Fiction Review

Beneath A Mountain Moon
by Silver Ravenwolf
ISBN-10: 1567187226
Review by Heather Froeschl

In a classic battle between good and evil, I found "Beneath a Mountain Moon" to be a breath of fresh air in it's encompassing an exciting bit of fiction with a realistic use of positive witchcraft. Typically, fiction that involves the craft tends to run long on the dramatic, feeding on the media hype of green skinned witches and brewing cauldrons. This book, however, shatters the myths of media and while it does involve the spirit of a blue-faced hag, she does not cater to the typical by any means.

Elizabeyta is a modern heroin, who happens to be the destined savior of her covenstead. Blessed with the magickal heritage of her Scotch-Irish family, she returns to Whiskey Springs in search of the one who killed her grandmother. She knows it is not safe for her there, but discovers that she has inherited a dangerous, generations-old, battle between her family and one of dark powers.

With an interesting bit of past life influence, the characters are intertwined and lead a fateful existence as they struggle to discover who they are and how they can help each other. With the help of a local healer, a few family spirits and a deity or two, the reader is brought through many an exciting chapter and turn of events.

Silver Ravenwolf most certainly knows her facts, being the author of 16 other titles on, or about, witchcraft, not to mention being the Clan Head of the Black Forest Family that includes 15 covens in the United States. It is no wonder that this book demonstrates so many aspects of the craft, but is also very professionally written. The drama, horror and depth of feeling throughout the book make it a wonderful work of fiction.

For anyone looking for something a bit out of the ordinary, and positively bone-chilling at times, "Beneath a Mountain Moon" is the book for you.

Non-Fiction/Paranormal Review

True Mystic Experiences: Fascinating Real Life Stories of Spirits, Other Dimensions & Strange Phenomena
by Jennifer Spees
ISBN-10: 1567182623
Review by Heather Froeschl

From the files of FATE Magazine, the oldest of paranormal publications, comes this collection of True Mystic Experiences to set your mind aflame. I have personally always loved the "Believe it or Not" types of tales but have been on the skeptical side until recent years, and taken the stories with a grain of salt. However, this book, being from my favorite paranormal publisher, leaves no room for doubt in my mind. I know the practices of this publisher, being a writer who has submitted to them, and can attest to the fact that every story, such as these, is published only after the author has signed a sworn affidavit of its truth.

What a well-rounded collection is this! From guardian angels and premonitions of death, to psychic dreams and out of body experiences, there is something here to suit every curiosity. The stories come from everyday folks: soldiers at war, daughters in mourning, newlywed couples and more. Some are written in detailed prose, while others are more like a letter from home. But all exude a feeling of "Something wonderful and awesome has happened, and I was a witness to it."

Jennifer Spees has compiled a wonderful collection into chapters of the unexplainable. Whether you sit and read through it all on a rainy, snuggly weekend or savor it bit by bit in moments of peace, True Mystic Experiences will be a book you won't forget. The stories will haunt you and inspire you to look about for signs of your own mystic encounters. And what a wonderful thing to have happen!

Non-Fiction/Spirituality Review

Practical Guide To Past-Life Memories: Twelve Proven Methods
by Richard Webster
ISBN-10: 0738700770
Review by Heather Froeschl

Many people believe in reincarnation, myself included, but also, many are skeptics. Here is a chance for everyone to understand better those moments of dTja vu. Believers will have an easier time of it, but skeptics may just learn a little something along the way too, if not more so.

Richard Webster is a hypnotherapist and lecturer on many psychic topics. He is the author of over thirty books and is seen in many circles as a guru of the paranormal. In "Past-Life Memories" Richard gives us twelve proven methods of accessing the memories that are hidden in our brains.

By way of explanation of past life memories, the soul is a continuing energy that enters life again and again. We are here to learn lessons and to grow, but are usually without our memories of past lives so that these images do not interfere with what we are here to do. Certainly you may feel compelled to do certain things, such as staying far away from high places; perhaps in a past life you had fallen to your death from a cliff. But you may not understand your current fear of heights. By exploring your past life memories, you may be able to put those fears to rest and live happier in this life.

