Alex Banks's Blog

My guys, Charlie and Xander, are leaving for scout camp in the morning. They'll be gone all week. I told them there was a good school-supply sale this week and asked if they had any requests. That's when we all realized:

Holy guacamole, summer is almost over!!

When the boys get back, there will be only four weeks of summer left. Four weeks! That's hardly any time at all. And you know those weeks will fly by, too.

I hope you're having a fun summer, and making the most of every moment!

Tonight I accidentally ticked my son, Xan, and got bonked in the nose. You know that really hurty kind of nose-bonk that makes you feel like you've broken your nose? All because I *barely* touched a tiny piece of his skin with my fingertips. This kid is beyond ticklish!

His twin brother practically begs to be tickled, so maybe he got all the tickle genes or something.

I used to be super ticklish, too, but I trained myself to ignore it. To be unticklish. Maybe it's time to teach him my mad anti-tickle ninja skillz.

Tell yourself you're not ticklish at all. Get all zen about it and breathe deep. Just keep breathing.Don't tense up!If you can't talk your brain out of being tickled, put your hand on your tickler's hand while they're tickling you. I know, sounds weird but it works!

When Hiccup and Toothless discover an ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace.

The boys and I took Deej to How to Train Your Dragon 2 on Friday night. It was either that or Maleficent, but since it was almost Father's Day, we let Deej choose--and he chose HTTYD2. We knew he would. ;)

We should have watched the first movie as a warm-up for the second . . . we all had fuzzy memories about the Alpha dragon that breathed fire and saved the day in the first movie. We kept expecting him to show up in this one, but he didn't.

It was totally fun. We loved it. I liked how Hiccup embraced his differences and was determined to show that he could be great--but in his own way. I loved the way that Stoic (spoilers!) just forgave his wife and loved her, sang with her and danced with her "even though" she'd abandoned them and stayed away so long. That was very touching and is just the way I think true love ought to work.

Lots of great action and dragons in this movie! I give it 4 Ninjas of Awesome. :)

I've always been a big-dog fan. Labs, Australian Sheepdogs, St. Bernards . . . you get the picture.

 Always until the last three years, anyway.

A friend gave us a little Yorkshire Terrier puppy. We named him Rockwell after a man in the 1800's who was said to be un-killable. I knew I would love him (who wouldn't love a little puppy?), knew he'd be cute and awesome and all that jazz.

What I didn't know is that he'd completely convert me to the wonders of small-dog love!

He's like the real live version of Cat-Dog, except without the weird cat head/dog head thing. Rocky is perfect in every way. He's as cute as a puppy, even though he's three years old. He's small and compact like a cat. He doesn't shed like ... uh .... like a person. He's smart like any big dog.

In short ....

He. Is. Awesome!


(And I'll be including this giveaway in every post until it ends at the end of the month.If you've already entered, I'd love it if you'd help spread the word about my new bookby sharing the giveaway! Thank you!)a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is my first-ever Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (courtesy of Shannon Messenger) post! Yeah! I'm excited to be here . . . and a little nervous! I'm not very good at reviewing books. I always think someone else can summarize and postulate a lot better than me. And what the heck does "postulate" even mean, anyway? I don't know, it just seemed like a fancy way to say "talking about". :P

But when my kid says, "Hey this book is really good," I take notice and it makes me want to read the book, too. (Note: This doesn't seem to go the other way. If I say, "Hey, this book is really good, you should read it," both my sons usually say something like, "Oh, that's nice" and they DON'T read it.)

Anyway, my son Xan (Thing 2) read The Dream Keeper by Mikey Brooks, said it was really good, so I thought I'd read it too. Like I said, I can't talk fancy about books, but I can tell you . . . I LIKE THIS BOOK!

Dreams: Dorothy called it Oz, Alice called it Wonderland, but Nightmares call it HOME.When an evil shifter takes over the gateway to the realm of Dreams, it falls to 14-year-olds Parker and Kaelyn to stop him. Their only hope lies with Gladamyr, the Dream Keeper, but can they trust a Nightmare to save their world?

Add it on Goodreads!










From the first pages I wanted to keep turning the page. I liked the troubles Kaelyn faced with bullies, and as a mom of boys who play video games, I totally got the angst of gaming and wanting your friends to think you were "the man". But it was the rebellious, kind, Dream Keeper that I wanted to know most about. I turned the pages for Gladimyr, The Dream Keeper.

The author, Mikey Brooks, did not let me down. I loved this book. I loved the real friendship between Parker and Kaelyn (and really related to Kaelyn's personal troubles).

