Today we’re excited to be on the blog tour for a novel with an intriguing premise, A Psychic Subterfuge by JP Alters. Thank you Random Things Tours for the swift arrival of a copy to the Enchanted Emporium so we could give our honest and unbiased review.
The blurb hooked the witches in so scroll down to see if the novel did the same.
Mary Obosa Jameson, a diagnosed schizophrenic, attempts to take her own life and is admitted to a state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital. Mary, hears voices and has friends that nobody else can see… but what she does not know, is that she is actually a powerful medium and that everything, has a plan. Whilst admitted to the hospital, Mary makes friends who uncover a fiendish conspiracy. Mary’s life, and the lives of her friends are in great danger and only she can save them, but does she believe? They are her friends. However, when you are diagnosed with schizophrenia, how do you know what is real, and what is not? A Psychic Subterfuge is the first book in a series of paranormal thrillers featuring protagonist Mary Jameson, by debut author: JP Alters.
Thoughts from the Emporium
There have been discussions previously in the Emporium about mental illness and what would happen if you were psychic too. This novel explores this in a captivating way with intriguing characters and twists leading you to think one thing and then another.
Mary is a complex character who has constant friends that no one else sees. They are loyal, supportive and keep her safe but when her mental health spirals this isn’t enough. From the beginning, it was clear this novel would delve into dark places such as suicide and abuse so it isn’t for the faint hearted. These topics are always difficult to read and write but the author tackles them with realism, and sensitivity. When friendships are formed with other patients, there are warmer and heartfelt moments making the witches care about all of the group, adding to the tension as they read to the unexpected conclusion.
The private clinic Mary finds herself in is perfect compared to other places people find themselves in when having a mental health crisis, but the stigma and darker undertones remain. If the paranormal element wasn’t mentioned in the blurb, it wouldn’t have crossed the witches’ mind that this is where the plot would go but it works well and encouraged them to keep turning the page to discover when and how Mary would discover the truth.
A Psychic Subterfuge is a highly readable, thrilling novel which blends dystopia and the paranormal set in a contemporary environment. Those at the Emporium look forward to seeing where Mary’s life leads her next and this copy is a worthy addition to the enchanted bookshelf.
Author Biography
JP Alters
A debut, indie author, J.P. loves writing, and in December 2022, self-published the first in her series of paranormal thrillers: A Psychic Subterfuge.
J.P. Alters writes under a pen name. A people person, J.P. has enjoyed many jobs throughout the years, working in either social care or mental health. Currently, she has two jobs, sharing her time between being a mum to three children, her role as a mentor, and working for a homeless charity.
J.P. hopes to write books that are accessible and appealing to many. Most of all, she plans to continue to enjoy the writing ride, and hopes her readers will too!
Welcome to another week! Today we’re excited to host our first ever spirit writer to the Enchanted Emporium, Wendy Sheffield, to discuss her writing, life and of course, spells.
The review for her book Spirit Writer can be found here but why not grab a cuppa and take a break to discover more.
Monday Merry Meet: Wendy Sheffield
Willow: Welcome to our small shop. We’re excited to have you visit. The Marleys and Old Percy, our resident ghosts are under strict instructions not to badger you with information while you’re here but as the first medium we’ve had visit, I can’t guarantee they’ll behave. Mrs Marley likes to talk.
Amber: Hi, I’m on tea and drink duty today as Rosa’s at a Parent’s association meeting. What can I get you? Tea including Yorkshire tea, coffee or I do an excellent hot chocolate or something stronger or cold.
Wendy: One of your hot choccies would go down nicely!!!! Thanks
Hot chocolate and biscuit time
Willow: We always ask our guests whether they’ve had paranormal experiences and how it affects their writing, but as your book is all about connecting with spirits, we know the answer but can you tell us a bit about how you began?
Amber: And what a spirit writer is? I’ve only ever heard of spirit artists who draw those who have passed.
Wendy: 12 years ago, I did not know that I was a medium and I certainly didn’t know that I had a spirit guide and a host of family ancestors in spirit who would have been only too happy to stop me messing up my life! Because I did not know I had spirit guidance I made mistakes. I can hear you all saying, we all make mistakes, and in answer to this I would answer…we all do!
I will not go into my life mistakes because they are not much different to most people’s mistakes!
Basically, I couldn’t understand why I was not happy, and the more I pondered on my past, the more I wanted to change my life. In effect I was asking spirit for help, without even realising the same!
One fateful night, 12 years ago, I went to bed and awoke a different person…a person more confident, a person who believed in the impossible! A person who wanted to help the world with her gifts, which she was now aware of.
I went to bed not even knowing what spirit was, no mind what spirit writing was! Sorry I am taking a long time to answer the question!
