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The McTavish Regressions: Arabesque
*** Top 10 Book ***
Past-life regressionist Dr. Wallace McTavish leads a simple life but appearances can be deceiving. In addition to being a brilliant, successful psychologist, McTavish is also a self-healed man, and his funky Brooklyn, NY home doubles as an office, where he investigates past-life crimes and passions. Twenty-four year-old Laura Tsvetkovsky has long experienced such passion. Her refusal to live in the present with the outside world, her sycophantic mother, and struggling family leaves Laura to her pathological dreams of becoming a dancer. Dreams that will never come true. Were it not for her pills and mysterious friends, Laura’s life without the use of her legs might be hell, but Dr. McTavish reveals there's another way to heal past and present with hypnotic regression.
Creating suspense regarding the origin of Laura's pain, we journey to 1592 Catalan. Laura's past life joy with Marko is contagious, until the Spanish Inquisition sets terror loose in her Romani community and propels this soul from past to present in a heroic tale toward its hopeful, compelling conclusion.
Past-life regressionist Dr. Wallace McTavish leads a simple life but appearances can be deceiving. In addition to being a brilliant, successful psychologist, McTavish is also a self-healed man, and his funky Brooklyn, NY home doubles as an office, where he investigates past-life crimes and passions. Twenty-four year-old Laura Tsvetkovsky has long experienced such passion. Her refusal to live in the present with the outside world, her sycophantic mother, and struggling family leaves Laura to her pathological dreams of becoming a dancer. Dreams that will never come true. Were it not for her pills and mysterious friends, Laura’s life without the use of her legs might be hell, but Dr. McTavish reveals there's another way to heal past and present with hypnotic regression.
Creating suspense regarding the origin of Laura's pain, we journey to 1592 Catalan. Laura's past life joy with Marko is contagious, until the Spanish Inquisition sets terror loose in her Romani community and propels this soul from past to present in a heroic tale toward its hopeful, compelling conclusion.
132 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 30, 2018
10 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 13, 2020
I was a bit hesitant to pick up this book because it's written by an art collective, as I understand it, and "published" under the name of two fictional characters. But regression therapy sounded interesting, as did the crime aspect of the story.
Unfortunately, there were too many factual faults for me to be able to enjoy this book. To name but one - the fact that a supposedly licensed doctor would feel free to share information, even a recording of a session with a patient, without even asking for the patient's consent first.
The writing felt unedited and inexperienced and like too much information was given in too little space.
Unfortunately, there were too many factual faults for me to be able to enjoy this book. To name but one - the fact that a supposedly licensed doctor would feel free to share information, even a recording of a session with a patient, without even asking for the patient's consent first.
The writing felt unedited and inexperienced and like too much information was given in too little space.
May 5, 2018
A short but suspense-laden book that I read during a ride to and from work. What struck me as odd at first is the main character is the author of the book, or so, the author wants us to believe. Nice touch.
May 30, 2020
"My understanding is that dreams are about fifteen percent reality and eighty-five percent construct, and that regressions are the exact reverse, that is, eighty-five percent reality and fifteen percent construct."
"Sometimes what you dream about is a past-life memory fragment and not a Freudian symbol or metaphor or distortion. In waking life perhaps you're traveling in a foreign country or city. You've never traveled there before but you know your way! We could call it déjà vu, but it's more than likely a past-life memory."
The McTavish Regressions explores how one's past lives may influence their current reality. It is not the first book I've read on the topic, so I have already spent some time in fascination of past lives, karma, and deja vu.
Dr. McTavish believes that, through regression therapy, one can learn about the events of their past lives, which in turn will help them unravel the mysteries of why they are who they are today. Dr. Buret is a criminologist wanting to explore the idea of criminal profiling through regression therapy as a means to understand why criminals do what they do and what events in their life or past lives led them to become the person they are today.
I imagine that they will work together more, but this first book, short as it was, merely laid the groundwork for more to come. The two doctors are credited as the authors for the book and the forward of sorts is written as though it is an actual presentation of medical findings, yet written in story form. So it is an interesting way of presenting a work of fiction.
