- Title: Three from the Valley
- Author: Marilyn Yoakum
- Publisher: Tate Publishing
- Form: Paperback
- Illustrated: ---
- Number of Pages: 230
- ISBN: 1-5988640-4-1
- Price: : $13.95 + $2.50 (Shipping) = $16.45
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REVIEW:
When his small, peaceful country is ruthlessly invaded by giants and loses the first battle, Connelach finds his secure world turned upside down. He knows his people cannot resist another attack and will not long survive if they have to remain hidden in the rugged range of hills surrounding the valley they have been forced to flee. In Three from the Valley, author Marilyn Yoakum follows the quest of Connelach and his two companions as they desperately try to find the help they need to protect their land. Not knowing what they will find or what dangers they might encounter, the three men venture far beyond their borders realizing that failure will ring a death knell for their families. An adventure story with a dash of fantasy, Three from the Valley demonstrates that heroism is often made up of perseverance and the resolve to do what is right no matter what the cost.
“A neatly plotted and suspenseful novel concerning the sudden and unexpected loss of FREEDOM. It is more than the intricacies and difficulties of regaining freedom once lost, but the dynamic interpersonal relationships of those set on overcoming the great odds against them. A novel for the family ... a good read.”
Rev. William J. Davis, Pastor, Briarwood Baptist Church, St. Robert, MO.
Author Marilyn Yoakum is a teacher in Dixon, Missouri, located in the Missouri Ozarks on the Interstate 44 corridor between Rolla and Fort Leonard Wood. She lives on a small farm with her husband, Rodney. Rodney is her best help and kindest critic. They share many interests including the outdoors, animals, gardening and history. Their two sons, their daughters-in-law and five grandchildren along with many other friends provide much of their enjoyment. She and Rodney are active in a small country church near their home.
Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (7/07)
"Three from the Valley" is the first book in "Freedom's Common Ground" series. After their land is invaded by giants, its residents must remain hidden in the hills in order to stay safe. Realizing that they cannot hide forever and will be unable to tend their livestock and crops, three people challenge the council of elders to permit them to travel in search of possible allies to help them defeat their enemy. Connelach and Cadelan were two men who had always stayed in one area because the council forbade traveling beyond the borders. Along with Kinnoch, a teenaged boy who had just escaped from slavery in the land of the giants, they joined together to see what other lands and other peoples were out there. In hopes of finding the Mountain People, some of whose residents were enslaved with Kinnoch, they determinedly endured a treacherous journey on foot.
The author's main point is that people who seemingly have nothing in common (including language, customs, etc) are still able to unite to reach a common goal, in this case finding a way to defeat their much-superior enemy. Barriers and differences can be overcome if each side is willing to make an effort to consider and respect the ideas each side contributes. Another important focus is that people need to take action instead of living in fear. The three main characters gave up being with their families in order to try to defeat the giants and free their slaves. They chose to act for the good of others instead of selfishly sitting back and waiting for someone else to take charge.
This book will appeal to a general audience, but it will be especially enjoyed by those who love adventures. I found the initial travel sequence to be a little monotonous (i.e., travel, make camp, eat, sleep) but the pace picked up greatly once they reached their destination.
After reading this first book, "Three from the Valley," I am looking forward to learning more about the likable characters that set out to make their land safe and their people free. It will be interesting to see what further adventures they will experience as well as to see how they grow and change as a result of their endeavors
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REVIEW:
The story is about five male friends who migrate from Jamaica to America, legally and illegally. They face numerous problems en route to America and upon arrival. Through togetherness and culture, they form a bond that’s unbreakable, even from the grave.
It’s really all about “One Love”.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Donna Brown was born in Rockingham, North Carolina, but grew up in southwest Philadelphia. She attended Temple University, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree (summa cum laude) in Criminal Justice in 1985, her Master of Arts degree (magna cum laude) in Criminal Justice in 1986, and her Juris Doctorate degree in 1989. Brown has practiced labor law for the past seventeen years. Earlier in her career, Brown worked for the Philadelphia Police Department and also served as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Criminal Justice at Temple University. Brown enjoys writing and loves the LORD.
