Het Jezus Mysterie

Magdalene Line Trilogy #2

by Kathleen McGowan, Erica Feberwee (Translator)

Een eeuwenoude tekst. Een bijzondere historische vrouw. En een opmerkelijk liefdesverhaal. Eeuwenlang bleef het verborgen. Maar de tijd voor de waarheid is aangebroken…

Journaliste Maureen Paschal heeft zojuist een boek afgerond waarin het leven van Maria Magdalena centraal staat, wanneer ze een vreemd pakketje met oude handgeschreven Latijnse teksten ontvangt. Ze ontdekt dat het document is geschreven door een belangrijke vrouw die in de geschiedenis vergeten is: Mathilde, gravin van Toscane. De teksten verwijzen naar een van haar meest waardevolle bezittingen, Het Boek der liefde. Het is het evangelie dat Jezus Christus zelf zou hebben geschreven, en goed verborgen is gehouden door de katharen. Met dit evangelie wilden Mathilde en haar geheime geliefde, Paus Gregorius VII, de kerk veranderen. De nieuwe pauselijke macht streed jarenlang een bloederige strijd met de katharen om het document in zijn bezit te krijgen. Eeuwen later is die strijd nog niet voorbij. Maureen moet het boek zo snel mogelijk vinden voordat het in de verkeerde handen valt. Maar wat is er precies mee gebeurd? Hoe dichter ze bij de waarheid komt, hoe meer ze verstrikt raakt in een oeroude strijd tussen Goed en Kwaad…

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Religion, Historical, Thriller, Romance

496 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2009

About the author

Kathleen McGowan is an internationally published writer whose work has appeared on five continents and in at least fifteen languages. She is notable for her claim to be the descendant of Jesus of Nazareth and Mary Magdalene

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just read alot of the reviews. Seems to me that there are two camps; one which is severely disappointed by it being a "rip-off" of DaVinci Code. Gosh!, aren't people who write historical fiction allowed to use the same historical thread for a platform?
Others, like myself really enjoyed it because it is fun to simply think about things. History is always written by the victors, but as near as we can tell, it is "factual" that the Church did cherry pick from the myriad of written biblical records to produce "the Word of God".
So we have a choice; we can either complain because we simply would rather complain rather than consider possibilities OR we can read it and wonder if anything in it resounds within our lives.
For the complainers, go watch TV where "reality" takes place. For the others, take a look at other books that go more deeply into the Kinghts Templar, or Sacred Architechture. For the brave, read the Church excluded writings found in the Nag Hamadi collection or the Dead Sea Scrolls. (The Essene Gospels, The Gospels of Thomas, or the Gospel of Mary and yes, there is actually one!)

For those with a brain to think, let them think!

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the series so far and curious to pick up the third. It does have a slight "DaVinci code" feel to it, mostly because it's the most famous series of this kind of plot. But do feel like Kathleen McGowan spins her own story and was quite intruiging to read. I'm not very knowledged in the religious category but didn't feel like it was an issue

[Trina · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is difficult to critique one of an author's books without comparing it to his or her other books. 'The Expected One' was literally a revelation to me. It opened my eyes, mind, and heart to my Savior in a profound way. 'The Book of Love' follows the same characters, now on their search for the legendary Book of Love, a gospel written by Jesus' own hand.

At the end of the book, McGowen explains the immense editing and condensing that was required to make the story readable. While she may certainly take poetic license with certain historical figures and events, the result is compelling and beautiful. The notion of a Heavenly Father and Mother is a notion I have always accepted. I loved the accounts of various biblical and allegorical 'couples' mirroring the perfect love and balance of God and His Beloved. I found myself growing to love and care about Matilda as Maureen learns her story and struggles.