We are introduced to Laura, a young woman whose desire is to dance despite the fact that she was born without the use of her legs. She struggles with this and, out of desperation, decides to see a therapist, thus meeting Dr. McTavish.
We get to experience one regression session in which we explore Laura's past life in 16th century Catalan. Oddly enough, when Laura was experiencing her regression as something so real for her, that was when I became really immersed into the story, as if I was also there myself. Perhaps that was the author's true goal...
The story ends a bit abruptly at the end of their session, at which point Laura wanted to learn more, as do I.
This was a quick afternoon read, and a bit of a stray from my usual genres. I can't wait for the next instalment, and I look forward to learning more about the events that led to Laura's current situation and also the interactions between Dr. McTavish and Dr. Buret and what their collaboration will uncover.
Thank-you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced reader copy.
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Writing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Sometimes what you dream about is a past-life memory fragment and not a Freudian symbol or metaphor or distortion. In waking life perhaps you're traveling in a foreign country or city. You've never traveled there before but you know your way! We could call it déjà vu, but it's more than likely a past-life memory."
The McTavish Regressions explores how one's past lives may influence their current reality. It is not the first book I've read on the topic, so I have already spent some time in fascination of past lives, karma, and deja vu.
Dr. McTavish believes that, through regression therapy, one can learn about the events of their past lives, which in turn will help them unravel the mysteries of why they are who they are today. Dr. Buret is a criminologist wanting to explore the idea of criminal profiling through regression therapy as a means to understand why criminals do what they do and what events in their life or past lives led them to become the person they are today.
I imagine that they will work together more, but this first book, short as it was, merely laid the groundwork for more to come. The two doctors are credited as the authors for the book and the forward of sorts is written as though it is an actual presentation of medical findings, yet written in story form. So it is an interesting way of presenting a work of fiction.
We are introduced to Laura, a young woman whose desire is to dance despite the fact that she was born without the use of her legs. She struggles with this and, out of desperation, decides to see a therapist, thus meeting Dr. McTavish.
We get to experience one regression session in which we explore Laura's past life in 16th century Catalan. Oddly enough, when Laura was experiencing her regression as something so real for her, that was when I became really immersed into the story, as if I was also there myself. Perhaps that was the author's true goal...
The story ends a bit abruptly at the end of their session, at which point Laura wanted to learn more, as do I.
This was a quick afternoon read, and a bit of a stray from my usual genres. I can't wait for the next instalment, and I look forward to learning more about the events that led to Laura's current situation and also the interactions between Dr. McTavish and Dr. Buret and what their collaboration will uncover.
Thank-you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced reader copy.
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Writing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
December 17, 2018
I'm Ready for the Next Book
McTavish & Buret’s The McTavish Regressions Arabesque is an interwoven story about the past and the present. Dr. Wallace McTavish studies past lives of his clients by calmly awakening them to past lives through hypnosis.
An integral part to this story is Dr. McTavish’s case of Laura Tsvetkovsky. When Dr. Genevieve Buret meets Dr. McTavish for the second time, he invites her to sit in on the first hypnosis session that he has with Laura.
Laura, born without use of her legs, believes she is a dancer. Intellectually smart, mentally hurting, and coming into adulthood, Laura is fed up with being dragged by her mother to specialist upon specialist looking for a miracle to make her walk. Laura does not feel in control of her own body, but says nothing to her mother for fear of hurting her.
A mysterious woman, who smells of olives and uses a walker, shows up at specific times in the text, leaving an air of mystery for the reader, and we are led to believe that Laura connects with Dr. McTavish due to a business card of his left in her hoodie (presumably by the woman).
Regressive Therapy, an exploration of what may have happened in a past life, brings to life an incarnated memory in Laura. The memory is from Catalan 1592 and in Laura’s past life she is a dancer, but gets hurt due to the Romani persecution of that time in Spain.
As a reader, I find the book to be very engaging, especially after Laura enters the scene. Laura sounds like a typical woman in her early twenties trying to figure out how to be independent, but is also still relying on her parents for many of her basic needs. I empathize with Laura and how difficult it is when you do not feel like you’re in control of your own life. I also love the feel of being in the regression with Laura and not wanting to be pulled back into the present time.
