Can you tell readers a little bit about
yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?
Well, I’m an
award-winning novelist that works full time as a physical therapist right
outside of Atlanta, GA. I am married with three lovely girls who are the source
of my life right now. They inspire me to be a better man and to create as much
original content as possible. Kid’s minds are so amazing and they are always
trying to do something else that trumps the last thing. This genre of writing,
Young Adult, was inspired by just watching and learning from young people. I
love the power of imagination and the boundless freedom that comes with it.
Young people are becoming more and more accepting and receptive to new ideas
and lack the rigidity of older folks, so they are willing to read something off
the cuff.
What is it about the paranormal that
fascinates you so much?
I think people are
drawn to it because it’s relatively new from a narrative perspective. Now,
people have definitely watered it down and “kicked the dead horse” with all the
stories branching from it. But actually, Dracula and his monster goons have
been around for quite some time. People brought it back mainstream when they
gave us characters that showed a more human side to them, rather than just
mindless beings.
What inspired you to write this
book?
I wanted to find
another venue that explored the power of spiritual gifting, without all the
religious handcuffing and legality that pushes people away. Everyone talks
about supernatural powers, but no one really tapped into it like my novel The
School of Ministry does. Imagine being able to see demons in the spiritual
realm by just closing your eyes, or manipulating objects and people by just
speaking. Once I worked out the framework for the spiritual gifts, I had to
create a story that included action elements and set pieces that felt epic. The
creative elements took over from there.
Please tell us about your latest
release.
The School of
Ministry: The Windgate is the first of a five book series that follows the exploits
of a young man named Ziv who is kidnapped by a secret society that lobbies his
help to defend the weak and hunt down evil. In exchange for his assistance,
they will help him find his friend (long lost love interest named Stephanie)
who has recently gone missing. From there on, an epic tale of redemption,
discovery, purpose and identity is birthed. There’s a wonderful double love
triangle as well that keeps readers enthralled.
Is there a character that you
enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
Francis was a
great character to write. I wanted to be him by the end of the story. He had to
be very cool, sexy, mysterious, and sinister, while still appealing to the
reader. The balance between him and Jaythan was paramount in making both of
their characters work within the story. Ziv is of course the main character and
since the story is told from his perspective, you had to love him too. And
ultimately you do, but Francis came off more polarizing than I expected.
What is your favorite scene from the
book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?
It’s actually a
scene that was added late to make the continuum of the story make sense. In the
editing process, there are moments where you as the writer realize that
timelines are being challenged. My editor pointed this out to me and I needed
to have a sequence that added fluidity to the story, without making it seem
like filler. There is an extra training scene with Ziv, Francis, and Jaythan
that takes place where they are working with Maxwell and you get a sense of how
powerful Ziv can really be if he learns how to focus his gift. I made up the
challenge and I didn’t know how or would play out or who would win, until the
very end. The conclusion of the scene made sense and weaved in perfectly.
Can you tell readers a little bit
about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from
our normal world?
World building is
my favorite thing. It takes time, especially in a series because you have to
envision the world over an extended period. I ask myself questions like: “Do it
change? Is there war? Will the characters move to other venues” What is the
relevance of the changes if any?” The Windgate follows the boys through
different set pieces where the environments are very different and it is
important for the reader to feel what they feel (Or at least Ziv) as the
changes take place. So the detail has to be there, but knock enough to make you
overdoes on it and make you say “get on with it already.” The spiritual aspect
of the world building doesn’t really come into play until later novels.
With the book being part of a
series, are there any character or story arcs, that readers jumping in somewhere
other than the first book, need to be aware of? Can these books be read as
stand alones?
This is first book
of the five book series, but I am cognizant that readers will pick up later
books without reading the first or second ones. I feel that each book will be a
novel of it’s own, but readers who love the story will decided to go back
eventually to tie together different ends. I like to think that each book
represents a television season, with chapters being episodes.
Do you write in different genres?
It varies a
little. Both series Are Young Adult, but they tight rope the line of New Adult,
Romance, Sci-fi and Mystical Visionary.
What was the last amazing book you
read?
I really like with
Marie Lu has done with Legend and of course what Veronica Roth is doing with
the Divergent series. Both books pull you in to different worlds and have
characters that you can relate to.
Where is your favorite place to
read?
Do you have a cozy
corner or special reading spot? Anywhere my kids are no around. LOL. But I just
love to get in a spot where there is quite. Sometimes it’s the bookstores and
libraries, or maybe even when I’m on vacation. Reading by the ocean is like
paradise to my senses.
