The Chair, Exploring Damages by Emma Jayne Gray

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Chair, Exploring The Damages,' by Emma Jayne Gray.

The Chair, Exploring the Damages by Emma Jayne Gray is a self-help work that gives you insight and ideas to help you become who you want to be.  Using the venue of the Chair, something so normal and easy to visualize she takes you into thought and ideas of change, using the shape and patterns of the chair as a point to help us to visualize how by changing the colors or patterns on the chair the changes emerge as we create that understanding.

She then ties in numerous other techniques and ideas, differing ways to change disappointment, or sadness, and a variety options to change the toxicity of hurt and anger, as well as depression as it tries to keep you from living a life more fulfilling.

Using the chair as a means of describing our ego or personality, she gives that solid item that is recognizable to all, but that is also different and changeable to reflect our own personal spaces. It is often difficult to move forward with depression, and while we can share the feeling, the thoughts are often confusing. No one else has the ability to see or feel the pain and insecurities inside us. Even if they were to understand, they cannot change what is within, only you are able to affect that change.

Gray takes some of her own experiences and gives us insight as to what she found works, and feels that each individual is capable of being more then what they are. She believes that if one can just turn on their internal light, that they will receive incredible rewards.  She discusses the de- dramatization and the use of perspective, using meditation, yoga and Tai Chi, as well as spirituality and physical movement and exercise. 

You will find this an interesting read, and even find some great ideas that would be instructive in numerous situations.

If you like self-help, and would like some ideas or direction to move forward, you would find this full of differing ideas. Self- help books seem all the rage these days, and I believe that Emma Jayne Gray has given us something just a bit different.

Rating 4/5

The Haunting of Sunshine Girl by Paige McKenzie

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Haunting of Sunshine Girl', A Novel based on the YouTube web series phenomenon.

Reaching the age of 16 is an important turning point in a teen’s life. It is a special time, labeled sweet 16 in the case of young girls, a kind of coming of age. What if there was more than just a coming of age, a heralding of a different understanding.

In The Haunting of Sunshine Girl by Paige McKenzie, we are introduced to Sunshine Griffith and her mother, Kat. As Sunshine reaches the age of 16 things seem just a bit different, but she can’t really get a feel for it. Moving cross-country to the Northwest for her mother’s new job she finds the new house they are moving into decidedly creepy. Her relationship with her mother has always been extremely close, much like that of best friends, their bond is strong and they laugh and share inside jokes that hold them close. Yet that too seems to change as they move into this new place. Unable to figure it out, she shares her concerns with her friend she left behind, as well as her mother.

Usually on the same wavelength, she cannot get her mother to see or hear the strange happenings, including that of water running and a young girl crying. Sleep is becoming more difficult and her mother is becoming more distant. School is her only escape for now and she has befriended a strange young many, Nolan Foster, who is more than willing to listen to her concerns. His is smart and cute, yet he is a bit ostracized from the rest of the kids due to his belief in paranormal occurrences. He certainly comes by it naturally as his grandfather was a bit of a ghost hunter, who died before he could prove his theories to the outside world.

As they come together to try and tackle the possible haunting, they find there is more danger then could be imagined. The short time in the home already has her mother turning into someone else. As Sunshine tries to come to terms and get her mother to understand, Kat picks up a knife and cuts first herself and then Sunshine on the hand. Sunshine now knows that this woman is more than just her mother, there is another presence there as well, and one who is not concerned about the body that seems to now be housing it. Sunshine enlists the help of Nolan to help her find the answers before any further damage can occur. As they search for information, the horror of the answers is more than they bargained for. Death seems to be stalking them. Can they do what they need to do before it is too late for them all?

This is a fascinating tale of the paranormal and the importance of family and the belief in each other. The characters are quite well thought out, and you find yourself wanting to be a part of the fold. Well, except for the creepy stuff. There is humor and terror, and the investigation is strange and abhorrent, yet sets the stage for the presence that seems to be within their new home.

If you enjoy paranormal activity, friendships, family and just great personalities you will find this a fun, page turning work. Set as a young adult work, it also works great as a crossover novel for the nature and speed of the action keeps you riveted as the investigation takes your mind in dizzying direction.

Paige McKenzie is an author to watch for.

Rating 5/5

Vanished, The Search for Sally Hunt by Jan Joseph

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review:'Vanished, The Search for Sally Hunt,' A Paranormal Mystery by Jan Joseph.

In Vanished, The Search for Sally Hunt by Jan Joseph, we are taken into the life of a young woman who has been chosen. As with any college student Sally Hunt is searching for herself. Yet when she is visited by a strange phenomenon that reveals she will be a healer, she realizes the stress of her life may be just a bit too much.  One of her best friends is just as stunned, yet they chalk it all up to nonsense, and too many late nights.

Yet how does that explain the accident where Sally hits a young man with her car. As she waits for the paramedics to show and places pressure on the wound, she feels lightheaded, in pain herself. When they bring the gurney they are just as concerned for her, as she has just as much blood on her as does the victim, yet neither of them has injuries. Witnessed by Jeanie, her best friend they are both at a loss. It is only as she meets Jeanie’s Grandma Rose that pieces begin to fall into place, as Rose too met her own guide in much the same way. 

As the years pass, Sally is involved in healing, not always by choice. She has become close to Rose, and estranged from Jeanie.  Her husband is the love of her life, yet he too has his own struggles, but for him she is everything.

When Sally Hunt vanishes no one understands what has happened. Jane Peters gets the case and is unaware of all the drama. Receiving a call from Sally’s mother, Jane wonders why her husband was not the one calling. Something seems so strange about the situation. Yet as she begins to dig, she finds the most extraordinary story unfolding. Who will believe her, and why would they? Speaking to Sally’s friend Jeanie they find bitterness and estrangement. Yet Jane feels in her gut that Jeanie has a part in the disappearance, but her life is a mess, drugs and lifestyle have changed her from the young woman who was Sally’s best friend and confidant, to a walking wounded pile of nerves.

As Jane begins her search she finds her own faith and beliefs being tested. Can what she is hearing really be correct. Where are the husband and Jeanie in all of this? And what about Rose, Jeanie’s Grandma, she has now become a ward of Sally, taken care of as one of her own. Can she find the answers before it is too late for a woman to whom everyone has come to depend on?

Joseph has given us characters that are at once lovable and in many cases extremely flawed. Sally is just as messed up in life and anyone would be that received her visions, yet she has managed to be relatively normal most of the time. She finds herself drawn to those in need of saving, and this is both her friend Jeanie, and her husband. There is such a vulnerability about them you find yourself wanting to ease their pain. Rose is a wonderful older woman and full of love as well as spunk. You can’t help but relate her to many of your own relatives. 

