JILL ZAPATA'S MEMOIR OF HER TIME SPENT CARETAKING IS A WONDERFUL LOOK INTO WHAT YOU CAN MAKE OF A DIFFICULT SITUATION. IT IS HONEST & A GREAT READ.

 

To walk with another person can be as mundane as putting on one's socks and shoes, or it can be a twisting, turning, life-changing journey into unknown territory. It can also be everything in between. My walk with Virginia was life changing. It was unexpected. It was challenging. It was frustrating and confusing. We had highs, and we had lows. Thankfully, it was also awe-inspiring and extraordinary.

Have you ever been a caregiver for a family member or a friend? Is it, perhaps, on the horizon of your life? Or maybe you cannot yet see the horizon. Make no mistake, it is not a question of love, whether to provide much needed and potentially long-term care. It is a question of necessity. Love, and devotion born out of love, are the firmly rooted footings on which you stand when providing this necessary care. Humor is the grab bar you grip tightly when the ground below you begins to shake or shift. Patience is paramount. I survived it, and you can, too. I believe I am a better person having had the experience.

My story is a true account of my caregiving experience with my mother-in-law. It lasted only a few short years and, in that time, carved such deep and permanent remembrances too good not to share. Some would ask, "why share something so personal?", and my reply would be, "why not?". Life is so much sweeter when shared with others. I hope you find comfort, a little guidance perhaps, enjoy a few laughs, and chew on some 'food for thought' as you journey with Virginia and I through the blessings and blunders of Caregiving!

Darlene M.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very heartfelt!

Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2021

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I loved everything about this book. It is very encouraging to anyone going thru a similar situation. The humor is an extra added bonus. When one goes thru bad times, humor always helps. Without faith, humor and sharing with friends, hard times seem much darker. This is a great book to give to anyone that has
been given the responsibility of caregiving.

M. M. Bishop Award-winning author and poet

5.0 out of 5 stars A HEARTWARMING, COMPASIONATE LOOK AT LIFE AS A CARETAKER

Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2021

I just finished reading the most heartwarming, compassionate memoir by Jill Zapata ‘A Walk With Virginia.’ In it, Ms. Zapata recounts her time spent as a caretaker for her future mother-in-law Virginia.
Having spent time as a caretaker for my mother, I can attest that there are both the funny, as well as those that were heartbreaking, confusing, and yet as Ms. Zapata puts it a ‘fellow feeling’ happens that can only be, between those who you have spent the time as their caretaker.
For as they lose their mobility, ability to do things they once could, and sometimes even their ability to communicate, or hold onto a thought, or activity for long, they become not only your friend, but your child, and no relationship can you ever be quite as close to another, as you do when you become a caretaker.
Yes, it is at times challenging, emotional, frustrating, and difficult, but the joys, and laughter lives on in us so much longer than those harder memories.
I loved this book and shall be one I reread over the years.

AMAZON

“MYSTERY, SCIENCE FICTION, MURDER, AND A TOUCH OF ROMANCE WILL HAVE YOU BREATHLESS DURING THE ENTIRE STORY. I CAN DEFINITELY ENVISION A SEQUEL TO THIS FINE NOVEL IN THE FUTURE” NO FREEDOM BY USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR INGE-LISE GOSS

 

Can humans survive the android uprising?

Paislee Hobson is born into a world struggling after a war that killed most of the world’s population. Rebuilding has been accomplished through androids developed by and under the control of The Institute. The human population has been divided into strata.

>>>An Artifical Companion

Paislee, a legal clerk, is a member of the upper stratum. Her recent boyfriend dumped her. To avoid another heartache, she purchases a human-looking android companion, Pellegrin. No one suspects Pellegrin is not human. He arouses and satisfies all her desires and is a polished companion and conversationalist in public.

>>>Murder and Missing Persons

When strange things begin to happen around the courthouse, people start acting mysteriously. Some disappear and others are murdered. Pellegrin’s true identity surfaces as he slowly and methodically takes over all aspects of Paislee’s life. She is in turmoil trying to find a way out. The love of her youth appears and she longs for a life that is denied to her.

>>>Can Paislee regain her freedom or is she doomed to a life under Pellegrin’s control?

