The Necromancer: A Review

Goodreads (Description):

San Francisco:
Josh and Sophie Newman are finally home. And they're both more confused than ever about their future. Neither of them has mastered the magics they'll need to protect themselves, they've lost Scatty, and they're still being pursued by Dr. John Dee. Most disturbing of all, however, is that now they must ask themselves, can they trust Nicholas Flamel? Can they trust anyone?

Alcatraz:
Dr. Dee underestimated Perenelle Flamel's power. Alcatraz could not hold her, Nereus was no match for her, and she was able to align herself with the most unlikely of allies. But she wasn't the only one being held on the island. Behind the prison's bars and protective sigils were a menagerie of monsters, and now Machiavelli has come to Alcatraz to loose them on San Francisco.

Perenelle might be powerful, but each day she weakens, and even with Nicholas back at her side, a battle of this size could be too much for her. Nicholas and Perenelle must fight to protect the city, but the effort will probably kill them both.

London:
Having been unable to regain the two final pages of the Codex, Dee has failed his Elder and is now an outlaw.

But the Magician has a plan. With the Codex and the creatures on Alcatraz, he can control the world. All he needs is the help of the Archons. But for his plan to work, he must raise the Mother of the Gods from the dead. For that, he'll have to train a necromancer.

My Review:

Well, well, well. The differences between the twins Josh and Sophie Newman are growing, even widening to an uncrossable gap.

In the fourth installment, Josh needs to be taught the magic of fire. His sister already has this ability, and he is left to play catch up.

In this book, the twins are back in California--right where their troubles started.

This book focuses a bit more on Josh, and just how Dee continues to manipulate the poor boy. Not only that, but as a reader, our eyes are opened a bit. At least mine were.

I had been following Josh's suspicions towards both Dee and the Flamels. Now that I've read this book, I finally know who the good guys are. (No worries, I won't say).

I do like how Scott swayed my suspicions on both groups like he did Josh. The difference is, I can see what's happening, while Josh himself cannot.

Sophie loves her brother and is aware of his paranoia. She knows who to trust, but finds it hard to have a real conversation with her brother--being controlled by memories and being chased by monsters and such. The connection she has with him is amazing. They work so well together, and I know if they truly teamed up, they could beat any bad guy.

We get to see more of Scathach again, too. I like her. She and Joan of Arc make a fantastic team. The task they are sent to do is daunting and sounds impossible, but if there's anything I've learned from these books, there's nothing Scathath can't do--especially when it comes to saving the human race.

This series has been developing well, and this book through a huge turn at me. I wonder/dying to know what will happen next.

I give this a 5 out of 5!

The Sorceress: A Review

Goodreads (Description)

Book Three in the New York Times bestselling series.
Nicholas Flamel's heart almost broke as he watched his beloved Paris crumble before him. The city was destroyed by Dee and Machiavelli, but Flamel played his own role in the destruction. Sophie and Josh Newman show every sign of being the twins of prophecy, and Flamel had to protect them and the pages from the Dark Elders.

But Nicholas grows weaker with each passing day. Perenelle is still trapped in Alcatraz, and now that Scatty has gone missing, the group is without protection. Except for Clarent—the twin sword to Excalibur. But Clarent’s power is unthinkable, its evil making it nearly impossible to use without its darkness seeping into the soul of whoever wields it.

If he hopes to defeat Dee, Nicholas must find an Elder who can teach Josh and Sophie the third elemental magic—Water Magic. The problem? The only one who can do that is Gilgamesh, and he is quite, quite insane.

My Review:

Ah. Another fun book in this series.

In this book, Sophie and Josh are traveling though London, one of the most dangerous places they could be. For London belongs to John Dee.

Creatures from ancient tales and folklore roam throughout the city, drawn to Sophie and Josh's silver and gold auras.

So of course it is only a matter of time before all the monsters come for them.

