"Making Sense of Life Eternal," by Sharon Butz

This is an absorbing book which is essentially a transcription of many hours of conversation which the author, Sharon Butz, had with the former Civil War Surgeon, Dr. James Martin Peebles. Dr. Peebles was an historical figure, who not only was a naturopath and surgeon, but US Ambassador to Turkey in his later years. He died and ascended at the age of 99.9 years of age.

He has been channeled by various persons over the years, and in the case of the visits Sharon Butz had with him, through the mystic and trance channel, Summer Bacon of Sedona, Arizona. 

Sharon asks Dr. Peebles questions about a wide range of topics from his interest in channeling while alive and part of the spiritualist movement, to astrology. Of astrology Dr. Peebles says that it is a road map, but does not determine all outcomes. Like a map you can follow the road, or you can get off the road and go somewhere offroad. Yet a few things in each lifetime are cast in stone, and harder to change. He also says that if you want to know what your deceased loved one is doing, you can look at the chart as though the death date were a birth date to see what he is up to in the afterlife!

Dr. Peebles warns us not to check our discrimination at the door of the psychic's office, since some are amazing, honest people, and yet others definitely are not. He also reminds us that even what the honest psychic sees can be changed if we do not like the outcome he or she has seen. We can do this by taking appropriate actions to change that outcome. 

How does Dr. Peebles read individuals? He goes into their hearts and learns who they truly are. He also answers questions we are thinking before we ask them, according to the author. In this book he answers questions about a wealth of subjects, including Guides, karma, twin flames, Akashic Records and whether or not people can come back as animals. There is a wealth of information in this book as seen from the viewpoint of a 16th dimensional being who is not in a body any longer. Some of it will challenge a reader's beliefs, some of it will confirm what she /he already knew. 

In any case, it is a wild, fun ride!

TISBA Channeling, Psychics, Mediums Category Judge

AMAZON LINK 

BOOK TRAILER

"Facing the Shadow, Embracing the Light" by Niara Terela Isley

"Facing the Shadow, Embracing the Light" is actually more like two books for the price of one. It is written in two sections, and could have actually been two books. It is well over 500 pages long. Yet the author did not divide them, and one can see why at the end of the first part of the book. It would be a shame to stop there; honestly it would.

This is a true story of a female radar operator in the Air Force and what happened to her in the middle of the night, repeatedly, as she was drawn against her will - while on duty - into a terribly shadowy realm which included interactions with more than one variety of extra-terrestrial being. She had the most difficult of her experiences with human beings, black ops personnel who were involved with the alien beings. This is a frightening, true tale of abduction with the all-too-common loss of memory. Long after she was no longer in the military, Ms. Isley realized that she had a gap of several months' time during which she had no memory. It was this realization which led her on her quest to get to the bottom of things.

And get to the bottom she did. Afterward, the trauma was great, and she commenced a long journey of personal healing and transformation of a profound nature. This journey changed the course of her life, deepening her greatly. Her level of understanding of the nature of consciousness itself is impressive, and it is the direct result of her journey of healing from the horror she experienced while in the military.

This is a book not to be missed, if for nothing else, the explanation of why our governments of the world still will not admit that they are in contact with off-world civilizations. But most of all, the reader will benefit from the understanding of how consciousness works, how it affects us and the world, and just how immensely powerful the energy called consciousness is.

TISBA Category Judge - Inter-dimensional Beings

AMAZON LINK

BOOK TRAILER

"Ever-Flowing Streams" by Dana Taylor

This is a book quite unlike any other I have read about energy medicine. It is an important book because it is a bridge between those still trapped in the fearful aspect of Christianity and those involved the world of spiritual healing, or energy medicine. Dana Taylor says many things I have often said to my clients about Jesus and his healing abilities. He clearly said the things he did we could do and greater. We can all tap into that energy stream of healing ability if we are not locked out of it by "Christian trepidation," or fear of things not understood by ourselves, Christian friends, family or pastors.

Ms. Taylor came to Christianity as an adult, having been raised in California by agnostic parents. She married a Christian man in the 1980s in Oklahoma where she had gone to study as a young woman. Gradually she began to accept Christian teachings, especially healing prayer. When her church began to change, and the emphasis was no longer on healing or even the form of prayer she had been taught, she adjusted. She found new ways to continue her spiritual path, new fields to study - ever careful not to become involved in anything like a cult. She did this without ever giving up her Christian faith. For this reason, her book is of great importance to the world.