This is another powerful book of spiritual lessons and inspiration. For those with ears to hear... Thank you, Kathleen for another excellent novel.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It tells the legend of Jesus' Gospel written in his own hand. Maureen, The Expected One -- the next in the long line of Magdeline's searches for the Book of Love. She uncovers centuries of conspiracy to erase early Christianity and Jesus' marriage to Mary Magdeline from the history of the church. Last year at this time I read Faulcolt's Pendulum, that tells the same story only from a very male perspective. Katherine Neville touches on it in Eight through the metaphor of Chess. Ms. McGowan's research is excellent and she carefully explains in her notes what is fiction and what is based on historical references. The book reminds of my Mother. When a child, she imbues me with a different kind of Christianity -- one based strictly on Love and includes an acceptance of reincarnation. My Mother was born in Grenoble France, very close to the area where these stories have been passed down for 2,000 years. This book is a personal 5 star book. Maybe it would not be for everybody.

[Mary Magna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not feel as though this book lived up to the hype surrounding it. The characters were right out of a corny romance novel, and were not worthy of such a long-winded novel. I don't know, maybe it was the title - as well as the cover - which smacked of those silly romance novels. This just didn't "do it" for me. Maybe her next one will be better!

[Kym · Rating 5 out of 5]

OKay, I was a huge fan of her first one, The Expected One, and have recommended it up and down the "halls", so I was eagerly awaiting this book.

McGowan is a talented writer and takes us on the next step of her new theology with The Book Of Love. More a wishful theory than suspense novel, 'Love' takes us into the next chapter of Maureen's quest to prove that Catholicism and it's tenets are, at best, a misunderstanding, at worst, a willful abuse by history's church leaders and kings.

This is a book that made me happy while reading it....I cried at times, because wouldn't it just be nice if all the church let the teachings of Christ be as simple as "Love"?

There is also a parallel theme which allows for Jesus' marriage to MAry Magdelena, as the continutation of a eternal heiros-gamos or soulmate relationship. This is, perhaps, my favorite part of the book! I can't give anything away, there are few secrets here--just in how the story develops.

"I have loved you before
I love you now,
And I will love you again.
The time returns"
--Kathleen McGowan, "The Book of Love"

[Daniel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought the first volume was a cheap imitation of Dan Brown's DaVinci Code - this one is even worse.

I was hoping for something fresh especailly after the author contacted me on GOODREADS to promote her new book after I didn't like the first one.

I wanted to like it - I really did. But...it just didn't do it for me.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having just finished TBOL, I have to say I was slightly disappointed. I throughly enjoyed The Expected One, mostly due to the way in which the characters were protrayed and developed throughout the story. Both their internal conflicts and external interactions were well written and engaging. With TBOL however, I felt as if none of the things I enjoyed in The Expected One were present. While the sections on Matilda's life were interesting, I much prefer to read about Maureen's story. The thought the author focused far too much time on the past and then had to rush through the ending. I was left feeling as if there wasn't a full explaination on either what Maureen discovers within TBOL or what the other characters think of her discover. I'm still planning on reading The Poet Prince (simply because I hate to leave a series unfinished), but I hope Ms. McGowen goes back to the style she first used in The Expected One and gives her readers more time with the characters they have invested so much time with.

[Alma · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh. That's probably the best comment I can make. I remember reading the first book, The Expected One, and thinking that it wasn't the greatest Magdalene story, but it was pretty darn good. And I was excited about the second part. Reading this one, tho, I had very mixed feelings.



