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Reconciliation ~Heaven and Earth~ by [Diane de Simone]

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Diane de Simone

Reconciliation ~Heaven and Earth~ Kindle Edition

by Diane de Simone (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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Martha Mathewson, a professor of psychology, for years belittled her soon to be ex-husband, a revered astrophysicist, over his passion for little green men and the civilizations they come from. Don Mathewson dies. Suddenly, her house is broken into. She has national security operatives on her tail. And to find out why, Martha must stretch herself into Don’s files and tapes, learning about his extensive relationship with other civilizations and also the fact that for the last 70 years we’ve been lied to: we’ve had interstellar visitors.

Martha is inexorably drawn into Don's world, a world which includes shadowy covert operatives. At the same time, she's moved to Tucson, Arizona, her daughter has come to live with her, and a small metal ball discovered in Don’s old oak desk (a ball which emits a bluish halo in the dark, dances to jazz, and communicates telepathically) is talking to her, saying it needs her help.

In this new upended life, she's being forced to abandon old beliefs about the nature of reality while also trying to stay alive.

Print length

323 pages
Language

English
Publication date

January 13, 2018
File size

2340 KB
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Fiction, Indie Book Reviews, IR Approved by IRStaff
4.7 out of 5
The book is well-written and inventive, with an equilibrium createdbetween Marti's disconsolate personal life and her discussions abouttheoretical physics, New Age beliefs, and the controversial claims that ETs arealready here and visiting us....The use of the present tense throughout is aninteresting choice and lends the narrative an avant-garde flavor, a stylisticmaneuver that helps separate the book from more standard fare for novels ofthis sort.
Verdict: Inventive and well-written, RECONCILIATION: HEAVEN AND EARTH is afascinating story about theoretical physics, ET phenomena, and New Age beliefsrelative to both of theaforementioned.
~MP Gunderson for IndieReader
***
for Readers' Favorite 5 Stars out of 5
.......Reconciliation: Heaven and Earthby Diane de Simone is a great blend of sci-fi and intrigue, a story thatexplores the nuances of quantum physics and takes readers on a rollicking ridethat follows one woman's psychological struggles and belief mutation....This isan intelligently plotted and masterfully executed novel with great potential todelight readers, not only those who have a particular interest in quantumphysics, but anyone looking for a well-written and engaging story. Thecharacters are strong, well-developed, and utterly compelling and I enjoyed thepsychological transformation witnessed in the protagonist. Diane de Simone'sReconciliation: Heaven and Earth has a strong setting, a fast pace, and twiststhat will surprise readers. Diane de Simone weaves suspense into her tale inaway only a mistress of the genre could.
-- Christian Sia
***
for Reader's Favorite 4 stars out of 5
Reconciliation: Heaven and Earth by Diane deSimone starts with an intriguing prologue.... And the extraterrestrialelement certainly makes the story engaging, as protagonist Martha, aka Marti,uncovers the truth about a research that Don was involved in. Humanity is soself-contained that we tend to forget or ignore other beings in the universe.Reconciliation: Heaven and Earth is not just about aliens and conspiraciesthough. There's also self-discovery, forgiveness and finding love again. Thiscombination makes the story concept thought-provoking, plausible, andwell-incorporated into the plot, which created an interesting chain of events.Strong characterization and good dialogue strengthen the concept further. Thetense and cheerful moments are in the right places and I love the way the storyended. All in all, a commendable work from Diane de Simone.
-- Lit Amri

From the Author

This story -- Reconciliation -- was initially inspired by reading the report of the unresolved murder of a scientist I'd held in high regard for years. Around that report gathered other reports, and then they came together into the flow of this fictional work. And I had to trust the tale would unfold with grace, which it did, after I'd steeped myself for the many months prior in research. The research? I had to sift out anything that was woo-woo.
Like the character of Martha, I, too, had to integrate all of the new information I was uncovering. And like Martha, I too had to strip myself of any old beliefs and emerge as a newly realized citizen of a universe, one which included the presence of extraterrestrial civilizations.
Early readers wanted me to add more violence to this tale, to have it become more of thriller. Yet I'd intended this tale - like my last book - to offer a respite from the daily news cycle and what we can encounter in our lives. I'd intended this book to offer the readers new ways to view themselves, others, the natural world, and ETs. I'd intended it to have tension, but also good cheer. Though a mystery, it's also a gathering of love stories.

From the Inside Flap

'Superb writing. Entertaining dialogue. Page-turning. Great descriptions of Arizona's Sonoran desert' Benjamin Smith

'Playful. Its voice is brilliantly sustained' Marion Sinclair

'...I found the descriptions of the characters and settings so realistic that I could just see the people and places so clearly. Loved the writers style- All in all a fantastic read and really praying for a follow up.' Mary Holmes

From the Back Cover

"We are not alone in the universe, they have been coming here for a long time. . . . I happen to be privileged enough to be in on the fact that we have been visited on this planet, and the UFO phenomenon is real...." Dr. Edgar Mitchell, 6th man to walk on the moon; founder of the Institute for Noetic Sciences.