I'm beginning to like Sophie more and more. As for Josh, I don't really know what to think. Sophie stands firm and is confident, while Josh appears to waver. His suspicions are growing more paranoid--which will only lead to trouble.

I liked the new characters we got to meet. Pally and Shakespeare. Yes. THE Shakespeare. It's fun to see which historical legends Scott has made immortal.

Perenelle Flamel is as powerful as ever, even with her waning aura. I'm really starting to like her. Although, she remains mysterious and dies at some times, act questionably.

As for Nicholas Flamel, his edge is dying. He is considerably weak, and is having a hard time keeping his cool. I can understand why Josh is suspicious of him.

I'm really enjoying this series. The adventure and folklore are genius. I can't put these books down!

I give this a 4.5 out of 5!

The Magician: A Review

Goodreads (Description):

Ashes to ashes...

California:
In the hands of Dr. John Dee and the Dark Elders, the book of Abraham the Mage could mean the destruction of the world as we know it. The most powerful book of all time, it holds the secret of eternal life — a secret more dangerous than any one man should ever possess. And Dee is two pages away from the knowledge that would bring the Dark Elders into ultimate power.

His only obstacle? Josh and Sophie Newman — who are eight thousand miles away.

Paris:
After fleeing Ojai, Nicholas, Sophie, Josh, and Scatty emerge in Paris. The City of Lights. Home to Nicholas Flamel. Only, this homecoming is anything but sweet.

Niccolo Machiavelli, immortal author and celebrated art collector, is working for Dee. He's in hot pursuit, and time is running out for Nicholas and Perenelle. Every day they spend without the book, they age one year: their magic becomes weaker and their bodies more frail. For Flamel, the Prophecy is growing clearer and clearer. It's time for Sophie to learn the second elemental magic.

Fire Magic.

And there's only one man who can teach it to her: Flamel's old student the Comte de Saint-Germain - alchemist, magician, and rock star.

Josh and Sophie Newman are the world's only hope. If they don't turn on each other first.

My Review:

This was a fun second book to the Nicholas Flamel series. In this book, jealousies grow, threats sky rocket, and the line between good and evil blur.

Sophie is dealing better with her awakened powers. She know knows how to control Air and Fire. She has The Witch of Endor's memories and knows far more than any fifteen-year-old should. Yet, she is dealing fairly well.

Josh is growing more and more jealous of his sister's growing power. He feels distant from her, something he's never experienced before. He wants to be as strong as her. And that's what leads him into trouble.

Nicholas aka Nick is very enigmatic. He's hard to read, and the twins are trusting him less and less every second. What's his plan? Why does he want the twins so much? We know the bad guy, Dee, wants them to destroy the world. So what does Flamel want? He seems like he wants to save the world, but his motives and actions aren't that clear.

Pernelle Flamel is wicked awesome. I like her. She is strong and no force can contain her. I really hope she and Nick turn out to be good guys.

Scathach aka Scatty is my favorite. An old Celtic warrior maiden. She can kick some serious butt and does actually seem genuine. She is really the only one the twins can trust. Let's hope she decides to come back.

I love the depth of this series. The amount of legends, history, and mythologies is almost mind blowing. I love when I can dive into a book where it not only gives me a fantastic adventure, but a touch of history! History was never my favorite subject, but learning about it this way makes me smile. It's not even an outpouring of information, either. It is subtly placed as villains and threats. Love it.

I give this a 4 out of 5!

GRAND FINALE FOR HOPE IN EVERY RAIN DROP BY WESLEY BANKS

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

We're blitzing the Grand Finale for

Hope In Every Raindrop

By Wesley Banks

Best-selling author Katie Price struggles to find her next story until she happens upon America's rarest dog breed and the man that raises them. If you missed any of the stops on this tour, there's plenty of time to go back and check them out now and enter the giveaway below...

Launch



What do you hope readers take with them after they’ve read it?



