This should be nominated for an AUDIE Award!!!
“Since 1978 I have purchased well over 600 audiobooks. I love all types of stories, Western, Mystery, Romance, Military, Young Adult, True Crime, even some self-help. There are a number of narrators that I especially enjoy listening to such as; Edward Herrmann, Barbara Rosenblat, Fannie Flagg, Peter Coyote, and now Kristen Simoes. A lower timbre, and the ability to differentiate characters with voice inflection is what is important to my listening experience. I especially enjoy books that are part of a series. I am absorbed in getting to know the characters throughly and going along on their journey. I consider it an added bonus if I learn something along the way. For example, Faye Kellerman’s books have taught me about the Jewish Religion, from John Grisham I have learned about the law, courtrooms, and lawyers, and Jennifer Chiaverini books are all about the world of quilting. I can now add Margaret Duarte’s first book of the Enter the Between series “Between Will and Surrender” to my favorites list. It has a great narrator, a compelling storyline with suspense, mystery & romantic tension, AND I learned more about the Native Americans who help build the Missions in the area around Carmel, California. Can’t wait to find out what’s in store for Marjorie in the next book ‘Between Darkness and Dawn’.” ~Kay Hardesty
Truly captivating from start to finish!
“I was blessed with being able to listen to Between Will and Surrender and I fell in love with this audiobook immediately! I love reading but there was something about listening to this audiobook that made me truly love the book more than I think I would have by simply just reading the book. The main character Marjorie Veil was so splendidly written by Margaret Duarte but the real highlight was the wonderfully talented voice-over talent, Kristen Simoes! She expertly read through this book in such a way that made me instantly connect to the story and all of the rich characters. I even teared up during the part of the book where Marjorie meets her therapist for the first time. The story, although having supernatural elements, was very relatable and it was clear that Ms. Duarte did her due diligence when it came to researching the indigenous groups in her native homeland of California. I learned a lot through reading this book and I highly recommend this to everyone who enjoys intriguing, smart, intelligent, thought-provoking tales with a strong female character who grabs life by the horns and makes it her very own! Bravo! Easily a five-star read and listen! Looking forward to reading and listening to future works!” ~P.S.G.L.
“Ms. Duarte did her California history research, as she delves into the backgrounds of California’s first-peoples from that area: Where they lived, what they did and how they became. It struck me how subconsciously connected each character became to one another, how some characters were on the same “wavelength”, so to speak, when situations arose. This goes back to how well she has developed each character and how well they interact with each other. She has captured the human spirit wonderfully!” ~Steven Barra
“Margaret blends the standard elements of a good novel (character, plot, setting) with the specific ingredients of visionary fiction (growth in consciousness, paranormal events, spirituality) to render a tale that entertains, mystifies and enlightens. The result is exquisite. The clever finale, A Word from my Protagonist, in which Marjorie Veil, the story’s heroine, takes the reader aside to explain the relationship between herself and the author, is in itself worth the price of the book.” ~Victor E. Smith
“There are surprise twists and turns all through this adventure tale. And it is a true work of well-crafted Visionary Fiction, giving the reader an inside feel for the power of the transformation of consciousness.” ~Jodine Turner
“This book functions on two levels – first as a bang-up good story, and secondly, as a way to reflect upon the nature of reality and consciousness. I was very touched by the story of Joshua, the mute orphan, and how he struggles to overcome the horrible tragedy that tore apart his childhood. I was also struck by how well-drawn the various characters in the story are. Each has a distinct voice and personality, and the interactions between the characters are very believable.” ~Susan Harrison
“Adventure story, spiritual quest, and mystery, Between Will and Surrender beautifully written and well plotted. It never strays from the positive. It leaves the reader rooting for its characters and waiting for the next book in the series.” ~Judith B. Vaughan
“There are hidden meanings and a spiritualness throughout the story line in the young woman’s quest to find herself. It is obvious that Margaret did a lot of research before writing her story and it was an added joy that she used locations that were local and familiar to me which add a more spark of realism.” ~Louis Silveira
“Between Will and Surrender is based in reality, and it certainly left this writer inspired. The story also shows us that maybe, just maybe, things aren’t always what they seem. Maybe reality is multi-dimensional, sorta like “string theory.” When I finished the book, I truly understood what the genre ‘Visionary Fiction’ is all about. And I like it, at least when written by this very talented writer.” ~Jodine Chandler