Summary
(Taken mostly from Amazon because I can't bring myself to summarize all of this)
"Maureen Paschal thought she might rest and work on her book after discovering the gospel written by Mary Magdalene that revealed Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married. The truth of their story rocked the world and made Maureen a target of those who did not like her discovery and a heroine to those who did.
Then Maureen receives a strange package containing what looks like an ancient letter written in Latin and signed with a symbol. She discovers that its author is an extraordinary woman whom history has overlooked -- or covered up -- Countess Matilda of Tuscany, and in the letter Matilda demands the return of her "most precious books and documents." Maureen soon finds herself in a race across Italy and France, where hidden dangers await her and her lover, Bérenger, as they begin to realize that they are on the trail of another explosive discovery: the Book of Love, the Gospel written in Jesus' own hand.
As Maureen learns more about Matilda, an eleventh century warrior countess who was secretly married to a pope, she begins to see the eerie connections between herself and Matilda, connections she must trace to their source if she is to stop the wrong people from finding the Book of Love and hiding it forever.
Weaving together Matilda's little-known true story and Maureen's thrilling search, The Book of Love follows two amazing heroines as their stories intertwine through time. Maureen is immersed in the mysteries of the labyrinth, the beautiful poetry of the Song of Songs, the world's greatest art and architecture, and Matilda's amazing legacy...until a potentially fatal encounter reveals the Book of Love to Maureen -- and to the reader." - Product description found at Amazon.com
FYI, the words of the Book and architectural designs contained in accompanying documents contained in the Libro Rosso were taken as blue prints for the building of Chartres Cathedral. In essence, Chartres is the Book in 3D. That's the story, really.

Thoughts on the Book
On the one hand, the past story that is retold, that of Matilda di Canossa, was very interesting and quite well written, while the present time story was not as good. Maybe I was a bit biased this time, seeing as how I had read a few critical reviews of this writer's works and her background, but parts of the present day story were really a bit...well, annoying and cheesy. (I have no better word for it, and you'll see me use it a few times in this review because it is extremely fitting, I think.)
For one, the language used in telling Maureen's story is at times cheesy, which is probably true for the parts retelling the past as well, tho those parts seem more bearable, maybe because they talk of the past, where you expect some romantic/idealistic expressions. Second, my own very own and healthy dose of skepticism regarding this author's claims that this is a fictionalized biography also made me less tolerant of the protagonist, Maureen. I just have trouble believing that this is supposed to be Maureen, who is described as a natural red-head. (Compare to this and this - so much for natural red-head - and notice the transformation that was a couple years in the coming here. If McGowan really thinks that she is Jesus and Mary Magdalene's descendant, then good for her, but given all the depictions of her when The Expected One came out and when The Book of Love came out, it just seems to much of a sales gimmick, which is kind of insulting to the readers' intelligence).
Plus, I am quite annoyed at the amount of self-pity and yammering Maureen does this time around - especially because it is couched, again, in really annoyingly bad language. It just reads too much like a whiny self-justification/vindication of the author, rather than an actual character with feelings and convictions.
Next, I have issue with some of the plot, again mostly regarding the present-day part of the storyline. There are many examples, but the main ones for me - they stood out the most and still bother me when I think of the story line - are these:
Toward the beginning, after Maureen and Tammy had been held at gunpoint and after Maureen and Peter arrive in Rome, there is a phrase saying something to the extent that Peter and Maureen waited to be in their hotel room to discuss anything relating to the Book of Love, fearing that someone may still be tailing Maureen. Given that statement, the fact that Maureen sees the person who held her at gunpoint sitting outside her hotel, and has her things stolen from her very own hotel room, you'd think that she, Peter, and Berenger (Maureen's lover) would not spend the rest of the book discussing their new theories and conclusions while walking around all of Rome and in the middle of the Vatican. But they do, and as the reader, I expected that any moment now, the shadowy men behind the scenes would jump out and kidnap them. But they didn't, which was disappointing and frustrating because it made me feel that the story is not progressing. I know about the concept of suspension of disbelief, but in this case that's asking a bit too much of the reader.
