Bestselling author Theresa Cheung has long been fascinated by Mediumship. Noticing a rise in scientific research — from respected experts like Dr Julie Beischel, Director of Research at the Windbridge Institute —supporting the theory that human consciousness could survive, even after physical death, Theresa was moved to contact the honest medium, Claire Broad, to investigate the phenomenon further. Together they have joined forces — and voices — in Answers From Heaven: Incredible True Stories of Heavenly Encounters and the Afterlife in order to chart our collective and individual experiences of life after death, and to explore its practical benefits in the field of grievance counselling.
Mediumship is an expression of eternal love and nothing to be feared. The writers reveal how those in the Afterlife make contact with us; Cheung helps readers to identify Afterlife Signs by revealing her own visions and the genuine accounts of those she has interviewed who have first-hand experience of out of body experiences and Afterlife communications; Claire vividly outlines the medium’s role in this spiritual communication. True stories of messages delivered by Claire through her work, and the role played by teachers in the spirit world, including Claire’s spirit mentor, White Feather, are discussed. Claire and Theresa question and interpret the nature of Mediumship, illuminating the valuable role a genuine medium can play in helping to make death less frightening and an Afterlife feel within reach.
Theresa Cheung is an internationally bestselling author and public speaker. She has been writing about spirituality, dreams and the paranormal for the past 35 years, and was listed by Watkins Mind Body and Spirit magazine as one of the 100 most spiritually influential living people in 2023. She has a degree in Theology and English from Kings College, Cambridge University, frequently collaborating with leading scientists and neuroscientists researching consciousness.
Theresa is regularly featured in national newspapers and magazines, and she is a frequent radio, podcast and television guest. She hosts her own popular spiritual podcast called White Shores and her own weekly UK Health Radio show: The Healing Power of Your Dreams.
First of all I would like to thank Kim Nash for inviting me to take part in this blog tour and I totally understand now why she knew I would like this book. But I didn't just like it, I loved it and could totally relate to it. My mom sadly passed away three years ago and to this day I have no idea how she passed. I spent months seeing different mediums to get the answers that I needed. Which got me nowhere. Life goes on so I just had to move on. But after reading Answers From Heaven this book explains so much that I have not realised until now. It has gave me all the answers that I need thats for sure.
The book is written in two parts the first half by Theresa cheung who explains that loved ones are still around us with plenty of short story examples of people's real life experiences which include family and animals. I personally loved the story of the Black Labrador
Which describe the signs the afterlife with some truly touching stories. Some that made me smile and others that pulled on my heart strings and brought tears to my eyes.
The second part is written by Claire Broad who tells us about mediumship and the spirit guides with plenty of examples of her experiences.
Answers from Heaven is one beautifully written moving book that has really opened my eyes. In Fact it has totally blown me away And gives a brilliant insight to the medium world which I have always been interested in.This book clearly shows evidence that loves ones that have passed are around us whether you believe in it in not. It has certainly gave me comfort.
I cannot recommend this book enough, giving it 5 massive stars. I will definitely reading more by these lovely ladies.
An investigation of the benefits, for the Bereaved, of having the support of Spirituality in order to overcome the pain of separation and acquire certainty of life's survival after physical death. Another interesting aspect is the bibliography regarding medical and scientific investigation which seems to more and more confirm the veracity of people's testimonies.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon 26 April 2019.
My younger grandchild's first Birthday! Happy birthday Lúcia!
"No person is truly alone. Those we have loved echo still within our thoughts, our words, our hearts, our spirits, and our dreams."
Answers from Heaven is not just a collection of real-life stories, it’s much more than that. The authors take us on a journey through their personal experiences of mediumship and spirituality and share their moments of doubt as well as the uplifting encounters they both went through to get to where they are today.
I’m a believer. I’ve received enough signs to convince me that we do receive messages from our loved ones after they’ve gone. Whether you believe or not, you can’t deny the power of the stories within the pages of Answers from Heaven. Many people have shared their unique stories, and the comfort they felt is palpable. I was especially interested to read about the physical signs we can receive. For many years I’ve felt a sensation on the top of my head as if something is there, like a slight tickling. Every time it happens I have to check that nothing is on my head. I’ve always had an inkling as to what this could be, but after reading Answers from Heaven, I’m now convinced it’s my Grandad ruffling my hair (as he did when I was a child. I was eight when he died).
There were moments that moved me to tears as men and women shared very personal stories, and how these experiences have shaped their lives, often saving them from physical or mental harm. For any animal lovers, the chapter on living and loving creatures in spirit is both heart-warming and emotional.
What I love about this book is the way it shares clear evidence but allows you the space to work through your own beliefs, doubts, and questions. Claire shares an interesting section about historical figures who were firm believers in the afterlife.
"Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, physician and esteemed creator of Sherlock Holmes, was an ambassador of spiritualism and even had respected medium Estelle Roberts demonstrate mediumship at his memorial service. He stood up to opposition until his dying day, knowing that in doing so it would damage his reputation, but such was his conviction from his personal experience, that he could not have let his life any other way."
Answers from Heaven is a book you can either read from cover to cover and get fully absorbed in the topic or dip in and out when you need some comforting reassurance.
It’s a beautiful book, well written, and packed with inspiration and eternal love. Highly recommended.
My biggest gripe with this book is the use of words like "true" and "proof". I'm not a 'denier' as Dr Julie Beischel suggests. I'm truly a sceptic - as in I don't blindly believe something because I'm told to. For me the only part of this book worth reading was Claire's part which I didn't expect being as mediumship is something I've had reservations about. I appreciate that Claire speaks about her experiences as being proof for herself and clients alone and, though it's not what I was looking for, I liked her advise on how to spot a bad/fraudulent medium. Theresa's part was hardly hers at all in that it was almost entirely anecdotes from fans and that's fine, it's not like I didn't expect that going in. My issue is that Theresa would add a short paragraph to the end of these stories that always said the same thing which was basically: 'this is proof because it made this person feel better'. (also the stories were addressed to her directly which made me feel weird, like I was reading private exchanges). The validity of the stories told in this book can't be proven but if these experiences brought people comfort then they are valuable. I recognize the peace believing can bring and I don't wish to take that away from anybody so don't let my doubts affect how you perceive this book. That being said, both Theresa and Claire say they believe I was meant to read this book and I personally believe that if I read a book and I have things to say about it then I should do that so I am.
REVIEW I received an email from Rachel Gilbey at Author Right asking if I would be interested in reading this book, as I enjoy reading non fiction titles too. When I read the blurb and information that Rachel sent me made me want to read this book. At first I was going to say thank-you but that I didn't have time and I don't actually do as many Book Tours on my blog now. I tend to just read and then add my reviews to my blog, but I don't know what it was. I just couldn't bring myself to delete the email! Then I just felt I had to read the book!
The cover features a bright yellow sun flower which certainly attracts your eye to the cover. The main title of the book is Answers From Heaven, with the sub header of "Incredible True Stories of Heavenly Encounters and the Afterlife, which basically what the book contains in just one sentence.
The basically consists of two halves, the first is written by Theresa Cheung, she is a best selling author who is fascinated by Mediumship and is from a family with an ancestral history of psychics. Theresa really looks at things more like a lay person. She manages to ask and answer the questions the reader wants to ask. Theresa also goes into the signs we can all see around us that come from our loved ones that have passed. Such as white feathers, or a some random song on the radio that your loved one used to sing or love. Our loved ones can also contact us in dreams, to try to help us with larger difficult decisions or somehow speak to us both in dreams and occasionally whilst we are awake to warn us of impending dangers. Theresa uses examples of people she has spoken too that are willing to share their stories.
The other half of the book is written by Claire Broad who is herself a Medium. So she explains the way to find a person who will give you a genuine reading. Claire also goes on to explain sometimes it may happen that you could book a reading and if your loved ones on the other side do not wish to take part you could actually end up getting nothing. So in other words she says just because you want a reading and book one it is not guarantee your loved ones will choose to come through via the medium. Claire also explains that a large percentage of the reading depends on the Mediums interpreting what your loved one is saying or showing them. Claire then shares some of her Mediumship clients stories and readings with the reader.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it soon became a compulsive read. I most liked the stories of peoples real stories shared by both Theresa and Claire. I think I can safely say we have all lost someone we really love and who could not want to communicate them. Both Theresa and Claire discuss animals and their place in heaven and in messages too. It would be easy for me to share the stories from within the book, however I think they are much better read within the actual context of the book. I think this book will appeal to a wide range of readers. My grandmother used to read tea leaves, and have prophetic dreams and certain things have happened that do make me truly believe in "messages from heaven".
I guess there will be believers and those who think its all a lot of nonsense. I think we all have in our hearts and minds our own version of heaven and the afterlife. I like to think everyone has their dream home up there and they get a message, kind of like an email or text when their loved ones still living are thinking of them. Rather like we find white feathers etc when they are thinking of us.
I don't want to offend anyone by saying this but I feel it needs to be said, you don't need to be religious, or even believe in the afterlife of any sort to read and enjoy this book. Having said that both Theresa and Claire talk about attending a spiritualist church to open yourself up more to be more receptive to any messages sent by those who have passed. It can also be a way of finding someone who you feel comfortable with to have a reading with. You may even receive a message whilst just attending the spiritualist church. The whole concept and reasons to attend a Spiritualist Church is explained much better than I have explained within this review.
