Ellis is no stranger to environmental issues. Gaining his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in natural resource science and wildlife management and working for an environmental agency for thirty-two years has made him aware of many problems facing the world. His desire is to help young people awaken to and enjoy the mystery of creation, to recognize its many problems, and to realize they have their own special gifts to help heal the earth.
His first book in The Promise series, A Perilous Journey, was a finalist in the Independent Publishers of New England (http://www.IPNE.org) book awards contest for literary fiction in 2018. In this book, Peter and David Wilson are two adventurous, adolescent brothers who make a fantastic discovery in a nearby forest. One afternoon in late June, they stumble upon a huge mysterious cavern protected from the elements for centuries. Using dreams and deciphering riddles, they travel through underground passageways to meet the maker of their dreams. Through a series of strange and supernatural encounters, Peter and David must rely on resourcefulness, perseverance, and love to lead them to an opportunity they could never have imagined and make a decision that will change their lives forever.
The second book, Discovering Their Gifts, was the IPNE book awards winner for literary fiction in 2020.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you were an adolescent boy or girl and you were given the incredible gift of invisibility? And suppose you could heal animals and people but you couldn’t tell anyone? In this second book of The Promise series, two ordinary brothers, Peter and David Wilson, and eventually a beautiful young girl from Brazil, are given these gifts and more. But special gifts often require extraordinary sacrifice. No one–friends, schoolmates, even Mom and Dad–can know of these remarkable abilities. For if they do, their gifts will vanish in an instant. Is the cost of this secrecy too high? Can they juggle everyday life with their newfound talents? Travel with these special youngsters and learn from their mysterious mentors in a fantastic adventure as they use their amazing powers to help save the beleaguered earth.
Back from a harrowing adventure on the Arctic ice, most people would need a rest. But young adventurers Peter, Catia, and David aren’t most people. A centuries old mystery is sitting in the corner of the underground cavern waiting to be solved. The sphere has been gathering dust for longer than any of the oldest caretakers can remember. It’s not till a nasty disgruntled caretaker named Luke teams up with the young teens that a solution is possible. But Luke’s selfishness raises the stakes for everyone.
These books are adventure stories for adolescents and curious adults that celebrate friendship and teamwork, respect for all cultures, our divine connection, and the importance of caring for our planet. Appropriate for ages 10 to 110!
Hank’s writings have also been featured in various anthologies by members of the Association of RI Authors (ARIA).
Learn more about Hank and his writings at his website: https://www.hankellis.net/
Follow him on Amazon here: https://tinyurl.com/mz3553vb
Hank is giving away a copy of the first book in his Promise series, A Perilous Journey. To be eligible, just leave a comment on this post and/or tell us about your own perilous journey.
Join us on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, from 9:00am to 3:00pm at the CROWNE PLAZA in Warwick for the 9th Annual Rhode Island Authors Expo!
Artist Joe Szarek has been drawing and painting for over fifty years. Since graduating from Rhode Island School of Design in 1996 he has been passionate to use his art to make a difference in people’s lives. He says his motivation to become part of these stories are the stories themselves—a desire to open young minds to the precious beauty all around us and the urgent need to protect it.
The Promise series is written for ages 10 to 110.
He has written other short stories in the Association of Rhode Island Authors (ARIA) anthology series.
Martha Reynolds Writes 
What an intriguing story line! I’m fascinated by the premis of the Promise and would love to win a copy of the first book in the series. I read YA fiction quite a bit when my son was younger and enjoyed reading them much more than I thought I would.
Growing up in this ever changing world has been my only adventure and that has been perilous enough for me.
Good luck.
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I may be on my way to a perilous situation. I will be making a decision to find out specific information. If the news is not good could find myself in a perilous situation. However if the news is good I will be celebrating. I always say there is a balance of good and bad in life…
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Jennifer, I pray your situation turns out to be a celebration. Best wishes!
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Your books sound like great reads and I love your book covers. Life has its ups and downs, so I guess that is perilous, maybe? Have a Blessed Thanksgiving. Thank you for the chance.
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Thanks Alicia, I wish you a Blessed Thanksgiving as well.
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This sounds like a great series.
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Thanks Debbie. I hope so!
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In a perilous journey of a different kind, I started to train for a 5K run at age 59.
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Wow, good for you Connie! Did you finish? I trained for a marathon when I was 32. Even then it was a perilous journey. I walked for 2 minutes at mile 20 and finished in 4 hours 32 minutes. If not for my friend I may have stopped. It pretty much ended my running career.
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I have never had a perilous journey. I have never put myself in a situation to be afraid.
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That sounds wise Audrey. But life can quickly upset the best of us.
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I have never had a perilous journey, however, I am interested in your book.
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Thanks for your interest Carolyn. All three books contain perilous exploits.
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These stories look like great reads for the adventurous souls. When it comes to reading, I count myself as being adventurous. 🙂 As for a perilous journey, I would say that having gone off a trail and being briefly lost would count.
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Thanks Bonnie. I think life can be a perilous journey for many of us.
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Your books sound like they understand how to unlock some of the mysteries awaiting discovery in our own lives and perhaps a glimpse into the maker of our dreams! Wonderful!
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Thanks Phyllis. You seem to understand.
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Your books sound so intriguing, Hank! And I share your passion for the environment in my writing too, so feel a link.
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Thanks Elizabeth. The mentor caretakers are always trying to solve the Earth’s problems.
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Both books sound intriguing! Thanks for the opportunity to win.
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Thank you Lorilu.
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Thank you for offering one of your books to share. I love walking thru the woods, such a peaceful place.
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Thanks Leslie. The boys and the young lady from the Amazon jungle also love the forest.
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I have many allergies but love to interact with animals anyway.
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Good for you Debra. The kids in my books have been given the gift to heal animals (and people).
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Whenever I’m on a roller coaster ride that’s high, I think I’m on a perilous journey.
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It is Karen, especially if you’re afraid of heights.
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Hank, I hope you added a little bit about volleyball and basketball in one of your books! An environmentalists work is NEVER done!!
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Sorry Paul, no reference to basketball. We’ll just have to remember your courageous drives down the lane.
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