April 15, 1995
Altea, an English clairvoyant and medium, has written a riveting autobiographical account of the discovery and development of her extraordinary psychic abilities. She describes with poignancy the trials of growing up in an abusive family in which her psychic talents were neither accepted nor recognized. It was not until she was 35 years of age that she met someone who was able to help her understand her psychic gifts. She then refined these gifts and began giving consultations to people seeking to contact deceased relatives and friends. As Altea presents case histories from her own work, she takes the reader on a fascinating excursion into the unseen world she perceives as well as providing compelling evidence for life after death. In many cases, her information is extremely accurate and difficult to dismiss. Altea's story is valuable for those seeking to contact deceased loved ones as well as for those who have grown up in dysfunctional families. This is likely to be popular in public libraries.-Elizabeth Salt, Otterbein Coll. Lib., Westerville, Ohio
March 1, 1995
Rosemary Altea appears to be a mild-mannered, middle-aged British woman. But she sees things other people can't, including her spirit guide, Grey Eagle, an American Indian. Together, the Eagle and the Rose, do healings, rescue souls, and bring comforting messages from the other side. As a child, Altea thought the voices she heard and the visions she saw meant she was crazy like her grandmother, who had been carted off to a British version of the funny farm called the Towers. Only after she was divorced and the mother of a 10-year-old did Altea find herself befriended by two psychics who helped her develop her own spiritual gifts and pave the way for Grey Eagle to enter her life. The book goes on to chronicle various case histories including both spiritual and physical healings performed by Altea and Grey Eagle. One of the refreshing things about this otherworldly tale is its surprising down-to-earthiness. Altea recognizes that her story sounds ludicrous: a tweedy British lady visited by the spirit of a serene, all-wise Indian, who even helps her with the cooking (to say nothing of the dancing Scotsman who was Altea's first guide). Still, the author's no-nonsense manner convinces readers that at least Altea believes it's true, and certainly her anecdotal evidence will make readers pause to consider their own feelings. On the other hand, this account of this particular psychic isn't really all that much different from the many others that have appeared over the years, often from small presses. And yet, the book seems almost blessed. After all, Altea has managed to capture the attention of a first-rate agent (Joni Evans), a major publishing house, and "Vanity Fair," which will soon be running a feature on her. Thank Grey Eagle? ((Reviewed Mar. 1, 1995))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1995, American Library Association.)