Review: The Perfect Couple Not So Perfect...

The Perfect Couple


By Brenda Novak
MIRABooks
ISBN: 9780778326670
439 Pages

It’s a dog’s life! That is, if you live close to The Perfect Couple. This was my first Brenda Novak novel. Let’s just say that I didn’t immediately order the rest of her books as I would when I enjoy finding a new author.

The Perfect Couple, Tiffany and Colin, are next-door neighbors of Zoe Duncan and her fiancee, Anton. Zoe has become involved hoping that she will be providing a good, stable home for her thirteen-year-old. Even though Samantha really does not like or want him as a father figure.

And then Samantha disappears, perhaps kidnapped, perhaps a runaway. Zoe doesn’t care which; she is going to do everything possible to find her daughter. And if that leads to a separation with Anton...so be it.

Actually, Colin has never understood her attraction for Anton and when Sam is gone, he takes the opportunity to “support” her, putting together a search team from his office as well as other assistance.

And then gets upset when Zoe hires a PI and seems to become involved with him.

Given the title and that the book opens with what The Perfect Couple is all about, there is really little suspense, other than seeing how far the degradation of human beings can be performed by another. Since that degradation not only involved outsiders, but the wife, Tiffany, I found it a sad commentary of what is really a prime problem in today’s society, where spousal abuse is quite common. Perhaps there was just too much reality in this one for me?

Novak does have the writing skill to pull off her twists and turns. I did appreciate the inclusion of “The Last Stand” activities, including Jonathan Stivers, to somewhat counter-balance those seeking Zoe’s attention. And the book did keep my interest to read until the end. Still...it just didn’t sit well in my mind...

Includes youth and wife abuse—you decide whether you want to participate in reading The Perfect Couple by Brenda Novak. I give it a 4 for overall writing and storyline but recommend Novak considers her readers more in the future...If she wants mature women to support her, then we want more than Zoe, Tiffany, Samantha and the other “dogs” got out of this deal. Hating a bad guy is one thing...but wanting him dead by our own hands is another...

G. A. Bixler

Exclusive from UK Author Gordon Etherington - The Opening of His Book!

Dedication

My eternal gratitude and thanks to Carol Green, International Medium and Spiritual Teacher extraordinaire, for her guidance, dedication and perseverance in teaching all her students, including me, how to connect with our inner self so that everything just flowed naturally. Aiding my development by showing me how to unlock a wealth of knowledge and distant memories that I appeared to possess, that helped make this book possible.

Te anu Carol
In love, Light and Truth

~~~

AUTHOR’S NOTE

MUCH HAS BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT ARTHUR OVER MANY CENTURIES, but unfortunately what little that might have been written at the time has been lost and does not exist today, even the annals of Gildas, Nennius and Bede have been so widely copied and translated as to leave them suspect. Most were written many years after the events, often with the biased viewpoint of the author. Stories were handed down by word of mouth and developed into myth and legend over time, but most tales tend to have an element of truth in them initially, that are later embroidered upon by each storyteller to enhance the tale. The French romancers were masters in the art of intrigue, introducing new characters and quests to hold the reader’s interest and further develop a story. Some of the characters were perhaps real people from other eras, some total fiction, such is the way of a storyteller in developing a legend or sequence of tales. You will not find the likes of Lancelot or Galahad, or indeed many of the other ’knights’ in this story, nor the many quests that they were supposedly involved in.

This is the story of the troubled times that this country faced after the Romans had left. How Arthur, following in Uther’s footsteps, set out to stop the infighting between rival kings and bring peace and order to a country that was disintegrating and in danger of being overrun by the Saxons.

Christianity had been established for some while and although the Celtic influence was still strong in many areas there was general acceptance of both ways of life by the people. However the Saxons were still pagans and their conversion to Christianity would take several more generations. The task that Arthur set himself was not an easy one in the circumstances, but he persevered and many of the foundations that he laid for a better life survived for many generations, and in some cases were improved upon. It is an important part of the history of this country in its evolution, and showed the world what could be accomplished by working together to stem the flow of the Germanic tribes. Britain was the last outpost then, and history has a tendency to repeat itself, and usually produces the right leader at the right time, just as it did with Arthur.

This story is perhaps best described as a recollection from deep in my memory of what happened in that time, I feel as though I was there and had a part to play in events. Through various unexplained ‘coincidences’ in the last few years I felt as if I was being directed to write this story and some of the words that I have written are not words that I would use. On occasion I needed to check their meaning, and always it was the correct word.

Whatever your thoughts, I hope you enjoy reading the story as much as I did in writing it.

