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Awakening Cocijo - Book Tour and Giveaway

5/11/2019

53 Comments

 
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Awakening Cocijo
by Thomas Juarez
Genre: Metaphysical Fiction

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Chaotic skies reveal untold prophecies. A storm rises. Can a boy quell the fury of a god?Join the Zapotec on a journey through time and across generations.
Referring to themselves as the cloud people, their fierce warriors conquered and ruled the Oaxaca for centuries. Witness rites, rituals and incantations aimed at appeasing the divine in an attempt to gain favor; favor that would grant them greatness. So, where did it all go wrong? Why would such powerful gods allow their disciples to be conquered? These answers and more would be offered many centuries later by their descendants. Descendants of a civilization whose glory can only be revived by the awakening of the most powerful deity in Zapotec lore: Cocijo, the god of lightening and rain.


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Beedxe’ felt as if his bones were bending.  Crushing pain overwhelmed his jaws where he felt large canines forming in the front of his mouth, tormented in their need rip and tear flesh.  His molars became enlarged, jagged and sharp.  Eyes became fiercely dominant, while whiskers erupted through his cheeks.  


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Thomas (Tom) Juarez is a retired United States Army soldier with about twenty-one years of active federal service. Hailing from Wetumpka, Alabama, Tom currently enjoys his military retirement with his wife in Sterling, Oklahoma.


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an you, for those who don't know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
I have always wanted to be an author. Always the wanderer, I decided to join the army and serve my country (I was brought up with a sense of service). After 21 years in the army, I continued to chase my tail a bit…but wondered could I, and even should I. About a decade ago I was reading an article about Benito Juarez and wow….he was Zapotec! I began studying a little on Mesoamerican cultures, especially the Zapotec. I put together an outline and let it gather virtual dust. About 18 months ago I got this crazy notion I could do it. Warming up, I read 11 books before deciding that I could and should give it a go. Please let me know what you think of my work.

What is something unique/quirky about you?
I’m silly enough to believe a smile can change the world.

What are some of your pet peeves?
Timeliness…must be on time!!!

Where were you born/grew up at?
I was born in Michigan. Being a military brat, I kind of grew up all over the place: El Paso, Texas; Colorado Springs, Colorado; England; and Wetumpka, Alabama. After moving a bunch more during my own military career, I retired and currently live in Sterling, Oklahoma.

If you knew you'd die tomorrow, how would you spend your last day?
Lazing around my house and admiring the beauty of the natural environment around me.

Who is your hero and why?
John Elway…sorry, some people idolize firemen, soldiers or politicians…I thought John Elway captured magic in a bottle when he played!

What are you passionate about these days?
I am a bit of a tree hugger, though not an activist. I believe we could, and should, make our planetary home a better place.

What do you do to unwind and relax?
Gardening or watching movies

Describe yourself in 5 words or less!
Hopelessly flawed

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I haven’t yet, but I feel the need to be.

Do you have a favorite movie?
Braveheart

Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?
I think Awakening Cocijo would make a great movie!

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
My favorite animal has always been the Giraffe because of their size and grace. My spirit animal is another matter altogether! I have a wild side, a goofy side, a playful side and a philosophical side. I fell in love with a fishing cat cub at the Oklahoma City Zoo last year; his name is Puddles. My spirit animal…definitely Puddles.

What inspired you to write this book?
A lifelong dream of mine, and a need to escape my own realities. Where would we be without dreams?

What can we expect from you in the future?

I would like to write a second part of this book. I think anyone who completes reading the book (provided you like it), will want to know what’s next.

Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?
I was a gunnery department instructor like Citalli…but no, I did not make Citalli like me; I wanted him to be something more.

Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Awakening Cocijo?
Citalli means star and is a feminine name, but I had to have that character to be named star…just something called to me. You’ll see in the book how I maneuvered into, and explained, the origin of Citalli’s name.

How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?
I was gifted a book about how to write a book; what a great gift! I found developing the characters to be the most difficult part of the journey. Trying to figure out quirks and speech patterns for each of them. If you pay attention to those around you, or even to interviews on tv, we all tend to have repetitive words and phrases we covet. I wanted my characters to be mainly Hispanic, although I wanted Kara to be Native American. I wanted the American peoples native to this continent to be portrayed as children of the same god(s).