Having a Jamaican husband and three Jamaican-American daughters (ages 3, 22, and 25+), Brown understands the difficulties involved in mixing two cultures under a single roof. With this novel, Brown hopes to show Jamaicans in a sensitive light, and to help bridge the gap between people of different cultures.
EXCERPTS:
The day seemed hotter than most. Even in the shade, it had to be at least 96 degrees. Children were swimming in the shallows while the Rastafarians gathered nearby listening to a sermon on self-reliance. Winston tossed stones into the river as he and Talent engaged in their not unusual fantasies about life in America. Winston went on boasty because his father worked for Air Jamaica and had traveled to America many times. He was sure that he would get to America someday, he just didn’t know how. Winston was also sure that the streets in America were paved in gold and that under American girls smelled of lilac and ginger.
Winston felt more comfortable around Owen than he did with Lugg. Perhaps it was because Lugg was illegal and had to move schreechy-schreechy. Even driving, Lugg was a little nervous. Winston had asked how he got his license without his permanent residence and Lugg showed him one piece of paper marked “International Driver’s License”. Lugg said he bought it for five hundred American dollars and it was legit. But it was never tested since Lugg had never been stopped by police. Owen, on the other hand, was straight up. He showed Winston his green card and his New York driver’s license. Winston wondered why they called it a green card, when it was really pink and blue. Owen and Winston laughed at the fact that the green card wasn’t even green.
ENDORSEMENT:
In this moving novel, Brown combines humor and play on Jamaican stereotypes with positive and uplifting messages to demonstrate the power of “One Love”.
-Tom Davis, Publisher, Old Mountain Press
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REVIEW:
Nineteen-year old Jason Riley has many different passions in his life: sex, surfing, travel, drugs and alcohol, but not necessarily in that order. A big swell, for instance, would move surfing to the number-one spot. What you won’t find on Jason’s radar screen is education, the Bible, or patriotism, but that is all about to bloody change. We are not talking about English swearword here, but the very real blood of Jason Riley.
After traveling around the world for a year surfing, Jason thinks it’s time to get serious about his education, or as serious as he can get. That means going to “partying” Waterbury Community College, near one of California’s prime surf spots. To make things even better, his grandparents live nearby, offering free room and board. What more can he ask for? Being almost killed within 24 hours does put a damper on it, for you see Jason is on the radar of the Keeper of Secrets. If a World War is needed to change Jason, so be it.
Preface
I watched, like so many others, the jets fly into the World Trade Center; I felt this was our Pearl Harbor, our wake up call.
Those that responded to Pearl Harbor (Tom Brokaw rightfully called them The Greatest Generation) are fading and a couple of generations have passed. For the most part only their lessons remain, for those who are willing to learn. Then I wondered what would this generation be called? Were we going to pull another Vietnam, or fight, both military and civilian united in a common cause. As I thought of the situation this story evolved, the comparison of two generations, our current youth and those that went off to World War II.
Many think our strength is in wealth and technology, but I think it’s our character, our will and what we look to for our strength that are important. This story, among other things, deals with the main character, Jason Riley, and his relationship with God.
The reader is reminded that this is a work of fiction and I, like any human, should not and do not assume how the Almighty would or would not act, except via His word. So the reader is left, so to speak, to read between the lines of what is truth and what is fiction. There is a lot of both to challenge the reader.
For God and Country, both that I love, enjoy the read.
Gerald “Jerry” Dow
Introduction
Silver shimmered from the midday sun against the bomber, catching Major Ramsey’s eye before its familiar scream rumbled in his chest. His steps shifted weight from hip to hip, and paced in aimless patterns until the control tower finished with landing instructions. He picked up the mike from the jeep seat, and brushed its ribbed surface against his dry lips. “Golden Eagle Two welcome to France.”
“Roger that, we will follow your lead. Out.”
With the screech of wheels, debris swirled and scattered in a whirlwind that followed the four massive engines. Off the starboard wing of the plane, a jeep raced along side. At the end of the runway Major Ramsey led the B-17 away from the construction that crowded the base. When the scream of the engine had silenced, the belly hatch swung open and Colonel John Riley dropped to the hardstand, followed by three of his crewmembers.