~~~

INTRODUCTION

A TRULY REMARKABLE TALE OF LOVE AND ENDURANCE through the battles and struggles of the world’s best loved King - Arthur, as he strove to bring peace and prosperity to Britain by stopping the incessant infighting and uniting the country against the Saxon hordes. Laying the foundations of a better way of life for his people and the country that would last for many years. A man of passion and foresight, a born leader and diplomat who devoted his life, and eventually gave it, as he battled against internal strife and the ever present Saxon threat. He continued the task that Uther had started, but he was a far better King than his father, their characters differed greatly. Arthur was a man of the people and for the people, seeking to ease their burden in life and to be proud of their heritage, working together for the benefit of all. As King he let it be widely known that he was approachable by anyone, whatever their rank and station in life and would seek to resolve their problems or mediate on their behalf. Young or old they were all of equal importance in his eyes, the young because they were the future of his country and the old for their wisdom and advice. No stone was left unturned as he sought to bring his vision into reality, admitting that he was only human and would make mistakes, but he would quickly learn from them. A great exponent of ‘service to others, before service to self,’ that contributed much to his success throughout his life.

The tension is there as this remarkable young boy, turned King, left his mark on history as he pursued his destiny with compassion and total commitment, losing his wife Gwenhwyfar in the process. He could not have done it alone, and in this respect much was due to Merlin and the other Elders that secretly prepared him for his life as High King, and continued to advise him until the end. His sword Excalibur, given to him by the Lady of the Lake, gave him the protection that he needed, put fear into the hearts of his enemies and aided him in many mystical ways. This is a magical insight into his real life as it happened, not just another mystical fantasy. I feel as if I knew him well.

~~~

Chapters 1-12 will be provided next!

Exclusive to U.S. Book Readers Heaven!

Review: Gail Collins Looks at 1960 for When Everything Changed...

When Everything Changed
The Amazing Journey of American Women
From 1960 to The Present

By Gail Collins
Hachette Book Group
ISBN: 978031605954I
471 Pages

Remember the old television program, “This is Your Life”? As I was reading When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women From 1960 to The Present by Gail Collins, this book brought back many memories of my professional career. So I spent a long time covering the book, coming back when I was especially interested, or reading straight through on some things that were not so memorable for me.

For those of my age, they may also find themselves here in the pages. For those younger, this is a highly recommended book that will allow you to find out about what your mothers and perhaps your grandmothers were experiencing since 1960.

Readers will need to be the judge—has everything changed?

Certainly times have changed since the distant past when women could not vote, own property, and was seen as merely an adjunct of her husband.

First, let me highlight a major issue about which I had not earlier known the extent of the problem. “Women serving in the U.S. military today are more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire in Iraq.” (p. 372)

And another: “In 1998...About a dozen 13- and 14-year old girls had been regularly performing oral sex on two or three male students...” “It was no big deal,” one of the girls told...later.”

Collins discusses the activities of Hilary Clinton and Sarah Palin in being candidates for our nation’s highest offices. Certainly for some it was gratifying, even if the individuals were not those that all women wanted to support...

While Gail Collins has created a wonderfully historical document that should be on the shelves of all women everywhere, it is not necessarily a period of time that we can be proud of, in my opinion. In just 40 years, women are now able to wear slacks. We have women in all types of areas of employment and the support to enable them to run for the highest office.

On the other hand, our girls and young women are much more likely to be sexually abused. We also have a high divorce rate and many single parent families, mostly with the mother as the breadwinner. We have women who are choosing to become a parent without worrying about being married. Indeed, for those that are married, both parents are now forced to work in order to have a reasonable income.

Children are growing up faster in some very scary ways!

And, for many women who fought their way through the ranks to hold higher positions, new ways by which their positions became stagnant were developed, while young inexperienced women and men were the new ones hired.

There may have been battles won since 1960, but there are many battles yet to be fought. Study When Everything Changed by Gail Collins carefully. Learn of the past to prepare for YOUR future!

G. A. Bixler

Exclusive Sharing From UK Author Gordon Etherington!

Looking back at the sequence of events that occurred prior to writing the book I can see clearly the preparation that was put in place by the higher realms and how I responded. I was slowly but surely guided from one lifestyle to another, because I was ready and willing to accept change and open my horizons and mind wider, even venturing into the unknown.