Another "anomaly," for lack of better word, is the fact that the climax is practically given away - Destino tells Maureen where the Book of Love is straight up. Yes, there's a twist in the fact that the Book is "translated" into architecture and made three-dimensional as Chartres Cathedral, but both that revelation as well as Maureen facing the "evil guys," aka Cardinal Girolamo and his henchmen - the final confrontation that should be the climax of the story - is rather anti-climatic. Both events come almost at the end of the book, as if McGowan spent too much time with the story of Matilda and had to rush to tie up the loose ends around Maureen's story. Sure, the story of Matilda is interesting and certainly easier to read than Maureen's, but the focus on Matilda takes away from the main heroine Maureen and her story in my opinion.
And while I'm on the subject, why is it that Maureen has a vision of Cardinal Girolamo and his ilk as being one of many hooded, sinister people, with the Cardinal apparently being totally disgusted by Magdalene and the secret feminine, intent on erasing the "whore's" influence on history, indicating possible misogyny, yet when Maureen is confronted by Girolamo it is just him and two henchmen and his distaste is not so much the seeming misogyny but rather an obsession with and jealousy of why women should have true access to Jesus and God? Is one supposed to be the cause of the other? Or is it a mix of both? Whatever it is, it wasn't explained well, I feel, and it is a central part of the story. In McGowan's world, these are the men that like the Catholic Church are intent on suppressing the true teachings of Christ, so why was Girolamo's full motivation not properly explained hinting only at the red lock of hair. Again, that part seems a little rushed, as if McGowan ran out of pages to finish up that part of the storyline.
Oh, and then there is Berenger's convenient confession towards the end that he, too, has a prophecy to live up to, so that Maureen does not feel alone in her sentiments regarding her mission and responsibility to God. And then they kiss while sitting at a fountain in the middle of Vatican. One word: CHEEEEEEESY! And also, again, it feels like McGowan is just rushing through to tie up Maureen's story and prepare the reader for the next installment instead of developing the storyline properly, throughout the book.
Aside from Matilda's story, which for the most part seems well-written and engaging, the only memorably good statement I saw in the book is that of the Expected One and the Poet Prince (Berenger's prophecy) being born in the same times. I can't recall the exact wording, but it says something to the effect of the Prince, who is to support the Expected One, and the Expected One herself are sometimes born as father-daughter, sometimes as brother-sister, mentor-mentee, lovers, etc. which shows the manifestation of all guises of love as Jesus would have wanted it known - now that is a meaningful, non-cheesy statement!
Finally, the action is missing. While Dan Brown made errors in the history, had a few crappy lines here and there, and also used a sales gimmick (remember the Code's preface about all historical descriptions being true?), at least he gave us a couple of fast-paced, action-intense reads that made his books the page-turners that they are. McGowan's failed to do the same.
Overall, I was kind of disappointed with this. The premise of the book is actually wonderful - Jesus had a loving wife and together they sought to promote love as a way of life, a way that has been protected and preserved over centuries by valiant people, whose stories are told in the book. But, the reader is distracted from the premise because of the less-than-good writing and some logical problems in the storyline. To me, that's really a shame and disappointing.
I'm probably going to read the next one just because at this point curiosity as to how Maureen and her "buddies" are going to get the truth out has taken over the wish to read good writing. And because I have hope that McGowan, like many a writer, may develop and improve her writing skills by the time she completes the third book. I give this book only 1 star because of the disappointment I felt. Technically that is too little - after all, I found Matilda's story interesting, but I just can't get myself to give it 2 stars. It's at best a 1.5 star book.
If you are just dying to read this because the Magdalene issue is fascinating to you, I suggest you wait till all the books are out (which at this point may be 3-5 books - McGowan isn't quite sure yet), and then read them all back to back. I think that might make reading this one a bit more bearable.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