Major Ramsey saluted and then extended his hand. “Good to see you, old friend, everything is set.”
Colonel Riley returned the salute and the two men embraced. “Good to see you, Joe. I never thought we would make it though this war alive.”
“We almost didn’t John, but you and the 8th Air Force still have Japan to deal with.”
“There will be no Japan or Japanese invasion.”
“You seem sure, John, just like Jason was about Normandy.”
Just hearing the name stopped the Colonel for a few shallow breaths. “I suggest that name be left unmentioned.”
Major Ramsey took the overnight bag from the Colonel and wrapped his arm around Riley as they walked toward the Jeep. “You’re right, Jason is the last person we need to bring up. God, it’s good to see you.”
“You too, Joe. You too.”
When they reached the jeep the Colonel took the overnight bag back and threw it on the front floorboard. “Joe, let me introduce my crew. This is Lt. Bob Carmichael, my navigator and Captain Jim Frank, second seat. Crew Chief Eugene Johnston. Gentlemen, this is Major Joe Ramsey. Joe and I were in the old 572nd.”
As they shook hands, Lt. Carmichael piped up, “We heard rumors about the last 572nd mission. What about it Major?”
The Colonel shot the Major a wicked stare and changed the subject. “What’s all the activity about, Joe?”
“Getting ready to turn the base over to the French. We figure we’ll have our POW’s for a couple more weeks before the poor devils head home, with the war over and all.”
“Poor devils?”
“Not much left of Germany. That’s what I’ve been doing for the Brass, evaluation reports on our effectiveness. In all, we did a good job.”
“Yeah, a good job.”
The jeep rolled toward the hanger that served as the terminal. Trivial conversations murmured below the hum of the Jeep, but the Colonel remained lost in the silence of other thoughts. When they arrived, the Major handed the Colonel two maps, one was a road map and the other was hand drawn. “That’s where you can find the crew.”
The Colonel, looking down at the hand drawn map of the cemetery and turned away, embarrassed by his tears. He moved over to the driver’s seat. “As always Joe, you have gone the extra mile.”
“Pay my respects to the crew. I’ll keep these three in tow while you’re gone.”
***************
The visit to the crew at Normandy was a quick one, but the dead never complained, nor would they ever reveal the true purpose of the Colonel’s trip. A few miles away the Colonel glanced around his circumference before lowering the binoculars in satisfaction. With a tug of the wrist, the jagged rock that hid a package eased out of the field wall. Unwrapping the torn section of the rubber poncho, he found the forty-five automatic and the cigar box, both in good condition. He automatically glanced at his hands to see if they were covered with blood, but the blood was now dry, while the memories of that night, nearly a year ago, were still fresh.
Fifteen minutes later, he pulled off the road and opened the road map, spreading it over the steering column and his legs, checking as if he was searching for directions if anyone was looking. Reaching into the bag on the passenger seat, he removed the cigar box and the electrical tape. After reading the note inside for the last time, the Colonel sealed the box with trembling hands. A vow overcame the fright in his heart. Only the owner would open its sealed secret.
***************
Colonel Riley lifted his overnight bag out of the back of the jeep as he gave the thumbs up to Captain Frank. He turned to Major Ramsey. “Thanks, Joe, for everything and pass that on to the General. I would like to stay and visit, but I was hard-pressed even to get these few hours with Group packing up to ship Stateside.”
“Hope it went well, John,” Joe replied.
As the engine fought to come to life Riley yelled, “I did get lost,” nodding in assurance to himself more than Joe, effectively covering the bases if the jeep was spotted where it should not have been.
As the engine screamed to life, Joe shouted back, “Well, you never did get lost when it counted!”
Riley shouted back, “Again, thanks Joe!”
Ramsey held his cap down. “Glad I could help! Strange, I miss flying that bucket of bolts!”
Riley turned. “What?”
Ramsey waved Riley away. “Have a good flight!”
Riley gave a casual salute. “Roger that, Joe!”