There are numerous methods of uncovering these memories, from dreaming of your past lives to scrying, hypnotherapy to spirit guide assistance, but since all of us are individuals, one method may work for some while it doesn't for others. Much like finding a comfortable position in which to sleep, you will need to try different things to see what works best for you, hence, Richard's twelve methods.

Mr. Webster has a wonderful voice in his works. He is knowledgeable and respected in his understanding of these topics; authoritative, yet he is gentle and convincing, a true teacher and guiding spirit. If you are interested in learning how to uncover your past life memories, this is the man you will want to learn from. The text is easy to understand and the lessons clearly written. I enjoyed reading the case histories that accompany each method of regression.

For anyone yearning to uncover the meaning behind an irrational fear, looking to see if their soulmate is involved in their current life, or wonders why they are drawn to certain places, this is the book to help you through it.

Non-Fiction/Spirituality Review

How To Communicate With Spirit
by Elizabeth Owens
ISBN-10: 1567185304
Review by Heather Froeschl

As a student of Spirituality I have read a great deal of books on this topic, and I must say that this is by far the best that I have read. Elizabeth Owens takes the reader by the hand and leads through a wide variety of experiences. A certified medium and ordained Spiritualist minister, Ms. Owens is full of knowledge herself, however, in "How to Communicate with Spirits" she brings in the words of her peers, numerous other professional mediums, in an easy to comprehend, yet extremely interesting text.

It has been said that 60% of the population has experienced some sort of paranormal or spiritual event. I imagine that number will grow from this book's existence. It opens the eyes to sometimes subtle signs that spirit is around us, and the related stories help open the mind to seeing them. Ms. Owens explains the process of identifying and classifying our spirit guides and understanding the presence of other entities. From your first awareness of the spirit realm to the practice of meditation and communication, this practical guide will reaffirm what you may already know but it will likely help you to discover so much more.

The affirmation of my own personal beliefs was comforting, and the stories were such that I could relate to, but I think the crown jewel of this book is the final chapter, "Meditations for Communication". This chapter is a specific guide to meditation. It contains three "scripts" that the reader is encouraged to record for their personal use. Each script is thorough and well executed and has a different feel as portrayed in their titles: The Mountain, The Beach and The Castle.

For the novice to this topic, a generous glossary reveals the meanings to terms such as: Synchronicity, Chakra and Spiritualist. Whatever your interest level, I can almost assure you that you will learn something from this book. It all depends on how open your mind is.

Children's Book Review

Season's of Magic; A Girl's Journey
by Laurel Ann Reinhardt
ISBN-10: 1567185649
Review by Heather Froeschl

We all have teachers in our lives; whether we can recognize them for what they are or are thankful for them, they are there. Some teach us about life and love, some teach us about math and science and some teach us about ourselves, and our spirits. Season's of Magic is the story of a young girl's journey, with a much loved teacher, through the seasons of a year and a crash course in the seasons of life.

Erin is curious about her family's practice of celebrating the changing of the seasons. In class she listens with interest as her friend Rachel explains why Christmas is so important to her family, and Erin discovers that she isn't sure why her family celebrates the Winter Solstice. Her mother suggests that she ask Evangeline, an elderly neighbor, to teach her about the seasonal changes and the magic within them.

Through her studies in the natural world of Mother Nature Erin discovers that with each celebration and changing season, she is changing in her relationships with others and with herself. She is learning about the world and people, and her family's religious beliefs. A particularly hard lesson is one which we could all use some help in dealing with, the death of a dear friend.

This book is a wonderful guide to the seasonal holidays, for children and adults alike. It is written in a gentle tone that makes it seem as if Evangeline is there for us all, and in a way, she is. It does not put down other religious beliefs but rather encourages an exploration of the similarities and differences between religions, all in a child's point of view.

At the end of the book is a specific guide to the Wheel of the Year and all of the holidays therein. It is a workbook to help guide the reader through an exploration of the seasons and includes a glossary of terms just to make things perfectly clear. Finally, Season's of Magic is the guide book you may have been looking for to help children embrace and celebrate the magic of the seasons in a heart touching and loving tale they can relate to.