Where did you come up with the names in the story?
Some names I researched on the internet and some I came up with myself. When naming General Percival, I was searching for pretentious names, lol. Sorry General officers, nothing personal; he was a fictional character, I do not think General officers are pretentious. I just wanted something, I don’t know, different maybe.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
The escape! I quit worrying about the world around me and just pecked away.

Who designed your book covers?
Sue Campbell https://suecampbellgraphicdesign.com/

Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
I learned tons! Things that don’t occur to new writers like me. If you have an animal stalking and killing another animal…how would that act occur specific to hunter and prey? How did people live? What did they eat? How did they speak?

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
Michael Pena

What is your favorite part of this book and why?
My favorite part of the book was represented in Pecala’s dream world. I wanted to create a fantastic dream, have other gods revealed, and give a sneak peak into things that would come to pass.

If you could spend time with a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?
I think I would choose Canneo because of his carefree nature.

Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
Entirely from imagination except one…you can find that in the author’s notes.

Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.
I feel as though my book is unique. Moreover, I feel as though the Zapotec people have been overlooked…they are still with us today. I hope to have some Zapotec people read the book and admire the story.

Have you written any other books that are not published?
Nope! This is it. Please let me know if I should continue.

If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?
Moon flower

What did you edit out of this book?
Originally, I was going to have Kara die in child birth, but I felt the need for a strong feminine character. I needed a character to have smarts and to be able to gently maneuver through my story using an influential style leadership.

Fun Facts/Behind the Scenes/Did You Know?'-type tidbits about the author, the book or the writing process of the book.
I have a 3d printed replica of a funerary urn which represents Cocijo. I placed this urn next to my laptop for inspiration as I worked.
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What are your top 10 favorite books/authors?
I love the Altered Carbon trilogy by Richard K. Morgan! Fair warning, this masterpiece is very violent, sexual and in your face. Typically, I do not read such progressive books, but the storyline is just so unique that I could not help myself. Mister Morgan has a way of piling adjectives on top of other adjectives while leaving you wanting even more.

What book do you think everyone should read?
Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The imagination required to fabricate such a story still baffles the senses.

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
I feel you must develop the main characters before you begin. The “small players” can be revealed to you as continue to develop your story.

What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?
Study the terrain and surroundings of the area you will be portraying. Learn about the people and wildlife in that area,

Do you see writing as a career?
I truly hope so; I could use a new reality.

What do you think about the current publishing market?
The publishing landscape is tricky at best. Mainstream may take the glory, but as an independent author I can choose to ignore editorial advice. Having said that, I used 99% of the editorial advice I received.

Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
I love Fantasy and Science fiction, but I am a sucker for history books (specifically ancient cultures).

Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
I need silence! I get side tracked too easy.

Pen or type writer or computer?
Definitely computer!

Advice you would give new authors?
Hire an editor; trust me, you need it! Amber Byers of https://www.tadpolepress.com/ helped me in so many ways, I truly would have been lost without her.

What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first?
First you need some form of inspiration to make a story from. Then begin studying some of the information you think may pertain to your story. After you have a basic premise, develop an outline along with character names. Take at least a day to define the characters and picture them in your head. How do they look, act and talk? I use my outline as a sort of living document because it changes so much. For example, the ancient part (part one) of my story was going to be a prologue. I found there was too much of a story to tell there to leave it as a prologue…so there is no prologue.

What is your writing Kryptonite?
Noise! I wish I could make a sound proof room to write in. This soundproof room would need color and smell though…continue to tickle the senses.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I try to write in a manner in which people do not feel the need to grab a dictionary mid-read. If the word is too big or complex, I feel it takes away from the story.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Smell every flower without a bug on it. Breathe life in slowly, allowing you to exhale your observances into your story telling.

What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
Nothing…it’s fiction lol. I have found that trying to make someone act predominantly male or female sets a type of stereotype. I tried hard not to make my characters robots, but I did want traditional family structure in this story. There are stories which demand you stray from mainstream family thinking, and I get that; but this story demanded what I envision as a traditional family. Keep in mind, my normal is not necessarily your normal. I believe that is because there is no such thing as a universal norm, and that is a very good thing.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?
This was my only book. I researched for months on end, then wrote the book in a month. After all of that, it took 3 months to finish editing.