Who are you? Psychologist Martha Mathewson thought she knew. But then, when she meets up with a small metal orb with ET intelligence, she has to face she's clueless.

About the Author

Diane de Simone was based in New York and London writing for magazines for over a decade--from Omni to Connoisseur. She wrote an unprecedented,well-publicized, 7-part series for Playboy Magazine, Men and Women, with British author and filmmaker, Jo Durden-Smith, which became a book, Sex and the Brain(Arbor House, Warner Books, Pan/Picador U.K.; seven languages). This was the first book ever written for the layperson, on the heady time in the biological sciences, when we began to ask the question: "So...who are we as a species?" A way into that question was to write about what scientists were finding as the differences and the similarities between males and females and the evolutionary nature of their equality. She is the author of a memoir tucked into Feathers Brush the Heart (Warner Books 2002 ed.Sinclair Browning); also, the author of Dear Thailand: A Love Story(Amazon, 2013) a memoir about discovering a land, a people, and a culture that can radically reshape your heart.

In January, 2018, Reconciliation ~ Heaven and Earth - was published-- her first novel. It was inspired by true tales. In September, 2018,...stepping lightly through times of great change was published, in which welearn what scientists are finding: we are quantum beings, more powerfuland peaceful that we currently believe. She lives in Tucson and inThailand, with her partner, artist James Lewis Hamilton, passionate about"the force," the quantum field, transformation, andhealing

ASIN : B078ZQ3KY3
Publication date : January 13, 2018
Language : English
File size : 2340 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 323 pages
Lending : Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #2,027,930 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #2,746 in Inspirational Religious Fiction
- #6,082 in Alien Invasion Science Fiction eBooks
- #10,348 in First Contact Science Fiction eBooks

Customer Reviews:
11 ratings

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2 star		19%
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Fun. Combo of change of life/action/sci-fi, while all being completely plausible.

Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2018

Verified Purchase

I'll preface this by saying that I do a lot of editing work, so I read books differently than most people probably do and my eye tends toward the critical. With that said, take my review however you like.

What I liked about this book:
1) The reluctant protagonist and some of the other main characters grow through adversity in a way that is natural and believable. And it's easy to understand and remember who the characters are.
2) The author is clearly knowledgeable about her setting elements, including not only physical descriptions of locations but also their vibes. It feels like she knows each of these places intimately.
3) The "action movie" premise of this story is plausible, fun, and easy to follow along with. Now, considering the content of the plot, certain people might argue that it's not plausible, and to that I would say a) trust me, it is, and b) even if you don't think it could happen in real life (you're wrong), within the story the author has created, everything is plausible and that should be enough for a piece of fiction.

What I didn't like:
Too much over-describing of settings or mundane actions in certain parts, and too much chit-chat that isn't essential to moving the story forward during some the dialog sections.

Basically, I feel like this is a really good story that could've used a little tightening up (cutting words in some areas, fixing a few typos), but if you're just looking for a fun novel and aren't reading it from a technical perspective like I tend to do, this is probably a good one for you to consider.

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While the plot was great, the writing needed work

Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2018

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This book screamed X-Files to me so I had to grab it and read it. The book centers around a professor of psychology who starts to look into her astrophysicist husband’s murder. What makes the book more interesting is the mystery surrounding his work with extra-terrestrial civilizations. Throw in government cover-ups, conspiracy theories, and aliens and now you can see why I thought of X-Files immediately.

While the plot was great, the writing needed work. The book was riddled with telling and prevented me from really connecting with the characters. While the author was overly descriptive, it wasn’t always the correct way to go and became burdensome to read. The dialogue felt very unnatural and jilted further pulling me out of the book. There are scenes that even felt like filler, they didn’t move the plot forward.

If you’re looking for a fun sci-fi read, LOVE X-Files, and can look past the plethora of excessive details, grab this book. You won’t be disappointed.

Helpful

cmakin17

An intriguing, unique take on conspiracy theories and government cover-ups of alien encounters with humans.

Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2018

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Upon reading the description of this book by Diane de Simone it sounded similar to the Dan Brown novels I enjoy reading. This story follows the life of Marti Kahn, a recently widowed woman on a journey to reinvent herself, discover the truth about her husband’s death, and the mysteries surrounding his work with extraterrestrials. The plot is an intriguing, unique take on conspiracy theories and government cover-ups of alien encounters with humans.

While I was pulled into the tale, wondering what Marti would experience next, I was challenged with the writing style. I found the writing to be overly descriptive and the dialogue between the characters to be somewhat unnatural at times, making it more difficult to follow. Despite this, I would still recommend the book to anyone with an open mind, interested in sci-fi mysteries.

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Very Entertaining!

Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2018

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This book was very entertaining. I loved the elements of mystery, both terrestrial and otherwise. The story was well written and had interesting characters. The author's depiction of the alluring scenery of the Sonoran desert surrounding Tucson was absolutely lovely! Fusing supernatural elements with government secrecy made for an exciting tale. The frequent use of the present tense was an interesting choice. It was a little unusual but I ended up appreciating the tone it set for each scene. A really enjoyable, powerful read. My only critique is that there were a few questions left unanswered at the end of the story. While I don't think the ending really allows for a sequel, I'd still be interested in reading on to see what happens next and to gain further insight into these unsolved questions.

