Reading Time: 4 minutes JM Bogart, Writerly Yours Author PR and the #ShadowShifts blog tour are back to bring some magic to this lovely Monday. Today author of the Shadow Shifts series, JM Bogart shares the importance of community and support for success. And there is a special excerpt from chapter 23 of Shadow Shifts. Community Is Vital For Success by JM Bogart One of the themes running through Shadow Shifts is that you can’t do everything on your own. No matter how powerful, organized, or strong you are, some tasks are too great to be managed by one person. Community is a vital part of being successful—not only in decision making, but in carrying out plans. Life happens. We get sick, we have family emergencies, we have personal crises, and we become overwhelmed. Remembering there are others we can rely on lifts the burdens and makes them manageable. As powerful as she is, Bean recognizes that she cannot rule her people, save them from the Shadow-monsters, and replenish their energy stores without help from the Liminal community. The stronger she gets, the more she relies on those around her… they feed her strength and self-confidence, allowing her to tap into their assets so they become fortified together. Without their support, she might have an abundance of energy, but she’s only one small Liminal in a world rife with shadows. Individually, Liminals might be tiny creatures, but when they combine their talents, their chances for survival are pretty amazing. They burn brighter, work smarter, and create a formidable bond that’s difficult to break. Likewise, people embracing the power of community makes for success. Shadow Shifts Book Excerpt, Chapter 23 When I enter the council room, hundreds of Liminal eyes follow my progress to the podium where Pritt, Nefra, and Ping are already waiting for me. I smile at them, hoping they will take it for the apology it is meant to be. Now, more than ever, we need to band together if we are going to make this plan work. Pritt returns my nod and gives Nefra and Ping a meaningful glance. They exchange looks and then turn back to me, acceptance in their eyes. We’ve called a truce, but doubt still lingers between us. I take my place in front of them and raise my arms, signalling for the crowd to quiet. I survey their expectant faces. We have lost so many in the past few weeks, making each one of them that much more special to me. Our survival depends on what will happen next. We need to reclaim our lost magic so we can continue our practices of harvesting magic. Unfortunately, we may lose a few more of our own in the process. It’s a price we’ll reluctantly pay. “Go on, Bean, say something to them,” Pritt urges from behind me. “They need you.” Their eyes betray their fear, and their wings flicker with nervous tension, but there is hope in the air. I can feel it mingling with the other emotions, trying to take root. “It’s time,” I say quietly, knowing my voice will carry through the hall. “We will fight hard, work together, and come out successful. We’ll draw power from each other so we can preserve our heritage. The Shadow-monsters have consumed too much. It’s time for us to take back the light.” A small subdued murmur filters through the crowd, not quite the response I am hoping for. I look at Pritt who shrugs his shoulders in response. It’s hard to be motivational when you know there’s a strong possibility of losing. “Go on, Bean, you know this is the only way.” I turn to look at Nefra. Tissa should be standing there, supporting me in this folly, not some stranger who only came into our lives a few days ago. “Do it for the father you lost and the sister you still need to save.” I look at all the faces before me and really see them. Chase has lost both his parents in the past week, Ladle’s sister went missing, and it’s doubtful she’ll return. Brigs is slowly fading, and yet he stands here, offering support, knowing his time is limited. Something akin to human emotion wells up inside of me, searching for release. If I didn’t know better, I would think tears are glistening in my eyes, they feel both wet and hot, burning with something I can’t explain. “This fight is for everyone we’ve lost, ourselves, and those that are yet to come. Together, we know we are stronger—stronger than the shadows. Together, we can defeat them, rebuild our lives, and become stronger. I will not let those monsters defeat us. It’s our time to shine.” Behind me, Pritt raises his hand in a fist and shouts, “Yeah!” Excitement ripples through the small crowd gathered around me. They step forward, their voices growing, their energy rippling. This is the response I need to carry us through the next few hours. The #ShadowShifts Giveaway For chances to win signed copies of Liminal Lights and Shadow Shifts, and a cute Morning Rain Publishing tote, enter the #ShadowShifts Giveaway.
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