Thank goodness I have the second book, The DreamStone ready to read next! (Xan liked that one, too!)

I give The Dream Keeper by Mikey Brooks 5 Ninjas of Awesome!

A shiny new release!

Warrior of the Egyptian Kingdom by Stephanie Jefferson

Princess Kandake, youngest child of King Amani and heir to the throne of Nubia, has determined to continue her warrior training, but that is not the only thing that complicates her 14 year old life. 

When the king receives a dispatch from Pharaoh Nakhtnebef of Egypt, Kandake is sent to find out why the pharaoh would need Nubia’s warriors to remain in Egypt any longer and why he has included a secret symbol within his message—help. 

In Egypt, Kandake discovers treachery and a poisoned pharaoh, the identity of the bandits that attacked Nubia’s caravans, a Nubian orphan, and that Kandake may be Sakhmet—the Egyptian goddess of war. 


(And I'll be including this giveaway in every post until it ends at the end of the month.If you've already entered, I'd love it if you'd help spread the word about my new bookby sharing the giveaway! Thank you!)a Rafflecopter giveaway

A couple treasures for you today!

The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer by Lisa Orchard

In a small town in Michigan, fifteen-year-old Sarah Cole is stuck spending the summer at her Aunt and Uncle’s with her sister, Lacey. She’s not happy with the situation until she befriends a girl named Jackie. The three girls stumble upon the ruthless murder of a reclusive neighborhood woman and what's worse? One of the officers investigating the crime believes the girls are responsible for her death.

Fearing that this officer will frame them for the murder, the girls organize their own detective squad. They become the Super Spies and start their own investigation. The Super Spies can’t understand why anyone would want to murder the “Cat Lady” until they start digging into her past and discover a horrible crime that happened thirty years ago. They uncover a connection between the two crimes and attempt to bring this information to the police, only to be reprimanded for meddling in the investigation. Not only are the girls upset by the admonition, but they also struggle with the fact that their exuberant investigating could provide a legal loophole allowing the killer to go free. Frustrated by this turn of events, the Super Spies realize it’s up to them to snare the Cat Lady killer.

Or die trying...

The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis by Sharon Ledwith

When Amanda Sault and her four classmates are caught in a major food fight at school, they are given the choice of suspension or yard duty. It was a no-brainer. A two-week crash course in landscaping leads the kids to discover a weathered stone arch buried in an overgrown backyard. Instead of a forgotten lawn ornament, it turns out to be an ancient time portal from the lost continent of Atlantis. Chosen by an Atlantean Magus to be Timekeepers—legendary time travelers sworn to keep history safe from an evil force—the five children, along with two offbeat adults, are sent on the adventure of their lives to save the Earth from an uncertain future. The Timekeepers’ first mission lands them in England in 1214, where they must find an adolescent Robin Hood and his band of merry teens before history is turned upside-down.

I am a lucky duck because I get to be part of this amazing group of middle grade authors ~ Emblazoners. Our goal is to champion independent middle grade to "tween" books and really encourage a love of stories in our readers. Plus, we write kickin' stories!This summer we're hosting our first summer reading contest! Every tween book read qualifies as an entry for our drawing to be held on August 18. Three winners will receive signed duplicate copies of any five paperbacks listed below—one set for themselves and one for their most recent teacher. The more you read, the greater your chances of winning!Here are the official rules:Participation is limited to children who are between the ages of 9-14 at the start of the contest. (Children of Emblazon authors do not qualify.)Contest runs from June 15 to August 15, 2014. Only books read within the contest dates qualify. Any entries received before or after those dates will not be counted.Only middle grade and young adult novels qualify as entries. (But not just ours. Any MG or YA book counts!)To enter, send an email to misenhoff@hotmail.com that includes your name, the book’s title and author, and a brief review (a summary of the book and why you liked it or not). Reviews should be 75 to 100 words in length. There is no limit to the number of entries a reader may submit, but only one entry will be credited per book.By submitting, contestants agree to allow the Emblazon authors to publish their book summaries on the Emblazon blog or Facebook page. Only first names and last initials of contestants will be used. Not all submissions will be published.The drawing will be held August 18, 2014. Winners will be announced immediately on the Emblazon blog and contacted via the email addresses used for submissions. All addresses received will be held confidential but will be added to our semi-annual Emblazon catalog mailing.Three winners will receive: duplicate sets of five signed paperbacks of their choice from the list below—one for themselves and one for their most recent teacher.Here are some of the awesome paperback prizes winners will choose from, in no particular order. Each image is linked to an Amazon page with listing information. We’ll be adding more… Publishing in June!