What can readers expect next from
you?
More and more
good, original, creative and thought provoking stories. As soon as I feel like
I am getting conventional or predictable, I immediately throw in a monkey
wrench or two to keep you guessing. That way, neither of us can get bored.
The School of Ministry
The Windgate
Book 1
Book 1
Braxton A Cosby
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publisher: Keith Publications
ISBN: 978-1-62882-002-7
Number of pages: 367
Word Count: 114K
Book Description:
TO CHOOSE, IS FATE!
A young man named Ziv struggles to find his place in life after both of his parents are murdered. Orphaned and alone by the age of six, he bounces in and out of foster homes hopeless and afraid, wondering if he will ever find a path to happiness. He resolves to accept a life of depravity, until one day he discovers he possesses the gift of sight: to see creatures from the afterlife, but not angels...demons!
Ziv is recruited by The School of Ministry, a secret society that promises to help him find his best friend Stephanie, who has gone missing. But there is one catch: he must agree to join them in their quest to eradicate evil and protect the weak. Ziv learns that he is a "Conduit," which allows him to cross over into the spirit world and transcend time itself.
When he is partnered with two other young men who have similar gifts, the unlikely trio is trained in the mastery of weapons and the art of Shouting, during treacherous challenges of the tortuous Quad in preparation for their mission: to secure the Windgate. Ziv becomes entrenched in a quest of identity, love, and will, until he comes face to face with pure evil itself--Akabod, the spiritual prodigal son to the School of Ministry and a master of talents.
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/jIuB6zXCnY4
About the Author:
A graduate of the University of Miami, Cosby earned his bachelors, masters and doctorate in physical therapy. He also is certified by the American Physical Therapists and is a Certified Sports Nutritionist.
And now he’s getting you in shape. “I feel that God has given me a calling to help people,” said Cosby. It was through his own injury that taught Cosby about “getting people back to their prior level of function.” He said he want to motivate “people to stay on the course” so they can meet their own individual goals.
Cosby is a personal trainer, nutritionist and physical therapist and is using his talents and knowledge to help bring attention to the health issues and disparities such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.
He was the featured keynote speaker at the 2012 Atlanta CARES STEMFest for Children and Young Adults event. He also was a presenter for Mercer College School of Medicine and the Louisiana Medical Society’s Focus on Exercise and Fitness. He has partnered with Emory University as a clinical instructor and worked with a major rehabilitation company in geriatrics.
The host of a weekly radio show – Ask the Fat Doctors, Cosby also is an award-winning author and has been seen on CBS, Fox and Atlanta Live. He’s teamed up with retired offensive lineman and NFL analyst Jamie Dukes to create a workout video for men called Chachersize (C_4).
Ask the Fat Doctors is where Cosby, Dukes and radio personality Tee Foxx where they cover a variety of topics from current events to obesity to disease prevention. Cosby also shares tips on how to lose pounds.
Cosby’s goal is to share information on how to create healthy habits and how they can counteract serious health ailments. His articles can be found in “OMTimes Magazine” and “Skinny Limits”. Cosby also posted regular workout tips on his YouTube page.
As the nephew of actor and comedian Bill Cosby, Dr. Braxton A. Cosby has charted his own path, but embodies his uncle’s creativity and vision for a healthier America. “Of course” he was an influence, the younger Cosby said. “He taught me how to develop a passion for what you do.”
And Dr. Braxton A. Cosby has a passion for fitness
@Cosbykid_fatdoc
October 28 Guest blog
The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom
October 28 Spotlight
Lisa’s World of Books
October 29 Interview
Books in the Hall –
October 29 Interview
The Seraphine Muse
October 30 Spotlight and review
Black Words-White Pages Teen/Young Adult
October 31 Spotlight
Beverly @ The Wormhole
November 1 Spotlight
Deb Sanders
November 4 Interview
Books & Other Spells.
November 5 Guest blog
Dalene’s Book Reviews
November 6 Excerpt- spotlight
Mythical Books
November 7 Spotlight
Lis Les Livres
November 8 Interview
Fang-tastic Books
November 8 Spotlight
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too!
November 11 Interview
Pembroke Sinclair.
November 11 Spotlight
Saph's Book Reviews
November 11 Spotlight and review
A Night's Dream of Books
3 comments:
Interesting blurb
Thank you so much for the chance to win this awesome giveaway! Happy Reading! :)
thank foe the great givaway
Post a Comment