Voice of the Angels Review of Curse of the Tahiéra!

"If you're a Tolkien fan, or maybe you prefer Robert Jordon or Terry Goodkind, then this book is for you. A spiritual adventure joins wayward travelers on a journey searching for the means to unravel an ancient curse.

The author's experience with psychology, past life therapy and dream work is poignantly portrayed in Rom's journey through the Underworld, which is reminiscent of a shaman's journey in the act of soul recovery.

This story, refreshingly original, blends dreams, deep spiritual understanding, the workings of karma, love, and compassion into a tale of healing and bonding.
This is a mystical novel that will take you on a journey through your own imagination and dreams and reveals stories behind stories and dreams within dreams at every turn.

Called a "Dreamwalk" by author Hans Brockhuis, of the Nada Chronicles if you're ready for a refreshing fantasy with themes that have not been overdone, nor overworked, then take a spiritual romp with the Curse of The Tahiera and Wendy Gillissen.

Wendy received her inspiration for Curse of the Tahiéra after a visit to the Greek island of Cephalonia, which only served to deepen her love of the world of "castles, elves and ghosts," from her childhood years visiting England, Scotland, and Wales.
A Celtic harpist in her spare time between her past life therapy clients, workshops, and writing, Wendy has completed work on the second book in the series, The Search for Tzanáta, which should be published shortly. Available on Amazon.com."

Laurie J. Brenner,
Voice of the Angels.com Magazine – Winter Issue, 2009

Perpetual Prose interview

I was interviewed about my debut novel Curse of the Tahiéra by Michel Weir of Perpetual Prose yesterday. By e-mail of course - it would be a little difficult meeting face to face, what with me living on the other side of the world.
Perpetual Prose is a community for writers, book lovers and editors. I discovered it through Twitter, where I found a link to an excellent interview with Roxanne Smolen, fellow writer.

I like e-mail interviews: they give me time to think about the answers, and let me answer at my own pace instead of blurting out what comes into my head - though I do try to blurt first, then edit. Because sometimes the spontaneous answers are the best! I also like it when an interviewer takes the time to do a little research on the author and her book(s) so the questions are not run of the mill but personal.

I will post a link when the interview is published on Perpetual Prose!

Guest Post and Giveaway at The book Faery's!

I wrote a guest post for The Book Faery Book Reviews on what made me write in the first place;) She also hosts a giveawy for Curse of the Tahiéra, so here is another chance to get your hands on a free copy!

Find the guest post and giveaway here!

Review of Secret of the Dragon's eye by Derek Hart

When I discovered Secret of the Dragon's Eye 1. is set in World War II Britain and 2. features one of my favourite mythical beasts, a dragon, my curiosity was raised and I couldn't wait to read the novel.
Mr. Hart has done his research well: in the first half of the book, life in wartime Britain is described with a lot of convincing detail and a little (British?) humour thrown in for good measure.
I couldn't wait to meet the dragon, and I wasn't disappointed: Sir Thaddeus Osbert is anything a dragon should be: he has charisma, wisdom, heart, and buckets full of dragon charm. He also has a weak spot (for sugar) which, like his fondness for humans has gotten him into trouble in the past.
It doesn't take long for Thaddeus' young friend Gavin to experience the horror and futility of war and revenge first-hand, and Gavin and his friends learn important lessons about love, courage and friendship as they are caught up in the battle for the legendary sword Excalibur, coveted by both the British wartime government and the Nazis. And just as they think all battles are done, Sir Thaddeus' past catches up with him.
A charming and exciting children's / YA historical fantasy adventure that will also appeal to adults who are young of heart!

Dragons abound!

I have always had a thing for dragons. Ever since I first read the Dragonriders of Pern books, I realized dragons had been getting bad press for ages and were much more sensitive creatures many people give them credit for.

For years, this fascination lay dormant but since I 'met' a fire-breathing dragon in one of my trance journeys a few years ago, I had been on the lookout for dragons on a more conscious level. My fire-breathing dragon had introduced himself to me as 'Fred', which made me giggle: such a common name for such an impressive creature. I felt 'Fred' (if that is his real name, I still suspect he was joking) around for quite some time, but I didn't really know how to deepen our relationship.

And then I decided to enrol in a shamanism 101 class.