In days of old, people used to spirit write using a pen and paper. I was a lady of the 21st century, I was not going to use pen and paper! I woke up that night…I grabbed a pen and paper and spirit encouraged me to scribble, letting go of the pain. Even though I did not know about spirit and spirit writing before this time…..my grandmother told me I was spirit writing! This was the first spiritual gift that she showed me that I possessed. It took me many years thereafter, but I learnt to control my spirit writing. Spirit knew I was a trained legal secretary and could type at least as fast as someone can talk, so they encouraged me to use a keyboard to use the skill that I had. Shortly thereafter, I felt the ned to help others with my newfound skills, and for a time was giving online reading using my spirit writing and my trusted keyboard.
To cut a long story short….spirit writing…..I connect to spirit as a medium and let my fingers fly!
Amber: Your book is based on your life, how difficult did you find writing it?
Wendy: To be honest, it was a great relief, because I knew as soon as I had let go of the past, I knew I would be able to move forwards!
Amber: Spirit Writer is your debut, what has your publication journey been like? If you did it again, would you change anything?
Wendy: I have found my publication journey painful and expensive! As to whether I would change anything, as I have progressed with my books, I have learnt new skills. I have now written Book 2, Pure Spirit and almost finished Book 3, Spirit Healer, and I can now do everything myself and now only have to pay for advertising, which is very expensive in itself!
Rosa: Many of our customers love the idea of writing a book, including memoirs. Do you have any advice for novice memoir writers?
Wendy: Writing the book is the easy bit! Make sure that you are happy with your publisher and be careful with advertising costs!
Willow: The Enchanted Emporium sells several candles in The Wishing Spell range which promise to help your day go smoothly. Which would you choose?
Wendy: A good night’s sleep, as my mind always whirrs around 100 miles an hour, and the spirits don’t help!
Focus and concentration is also an issue for me!
Willow: One candle invokes memories of your perfect holiday or day when lit. Where would it take you?
Wendy: Back into the past to put right wrongs!
Willow: We often blend different potions beyond the love ones that are flying off the shelves this week. If we could create a spell to give you magical powers for 24 hours what would it be?
Wendy: To go into the future to see where my journey is taking me!
Willow: Our Enchanted Emporium bookshelf is a small lending library full of books with either fantastical, witchy or paranormal theme, fiction or non-fiction is fine. What would you add to it?
Wendy: My 3 books, of course!
Rosa: I have a Box of Romance books to share my love of the romance genre to the world. What would you add to it?
Wendy: Nowadays, I don’t read such books, but in my younger days I used to like Catherine Cookson’s romance books – No one book in particular!
Willow: I don’t think we have any Catherine Cookson books yet. And finally, what are you working on currently? Or is it top secret?
Wendy: I am now using my ability as a spiritualist healer to help everyone that comes to me for healing. I want people to understand themselves inside and outside and out and to not be afraid to seek healing from whoever they are drawn to!
Willow: That sounds fantastic. We wish you well and thank you for visiting.
Spirit Writer by Wendy Sheffield
Title: Spirit Writer
Author: Wendy Sheffield
Publisher: Grosvenor House Publishing
Release date: 13th October 2022
Genre: Non-fiction, spirituality
Blurb
AN INSIGHT INTO HOW THE WORLD OF SPIRIT CAN COMMUNICATE WITH US
‘Spirit Writer’ is a book written by Wendy Sheffield, a psychic medium, who channels messages from the spirit world. In her book, Sheffield explores the art of spiritual writing and shares her insights on how to connect with spirit guides, develop intuition, and communicate with loved ones who have passed on. The book also delves into the practice of mindfulness and its role in writing as a spiritual practice.
‘Spirit Writer’ is a memoir that reflects on Sheffield’s own spiritual awakening and experiences with mediumship and afterlife communication.
Overall, ‘Spirit Writer’ provides readers with a unique perspective on the power of writing and its potential for connecting with the spiritual realm.
‘A wonderful insight into how the world of spirit can communicate with us’
More about the author:
12 years ago, or thereabouts, my grandmother stood me before a very large old mirror in my old living room and said THIS IS WHO YOU ARE!!
At the time I had doubts that I would ever reach the level to which she was telling me I was capable of.
TODAY is that day that I know that I am capable of so much, all i needed to do was allow my love to shine through and BELIEVE.
It is through my books I hope that I share my LOVE and BELIEF!
SPIRIT WRITER the start of my journey PURE SPIRIT my refined connection with spirit SPIRIT HEALER This is who I am A HEALER!
My final message is that this is not the end, IT IS the beginning…
The Enchanted Emporium Bookshelf 