There are a lot of sincere, good-hearted people who because of this book will finally be open to deeper levels of spiritual understanding and acceptance of that healing  energy which is also called the Holy Spirit  Many of them are people who would not otherwise have been reached due to the fear-based nature of beliefs taught to them from early childhood. Dana Taylor creates the language necessary for many people to see the connection of energy medicine to our Creator Source. Some of these are people who doubtless would not otherwise have seen that connection. Her work is clearly a mission of service to the world. and in the case of this book, also as a World Teacher.

Miracles of healing came to Dana on her quest, an illness which had plagued her since she was a little girl was finally healed through a combination of healing prayer, energy medicine, a past life memory and forgiveness. She has gone on to facilitate miraculous healing for others through the use of healing prayer, energy medicine and other techniques. She still sees clients.

This is a book not to be missed. I highly recommend anyone interested in energy medicine, healing or miracles read this powerfully moving and illuminating book.

TISBA: The Indie Spiritual Book Awards
Energy Medicine Category Judge

Amazon Link to this book                                           Book Trailer

"The Afterlife of Billy Fingers" by Annie Kagan

The lovely Annie Kagan lost her older brother, a life-long alcoholic and drug addict, to a horrific automobile/pedestrial accident. In the depths of her despairing grief he came back to her, talking to her and asking her to write a book with him about his experience of the afterlife. She hesitatingly began writing down what he was saying, and over time, her brother sent her enough confirmation in the real world of what he was saying, that she realized it was happening for real. It was not her imagination!

This is a well-written chronicle of one spirit's experience of the afterlife, and what is more, it shows for the first time, so far as I know, what happens to us when we have lived our last lifetime on earth! And I always deeply, sincerely wondered what that was going to be like. 

The Afterlife of Billy Fingers is chock full of wisdom. It is also deeply comforting for those who have recently lost a loved one; it is confirmation that we are not our bodies, and that we continue beyond the grave or crematorium.

It goes without saying that this book is a "must-read" for the grieving.

"The North Road" by June O'Brien

The North Road by June O'Brien

The North Road is a thoughtful, powerfully well-written and detailed account of the mystical, dangerous experiences of three Native America sisters on a mission to protect the world from darkness. This book allows the reader the rare opportunity to experience what it is like to view the world through the eyes of a mystic and shamanic visionary. Ms. O’Brien is a also gifted poet, and her prose benefits profoundly from this level of control over language. Her words are infused with great beauty.

Called by Spirit, the three sisters, Grace, Agnes and Ruby, come together to travel from sanctuary to sanctuary in order to hide powerful, ancient medicine from a group of beings from the dark side, the Lillin. This group has unexpectedly discovered the existence of this long-hidden power, and they have great resources to bring to bear to capture and possess it.

This riveting adventure is from the start compelling, fast becoming an impossible-to-put-down nail-biter as the reader eagerly awaits the outcome of the sisters' mission.  Ms. O'Brien skillfully weaves an intricate, personal relationship between the sisters and the various beings, human and otherwise, encountered along the way.

The descriptions of the food were mouthwatering, and yet the way the scenery encountered in the journey was rendered was so much more. The way this author verbally paints a landscape was surprising, breathtaking and touching. Reading this book, I developed a far clearer understanding of how deeply it is possible to be connected to the Earth and all of her creatures.

I highly recommend this exciting, nuanced tale of hidden magic and power! It is fascinating reading. I could not put it down, and I never wanted it to end. 

The Indie Spiritual Book Awards
Fiction Category Judge

Amazon Link to "The North Road"                                      Book Trailer

"When Worlds Collide, Another Look at the Lunar Nodes" by Kathy Allan

When Worlds Collide: Another Look at the Lunar Nodes by Kathy Allan

Kathy Allan is an astrologer who is certified at the professional level by the American Federation of Astrologers. Her revised delineation of the lunar nodes develops and refines astrological techniques to improve natal interpretation and predictive accuracy.  Allan states, “I envision the nodes as passageways, between the manifest and the unmanifest, the physical world and the otherworld, the mortal and the immortal, the mundane and the miraculous. They mark the points of intersection where the ‘North’ and ‘South’ worlds collide—and real magic happens.” Beautifully said!