“Margaret Duarte’s writing skills are off the chart with clear, solid examples of showing, not telling using terrific dialogue, action, and self-reflection. As if this wasn’t enough, she created a storyline that contains ongoing suspense that keeps you turning the pages. She incorporates fascinating ideas such as a new definition of Alzheimer’s and its treatment. How refreshing to view this terrible neurodegenerative disease in a new light, with the idea of going back to a collective mind shared with nature and God, connecting everything with spirit. In the book, this is demonstrated through the character, Adam, who creates life-sized clay sculptures based on memories of his loved ones, and whose decline is palliated by living in nature and being overseen by a compassionate nurse. The book is inspirational.” ~Carolyn Radmanovich
“The journey of the main character Marjorie Veil is full of learning, inspiration and growth. There is no predictability so there is constant wonder of what is around the corner. As a reader I try to imagine the scene and characters and because Duarte uses locations that are familiar to me, the story is more meaningful.” ~Louis Silveira
“In Between Darkness and Dawn, Margaret Duarte continues the story of Marjorie Veil, the story’s protagonist. I loved witnessing her become a stronger less repressed women with every turn of the page. The exploration of Alzheimer’s was a wonderful addition to the story line, opening my eyes to an expanded view of the disease.” ~Caryn J. Ball
“This novel follows Margaret’s earlier book, Between Will & Surrender. It is a deepening of Marjorie Veil’s soul journey where she struggles to break free from the jail she has created within herself in order to find her unique authenticity. Marjorie needs to challenge her adopted mother’s expectations of her and embrace her Native American birth mother’s legacy for her. She retreats to a California Redwoods forest and therein finds a meaningful adventure that assists her on her journey. I found the story of the fellow camper, a man suffering with Alzheimer’s, to be particularly touching and eye-opening in its alternative view of this disease. In fact, many alternative views are woven into the story, which makes it a fine example of Visionary Fiction writing.” ~Jodine Turner
“Between Darkness and Dawn and the sequel, Between Will and Surrender, were both fantastic reads. I look forward to the next two books. Margaret Duarte took me on a journey through her words that I have rarely experienced. I felt as if I was traveling through each book with the main character, Marjorie. The characters are weaved in as Marjorie travels through a spiritual experience. I read both books and look forward to the next two sequels. I have bought several of these books for friends and they can hardly wait to read more.” ~Kathleen A. Taylor
“Margaret Duarte has done it again with her third book, Between Yesterday and Tomorrow. The author takes you on a spiritual journey with her protagonist, Marjorie Veil. As a reader, I was with Marjorie from page one. The descriptions of Pacific Grove, ocean views, and butterfly sanctuary dropped me into every scene. I look forward to her fourth book and I know by the end of this series I will miss every charactor.” ~Kathleen A. Taylor
“Pacific Grove is one of my favorite places. Margaret brings this place to life with her brilliant way of writing and describing the strength one has within to let go of your past and embrace what comes next. She kept my interest by helping me see Pacific Grove in a new light enjoying the spiritual journey.” ~Theresa Adrian
“The third in her series of four novels, Duarte takes readers to Pacific Grove where Marjorie wrestles with secrets of the past. This book once again engages readers with juicy vignettes of California’s glorious natural abundance while pushing us to become more involved in Marjorie’s struggle to find herself. Beware this is a tearjerker!” ~William N. Tomlin
“Margaret Duarte continues to weave a wonderful story of personal growth and discovery with a paranormal/supernatural world. Love it. I can’t wait for Book four.” ~Caryn J. Ball
“Margaret Duarte books are outstanding! Her attention to detail and research is to be admired. I will admit, I was skeptical about stories of the paranormal but found this series very enlightening and entertaining!!” ~Connie Sommerville
“I love this book written by Margaret Duarte. She is a wonderful writer, a master of the craft. This series is so interesting. Duarte weaves in elements of spirituality while telling a very good story. I will read all her books.” ~J. Pierce
“Margaret Duarte’s Between Now and Forever is a fascinating creation for several reasons, of which I will take up only one. Like her protagonist, novice teacher Marjorie Veil, the author serves society by illustrating that Indigo Children, a term which even Wikipedia downplays as a “pseudoscientific New Age concept,” are here among us, their advanced perceptual development is real, and, merely provided with understanding and a chance, they will blossom into the very geniuses our world needs to resolve the problems that has brought it to the brink.
Across the ages, the establishment has treated anyone with paranormal abilities, any mode of acumen beyond the five senses, as a mutant, making a rare few saints of inimitable stature and the rest demon-possessed or mentally unbalanced and thus deserving only to be locked away or worse. The seven children in Ms. Veil’s class, all from normal enough home environments, are destined for the latter should they luck out and survive the excesses and addictions that such kids tend towards once they don the label of freak that others paste on them. The book is fiction, but the predicament is real and perplexing to anyone who has encountered and cares for this type of precocious youth—and there may be many more than expected.