Do you believe in writer’s block?
Yes! Writers block is real. Sometimes you may have to just take a day off…try not to make it two.

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53 Comments
Thomas Juarez link
5/11/2019 07:08:05 am

Hello everyone! I'd like to thank each and every one of you for taking the time to give my writing some much needed attention. I look forward to your feedback and hope you love reading Awakening Cocijo as much as I enjoyed writing it.

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James Robert
5/11/2019 11:01:00 am

I appreciate you taking the time to give us a great book description and giveaway as well. Thank you so much!

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Thomas juarez
5/11/2019 06:11:42 pm

Totally worth it to get some feedback on all of my work.

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Debbie P
5/11/2019 01:24:00 pm

This book sounds like an awesome read. Very cool cover!

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Thomas Juarez
5/11/2019 06:12:29 pm

Hope you enjoy it!

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Calvin
5/11/2019 01:28:12 pm

A cool ancient fiction I want to dive into

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Thomas Juarez
5/11/2019 06:13:11 pm

Looking forward to hearing if you like it

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wendy hutton
5/11/2019 02:12:05 pm

very interesting cover

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Thomas Juarez
5/11/2019 06:14:24 pm

ancient funerary urn of Cocijo on the cover...I love it too...hope you enjoy the read

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Rita Wray
5/11/2019 02:49:36 pm

Sounds like a good book.

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Thomas Juarez
5/11/2019 06:15:24 pm

I truly hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it

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lynn clayton
5/11/2019 08:05:45 pm

looks like a great read

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Dale Wilken
5/11/2019 10:29:55 pm

Sounds great.

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Starla
5/12/2019 06:24:37 am

I am really interested in this read because of the title. It is such a cool cover and I love the colors in it!

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Mood Reader
5/12/2019 08:51:58 pm

Looks like an interesting read!

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Janet W.
5/13/2019 08:07:19 am

I love this unique cover! Sounds interesting!

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heather
5/13/2019 02:22:18 pm

Sounds like my kind of book and I like the cover too.

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Thomas Juarez
5/13/2019 05:23:26 pm

Stopping by again to see all of the great comments amassed here already. Again, I'd like to express my gratitude for all of you participating and/or just stopping by.

I can only hope to inspire one person at a time. Whether that inspiration comes in the form of a happy reader, a person who finds a new topic to research, or just putting a smile on someone's face...I'd like to think there will be people moved by my story.

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Kaley Bill
5/14/2019 04:06:42 am

Cool cover and love the journey through time concept

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Beyond Comps
5/14/2019 04:45:06 am

Great looking cover!

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Kelly Nicholson
5/14/2019 04:46:51 am

What do you think of the book or the cover?

never mess with that aztec mojo man!

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Terri
5/14/2019 07:04:41 pm

Great cover

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Devon Pickford
5/15/2019 09:34:32 am

Sounds like an interesting read, digging the cover

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Donna C.
5/15/2019 09:36:51 am

I love the cover!!

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Lavender P.
5/15/2019 07:07:55 pm

Whoever this Beedxe' is, sounds like he's shifting into something quite uncomfortable. Whiskers through his cheeks? Ouch.

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Nancy
5/16/2019 01:46:54 pm

Unique cover

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Carla Lobosco
5/16/2019 02:06:52 pm

Love the book cover

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Lisa Ellison
5/17/2019 03:47:19 pm

I like the cover and the book looks interesting!

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Marcy Meyer
5/18/2019 01:38:26 pm

The cover looks good. I enjoyed the interview. Thanks for sharing.

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Thomas Juarez
5/19/2019 12:15:09 pm

Another sincere thank you for those who have chosen to stop by. No sales to report as of yet, but hopefully I will be able to entertain a few people and get some much needed feedback.

I would like to write a part two, tell me what you think, I would greatly appreciate it!

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Thomas Juarez
5/20/2019 05:20:28 pm

We are here in Oklahoma with a line of damaging storms branching out all over the state. The new man just said that this is only the second time in history that storms of this nature have massed in such a manner.

As the author of this book celebrating the Zapotec god of lightening and rain...I sincerely hope I have not really awakened Cocijo...

