Book Review of The School of Ministry: The Windgate Book One

Book Review of The School of Ministry: The Windgate Book One

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Book cover and blurb

Title: The School of Ministry: The Windgate (Book One)

Author: Braxton Cosby

Genre: YA/NA Paranormal Fantasy

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. An untimely love triangle clouds Ziv's judgment,  forcing him to choose between the love of his life and the new female interest Evan. 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.

Author Bio

Multi-Award-Wining Author Braxton A. Cosby is a dreamer who evolved from concepts on pen and paper to pixels and keyboards. He tells stories that evoke emotions and stimulate thought. His focus centers on the power of messaging and themes of love, trust and relationship overshadow the predictability of most stories. Braxton is known for his attention to detail and he has been lauded for his ability to transport readers into the worlds he creates. Protostar: Book 1 The Star-Crossed Saga and The School of Ministry: The Windgate are currently two Young Adult series he created. Braxton lives in Georgia with his wife, three children and a troop of crazy African Cichlids.

Links

www.braxtoncosby.com
@Cosbykid_fatdoc
www.theschoolofministry.com

Get your copy of the book:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/SCHOOL-MINISTRY-Windgate-ebook/dp/B00ER9RQIE/ref=la_B005LJY55G_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381190034&sr=1-2

B&N: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-school-of-ministry-braxton-a-cosby/1117149300?ean=9781628820027&isbn=9781628820027

Book Excerpts

"Steph, wake up," I whisper.

When she sees me her eyes open wide and smiles.

She stands and gives me a big hug. "I knew you'd come back to me."

I lift her slightly off the ground. "You knew I couldn't and wouldn't leave you if I had the slightest choice. But now I'm here."

"That's right." She pulls away and lifts a gentle hand to my face. "You are."

We stare at each other and I pray for the boldness I've had recently with Evan. But it is absent now and I pass on going in for a kiss, deciding to take a seat on the bench instead.

"Where the heck am I? We've got to get out of here," she says in a panic.

I grab her by the shoulders. "It's all right. You are safe. This facility is for a special Ministry group."

Her eyebrows furrow. "A ministry group? So, do they go on mission trips or something?" She leans in close to me. "You're not in a cult, are you?"

I laugh. "No, not like that at all. Can't say exactly what they do here. I'm not allowed. But, I can share with you that their work is very important."

"If it's so important, why can't you tell me?"

I take her hand and look into her eyes. "I can't explain it, but trust me when I say that you have nothing to worry about."

She smiles back. "I trust you. Just don't abuse it, like everyone else has."

Her eyes water and she turns away from me. She tries to pull her hands from mine, but I tighten my grip, intent on comforting her.

"What do you mean? Talk to me," I plead.

"It's the divorce!" She sobs. "He's trying to take it all from me."

"Everything?"

"Yes, everything. I mean, I could care less about the house and car. All of that is material stuff. But he's is trying to get the full custody of the kids."

"Andrew and John?"

"Yes…Funny how you remember them now," she teases, cracking a smile.

"Yeah, imagine that. So, is that where the kids are? With their father?"

She sighs, looking and blinking back her tears. "They are with his family in Boston and I was seeking some legal representation with a low budget lawyer off the coast. That's when your buddies here kidnapped me. Do you have any idea why?"

"Uh, it's kind of complicated. They seem to think that you are working with a very dangerous man and they're trying to protect you."

"Protect me? Is that what they call it these days? I need to get out of here and get back to my kids."

She stands and crosses her arms, giving the cell a once over.

I approach her from behind, placing my hands on her shoulders. "I know who you are. That's all that really matters anyway. And don't worry, I will protect you."

She looks over her shoulder at me. "Ziv," she whispers, "your hands are so soft. I never really noticed how much so, in the past."

She faces me and I surrender to the call of my emotions, leaning in to kiss her, cradling her face with both hands. Closing my eyes, warmth flows through me—out of my stomach and pulsing into my head—a pure confirmation this was what I needed to do. As her lips press into mine, my feet grow numb, like I'm floating on clouds. This is it, the moment I've dreamt of for as long as I could remember. The delicious happiness lasts for what seems like hours and I forget about anything else. Mr. C's request for me to question her all of a sudden sounds like some cruel joke. This is Stephanie, the woman who has held the only fire in my heart since I learned to love.

She's not the person they think she is, that's for sure. I'll save the Q and A for another time.

But suddenly, a rush of adrenaline surges in my chest, demanding a return to reality. Thinking of Mr. C. nudges the image of the unconscious guard back into my head. I pull away.

"It's time for me to leave now," I whisper and place a note in her hand.

"What's this?"

"Read it when I leave."

I crack the door and peak out. Turning back, I give a wink and exit. After returning to my room, I find it difficult to sleep. My mind races with images of Stephanie's face while she reads my note—my sacred love letter. I finally found the courage to give to her what I wrote many years ago, when I poured my heart onto paper, expressing everything she means to me.

Review: 

Very  interesting concept of the fight between good and evil.  The book concerns Ziv and his introduction and development as a member of The Way, a group dedicated to fighting evil.  Ziv has an interesting gift, he can see demons.  The book had some interesting twists and turns I didn’t see coming, which made for interesting reading.

I give this book 4 out of 5 clouds.

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This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.