Break out the best champagne, it's time to christen The Swift!
Cover by Mikey Brooks at InsideMikeysWorld.com
How far would you go to save the ones you love?
The night eleven-year-old Pete planned to shoot the winning goal in the championship hockey game was the same night his dad was lost at sea. Now, eight months later, his mom still cries all the time, his beloved grandfather, stricken with Alzheimer’s, can’t even remember him, and they’re about to lose their crappy old house to the bank. To make matters worse, his twin brother Henry blames Pete for all of it. After all, they were a family of fishermen—if Pete had gone to help on the boat instead of to the game, their dad might still be alive.
While searching the attic for stuff they can sell, Pete finds a battle-torn ship-in-a-bottle. When he and Henry show the bottle to their grandpa, the three of them are transported back in time—on board the very ship that’s going down.
Battling pirates and the raging sea, the boys must learn to work together to help their grandpa save his past. If they don’t, they won’t have a future to return to.
Buy it today!Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Or, add it to your Goodreads list!
Tonight I'm celebrating The Swift's launch by partying at Wheeler Farm in Utah with about eighteen other authors, carnival games and crafts. It's going to be so much fun and it's free! Yay for free! If you're local and want to come by, the event runs from 5:30 - 7:30.
And for everyone else, let's celebrate with a giveaway!I've got a paper copy of The Swift, signed and personalized for you,AND an audiobook of Jump Boys: SOS my middle grade sci fi adventure. 
If you're not into middle grade books, maybe you could give one to a niece or nephew for Christmas, or pass it on to your local library! I won't kid you, being an indie middle grade author is hard. Books just don't sell like the older genres do . . . I would appreciate any and every bit of help to spread the word so people can discover and read my books. Thank you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And while you're noodling over all things middle grade, check out these other awesome MG books. I'm so honored to be lumped in with them!
Do you love middle grade books? Here are some amazing deals. Check them out and spread the word.

There is also an amazing Author Signing Event going on this evening where you can meet some of the authors participating in the blast as well as many others.
The Case of the Exploding Loo by Rachel Hamilton

Buy it on Amazon

Quirky twelve year old Noelle Hawkins may be one of the brightest girls in her class but even she can't explain how her dad, wacky scientist Big Brain Brian, spontaneously combusted while sitting in a portaloo. It's true that he was working on a new top secret Brain Ray machine and was on the point of a great break-through - could this have had something to do with his disappearance? Know-All is sure all is not as it seems and with the help of her sister Holly she is determined to find out what really happened to her dad!
Trusted by Krista Wayment

Get it FREE on Amazon.com

Renick, the fifth son of a dragon breeder, crashes into an unexpected adventure that challenges everything he thought he knew about dragons, history, and himself.

Stranded in the massive Helath forest, Renick meets two other passengers: Thane, a noble training to be a dragon knight, and Lainey, the orphaned niece of a healer. Together they survive an attack by vicious wolves, rescue a baby dragon with a broken wing, and escape from a band of dragon hunters as they make a perilous climb into the mountains. What they discover there will change everything.
The Dreamstone by Mikey Brooks

Buy it on Amazon.com

“There is a world inside our own, but we can’t see it when we are awake—only when we sleep. It is then we find ourselves in Dreams.”

When Parker’s mom is dreamnapped by the wicked Mab, it is up to him and Kaelyn to save her. When they return to Dreams, they discover Mab isn’t their only problem. Gladamyr has lost his powers and the only way to get them back is to become what he fears the most—a nightmare.
Alvor by Laura Bingham

Buy it on Amazon.com

Adarae jolted as the feeling surged through her. She looked carefully at not one, but two little faces and felt the warm power within them. No one suspected it could be two, but the strength pulsing from them was undeniable. They stared back into her eyes.

Fifteen-year-old Erin and her twin brother, Bain, had never seen the secluded cabin in the woods by their home. Upon entering, they discover a magical world where pegasi, dragons and fairies are a reality.

The siblings soon find themselves with super-human powers, being taught the art of magic and sword play by mystical beings. It isn't long before they are struck with a realization they are training to become elves.

Faced with the decision to leave the life they have always known for a world of fantasy, Erin and Bain confront certain demons that threaten to tear them apart.

