*****A Reflective Journey Review by Rox Burkey
Author Cindy Davis creates a thought-provoking story of a young woman who listens to an inner voice and travels through her journey of self-awareness. Jade gives up her transitional, successful job, and friends to move to Mexico when her grandfather leaves his property and an unknown legacy to her. The setting, visions, and mystical traces of shamanistic wisdom reminds readers that we each can find our soul’s purpose.
In this small town, Jade finds herself immediately open to new discoveries and spiritual guidance that are difficult to label as real or imagined. She finds herself unsettled but determined to push forward.
The writing is crisp and clean, carrying the reader along with Jade when she meets the locals, who share their knowledge of her grandfather. Then, it will keep you turning the page until the end.
“He leaned toward her. “May I?” He gestured toward her face.
“Yes.”
He grasped the leather strap around her neck and inched the pendant from inside the shirt, then fingered the feathers at the end. He nodded as if it was just as expected.
“Grandfather gave it to me when I was five. I’ve always treasured it.”
“Those stones are jade, as you probably know. Between them are two quetzal feathers.”
She repeated the strange word.
“A quetzal, in conjunction with the snake god Quetzalcoatl—the most popular god, by the way—is seen as a symbol for goodness and light. I think that describes you to a T. You will be a godsend to us.”
“Thank you.” A godsend? Us? Gosh, what was going on here? Best to continue to let him talk and possibly divulge more.
“I guess you’re curious why I’m here.”
Jade gave a small laugh. “I didn’t think you came to sample the hardness of my ice cubes. Or check out my choice of paint colors.” She held up the pendant. “Or verify this.”
As the novel unfolds, the author shares her thoughts and convictions on the individual growth of a person’s extended awareness. Jade discovers her path as revealed by the spirit of Zipacna, her grandfather. It makes one pause to reflect on how an open-minded person can increase awareness beyond the physical plains of life.
Clearly, a great deal of research was done in creating this story, but it’s not a textbook read. Much like Don Quixote, this is a delightful read that compels you to enjoy the path of self-awareness. I highly recommend this book to those who like to think beyond familiar themes. It illustrates other cultures and belief systems in a thoroughly entertaining manner.
About the Author
Cindy Davis is best known for her murder mysteries and romantic suspense, many of which were set in her home state of New Hampshire. And have achieved considerable success. Now, a transplant to Florida, Cindy has found herself changing not only place of origin but also genre since her latest work is a New Age fiction penned with her husband, Rick.
She is an award-winning freelance editor who’s worked in both fiction and non-fiction with over a thousand authors.
Cindy was born in Massachusetts. Cold weather was always an issue, so much of her winter-time was spent constructing murder mysteries. I guess I’m not the smartest cookie in the jar because it took 62 years to make a move south. She loves Florida and the 12-month season of opportunity for outdoor activities.
The past five years have been a wild ride indeed, both personally and in the writing world. The warm weather stimulated the apparently dormant need to write. It also encouraged a new genre—spiritual/metaphysical. It’s a great new topic, full of possibilities. Which inspires the need to mention the catalyst and partner in that change…
Illustrator Rick Palmacci
Rick has lived in Florida for the last 35 years. He’s originally from the Boston area (Revere Beach), and is now married to the delightful author Cindy.
She has just got him involved with co-authoring the Rick and Cindy series of non-fiction books. Rick has a passion for the beach, reading and traveling. A connoisseur of coffee.
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