Silver Medal Winner: Readers' Favorite 2019 International Book Awards --Fiction ~ Dystopia

"No Freedom by Inge-Lise Goss is a suspense novel with a splash of something for everyone. It's fantasy, sci-fi-, dystopian, romance, and mystery all wrapped up into one imaginative, futuristic tale...grabs you from the first paragraph! I can honestly say that out of the dozens of books I've read this year, No Freedom is one of the top two. I loved it. The author did a great job of making it feel realistic despite it being a fantasy/sci-fi read...The engaging plot, excellent writing style, grammar, and punctuation makes this a five-star read (and higher if I could). This is a future movie!"--Kristy Vee, Readers' Favorite Reviewer ★★★★★

AMAZON

“WHETHER YOU READ DINKY IN A STRAIGHTFORWARD WAY, AS A MOVING DESCRIPTION OF THE TRIBULATIONS OF A PARTICULAR CASTE OF EQUINE LIFE, OR AS AN ALLEGORY FOR HOW WE VALUE AND TREAT OTHER HUMANS OF HUMBLE BIRTH, THERE IS NO DENYING THE POWER AND PATHOS IN THIS WORK.: ROBERT B WHITEHILL

Winnie Award Winner at the Equus Film Festival. Best Equine Rescue book.Dinky: The Nurse Mare’s Foal is the story of one little foals fight for survival after being taken from his mother within hours of his birth. Dinky takes us on a poignant trip through the heart and mind of an animal, who was born for the sole purpose of producing milk in the mare. In the elite world of horses, Dinky was considered a by-product, a ‘junk foal. ’Dinky’s story will resonate with animal lovers, as well as anyone who has adopted. Although a horse, his story has been called an adoption story. The reader can follow him through the heartbreak, cruelty, loneliness, and finally to happiness in his forever home. His story is based on true events. Each event from the moment the author met Dinky actually happened, though it is the author’s interpretation of what he might have been thinking and feeling during the occasions described in his story. His early life which is unknown has been fictionalized by the author and constructed through research and imagination. There are many wonderful animal rescue leagues, many are very empathic to these young animals, though some are not. Since Ms. Bishop has no knowledge of Dinky’s early days, she used the latter to enhance the strength of his story. It will break your heart, open your eyes, lift you up, and teach you much about horses. It is suitable for all ages. 

Jade Lazlow

5.0 out of 5 stars A Story about Horses, Humans, Cruelty, and Hope

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This is the second book I've read from Marta Moran Bishop. In Dinky: The Nurse Mare's Foal, Bishop explores the real and dramatized history of her real-life foal, Dinky. The horse was born to a nurse mare, a horse that is mated for the sole purpose of keeping a supply of milk for high dollar foals. Dinky was taken from his mother and denied a normal upbringing for the sake of profit. It's a heartbreaking tale about how humans exploit these creatures and the effect the practice has on the horses themselves. As with other books by Ms. Bishop, this book is steeped in drama and contains harsh realities couched within the story. It makes you think about horses, humans, and humanity in general. I loved this book. It was eye-opening for me and made me re-think the horse industry. If you enjoy a deeply emotional story that leaves you with a sense of hope for a better future, you'll love Dinky.

AMAZON

THE LONESOME PUPPY STOLE MY HEART OR ALGERNON “DELIGHTFUL CHILDREN'S STORY - THAT TEACHES WHAT ONE CAN DO IF ONE WANTS SOMETHING ENOUGH” TWO WONDERFUL CHILDREN'S STORIES BY PATRICIA MORAN

A children's story about a puppy that is larger than most and therefore not wanted as a friend by the other puppies or as a playmate by the adult dogs or the smaller puppies. He seeks a home and someone to love and want him.

helen diessner

5.0 out of 5 stars A STORY OF LEARNING ACCEPTANCE AND FINDING YOUR HAPPINESS

I was given this book by a childhood friend, who knows how very much I love children's books. The Lonesome Puppy stole my heart. A puppy that was larger than most puppies, and no one wanted to play with. It is a story that warms you and teaches how to accept differences in each other.