Non-Fiction/Paranormal Review

Grave's End
by Elaine Mercado
ISBN-10: 0738700037
Review by Heather Froeschl

It was supposed to be their dream house, an escape from apartment dwelling, home sweet home. It turned out to be a nightmare that didn't go away even when you slept with the lights on. In 1982 Elaine Mercado, her husband and two daughters moved into the house they had bought in Brooklyn, N.Y. With her husband's business in the upper two floors, Elaine was rarely alone in the house, but she never felt alone anyway; she had a constant feeling of being watched.

Over the course of 12 years there would be a great deal more than feelings of being watched. The house was haunted. It took Elaine quite a long time to admit that fact; admitting it would make it real. But there were dreams that she and her daughter both experienced, dreams that were suffocating in nature. In fact it felt as though something were holding them down, pressing them into the bed to such an extent that they were unable to move and at times, unable to breath. Balls of light danced about the house and small blurry shapes of shadow crept along the floorboards. A figure of mist would sometimes pass by one daughter's bedroom door and at times there would be whispering, right in their ears, of things like, "You leave us alone, and we'll leave you alone."

After years of not getting a decent night's sleep, years of feeling terrified on an almost constant basis, Elaine does some digging into the past of the house. Many stories are uncovered, but none of them are very comforting. The decision is made to call in a psychic investigator. Someone had to know what was going on and how to make it stop.

This is a true story, told by Elaine herself, a registered nurse and a woman of great strength of character. She admits her terrible fear and frustration in an effort to let people know that they are not alone in situations such as these. The lost spirits that shared her home were in great misery and pleading for help, though in ways that would scare even the bravest of people. It took an understanding to help the souls that Elaine did not posses at the time. This book is her passing on of the knowledge that even challenges such as this can be remedied.

The book goes into great detail of the haunting and the writing is such that you truly feel the hair standing up on the back of your neck. You may feel a desire to leave the lights on at bedtime, or the need to look over your shoulder for the feeling of being watched is contagious. You may even go so far as to do a great deal of research before purchasing your next home.

A foreword by the famous Parapsychologist and Author, Prof. Hans Holzer, who incidentally played a large part in the resolution of Elaine's unwanted houseguests, lends additional validity to the book, but the work is well written and most definitely believable.

Fiction Review

Sisterwife
by Natalie Collins
ISBN-10: 1894942256
Review by Heather Froeschl



I have never read anything quite like Natalie R Collin's SisterWife. There is something about the subject of polygamy that made me want to remain unaware. As if not knowing the details of people who live this way would make it not exist. The tragic drama that played out in Waco, Texas some years back was something like that to me. The public was witness to this event in great detail and even then I can remember feeling like I just didn't want to know all of the gory details. Call me cruel and cold, but I was just being human. Natalie opens up the world of a fictional religious cult for all of the world to see.

Kelsey is the young mother of Tia, a seven year old girl with a spitfire soul. Kelsey is pretty strong willed herself, having run away from a life of hell, ten years past. California was not far enough away from Utah, where she had suffered the abuse and molestation her father felt was his rightful path to take. She had run when her father proclaimed that she would marry the prophet, she would be a part of God's plan, she would be sold so that her father could play an important role in the Church of the Lamb of God.

California was indeed not far enough away, and Kelsey's daughter Tia would become another victim of the prophecy. Kidnapped by the cult, under the prophet's plan, Tia became the bait to draw Kelsey back. With the help of Quinn, a police detective, Kelsey would face her past, in order to save her daughters future. Along the way we are witness to the truth that was Kelsey's nightmarish childhood, through well-executed flashbacks and then through Kelsey's confidences in Quinn. Here we are given a better understanding of how people take what they wish from religion, in this case, being Mormon, twisting and morphing those beliefs and creating what can become a dangerous cult.

SisterWife is a page turner, full of fear, suspense, appalling circumstance, a wickedly evil puzzle to figure through, a bit of pure eroticism and an amazing look at the human psyche. The author is well informed of the true Mormon religion and takes great pains to emphasize that the fictional Church of the Lamb of God is not such. She has shed light on what is sometimes ugly to look at, but is so necessary for us to understand today. Natalie has created characters that breathe and cry, hold their breath in terror, pray for an answer and sigh at the thought of loving ecstasy. Through it all we are witness to the authors deep understanding of human relationships and feelings.

The author is an excellent storyteller. I recommend this title to anyone wanting to stay up late reading. You won't be able to put it down. I look forward to reading more of this authors work.