While the entire plot of Hope In Every Raindrop is fiction, the world of Carolina Dogs is based on my own experiences with the breed in Bishopville. I wanted to share this world with others, while at the same time conveying how precious life can be.



Getting Your Read On - Review



"I love the title of this book "Hope in Every Raindrop" and the running theme of it throughout the book. I also loved the dogs in this book and how they played a large roll in the life and learning of the characters."



Wishful Endings - Excerpt



He wasn’t wearing a hat, either. It was the first time she’d seen him without one. His hair was dark brown, almost black. Short on the sides, and just enough to run her fingers through on the top. Katie moved to take a step towards him—except it wasn’t a step at all, because her foot caught on a small rock embedded in a patch of clay and she tripped. She tried to break the fall with her arms, but she had been too distracted to recover quickly enough. As she hit the ground she let out a soft whimper, her shoulder driving hard into the dirt.


Writing Pearls - Review



"I am super impressed that this romance was written by a man it is a rare treat. That makes up for some of the slowness. I would say it’s a fun rainy day read. (See what I did there?)"



Words for the Journey - Review



"If you’re a fan of Nicholas Sparks, you’ll easily find a new favorite author in Wesley Banks. Hope in Every Raindrop is a lovely inspirational novel with a moving message, romantic charm, and lovable characters."

Story Broads - 10 Reasons to Fall in Love with a Small Town Guy

My new book, Hope In Every Raindrop is set in the small town of Bishopville, SC. A town that has consistently remained around 3,000 people in total population. A town that Kyle Walker has never left.

When Katie Price meets Kyle Walker, there are many reasons she might fall in love with a small town guy like him, but these are the top 10.

View from the Birdhouse - 5 Books on Wesley's TBR

Recently I posted my current to-be-read (TBR) list on Instagram. There were 15 books on that list, and since then I've read 3. Of course, none of those 3 were on my TBR list, but that's a different story. 

Today I wanted to talk about the 5 books I'm most excited about on this list. 

Mommabears Book Blog - The Inspiration for Hope in Every Raindrop

It was early spring of 2007. I was on track to graduate from the University of Florida in a couple months, and already had a job lined up in Tampa. Yet, I found myself looking through a giant green book called, "The Dog Bible."



I had spent weeks studying breeds, and narrowed it down to a breed that I had never heard of: Carolina dog. . . .



I fell in love with the dogs from the moment I saw them. 

Underneath the Covers - Promo

Min Reads and Reviews - Character Interview: Kyle Walker

When you read Hope In Every Raindrop, one thing you'll quickly notice is Kyle Walker is the quiet type. He's far from shy, but he tends to be more reserved, especially about himself. So, I thought it would be fun to ask Kyle some random questions that he couldn't avoid answering.

Katie's Clean Book Collection - Pimiento Cheese Burger

I decided the world needs to know about pimiento cheese,

and the greatest thing you can make with it: a pimiento cheeseburger. Of course, Kyle Walker just so happens to make one of these special burgers for Katie Price, in Hope In Every Raindrop.

Colorimetry - Excerpt

Standing back at the edge of her porch, all she could see was a plain white piece of paper taped to her wall. Still, she could aim towards the center of the map and hit Missouri, Nebraska, or Kansas. Or for the corners and land on Florida, Georgia, New York, Maine, Washington, California, and so on. So, she picked up the dart and turned her back to the map. Counting to three, she spun back around and let the dart go without hesitation. It wasn't a perfect throw, but it stuck solidly to the wall with a thud.

Zerina Blossom's Books - Searching for the Next Great Story

My sister called the other day to check in and the first thing she asked is, "What are you doing?"

"I'm writing," I said.

"Writing? I thought you were done with your book."

"I am. I'm writing the next one."



My Love for Reading Keeps Growing - Review

"Kyle and Katie seem to form a sweet bond even if Kyle doesn't talk much. Katie learns to love the animals just as much as Kyle, and that is when their relationship really blooms.