Major Ramsey watched the bomber lift off the runway and bank with a gentle tilt West towards the Channel, back to England.
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REVIEW
Testimonial
Cort Reynolds's Larry Legend Nostalgia Basketball is a thorough and wide-ranging trivia game book that will appeal to both the casual fan and hardcore Bird admirer alike. Helpfully divided into categories of difficulty (from lay-ups to three-pointers), this in-depth look at Bird's career as player and coach not only poses questions about particular playoff series and individual games, it also delves into the enigmatic superstar's psyche and sense of humor. By offering 250 mini-categories, readers can choose either to play to their strengths or take their chances on more esoteric matters surrounding Larry Legend. Either way, those who play Larry Legend Nostalgia Basketball will come away from this comprehensive game book with a better appreciation for and understanding of one of the NBA's all-time greats.
Dr. Robert Scott, Professor of English,
Ohio Northern University
Insightful new game/book a must for Bird watchers and fans!
ADA, Ohio – Larry Bird’s 1992 retirement left a large void the NBA has never truly recovered from, but his fans now have a chance to re-live the legend’s career via a new trivia game book.
Larry Legend Nostalgia Basketball is not just a meticulously researched tribute and probe into the life and career of the all-time hoop great – it is also a fun, multi-layered simulated hoop game played through 1,000 far-ranging multiple choice questions sprung from the mind of a kindred Hoosier.
Author Cort Reynolds has penned five other trivia game books, but feels this is his best one yet. “First of all, Larry Bird is my favorite athlete ever and I feel a close kinship with him,” said the game’s creator, an accomplished player born in Bloomington, not far from Larry’s hometown in the hoops-crazed state.
That kinship, along with a serious, scout’s knowledge of basketball, players and a similar on-court game helped Reynolds gain unique insight to the Hoosier legend, which he tries to convey through his topics, questions and answers. The author’s love of fun competition, games and Bird’s versatile play then led to this unique book.
The questions, with correspondingly insightful and detailed answers on the back of each of the 120 pages, are separated into over 200 four-query mini categories such as Bird Buzzer Beaters, Larry vs. Magic, Terre Haute Couture, and Instant Classic: 1984 Finals.
Many other categories also closely trace Bird’s upbringing in poverty-stricken rural southern Indiana to his aborted stint at Indiana University and onto All-American status at Indiana State, then to his Hall of Fame career with the Celtics and beyond.
“One of the more challenging aspects of writing the book was to come up with good incorrect answers that don’t make it too easy or too incredibly hard,” said Reynolds.
A game board comprises the reverse side of the front and back covers, which are appropriately adorned by a replica of Bird’s front and back Celtic road jersey. The basketball court/game board also features several spots on it that denote exact places on the floor where Larry made some of his most memorable plays such as the steal in 1987 vs. Detroit in the final seconds of Game 5 vs. their fierce Eastern Finals, among his many other great moments.
Reynolds has at least 30 of Bird’s Boston games on tape and has watched and studied everything he can on the enigmatic hoops maven, from several biographies to articles to TV specials and other archives. He used all these and a prodigious memory as fodder for the over 1,000 questions, which are of varying difficulty just like different “shots” in a basketball game (see abbreviated version of rules after this article).
Bird’s repeated late-game heroics, from improbable buzzer beaters to great steals, are the stuff of NBA legend.
“But one of my most respected memories of Larry playing is that after he barely missed a hurried, off balance 24-footer at the buzzer of game 4 in the 1987 NBA Finals (which would have won the game and evened their series with LA 2-2), he was immediately surrounded by celebrating Lakers. He had just made a clutch three from the corner seconds before to give Boston a two-point lead and showed no emotion.
“Instead of crying foul, falling to the floor or throwing a tantrum after missing such a big shot that essentially ended their chance to win consecutive titles (with Boston legendarily banged-up with serious injuries), Larry just walked off the court and never broke stride or made an excuse.”
Bird’s legacy has only increased since his retirement after the 1992 Olympics.
“I think part of why Larry’s legend has grown is that he excelled in areas of the game that were in sharp decline after he retired, such as passing, shooting and unselfish play,” Reynolds offered.