What could have been a hopeful sequel to the fun (if historically questionable) "The Expected One," turned out to be a good story within a bad one. Over 1/2 of the book was about Matilda of Tuscany, instead of the main character Maureen. I sensed almost no character development, and the main plot was so fragmented by the historical "flashbacks" that I had to flip back to the previous present-day sections. There were several intriguing reveals about the heretical religion that McGowan has presented in her two novels that I enjoyed, and it was thought-provoking.

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25 sterren - Nederlandse paperback

Kathleen McGowan heeft met Het Jezus Mysterie het tweede boek in de vierdelige serie uitgebracht. In het eerste deel Het Magdalena Mysterie maakten we al kennis met de journaliste Maureen Paschal. Ze ontdekte dat Magdalena een andere persoon in de geschiedenis was dan wij kennen. Maureen schreef hierover een boek dat nu de tongen weleens los zou kunnen maken.

In Het Jezus Mysterie gaat het verhaal verder waar het eerste deel stopte. Maureen ontvangt een pakketje waarin oud-Latijns geschreven teksten zitten. Wie is de verzender? Wat wil diegene haar duidelijk maken? Maureen besluit op zoek te gaan en ontdekt dat Mathilde, een belangrijke gravin uit Toscane, deze teksten heeft geschreven. Maar waarom krijgt Maureen deze nu?

Na een spannende zoektocht waarbij heden en verleden elkaar afwisselen, net zoals fictie en non-fictie, komt Maureen steeds dichter bij de waarheid. Wat blijkt, de teksten verwijzen naar het evangelie van Jezus Christus. Het Boek der liefde is goed verborgen gehouden voor de katharen, het boek dat een van de waardevolste bezittingen van Mathilde was. Mathilde wilde met dit evangelie samen met Paus Gregorius VII, haar geheime liefde, de kerk veranderen. Maar lukt ze dit? De katharen schromen namelijk niet om geweld te gebruiken om dit boek in handen te krijgen.

Fijn aan dit boek is de afwisseling van het heden en verleden in de hoofdstukken. Hierdoor blijft de spanningsboog strak en wil je weten hoe het verhaal zich verder afspeelt. Het boek is niet echt spannend, alhoewel het wel onder het genre literaire thriller valt. Ik vind het zelf meer een historische roman waarbij de zoektocht naar de waarheid meer in de buurt komt.
Het vergt wel concentratie om het te lezen. Veel gegevens worden erin verweven.

Het derde deel in deze serie, Het Medici Mysterie, ligt al klaar om gelezen te worden. Ik ben heel benieuwd waar de zoektocht van Maureen haar nu naartoe brengt.

  

[Uber Chic · Rating 1 out of 5]

OMG! If I 'hear' one more silly review which mimics the author's redundant phrase "Those with ears to ear,let them hear", I am going to barf. All of the 5-star reviews seem to add this trite over-used phrase to the end of their reviews. It makes me wonder if they have ANY originality what-so-ever. McGowan uses this phrase every 500 words throughout her 500+ page novel. Just imagine how many times it appears in the book!! As if we did not "hear" enough of it whilst reading the novel - geez. Gimme a break. All of the 5-star reviews sound curiously similar in context, and seem to end with this over-used phrase. What, pray tell, is there to hear? After all, this book is not profound wisdom! It's a freaking historical romance based on fantasy!! Wake up!! (You know, the more I think about it, maybe these similar reviews are orchestrated by the marketing department for Kathleen's books. Hey, it certainly is a possibility to try to "dupe" the public. The only problem is, WE'RE NOT THAT STUPID!! Get real!)

[Olga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha encantado... si el primer libro habla de Maria Magdalena y como se la ha vapuleado en la historia, ahora en este segundo libro nos habla de otro personaje femenino con la misma fuerza que Magdalena, Matilde De Cassona... Una mujer fuerte, inteligente y que fue una de las mujeres con las poder de su tiempo...

Mientras el libro sigue su curso con Maureen en el presente y como se le van revelando los misterios y secretos de la fe que intento implantar Jesus y Maria Magdalena... Hace un recorrido por Francia e Italia ( por iglesias, zonas y catedrales) , donde la aventura no decae y te engancha para saber mas...

Continuare con el ultimo libro, porque te deja con ganas de mas!!!

[Pitter Patter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dear heavens...haven't they pulped this woman's books yet? The loss of trees is a criminal act.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but I preferred her first book The Expected One much more. I think all of the information was a fresh, and she had interesting twists on Dan Brown's theories in Da Vinci Code. I also enjoyed getting to know all the characters in that book, and I missed Maureen interacting as much with her group of friends. However, I think that is one of the aspects the author was trying to convey - that with that great knowledge and responsibility a person can be very lonely. I did like some of the layers of meaning in this book.