For me, the addition of the spoken language, added charm to the book. However, this may be harder for someone unfamiliar with Spanish to read fluently. The glossary gives definitions to the words that are unknown, but most people with some knowledge of Latin-based languages will easily glide through the text.
The best part of this book is the ending, which leaves me wanting to pick up the next book in the series and read it. I am anxious to know more about Regression Therapy and Laura’s adventures into her mind.
McTavish & Buret’s The McTavish Regressions Arabesque is an interwoven story about the past and the present. Dr. Wallace McTavish studies past lives of his clients by calmly awakening them to past lives through hypnosis.
An integral part to this story is Dr. McTavish’s case of Laura Tsvetkovsky. When Dr. Genevieve Buret meets Dr. McTavish for the second time, he invites her to sit in on the first hypnosis session that he has with Laura.
Laura, born without use of her legs, believes she is a dancer. Intellectually smart, mentally hurting, and coming into adulthood, Laura is fed up with being dragged by her mother to specialist upon specialist looking for a miracle to make her walk. Laura does not feel in control of her own body, but says nothing to her mother for fear of hurting her.
A mysterious woman, who smells of olives and uses a walker, shows up at specific times in the text, leaving an air of mystery for the reader, and we are led to believe that Laura connects with Dr. McTavish due to a business card of his left in her hoodie (presumably by the woman).
Regressive Therapy, an exploration of what may have happened in a past life, brings to life an incarnated memory in Laura. The memory is from Catalan 1592 and in Laura’s past life she is a dancer, but gets hurt due to the Romani persecution of that time in Spain.
As a reader, I find the book to be very engaging, especially after Laura enters the scene. Laura sounds like a typical woman in her early twenties trying to figure out how to be independent, but is also still relying on her parents for many of her basic needs. I empathize with Laura and how difficult it is when you do not feel like you’re in control of your own life. I also love the feel of being in the regression with Laura and not wanting to be pulled back into the present time.
For me, the addition of the spoken language, added charm to the book. However, this may be harder for someone unfamiliar with Spanish to read fluently. The glossary gives definitions to the words that are unknown, but most people with some knowledge of Latin-based languages will easily glide through the text.
The best part of this book is the ending, which leaves me wanting to pick up the next book in the series and read it. I am anxious to know more about Regression Therapy and Laura’s adventures into her mind.
April 27, 2019
The thought of understanding that we might have experienced more than this current life is a phenomenal feeling. It can give us an idea just how strong of a person we are because of it, but do you ever wonder what past lives you’ve lived? Not many would even take a moment to think such thoughts, as it may seem impossible to go back in time unless you have a time machine. If there was an ability to travel back and relive a past moment as your other self, would you? That’s a key indication within this book that could very well provide insight to discover if it’s worth the effort.
In “The McTavish Regressions: Arabesque,” authors McTavish and Buret enlightens their readers on another experiment that would allow anyone an opportunity to experience their past lives, via hypnosis. Dr. Wallace McTavish, a well-known hypnotist using one of his research, has discovered a safe way of living a past life in the first person. Dr. Genevieve Buret seeks Dr. McTavish as a mentor and wanted to delve into his work and try to find a merge between regression and criminology. One client, in particular, Laura Tsvetkovky, paralyzed from the waist down, has tried every study her mother Sandra has signed her up to help her cope with not being able to dance again. Laura has been persistent in gaining the ability to dance again because that’s all she knows and nothing else. It was until her first regression hypnosis session with Dr. McTavish that allowed her to experience her past life as a true natural dancer, if only for a moment. Her past life became part of her grasping an understanding as to why she couldn’t imagine herself doing anything else, now that she’s disabled.
I was stunned on discovering regression hypnosis by reading this well-written book. It felt as if I were sharing the experience with Laura, from her dancing life to witnessing her first love, and tragedy soon after. To be enveloped at that moment was beyond a feeling one can ever feel, her plea to relive that again just breaks my heart for her and the pain she felt. Regression could become a breakthrough for everyone, I highly recommend this book, and I look forward to reading more work by these talented authors.
