The View from Afar

by Lorena Reith Jr.

Sylvia is a psychic. Her trial by fire and dark night of the soul have strengthened her so she can enter the calm life of a psychotherapist--or can she? Life gets complicated when her mother, Annette Webster, moves in to live with her till death do us part. The arrangement provides wonderful support for our gal at the same time as it adds spice to her life. Annette has an odd way of seeing things and doesn't mind telling anyone who will listen. And then there is Kelley, Sylvia's sister, who is determined to destroy Sylvia anyway she can. Add strange dreams about future crimes and Charles to the mix and you have excitement at every turn. And how will she survive this time?

298 pages, Paperback

Published February 9, 2016

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

In most books, psychics are portrayed as shady characters and charlatans. In The View from Afar, Lorena Reith, Jr. dispels the stereotype and introduces a well-rounded, credible protagonist who also happens to be a psychic.
Sylvia Webster works as a licensed psychotherapist, which buys her legitimacy in society. She takes evening classes from a working psychic to help her get in touch with her gift of seeing events before they unfold. By networking with others students who have psychic powers, she is able to hone her skills.
The story unfolds slowly as Sylvia is haunted by vivid dreams, which she discusses in detail each morning with her elderly mother, who lives with her. Although Sylvia doesn't watch television, her mother does, and she begins to notice that Sylvia's dreams match news stories about murders and missing persons. A lot of the book describes Sylvia's quest to figure out what her dreams mean, and how she can fill in the missing pieces and harness her insights to help the police solve crimes—without being labeled a crackpot.
A complication arises when Sylvia's selfish sister, Kelly, who has an eye on their mother's money, challenges Sylvia as their mother's guardian. However, Kelly doesn't seem to have a problem with Sylvia continuing to care for their mother—just not their mother's money. Kelly makes the argument that Sylvia is unbalanced, and plays to the psychic stereotype, although Kelly appears to be the one who is unbalanced.
After Sylvia is able to provide valuable information in solving several crimes, she wins over some of the skeptics in law enforcement, including an official from California who could potentially become a love interest. Eventually she is called upon to help in a matter of national security, where failure could mean the end of the planet. And no one is scoffing at her powers any more.
I'm looking forward to reading the next installment of Sylvia's crime-solving adventures.

[Lynda Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could barely put this one down. It was a fascinating story, believable, and the characters were well-developed. Lorena Peter is a gifted author with so much to tell. I was spellbound as the pages just kept flipping and left wanting to read more by this talented writer.
Lynda Rees, The Murder Guru
www.lyndareesauthor.com
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