Click here to buy now: Love And The Goddess by Mary E. Coen~A must Read:
Here is my review on Amazon: Sometimes they say there are such things as in serendipity in the world. You could say that happened to me when I found this book in my hands as a wonderful treat for me to read. I am an avid reader and read many books. So how to rate a book? How do you rate a book? I rate a book on what kind of experience I had while I was reading it. I rate a book on how much I took with me at the end and if when I read the final sentence if felt like a sudden fabulous friendship had just ended. When I read books that go this distance for me, I am so inspired because I read a lot and that doesn’t happen every time. Well. Well! Well!! I don’t want to compare this book to any other because it really doesn’t deserve comparison. This is like one of those books you read and now you are glued to that author for life. You know, waiting for the next book to come out because there is that type of connection you felt with the book when you read it.
Kate is the main character. Kate is ditched by her husband of many years and her perfect life has just fallen out from under her. Her only child that is now off to college, is also heartbroken by Trevor’s sudden decision to break up their perfect unit.
However, just like in life, when something falls apart some new wonderful things can happen.
Kate’s best friend, Ella, is spirited and lively. She offers that sidekick companion for Kate that introduces her to a world of dating via Match.com type sites. She also has a friend named James that balances out the equation. I sometimes found these two side characters just as enjoyable as following Kate on her personal journey on self discovery and learning on how to start over.
There is a fun trip to Brazil and Peru that had exquisite images that register with those that love the ZEN, MEDITATIVE quest. The part of the book felt like a spiritual quest for inner peace, which Kate does not necessarily find right away. The trip isn’t perfect, but what she finds more or less is herself emerging as strong and confident woman.
Upon arrival in Dublin, there are family issues to be met when her father is in the hospital. When will Kate have her moment of fun and atonement? What does happen during this period is Kate finds some unanswered questions finally answered regarding her memories with her father. She discovers a family secret that she never knew. By learning this information she is drawn closer to her father again.
I feel as if I am giving away too much here. I don’t want to spoil the story. I will just say that when Kate makes it back to Ireland so many choices will need to be made when there are so many new forks in the road. And the on-line dating under the three Goddess names?? (I failed to mention that) How does that work out?
That what makes this story so much fun to read. Following Kate on her own personal discovery of who she is as a woman is also linked together with mad-cap adventures that are down right hilarious and fun. I found myself laughing and wincing along with Kate when some of these characters she met for a coffee appeared to be more like a shady character from Stephen King book. (You know, at first glance they look like they are nice and normal, but watch out! There could be a Dracula, A Carrie with telepathic powers or an alcoholic with an ax. Kate’s dating escapades didn’t turn up any serial killers, but sometimes you were wondering as you turned the page…of course in a fun, mild way I am speaking, not a gruesome and scary kind of way. This is after all, a fiction book that reads like a perfect movie script with beautiful scenic settings. If you could make a comparison on books. You might say Eat Pray Love crossed with Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella. Coming from me, that’s huge compliment. I love Elizabeth Gilbert and Sophie K books. I think that Mary Elizabeth Coen book belongs right up there on the shelf with them..and in the theaters, too.)
You could say that sometimes a book finds us. That sometimes one will find you by a twist of fate that you didn’t know was just around the corner. You pick it up. You read it. And your life shifts slightly for the better. You find yourself smiling. You find yourself welling up with tears when certain marvelous moments finally do come together for the character you fall in love with in that particular book you are reading.
Yes! This happened to me with LOVE and the GODDESS. I found myself waiting for moments to read it whenever I could. I wanted to read it faster than I did. But Mother’s Day weekend full of events pushed me with the final read in one sitting on a perfect, sunny moment in Cardiff by the Sea in California. The breeze was just right. My coffee tasted perfect even when I ran out of my half and half. And there was just me meeting Kate back at the end of her journey in this lovely story that conquers the most important theme of all:
Are you on the right road in your personal quest for happiness?
I look forward to reading Mary E. Coen’s next book. I am sure it will deliver with a punch just like this one. A must read, especially for women that love to read about love, dating and looking within to find a deeper meaning than just a tube of red lipstick.
This is an exciting journey with taking.
Ask me, I know.