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun story with good, thought-provoking messages
"Algernon" is a cute story about an anteater who loves ants of any type or size until he accidentally discovers chocolate covered ants in a jar. The problem was, he didn't know where to find more of them. Algernon was quite clever and creative. He decided to brush up on his reading skills, hoping that would solve the problem of where to find more of his favorite chocolate treat. One day, Algernon discovers the circus is in town. Thinking that would be a fun adventure, he discovered some skills he thought could be included in his circus act. The story will help children with imagination, problem-solving and more. No doubt they will cheer for him throughout the story. Highly recommended
* A received a gift copy of this book and chose to review it without compensation.
Reviewed by children's author Deanie Humphrys-Dunne

AMAZON

“THIS IS AN ADORABLE INTERPRETATION OF THE CAT WORLD, AND I FOUND MYSELF SMILING THROUGH MOST OF IT. HAVING BEEN OWNED BY MANY CATS THROUGHOUT MY LIFE, I TRULY RELATED TO THIS CUTE BOOK.”

Keeping The Upper Paw: A Cat's Guide To Training Your Human, began with scraps of paper that were found lying around the house. It is a humorous look at life through the eyes of a cat.

All the cats in the book lived, had their own personalities, which the authors brought out in this hilarious book.

Keeping the Upper Paw is the story of cats teaching kittens on ways to train your human.

From: Picking your human, to brushing, digging in plants, brushing, multi-cat families, and moving.

The cover illustration was done by Marta Moran Bishop, from a photograph by Karen Vaughan of her cat JJ Vaughan.

All of the cats in this book were once a part of the family, cohabiting together in the household of, Ms. Moran and Ms. Bishop.

Morris, the elder cat, Beau, his second in command, Kitten a cat who liked to get physical, Poofie, a small gray boy, who dreamed of being an only cat, Champ, the shy one, Mikey the playful boy, Sheba, the only girl, and Little Bit, the baby all lived, played, and trained their humans.

Both Ms. Moran and Ms. Bishop, have described their part in this book as merely the typists.

Kindle Customer

5.0 out of 5 stars the purrrrfect training manual

KEEPING THE UPPER PAW THE CATS GUIDE TO TRAINING YOUR HUMAN PATRICIA MORAN AND MARTA MORAN BISHOP
These felines have it going on. Join these cats as they expound wisdom of how to keep their humans on the right path. From cat boxes to playtime the house cats cover mostly everything, but I can see a sequel in the future with new tricks and tips to keep us humans in line. My cat JJ took note and will probably use some of these methods on her human dad and me. It was well written with a sense of humor and from the cat’s point of view. A recommended read for all cats and humans alike. I give it 5 paws for an entertaining read.

AMAZON

“A VERY GREAT STORY THAT SWEEPS YOU ALONG THE WAY.” DECEPTION PAST A REINCARNATION BY FRANKI DEMERLE

As a child, Sand remembered living before. She remembered her death in Dachau, but she didn't have a name for her past life identity until a former friend claimed it as her own. She is haunted by her past death and recurring premonition of another death to come as she grows up in Alabama during the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and early US spaceflight. Her past life memories put her in conflict with the religious beliefs of mainstream society. The convergence of conflicting cultures results in race riots at the high school Sand attends. Sand's friend, Chrissie, remembers writing poetry in 19th century Amherst, Massachusetts, as Emily Dickinson. After Sand graduates from college and goes to work for a local newspaper, her childhood premonition of another death comes true. Meanwhile, a package that she has kept a secret suddenly resurfaces, but what does it mean? She discovers that her next-door neighbor, a rising rock star, is a bigamist. Sand's story is told by Brenda Campbell, who is the daughter of the bigamist rock star, through the symbolism of her Tarot cards. Deception Past is a story of betrayal and forgiveness.

Matt

5.0 out of 5 stars Packs a powerful punch~

I decided to read this work as I, like many I know, harbor an interest in Tarot and Regression Therapy (Past Life experiences). The story has a few main characters, aside from `Brenda' whom is telling the story of Sand. I personally found that I enjoyed the spanned time-frame with historic events and Sand's view on them.
It opens in the present in the year of 2007 to set up the events that begin in 1958, beginning the story of Sand (Sandy) when she is four years old. Entries go back to the current time with Brenda, then back in time to Sand. They also touch back even further in time with Sand's dreams, and those identities that the characters embrace. It was very interesting to see how the paths crossed and the past caught up to the present and the effects.
While reading, it was interesting for me to see how I felt a bond with Sand on her view of the world. She seems to follow her own heart and mind and refuses to allow those in her life influence her. She is open with her thoughts and ideas with a few select friends, but only to a degree.
While it is summarized as `a story of betrayal and forgiveness', I felt there was so much more. The symbolism is quite apparent throughout the tale, and not just with what each Major Arana of the Tarot represents (for each chapter). There are awareness lessons that can be learned and applied by the reader in daily life if they so choose to see them. I found that I was very involved in this story as I was searching to connect the dots of the past and to see if peace within could be attained for the characters. A very great story that sweeps you along the way.