I also loved the story of Matilda. I understand that much of historical fiction is heavy on the fiction. While we may know facts here or there, we weren't actually there - so much of what is written is very good guesswork. In that respect, the story of Matilda was extremely entertaining within the loose framework of known history. I look forward to her exploration of other historical figures in upcoming books.

I LOVED her treatment of the Lord's Prayer. While I use a different translation, the concept of six petals and how to pray using those was very helpful. What I enjoy about books like this is that you take what you want and leave the rest. Whether you agree with the theology of this (or even Brown's book) or not, there is still that desire to look into things for yourself - to research a passage of Scripture, to check a historical fact, or to just use a piece of the book in your own life (as I am using her method of the Lord's Prayer).

All in all, it was a VERY enjoyable read and spurred my interest in many things both spiritual and historical. I recommend it highly to anyone who enjoyed Brown's Da Vinci code. I also recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. I am looking forward to the next book, The Poet Prince.

[Mel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was very disappointed with this book. I was expecting great things after loving 'The expected One.' The story was longwinded and all over the place. I only got 1/3 of the way through it and then gave up.

[HansK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bijzonder boek met een bijzonder mooie gedachte waar je blij van wordt

[obsessedwithbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book of Love by Kathleen McGowan is the second book in The Magdalene Line trilogy. The first book in the trilogy, The Expected One, focused on Maureen Paschal’s adventure to discover the lost Gospel of Mary Magdalene and growing realization she is an “Expected One”. The Book of Love begins as Maureen is on her book tour.

**********From the book Jacket: Fresh from her successful hunt for the long-hidden scrolls written by Mary Magdalene, journalist Maureen Paschal receives a strange package in the mail – containing what looks to be an ancient document written in Latin and signed in code. Maureen discovers that the document was written by an extraordinary woman who history has overlooked – or covered up, Matilda of Tuscany, and it demands the return of Matilda’s “most precious books and documents”. As the discoverer of Mary Magdalene’s gospel, Maureen immediately recognizes a new search has begun. Soon, she finds herself in a race across Italy and France, where new dangers await her and her lover Sinclair as they begin to uncover secrets and shine new light on the hidden corners of Christianity.

As Maureen learns more about Matilda, a warrior countess who was secretly married to a Pope who joined her, not only in bed, but also in using the Last Gospel of Jesus to form a radical new kind of church, she begins to see the eerie connections between herself and Matilda, connections she must unravel quickly if she is to stop the wrong people from finding The Book of Love and hiding it forever.

Combining expert research with Dazzling plot twists, The Book of Love is sure to thrill readers as they follow Maureen’s search for clues through the world’s greatest art, architecture, and history, until a potentially fatal encounter reveals The Book of Love to her – and to us. **********

I thought The Expected One leaned more toward the mystery/suspense genre, while The Book of Love presents itself as largely historical fiction. It is an ode to a little-known but vital woman in history, Matilda of Tuscany, and a quest for the truth. As a large portion of the novel is portraying Matilda, I did not get as strong a sense of Maureen’s character that I did in the first book. In fact I was much more engaged with Matilda, as Maureen seemed to be wavering between making choices, decisions. Parts of Maureen’s story I was frustrated with, first that, as she should have already experienced theft of her belongings and attempts on her life, that she would have been more aware of plots against her and have the intelligence to avoid them. Second, her life is in ways paralleling Matilda’s, but Matilda is a warrior and Maureen has little shown similar strength of will. I was most riveted with Maureen’s story when she was unraveling all the clues to the truth about The Book of Love and the secrets of Chartres Cathedral.

The Book of Love is surprising, evocative and eye opening. There are many layers and interwoven elements to the story, probably more than what can be grasped in the first reading of the book (the author herself suggests this in Acknowledgements). I have to applaud Kathleen McGowan for the shear amount of historical content that had to have been researched and the creativity required to present the story in its three-way format of Maureen’s present day journey, Matilda of Tuscany’s historical diary and the writings from the Book of Love. In reading this series I would suggest keeping an open mind and an open heart. If you loved books such as The Red Tent, Labyrinth, The Rossetti Letter, The Historian or The Thirteenth Tale, I would definitely recommend this series.