Now shamanism has also been a subject to my heart for a long time. I have read quite a few books on the subject, fiction and non-fiction, and as a past life therapist I felt confident enough in my own shamanistic 'roots' to write the 500 year old shaman Yldich, one of the main characters in Curse of the Tahiéra.
Unlike I had expected, the class is mainly focusing on North American Native shamanism, which is fine with me though: I am eclectic through and through. So, I expected to meet a nice forest dweller on my trance journey to meet my totem animal. A petite big-eyed deer or a swooping falcon. I did not.
I met a dragon.
A big, red, fire-breathing dragon.

Now as 'coincidence' would have it, I was at this time also drawn to a YA fantasy novel written by a fellow writer, Derek Hart:'The Secret of the Dragon's eye', which, surprise surprise features an impressive fire-breathing dragon (not a red one, though): Sir Thaddeus Osbert. He reminds me a lot of Fred. In fact, there are strange parallels between Mr. Hart's book and 'Curse of the Tahiéra' (in which dragons make a short appearance) which makes me wonder: how many dragon-loving artists are drawing from the same source? The same archetypal well?

Anyway, I decided to bring my wee stuffed toy dragon from Wales, Sir Caradoc, to shamanism class last night. When my friend pulled into the only parking space left in the The Hague street, the Netherlands, she burst out laughing. There, in front of us, was a parked car with a bumper sticker of a red dragon on a green background.
A dragon from Wales!

Curse of the Tahiéra review on APA!:)

Curse of the Tahiéra by Wendy Gillissen is one of those rare books that simply is a gift to the reader.
One of those books that will take you away into other worlds, reach out and fully grab your attention, immersing you completely into a rich and delightful story.

The story takes place both in the physical world and in the many levels of the spiritual world. Truly, it is a spiritual adventure, taking the reader through the cycles of life, death and rebirth, without stoppage in plot or character development.
The wise Shaman, Yldich, finds Rom, whom he has been dreaming of for many years and recruits him to travel north. Young Eald joins the journey. These three characters journey together, forging strong bonds.
Rom, figures out whom and what he is while the youthfulness of Eald provides a nice balance to the serious matters that Yldich weighs.
Rom has constantly had dreams of his past and among his dreams he finds the hidden tool to use against the Tahiéra.
The authority to the south represents the new world trying to override the old and makes you question which side will win in the end.
With a surprise ending, an unexpected love interest and a cast of rich characters, this book was impossible to put down.
Wendy Gillissen’s prose is lyrical and colourful, captivating and engaging.
Curse of the Tahiéra, is an unique intelligent fantasy book, one that offers the reader an adventure not to be missed.
Tina-Sue Ducross, Authors Promoting Authors

Fae Nation review of Curse of The Tahiera!

"When Rom, a young man shunned for his Tzanatzi ancestry, crosses paths with Yldich, an Einache Shaman, the pair embark on a journey which will come to change their lives, and that of their people, forever.
Dark forces are at work in Gardeth forest to the north, while in the south power-hungry nobles will stop at nothing to get what they want.
Embattled on all sides, but with the loving guidance of Yldich, Rom must face his own past and that of the land to heal the wounds inflicted by centuries of persecution and hatred. A 500 year old curse threatens all in its path and Rom is the key – providing he can conquer his own demons in time for the final battle.

Wendy Gillissen’s wonderful début novel is a powerful all-engrossing epic, in which love and forgiveness are essential lessons to be learned. Dreams and past lives are central to the story, and I was not surprised then to learn Wendy is a past life therapist who specialises in dreamwork. This understanding of her subject matter results in a sensitively crafted and profound spiritual adventure for both the main protagonists and the reader.
The rich history and cultures of the land in which the tale unfolds is entirely convincing, as are the story’s well rounded and sympathetic characters. I found the Curse of the Tahiéra very evocative of the myths and legends of the British Isles, particularly the Tuatha Dé Danann of Celtic legend. For all it’s depth, Wendy has succeeded in writing a thoroughly enjoyable tale which never once becomes heavy going or dull (the curse of many fantasy epics I have endured over the years!)."
Tangle Catkin, Fae Nation, Your Virtual Portal to Faerie

Alternative-Read.com: PRIZE WINNERS: Curse of the Tahiéra...Is your name here?

Alternative-Read.com: PRIZE WINNERS: Curse of the Tahiéra...Is your name here?

The winner of the Curse of the Tahiera giveaway has been announced!! Visit Alternative-Reads.com to see if you win a free copy of this enchanting fantasy adventure:)