The story had promise but failed for me for a few reasons one was because of the editing which, whole not awful made me rather impatient for the story which brings me to the next part, the story at times dragged. I wanted to shake Kate when she would say one thing and then do the opposite and while I know getting completely in touch with your spiritual side takes time I didn't want it to take that much of my time. For me the best part of the book came from the food, sights and smells that Kate encountered - at that Ms. Coen excels and it was in those moments that I felt the story move in a positive direction. ( )

The entire way through this book I felt like I had read this before. Much of it felt like a rethread of the Celestine Prophecy or several works by Doreen Virtue, following a Maiden (Persepone); Mother (Demeter); Chrone (Hecake) path through her love life and career with a trip to Brazil and Peru to raise her consciousness while ignoring local sources of some of the same guidance. There are some arguments for moving from a safe place to an unknown space to jolt yourself out of the normal, but I would expect at least a minor visit to Brigit's Garden (http://www.brigitsgarden.ie/) and maybe a connection to the many new age groups in Ireland. But that's a minor quibble with the book.

I have more problems with the infodumping, the way the characters proclaim the facts seemingly out of the blue, it doesn't feel like she's really grown much over the course of the story. She has got more savvy, but I didn't really feel that she had grown. I also didn't feel that she explored what the goddesses meant to her progress.

Yes, I found it readable but I also found it problematic, not very goddess centered, and somewhat unoriginal. I felt like there was a better book burried somewhere within. ( )

Love & The Goddess by Mary Elisabeth Coen

"The goddess myth ties in very well with how the feminine has been suppressed in a patriarchal society, mirroring Kate's relationship with her controlling older husband. This is emphasized when Kate unveils her hidden picture of the triple goddess, in an act of defiance at the end of chapter one. Later on Kate's trip to Peru, the Shaman unearths further clues to whom and what the goddess represents. This theme runs parallel to the protagonist's journey towards self-actualization. “
I am a woman whom has been divorced for over 16 years and raised my daughter alone, working three jobs to survive. Now that time has passed and she is 19, I am finally able to live life more for "me" instead of "her."
I can relate to Kate in the story when her husband of over 20 years asks for a "divorce." My husband walked in and gave me the wedding ring, said, "I fell out of love with you, I am leaving," I was devastated just like the character was!
I could relate with Kate's daughter (Julie) who is moving out on her own and the struggle to balance life when everything is turned upside-down. It's as if I went through the AA program again, learning how to take care of me and not everyone else again! It's hard, painful and very lonely.
If you wish to read an inspirational, thought provoking and spiritual connecting book about loss, love, and healing then this book will be for you. Coen has a great sense of humor writing this type of fictional book that will take you on a journey but also open your eyes to new horizons that you might not of considered before.
This book has 36 chapters that will capture your heart as the author brings her wisdom and systems of healing teaching how she get through a difficult time in her life.
© 2013 Jackie Paulson ( )