The third and final book will be called The Poet Prince, the story of Maureen’s other half, Berenger Sinclair. I definitely will be re-reading the first two books when The Poet Prince is published. Kathleen McGowan’s website: http://www.theexpectedone.com

[Felicity Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second 'quest' for journalist Maureen Pascal. Whilst this reads well as a standalone novel I do recommend that the first book in the series, The Expected One, be read first as, apart from it being a much better story, as a reader you'll have a greater understanding of the characters which, though not always too important in sequels, I think vital in this instance.

Not entirely what I was expecting - more of a love story and less of a thriller. Despite the synopsis on the back cover suggesting that the main body of the story was devoted to Maureen's story the opposite was in fact true with the major part of the novel being given over to the life, loves (and battles) of her 11th century counterpart, Matilda (Tilda).

Seamlessly blending fact with fiction though obviously well researched to its detriment at times this read more like an essay than a novel. Also a bit of a hard slog due to the incredibly small print, reading was made even more difficult by the use of italics to hi-light certain passages which made me worry that I was concentrating so physically hard on what was actually written that I was missing key elements of the plot.

Telling the story of two women, Matilda (Countess of Tuscany) and Maureen (the author herself?) who separated by time are connected by destiny, The Book Of Love spans several countries over several centuries and also includes dream/vision sequences as well extracts from the Book Of Love, a Gospel supposedly written by Jesus himself, not to mention the occasional sub-plots. Not overly problematic in itself as you always knew where and when you were its just that the story occasionally jumped from one woman's story to the others leaving such large gaps (well over 100 pages at one time) that I felt certain threads of the story were at best disrupted and, at worst, lost.

Though not a horrendously bad read, it just doesn't hold up to comparison with Book 1, I felt that though it obviously would have been a totally different story without the inclusion of Maureen (or, for that matter, the woefully under-used Berenger Sinclair) Matilda's epic story was more than enough.

As to whether or not I'll I be reading Book 3 and what I believe is the final book in the series? Of course I will.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was great. I pre-ordered and received a copy early. Hit up Amazon- they seem to be sending them out ahead of schedule if you want an early copy.

The book picks up shortly after the 1st book left off. Maureen is on tour promoting the book she had written based on her controversial discoveries that Mary Magdalene was the wife of and a beloved disciple of Jesus. Maureen begins to have dreams of a book, written by Jesus on his teachings, referred to as the Book of Love. Maureen is guided through these dreams to find the book so she can share its message with the world. She ends up reconnecting with Berenger, Tammy, Roland and her cousin Peter as the story unfolds.

I thought the book offered up a great adventure and the story was well told with an ending that caught me off guard. Part of the storyline I enjoyed most was that of Matilda of Canossa/ Tuscany, a woman of faith and strength, who serves the book of love through safeguarding its message she holds so dear. I liked how her story was integrated into the parallel journey Maureen was taking as she attempted to find the book Matilda had hidden.

I am getting ready to read it again, seems like I may pick up more details the second time round.. actually hoping the third book comes out soon!!!

[Victoria McNulty · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first I thought this was an overly religious unimaginative attempt to capitalize on the Dan Brown Craze. Then the more I read, the more I understood that the author actually believed everything she was writing was true (or mostly true). I'm not sure exactly what to think about the plot now, it's a lot to consider and I don't have the evidence to be able to weigh.

I did find the delivery corny, at times like a romance novel. I'm pretty sure I read "she had to catch her breath because it was so beautiful," and "she did not expect to be so emotional," about five times each. There were no complicated feelings, nothing too exciting or extraordinary, which makes sense if your main goal is to convey a religious message. Unfortunately, I didn't know that until I got about 100 pages in, and by then it was like a car wreck- I couldn't look away.

I'll admit I am a little intrigued, and I may look into the gospel of Philip just to see what's out there. As a reader I found the book poorly written and I would give the advice to Kathleen McGowan: show me, don't tell me.