I feel I should share just one of my experiences with you that happened the morning after I finished the book. I got up and went into my kitchen and there on the chopping board was a small, no tiny amount of butter that was in the shape of a heart! Checkout the photo I took!
I have found white feathers on numerous occasions. When I miscarried and gave birth to my son at 4.5 months pregnant I heard certain songs on the radio that when I hear now make me think of him. When I moved into the house I am living in now I planted rose plants, and chose a white one for my son and more recently the palest yellow one I could find for my maternal grandparents. The white rose plant in memory of my son flowers around my daughters birthday (29th February) Mothers Day (March in the UK), on my mums birthday (9th June), my birthday (8th July) and my dads birthday (16th November) and it has even flowered at Christmas! I suppose by now you have realised I am a bit of a believer myself, whereas my 21 year old is a little skeptical and just gave me a wry smile and a head shake when I explained I was sharing a picture of my heart shaped butter! (The photo can be seen on my blog from 10th November 2017)
I have had other experiences, one I want to share but feel I cannot reveal all in great detail on in my blog but I will say on the day of one of my Aunts funeral I was put through a police/divorce/drama by my ex. It was the worst day possible day and timing for what he did. I ended up sitting alone in a room wondering what was going to happen. I had no phone, was cold, and had no one to speak to. I honestly felt stunned, scared and at a loss how to handle what was happening. When I suddenly felt warmth at each side of me and I truthfully heard them whispering in my ear. Just tell the truth, everything will be okay. You're not on your own, we will both stay with you. They did and when I came out of the room, I was interviewed and believed, something just clicked and I was sent on my way home. I feel like I go on and on about this book and the subjects covered within it.
The three words that sprang to mind upon finishing reading this book were interesting, uplifting and enlightening.
I came across this book as part of a year long experiment I'd created for myself in embracing being a student again. I made an effort to explore topics I knew little or nothing about with a beginners mind. One of these topics was psychic abilities, which led to me discovering spiritualism and mediumship - the topics of this book.
I'd definitely describe myself as a science-based skeptic before reading this book, but thanks to this book (and taking classes at the London College of Psychic Studies) I'd now describe myself as completely open minded to the concept of life after death.
The authors of the book lay out what mediumship is (receiving messages from loved ones who have passed away), and what it isn't (mind reading, magic, or predicting the lottery numbers!).
I like the way this book caters to the skeptic, and gives the reader stories from the perspective of other skeptics and non believers. The later chapters of the book also give advice on how to engage with a medium yourself - and how to avoid charlatans and frauds.
I found this book thoroughly engaging, easy to read and often very moving as the authors share how mediumship can become a valuable part of the grieving process.
This book definitely changed my perspective on what life and death may mean.
In this book Theresa Cheung and medium Claire Broad share anecdotes and experiences suggestive of communication between the living, and those who have died. In short, the book offers evidence for the survival of the individual consciousness beyond physical death. As a spiritual explorer, and a writer of psychological / paranormal suspense novels, I have for many years explored these areas; I've studied the evidence and have experimented myself. I find Theresa's collection of anecdotes more compelling than Claire's accounts of her mediumship. This is because I am fascinated by spontaneous spiritual experiences among people who have no connection whatsoever with organised religion. Claire comes across as very sincere and genuine but I have reservations about the idea of deliberately seeking to communicate with a specific person who has died, and whether this is helpful in the long term. There are many questions to be answered, and Claire does do her best to answer several of them. All in all I consider this an intriguing book and one which will be well received by Theresa Cheung's readership and extend it even further.
Sometimes, intellectual rationalism is not enough; life and death are far more mysterious than we comprehend and modern science, to date has only gone so far. So, sometimes it is necessary to adopt an open mind to explore differing views of reality. Although it is easier to say that after death there is nothing, it is not a comforting thought. Equally, just because something cannot be proved, doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
This book manages to address the sceptic reader by providing two perspectives. One from a researcher of the phenomenon and one from a practicing medium who can make contact with people who have died.
It's a lovely book. Easy to read and eager to contextualise events for the more sceptical reader, the book provides a hopeful articulation of how we may be eternal creatures.
Being into Spiritualism a friend had recommended this book a few year ago…
It’s written by two authors who have given ordinary people like us direct communication and proof of the afterlife through readings.
Yes I do believe we go on to better places after being here and thought I would REALLY enjoy this book.
While you did hear the stories of the readings there was a lot of talk in between that maybe didn’t need to be there.
In the second half of the book Claire goes on to explain how mediumship works and where to go to get started and at this point I sadly started missing sections and feelings of getting bored kicked in!