In “The McTavish Regressions: Arabesque,” authors McTavish and Buret enlightens their readers on another experiment that would allow anyone an opportunity to experience their past lives, via hypnosis. Dr. Wallace McTavish, a well-known hypnotist using one of his research, has discovered a safe way of living a past life in the first person. Dr. Genevieve Buret seeks Dr. McTavish as a mentor and wanted to delve into his work and try to find a merge between regression and criminology. One client, in particular, Laura Tsvetkovky, paralyzed from the waist down, has tried every study her mother Sandra has signed her up to help her cope with not being able to dance again. Laura has been persistent in gaining the ability to dance again because that’s all she knows and nothing else. It was until her first regression hypnosis session with Dr. McTavish that allowed her to experience her past life as a true natural dancer, if only for a moment. Her past life became part of her grasping an understanding as to why she couldn’t imagine herself doing anything else, now that she’s disabled.
I was stunned on discovering regression hypnosis by reading this well-written book. It felt as if I were sharing the experience with Laura, from her dancing life to witnessing her first love, and tragedy soon after. To be enveloped at that moment was beyond a feeling one can ever feel, her plea to relive that again just breaks my heart for her and the pain she felt. Regression could become a breakthrough for everyone, I highly recommend this book, and I look forward to reading more work by these talented authors.
May 6, 2019
The McTavish Regressions: Arabesque by McTavish and Buret opens with a psychologist who incidentally is named Dr. McTavish and specializes in regression therapy. With the belief that he himself had been healed by this therapy, he explains to an interested criminology major, Genevieve “Vivi” Buret that hypnosis is used to reveal past lives that may be interfering with one’s present mental or emotional health. Vivi is writing her thesis to include this very topic with the hope that this kind of therapy may benefit criminals with a tendency toward becoming repeat offenders and crime reduction. Dr. McTavish allows Vivi to read papers on his own case and it shares very revealing details of the past lives of the scholarly man she has recently met.
Central to the story is Laura Tsvetkovsky, a young woman born unable to walk. With countless medical treatments, her mother hopes that she will be able to walk again and to live her dream of dancing. Her disabling condition makes her cold-hearted and distant and all she wants is more pills to ease her misery. As one last resort, she secretly visits Dr. McTavish and he agrees to go through a regression session with her. Her experience with him gives her a look into the soul her past life where she finds herself full of joy and excitement until she encounters devastating events. What occurs next is left to the imagination of the reader.
Though the story is brief, it engages the reader very well. The author has done a good job of opening readers minds to possibilities of whether we do have past lives or not. Personally, I had never heard of this type of therapy before, but it has increased my interest in how it is presently used by psychologists today. For the reader, there may be a lingering question of whether regression therapy would be successful in our lives today. That remains to be seen.
Central to the story is Laura Tsvetkovsky, a young woman born unable to walk. With countless medical treatments, her mother hopes that she will be able to walk again and to live her dream of dancing. Her disabling condition makes her cold-hearted and distant and all she wants is more pills to ease her misery. As one last resort, she secretly visits Dr. McTavish and he agrees to go through a regression session with her. Her experience with him gives her a look into the soul her past life where she finds herself full of joy and excitement until she encounters devastating events. What occurs next is left to the imagination of the reader.
Though the story is brief, it engages the reader very well. The author has done a good job of opening readers minds to possibilities of whether we do have past lives or not. Personally, I had never heard of this type of therapy before, but it has increased my interest in how it is presently used by psychologists today. For the reader, there may be a lingering question of whether regression therapy would be successful in our lives today. That remains to be seen.
April 14, 2019
Whoa
The McTavish Regressions:Arabesque this book all I can say is WOW! I
Honestly did not expect to care much for
This book. I Set a high reading goal of 50 books and so I am quickly going to others for suggestions of recommendations. I was told this book was mesmerizing but The topic of past lives is not one
That I put faith in, I am a devout Christian. That being said I had just finished a book and needed another, when I typed it in the reviews were good and it was on a top ten list so I thought ok why not. I still didn’t have high hopes for it, but I completely became swept away in the “past lives “ of these characters. At first some of it was just sad but then much like what the character named Laura says” SEND ME BACK! I NEED TO GO BACK!” I was completely caught off guard when the book ends and I almost began looking for the next one because I wanted to see what other story’s were left
To tell! I don’t believe in past lives, nor do I believe a lot of the science fiction or young adult books for example I don’t believe their are sparkly vampires or magical boys with lightning bolt scars but I loved reading about them and I hated when their stories ended. However that being said I LOVE GETTING SWEPT AWAY IN A STORY and this book took me
On a ride I didn’t expect and am itching to
See what stops it may still have in store ! I would recommend this book to anyone that loves to read and forget they are reading while doing so!