M. M. Bishop Award-winning author and poet

5.0 out of 5 stars THOUGHT PROVOKING LOOK INTO LIFE, DEATH, AND HUMAN NATURE

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Franki deMerle, wrote one of the most thought-provoking books I have read in a long time. Deception Past made you think about society, history, and the tendency we as humans have of deceiving ourselves throughout our life. It covers birth, death, and reincarnation, leaving one wondering about life, death, and our purpose here on this earth. I highly recommend this book to everyone who is interested in human nature or just interesting thoughts. Kudos to Ms. deMerle for her courage in taking on such a interesting subject.

AMAZON

WHICH OF THESE FIVE WOMEN WILL BREAK FREE OF THE SINISTER MAN WHO APPEARS IN THEIR LIVES LIFETIME AFTER LIFETIME! FIVE FLOWERS – BY FRANKI DEMERLE

The story of five Tudor queens who find themselves drawn together again in Victorian London's Whitechapel district and the US in the 1960s. The challenges they face and deal with are love, betrayal, and finding their way to personal independence. What is the strange attraction they feel toward the sinister man around whom they orbit like satellites? Which of these women will break free and which will fall victim to him again and again?

Franki deMerle has rapidly become one of my favorite authors. I love her character portrayal and the depth she is able to pull out of each of them. It fascinates me to follow each character through lifetime after lifetime as their souls attempt to learn the lessons they failed at in the past. This is one of my favorites for it takes one through some of the most fascinating and devilish periods of history. In her book Five Flowers we follow six characters, five of them women from the court of Henry the VIII through encounters with Jack the Ripper and finally to a Charles Manson like scenario. It is a book I could not put down as it drew me deeper and deeper into the lives, hearts, minds, and souls of the story. The writing is rich in detail, the characters deep, and the plot well research and brilliantly depicted. I highly recommend this book.

AMAZON

NEW YORK DETECTIVE SIDNEY LANGSTON IS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH EXCRUCIATING CHEST PAINS THE SAME NIGHT A WOMAN WHO BEARS A REMARKABLE RESEMBLANCE TO HER IS MURDERED IN SAN DIEGO. COMPELLED BY USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR INGE-LISE GOSS

A Message From Beyond

New York Detective Sidney Langston is rushed to the hospital with excruciating chest pains the same night a woman who bears a remarkable resemblance to her is murdered in San Diego. Tests reveal that Sidney is perfectly healthy, yet the crippling pain persists until the dead woman reaches out from beyond the grave for Sidney’s help to vindicate her wrongfully imprisoned husband and to find her murderer.

˃˃˃ Ghostly Intrigue That Keeps You On The Edge Of Your Seat

Desperate to remain pain-free, Sidney embarks on a mission to exonerate an innocent man. With a ruthless killer at large, she soon discovers the crime is more than a simple whodunit when dangerous scenarios unfold. The dead woman’s spirit relentlessly pushes Detective Langston to solve the crime and correct an injustice”" or forever be tormented by an invisible bullet wound.

Falmouth

5.0 out of 5 stars Complex murder mystery with a ghost behind it

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Sidney is now a police officer on Long Island in NY. She used to be a CIA operative so she has some skills that a regular police officer might not have. A psychic contact her about a ghost who has been unrelenting in trying to reach Sidney through the psychic. Sidney rejects the contacts until she is provided with some facts that cause her to relent.

Sidney is home on sick leave with unrelenting heart problems that the medical experts can't explain. When she agrees to look into the case, she feels much better. She flies out to San Diego to investigate a case of a man accused of killing his wife. The police are certain that they found their man, so they didn't do a complete investigation.

Sidney brings on some help in San Diego and uncovers a complex plot. She develops multiple leads and a few potential suspects. All the while, she feels the presence of the ghost urging her on and making her have strange reactions about some people in the story.

I enjoyed the book, and I liked the complexity of the investigation.

I listened to the audio version, which was excellent.

