"Just then, the meeting room door opened to the heady scent of a dozen steamed bouquets, as though the Head Gajes had bathed in the buckets of wilting flowers being sold on the streets in the mid-day heat. Diam, the eldest of the Head Gajes strolled, chin up, into the room. Her stilettos tapped like hail on glass as she walked across the marble floor. She wore a black satin skirt flared above her knee. Her skin shone, glossy and supple. Isis, the younger Head Gaje, teetered in behind her, gripping a round red lollipop on a white stick."

The irony: Diam and Isis, the two leaders of Ovoidia, are themselves females. Fun, yes! And just below the surface, perversely sinister. They personally execute these precise sacrifices by women to establish their “happy,” absurdly totalitarian utopia, and are backed up by their chosen army of male “crusaders,” enforcing a crime-free, fully controlled society.

Men are relegated to work in the “City” where they may “enjoy”—right there on the street if they wish—any woman they want and are welcome to satisfy their sexual and emotional needs at establishments called Gaje Clubs where only the most “gifted” among women are chosen to work.

Not surprisingly, in Ovoidia women have evolved until they feel nothing of sexual pleasure. But in Gypsy’s deepest heart, she realizes her own dark secret: she is the exception. Next she discovers to her horror that her secret, if known, could result in the ultimate punishment—genital mutilation.

To save her body and even her soul, Gypsy chooses a dangerous path—to single-handedly confront this scary and absurd world. She has the support of her allegiant sister Sadie and Miles Devine, a rogue, secretly gay crusader, and also “Doctor,” a morally questionable physician to help her. But none of them fathom the levels of paradox, incongruity, and twisted evil they will soon face, and the ride becomes something even Gypsy could have never imaged.

Q: Thank you so much for this interview, Lindsay. Can you tell us where you are from?

Los Angeles, CA. More specifically Sherman Oaks.

Q: How did you come up with your title?

It was based on a highly inappropriate joke that my dad told me. I repeat a version of the joke in the book during a conversation with Sadie and Gypsy.

Q: They say you can judge a book by its cover.  Can you tell us a little about your cover and who designed it? 

The original cover design was created from an idea that I had in mind regarding the Ovoidian skyline. I knew that I wanted a visual of the city. The original artist I was working with came up with some designs but wasn’t able to complete them. Fortunately he allowed me to use elements of the design when I hired a freelance artist, Louisa Wilhelm through the website Upworks. Together we created the finished design and it came out better than I had originally imagined.

Q: Can you tell us something about your book that would make me run out and buy it?

It’s not a book for the faint-hearted but it’s also unlike any book you’ve ever read before. It will challenge your beliefs and leave a deep impression.

Q: Are there any messages in this book that you want the reader to know about?

It warns against the dangers of ideological thinking. As well as shines a light on the reality of human trafficking and the psychological impact of long term abuse.

Q: What was your most favorite chapter to write and why?

I really enjoyed writing the Doctor chapters. I feel a lot of compassion for his character and how time and experience has the ability to change our perceptions.  

Q: Why did you feel you had to write this book?

The only other option than writing it was to let the story live in my head and honestly that wasn’t really an option. The story had to come out otherwise it would have driven me mad.

Q:  Now, some fun questions - What deep dark secret would you like to share with us?

I’m pretty boring as an adult and don’t have many secrets but when I was a child I used to lie mainly for attention but also to cater to my vivid imagination.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

South America for the landscape and the food.

Q: Are you a morning person or a night person?

Morning person. One hundred percent.

Q: Are there any members in your family who also like to write?

My husband. We met during our time in the MFA program.

Q: As a child, were you a dreamer?

As a child who came from a family system of addiction I was constantly dreaming things up to hide the reality of what was really going on in my life. It was a coping mechanism that served me at certain times and not at others.  

Q: Last but not least, the magic genie has granted you one wish.  What would that be?

The power to sense when someone needs protecting and the ability to act on those senses.

Q: Thank you so much for this interview! Do you have any final words?

