The Skye in June (45 page)

Fenian
– Refers to Catholic Irish and Scottish revolutionaries seeking independence from

Britain in the 1850s to early 1900s. The uprising was ill-planned and thus was unsuccessful. The Fenian Boys, known also as the
Fenian Brotherhood
and
Irish Republican (IRB)
were fraternal organizations dedicated to the establishment of the independent Irish Republic. Fenian refers to warrior bands of young men in Gaelic Ireland who live apart from society and could be called upon in time of war. (Chapter:
Holy Savior School
)

Imbolc
– a festival dedicated to the goddess Brigid (Brighid); adopted by Christians as St. Brigid’s (Brigit’s) Day. Imbolc is a time for festivities bringing in spring. It is a time of weather predictions and its tradition of watching to see if serpents of badger come from their winter dens; is thought to be the precursor to Groundhog Day. Fires to purify are important aspects of Imbolc. Brigid is the goddess of poetry, healing and smithcraft. As both goddess and saint, she is associated with holy wells, sacred flames, and healing. (Chapter:
Cleansing June’s Energy
.)

Orangemen
- During Scottish football (aka soccer) matches or games, it is often aimed in a sectarian manner at supporters of the Celtic team. The term is now firmly rooted within the rivalry between Celtic and Rangers as a rivalry between the
Orange
(Orangeman; Protestants, and
green
; Catholics. (Chapters:
The Orange Walk
,
Reaching the Shores of America
and
Holy Savior School
)

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I hope you enjoyed the story. Would you please leave a review (even two lines) on Amazon.com, Goodreads.com and/or any book review site of your interest? You can also send your comment or review to
[email protected]
It could be included in my website
www.juneahern.com/comments
. My other books, a novel titled
City of Redemption,
and a consumer’s guide,
The Timeless Counselor: The Best Guide to a Successful Psychic Reading,
are available as eBooks as well as paperbacks
.
Sample
chapters of each are below.

Praises for
The Skye in June:

“
This book is different than any book I have read before, which is such a plus in this day of cookie cutter mass market paperbacks”
.
– Jessica, Goodreads.com

“Ms. Ahern has a talent for vivid characters and out-of-the ordinary plots. The story is fraught with emotions: sadness, laughter, tearfulness, and anger.  If I could have given this book a 10, I would.” Debra Gaynor Book Reviewer

*

“This story is a moving and ultimately believable one for its convincing portrayal of a family facing the past and accepting its truths. It's a beautifully story, set over a course of several years.” Staff Reviewer, Indiereader.com

* * * * *

June (J.) Ahern, like her main character, was born in Glasgow, Scotland and in the mid-1950s immigrated to San Francisco, California. For over thirty years she has taught many people to manifest their visions to fulfillment. Her appearances on television and radio, teaching at the Learning Annex and her consumer’s guide,
Timeless Counselor: Professional Psychic Reading/Alternative Counseling
, (the number one seller by an unknown author at the 1991 Whole Life Expo in New York where she was a featured speaker) has earned her national and international notice. She now divides her time between her beloved San Francisco and a home on the coast in California with her husband, cat and horses. Paperback copies of her book and chapter excerpts can be found at
www.juneahern.com

* * * * *

CITY OF REDEMPTION – A NOVEL

Chapter 1

Chowchilla, California

Chowchilla State Women’s Facility

1984

SNAP, SNAP, SNAP. The rapid sharp sounds of the inmate’s bubblegum ricocheted around the waiting room.

“Brenda Rose!” growled Officer Sue DeLosa between clenched teeth, followed by a threatening glare. Brenda Rose Browne, or BR as she was known at Chowchilla’s Women’s Correctional Facility, scowled defiantly at the stout officer and continued rotating her jaw like a cow chewing cud. DeLosa widened her stance and casually placed a hand next to her billy club. The prisoner rolled her watery blue eyes at her fellow inmate, Liz Mackay, sitting opposite on a matching plastic chair.

Liz ignored both women and fixed her eyes straight ahead on the blank wall. The gum chomping and snapping didn’t irritate her as it did the guard. She’d learned to live with many irritants and restrictions over the years she’d been incarcerated.

What did annoy Liz was the escalating stale odor emanating from the women’s bodies in the cramped windowless room. The space was more of a wide corridor with three doors. At one end, a door led to the cellblocks and eight feet away opposite it another led to offices and the outside. Behind the third door in the middle was where the parole board conducted hearings to determine prisoners’ lives. The three women had been waiting for almost an hour while the board settled in and reviewed their cases.

Liz tilted her head back to rest against the wall and tried to calm her growing anxiety.
She wondered why she agreed to face the parole board again. No matter which board she faced, it would be the same: parole denied. Anger at her attorney, Toni Bordeaux, also nagged at her. The previous day they had had a serious argument. The words played over and over in her mind and Liz began to doubt her decision.

“When did your penance turn into self-punishment?” demanded Toni.

“I don’t care what you say, it won’t make a difference,” Liz angrily told Toni.

“Give him a chance,” Toni pleaded.

“No! And if you don’t like that, you’re fired!” Liz then pushed her hard
, attempting to escape the wiry lawyer’s grip.

Toni didn’t let go easily. The two women stood locked in a combative stare for a moment longer before Toni dropped her hand, releasing her client. 

