Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful reminder of my own early spiritual journey
Review: Twenty-two year old Anne Davis just found out, on her graduation day no less, that she is being sued for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Anne also discovers that her mother, Cat, is involved. Anne soon decides to leave Lake Winnemuc, and follow the lead of a highly symbolic spiritual dream. She heads for the New Age hub that is Southern California. Once there, Anne takes a job at a New Age bookstore called Mantra; she eventually meets and becomes a devotee of a Wiccan (i.e., Witchcraft) priestess who calls herself Moonbeam. In the search for deeper answers to her mother's betrayal, Anne meets many colorful and interesting characters. I really enjoyed FALSE PROPHETS, TRAMPS, & THIEVES because it sort of encapsulates an era of my life, ironically that era was during the late teens and early 20s, just as with Anne Davis. Though I certainly was not involved in any such intense litigation or public notoriety, I was in search of answers, and in my quest I came across many similarly colorful people. I used to "live" in metaphysical/New Age bookstores, particularly the now-closed Journeys Bookstore in Beaverton, Oregon, a store somewhat reminiscent of Mantra. It was there that I was first introduced to things like Wicca and tarot and spiritual readings. It was a time of excitement and discovery, and I learned many wonderful and enchanting lessons that are still with me to this day. One such lesson was that spiritual seekers are only people after all, with just as much ego and with the same capacity to betray. This is the lesson that Anne must learn as well. So her journey reminds me of my own. And I feel Anne's story may similarly resonate with others who find themselves, or have at one time found themselves, in the genre of recovery/spirituality known loosely as the "New Age." Andrew Parodi
Rating:
Summary: The Wacky World of New Age
Review: What a fun book, I laughed throughout this book as I could relate to so many of Anne's personal experiences. Her journey as a naive young girl into the realm of the New Age Movement brought back many memories of my own trek through this world. Anne explores magic, tarot, channeling, drumming, spirit guides, animal guides, drugs, conspiracy theories, spiritual gurus, sacred sites and just about anything you can imagine "new age". I found myself laughing numerous times as I remembered my own spiritual dramas. I recommend this book for everyone searching for understanding within the New Age community.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, wild ride!
Review: Wow, what a fun book! I really enjoyed Anne's antics as she feverishly tries to figure out how to handle a devastating lawsuit that she suspects has something to do with her scheming mother. As she searches for answers with her new cohorts in the new age community, she finds comfort under the wing of channeler Fran Baker. Fran seems to be the answer to all of Anne's problems....
I really liked Anne's relationship with surfer hunk Wolfe and the bizarre Dr. Reubin. Through it all, Anne rises to her challenges. This book left me wanting more. Anne is such a screwball and the people she gets involved with are so looney that you have to sit back and enjoy the ride. First rate entertainment!
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