M. M. Bishop Award-winning author and poet

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVED THIS MURDER/SUSPENSE/THRILLER BOOK WITH A TOUCH OF PARANORMAL & ROMANCE

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I’m a big fan of anything Inge-Lise Goss writes, but her book COMPELLED kept me on the edge of my seat. It is a fabulously written murder mystery, with just enough paranormal, and romance to satisfy even those who are avid readers of those genres’, and not so much that a man who is into murder/thriller/suspense can’t thoroughly enjoy too.
I both read it on kindle and listened to it again on audible, where the narrator did such a fabulous job of producing it, that it kept you listening way too far into the night, and barely able to keep your eyes open, but still not wanting to stop.
I highly recommend this terrific read.

AMAZON

"DIAMONDS AND LIES IS A TAUT AND THRILLING LOOK AT HIGH STAKES BURGLARY AND A FAMILY SECRET WITH DEADLY REPERCUSSION.” DIAMONDS & LIES BY USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR INGE-LISE GOSS

 

Sparkling rocks, family secrets, and seductive lies

Mia’s advertising career masks a side job in the family business―the business is thievery and the competition kills. Partnering with her brother, Andy, Mia is drawn into a short timeline to plan a diamond heist to make good on Andy’s double-cross of the crime boss who hired him for the prior job.

A Heist That Her Brother’s Life Depends On

Openly teasing the mark, Mia plays with the jeweler’s attraction to her, insinuating herself into his life, gaining his confidence. When Andy’s past threatens them both, Mia abandons the heist and disappears. The mark, under Mia’s spell, hides and protects her from danger. They are both in peril as her brother’s stalker closes in on them. Alternating between ecstasy and fear, she has to make a fateful decision.

Is she placing her trust in the wrong man? Can a relationship built on lies become real?

Dolores Ayotte

5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing mystery romance...

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Diamonds and Lies by Author Inge-Lise Goss

The three main characters are Mia Sloan...who is what appears to be a typical working girl, but she has an unsuspected, secret career in crime. Andy...her brother is well educated in the world of criminal activity as he has been well instructed in the art of theft by his/their father. Vince...is a private investigator with a hidden agenda in search of the murderer of his cousin Ethan.

Mia and Vince cross paths and are immediately attracted to each other but Mia is reluctant to mix business with pleasure as they seek to work together in this easy-to-read, enjoyable, mystery/romance novel. When the mob gets involved, Mia's life is in danger and Vince is quick to become her knight in shining armor.

Diamonds and Lies is my first exposure to talented Author Inge-Lise Goss and I am impressed with her well-written novel and down to earth style of writing. Good, clean fun is always appreciated in the books that I read!

Inspirational Author ~ Dolores Ayotte

AMAZON

"DURING THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION, THESE SIDES WERE DIVIDED." AS SHE WONDERED WHAT THAT MEANT, RICHARD CAPTURED HER….” DRAGONFLY DREAMS A REINCARNATION NOVEL BY FRANKI DEMERLE

Daphne Robin is ecstatic. She has just married Richard, the most wonderful man she's ever met, and they will honeymoon in Scotland. But on the eve of their departure, Daphne has a terrifying nightmare about Richard that leaves her shaken. The dream turns into reality when Richard begins abusing her in Scotland. Several months later, following his brutal attack, when Daphne announces she has become pregnant , he brutally attacks her--and then she suffers a miscarriage. The only place Daphne can find refuge from her wrecked life is within her dream world. She often dreams of a warm-hearted, tender man who comforts her and provides for her every need. Daphne retreats from reality more and more, and soon, as the years pass by, she becomes a shell of the woman she once was. Eventually, however, she reaches her breaking point; Daphne gathers the strength to escape her husband's clutches. She heads to her sister's place in Washington and meets Major Ursa-Barrios, a retired army officer who has pledged to help her. The two fall deeply in love, and Daphne wonders if this kind, generous man can possibly be her salvation. Although the Major is retired, Daphne's sister is still in service. When the sisters seek to explore their dreams through past life regression techniques, they discover secrets about their pasts that could reveal the purpose of their current lives...

