VESSIE FLAMINGO OUTSHINING THE MOON: A Tale of Self-Mastery and Love (Paperback)

~ Jerelyn Craden (Author) "A flamingo flew over a sandbar fifty feet from a white sandy shore- the flutter of its wings, the only sound in the late afternoon..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Lou Fields, Nurse Clemments (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"Vessie is a gem!" "Funny, endearing ... an inspiring call to live authentically and create the life you love."-- Marilyn Harding, Artemis Foundation Meet Vessie VanCortland on her roller-coaster journey to self-mastery and love. Psychic at five, a healer at ten, a levitator-meditator at nineteen -- now, an over-worked jingle writer at thirty -- Vessie sets out to change her life and live authentically. With her wise-cracking Inner Child, an ancient yoga technique, and the long-distance support of the unforgettable Mrs. Smith --her surrogate Jewish mother who speaks in a mish-mash of sayings only Vessie understands -- she takes the leap, but with unexpected consequences. "A highly entertaining, compelling, spirit-driven page-turner."-- Dean Noblett, Life coach, Reiki Master - Heartlight Canada

About the Author

Jerelyn Craden started out as a singer-songwriter in Los Angeles, joined Rachel Rosenthal's "Instant Theatre" ensemble, then moved to Toronto where she wrote and performed for theatre, television, film, and radio. As a top voiceover, jingle and animation performer, her credits include: "Inspector Gadget," "X-Men," and "C.O.P.S." A recipient of Canada's ACTRA award for Best Television Variety Writer, her credits include: sitcom, family/adventure and animation series. As Creative Director, Writer of event marketing projects for Fortune 500 companies in Canada and the United States, her credits include: IBM's "Right at Home" presented at the Presidential Inaugural, and Union Pacific Railroad's, "Delivering America's Dreams," presented at the Democratic and Republican national conventions. Vessie Flamingo, Outshining the Moon is her first novel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (April 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1425935478
• ISBN-13: 978-1425935474
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,397,393 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Waiting for your next book, May 17, 2006

By	R.M. (California) - See all my reviews

I loved your book, Jerelyn. It made me laugh out loud many times, but even more, it made me feel Vessie's world. It caught me by surprise when a friend called (as I was part way through your book) and she asked after a couple minutes into the conversation, what was up with me. I hadn't realized 'til that moment that I was in a twilight zone between Vessie's "book reality" and "my reality."

I read your book over the course of two days and part of me wanted to hurry on so that I could find out how life was to go for our friend, Vessie; but the wiser part of me knew enough to take my time to savor the wisdom, humor, struggles and discoveries of our heroine. One doesn't chug down a bottle of fine wine. Likewise, a speed-reading of Vessie would miss the new eyes with which you paint her world, or the gems embedded in her subtle understanding of things.

I liked that Vessie didn't settle for the carrot or seeming "best choice" in her quest for being her whole self. She reminded me that I have inner promptings and vision, and that the challenge is: Do I live my truth and discover the work, spiritual path and love that makes my heart sing?

Like Vessie, I have a rich spiritual/psychic life that I have variously pushed down, set aside or neglected to share because in the material world, it has been seen as weird woo woo stuff. We don't get burned at the stake for it right now, but the price for sharing can feel very high. Like her, I am striving to surround myself with people who "get it" or at the very least, honor that part of me.

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming, witty adventure of self-discovery., March 4, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Written by Jerelyn Craden, Vessie Flamingo Outshining the Moon: A Tale of Self-Mastery and Love is a novel about Vessie VanCourtland, a burned-out, thirty-year-old former psychic and levitator-mediator turned jingle writer. Determined to turn her life around and place a new value on authenticity, she dares to make drastic changes with the aid of ancient yoga techniques, the insights of her wise-cracking Inner Child, and the long distance support of Mrs. Smith, her surrogate Jewish mother who speaks in a hodgepodge mess of folksy sayings only Vessie can interpret. Vessie's sweeping transformation brings with it unexpected surprises; reinventing her life doesn't necessarily make anything any easier, in this charming, witty adventure of self-discovery.

5.0 out of 5 stars great characters and very funny, January 11, 2007

By	Brett Nicholas Moore "author, Tales of Brothe... - See all my reviews

This book has quite an assortment of colorful characters. It's funny because the most sane character I felt, which is Vessie, is the one seen by others as completely bonkers. Vessie is an endearing character that made me root for her to find the peace she is after. Even though there are serious and sad events to the story, there are so many hilarious situations, that it makes for a refreshing read. I've never read about levitation in quite such a manner. It's hard to talk about some of the humor in it without giving the story away. Craden's writing flows very well. Full of wit and introspection, I recommend this one highly.