This is a sweet story, about loss, love, hope, and finding inspiration through others. It really is such a sweet read."

Hope In Every Raindrop

by Wesley Banks

NA Contemporary

ebook, 202 pages

May 26th 2015

“Small towns have big stories.” That was a lesson Katie’s father taught her years ago. A lesson she’s taken to heart. And right now, Katie is desperate for a big story. Reeling from the recent loss of her father and with her agent breathing down her neck for the next book, the twenty-one-year-old writer picks a spot on the map and finds herself bound for a middle-of-nowhere town called Bishopville, South Carolina.



Taking a chance on the words of a local grocer, Katie stumbles upon a rare breed of dogs raised by the town doctor and his nephew Kyle. The only problem? Kyle isn’t interested in telling stories—especially not to a big-city girl who can’t seem to sit still. In an attempt to win him over as the clock winds down, Katie finds herself immersed in Kyle’s world, doing everything but writing.



When inspiration finally strikes, Katie is faced with an unforeseen catastrophe and a truth she can no longer ignore. While she has come to love the dogs, the real story may be about Kyle Walker.

Amazon - Smashwords

Wesley Banks was born in 1983 and grew up on the west coast of Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Civil Engineering. After spending over 7 years building movable bridges from Florida to Washington he decided to focus on his true passion: writing.



Wesley recently moved from Florida to Oregon to get back to the great outdoors that he’s love so much. He lives with my wife Lindsey, and his two dogs Linkin and Story. Most of his time these days is spent writing, with as much rock climbing, hiking, or skiing as they can fit in.



Wesley’s debut novel, “Hope In Every Raindrop,” is set to be released May of 2015.

Website - Goodreads - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Instagram

Tour Giveaway




$25 Amazon Gift Card

3 ebook copies of Hope In Every Raindrop

Open internationally

Ends June 8th


a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Hunted: A Review

Goodreads (Description):

The Hunted is Charlie Higson's sixth terrifying installment in the thrilling The Enemy series. The sickness struck everyone over fourteen. First it twisted their minds. Next it ravaged their bodies. Now they roam the streets - Crazed and hungry The others had promised that the countryside would be safer than the city. They were wrong. Now Ella's all-alone except for her silent rescuer, Scarface - and she's not even sure if he's a kid or a grown-up. Back in London, Ed's determined to find her. But getting out of town's never been more dangerous- because coming in the other direction is every SICKO in the country. It's like they're being called towards the capital and nothing is going to stop them...In the penultimate book in The Enemy series, the survivors' stories cross with chilling consequences.




My Review:

Oh. My. Gosh.

I NEED THE NEXT BOOK!

This is book six in The Enemy Saga and everything is finally starting to make sense. In the last book, we got a glimpse, but in this one, we get some answers.

Ed, Ella, Malik, Sam, The Kid, Blue, Maxie, and the Twisted Kids are so close to figuring out how to make their world a better place. They are all in separate places, trying hard to stay alive, and do what they can to rid the sickos around them.

In this book, we visit an old friend. I was so happy to see that he was alive. I didn't think I would, considering he was hardly in the story before, but what he did ... it was amazing. He saved poor Ella's life from what she thought would be paradise in the country side. His set up is quite amazing--he could last for years on everything he's got.

That is, until the horde of every sicko left in the UK starts migrating to central London.

We see from Ella's POV and from Ed's POV about how this horde affects the kids and their surroundings.

It was devastating--literally terrifying. This book even made my heart pound. It was awesome.

Later in the book, we see what the country kids have done to survive this past year in zombie-land. They sort of recreated the gladiators. They gather and save up sickos to pit them against kids. Mainly, it's their way to compete without killing each other--because these kids are vicious.

The violence keeps growing, as well as the amount of cursing and kids dying. This world is literally chaos.

And they are SO close to bringing it to and end. I am so sad that the next book isn't out before I return to school. I NEED to read it!!

I give this a 4.5 out of 5!