In the first 50 pages, the author reviews Jyotish and Western views of the nodes. There is a fascinating history of the nodes’ uses and mythology. She addresses the many misconceptions of the nodes by astrologers in the past and she traces the ideas of modern authors, such as Carl Jansky, Celeste Teal, Judith Hill, and many others. 

After she generously shares her own personal techniques of interpreting a chart, she spends over 300 pages where she examines the natal charts of public figures, as well as significant life events with a focus on pre-natal solar eclipses and the nodal points which serve as superb predictive timers. Carl Jung, Julian Assange, Evangeline Adams, Albert Einstein, Princess Diana, Steve Jobs, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, and others, have chapters with well-told life stories. Some of the entities and events analyzed are the Federal Reserve, the Stock Market Crashes, the Indonesian tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, and the Gulf Oil Spill.

This important book is a must have for any serious astrologer’s library.

The Indie Spiritual Book Awards
"Divination" Category Judge

Amazon Link to When Worlds Collide                           Book Trailer

"Awakening to Me" by Kerri Hummingbird Lawnsby

Awakening to Me, Kerri Hummingbird Lawnsby

The internal world of someone with Borderline Personality Disorder is powerfully and beautifully expressed in this book.  This honest, sensitive author takes us on a tour of her internal emotional world: the depths of despair, the emptiness, and her frantic efforts to find love.  Ms. Lawnsby takes us with her on the journey toward internal independence and core stability – what works and what doesn’t.

From her personal work she provides suggestions, exercises and quotes.  This book will be of profound use to anyone with this diagnosis, their family members, therapists and allies.  It is also recommended it for those diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or who have symptoms of Bipolar Disorder. 

But, in truth, we can all benefit from reading this book.  Awakening to Me is an invitation to self-honesty, persistence in seeking meaningful help, and the long work of sustained effort. 

This book is well written and well organized but it is the author’s honesty and insight that makes it powerful.  Her emotions and thoughts, the related beliefs are clearly described.  These are in turn related to events in Ms. Lawnsby’s history, into present relationships and dynamics in a manner that doesn’t lose the reader in her internal world.  Instead, we understand ourselves better, our friends and family members.  We understand better what it means to be human. 

The Indie Spiritual Book Awards
"Memoirs" Category Judge

Amazon Link to Awakening to Me               Book Trailer

Indie Book Awards Contests

In case you do not know, there is a book awards contest just for indie published books that are spiritually themed: this means metaphysical, new age, and so on. "Spiritual not Religious." It is called TISBA: The Indie Spiritual Book Awards. It is for non-fiction and fiction books as well.  http://theindiespiritualbookawards.com/

Here are the categories:

• Non-Fiction

1. Inter-dimensional Beings including  Angels, Archangels, Spirit Guides, Aliens, UFOs, and Beings who exist between worlds. Books on Crop Formations also go here.
2. Consciousness Studies/ Nature of Reality/Dreaming/Altered States of Consciousness
3. Divination:  Astrology,  Dowsing, Numerology, Palmistry, Runes, Tarot, and other forms of divination.
   
4. Educational Books & “How to” Books: Meditation, Prayer, Manifestation Tools, Ascension, Psychic Awakening, Spiritual Evolution, etc.
5. Energy Medicine: Reiki, Matrix, Theta, EDINA, Touch for Health, Polarity, etc
6. Green Living & Sustainability: New Cultural Trends, Herbology, Hand-Built Homes, Gardening, Innovations in Agriculture, Water Collection, Composting, Recycling, and so on
7. Memoirs, Autobiographies and Personal Tales of Spiritual Awakening
8. Reincarnation: Past Lives, Akashic Records, the Ongoing Journey of the Soul
9. Shamanism, Teacher Plants, Wicca, Druidism or Other Earth-Based Spiritual Disciplines

Spiritually-Themed Fiction:

• Novels, Poetry, Short Stories
• Including Visionary Fiction

The reason for this book awards program is both to give recognition to "cultural-creative" authors, the people who are changing the world for the better through their writings, and for the benefit of readers who are looking for paradigm-changing material to read. We call this type of writing "spiritual writing." We are here to lend a hand, and make the world a better place.