Martha A. Cheves

VINE VOICE

5.0 out of 5 stars How many lives do we have

Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2011

`Shortly before 2:30 AM, Daphne awoke from a vivid dream. She dreamt she was in Scotland and had just been widowed. Her husband had been murdered. It was some distant time in the past, and she was dressed in a long black gown with a stiff white headdress She could feel the tightness of her corset contrast the softness of her gown's material on her skin. Richard was there, but other people in the dream were saying he was responsible for her late husband's murder. She was confused and didn't know what to believe. She had thought she could trust Richard, but a voice in the dream announced, "During the Protestant Reformation, these sides were divided." As she wondered what that meant, Richard captured her and took her against her will to a castle, where he raped her. Then, when he left her alone with a woman companion to look after her, the two women escaped. They disguised themselves as men and used bed linens to climb through a window and down the castle wall. She was terrified. She and her companion rode across the nearby border to England, where they thought they would be safe. At first, when they told their story of what had happened, they were given sanctuary by kind people. But after about a week or so, word came to the household from the authorities that she was to be held as a prisoner again. She did not understand why. Then she was told that Richard had also fled Scotland and was also imprisoned, but in another country.'

Daphne Robin and her sister Deandra were both accustomed to strange dreams. Deandra has dreamed, since childhood, that she was a soldier with lots of brothers. In her dream she was a man and someone was beating her face in. Daphne's dream about Scotland came shortly after her marriage to Richard Gatorman, owner of a construction company as well as Daphne's boss. Scotland was a place Daphne had always wanted to go to so when the dream coincided with Richard announcing that they would be honeymooning in Scotland, she let her excitement override the possibility of a warning. But, Richard had always been the perfect mate. He was loving, caring and offered her everything she could ever want...so she thought. The honeymoon would turn out to be the beginning of her seeing the true Richard she had married. A marriage that she soon realized had been a big mistake. The only out for Daphne becomes sleep in which her dreams have her flying the skies with a handsome man. If it weren't for her dream time she would probably give up on life itself.

Deandra, being an officer in the Army, enlists the help of her friend Major Ursa-Barrios to help Daphne escape the abuse being inflicted by Richard. Major, as he likes to be called, has had his own dreams over the years. In his dreams he would help a young lady and falls in love with her. Could Daphne possibly be the woman in his dream? Could Major possibly be the man in Daphne's dreams?

As Deandra, Daphne and Major come together, they start searching for the answers to their dreams. Deandra wanting to know who the person getting their face bashed in is and who are the brothers. Daphne wants to know who the woman in Scotland could be as well as who she soars the skies with. And Major wants to meet the lady from his dreams.

Franki deMerle has done it again with a book of mystery, love and a certain air of suspense. The more I read, the more I wanted answers to the character's dreams but I wasn't really expecting what the dreams actually turned out to be.

M. M. Bishop Award-winning author and poet

5.0 out of 5 stars POSSIBILITIES

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As a woman who is curious about nearly everything, I picked up Dragonfly Dreams looking for a sense of possibilities. I found that and more. Franki deMerle is a masterful story teller, combining the dream state with possible reality.

What is reality and what is truth. Have we lived before? Do we dream our way into a better future? Are all these possibilities just a magnificent story?

I loved this book. Ms. deMerle wrote characters that were captivating and three dimensional, whether they were reliving a past life or living in the present. Definitely a book to be read and enjoyed, and it left me with more than a good read. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in reincarnation or just a great story.

AMAZON

FIVE FLOWERS IS A BOOK I COULD NOT PUT DOWN AS IT DREW ME DEEPER AND DEEPER INTO THE LIVES, HEARTS, MINDS, AND SOULS OF THE STORY.

 

Five Flowers is the story of five women who find themselves drawn together through several lifetimes. The challenges they face deal with love, betrayal and finding their way to personal independence. What is the strange attraction they feel toward the sinister man around whom they orbit like satellites? Which of them will break free, and which will fall victim to him again and again?

Franki deMerle has rapidly become one of my favorite authors. I love her character portrayal and the depth she is able to pull out of each of them. It fascinates me to follow each character through lifetime after lifetime as their souls attempt to learn the lessons they failed at in the past. This is one of my favorites for it takes one through some of the most fascinating and devilish periods of history. In her book Five Flowers we follow six characters, five of them women from the court of Henry the VIII through encounters with Jack the Ripper and finally to a Charles Manson like scenario. It is a book I could not put down as it drew me deeper and deeper into the lives, hearts, minds, and souls of the story. The writing is rich in detail, the characters deep, and the plot well research and brilliantly depicted. I highly recommend this book. AMAZON