“I have long felt Larry was the last great mythic player in basketball,” he continued. “He played just before the ESPN era started, so he was never on TV until the end of his senior year.
“What made Bird so great, in part, was that no matter how highly he achieved, people always said he wasn’t good enough to make it at the next level. And that really motivated him to practice harder and compete harder than anyone and never give up, through all sorts of adversity and injury.
“I think that constant lack of respect really hit him at his core, being someone who was pretty poor, very skinny, not prototypically handsome and from a very small town.”
The game questions also veer off slightly to Hoosier and Celtics hoop history, into his Boston teammates and biggest rivals. Many questions revolve around quotes by and from other great players and coaches about Larry.
“You could argue that the three greatest all-around players of the first (Wooden), second (Oscar Robertson) and third (Larry Bird) trimesters of the 20th century are from Indiana,” said Reynolds. “I am not sure any other state can legitimately make that claim, and it does not have a huge population base. You know, 17 of the 20 biggest high school gyms in the world are in Indiana, with the largest in New Castle being over 9,400 seats.
“So you can see how a very determined, proud guy from a hoops-crazy state, who suffered some unique problems, used them to motivate and will himself into a great player.”
The game/book should provide countless hours of fine memories and brainteasers for Bird watchers and aficionados.
“I liken Larry to a throwback in terms of his unselfishness, great fundamental skills and willful, no-nonsense, cerebral play – but also as a futuristic artist due to his flair for the dramatic and great improvisational skills when they were needed, especially in his passing and shot-making, his touch, feel and mind for the game.
“Like ex-Olympic coach/Celtic president Dave Gavitt said, no one played the game from the top of his head to the tip of his fingers like Larry. I like to think my book/game is a tribute to all of that, and more.”
LARRY LEGEND NOSTALGIA BASKETBALL
PARTIAL RULES OF PLAY Copyright Cort Reynolds 2008
There are many ways of playing Larry Legend Nostalgia Basketball, which contains over 1,000 probing, knowledgeable and intriguing questions on all aspects of Larry Bird’s career separated into over 200 mini-categories.
The most preferred method of play is to cut out the 50 play cards in the back (plus 10 overtime cards if needed in case of a tie), shuffle them and then place them upside down on the playing court, which is comprised of the detached inside cover. Then to start play you take the top card off the deck, with the younger player going first. They turn over the top card and do what it says as if playing a game of basketball…This continues on until the play card deck is exhausted. The player with the most points wins. Or you can use each play deck as a half, shuffle them again and start over. Questions are given in order throughout the book, with corresponding answers on the back of each page of questions. In case of a tie, shuffle and use the 10 special overtime play cards, with the older player getting first possession.
Sample questions with categories in bold
AMBIDEXTROUS BIRD
Dunk-True or false: Larry was once named the AP Left-handed Athlete of the Year in the late 1980s. A) True B) False
BIRD 7th GAMES
Free throw-Against what team did Larry Legend play his last game against in Game 7 of the 1992 Eastern Conference semifinals? A) Detroit B) Cleveland C) Chicago
NOTES & NUMBERS
Jumper-Whose retired jersey did Bird always stare at during the national anthem at the Boston Garden?*extra point-what number was it
A) Bill Russell B) John Havlicek C) Phil Esposito D) Bobby Orr
KNIGHT SCHOOL
3-pointer-What Hoosier hotshot spurned Bob Knight’s last scholarship offer to Indiana, which only then did he extend to Bird in 1974?*extra point-where did this player go to college instead
A) Roy Taylor B) Steve Collier C) Kyle Macy D) Walter Jordan E) Wayne Walls
Sample answers...
AMBIDEXTROUS BIRD
Dunk-A) True. Although he played right-handed, Larry does many normal everyday tasks left-handed and was a frequent ambidextrous passer and shooter.
BIRD 7th GAMES
Free throw-B) Larry Legend played his last game at Cleveland in Game 7 of the 1992 Eastern Conference semifinals, which the hot-shooting Cavaliers won 122-104.