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share a little about myself and my novel. I just want to express my gratitude to your readers for having faith in an indie writer and taking my word that my novel is worth reading. I appreciate the support and God Bless.

 

Literarily Speaking

Thank you for visiting and reading!

Feel inspired? Have you read this book? Let us know your thoughts!

 

I could almost say this was the most interesting book I have ever read. A HISTORY OF THE GODDESS: FROM THE ICE AGE TO THE BIBLE is written in easy to understand language. I was afraid it was going to go over my head; but instead it held me spellbound, mesmerized; almost as if I was absorbing every angle that the author took me. I wanted to know where religions came from. I wanted to know when gods became God. So many unanswered questions; yet, this book held satisfactory answers to the point where I could walk away and go, ‘Wow, so that’s where it came from or so that’s the question I’ve been asking myself all my life.’

The author writes, “Goddess shows us that there is a whole other side to spirituality and religion that Western culture is not well acquainted with.” Aha! He is so right and that’s why I chose this book to show me this other side of spirituality and indeed it did!

I guess I need to brush up on the bible because we are told, “Cannabis is Eve’s sacred plant and Moses’ holy smoke.” Okay okay I didn’t know that. So cannabis took on a different viewpoint back in the holy days. Wonder what happened as time progressed?

Did you know Hebrews started out as pagans? This book just kept getting more interesting.

We are taken back to the origins of mankind. We read up on the different types of human civilizations throughout time and their different beliefs which I found very interesting. Religion does play an important part of this book as the author discusses goddesses throughout time and their roles they played.

What I found was that this isn’t so much of a ‘where did goddesses come from’ book but more of ‘where did we as humans come from and what role goddesses had in shaping our lives from the beginning’ and how we can use this knowledge to better our lives in today’s world.

Here’s a little tidbit of info you might find interesting. The author suggests that the apple that Eve supposedly ate and instructed Adam to eat as well wasn’t actually an apple. It was cannabis. Cannabis was supposed to open up your mind to things you wouldn’t ordinarily think about. When Eve bit into the apple, I presume her mind opened up and she became aware she was naked.

I really enjoyed reading this book and the knowledge that was brought forth in order for me to understand my own world a little better. If we want to understand the term ‘goddess’ in its entirety, A History of the Goddess is the ticket.

Highly highly recommend and  I give it 5 gold stars!

FAVORITE QUOTE FROM FIRST CHAPTER:
 
"The guardian dragged his feet toward the lantern’s glow, desperately hoping the medallion was somehow lost in the tree trunk. He knew it was a long shot; but the Copian Medallion in the wrong hands meant unleashing unimaginable evil." I loved this quote because it said everything of what the book is all about.

BOOK COVER:

Loved the cover. So whimsical!

FIRST CHAPTER REVIEW:
 
I have full intentions on reading the whole book, but here is my review of the first chapter. Stay tuned for the full review!

In this first chapter, we have John William Drake, an explorer, walking through the woods when he gets attacked by what he calls shadow jumpers who end up taking the prized medallion that if left in the wrong hands could spell trouble. This first chapter was exciting and a keeper on any child's bookshelf.  So how is John William Drake going to get the medallion back and if he can't get it back, what kind of trouble is up ahead? Full of excitement! 

KEEP READING?

Of course I would and I fully plan to!

Amazon → https://amzn.to/3okMyYh

  

A few random things about me…

Um, let’s see… when I was eight, I had a pet turkey. I used to take it with me on my very short lived paper route. Needless to say, I was terrible at delivering the paper. No one wanted a “Dollar Saver” with turkey poop splattered across the front page. Apparently that’s where the best coupons are.

Books… well, “Treasure Island” is a fantastic pirate tale. I love just about anything by Roald Dahl. I would also like to thank C.S Lewis for sending me on an unrelenting childhood quest for portals to amazing worlds (even in the most unpleasant locations, e.g… the older brother’s closet, etc…)

I write fantasy stories for children. Yep – I am a HUGE fantasy geek. I can’t help myself! It’s too darn awesome to escape to another realm with sorcerers and wizards. The underlying theme in my stories is empowerment, self love, and living purposefully.