The McTavish Regressions:Arabesque this book all I can say is WOW! I
Honestly did not expect to care much for
This book. I Set a high reading goal of 50 books and so I am quickly going to others for suggestions of recommendations. I was told this book was mesmerizing but The topic of past lives is not one
That I put faith in, I am a devout Christian. That being said I had just finished a book and needed another, when I typed it in the reviews were good and it was on a top ten list so I thought ok why not. I still didn’t have high hopes for it, but I completely became swept away in the “past lives “ of these characters. At first some of it was just sad but then much like what the character named Laura says” SEND ME BACK! I NEED TO GO BACK!” I was completely caught off guard when the book ends and I almost began looking for the next one because I wanted to see what other story’s were left
To tell! I don’t believe in past lives, nor do I believe a lot of the science fiction or young adult books for example I don’t believe their are sparkly vampires or magical boys with lightning bolt scars but I loved reading about them and I hated when their stories ended. However that being said I LOVE GETTING SWEPT AWAY IN A STORY and this book took me
On a ride I didn’t expect and am itching to
See what stops it may still have in store ! I would recommend this book to anyone that loves to read and forget they are reading while doing so!
May 27, 2020
Whoa... I must admit that this read nothing like I expected. At. All.
The McTavish Regressions - the blurb, leads the reader to believe you'll get some romantically enhanced time travel story. What it actually brings you, and I'm sorry to say I waited this long to read it, is a deep investment in in the past and the future. What we can relive from our pasts as a way to cope with our present. That an actual past might exist is profound and almost innocent in belief.
The first quarter of the book was a bit heavy with a lot of scientific terms that meant nothing to me. But as Dr. McTavish opens his case files to Dr. Buret we find out selves willing travelers through many past lives. Each tragic and independently interesting.
Add to both Dr's and their plans for what they can learn off each other you have Laura who I can't decide how I feel about except she is capable of real emotions beyond desire to walk again.
Im interested (and invested) enough to find out with a second book.
The McTavish Regressions - the blurb, leads the reader to believe you'll get some romantically enhanced time travel story. What it actually brings you, and I'm sorry to say I waited this long to read it, is a deep investment in in the past and the future. What we can relive from our pasts as a way to cope with our present. That an actual past might exist is profound and almost innocent in belief.
The first quarter of the book was a bit heavy with a lot of scientific terms that meant nothing to me. But as Dr. McTavish opens his case files to Dr. Buret we find out selves willing travelers through many past lives. Each tragic and independently interesting.
Add to both Dr's and their plans for what they can learn off each other you have Laura who I can't decide how I feel about except she is capable of real emotions beyond desire to walk again.
Im interested (and invested) enough to find out with a second book.
May 8, 2018
Can you imagine what amazing breakthroughs can be made if Dr. McTavish and Dr. Buret are successful?
Like chocolate and peanut butter, take two great ideas and smoosh them together making one spectacular creation. Dr. McTavish is an expert in past life regressions. Dr. Buret’s focus is criminal profiling. Together, a new metaphysical investigation tool can be created. Criminal profiling through past lives.
I love the idea of using regression to dive into one’s past life to find a solution for roadblocks in a current life. Could it be used to successfully reform criminals? It’s said a person is the sum total of all his lives. I imagine this would be more useful if said person could remember the lessons he is supposed to have learned in past lives.
I am a bit concerned with the lack of privacy given to Laura by Dr. McTavish. I am aware what he offered, but I’m hoping permission is granted before following through. Ethics…
Like chocolate and peanut butter, take two great ideas and smoosh them together making one spectacular creation. Dr. McTavish is an expert in past life regressions. Dr. Buret’s focus is criminal profiling. Together, a new metaphysical investigation tool can be created. Criminal profiling through past lives.