As I mentioned previously it was John and Sue Geiss who were the catalyst in opening the window to my awareness and Carol Green who was the instrument in developing my understanding and abilities. But at the end of the day it was entirely up to me how and if I wanted to follow this route, it was my free will and choice.

I never had any doubts, it seemed natural and sat well with me, even though on occasion I questioned my own abilities, which is a natural human reaction. At times we can feel a little out of our depth or unsure of the answer to a question, but this is purely our ego challenging our thoughts and feelings. The secret is to ignore that challenge and go with our inner instincts, they are rarely wrong, although occasionally we might mis-interpret them.

During the visits with Debbie to John and Sue it became quite apparent to us that what was happening had been pre-planned prior to our incarnation this time. Debbie and I were soulmates and I had helped her in a previous life (that is a separate story that I will recount later), and she had requested that I join her at a certain point in this life when she would be going through a difficult time. Having lost both her parents close together and going through the process of severing a long term relationship with a volatile partner she knew that she would need help again to see it through.

These visits went on for some time during which Debbie and I became very close and eventually a couple. I remember John saying on one occasion that there was a good life for us 'if both of us so wished,' and I wish in hindsight that I had paid more attention then to what he actually implied. Alas no, it was something that I would learn the hard way.

It was fine for some while then it was if we were both acting in a play and one party had lost the script, life between us became very difficult and eventually we split up. I had had enough of trying to help and protect her and even John said that I had gone far beyond what any man could be expected to do. It was time to let her go to follow her own pathway of learning and let her sink or swim of her own accord.

That was a difficult time for me, because it was out of character for me to leave her like that, but it was necessary for both of us. I moved into the peace of the countryside and secured a place in a small old country inn where I spent a pleasant time recuperating and rebuilding my life. I had taken a heavy emotional hit and needed the tranquil peace of nature to let it fade away, but it didn't.

It was John Geiss who gave me the answer, and so simple really. 'Whoever you feel closest to on the other side, ask them to take the burden off you.' I did and as I had always been very close to my mother I sent my thoughts to her before I went to sleep asking her to take the emotional hurt away. Next morning I felt a totally different person, the weight had gone and it never returned. Now I could begin to lead a happier stress free life and that is when I seemed to move up a gear and be aware of other things happening around me. I was relaxed, at ease with myself and my thoughts became clear and focussed.

The inn where I was staying had wooden beams, log fires, a lovely ambience with a view of the river and a bit of a history, with its own ghost or two. The story has it that about 35 years previously both the husband and wife owners had died there, she had fallen down the steep stairs in the cellar and Harry had died of heart failure shortly after. Now Harry was reported to be seen about the place on occasion by some of the old locals that knew him and also at some of the other inns along the river.

I had occasion to meet Harry, or I should say converse with him several times in a most bizarre way and verify who he was. In the men's public bathroom there was an electric hand dryer and I had noticed that sometimes it would activate on its own when nobody was near it. Normally it was only the movement of hands underneath the nozzle that would make it function.

One day it went off when I was in there alone so I said, 'if that's you Harry give me one blast for yes and two for no.' The hand dryer responded with one blast. After that I asked several questions just requiring a yes or no answer and got appropriate responses each time, until I asked him if he was happy with the inn now. The response can only be described as agitated. Harry was not a happy man and after much yes/no questioning it appeared that it was because he could not find any of his friends in any of his old drinking haunts. I don't think Harry realised that he was dead but at that time I didn't have the knowledge to do anything about it so just continued to have these weird conversations when he announced his presence.

As the inn was in the country all the previous owners had kept dogs and it was not uncommon in the dim light late at night to see a dog like shadow move through the bar area and sometimes the dim outline of a man crossing the restaurant area.

Once during the day when I was in the accommodation area upstairs I heard my name called quite clearly, but there was nobody else around and the owner happened to be in the cellar. However the strangest situation that occurred during my time at the inn was initially very baffling, to such an extent that at one point I was beginning to question my sanity.

I enjoy reading when I have time and spent some evenings at the inn catching up on books that I had ignored for awhile and although I had a TV it was rarely on, but had a good digital clock with a clear display. Checking the time periodically when reading, as I can get carried away with a good book, I started to notice the time often varied, and it was puzzling. One moment it would be 10:30 pm and when I checked again it would be 8:45 pm, then it would read 11:15 pm and when I returned from the bathroom it would say 7:30 pm. Each time I would check it against my watch, which seemed to be keeping the correct time. This carried on for several weeks but I could never catch the clock changing time and sometimes I would go to sleep with it showing completely the wrong time but in the morning it was right again. I even switched it off for two days and took the battery back up out, yet when I reconnected it the time shown was correct. I was totally baffled and beginning to wonder if I had lost the plot.

It was about a month after it started that I happened to go to a local clairvoyant evening and there found the answer. During the second half of the demonstration the medium approached and asked if he could come to me as he had a communication for me. I agreed and he said that I had been having some problem with a piece of electrical equipment and time, but it was only my youngest brother (he had passed over some years before) saying hello and attracting my attention and letting me know that he was fine. That made sense because he was a bit of a joker. The clock worked perfectly after that.

Not long after that episode was when the thoughts about Arthur and Excalibur started to develop but more so about Excalibur and my involvement. I had this strange feeling that the sword and I were connected, that I was the guardian and keeper of Excalibur during those times. During a general conversation on history one evening at the inn I happened to mention that I felt that I was the keeper of the sword (not mentioning which one and we were not talking about Arthur). The Landlord looked directly at me and just said 'Excalibur.' I asked him where that came from and he replied that it popped into his head from nowhere.

That might seem like coincidence on its own but a month later I was visiting my sister in Sussex, and my brother in law and I were talking history, again on a general basis, and I said the same phrase to him. His immediate reply was 'Excalibur,' and he didn't know where that came from either, it just popped into his head and he said it without thinking.

I began to realise that there was more to this story than even I realised.





(more to follow)

Author Spotlight - Gordon Etherington Shares with Readers

Life has its many quirks, but it is not until we truly become aware of who we are and our purpose in life that the many things that have occurred previously fall into place. Our divine guidance is there for the asking. Unfortunately for many souls this does not happen, either because they have a closed mind or that they have not attained the level of evolution to move forward. Everyone is different in that aspect, each making their own journey at the speed that is relevant to them in their awareness, understanding, desires and beliefs.

Much I believe is attributable to our upbringing and the understanding and awareness of  'all that is' of our parents, although we should each make our own minds up on everything and not blindly follow others. In this respect I was blessed with loving, caring parents who were very open minded and always encouraged us offspring (I was the eldest of six) to follow our own pathways, but they were there to guide us when necessary.

My father was an engineer and classed himself as an atheist, as he did not have much time for accepted religion, although he never imposed his views on us children. He had a much wider view and believed that there was some enormous power, beyond his comprehension, that directed and guided our lives and what happened in the world. Mother was the quiet authority in the background, who had time for everyone, no matter who they were and her words of wisdom were invaluable.

It is said that 'truth' is stranger than fiction and it is something that I now firmly believe in. The turning point for me came about eight years ago when I was introduced to the spiritual viewpoint of life through helping a very good friend deal with losing both her parents through illness within twelve months. She was the only child of the marriage and only had distant relatives, who were mainly elderly, and although supportive lived some distance away. During her counselling it was suggested that she go to see a local husband and wife team who were healers and spiritual mediums, with a good reputation for their loving and caring attitude.

After her first visit Debbie asked me if I would accompany her on the next visit and give her my opinion. Although she had found the session very beneficial the information that she was given was as she said 'unnervingly accurate' and they didn't know anything about her and never asked anything.

We went several times and the sessions were certainly 'eye openers,' such that I decided to go for a reading myself. I have always had an open and inquiring mind and thinking 'outside the box' but it does come as a bit of a shock when told of something that happened to me personally when very young, especially when the mediums didn't understand the information, but gave it as received.

When I was about six I contracted pneumonia, not once but twice in the space of twelve months, then I had bronchial pneumonia, which was a bit dodgy considering my immune system had not recovered from the previous bouts. This left me with fluid on my chest that lasted until I was given the all clear at ten years old, but during this time I had to have a spoon full of malt and cod liver oil capsules regular everyday, even being administered when I was at school, and the only pupil to have this treatment. This was what Sue Geiss the medium saw and conveyed to me even though she said she did not know what it meant.

To me this was an amazing revelation and in hindsight that was the moment that changed my life, for the better. Other snippets followed, my awareness changed and synchonicities occurred on a regular basis that previously I would probably not have noticed, or even if I had the significance would probably have escaped me. I began to meet similar people with a spiritual insight about them and through one of these meetings it was suggested that I should join a development circle to learn more about the spiritual aspects of life and a name and contact number were given to me.

So began my long association with Carol Green, International Medium and Spiritual Teacher extraordinaire, who taught me, and all her students how to connect with our higher self and the spiritual realms through our guides. To go into the quiet and listen and feel to establish a connection and working relationship with them and any communicators that wished to come through. Carol is a professional who guides, encourages, explains and cajoles her students into believing in themselves, as she says 'you all have the ability, if you wish, to use it for the greater good; it's not a game, it's serious, but can be fun as well.' Such is her standing with all her students, past and present (many stay with her for several years), that she commands their respect for her loving,caring no nonsense attitude, and the waiting list to join one of her groups continues to grow. Most of her students 'graduate' to become mediums in their own right but a few, like myself, have a slightly different pathway to follow, usually in alternative healing therapy in one form or another or aspects of teaching. Whichever route through life we have been guided to follow, Carol's teaching is invaluable in showing us how to use all of our abilities for a successful and meaningful outcome. My pathway, and Carol agrees, is a combination of teacher and healer by using the spoken and written word.

It was shortly after I had joined Carol's group that I started to have visualisations, or daydreams as some people would call them. These would be quite vivid and last about ten minutes and were a little confusing to start with as they appeared to be concerning me in the present time, wearing ancient clothes but using futuristic star wars technology. A sequence of these scenarios happened over a period of about a month. It was like a window that had been opened on the past, but a long time ago. Yet it was to be some while before I really understood that these were old memories from a previous time and preceded the story that I was going to write.

Around this time the story of Arthur and Excalibur began to filter into my mind and slowly the thoughts developed and expanded and I knew that I had to commit them to paper. Initially my thoughts were about Excalibur and what happened to it on the death of Arthur and I thought that this was where the story would start. How wrong I was. Having written about two thirds of what was to eventually become the last chapter in the book, realisation dawned on me that I had started in the wrong place. Sitting in the quiet at home one evening my inner thoughts and feelings led me to the conclusion that I had to start the story with Arthur, who and what he was and why he was given the sword. These thoughts had an urgency about them and seemed to be very important and I realised that I was being directed that way for a reason, albeit unclear at the time.

The starting point had to be the conception of Arthur and to follow his life right through until the end as every bit was important for the reader to understand the foundations that were laid then that would bear fruit now.

I have never attempted to write a book before, a little bit of poetry when the mood has taken me, a few business reports, seminars and talks but nothing anywhere near 160,000 words. Yet I felt strangely confident that I could do it, even though I was working full time. I had no major commitments, other than Carol Green's class once a week.

So began the 15 months that it took to write, and as it turned out that was the easy bit. The proof reading, editing and chasing the publisher when they lost the file became the hard grind. An invaluable tip here if you edit and proofread your own work (professional cost is at least $3,000 for a work this size), because you wrote the story and read what you think is on the page as against what is, read it from back to front page at a time. You will find over ten times more silly mistakes this way. Nearly every book these days has mistakes in it as it's too costly for publishers to fully check, so don't aim to be a perfectionist.

Most of the people that have read the book and given me feedback have enjoyed it and many have felt the spiritual flow and undercurrent in the story. Some have commented that I have obviously done alot of research before writing, like the lady in Cornwall who wrote: 'I have immersed myself in it over the last week and have found it very atmospheric. Thank you for a very good read! You have obviously done a great deal of research and the geographical shape of Britain at the time comes over very well. I have known Cornwall since a young child... your descriptions reminded me of the many layers of land and time below what we know today. Which brings me to the aspect of your book that intrigues me most; the sense of spiritual connection you obviously recognise.'

Now I must make a confession, as I told the Cornish lady and others, this is what Carol Green calls 'inspired writing.' Research was negligible, mainly the Roman spelling of the English towns and forts, which I did after I had finished the story. I wrote it with the feeling that I was there and the more that I wrote the more that I was sure, I could see the scenes and landscape in my mind's eye as I wrote. Even my niece and nephew, who are both in their late twenties, commented that I wrote it as if I was there, and yes I believe that I was. I also believe that I was guided in what I wrote as sometimes I would be looking at a blank screen on my PC, knowing where I was going but unsure how I was going to get there until I typed the first sentence. Then it just flowed, slowly because I am not fast on the keyboard, but flow it did, even being given words that I would not normally use or sometimes not sure of the meaning. In each case it was the correct word.

So if it was not just me writing it, who was it that was guiding my thoughts and prompting my memory, as the person that I feel that I was does not come into the story until midway through. That is Berius (a.k.a. Eru the Elder) and joint guardian and keeper of the sword whilst it was in Arthur's possession. I had a sneaking feeling of who my co-author was as every time that I was annotating Merlin's thoughts, which I thought would be a short paragraph, I ended up with a page, sometimes more.

Yes his thoughts seem a bit repetitive at times but he obviously wanted to stress his point, because what he had to say made alot of sense and it was like people were not listening. Merlin like Berius and the other Elders that are in the story came from a very ancient lineage and could converse telepathically and read others' thoughts. They were also very adept at remote viewing so each was aware of what was happening at any one time if they so chose.

Part way through the story I had occasion to go to an open day at John and Sue Geiss's healing and awareness centre, the couple that gave me those initial readings. It was a lovely spring day and there was a young psychic artist doing chalk drawings of the energy of one's guides around a person's head and shoulders. I asked Rebs if she would do mine (the result is on the back cover of the book).

She had no idea that I was writing a book until the session was over but what she said was confirmation of what I had suspected. The blue and green on my left side she described as a very magical and strong Merlin type energy, although she wasn't given his name, that matched my own energy and on my right she said of the pink that she saw the Lady of the Lake floating towards me. She was there simply to keep the balance because of our strong energies. The head and shoulders were mine and she saw me riding a horse and the red and yellow on my head was my helmet. Rebs comment was that I certainly had powerful and magical friends and that he(Merlin) and I had travelled many lives together and were very good friends.

It was good to know that the help that I was receiving was from excellent quarters and everything seemed to slip into place and I understood why the story seemed to flow easily from that deep memory as if it were yesterday.

Life was good and very interesting and I was working, writing and having a small social life, then I decided to have a break from writing in December 2007 and relax and socialise a little more. That didn't go down too well with my guides and co-author Merlin, perhaps because I extended the break for just over two months before bowing to pressure to continue writing.

In our life we have been given freewill and choice as to the pathway we take but one thing that I soon became aware of was that if you connect with your guides and agree to work with them for your own evolution and the greater good you lose a degree of that option. Your guides are working for your best interest in guiding each of us through the maze and jungle of life and if you decide to ignore them for whatever reason they have ways of gaining your attention. Sometimes this is subtle and sometimes quite drastic and I have had occasion to experience both.

During the early part of my writing I was given a message at Carol's group at four different times by different people and the message was always the same; slow down you are doing too much. Now perhaps I was living slightly in the fast lane at the time so it came as a shock when the final message was slow down or we will stop you. I thought that I had slowed down, but I was wrong, as the following week as I was taking a small and light bag of rubbish down the stairs to put in the refuse bin, and holding the rail, it felt as if someone grabbed my lower left leg and pulled it out of joint. I didn't fall but had to sit down immediately and watch my knee swell up. I was flat on my back and out of action for four days whilst it healed, just able to hobble to the bathroom when necessary, too uncomfortable to read, write or do anything except rest.

When I mentioned it to Carol Green the following week she admitted that something similar had happened to her because she was ignoring her advice, in her case it was a shoulder pulled out of joint.

Now the subtle way was in many respects much more frustrating and longer lasting. Because I had taken extended time out from writing my guides made sure that nothing would get in the way again until I had finished the story, time seemed to be at a premium for some reason, as if they wanted the story completed quickly.

All my attempts at a little social time fell flat, whatever I had tried to arrange always fell through, except Carol's group and the small group of friends there. Anything that wasn't spiritually connected was out, I was ring fenced until I finished the book. Every time I asked for a little time for me the answer was always the same, all in good time when you have finished the book. Talk about frustrating, but like the good little fellow that I am I got on with it and completed my task, or so I thought.

Then I got my little bit of freedom before the real grind started – reading, editing, correcting, then the same again, and the same again. I lost count of how many times I read my book in the process, but I still enjoyed it and that sense of achievement each time. Then when I thought that I was finally done, the publishing house was bought out (and they forgot to tell their authors) and they lost the file which caused another delay. I was beginning to wonder what had happened to the urgency that my guides had deemed so important before, with all the hold ups that occurred before the book was finally published in June 15 2009.

That is another story that I will try and explain in the blog, but basically time-lines had changed as everything had got pushed out, because many things were not ready for the changes occurring in the world.

Many things happened during and after writing the book, but I will expand on them more in the blog for those that are interested. So many important and interesting things (to me anyway) happened in what was a relatively short space of time. Events that probably would have passed me by unnoticed had I not opened my mind and awareness and connected with my inner self – my real self.


By Gordon Etherington
Trafford Publishing
ISBN: 9781425160388
302 Pages

January Spotlighted Author, Gordon Etherington Coming to BRH from the United Kingdom!

Welcome to Gordon Etherington who sends his picture, here from Sussex! We have an exciting month coming up here, thanks to Gordon...including his willingness to allow me to share the first 12 chapters of his book! That should start sometime during the 2nd week of January, so Watch for them to start! In the meantime, be prepared to learn the mystical way about how Gordon came to write his book! 

Here's my review to give you an overview of his exciting tale:

Arthur and Excalibur:
The Untold Story
By Gordon Etherington
Trafford Publishing
ISBN: 9781425160388
302 Pages


Do you believe in the legend of King Arthur? Did he really exist as Britain's King, leading the battle to win over the Saxon invasion and begin merging the country under the High King? After you read Arthur and Excalibur: The Untold story by Gordon Etherington, all of your doubt might just disappear! No review could cover the breadth and depth of this book's content!

When High King Uther Pendragon saw a woman he desired, then he took her--even if she had drunk too much and was near unconsciousness. This time he wanted the wife of Duke Gorlois. Fortunately for Igraine, her maid caught the King in her bedroom, because she had proof of what had happened when she discovered she was pregnant! When Igraine realized this, she immediately called upon her old and wise friend, Merlin.

Merlin took charge of everything, having Igraine visit a sanctuary where she could have the child and afterward, leave the child to be raised there in his youth. Gwendolyn, a young woman in the village, became the only mother Arthur knew. Later, Merlin arranged to have Arthur live in the home of Sir Ector where he would be trained for his future role--although none of those involved in Arthur's life were aware who he was.

One small incident illustrates the type of detail in this book: When just a lad Arthur met his first bear! There in the woods he stood, waiting to see what she would do. And then a young cub appeared who had a large thorne in his paw that could not be easily removed. Arthur not only removed it but also prepared a compost to take the pain away. Arthur was known thereafter in the animal kingdom; and they later helped him in battle!

Arthur was still very young when it became necessary to bring him forward to be named as the rightful new High King. He had learned much, including a secret visit to a mystical cave, when he was called upon to challenge for the right to rule Britain. And, of course, he was selected by being able to pull the sword belonging to the High King from a stone (Excalibur came to him later!)

Readers we all know bits and pieces of King Arthur tales. However, Arthur and Excalibur will carry you through his entire personal life...and beyond, so that you will also know where Excalibur now rests! The story includes many battle scenes, much about Arthur's ability to pull together various people and gain continued and widening support. And you will also learn how he was finally betrayed!

The author gives credit to his story to a medium who led him in understanding and unlocking his knowledge and memories. This reviewer responds that in whatever way Gordon Etherington gained his insight, it has resulted in a comprehensive literary statement that is expansive in information, exciting in detail, and certainly plausible as The Untold Story of Arthur and Excalibur. An excellent addition to this early Britain historical period when King Arthur reined!

G. A. Bixler