BEST LAID PLANS

Author: Constance O'Day-Flannery ISBN: 0765354039 6/2006 PARANORMAL Publisher: TOR

The Yellow Brick Road Gang, otherwise known as Metaphysical Misadventures in the Search for Enlightenment, was once just a book club. Now, they are a circle of friends as close as family. Together they embarked on a spiritual search -- and throughout the last eight years each woman has come to realize that the only constant is change and that anything is possible. Cristine and her partner have always approached their relationship like a business, and Cristine prides herself on her cool-headed and logical thinking. But when Cristine's partner decides he doesn't want to renew their relationship contract, Cristine is devastated. Trying to help her, the Yellow Brick Road Gang devises a ritual to bring Cristine a new lover: Mix cayenne pepper for hot passion and dried mustard for strength, add a tiny bit of mint for sweetness, then cast into a fire. Enter Daniel Burns. He is no ordinary man. In fact, he isn't a man at all...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

BEST LAID PLANS gets a 4 Rose from me because of its inspirational message. Whether the author intended this book to give direction and belief to women I don't know, but that is certainly what I walked away with.

The plot is so-so, as are the characters and the slight romance. The paranormal aspect involving blinking lights and higher vibrations of sound are really sidelines to the deeper meaning. It's about empowerment and the proof of positive thinking. How women have the ability to find extraordinary understanding of themselves and others when they give up being survivors and start believing they are worthy of whatever they desire.

Don't mistake this book as being preachy. Again, I don't even know if the author intends it to be inspirational or if that is just an added bonus. Also, don't think it's the greatest story ever told, or the best writing you will find. It can be cheesy (Yellow Brick Road Gang, huh?). It can even be slow. But the life lessons and great perspectives it contains for every walk of life are spot on.

Shannon Johnson