Wow!!!! what an extraordinary and accomplished piece of writing- I've just finished your third chapter and have enjoyed every word. What I admire most is the coherence of your creation- everything is plausible if you first accept the notion of parallel worlds.( I call them tangential in mine - just to tease people about the difference) There is a balance and measure to the writing which is like watching an ancient stately dance- and it is wonderfully unembellished with redundant gimmickry- just beautiful, honest well-crafted writing. A couple of phrases have stuck in my mind ' undeniable serenity radiated from his face' and 'seduced into idling' are both so good I'd love to steal them - except I couldn't write anything beautiful enough to contain them properly. Great stuff. Shelving this Jak

Dear CG,

I have read the Prologue and 1st chapter and I believe you write very well. You have a way of carrying the reader to places that could only be experienced by highly trained individuals, places that a mind can get lost in. What an book! I mean, it gets you questioning things beyond the book....is this the real Katerina we're seeing? Maybe one of her other parallel lives is more dominant, is the real life? Do we all live parallel lives? Can we access them? etc, etc, etc.....you see? It's got me asking a million questions and I love it.

Your writing flows, is magical and I will be back to read more, to see what the Union is and how Katerina will reach it, because I'm sure she will after challenges to both her physical and mental selves.

Lovely writing. Deep and evocative. This is going on my bookshelf.

Take care,

Annia ;-)

CG, I am absorbed as I would never have thought possible with such a world as this, your vision, your magical creation.

I was carried along what I'd normally term 'long, over-written paragraphs'... by your poetic, visual force! How I wish we could all summon our dreams, our imaginations, to this quantum leap into a kind of nirvana.

I can feel with Katerina, even if I don't fully understand yet (by end ch.3), who she is and why she is seeking the Union. The gestures and thoughts you give her are so real, so touching, as are her surroundings with both the "Nine" and with Ian in the forest and in his home.. I understand Ian, and puzzle along with him! It's very human for him to suddenly conduct his own experiments, using his computer testing mind.

I wish you so well with this story, CG. All I can do for the moment is put it on the watchlist - not yet time this week to juggle the shelf (!!) (It's very hard to do)... and will return later to read on. I must find out if these worlds can be as one. My best wishes to you, from Kay

First of all, thank you so much for your comment on Sunday's Child.

I've read the prologue and Chapter 1, and I think that this is a fantastic start to what promises to be a superb tale. Katerina is fascinating, not because of her strength, but for some bizarre reason, because of her weakness.

There is a vulnerability about her that is priceless and attractive. This is obviously an already published book, is it? The language is lush and polished. I think that this could turn out to be one of those addictive summer reads.

best
anne

I continue to be fascinated by this book. I am surprised that I can be so totally taken inand convinced of the reality of the unreal. That takes a lot of talent - and careful crafting.

Cool stuff.
Enjoyed the read.
Your descriptions and characterisations promise a good book throughout .
Fluid prose draws one in.
Afraid no quibles on punctuation and grammar from me - I'm no grammar queen.
So, from where i stand.

BACKED

Dear CG,

Some lovely writing. I liked ... the gurgling song of streams that surrounded the circle of Crones aided her return. And for Ian ... there was a wide margin of safety between the possible and the probable.
I'm reminded a little of Castaneda, being of that generation.
Only Ian's psychic guide is gentle, less confrontational. Katerina's world has a deep atmosphere, and significantly, maybe, has children. Ian's world seems lonely and restless. So I assume there is an integration wanting to happen, a kind of metaphor for the relationship between the containing soul and the directing spirit who need each other.
I enjoyed what I read.

Pia (Course of Mirrors)

This rolled up on the home page, I liked the pitch, so I thought I'd take a look. You haven't been on-line for some time, so I won't leave you a long winded critique -- but sometimes its nice to know that someone read and enjoyed. I did.

Hope you are finding success with your work.

I can't understand why this isn't higher in the charts. I stumbled across this piece by pure chance in the pitch me section, and immediately watchlisted based on the strength of your pitch. You have a real strength in writing believable and engaging characters, and a good use of the english language in conveying this... I want to say whimsical?... tale. There is a real flow to your writing which neatly suits what you have written, and I enjoyed the extract. Only one sentence jarred in your first chapter... "I will search without cease". Very bad grammar, and I hope one sentence you will polish up in your next big edit. Very best of luck to you. L.x

Bless you for your kindness, Kendall.
Best of luck with the sale and sales of your novel!