[John Hanscom · Rating 1 out of 5]

If any book can be worse than the DiVinci Code, this is it. It is a polemic, not a novel, and the characters have conversations which would never be really stated. It is OK for an author to have something to say; it is quite another for the author to beat us over the head with it, over and over and over. It does not have enough action to have the non-polemic part be interesting. Finally though it is not necessary for absolute accuracy - after all, this is a novel - it employs a particular conceit - the "argument from absence." The idea is that, because this or that theory has no historical "proof" - remember, this claims to be a historical novel, it MUST BE because the truth was suppressed. Maybe yes, maybe no. It is equally possible it could have been considered and abandoned as silly.

[Christine · Rating 1 out of 5]

This sequel to THE EXPECTED ONE this book again follows Maureen Paschal on her quest to uncover the truth behind the Magdalene line following the crucifixion of Christ. I usually enjoy books with this type of story line, but in this case I found the writing to be excessively repetitive and unoriginal. Ms. McGowan seemed to be trying to fill pages and not only repeated herself excessively but gave the reader pages and pages (and pages and pages) of rehashed myths and stories from history. One version was not enough, so she then went on to retell the same myth again in another form. I managed to finish the book, but by the end I didn’t really have any interest in what was happening. I understand there is a third book (THE POET PRINCE) in the Magdalene series coming out in July this year. I, personally, am not going to bother.

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

For over 2,000 years we've been led to believe that Jesus wrote nothing and that all of the New Testament was written by others. Not only written by others but in many cases hundreds of years later or also by people who didn't ever meet the man.

As much as I would like to think that all of Christianity would welcome the writings of Jesus I am pretty sure that they'd be hidden. So many things have been "changed" along the way for political or financial gain.

"The Book of Love", is another wonderful novel written by a lady who is a master at making the subject matter come alive on the page.

I would recommend her writing gladly and suggest that you start with "The Expected One" and follow through to the "Poet Prince". I've not read the latter yet but have a hold for it at the library.

[Claudia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I so wanted to like this book because the description sounded so interesting. But it was just too unbelievable for me. The thought that the catholic church might be hiding another testament written by Mary Magdalene is fascinating. But this book this not keep my interest. I kept skipping pages and jumped to the end to see what would happen.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again--interesting take on what may have been contained in Jesus' book of love. The middle gets a bit boring but I liked it for the most part. First book of hers was better.

[Tamilynn James · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very long and boring - especially in the middle. It's more like a cheap romance book.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Transported and in love with these series!

[Cottagecore Witch]

= temporary dnf

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

What to say about this book. First, I have ambivalent feelings toward it. For the first 75 - 100 pages, I felt the writing was stilted and forced and that I was being patronized by the author. I understood in the author's The Expected One, the first in the trilogy, that it was necessary to have the characters explain historical facts in order for the reader to be aware of the all the references and innuendos, etc. Critics panned Brown's Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons for doing this, but that didn't bother me because I understood that the audience/readers had to be informed/enlightened.

I think what really bothered me in this book was the emphasis on the hieros-gamos(sacred sexual union)that is the way one can replicate Christ's true and ultimate love. This was a bit much for me. Yes, the title of the book obviously illuminates what the story is, but I got sick of this hieros-gamos.

I did like reading Matilda's story, and I think the author's melding of Maureen's story today, Matilda's story in the 1100's, and the passages from the Libra Rosa made for a great tale.

Like Da Vinci and Angels and Demons (and her The Expected One), it's very interesting to see how art is used to hide secrets in plain sight, and I found myself enthralled with history. I spent much time searching topics mentioned in the book on the internet because I found it so interesting.

There will be readers who pan this book because they don't like the historical fiction tag due to the controversial religious analysis made. Despite my irritation with much of the book, I kept turning pages and reading. I couldn't seem to stay away from it- that is why I am giving it four stars and not three.

I still maintain (as I did in my review of her Expected One) that the plot is very interesting, but the author writes awkwardly and needs to perfect her writing style.