The story is interesting and the mystery is solid. You will find yourself looking for clues along with Jane as she tries to find the answers.

If you enjoy the paranormal and like a great mystery you will enjoy this work. The depth of character draws from many of those you may know or meet in your lifetime, and give credence to the novelty of the entire work.

Rating 4/5

Iron Shinto by Tricia Stewart Shiu

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Iron Shinto' by Tricia Stewart Shiu.

When life changes and you find things are out of control, how do you rewind and settle the dust. Or can you?  Once you have begun a new journey in both your mind and your soul the difficulty lies in the fact that once you believe and have seen the proof of your beliefs, everything transforms.   ‘You can’t un-ring the bell.’

In The Iron Shinto by Tricia Stewart Shiu, you will follow the lives of Hillary House, her sister Molly and niece Heidi as the journey of discovery moves them into the inferno of the war over control of the portal of the guardians.  

In Moa  by Tricia Stewart Shiu, Hillary and her family were instrumental in saving the Hawaiian Islands as well as Moa the guardian of the gate.  This then moved them forward to the story of the God Ku, and his missing essence.

In The Statue of Ku by Tricia Stewart Shiu, we follow the young women into Egypt where we learn of the God Ku, and how he came to be, as well as the history of Hillary and her family, and how they come to be the ones chosen to put their history to rights. 

The Iron Shinto furthers the story as having found the abilities of astral travel, transporting and protection with the help of Moa, the young women now appear to have lost themselves.  An evil force has found and separated them from their bodies.  They must now find a way to heal the rift that set them asunder and find their physical bodies before time runs out.  Can they decipher the clues that have torn them apart and find the integral beings where they have been hidden?  Moa comes back for the challenge but it is already too late.  

This family is so beset with complexities that the depth is like looking through a bottomless pool.  The story is interesting and Hillary, Molly and Heidi are great personalities, with flaws that make them altogether human.  The beginning of each chapter assigns blessings and chants to help clear chakras and issues to move into a better experience. This adds a dose of spiritualism that enhances the work. This is the third book in the series, with the others listed above.  A final coup de  grace of emotional turmoil.

This would be a great book for the young adult or anyone who really enjoys a good mystery with a dose of spirituality and the paranormal thrown in.  If you are intrigued with the story and the characters you will find that the first two books of the series will give you that extra dose of richness.  Each story can stand alone, but when combined with each other there is a fullness of heart.  

You may find yourself memorizing the chants and rooting for the characters to win and for life to right itself. This is an amazing series, and Shiu has given up a series with teeth.  These are a great addition to your library or that of your young reader.   

Rating 4/5

Each book of the series is an amazing part to the puzzle and receive the same rating.

This book was received from the authors publicist. All opinions are my own based on my reading and understanding of the material.

Gates of Paradise by Melissa De La Cruz

Article first published as Book Review: Gates of Paradise: A Blue Bloods Novel by Melissa De La Cruz on Blogcritics.

With the explosion of books and stories about the eternal struggle each view is like another layer added to what many believe in. The subject makes for good reading and adventurous treks through the depths of hell and back, often followed by unimaginable horror. So how does one make a mark and find a way to stand out from the rest in the tale of the epic struggle.

In the Blue Bloods Novel, Gates of Paradise by Melissa De La Cruz, you will find the characters that have become the epitome of both good and darkness over the course of the series. In the struggle to both close the gates of hell, and conquer their own darkness, inherent in their background, many of the core group struggles to survive. Follow the continued exploits of Jack and Mimi, as they are tested on their abilities to fight the Dark Prince, or fold to his power. Schuyler Van Alen unknowingly holds the secret to save them all, but can she find the answers before it is too late.  In a world where much is hidden and alternate struggle continues unseen by most, fought by vampires and wolves, as well as angels both good and bad, many of those that have found some success in the past are suddenly no longer there. The darkness has found a way to win the war and the end inexorably moves towards an unimaginable ending. When Jack and Mimi find themselves with no way out, Schuyler is kidnapped as a sacrifice there is only one way out.

Is love truly immortal, able to cross all realms? Follow feats of courage and sacrifice as the beginning of the end comes with a blinding unexpectedness. Is the world ready to fall into the hands of darkness or with the light of love and right find a way through?

The characters and places throughout the book are an exceptional blend of realism as well as fatalism. The beauty and brutality of the scenes take your breath away as you watch for your favorites to emerge victorious. Your hurt and horror as some are struck down feel real as though you have known and loved them yourself. The horror of the sacrifice and the betrayals feel real, part of your own soul.

Da La Cruz builds a crescendo of excitement and mystery in her closing volume which will make you search to find the rest of the series. If you love the books of apocalyptic endings, the fight of good against evil and a great mystery, you will enjoy her work. Through in absolute love and sprinkle the mix with vampires, wolves and angels and you have a book that harkens to a variety of readers.

This is a great book for those that enjoy the epic battles of right and wrong, as well as the connoisseur of love stories, horror, vampire tales, and mysteries. A welcome addition to any library, this is one that can be read again and again. But make room on your shelves because you will want to find the rest of the series for their rightful place in this bold adventure.

Rating 5/5

This book was received free from the authors publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

 

Book Review and Giveaway:The Book of Paul by Richard Long

Article first published as Book Review:The Book of Paul by Richard Long on Blogcritics.

Is it really possible for a parallel universe to exist, one right beside our own where those that inhabit both, live lives very different from those on our own existence? If so, what if this world was a part of the beginnings and endings of everything we believe to be real.  

In The Book of Paul by Richard Long we meet some unique and interesting characters. But it is the world itself that takes you on a roller coaster of a journey, one that will both horrify and delight you, as you hit the highs and lows through the cast of characters that border on both genius and madness.

Paul is not who many believe him to be. For some he is a friend, and others a father figure, but only very few really know the truth behind his being. Having rescued Martin from and manipulative and deadly mother as a child, he raises him the best way he knows how. Or does he? There is depth and depravity, hidden from most, and Martin becomes a stone cold personality, with no one other than his foster father Paul who understands him.

But then he meets Rose, she too is damaged, yet holds a secret that she herself has hidden deep. Her own life is addicted to pain and sex, yet when she meets Martin, she immediately recognizes a feeling, that seems centuries old.

If these characters are not enough, there are watchers, and doers throughout the communities, each with their own brand of narcissism, waiting for their own entrance to the horror that continues to build as the pieces come together and the time for recognition comes through.

Often the “devil is in the detail,” and such is the case, but don’t leave out the angels or the existence of just about every form of belief you have heard of or imagined. With a sharp wit, and strong sense of the macabre, Long has delivered a work of horror that keeps you reading to the very end.

What happens? How do the characters survive, or do they? Can they stop Paul from his ever increasing frenzy?

If you enjoy historical religious and pagan beliefs, this book is chock full of information. If you like horror with your romance, then you will find yourself immersed in both. Long has written a fascinating and oftentimes horrific look into the depths of belief, and used an eclectic mix of differing histories to pull off a work that keeps you guessing.

This would be a great book for a discussion group, there is so much going on that you could read it untold times and still find something new. A group would find a great deal to discuss with all of the differing offers.

Even with the horror there is a sense of purpose, but be prepared to become immersed, keep the lights on and the doors locked, the horror will keep the chills flowing.

 The Book of Paul Book Summary:

"Everything you've ever believed about yourself...about the description of reality you've clung to so stubbornly all your life...all of it...every bit of it...is an illusion."

In the rubble-strewn wasteland of Alphabet City, a squalid tenement conceals a treasure "beyond all imagining"-- an immaculately preserved, fifth century codex. The sole repository of ancient Hermetic lore, it contains the alchemical rituals for transforming thought into substance, transmuting matter at will...and attaining eternal life.

When Rose, a sex and pain addicted East Village tattoo artist has a torrid encounter with Martin, a battle-hardened loner, they discover they are unwitting pawns on opposing sides of a battle that has shaped the course of human history. At the center of the conflict is Paul, the villainous overlord of an underground feudal society, who guards the book's occult secrets in preparation for the fulfillment of an apocalyptic prophecy.

The action is relentless as Rose and Martin fight to escape Paul's clutches and Martin's destiny as the chosen recipient of Paul's sinister legacy. Science and magic, mythology and technology converge in a monumental battle where the stakes couldn't be higher: control of the ultimate power in the universe--the Maelstrom.

The Book of Paul is the first of seven volumes in a sweeping mythological narrative tracing the mystical connections between Hermes Trismegistus in ancient Egypt, Sophia, the female counterpart of Christ, and the Celtic druids of Clan Kelly.

Link to an excerpt from The Book of Paul:
http://all-things-andy-gavin.com/untimed/sample/

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      Richard Long's Bio:

Richard Long writes to exorcize the demons of his past and manifest the dreams of his future. His debut novel, The Book of Paul, is a dark, thrilling, and psychologically rich supernatural horror/thriller that blends mythology, science and mystery into a page-turning addiction. Richard is also writing a YA novel, The Dream Palace, primarily so that his children can read his books. He lives in Manhattan with his wife, two amazing children and their wicked black cat, Merlin.

Prices/Formats: $19.95 paperback, $2.99-$3.99 ebook
Publisher: Open Eyes
ISBN: 9780615648644
Pages: 492
Release: June 2012

Amazon paperback buy link ($19.95):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0615648649?tag=tributebooks-20

Barnes and Noble paperback buy link ($19.95):http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-book-of-paul-richard-long/1111400572?ean=9780615648644

Kindle buy link ($2.99):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0088QYXGA?tag=tributebooks-20

Nook buy link ($3.99):
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-book-of-paul-richard-long/1111400572?ean=9780615648644

iTunes buy link ($3.99):

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-book-of-paul/id541134918?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4



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Richard Long's Web Site: http://www.thebookofpaul.com/

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Richard Long's Twitter:https://twitter.com/#!/RichardLongNYC

Richard Long's Blog:http://www.thebookofpaul.com/the-blo/

Richard Long's YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjgdNUIpb9yhDraZ6dImiA?feature=guide

Richard Long's Google Plus:https://plus.google.com/u/0/105947820741052716703/posts

Richard Long's Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6426921.Richard_Long

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The Wrath of Angels by John Connolly

Article first published as Book Review:The Wrath of Angels by John Connolly on Blogcritics.

The darkness and anger of the fallen is often talked about by those who believe. Angels that have fallen from grace become the monsters of our dreams.

In The Wrath of Angels by John Connolly, we follow Charlie Parker, a man who has been involved in such happenings for some time. No one is sure of his own pedigree, and the question remains—is he also one with a taint on his soul? He does not believe it; he believes that he is on the side of right. Hunting down the monsters as they work at annihilating those that oppose them, he has seen many things. Often in the middle of both sides he is regularly challenged at his stance. Darkness descends in all directions, and those who oppose are on a list. This list is sought after by both sides, one for death, the other for knowledge. The Collector walks as well, ready to finish the job of stealing souls and moving them on. When Charlie finds his own name on the list, he knows the Collector is on his own trail.

When he hears of a plane in the darkest part of the forest, one that carries another list, he knows he must begin the search. There is more at stake than any of the residents can imagine. The danger of discovery put those with knowledge at risk. As each of the witnesses is killed in brutal fashion, Charlie must race against time to reach the plane before the fallen do. But he remembers a story of these same woods from years ago. This story is of a young girl, another danger that lures the unwary. Can he stay ahead of the collector, and retrieve that which is written before it is too late?

John Connolly has written a tale of darkness and deceit, and sprinkled it with bits of good. The fallen angels are dark and destructive, but well placed in the world. Able to hold sway over those that have their own darkness through the form of money or threat, they have built a small army of dangerous men and women. His characters are real and creepy, with the ability to steal into your dreams. The brutality and graphic nature of the ritual killings stay with you long after you set down the book. The darkness and description of the characters take you there, and hold you spellbound. This is not a work for the weak of heart.

If you enjoy thrillers and tones of the underworld, this will fill the bill. The mystery surrounding the plane will keep you captivated, and the characters will give you chills. Charlie Parker is an excellent character, tough and resilient, and he has surrounded himself with his own group of friends. He is sure of his own character, even when those around him have questions. He is smart and full of passion for what he does.

This is a thriller that will hold you captive to the very end. This would make a fascinating read for a reading group, and a strong argument for a discussion group. Charlie Parker is a character to watch for.

Rating 4/5

This book was received free from the authors publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

The GOD Franchise; A Theory of Everything by Alan H. Dawe

Posted First on Blog Critics as Book Review:The God Franchise; A Theory of Everything by Alan H. Dawe

Since the beginning of time we have asked many of the same questions. Why are we here, where did we come from, and the real topper––What is life all about?

In The GOD Franchise; A Theory of Everything, the author Alan H. Dawe tries to give us a stance that he believes answers those questions and more. Not a book on any one religion Dawe delves to the core of the questions that haunt. With so many different religions as well as the non-believers there is a difficulty in answering to everyone’s satisfaction. What happens if you don’t believe, the different religions have different beliefs, so how do you take a concept and make it palatable for the masses.

If these questions and many others have you worrying and wondering, this work is precise and draws a parallel to the differences as well as the likenesses we all question. What about those that don’t believe in God? Well he has a theory for that as well.

If you are looking for answers and have questions about creation, you would enjoy the premise of this work. Dawe has taken the liberty of mixing the proven and the belief system and come up with an interesting scenario. Using the God Conscience as his credo, he has broken down the idea in easy terms. Much like the way a franchise works; he has drawn lines in the sand, a diagram of words to sooth the imagination and tickle the soul.

His philosophy is simple and easy to grasp, he colors the mix so thoroughly to paint a picture of beauty and you are drawn to the idea. You will hear much of what you already know, yet it is simplified. Mixing the scientific with the belief system, he uses famous quotes, passages from the bible and other works.

The perspective draws information from many varied and well researched works, and the ideology will challenge you to look deeper into your own life. If you are open to the challenge you may just find the answers to the questions that have always haunted you. Only you can change the way you live and think, and Dawe gives you a unique process that will at least have you questioning his ideas. As with any thing with free will, it is your choice and yours alone as to what you choose to do.

If you are looking for that certain something, here is another look through a different set of eyes.  You will recognize much of the theory from others works but Dawe draws a perspective that is at once fulfilling and interesting.

This would be a great book for a reading or discussion group. The possibilities are endless.

Rating 4/5

This book was received free from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Grail Mysterium, An Adventure On The Heights by Thomas Kaplan-Maxfield

Article first published as Book Review: Grail Mysterium: An Adventure on the Heights by Thomas Kaplan-Maxfield on Blogcritics.

Magic and Science, can these two subjects actually be related and interchangeable, or is there any relationship at all between them.

In Grail Mysterium, An Adventure on the Heights by Thomas Kaplan-Mansfield, he brings us a book touted to be somewhere between Harry Potter and the Da Vinci Code. I enjoyed both of these works to a degree and was interested to see how this work would represent the connection.

In Boston College a group of friends are beginning to notice strange happenings, students with high marks are dropping out, illness is running rampant, and Jack Knecht a senior psych major thinks he has seen a ghost. Not that he is sure, but he saw a hooded figure pass into a locked area of fencing and enter a building which is locked up for remodeling. Checking the locks to make sure, he is just a bit uncomfortable. Known as somewhat of a dreamer, he is a huge Hogwarts buff and believes in the idea of magic. He knows his friends will not believe him, and his girlfriend Fran will question his sanity.

Unable to put his vision aside, he talks Fran into checking out Gasson, which had been undergoing a major remodeling for over the past year. In order to get into the building, they would have to climb over the fence and break in. Fran finds this part of Jack to be a part of what draws her, she is not the believer or dreamer he is, but she is game to check out the old empty and out of bounds building.

Little does either of them know that they have set a chain of events in action that cannot be stopped. It will take them and seven of their closest friends to find the mystery surrounding Gasson, and the ghosts that seem to be ensconced. Looking for information, each of the friends herald information from their own studies. Is it possible that the ghosts have tracked the Templar knights and the Holy Grail to Boston College and this place in history? That seems to be the message, yet only Jack and Fran are at the center, when magic begins to evolve, they are both excited and yet dismayed.  Finding themselves in the middle of a centuries old mystery, fighting against evil ghosts, a bull and a dragon, their quest for the grail is solidified when they come upon an old map? Will they succeed in this strange quest and save the college? Can they and their friends survive against the odds and with the secret knowledge they now carry?

This is a true marriage of the two distinct worlds of Harry Potter and The Davinci code. Where the one is all about magic and the other is about the religious aspects and science, Maxfield has given us a mix that is thoroughly satisfying. The characters in the forms of seniors at the college are written with an eye to excellence in knowledge, and without their individual components there would be a difficulty in the belief of the facts as written. Each character carries a piece of the puzzle with Jack and Fran as the center piece. Throw in evil ghosts, modern day Templars, professors that may be just a bit untrustworthy, and mix that with the whimsy of a dragon and a giant bull, any you have the makings of a magical, mystical suspense that at times keeps you on the edge of your seat.

What I found missing in the Potter series and The Davinci Code, has been superseded and twisted into a triumph in Grail Mysterium. The characters are well written and you care about them. You worry when they are hurt and wonder what they are up to. There is something satisfying about this work, and I would love to see it made into a movie; there is a depth that is intriguing.

This would be an excellent book for your teenager or young teen, but it is also a wonderful read for anyone who enjoys the paranormal, a bit of romance and a great deal of adventure. The book is full of twists and turns, and I found myself reading a bit slower than usual, I did not want to miss something important.  

Maxfield’s works seems to gain momentum with each work he churns out, this is a engrossing work and a must have for your library. A great read for most age groups, you will lose yourself in the pages.

Rating 5/5

This book was received free from the authors publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Adam Orser (Chronicles of Evolution) by Daniel Armand

Article first published as Book Review:Adam Orser (Chronicles of Evolution) by Daniel Armand on Blogcritics

In Adam Orser (Chronicles of Evolution) by Daniel Armand, we are in store for a highly challenging look at a new plan put in place by the Cosmos. When a young 9-year old girl is abducted the country goes on an all-out hunt to find her before the worst happens. Time is ticking and her chances of survival diminish as the days drag on. A young Rookie detective, Louis Collins stands ready for the challenge of finding her. Can he do what others with more background have been unable to do, find a reason for her abduction and a location of where she is being kept before it is too late?

Adam Orser is just an ordinary young man with a great outlook and in love with Jazmin. He is steady and gifted and working in a field he loves. Ready to make Jazmin his wife, he realizes that not only is she everything he has ever wanted but that her young daughter Carly also holds his heart, she is very like his own, and only ads icing to the decision. Ready to pop the question, he is distracted and decides it will wait. Heading to work he is injured in a car wreck, putting him in a coma, barely clinging to life. Can he find the will to survive?

Adam is the unknowing hero and has already come far along on his path to enlightenment. It is only during his coma that his past life regression is allowed to be remembered. With his deceased father as his guide he begins to receive training to help him get ready to help the army win a new battle in the never ending war. The elders have broken tradition in an effort to challenge a deadly evil, they only take their warriors from the deceased yet Adam is not dead. They have chosen to pull one from the living to help them in this time and this journey.

