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Friday, April 29, 2011

Love from the Other Side: a Review

Book Title: Love from the Other Side: Searching for Answers
Author: Carol Shimp
ISBN: 978-1432767907
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Reviewer: Vonnie Faroqui


Are You Searching for Answers?

At some point, most of us find ourselves searching for answers to questions about what comes after this life, about the possibility of being touched by the spirits of our loved ones who have passed on. We all have our own reasons for the search and it is in these times of searching books such as Carol Shimp’s, Love from the Other Side: a Search for Answers, find their way to us. Sometimes a friend will recommend we read, other times it will be through a review that our attention is caught. We may not always agree with what we read, but the need to understand drives us and so we turn the first page hoping to find peace and a sense of knowing. If you are in one of these periods of soul seeking, it is no coincidence that you are reading this review or that the opportunity to read this story has come to you.
Love from the Other Side - Cover

Carol has given the gift of her story in, Love from the Other Side, a memoir recounting her spiritual exploration, paranormal experiences, and quest to balance daily life with experiences of the spirit world, precognitive dreams and other worldly messages. Through this book, the reader will discover hidden groups of spiritual seekers, spiritual teachings, and have an opportunity to encounter teachings that are often obscured for the protection of the innocent. In a world that has grown skeptical of anything that cannot be scientifically weighed and measured, psychic and paranormal experiences remain a taboo subject in most homes, or a matter of ridicule and scorn. As I read, I found myself drawn into the memoir by the sincerity of the author.

The quality of writing is pleasing; the chapters are well constructed, making the story easy to follow. Great care is given in the treatment of spiritual beliefs and matters of faith. Carol does not denounce or espouse any particular faith, although she does share that her background and religious path is Catholic. She receives assistance from a group of spiritual seekers and eventually undergoes a non-Catholic exorcism of energies that were detrimental to her spiritual and mental health.

This is a marvelous book for the curious and for spiritual seekers. There are wonderful spiritual truths within the folds of Love from the Other Side that will enrich the unfamiliar and gratify those initiated in the practices and teachings of spiritualists and mediums. Rather than portraying the sensational, Carol’s style and message are without guile. In the end what is revealed comes from a place of love and is offered without condition.

A Podcast interview with Carol Shimp about the book and her publishing experiences is available through the Writers In The Sky Podcast and Blog or for download from WITS Podcast on iTunes for your iPod or iPad.

To learn more about Carol Shimp and her book, Love from the Other Side: Searching for Answers, go to . . . http://carolshimp.com/


Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Field Update

For those of you who are following and have sent me messages of concern . . .

There has been a family health emergency that has taken my focus away from my writing and promotions over this past month. Please keep us in your prayers.

Thank you for your concern and your love.

Vonnie Faroqui and family.



Monday, April 25, 2011

A Review of: Shee Willow, a book by Claudy Conn

Book Title: Shee Willow
Author: Claudy Conn
ISBN: 978-1613099933
Publisher: Wings ePress
Link to purchase:
Reviewer: Vonnie Faroqui



Claudy Conn’s Shee Willow, carries us deep into the world of Fae intrigue and danger . . . exciting and fast paced, this is a novel with plenty of plot twists and surprises to support the romance. Shee Willow's tale can stand on its own but Conn brings back the cast of Faery characters we fell in love with from Spellbound-Legend, deepening the Seelie intrigues, romance, and dangers in part two of the series.

Once again Conn ignites the page with hunk madness, as every-which-way Willow turns brings hot potential for love and misdirection. A Conn story is always full of rich layers and like dark chocolate cake waiting to be licked from sticky fingers; she tempts even the most discriminating reader to escapism. I can’t help but pout a little when she tortures us with characters that we want for ourselves only to find out later that our hunk of hotness is just no-good for us or our heroine.

Shee Willow Cover Image
In Shee Willow, Conn writes from the first person perspective of each of her main characters, giving a different feel to the book than you will have encountered in reading Spellbound –Legend. If you like to imagine yourself in the role of the characters, this perspective and writing style might challenge you at first. It won’t matter past the first chapter, because once you get reading you will find that Conn is a master of the craft and the story is a pleaser.

I didn’t think the series could get better but Conn is developing the magical and political intrigue of the underlying plot connecting the books, as well as the romantic drama. Additional characters open the scope for rising action and she continues to weave in future romances and danger.

Conn is in high form and never shorts her heroine or her reader. It is pure torture deciding which of the men or Fae to fantasize over, and I do so love the bad ones!

You got me again Claudy!