Excerpt from Perception
Thirty-five mourners stood on the grassy knoll beneath a somber sky. Many were red-eyed and tearful. Someone sobbed softly in the back.
"Let us pray . . ." the pastor called to them over the driving wind, but Greg knew if there was a God, he didn't listen to prayers.
The funeral was attended by a legion of crows - people in black who sat and stared at the middle distance, sneaking covert looks into the casket and whispering. Greg assumed they were all wondering about Sarah's jeans and Hard Rock Cafe t-shirt, but the word was out that Greg was crazy with grief, so no one dared bring it up.
After the final words were spoken, the back row of mourners wandered off to their cars, parked so tightly behind the hearse that no one could leave until they all did. The wind did not stop its brutal beating. Instead it took apparent pleasure in whipping and tearing at the women's skirts and the men's coats. The elms and oaks, fought to keep their limbs pointed at the heavens. Leaves and debris raged against the grief-stricken who stood near the casket. The sun slid down the sky, another light soon to be extinguished.
"Let us pray . . ." the pastor called to them over the driving wind, but Greg knew if there was a God, he didn't listen to prayers.
The funeral was attended by a legion of crows - people in black who sat and stared at the middle distance, sneaking covert looks into the casket and whispering. Greg assumed they were all wondering about Sarah's jeans and Hard Rock Cafe t-shirt, but the word was out that Greg was crazy with grief, so no one dared bring it up.
After the final words were spoken, the back row of mourners wandered off to their cars, parked so tightly behind the hearse that no one could leave until they all did. The wind did not stop its brutal beating. Instead it took apparent pleasure in whipping and tearing at the women's skirts and the men's coats. The elms and oaks, fought to keep their limbs pointed at the heavens. Leaves and debris raged against the grief-stricken who stood near the casket. The sun slid down the sky, another light soon to be extinguished.
Description
Greg has lost his wife in a terrible accident and is finding it difficult to move on with his life. He is angry and lost, hiding at home and avoiding family and friends. When he finally makes an effort to get out, he is stunned and confused when his wife's ghost makes an appearance.
Rachel is fighting against her pain. Her young son was killed and she is searching for answers. She is drawn to the playground at school, where her behavior is deemed questionable. Is she crazy? What exactly is it that she feels when she goes to church? Could it really be her son's hand in hers?
Both Greg and Rachel are on a journey, but to where and why? They are led to a place they never expected, to meet and learn from a psychic medium about what happens when we die. Death may not be the end of everything. perhaps it is just another beginning. And coincidences, well, they might not be all that random. Perhaps there is more. Perhaps it depends upon your perception.
Rachel is fighting against her pain. Her young son was killed and she is searching for answers. She is drawn to the playground at school, where her behavior is deemed questionable. Is she crazy? What exactly is it that she feels when she goes to church? Could it really be her son's hand in hers?
Both Greg and Rachel are on a journey, but to where and why? They are led to a place they never expected, to meet and learn from a psychic medium about what happens when we die. Death may not be the end of everything. perhaps it is just another beginning. And coincidences, well, they might not be all that random. Perhaps there is more. Perhaps it depends upon your perception.
Praise
This book raises questions about communication with the dead, life after death, and whether there are really any coincidences. It's both entraining and thought-provoking. Unlike some books which deal in big questions, the characters are still the focal pint of the story, instead of props for a philosophical exploration. The characters are lovable, but not perfect, and I felt their grief, their hopes and their happiness.
~ Melinda Brasher
D. Jean Quarles hit a home run in my opinion. Very thought proving and well written. I could not put it down. I loved the mystery and twists and I fell in love with the vibrant characters.
~Lenora: Amazon.com
I was . . . totally hooked. I related to the storyline, making it that much more enjoyable to me. I found myself smiling as I read, and came away with feeling content, more firm in my 'Perceptions', also realizing somethings that I had put off or 'not noticed'. I have several very close and dear friends I will share this one with, and I highly recommend this to anyone who has ever felt they 'lost' a loved one . . . and the ending??? Yes. Amazing.
~Laura: Goodreads
Ms Quarles weaves a tale of life with no coincidences, that life is guided by a force other than ourselves. I enjoyed her style and quickly finished the book. It is mainly a tale of two people (with many other interesting characters) who have experienced personal losses in their lives. How, not by coincidence, they are placed in each other's path, again and again, for a reason. Guided by what? You must read this book!!!
Growing up with a mother who had the 'gift', this book simply reinforced what I have grown to believe. Love is eternal and what we expeience in life depends on our perception.
~gailatthefarm.blogspot.com
D. Jean Quarles hit a home run in my opinion. Very thought provoking and well written. I couldn't put it down. I loved the mystery and twist and I fell in love with the vibrant characters.
~Amazon.com
What I enjoy the most about this author's work is the settings. Although not overly detailed in this book, I had a distinct flavor for each of the places her characters took us. The story involved two people in pain trying to make sense of their losses and move on with life, but their lost loved ones make that difficult. Their search to understand gives them what they seek. Written with sensitivity and grace, Perception is a story that will please the romantic and searcher in many readers.
~Goodreads
~ Melinda Brasher
D. Jean Quarles hit a home run in my opinion. Very thought proving and well written. I could not put it down. I loved the mystery and twists and I fell in love with the vibrant characters.
~Lenora: Amazon.com
I was . . . totally hooked. I related to the storyline, making it that much more enjoyable to me. I found myself smiling as I read, and came away with feeling content, more firm in my 'Perceptions', also realizing somethings that I had put off or 'not noticed'. I have several very close and dear friends I will share this one with, and I highly recommend this to anyone who has ever felt they 'lost' a loved one . . . and the ending??? Yes. Amazing.
~Laura: Goodreads
Ms Quarles weaves a tale of life with no coincidences, that life is guided by a force other than ourselves. I enjoyed her style and quickly finished the book. It is mainly a tale of two people (with many other interesting characters) who have experienced personal losses in their lives. How, not by coincidence, they are placed in each other's path, again and again, for a reason. Guided by what? You must read this book!!!
Growing up with a mother who had the 'gift', this book simply reinforced what I have grown to believe. Love is eternal and what we expeience in life depends on our perception.
~gailatthefarm.blogspot.com
D. Jean Quarles hit a home run in my opinion. Very thought provoking and well written. I couldn't put it down. I loved the mystery and twist and I fell in love with the vibrant characters.
~Amazon.com
What I enjoy the most about this author's work is the settings. Although not overly detailed in this book, I had a distinct flavor for each of the places her characters took us. The story involved two people in pain trying to make sense of their losses and move on with life, but their lost loved ones make that difficult. Their search to understand gives them what they seek. Written with sensitivity and grace, Perception is a story that will please the romantic and searcher in many readers.
~Goodreads