I love the idea of using regression to dive into one’s past life to find a solution for roadblocks in a current life. Could it be used to successfully reform criminals? It’s said a person is the sum total of all his lives. I imagine this would be more useful if said person could remember the lessons he is supposed to have learned in past lives.
I am a bit concerned with the lack of privacy given to Laura by Dr. McTavish. I am aware what he offered, but I’m hoping permission is granted before following through. Ethics…
September 15, 2018
Awesome Read
I was unsure if I would like McTavish Regressions: Arabesque, since it was outside of my normal reading preferences. But I decided to give it a shot and see if was as good as the other reviews were saying and I am glad that I did. The story was a little slow at first and I was worried but once it got to Laura's part of the story a young woman with a desire to dance even though she has never been able to use her legs. The depression that she is facing and the desire to block out her world with the use of medication leads her to a chance encounter with a lady that leads her to finding out her past. It's at this point that the book became one that I was not able to put down. The author is amazing at bring the past to life and making you feel that you are there and the sudden shift in the story with the unexpected ending leaves you wanting more. I hope this author continues this story because I am dying to find out what happens next.
I was unsure if I would like McTavish Regressions: Arabesque, since it was outside of my normal reading preferences. But I decided to give it a shot and see if was as good as the other reviews were saying and I am glad that I did. The story was a little slow at first and I was worried but once it got to Laura's part of the story a young woman with a desire to dance even though she has never been able to use her legs. The depression that she is facing and the desire to block out her world with the use of medication leads her to a chance encounter with a lady that leads her to finding out her past. It's at this point that the book became one that I was not able to put down. The author is amazing at bring the past to life and making you feel that you are there and the sudden shift in the story with the unexpected ending leaves you wanting more. I hope this author continues this story because I am dying to find out what happens next.
April 18, 2020
This book was written it two different voices.
Dr Genevieve Buret, a criminology scholar is reached out to Dr Wallace McTavish to discuss, and perhaps collaborate on his work post-life regressions. Dr Buret has great regard for his work and even wrote her thesis on his work.
That being said although there was no depth to their meeting, very intimate information was shared very quickly, with little background explanation.
The introduction of Laura, and her daily dreams of needing to dance was the second voice. This part was written with depth, and first person pain; Her home life versus her dream life.
Would enjoy reading the follow on to this book or a revisited version in a full novel.
#TheMcTavishRegressionsArabesque #NetGalley
Dr Genevieve Buret, a criminology scholar is reached out to Dr Wallace McTavish to discuss, and perhaps collaborate on his work post-life regressions. Dr Buret has great regard for his work and even wrote her thesis on his work.
That being said although there was no depth to their meeting, very intimate information was shared very quickly, with little background explanation.
The introduction of Laura, and her daily dreams of needing to dance was the second voice. This part was written with depth, and first person pain; Her home life versus her dream life.
Would enjoy reading the follow on to this book or a revisited version in a full novel.
#TheMcTavishRegressionsArabesque #NetGalley
September 7, 2018
This was a fantastic book with so much action, that I never got bored.
April 18, 2020
Written in two voices, but left a you wanting more. Hope there is a follow up to the novella.
September 10, 2020
Received ARC for honest review.
McTavish is a past lives regression therapist and this book he reminisces on meeting his professional partner Vivi. There is another story intertwined as well, of a patient he starts seeing around the same time as meeting Vivi.
The story is told in McTavish's and Laura (the patient's) voice. Alternating as needed between chapters.
It was an interesting story and I finished it in one evening. This is my only complaint - it's too short, I wanted to learn a lot more about McTavish and Vivi's work and also how Laura would learn and grow in her life.
McTavish is a past lives regression therapist and this book he reminisces on meeting his professional partner Vivi. There is another story intertwined as well, of a patient he starts seeing around the same time as meeting Vivi.
The story is told in McTavish's and Laura (the patient's) voice. Alternating as needed between chapters.
It was an interesting story and I finished it in one evening. This is my only complaint - it's too short, I wanted to learn a lot more about McTavish and Vivi's work and also how Laura would learn and grow in her life.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews