Daniela I. Norris

Past lives and mysticism.
This was an unusual direction for my reading to take; I don't often read books with mystic content or previous lives. I have to say, it was an interesting diversion and I shall definitely read the sequel.

There were three time lines in this novel, although the current time was the strongest and the one that drew everything together. Amelia Rothman sells the publishing rights for books to be translated world wide, a job that involves some degree of travelling. Her marriage has recently collapsed and she decides to try hypnotherapy, hoping that it will help her to sleep.
The second time line was set in 18th century France, where Adele has reached marriageable age and must choose between two suitors.
Finally, there is the story of an African Shaman at the time of the slave trade, trying to protect his people from the aggressive Portuguese traders.

This is the first book of a trilogy and I was really enjoying it, when my audiobook suddenly concluded. I wasn't ready for it to end, there was no real closure. I felt as if I was left hanging. I do have the second book in audio, so I can continue, but I would have liked some completion to this first episode.

The narration was done by Natalie Naudus Bradner and I thought she did a great job. Just one thing I would have preferred - a change of voice between the narration of the different eras, to assist the sudden transitions that the book seemed to make.
...and so, on to Book 2...… (plus d'informations)

Past lives and mysticism, Part II.
I don't usually go straight from one book to the next in a series, but the first book felt incomplete and I had the second one in my library. Now I again find myself with an incomplete ending...but the third book has yet to be published, so I'm left hanging. This is actually pretty frustrating and whilst I agree that some issues should be left unresolved to encourage us to read on, this is taking it to extremes and probably for me, resulted in the 4* rather than 5* rating.

The narrative is a continuation of the story of modern day Amelia, 17th Century Adele and an African witch doctor from the 16th Century. The narrative is leading us towards a connection between the characters from different eras and is already suggesting that these earlier lives are previous incarnations of the characters from current time.
I have really enjoyed these first two books although they are both short and felt as if they should have been a single book. I am on the fence about reincarnation, but as a narrative subject I am quite happy to take it on board.

As with the first book, this was narrated by Natalie Naudus Bradner, who does a great job, although again, I would have liked a little difference between the narration for the different eras, just to keep the listener in the right time zone.
Great series.… (plus d'informations)

Although I do not believe in this kind of supernatural stuff, I respect the author beliefs, and it might still be interesting to read something about, as in this case after having won the book from a giveaway. It was positive the author just explained her story and her development path, without trying to convince or brainwash people (something it is typically done when there topics are involved). But on the other side it was very boring, the book left me very little after having reading it, it did not give me any curiosity to read more about these topics.… (plus d'informations)