Jazmin is on the outside praying for Adam's safe return. Gathering his mother to her fold of friends, she finds she is in danger in a way she does not understand. Meeting an old flame, unaware of Adams true feeling, she finds herself fighting her own battle for her feelings. Will she remember what it is that Adam means to her? Will he be able to return to her from his coma and his own secret quest in order to help her realize the truth of love?

Armand has given us a smorgasbord of happenings that stretch the imagination. The development of his stasis for Adam’s true meaning is very in-depth and thought provoking. The revolving of Adams soul, as he transgresses into another realm is deep and meaningful. He is allowed to remember his past and his present in an effort to challenge the status quo. He is needed in this world to challenge an evil that has transcended its own journey and broken its own bonds. There is evil loose in the world that is beyond the reach of the usual warriors. Adam is their chance to make things right.
The circle of hope rests in Adam Orser, Jazmin and Louis Collins and as we learn more about their characters, Armand begins the delicate touch of weaving the strands through the different lives that begin to tie them together in a way that seems effortless. Initially there is confusion as to what each player brings to the whole, yet as the stories meld together they create a continuation which adds a solemn and unique twist to this work.

If you enjoy karma and angels, you will enjoy this work. There is suspense, danger and death, which give it a darker feel than many of the works along this genre. If you are a fan of the paranormal and enjoy a good mystery, this will fill the void. Daniel Armand has given us much to think about.

Two Harbors Press website:http://twoharborspress.com/

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Adam Orser: The Chronicles of Evolution blog tour site:
http://adam-orser-chronicles-of-evolution.blogspot.com/

Adam Orser: The Chronicles of Evolution

Adam Orser seems to be a regular guy, leading a fairly successful life in Toronto as a psychologist with a loving girlfriend, Jazmin.

But there is nothing ordinary about Adam.

Fate interrupts his planned marriage proposal, and a serious car accident thrusts him into a metaphysical reality behind a deep coma that holds his physical body in check. Through an advanced system of training and evolution created by the celestial realm, Adam is called to a dangerous mission with profound implications for the world he knows, and life and death consequences for one missing nine-year old girl, who is no ordinary kidnapped child. Fantastical forces are at work on both sides of the veil between the world we recognize and those yet to be discovered.

Destiny compels Adam to freely choose the part he will play in a no-limits competition between good and evil. Questions of existence, causality, and truth converge as Adam struggles to find his way back to Jazmin and a life that will never be the same.

Daniel Armand Bio:

Daniel Armand lives in Toronto, Ontario. His inspiration behind Adam Orser: Chronicles of Evolution originated during the summer of 1983, after a near death encounter offered an incredible insight into the obscured aspects of life, love, and the progression of the human spirit.

Daniel is currently working on the next novel of the Adam Orser saga. "I truly hope this novel will help inspire readers all over the globe, to embrace their spirituality. It is through clarity of mind and understanding that we may one day 'bloom' into harmony and unlock our limitless potential."

Paperback
Publisher: Two Harbors Press
Price: $17.95
ISBN: 9781937928100
Pages: 312
Release: April 2, 2012

Amazon buy link:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1937928101?tag=tributebooks-20

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The Long Way Home by Karen McQuestion

Article first published as Book Review: The Long Way Home by Karen McQuestion on Blogcritics.
Grief is something most people can share; loss of a loved one is never very far. It could be your own, a friends, or even a neighbors, but we see the fallout time and again throughout life. Grief centers are formed to help those who need to move through the process, and yet not everyone does.

In The Long Way Home by Karen McQuestion, we follow the lives of a small group woman whose grief is all consuming. Marnie has lost her boyfriend; she had been with him for years and raised his young son, only to lose him to his real mother after his dad’s death. She is grieving both the death of her boyfriend and the loss of a child she had raised since kindergarten. In counseling and listening to the others speak about their losses, she is unable to find a common ground, she struggles with opening up. When a young and vibrant woman unexpectedly shows up to counseling out of the blue, life seems to take another turn. There is something about her that makes you want to believe, she can pull the smile out of the dourest companion, and is able to help alleviate the stress of some of the others through hugs and laughs. Who is she and what is her own grief that brings her to the center?

Jazzy had not intended to go to the grief center, but something led her there. She always knew when someone needed her and it appeared there were some serious issues at hand. Having grown up a psychic, she was always drawn to those in need as was her grandmother before her. When she is able to pull them together for a trip to visit Marnie’s son, none of them can grasp how such a trip has come together. Yet none of them want to question Jazzy, and do not feel they can let the other group members down.
Rita is in her 50’s, very prim and ladylike and still angry over the murder of her daughter ten year prior. The murderer has never been found, but she knows who it is. The authorities do not have enough evidence to continue so Rita continues to rage. Laverne is Marnie’s landlady whom she has never met, an elderly lady who had become housebound and crippled with grief after the death of her beloved husband. Jazzy rounds out the group, driven to help the group through her psychic nature. Little do they know that they are embarking on the adventure that will change the pattern of their lives? Love, healing and friendship wait at the end of the road, but can this crazy cast of characters get there driving cross country on their own? Vegas is the city of dreams, can their own dreams come true?

McQuestion has written a journal of the lives of a group of women in their search for answers. The characters are an amazing cast of people, very like many of those you know. Each carries secrets and resentments that drive them on their quest. Jazzy is as different from this cast as you can get, and yet is the catalyst that makes things happen, and the glue that keeps them together. Her light shines brightly, and while she is a psychic, I would have to believe she is part guardian angel. The light of life and love shines within her quite brightly.

The trip is riddled with problems and magic, and just enough excitement and adventure to keep you both interested and charmed. I began reading and could not put the book down until it was finished. I wanted to know how the lives of these women would change. They became very real to me and have stayed with me even after the book came to an end. I would love to see this made into a movie, it is vibrant, and loaded with feeling, both good and bad. The entire story begins with grief and becomes something much more.

If you enjoy people and characters you will love this book. If you enjoy adventure, and the often crazy antics of people that do not seem to work as a team, or even fit into a group that makes sense, you will find this a fun and interesting journey. I was hooked from the beginning, and while it is early yet, it is one of my favorite books of the year.

This would be an excellent summer read and a book to share with friends. It would also make and excellent book club or reading group novel, sure to spice up the group. I believe this is a must have for your library, and one of McQuestion’s best so far.

Rating 5/5

This book was received free from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

The Shoemakers's Wife by Adriana Trigiani

Article first published as Book Review:The Shoemakers's Wife by Adriana Trigiani on Blogcritics.

Is happily ever after an illusion? Is there really only one person for each soul? Do we often choose our partners for the wrong reasons and is that why marriages tend to have a higher failure rate?