But Between Now and Forever does more than bring attention to a prevalent problem. It demonstrates a detailed alternative for mentoring such children, drawn from simple, although not easy, modalities, available right now to those with minds and hearts open enough to try something “different” with those who are “different.” Besides being a good story with many vivid characters, this book is a must-read for Indigo Children—it will give them hope—and their caretakers—it will point to a workable way. I suggest that it be in the hands of every teacher and school administrator because, I dare guess, there are Indigoes in just about every modern classroom, and the old ways just won’t work with them; they already know better.” ~Victor E. Smith
“Margaret Duarte has written a visionary tale about the difficulties of educating children with mystical gifts within the current system. Since I believe such children are already among us, this story is not a stretch for me. The idea (as implied by Duarte) that our highly intellectualized educational system overlooks every child’s best and most obvious teacher — nature — is a sad commentary, and one that deserves close attention. This is a thoughtful and well-crafted story that delivers a creative scholastic plan that I hope is implemented sooner than later.” ~Rea Martin
“This novel centers on the trials of an after-school class of children (Indigos) with special talents of the ESP kind and the struggle of a young rookie teacher to help them, while also getting to grip with her own newly-emerged powers. The Indigos repeatedly made me think of the first X-Men movie, all with unique gifts and different reasons why these gifts are messing up their lives. The story moves along at a gentle pace and is character-focused rather than being action-packed. One gets the sense – with all the subtle spiritual references – that in further installments the Indigos might soon open their potential in a world-changing way. Recommended for those who want to read something that offers substance.” ~Hydrophonicon
“This is a fabulous novel by an author whose work I will definitely continue to read. Duarte takes us into a world I had barely heard of, a world filled with exceptional, yet troubled, teens whose gifts are mystical and many. When Durate’s protagonist agrees to teach these unusual young people, she embarks on a road of self discovery that keeps us on the edge of our seats. The author’s writing is impressive and yet non-intrusive–everything a reader hopes to find when she picks up a novel. Congratulations Ms. Duarte.” ~Jo Chandler
“I was gripped with the novel’s suspense from the very beginning, wondering how the teacher, Ms. Veil, could turn these troubled kids around. The journey through the school year brought a wonderful resolution through alternative techniques that would jar these kids back to their true identities. Being an indigo, or a kid with supernatural traits or powers, had proven a curse to these kids instead of a gift. Through Ms. Veil’s techniques they learned pride and confidence in their abilities. They also learned to have a sense of belonging to a team of kids with similar potentials.
I loved the images in the book like using masks as an understanding of the way kids try to portray themselves, oftentimes as a false persona for their own protection. The teacher even uses clay as a teaching technique. When Ethan’s clay owl is destroyed, the students decide it can be resurrected by taking the broken parts and mixing them with glazes to be applied to new projects. The students realize their own brokenness is only an illusion when they realize they can use their unique gifts to create their futures in a positive way.
This book leads the way to future work with troubled students who may be experiencing hopelessness, drug dependency and depression. Instead the path can be toward a new educational approach with an appreciation of students’ differences and personal gifts.” ~Carolyn Radmanovich
“This book is truly an inspirational template for the evolution of education. The author uses her writing talent to communicate a profound message within an engaging story. Between Now and Forever opened my eyes to the extraordinary gifts of our children and the need for creative education to support them.” ~Debrah White Stephens
“Between Now and Forever, authored by Margaret Duarte is such an interesting and truly educational book. Learning about Indigo children was fascinating. It sure gave me lots to consider when thinking of all the children I have interacted with that ‘just seem a bit different.’ Marjorie is a great character, I hope she will be included in the next book in the series. I loved the surprise after the end of the book. A letter from Marjorie! This was a very special letter to read and touched me. (No peeking until you have completed the book!) I recommend this book as a great read!” ~Kathy Simoes
“This book is an inspiring hero’s journey of a teacher who grows alongside her students, who are cast aside simply for being different. In a world filled with children drugged for ADHD and other psychological ailments, it’s nice to read something that champions children for being unique. I personally resonated with this story as I have practically every ADHD ‘symptom’ but never felt anything was wrong with me. In fact, I viewed many of my symptoms as gifts when I learned how to work with them. It was heartening to read a story that paralleled what I’d believed all along. I recommend this book to readers who want a positive story with a beautiful underlying spiritual odyssey and to parents who know their children are special, no matter what package they come in.” ~Muller “zanyeleni”