Wish us luck...…

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Celeste HERRIN
5/20/2019 05:49:06 pm

Great job on the cover!
Can't wait to read this one!!

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Amy F
5/21/2019 11:09:55 am

Fascinating cover art!

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Mary Cloud
5/21/2019 10:22:20 pm

No questions - the cover is nice

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Kathy Cozzarelli
5/24/2019 09:27:48 am

The cover is cool.

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bn100
5/25/2019 05:45:00 pm

interesting inspiration

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Serge B
5/28/2019 08:42:16 pm

Cool cover--love the metaphysical!

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Thomas Juarez
5/29/2019 06:47:18 pm

Any actual book readers that are interested in reading my book are more than welcome to leave me a message. You may leave the message here or on any of the sites listed above...I am available on Tumblr, goodreads, bookbub and Facebook primarily.

Whether you are a casual reader or a fanatic, I invite you to interact with me. While I encourage you to interact with the bloggers whose posts have lead you here, wouldn't it be great to speak to me one on one?

Lets connect!

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Thomas Juarez
6/1/2019 01:07:17 pm

We had storm after storm here in America's southwestern region. We've had rain that's all but defied the laws of nature. People have lost their homes and even their lives...I believe this calls for inner reflection. The type of inner reflection that reminds us that while we think of ourselves as the caretakers of this planet, we are NOT in control!!!

As we stop to remember those we lost and celebrate the lives of the living and of the deceased. We gather strength from the environment that we must now realize we are merely a part of. Whether you believe in religion, natural selection, both , or maybe something different, admit to yourself that life is a fragile and beautiful miracle.

I am reminded by the flowers blossoming, seemingly greeting me as I walk out of my front door, that life continues to flourish despite what we have lost. I am also reminded that our environment is not ours alone; It belongs to every living thing on this planet.

This is not where I preach to you about global warming or of contributing to the greater good of our world. This is where I encourage you to soak in your surroundings and to make an attempt to do something, anything, positive. Just take a few moments, breathe it in...…………………………………………………………………………………………...Juarez

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Ann Fantom
6/3/2019 10:35:34 am

I like the cover. It has awesome graphics

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Stephanie
6/3/2019 03:34:03 pm

I absolutely LOVE the cover and will definitely be reading the book!

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Daniel M
6/6/2019 07:05:08 pm

like the cover

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thomas juarez
6/6/2019 07:57:15 pm

Reviews and/or sales would help a struggling new author out more than you could imagine. I appreciate all of the kind words here...but please, help me out some, huh?

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Mya Murphy
6/8/2019 09:57:17 am

Interesting cover, and I loved the excerpt!

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Leah
6/8/2019 11:52:22 am

Not sure about the cover art, but that idol is intriguing. I also like the excerpt. VERY intriguing.

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Amy Deeter
6/9/2019 09:44:30 am

absolutely love the title and love the cover

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Thomas Juarez
6/10/2019 08:11:45 pm

Well, one more day of the tour. While I have not seen rewards in the way of sales, there are many different way to earn rewards. I truly hope to reach a few readers and maybe entice them to read this book, or maybe even to work up the interest to write their own story.

If there is any feedback you have...positive or negative...please feel free to contact me through my links posted above.

After my bout with cancer I have learned that few things are as bad as they seem...……...but I have also learned that some things are horrible (cancer is no fun). Anyway, in the true spirit of spreading the written word....Thank you for stopping by to check out the tour!

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Heather
6/11/2019 05:27:37 pm

The book sounds interesting. I enjoyed the excerpt.

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thomas juarez
6/11/2019 05:30:19 pm

well, the tour will be over really soon. A sincere thank you for all who have shown interest...I thank you for your time!

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Jerry Marquardt
6/11/2019 11:06:58 pm

I would like to give thanks for all your really great writings, including Awakening Cocijo, and wishing the best in keeping up the good work in the future.

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thomas juarez
6/12/2019 07:04:01 am

Nicest compliment of the tour...appreciated!

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Jerry Marquardt
6/19/2019 07:08:28 pm

Awakening Cocijo should make for some great reading! Thanks again for throwing the book blitz.

Cassandra D
6/11/2019 11:56:53 pm

This looks very interesting.

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