In The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani, we find ourselves immersed in the lives of two young boys who are given over to a convent for nurture when their father is killed in a mine accident and their mother no longer has the immediate means to raise them. With every intention of coming back for them once she is on her feet, she disappears and they are left to the mercies of the church. Different personalities and looks the brothers are none the less, the closest of friends.

The nuns grow to love them, the elder brother Edward plans on dedicating his life to religion but Ciro does not have any interest in that direction. He is large and imposing even from a young age, and takes after his father. Not sure what he will do, he is very like most boys as they mature. He loves girls, and is constantly in love with one or another of them, always seeming to get his heart broken. But he does not care, he finds life to be exciting and he is well loved in return for his gregarious nature. When he sets sights on one of the  loveliest girls in the village where he resides in the Italian Alps, he does not realize that he is not only doomed to failure, but that his life will suddenly take a turn that will twist him away from all he knows and loves and put him into a country across the ocean just coming into its own, America. 

Following his heart he decides to approach his lovely soon to be conquest, only to find her in the arms of the priest. Unsure where to turn he takes his concern back to the convent, but finds that while they are not surprised the sisters understand that the priest is inviolate. As Ciro loses his job with the church and while he waits to see what will happen, he takes on a job of digging the grave for a family further away. The youngest sibling has perished, and little does he know it, but meeting the eldest sister Ensa, a young woman his own age, he finds their fates intertwined time after time, and as he agrees to see her again, he finds himself shipped off to America.

Knowing he will never see her again, he decides that a life with her was not to be a part of his life. Little does he know that Ensa and her father too have decided to move to America in order to make a better life for their family back home. Will fate take a stand?

Trigiani gives us such wonderful characters full of bluster and yet strong and charismatic. Those characters that have flaws are just as important in the lives and dreams of those they come into contact with. The emotion throughout the story keeps you reading, and hoping for happily ever after. Can her characters sustain their highs? Does right really have a place in how interconnected people become, often unknowingly? The story moves from Italy to America and through it all you can visualize the places and their mysteries.

She shares the plights of those who come into America, unable to speak the language as well as the trials and tribulations of finding work and making a living, often have to rely on those who may not have their best interests at heart. Each of her characters makes their place in the world through persistence and pride, but it is when they continue to meet time after time, in different ways that you begin to wonder if there is a fate in store.

I laughed and I cried throughout the story, and found it to be a perfect mix of emotions. There is something truly magical and inspiring about her characterization and her amazing ability to bring you into her work.

I would recommend this work for anyone who enjoys a wonderful and heartfelt story; there is history, religion, war and romance, something for everyone. I would recommend this as a fine book for your library, one you could read time and again, and find even more interest with each reading. This would be a wonderful book for a book club or reading group, and would create a great deal of discussion.

Rating 5/5

This book was received free from the publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

2012: Midnight at Spanish Gardens by Alma Alexander

Article first published as Book Review: 2012: Midnight at Spanish Gardens by Alma Alexander on Blogcritics.

December 20, 2012 is another day like many others, but there is fear and belief that this could be the day before the end of days. As with all doomsday predictions there is much controversy, both pro and con. To some it is another day, to others a possible ending.

In 2012: Midnight at Spanish Gardens Alma Alexander has taken the time as a way to change lives. Spanish Gardens is a meeting place for many groups of students over the years and this time is no different. However the students meeting there this night have all grown up and lived full lives. Meeting again to celebrate a birthday, Olivia and four other friends find themselves following the flow of history. There is anger and heartache and some of these very friends have lost touch due to hurt feelings and anger. Now is the time to put that all behind them and recoup some of the camaraderie of youth. 20 years have passed and time has changed them all. Meeting again and rehashing their old lives and loves, each of them wonders about what the next day will bring.

As each of the friends receives a strange set of instructions from one of the bartenders, time seems at a crossroad of possibilities. The instruction takes them to a portal, to a new life and a chance of redemption, or an opportunity to return to the life they have always known. Each is given a choice of changes on this night of discovery, a life that may have been––if different decisions had been made.
Choosing what you know and what you have always felt is difficult and there is only a small window of time to make the right decision. Will they each choose an alternate path on this pivotal night, or will they continue on with the life they chose from the beginning. The decision is difficult, to change what is real now, will change everything leading up to this time. People you know, families, and the lives you have touched and for those to whom you have made a difference will no long have that part of you should you chose a different path. Once the decision is made all memory will fade other than the life you have chosen. The other existence fades away in memory.

Alexander takes a time of possible transition or even renewal and puts a strange and surreal twist on it. The characters are brought to life as they each take a seeming crossroads as they enter a portal of time. As they make choices different from those before, you gain a deeper understanding of who they are and their strengths as well as their potential failures. As they pass the crossroads they do not remember the life behind them, until it is time to choose. For a short period of time both lives intersect, but once the choice is made memory fades.

Watching the interaction and choices that each character reestablishes invokes a strange feeling of inevitability. You wait with bated breath as the final decision is made. Which direction do they turn? It is very dreamlike and sequential, strangely vivid and yet like watching the interaction through water. The flow is interesting and yet each decision will affect someone differently and change lives in a way that is uncomfortable.

The descriptions and visuals add a depth to the story. The interactions of the characters in the here and now, offer a glimpse of lives that could have been different. The chance to remake their choices is one we often wonder about, would we make the same decisions if given a chance to do it all over again? How will this group of friends react to the chance of a do over?

I would recommend this book for those who enjoy though provoking dialogue. It would make a great read for a reading group of book club. There is insight and reflection with a dose of inspiration in this work that keeps you thinking.

Rating 4\5

This book was received as a free copy from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Shared Emptiness by John Brinling

Article first published as Book Review:Shared Emptiness by John Brinling on Blogcritics.

Living wills and euthanasia are often in the news. There are varying opinions, and with the advent of Dr. Kevorkian, many feel that they have a right to make their own decisions. The topic is sometimes quite controversial and often heated.

In Shared Emptiness by John Brinling we follow the life of a family who finds themselves in a situation where this might be something that becomes a part of their own conscious. Brinling has brought us a story full of love and laughter, family, church and even danger and drugs. The quotes from Helen Keller are poignant and to the point.

Christopher Carter is a young Medical student, the son of Vince and Frances Carter and the brother to Jeannie. His mother and sister belong to the church and his father has an addiction to gambling. In most respects they are like many other families. They have their strengths as well as their problems. Chris is dating a wonderful woman and is well respected. He makes friends easily and is often the center of attention. He is also very opinionated about medicine and that includes the very topic of end of life scenarios.