I just LOVE this and feel so lucky to have stumbled across it. It communicates to everything I enjoy in a novel. My heart is beating faster and my breath has become shorter. I would back it on the pitch alone. The writing is mesmerising itself, haunting and beautiful. It is so romantic and strong to think that Katerina has a link to somebody so strong and has such strength to find him. I already believe in them and their need to be together. This has done what few others have done on this site and left a deep and lasting impression on me.
Kendall Craig, The Halo (of Delight)

Lovely, vivid prologue. Excited my senses, for these are subjects near to my heart.

I love the way you so carefully build understanding of what Katerina is doing, so that the reader learns how it's done, accompanies her on these journeys, and is able to identify with her.

I love the idea of parallel lives, and of the slow evolution of the visions, which prompt the reader to read on, wanting to find out what happens next, and how these two manage to overcome the limitations of the visions.

This story is wonderfully intriguing; different from anything else I have read on Authonomy. I have finished 3 chapters and will make a note to return and read more when I am freed from my other watch list obligations. As soon as the books on my shelf have had a few days, i will put yours there with great enthusiasm. Thanks for sharing this! Good luck with it.

Jeanette...thank you for being a part of Sacred Vow---as I know that readers and writer are co-creators of such works. The source of all we experience in this dimension is not always confined within this time and place.
a blessed New Year to you and all you hold dear,
CG

"Sacred Vow" achieves what the author sets out to do in his fiction: momentarily bring the reader's conscious "defenses" down to gently expand the reader's concepts of self, reality, the world, the universe, Love.

It also achieves what few metaphysical books immediately achieve: explain to the reader (even someone new to metaphysical concepts) in an engaging, entertaining yet thought-provoking way certain metaphysical concepts like parallel lives and realities, without making the reader feel like being lectured to, and in a way that makes the concepts easy to grasp at first read.

This is also the best romance book I've ever read so far (if you also include it under the romance genre): Love without the sex (!) but with a more intimate and intense lovemaking still, passion developed and grown to fulfillment in ways not many people have considered, with the real work and struggle of true loving as the real romance of it all.

I cried as I read the book, and wept quietly when I finished it, but the tears were healing and transformative.

Abundant blessings,
Jeanette

Hi CG,

I just read the first three chapters of your book, Sacred Vow. Your writing flows and your voice is even and perfect for the genre. It will be interesting to find out how and in what world the relationship between Katarina and Ian began.

I will put this on my watchlist. Susie Parker, author of "Foul Player."

Jak.....and I am very much honored by your support. With the responsibilities that come your own book, Sim, doing so justifiably well in the rankings, I am happy that Sacred Vow is able to "seduce you into idling" with it a bit...
good fortune and continued inspiration,
CG

Dear CG,
As you can see I've been 'seduced into idleness' great expression -puts the blame elsewhere - and have come to check out my comments.
Thank you so much for backing Sim and even more for your comments- praise coming from someone as accomplished and professional as you is such an honour. i appreciate it.
Having already backed sared vow, my next visit, which will be soon will just be for the pleasure of your style. Jak

Annia....thank you for your kindness, and the receptive place within your spirit that knows these places that Katerina travels, lives, exists forever. Indeed we all live these expanded lives, most often hidden from us by the veil of our senses (tools of filtration rather than perception). Sometimes, through intended or unintended experience, we open up or shift to awareness of these other aspects of ourselves---every one affecting the other, creating our experience in unison.
....I am all the more thankful for you input, as the nature of your own Fish Tail Mountain tells me you know of what you write. I have not finished your offering, but am proud to have it on my bookshelf.

Blessings and continued inspiration to you, Annia,
CG

Wow!!!! what an extraordinary and accomplished piece of writing- I've just finished your third chapter and have enjoyed every word. What I admire most is the coherence of your creation- everything is plausible if you first accept the notion of parallel worlds.( I call them tangential in mine - just to tease people about the difference) There is a balance and measure to the writing which is like watching an ancient stately dance- and it is wonderfully unembellished with redundant gimmickry- just beautiful, honest well-crafted writing. A couple of phrases have stuck in my mind ' undeniable serenity radiated from his face' and 'seduced into idling' are both so good I'd love to steal them - except I couldn't write anything beautiful enough to contain them properly. Great stuff. Shelving this Jak

How have I not seen this before. Looks really interesting. Watchlisting.