Before each pa
role hearing Toni met with Liz––Elizabeth Mackay, prisoner number EM61468––so they could rehearse what Liz would say and shouldn’t say to the parole board.
At the first parole hearing, she begged her attorney to come in with her to speak on her behalf. Toni explained that the board would take her presence as a challenge to their power. They didn’t like to hear inmates’ attorneys argue legal matters, while they focused on what they thought was best for society. She advised Liz, “Stay cool. Keep your answers short and simple. Just say ‘yes’ to their questions. Don’t elaborate. Ricky’s got no family or friends to oppose your release. It’s going to be an easy hearing.”

Each time the board of people scrutinized Liz’s every facial expression and word as she answered the probing questions.

“Did she understand the gravity of her crime?” Her answer was always the same, “Yes.” What she didn’t say was she understood in the second after the killing occurred it was a serious situation.

“Was she deeply sorry for the grief her actions had caused others?”
Although she answered with a “Yes” she wasn’t sorry for stopping him from hurting others. They wouldn’t want to hear that.

“Did she think she could be a positive part of society if they decided to set her free?”
The question always stumped her. Liz felt as lost to her purpose in life as she had been many years ago. She looked at the board and answered, “Yes.”

Now faced with another chance at parole, Liz considered what to do. What Toni advised her didn’t settle well with Liz. She was shocked Toni wanted to include a person who had disappointed both of them. He didn’t belong in their lives
let alone at her parole hearing. Toni should know how Liz felt for she knew Liz better than anyone. The woman was not only her attorney, but also her best friend.

Later in her cell
, Liz had a change of heart. What Toni said rang true. She was punishing herself beyond reason and realized she’d become like her martyred mother, Clare. “God bless her poor suffering soul,” Liz whispered.

Clare never got over her husband’s abandonment and carried her pain around as if it were a cross to bear. Although it seemed her mother was never happy, Liz had been content for a time in her life.

She realized that she had suffered enough. Punishment for her crime had been served. Liz put the past back where it belonged. What she had done in Glasgow could never be changed. There was no way to travel back in time and make different decisions: ones that would have saved her son.

* * *

Review:
ENTHRALLING! Ms. Ahern has once again proven she is a talented transatlantic storyteller with her latest novel, City of Redemption. It is a beautifully written, heart rending story with an intriguing mystery plot. – Moonwillow, author,
Gullveig Series www.gullveig.com.uk/

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THE TIMELESS COUNSELOR

The Best Guide to a Successful Psychic Reading

Chapter 1

Introduction

“Do not believe in a thing because many have said it. After examination, believe that

which you have tested for yourselves and found reasonable, which is in conformity

with your well-being and that of others.”

~ Buddha ~

Have you ever considered having a psychic reading? How can you find a trustworthy psychic? Can a reading be beneficial for helping you make good decisions and goals? These questions and more will be answered in
The Timeless Counselor. My book is your complete guide to receiving the greatest benefits from a psychic reading. I am dedicated to teaching you what a psychic reading can offer. Here you will learn how to choose a reader personally suitable for your interests, how to prepare for your session, questions to be ask to get the most information from the reader, and how to use the information favorably.

I am not trying to convert you to believe in a subject you might be opposed to, but rather to sh
are my, over thirty-five years experiences as a reader and metaphysical teacher in practical and logical ways – the same manner in which I approach my profession. I want to dispel the mysteries, superstitions and misconceptions surrounding readers and readings. Even if you doubt people possess psychic abilities or that readings are worthwhile, I am confident your thoughts regarding readings will change after finishing with my book. Like many others, I deplore those who call themselves readers and healers but are merely frauds. You will learn how to avoid this kind of person. My knowledge will put the power back where it belongs – with you!

Being a reader has afforded me many wonderful and mystic experiences, more than I had ever dreamed possible. Once I was invited to give readings and lectures outside my own country and while I was the
re, experienced incredible life-changing encounters that helped form my approach as a reader thereafter. One of the greatest perks of being a reader has been the people I have met from many places throughout the world and from almost every walk of life.

In the beginning
years of my profession, I was acknowledged for successfully predicting future events. Over the course of my own spiritual enlightenment I came to appreciate readings and believe they are much more than looking into the future; readings can be a learning experience to teach you how to live authentically with your unique talents and abilities.

Please note: For easy reading I will refer to a psychic reading and psychic healing as a reading or healing and to the reader as she. This is not to say all readers are females. There are many talented male readers. I will refer to people who consult with readers as
querents (she or he who queries, asks, or seeks) as well as, the client.

*

Chapter 2

Profiles of Readers

“MY PSYCHIC READER SAID…”
Ears perk up when a statement of this kind is made. It certainly invites discussion because of the various opinions that people have about psychic readings and readers – pro or con

Readers are in no way a new fad. Since the beginning of time and throughout history people have, and still do, consult these
timeless counselors – readers. For eons men and women have sought answers and guidance from prophets, seers, shamans, and astrologers to confer with the stars, cast stones or cards, and brew magical herbal potions to promote strength, sexual prowess, energy, and good luck.

People are often unsure of what to expect regarding a reader
’s appearance and not realizing that there are an assortment of individuals who are readers. To many, the idea of a reader conjures up images of a strangely-dressed gypsy or a witch, sitting in a darkened room with a crystal ball in front of her while weird music plays in the background. When people learn that I am a psychic they invariably remark, “You look so normal.” While some readers might appear a little strange in dress or behavior, most look and act like everyday people. Most readers and healers live quiet, normal lives with families and friends. Many have another career totally unrelated to their psychic work. You may even be living next door to one.