NOTES & NUMBERS
Jumper-D) Bird always stared at the retired number 4 jersey of classy Boston Bruin hockey great Bobby Orr which hung in the rafters of the Boston Garden during the national anthem.
KNIGHT SCHOOL
3-pointer-B) Hoosier high school standout Steve Collier spurned Bob Knight’s last scholarship offer to Indiana in 1974, which the IU mentor then extended to Bird. Collier went to Cincinnati but didn’t achieve stardom. Macy, Walls and Jordan all went to Purdue. Indiana native Macy, who wanted to go to IU but was not recruited by Knight, ended up transferring to Kentucky and leading the Wildcats to the 1978 NCAA title. Knight later said it was a big mistake not to recruit Macy, and chose him to play for his USA team in the Pan Am Games at Puerto Rico in 1979.
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REVIEW:
Today's world is packed with confused and hurting people. People who
live their lives in quiet desperation, people who desire happiness through
self-improvement, freedom from dead-end jobs and unrewarding
relationships...people who long for sound mental health advice, but are
floundering in a sea of pop-psychologists, writers and radio counselors who
offer "quick-fix" solutions to life's problems.
![[]](shlp0022_files/image002.gif){kind=small}
There
are massive numbers of despairing people who want to know: "Where can I find
realistic solutions? Where do I go after I've spent years and a small fortune on
therapy? Which route do I take when every turn ends up a dead-end? What do I do
when I'm finally sick and tired of being sick and tired?"
For everyone who is asking these questions there is something new and
different...in the form of a book written by
Patricia L. Zerman, MS, LPC. Through the comical antics of Rutgar and Rocky,
a detective and his dog, readers are taken straight to the heart of the matter
the same way the "Laser Lady" works with her clients. Those who make the journey
to Misery with the P.I. and his pooch will learn what being selfish with a
capital "S" is all about and come to understand the concept of Self-love. The
book emphasizes the absolute necessity and extreme importance of putting your
Self first...it clarifies what happens when you abandon you!
It's
a book offering effective tools to help deal with and minimize fear, depression,
anxiety, anger, guilt, or any number of emotions that cloud lives. The humorous
manner and light-hearted illustrations show how continued crisis and chaos can
be eliminated and provides a way to experience freedom and fulfillment. It
pushes readers to change by risking... making new choices and doing things
differently. In the final analysis, Twelve Guaranteed Ways To Stay
Miserable (Or Change) helps struggling people discover the truth about
themselves...and if they are willing, leads them to unimagined heights of
personal and spiritual growth.
It's a book that teaches you how to risk being you!
Forward:
“The story of Rutgar and Rocky is about a new way of looking at the
world and yourself. Patricia Zerman cleverly and entertainingly gives you
practical and easy to understand tools that can apply to every aspect of your
life. The cartoons and the large print make for easy reading. If you want to get
rid of being miserable and live a life that demonstrates the truth,
unconditional love, happiness and peace, this is the book that was meant for
you.”
Gerald G. Jampolsky, M.D.
Author of “Love Is Letting Go of Fear”
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REVIEW:
SYNOPSIS
Sadhana... The Odyssey of a young Westerner who follows the call of his soul to India - the land of ancient and spiritual wisdom of the East.
During the next months, he travels from the hotlands of Southern India to the source of the Ganges river in the Himalayas. Along the way, he meets holy men and spiritual teachers, travels and learns the discipline of detachment with a sadhu, and attends India’s most sacred religious festival, the Kumbha Mela.
The result is a compelling docudrama about India. The scenes shot at the Kumbha Mela offer never before seen footage of the millions of pilgrims and holy men converging at the sacred basin of the Brahma Kund. It gives us a glimpse at the living spirit of Hinduism.
In it’s North American release, Sadhana drew an enthusiastic response. Commentators compared it in scope and impact to such films as Siddharta and Meetings with Remarkable Men. Step-by-step, it takes us all Back to the Source.
