My first readers for their faith in my story: Anne Van Steyn, Sandra Van Steyn, Kay Hardesty, and Kathy Simoes.
My critique partners for their valuable suggestions: Jo Chandler, Lee Lopez, Dorothy Skarles, Natalia Orfanos, and members of Amherst Writers and Artists’ Group directed by Gini Grossenbacher.
My line and content editors: Judith Reveal, Christine Van Steyn, Moira Warmerdam, Martina Duarte, and Marianne Chick for their helpful input and encouragement.
My sisters, brother—and friends—for reading my work and standing by me when I was ready to give up: Theresa Adrian, Vicki Van Steyn, and John Van Steyn.
My cover artist, Clarissa Yeo of Yocla Designs and Jonnee Bardo of Gluskin’s Photo Lab and Studio for my author photo.
And to my family for their love and forbearance: John, Todd, Jon, Martina, Angelina, and Tessa. Maybe now you’ll understand what I’ve been up to all these years.
Many books were helpful in researching for this novel, especially Earth Medicine and The Medicine Way, by Kenneth Meadows, Dancing the Dream by Jamie Sams, The Holographic Universe by Michael Talbot, Spiritual Emergency, by Stanislav and Christina Grof, The Natural History of Big Sur, by Paul Henson and Donald J. Usner, Salinan Indians of California and their neighbors, by Betty War Brusa, The Ohlone Way, by Malcolm Margolin, and The Carmel Mission, by Sydney Temple.
About the Author
Margaret Duarte’s parents immigrated to the United States from Holland (the Netherlands) with her two older brothers the year before she was born. She grew up on a series of dairy farms in California into what became a very large family—seven brothers and two sisters.
When she entered high school, her fascination with creative writing began. She was fortunate to receive excellent instruction, plus a great deal of encouragement from her English teachers.
Scholarship in hand, Margaret entered California State University at Sacramento where she earned a degree in English and a secondary teaching credential. Then she did something she swore she’d never do—married a dairy farmer.
Over the following thirty years, she helped on the family farm, raised two sons, taught at a local middle school, and dabbled in an assortment of hobbies but did little writing other than in her journal. It wasn’t until her sons were grown that she finally returned to what her teachers had encouraged her to pursue while in school—writing.
Though it delayed her career as a writer, she never regretted her decision to marry and raise a family. Her years as wife and mother taught her about love and selflessness and fueled her for the years of writing that lay ahead. They also uncovered what would become the driving force behind her work: the call for spiritual and emotional freedom. Through her novels, which synthesize heart and mind, science and spirituality, Margaret hopes to inspire people to activate their gifts, retire their excuses, and stand in their own authority.
For more information on Margaret and her books, visit her website at www.margaretduarte.com.
Book two of the “Enter-the-Between” series
Between Darkness and Dawn
Marjorie Veil is running again. But this time, she's not running from herself. She's running to embrace her past so she may move on with her future. A future that includes a man and an orphaned boy who both love her. But in order to build a life with them, she must have the strength to defy the expectations of her over-protective adoptive mother, and she must be steadfast in deciphering the veiled messages coming from the Native American woman who died giving her birth. Marjorie's quest is the story of the soul trying to break free of its conditioned restraints to live a life of freedom, courage, and authenticity, and focus on what is really important in her precious present moments.
Book three of the “Enter the Between” series
Between Yesterday and Tomorrow
When Marjorie Veil takes refuge at a friend’s Victorian mansion in Pacific Grove, otherwise known as Butterfly Town USA, she seeks answers to two burning questions. Why had her biological father abandoned her at birth? And why is her mother sending messages from beyond the grave, shedding light on agonizing secrets she took with her when she died?
Despite plans to enjoy Pacific Grove’s quaint bookstores, ocean views, and butterfly sanctuary, Marjorie’s stay is anything but replenishing. She senses something disturbing beneath the mansion’s outward calm. Soon she begins seeing and hearing things that cause her to question her sanity, and she unearths a backyard labyrinth that reveals its own powerful secrets.
A psychological-supernatural tale, book three of the Enter the Between visionary fiction series tells the story of an ordinary woman in extraordinary situations which she resolves in remarkable ways.
Book four of the “Enter the Between” series
Between Now and Forever
Medicate or nurture; reform or set free? These are quandaries rookie teacher Marjorie Veil faces when she takes on an after-school class for thirteen-year-olds labeled as troublemakers, unteachable, and hopeless. Faculty skeptics warn that all these kids need is prescribed medication for focus and impulse control. But as Marjorie quickly discovers, behind their anti-conformist exteriors are gifted teens, who are sensitive, empathetic, and wise beyond their youth. They also happen to have psychic abilities, which they have kept hidden until now. Can Marjorie help them do what she has been unable to do for herself: fight for their spiritual and emotional freedom?
Between Will and Surrender Page 29