When he is the victim of foul play and severely injured causing possible brain trauma, all of his previous rants and challenges to his friends and family come into play. But Chris himself is no longer sure, his mind is strong. He struggles with communication, and through the series of some strange and horrifying circumstances he receives further damage. Unsure what is happening he is at the mercy of the physicians, his friends and his family? They are all questioning their own ethics and feelings and with the lack of communication available they have varying ideas of their beliefs. With so much controversy and soul searching, lives are changed forever, and the drama as it occurs is both thought provoking and quite chilling.

I am sure this book will strike chords with many, some due to the very nature of the issue, but others because we have all lost a loved one. It is the degrees that envelope you in this work, the unimaginable possibilities of having others make decisions, that affect who and what you believe in. This work is both chilling and resolute. The changing dynamics of the characters as they struggle with their own thoughts and personal demons is uncomfortable and painful. The settings were well written an take you to the places you are meant to see, and make you question your own thoughts and beliefs.
The topic of the work is so controversial that without the story behind it, I would have found it quite difficult to read. Brinling does a great job of humanizing the process, and yet keeps it true to form. The book is quite long, and yet I could not stop reading, looking to find a way to find the hope behind the horrors involved. Even the ending takes you into another twist that you do not see coming.

I would recommend this book to any who have been or know someone who has been through this harrowing situation. This happens every day to both young and old and makes you challenge the thoughts you carry. This would be a strong recommendation for a book club or reading group. The work is something you may want to discuss with others, the chill is hard to dispel. Brinling has brought forth a subject that is not comfortable, and put a new face on it.

Rating 4/5

This book was received as a free copy from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Book Review and Givaway: Lifting the Wheel of Karma by Paul H. Magid

Leave a comment and your email to be entered for a free drawing for one of three books to be given away on February 1st.

Article first published as Book Review: Lifting the Wheel of Karma by Paul H. Magid on Blogcritics.

The lessons of Karma are sometimes quick, and available for all eyes to see. The action seems quite obvious. Yet there are the times when Karma is slow to deliver, those times when the receiver may feel that he has eluded the wheel of fate as Karma takes time, and ponders the truth and possibilities of redemption itself.

Paul H. Magid has given us an exciting and strange adventure into the realm of Karma, and what might happen when past and present meet. In Lifting the Wheel of Karma, we follow the life of Joseph Connell, a young man from Montana. He is loved by his family and leads a life as many young men do, but what sets him apart are the visions and nightmares he cannot seem to escape. They change who he is, and set him apart from others.

Joseph’s life takes a turn when he is injured in an accident, but it also brings a knowledgeable old Wiseman into his life, one who lives well hidden in the Himalayas of India. The meeting is quick and yet powerful. Knowing his life will never be the same, Joseph understands that he must convince the man to reveal the secrets he knows, in order for Joseph himself to understand the torment he has been undergoing. What is it that brought this man into his life? Can knowledge finally bring about the peace that Joseph is looking for?

Magid has taken the life of a young man that seems so normal on the outside, and given us a deep and magnetic looks at how dreams and nightmares may be more than just that, but a possible doorway into other lives that may have been. He creates characters that have depth and pain, people you can draw to for their very normalcy. The family he creates resonates with feeling about each other, so much so that the story is very reminiscent of our own family moments.

Magid takes us from Montana and the wide open spaces, with the quiet peace and transplants us into the hustle and bustle of India, full of people and color, with beliefs that are quite varying. The change is such a shock of culture, and yet as Joseph finally finds his wise man, he is immersed back into the quiet he is more used too. The characters continue to grow and evolve, with new ones added, each with a place in this story of life.

His descriptions of the scenes and scenery make you feel like you are there. You can see the sky and the colors, you can feel the atmosphere. You feel as though you too are on this journey and have a stake in the outcome.

If you enjoy mysteries and myths, or just a good story you will find this to be a great example. If you wonder about Karma, or the mystics, Magid has done an amazing job of giving us a place to start. Once I picked up his story I could not put it down, each turn just took me deeper. I found it to be both interesting and enlightening. Magid is an author to watch for.

GIVEAWAYS
Paul will be giving away 3 paperback copies of his book to readers. Please leave a comment and email to be entered. The drawing will be conducted on February 1st. Don't miss out.


Paul H. Magid web site:
http://www.paulhmagid.com/

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Lifting the Wheel of Karma Book Summary

A Profound Spiritual Journey of Extraordinary Healing and Redemption

Joseph Connell is a gifted high school athlete from Montana, loved deeply by his family, yet tormented by nightmarish visions he can neither explain nor escape.
He believes the answer to what threatens to crush him can be found in the knowledge possessed by a mystical old wise man, who lives deep within the remote Himalayas of India.
If Joseph is ever to find the peace he so desperately seeks, he must get this wise old man to reveal what he truly knows, but that will not be easy…for this sage knows far more than he admits.
A modern tale that harkens back to the myths of antiquity. It takes you on a remarkable journey, while exploring the themes of healing, redemption, forgiveness, sacrifice, and ultimately...peace within.

Paul H. Magid started writing his debut novel, Lifting the Wheel of Karma, twenty-five years ago while still in high school. It took him so long to complete because he tried repeatedly to abandon it, but the work refused to be forsaken. Eventually he realized that sharing this story with the world was, in fact, his Dharma.
Along the way he has worked as a Wall Street financial analyst, a waiter (not a very good one), a Hollywood Agent Trainee, a real estate developer, a summer day camp director, an award winning screenwriter, and independent filmmaker—including his autobiographical film, A Life Unfinished, which screened in The Hamptons International Film Festival.


Paperback

Price: $15.00

ISBN: 9780984016068

Pages: 192

Release: September 23, 2011

Amazon buy link
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Barnes&Noble.com buy link
http://www.blogger.com/goog_635423909

eBook
Price: $9.99

Kindle buy link
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005TJ3I4C?tag=tributebooks-20

The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson

Article first published as Book Review: The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson on Blogcritics.

Long term relationships need trust and communication to continue growing. Secrets and small lies by omission can create thoughts of the worst kind, and can change the dynamic of a relationship.

In The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson, we are transported to the provincial countryside, and ensconced into the old and beautiful Les Genevriers, a turn of the century farms house. Eve is enchanted with her budding romantic relationship with an older man of means. Dom is kind and caring, full of charm and as their love grows, she finds a happiness she did not expect existed. Finding and moving to this beautiful home is an experience of dreamlike proportions. The romance fills her and she slowly loses contact with her family and friends. She needs only Dom to fill her needs. He is encouraging and loving suggesting she take this time to work on a project she loves, writing. His suggestion meets with more approval as she becomes more deeply entranced with him.