When football is on I turn into a different person. I may even use a curse word or two… or three. I enjoy running; which is a good thing because I need to do it in order to fit into my jeans.

I love to cook and really, really love to eat. I have a theory that avocados actually contain super powers and have the amazing ability to make any snack epic. I also love garlic… which, according to my loved ones, also has an unfortunate super power … the pungent breath-inator… or something of that nature.

Few things make me smile more than chocolate, cheese… AND, if the Chargers would make it to the Super Bowl again – just once:)

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

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FAVORITE QUOTE FROM FIRST CHAPTER:
 
I have never known anyone great who didn’t face hundreds of pebbles in their shoes as they climbed their mountain of purpose, contribution, and meaning. What do they do? They untie their shoes, pick out the biggest pebbles, throw them underfoot, put their shoes back on and then put all their weight into pulverizing the remaining gravel holding them back or down—and then they keep climbing.

BOOK COVER:

Loved the cover. Very different and quite eye-catching!

FIRST CHAPTER REVIEW:
 
I have full intentions on reading the whole book, but here is my review of the first chapter. Stay tuned for the full review!

In this first chapter, Beaman gives us an inside glimpse into why she thinks shoes are so important and for the reasons she gives, she has every right to think so going back to our first pair of shoes proudly in bronze and displayed in our living rooms. She goes into a little bit of her past history with quite colorful family members. I like the part where she says, "You can blame parents, teachers, whoever and whatever for your depression, failures, anxiety, lack of focus, and ongoing heartache. Heck, blame someone else for every wrong, every slight, every set back you have faced. How’s that been working for you so far? I’ll answer that—all you’re getting from the blame game is emotional bunions!." How right is that?

After reading this first chapter, it gave me a glimpse of her writing style which was fun and easy to read. I could imaginize (is that a word?) her family....sounds like they were about from the same time period as mine. I do remember those darn bronze first shoes! 

KEEP READING?

Of course I would and I fully plan to!

Amazon → https://amzn.to/2UjPvgX

  

 

 

Dr. Ronda Beaman has been Chief Creative Officer for the global research and solution firm PEAK Learning, Inc., since 1990. As a national award-winning educator, Dr. Beaman is Clinical Professor of Leadership at The Orfalea School of Business, California Polytechnic University. She is Founder and Executive Director of Dream Makers SLO, a non-profit foundation granting final wishes to financially- challenged, terminally-ill adults, and serves on the Board of Directors for the National Pay It Forward Foundation. She was recently named a Stanford Fellow at the Distinguished Career Institute.

Her national award-winning book, You’re Only Young Twice, has been printed in five languages. Her memoir, Little Miss Merit Badge, was an Amazon bestseller and was featured at The Golden Globe Awards. Her children’s book, Seal With a Kiss, is designed to improve skills for beginning readers and is offered at Lindamood-Bell Learning Centers internationally. My Feats in These Shoes will be released in Spring 2021.

Dr. Beaman is an internationally recognized expert on leadership, resilience, fitness, education, and life coaching. She has conducted research in a host of areas, written many academic articles and books, and won numerous awards. She was selected by the Singapore Ministry of the Family as their honored Speaker of the Year and named the first recipient of the National Education Association’s “Excellence in the Academy: Art of Teaching” award. She has been selected as a faculty resource for the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) university in Argentina, Kyoto and India, where she received the highest speaker ratings among 36 elite faculty. She has been featured on major media including CBS and Fox Television, USA Today, and is a national thought leader for American Health Network.

Dr. Beaman earned her doctorate in Leadership at Arizona State University. She is also a certified executive coach and personal trainer with multiple credentials from the Aerobic Research Center. Her family was named “America’s Most Creative Family” by USA Today and she won the SCW National Fitness Idol competition.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

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