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EDITORIAL COMMENTS France Lafuste (Le Devoir, Montreal)
“In our increasingly impersonal world of computers, multinational corporations and ecological chaos, it is logical for an individual to search for a meaning in his life. Some will search for it in ritualized religion while others will strive to find it in ancient Eastern belief systems more closely aligned with nature. Sadhana teaches us to understand the world by understanding the self, for while the world may be in turmoil, our minds and spirits need not to be.” Alan Dexter (Festival Review, Toronto) “The film offers some vivid illustrations of Hindu traditions. The visual of sacred Indian people, events, caves and mountains are impressive. Coverage of the Kumbha Mela is especially powerful.” Douglas Todd (The Vancouver Sun) “This movie provides a starting place on the road to inner awareness.” Eric Noll (New Texas Magazine)
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Review
INTRODUCTION
Life after death. What topic has elicited more mystery, fear, wonder and speculation from mankind?
Our earliest recorded history tells of concern with the possibility of an afterlife and what may come after the final frontier of death is crossed. Once mankind evolved to the level of abstract thought (beyond the all-consuming imperative for survival), the human mind turned to the search for truth and meaning. Wondering, our ancient ancestors cast their eyes upward to the heavens. One mystery seemed to lead on to another:
· What were these luminous bodies - sun, moon and stars that established order with their predictable cycles?
· What forces created day, night, and the seasons?
· How did human mortality reflect these natural, but mysterious processes?
· Once swallowed up in death, did the light of human existence remain forever eclipsed, or, like the rising sun and the phases of the new moon, did it return?
· What indeed were birth and death and what came after?
The purpose of this book is to search out the possibilities that such ancient speculation engendered. This investigation proceeds from the assertion that Life itself not only survives physical death, but is in a very real sense the only force and reality. On the soul's emergence from the material plane, far greater possibilities than the conventional notions of Heaven and Hell await.
Many people believe that when the body dies, the soul either proceeds through the Pearly Gates to a blissful, Edenic Heaven or through the Gates of Hell to a far less pleasant destination. The possibility that neither of these places exist as conventionally understood is explored in this book. We will investigate the possibility that an all-loving Source exists, a Being who wants to experience all possible modes of existence and so projects Itself into countless individual manifestations. These modes of existence encompass not only life on this plane and planet, but on infinite others, beyond anything we can even imagine.
On Planet Earth, this Being sent forth fragments and sparks of its own divine energy in order to create this one model, that of human experience.
(Please note: The use of the pronoun "It" for this Supreme Being signifies only that we have no reason to believe that gender is relevant to the Force behind all creation, and thus encompasses, both male and female. It is not used disrespectfully!)
What if, in the beginning, we were divine energy? Sparks from that original Oneness who, in the process of having a Human experience here on Planet Earth, got stuck here? What would that drama look like – and how could we escape the trap?
This book posits the theory that there is indeed the possibility for escape from the cycle of life, death and rebirth. By exploring the history of Earth's ancient mythologies, and the concept of specific roles the Soul plays out here, we can be shown the path of return to our original loving Source.
This is not a book on mythology or astrology, but both will be used to help explain these concepts and connections. Playing the divine role you were originally meant to play, and thus connecting with your true Soul, is of great importance to you as an individual and for all of us collectively as mankind.
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REVIEW:
The core of The Lost Mother Ray emphasizes compassion towards the animal kingdom, including his brother man. It states that cruelty and indifference has been meted out to the animals by mankind for many millennia. If this continues there can never be lasting peace.
The Lost Mother Ray has biblical overtones dealing with the very essence of life itself, offering answers to questions posed by many truth-seeking individuals. This is definitely a book for those seeking inner understanding.
Communion with the angelic worlds is second nature to Rosemary Maidwell-Dodd, but she stresses that a quality of discernment is necessary when dealing with the elemental kingdom.
For many years she has been involved in animal welfare, both administratively and practically, and countless rescued birds and animals have spent the rest of their natural lives under her roof if non-releasable into the wild. Angels responsible for the animal and bird kingdom have never failed to respond to her calls for help, especially during a creature’s last moments.
Her intuitive understanding of esoteric astrology has been a source of help and guidance to many people.
Rosemary relinquished a career as a professional singer, choosing instead the responsibilities of family life.