Helpful

Good book!

Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2018

Verified Purchase

This book wasn't quite what I was expecting, but it was still an enjoyable book! When you first meet Martha, it's in the aftermath of the loss of her husband. Soon though, thanks to the weird advances of a student, she has to change her whole identity. But there's more to the story than that. Her husband was hiding secrets and there's people out to find out what those secrets were. So, the pace of the book felt a bit meandering at times, however I enjoyed Marti (formerly Martha) a lot. I liked her character and her daughter as well. It's more than just about the mystery behind the man, it's also about a woman rebuilding her life. Good book and excellent characterization!

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RinnyC

Fun easy read...

Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2018

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This book was a lot of fun. The plot was original and unique. De Simone is a very descriptive storyteller and although it get a little wordy in some parts, she did an excellent job of giving the scenes texture and relatability. The characters are likable and interesting and I found myself really caring for Martha/Marti. It was a little rough around the edges as far as editing and polishing, but it didn't take away from the readability. I recommend for anyone who loves a good mystery sci-fi adventure novel.

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Donna Milley

... have to start by saying that I can so easily picture this story as a movie

Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2018

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I have to start by saying that I can so easily picture this story as a movie, even if as a made for tv movie and wish that would happen. I was instantly connecting to Martha and her enormous loss. But the twists and turns the story takes took me completely by surprise. I had to pay such close attention and with every page turn I waited for my many questions to be answered. Like I said, this should be a movie.

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Amazon Customer

Hmmm...

Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2018

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Martha/Marti relocated to a new area to get her life together upon the death of her husband. But everything soon changed when she realized that his death may not of been an accident. Someone did not want his research to get in the wrong hands and they were not going to take any chances. This was an intriguing book and made you think about what may be out there.

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Top reviews from other countries

Mike

Good enough, but not engaging

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 2, 2018

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I was looking forward to reading this novel that purports to be a cross between science-fiction and a change-of-life narrative, but was generally disappointed by it. The story line is good enough and actually promises much more than it gives. Martha’s ex-husband has been murdered; he’s been speaking with advanced but friendly extra-terrestrial beings, and Martha (a psych professor) has to move across the country to avoid a very intimidating young student and has to work out what her ex has been up to all these years. How will the story unravel? So far, so good.
The truth is that there are too many flaws in the writing to make it a page-turner. The present tense throughout and the fact that the plot is largely given through dialogue makes it rather passive – despite plot possibilities. There’s a sense of threat that doesn’t really materialise. The characters are stereotypes; their dialogue is stilted and unrealistic. And the use of lists doesn’t do what the author hopes for – they simply sound like lists! Here’s a good example: ‘a momentary sense of joy, hope, spaciousness, beauty and gratitude’. And, lastly, the physics in the story is given without much passion or intrigue.
I wish I could be more positive. It’s a good enough read, but don’t expect to feel engaged with either the story or the characters.

Kate

A great book for showing why "Show, don't tell" is a thing.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 22, 2018

Verified Purchase

Diane de Simone’s “Reconciliation ~Heaven and Earth~” sets up an interesting blend between science-fiction and change-of-life narrative but unfortunately doesn’t quite make it on either front. The protagonist, Martha, faces a great number of challenges at the start of the novel - including the death of her estranged husband and threats from one of his grad students - and decides to move across the country to get away from it all. Her late husband’s connection to extraterrestrials, however, causes some complications for her as she tries to set up a new life.

While blending two genres together can create something exciting, “Reconciliation” probably would have been better as just one. The more realistic, change-of-life aspects of the text work pretty well as Martha grows beyond what she had been before and learns how to just be. The use of present tense works well with this idea as it creates a feeling of immediacy and shows how she’s trying to be more present in her life. The sci-fi aspects, however, feel forced. While they offer some of the key motivating factors for the novel’s narrative arc, they often feel forgotten about and desperately under-developed. The sci-fi touches went from being one of the biggest draws in this novel to an annoyance that went nowhere.

Though the overall plot has some strengths, the writing in “Reconciliation” made it a real struggle to get through. The story is told almost entirely through dialogue and it can take some concentration to keep track of who is speaking as pretty much every character sounds the same. It doesn't sound natural. In addition to this, dialogue acts as the main tool for exposition within the text and there is absolutely no subtlety at all. Characters who surely should know each other or know of the events surrounding the novel regurgitate this information in conversation, dumping information on the reader in the most gratingly obvious way, and half of it just isn’t necessary. A character doesn’t need to tell another character (that they’ve apparently known for years) that they’re efficient - they’re actions should surely demonstrate this! And the reader really doesn't need six different conversations summarising what they've already read in the book. Add that to all the info-dumping conversation that has no direct relation to the plot and it becomes totally overwhelming.

“Reconciliation” would have been a great short story if the pointless sci-fi was removed and the author didn’t rely on dialogue to do all the leg-work.

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