Alvor is a spellbinding blend of magic and mystery, enchantment and fairy tale, that asks the age-old question: Do you believe in magic?
Wings of Light by Laura Bingham

Buy on Amazon.com

Sixteen-year-old Erin and her twin brother, Bain, have recently become immortal elves - but the search for their mother has just begun. With new information that their mother may be alive, Erin desperately seeks to bring her back home. But when old enemies threaten her quest, Erin must turn to new friends for help and learn that some magic is better left unexplored.
The Serpent in the Glass by D.M. Andrews

Buy on Amazon.com

On his eleventh birthday Thomas Farrell is informed that the deceased father he never knew has provided for his education at Darkledun Manor, a school for gifted children. Thomas, however, feels he's just an ordinary boy, but Darkledun Manor proves to be anything but an ordinary school…

In this work of fiction the reader is transported into a world of myth as the young protagonist, Thomas Farrell, seeks to understand who his mysterious father was, and why he left him a strange glass orb containing a serpent. As the story progresses, Thomas and his friends become increasing caught up in a world they never knew existed – a world beyond the standing stones.

You can review a short audio sample from the book, read by the author, at www.writers-and-publishers.com. A video trailer can also be accessed by viewing D.M. Andrews’ Amazon author page. Cover design by Alex Hausch.
Trouble Blows West by Monique Bucheger

Buy on Amazon.com

Putting her body in motion before her brain is in gear creates a mountain of problems for 12 year-old Ginnie West. She is certain that defending her twin brother, Toran, from the biggest bully in sixth grade was the right thing to do. But Ginnie couldn’t be more wrong.

She quickly figures out that Toran doesn’t appreciate being rescued by a girl any better than Pierce likes being knocked down by one. When Pierce seeks revenge on Ginnie, Toran sets aside his anger and helps her plot a playback prank at Pierce’s house.

Sadly, Ginnie learns that Pierce has a reason for being a bully when she sees his dad drop him to the floor like a ragdoll with one awful blow to the chest. Realizing he's a boy in big trouble, Ginnie switches gears and decides to be his ally, even if he won’t let her be his friend.
Fury of the Storm Wizard by Shauna E. Black

Buy it on Amazon

A storm is brewing in Silver Valley, where an unusual string of mining accidents has locals whispering of dark magic. When the marshal sent to investigate goes missing, his young assistant Boone turns to Jesse and Eliza for help. But Jesse is a new mage with raw magic, and Eliza is hiding a secret. The three must learn to trust each other before the valley is destroyed and they are ripped away from everything they hold dear.
Prelude to a Hero by Jaime Buckley

Get it FREE at WantedHero.com

Wendell is a young man who learns what his potential is while on a strange, enchanted world with a funny old wizard and ugly troll to mentor and guide him. Prelude to a Hero, the debut book about how Wendell came to be the one expected to save an entire world. . . by accident.
The Swift by Alex Banks

Buy on Amazon.com

The night twelve-year-old Pete planned to shoot the winning goal in the championship hockey game was the same night his dad was lost at sea. Now, eight months later, his mom still cries all the time, his beloved grandfather, stricken with Alzheimer’s, can’t even remember him, and they’re about to lose their crappy old house to the bank. To make matters worse, his twin brother Henry blames Pete for all of it. After all, they were a family of fishermen—if Pete had gone to help on the boat instead of to the game, their dad might still be alive. While searching the attic for stuff they can sell, Pete finds a battle-torn ship-in-a-bottle. When he and Henry show the bottle to their grandpa, the three of them are transported back in time—on board the very ship that’s going down. Battling pirates and the raging sea, the boys must learn to work together to help their grandpa save his past. If they don’t, they won’t have a future to return to.

The SwiftMG Fantasy
How far would you go to save the ones you love?
The night eleven-year-old Pete planned to shoot the winning goal in the championship hockey game was the same night his dad was lost at sea. Now, eight months later, his mom still cries all the time, his beloved grandfather, stricken with Alzheimer’s, can’t even remember him, and they’re about to lose their crappy old house to the bank. To make matters worse, his twin brother Henry blames Pete for all of it. After all, they were a family of fishermen—if Pete had gone to help on the boat instead of to the game, their dad might still be alive.

While searching the attic for stuff they can sell, Pete finds a battle-torn ship-in-a-bottle. When he and Henry show the bottle to their grandpa, the three of them are transported back in time—on board the very ship that’s going down.
Battling pirates and the raging sea, the boys must learn to work together to help their grandpa save his past. If they don’t, they won’t have a future to return to.

Buy it today!Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Buy an autographed copy!

(outside U.S./Can email me)

The Swift $9.99 USD
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