Exploring and setting about repairs on this beautiful old home becomes an adventure as they find hidden rooms and small treasures. As they explore the here and now, we are also being given a glimpse into the life of the prior owner of the home, Benedicte Lincel, a young woman who leads a life of beauty due to the area she lives, and yet endures much heartbreak and tragedy. The stories are told conjointly and yet separately.

As Eve ventures into the writing arena she meets many of the townspeople. As she continues in her attempts, she begins to stumble on questions about the man she loves. He seems to be known in the area, yet he attempts to hide the fact. As she begins to ask questions she is only met with silence or even worse, refusal of discussion. As her perfect life begins to erode, a body is found on the property, causing further damage to their once idyllic days. And even as Eve tries to dig further, she begins to see a woman in the gardens, and smell enchanting smells that draw her. Has Dom become a stranger to her, or did she ever really know him? Is her life in danger, and who is the strange woman in her garden?

Lawrenson has weaved an intricate tale of life and love. As you follow Eve on her journey, you also find a ghostly presence of Benedicte as she lives her life in the same home, yet on a different plane of existence. As you read and if you have any sensitivity to those who have gone before, you can feel the faint shadowing of the two different time lines interconnecting in a strange and fascinating way. Almost like the shadowy presence of the lives of those who lived before and yet being enacted even as Eve tries to understand the life she is now leading, which has become shrouded in danger. Full of lies and secrets, it almost seems as though her pain draws those from the past to the present, as young Benedicte too meets her demons.

The characters and enhancements are well done, and the mystery draws you in, pulling you into a strange and eerie world where secrets and lies have damaged the lives of those who want nothing more than happiness.

I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to the light romance fan, as well as those who enjoy suspense. While somewhat historical, it lacks the actual historical education involved in many fictions, although the light sprinkling of history is certainly interesting. This would be a great find for a book club or reading group. The questions engendered would create some interesting dialogue on what we need to know about the past of those close to us. This would be an interesting book for discussion.

Rating 4/5
 
This book was received free from the the publisher. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Strength of a Giant by Tony Passarelli

In the never ending war of good and evil, often the fighting is here on this earth or in an earthly realm of some type. In The Strength of a Giant, a novella by Tony Passarelli, he chooses to set his final battle in the stars and heavens amongst the planets and galaxies that surround us. Giving us a complex and disingenuous character with great intelligence in the form of Emanuel, who chooses to involve himself in the battle along with one of the most fearsome of the angels, the Arch Angel Raphael.
The evil comes in the form of a character known as Jovian, the amalgamation of fallen Angels, carrying both their strengths and weakness, along with any good or bad features. Utilizing these characteristics he has strength and agility that could very well bring about death and destruction. Will Emanuel and Raph as he is known, be able to stop him in time and save the solar system and our way of life forever?

Not only must Raph fight this battle he must also protect Emanuel from Jovian and possibly even from his own intricate ways of dealing with problems as he sees them. As this strangely intense battle reaches epic proportions, who will be the victor?

Passarelli has given us an interesting look at the heavens and its characters. He does a great job of creating a certain amount of flaws that make them easier to relate to and given the amount of danger involved he delivers a bit of human element. Yet there is no doubt that the battle is between titans of amazing abilities and proportions. The battle is well written the story quite bold.

If you are looking for an interesting and slightly off kilter look at the characters we know from religious and spiritual texts, you will find this an interesting twist.

Rating 3/5

This Novella was received free from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

A View from a Height by J.E. Murphy

Article first published as Book Review: A View from a Height by J.E. Murphy on Blogcritics.

The meaning of life seems so much a part of what we wonder on a daily basis, and is a question that is asked by almost everyone at some point in their life. While there seem to be no real answers, there is always the foray into spiritualism, which seems to give its own form of answers. At the same time, even this sojourn often leaves just as many questions.

In A View from a Height J.E. Murphy takes us into the world of a young woman Dawn Bang. Born of Chinese decent she has always felt she is different. She could hear things others could not; she could feel the pulse of the world. Living in Hawaii, she is also made to feel different, and as she grows up, she finds it easier to block out the sounds and feelings with alcohol and drugs. Living a life of desperation and shame, she is unprepared for her death when it happens. Taking a stand to save and endangered species as her boyfriend of the time races down the roadway to kill it, she grabs the steering wheel and runs them into a muddy ditch. This however is not the end, it is as she tries to pull herself from the muddy, wet ditch and she grabs what she believes is a branch to help, she finds herself looking down on the crumpled body of a young woman. Even as she watches emergency vehicles show up, she sees that this woman is her, and that the branch was actually a live wire that was knocked down by the impact of the car.

It would seem that this is the end of her journey, yet it appears as though it was not her time at all. As she finds herself in a beautiful place full of love and understanding her fear disappears. This is a place of transition, but she is made aware that there is more for her in the world. She has a job to do and she has not even begun. Even as she feels the love and acceptance, she is abruptly pulled back into her own body, here in the real world.

So begins the beautiful, yet painful, soulful and amazing life of a woman who becomes more than who she is. This is a truly enlightening tale of love and war, of the menaces of pride and of how this young woman begins a journey that is so fundamentally real, yet becomes so much more.

The Story was not what I expected as I picked it up. I was initially daunted at the size of the work, and yet as I began the story I had trouble putting it down. As I moved on to other tasks it followed me, keeping my thoughts on what would happen next. I felt the depth of her joy, and the pain and degradation with her. As she connects with others that are on parallel journeys with her, they too became my friends and mentors. I found an odd connectedness about this book that is hard to decipher. The descriptions are vivid and the tone is flowing. The evil that would often infect the world in her journey was truly something that seemed both real and unnerving.

For the science fiction and reality buffs, Murphy introduces us to an amazing dirigible, used to transport many of the characters from the West Coast, to Hawaii and on to China. This is an integral part of the process of the book and gives us another layer of thought. It is an amazing machine and the computer technology alone is exciting. The intricate and amazing description of the vehicle creates a wonderful backdrop for much of what happens throughout the story.

There is so much and more of this book than I can explain. I would recommend it for those who feel a spiritual connection, who believe in karma and often have questions on life. I would also recommend it for those who want to know more about the world, and there is a kaleidoscope of places to read about. It would be a marvelous book for a book club and reading group, adding discussion upon discussion. It would be a great book for your permanent library. The information and the story itself could be reread time after time. This book will take you on a journey, only you can decide if it is one you want to transverse.

Rating 5/5
A View from a Height

This book was received as a free e-book from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.