Dear CG,

I have read the Prologue and 1st chapter and I believe you write very well. You have a way of carrying the reader to places that could only be experienced by highly trained individuals, places that a mind can get lost in. What an book! I mean, it gets you questioning things beyond the book....is this the real Katerina we're seeing? Maybe one of her other parallel lives is more dominant, is the real life? Do we all live parallel lives? Can we access them? etc, etc, etc.....you see? It's got me asking a million questions and I love it.

Your writing flows, is magical and I will be back to read more, to see what the Union is and how Katerina will reach it, because I'm sure she will after challenges to both her physical and mental selves.

Lovely writing. Deep and evocative. This is going on my bookshelf.

Take care,

Annia ;-)

Thank you for the effort, Primrose. No book is intended for everyone...so I fully understand that the subject matter might not connect with you.
Many blessings and good fortune,
CG

This is very accomplished writing and your descriptions are evocative, but I am afraid the meaning, though not exac ly lost on me, is expressed in too abstract a way for my poor brain to understand. Sorry, but I did try. It's a similar problem to the one I have with fantasy.

Primrose....To me everyone has a point of view on editing, Primrose. In the end, no one is ever incorrect about how they felt (eg confused) reading a book, but their view on correcting their confusion may not be right for the book---unless they are paying for the printing.....
...Clifford Gordon (CG).....My family most often uses 'Gordon', work over the years used 'Clifford' (first name, middle intit thing), and my wife likes CG....

Thank you, Richard.

Blessings and continued inspiration,
CG

Dear CG, thanks for your comment and thanks for bookshelving BB. I will try to give Sacred Vow the once over in the next week. Thanks again. R

Thank you so much C.G- do you have a name? I had thought my first chapters were submission-ready too, but then I got an email from Jason Pettus, and oh dear, it's back to more editing. I realise some things are just a matter of style, but if a reader really can't understand what is going on, I have to at least try and make it clearer. It's all so puzzling to me that some can understand and others can't.
This is holding up my reading for now, but I am hoping to give some time to your book ASAP. And thanks so much for the backing.

Thank you so much C.G- do you have a name? I had thought my first chapters were submission-ready too, but then I got an email from Jason Pettus, and oh dear, it's back to more editing. I realise some things are just a matter of style, but if a reader really can't understand what is going on, I have to at least try and make it clearer. It's all so puzzling to me that some can understand and others can't.
This is holding up my reading for now, but I am hoping to give some time to your book ASAP. And thanks so much for the backing.

Thank you, Annia. I look forward to your comments, since our books are in similar veins.....also look forward to reading your novel.
blessings,
CG

Hello CG,
I came across your pitch accidentally (is there such a thing??) and was drawn to it straightaway. I have added your book to my watchlist and hope to get to it sometime very soon. I'm very much looking forward to reading it.
Take care,
Annia ;-)

Thank you, KR, for your honesty. I do not expect Sacred Vow to be suitable for everyone, no story is.

Thank you, Sigyn, for the opportunity..and for introducing me to your work. I have it on my watchlist for reading, too.
Blessings,
CG

I found this to be a very interesting tale in a world expertly woven. The idea of multiple lives layering themselves with a connection to the people closest to us is one I find intriguing and very close to my own beliefs. I'll be putting this on my watchlist.

Hi CG. I'm afraid this has to be an apologetic comment. I'm very grateful for your supportive comment on my book and I do like to visit the books of those who spare the time to look at mine. But I am not the right reader for this book. I can see that your prose is polished and evocative, but I'm afraid the subject leaves me cold. I struggle with fantasy, which I'm sure is my loss. I can't see that I could make any useful comments so I'll just wish you luck with your writing and apologise for my own inadequacy in my reading habits.
All the best
K

It is my very good fortune, Kathy, that Sacred Vow has called to you.
Blessings and good travels,
CG

Sacred Vow is a must for all bookshelves and libraries. Thanks for writing this novel sharing dreams to reality.

Thank you, Robin.....and I am glad to see your books here....this will give me a chance to read more of them.....
blessings and good fortune,
CG

Excited to see this! I've just read the start, and already the style draws me into the setting very well. Looking forward to more...and it was you that turned me on to this site, now I have some of my own books here! Thanks, Robin

Hi CG,
Thanks for commenting on Welsh, Not.

I have been struggling to keep up with comments recently, due to being on two sites simultaneously. I just finished in the No.1 slot on the other site and have been inundated with well-wishes, crits to do, and have to write several versions of a synopsis to be sent out to a Lit Agent/Editor and to Random House (my prizes for finishing first!).

My reading list is full up at the moment - I have created a separate document to list books that I need to look at/comment on. Have put SV on this list and will try and get around to it ASAP. Best, Chris-Reg

Thanks CG. Your comments are always soothing and encouraging. I must make some time to return to Katerina and Sacred Vow.

Take care,
anne

Lady Clarity, thank you for reminding me about that movie. It has been a long time since I saw it. "The Double life of Veronique" has an basic concept of an expanded perception of personal identity, something I very definitely associate with Sacred Vow and its characters.
Blessing to you and your dear ones,
CG

Lady Clarity, thank you for reminding me about that movie. It has been a long time since I saw it. "The Double life of Veronique" has an basic concept of an expanded perception of personal identity, something I very definitely associate with Sacred Vow and its characters.
Blessing to you and your dear ones,
CG

Lady Clarity, thank you for reminding me about that movie. It has been a long time since I saw it. "The Double life of Veronique" has an basic concept of an expanded perception of personal identity, something I very definitely associate with Sacred Vow and its characters.
Blessing to you and your dear ones,
CG

Lady Clarity, thank you for reminding me about that movie. It has been a long time since I saw it. "The Double life of Veronique" has an basic concept of an expanded perception of personal identity, something I very definitely associate with Sacred Vow and its characters.
Blessing to you and your dear ones,
CG

heeeyyy CG so this is cool... thx for sharing... yes its hard to reduce pages n pages of writing into 1 single page... but regardless the image is very inviting ^.^

Wow, CG -- I am mesmerized and honored to be a part of your entry into full-fledged professional spiritual author-ship.

You really take the reader with you, and it is so real.

Relate to Katerina "No longer confined to the material world" -- in order to let go and let the supernatural flow in. Had to do that in my own journey recently, and it has opened up so many Divine doors, as with Katerina!

Also, the parallel life has parallels (pun intended!) with a magnificent French movie called, "The Double Life of Veronique" -- have you ever seen it?

Thank you for you and "Sacred Vow" -- look forward to reading more and more.

Lady Clarity aka Wendy Sue

Thank you, lovejasmine. It takes a lot to get the story of Sacred Vow into a single image...but I think we got the idea acress...as no one will know (consciously) until reading the story.
blessings, my friend,
CG

i love the cover

Thanks CJ. On my shelf and sheltering well.
kweku

Thank you, Primrose.
Yes, Coehlo would count--I rather like the spirituality of Coehlo and the magical nature of Jonathan Carroll (if I would aspire).
Thank you for reading. May Sacred Vow bring you may pleasures
blessings and wonder,
CG

I came to thank you for your kind comments on A Sea of Straw, and to see what you do. I have read metaphysical poetry before, but never a metaphysical novel, unless you count the work of Coelho. I can see that you write powerfully and the world you create is positive, so I shall put this on my watchlist for reading at the weekend. Thank you again.

Thank you, Kay.This is a cherished compliment, especially considering the power and beauty within your own Annacara.
When Sacred Vow was coming to me, the vision/experience was just that strong.
Thank you also for your support.
Blessings to you and your writing,
CG

CG, I am absorbed as I would never have thought possible with such a world as this, your vision, your magical creation.

I was carried along what I'd normally term 'long, over-written paragraphs'... by your poetic, visual force! How I wish we could all summon our dreams, our imaginations, to this quantum leap into a kind of nirvana.

I can feel with Katerina, even if I don't fully understand yet (by end ch.3), who she is and why she is seeking the Union. The gestures and thoughts you give her are so real, so touching, as are her surroundings with both the "Nine" and with Ian in the forest and in his home.. I understand Ian, and puzzle along with him! It's very human for him to suddenly conduct his own experiments, using his computer testing mind.

I wish you so well with this story, CG. All I can do for the moment is put it on the watchlist - not yet time this week to juggle the shelf (!!) (It's very hard to do)... and will return later to read on. I must find out if these worlds can be as one. My best wishes to you, from Kay

thank you, Barbara!
Many Sacred Vow bring you many blessings and joys,
CG

thank you, Barbara!
Many Sacred Vow bring you many blessings and joys,
CG

Sacred Vow has drawn me in. I can't wait to see how it turns out.
Barbara

It's good to hear that Sacred Vow has gotten your excitement, Lapis.
May it bring you many blessings and joys,
CG