Guest Blogger: Linda Robertson

The winner of Linda's book is: Candace! Congratulations, Candace. Send me your contact info and I'll pass it along to Linda. Thanks to everyone who participated.

CONTEST! WIN a signed copy of VICIOUS CIRCLE

Hello! I am Linda Robertson, author of VICIOUS CIRCLE and I’m delighted to be a guest blogger here on Lynda Hilburn’s Paranormality! Because Tarot is part of my main character’s life, this post is about Divination.

It’s easy to look at the word divination and see the etymological link to the word divine. Divine, in verb form, means “to discover by intuition or insight” according to Merriam Webster, and in adjective form, “of, relating to, or proceeding directly from God or a god.”

That said, how do Tarot cards, runes and other auguries actually work?

There are probably as many opinions and theories as there are practitioners. My thoughts are that the aura or spirit of the querent, (the person seeking an answer who may or may not be the reader as well) subtly strokes the shuffling of the cards, or the stirring of the runes. In my experience, I just know when to stop shuffling, when to pull the rune. I’ve found that this is true both of self-readings, and reading for others. If doing the latter, I let them shuffle first while considering their question. I follow by shuffling the cards and cutting them myself—according to my sense of knowing. This method produces a reading the querents have felt accurately addressed their question, whereas if just one of us shuffled/cut, the reading has felt unfocused. You’d think it would be the opposite, unless you consider that my cards are attuned to me, and know how I will read them.

So, if the divination tools work because of that sense of knowing, can we define what that knowing is?

In my opinion, it is belief, faith, and/or spirituality in whatever religious path calls you. Plugging into your divine outlet to power your Tarot cards isn’t unlike a prayer or quick ritual, and neither is it unlike (in method if not voltage) the power enabling your computer to work.

Here's a blurb:

Witches and werewolves don't mix . . .

Being a witch doesn't pay the bills, but Persephone Alcmedi gets by between reading Tarot cards, writing her syndicated newspaper column, and kenneling werewolves in the basement when the moon is full--even if witches aren't supposed to mingle with wolves. She really reaches the end of her leash, though, when her grandmother gets kicked out of the nursing home, and Seph finds herself in the doghouse about some things she's written. Then her werewolf friend Lorrie is murdered...and the high priestess of an important coven offers Seph big money to destroy the killer, a powerful vampire named Goliath Kline. Seph is a tough girl, but this time she bites off more than she can chew. She needs a little help from her friends--werewolf friends. One of those friends, Johnny, the motorcycle-riding lead singer for the techno-metal-Goth band Lycanthropia, has a crush on her. And while Seph has always been on edge around this 6'2" leather-clad hunk, she's starting to realize that while their attraction may be dangerous, nothing could be as lethal as the showdown that awaits them.

"I read Linda Robertson's Vicious Circle in one sitting and enjoyed every moment of it. It's a rare book that gives you a protagonist you'd like to actually be friends with." -- Tanya Huff, bestselling author of the Blood books

"This urban fantasy has a good plot told in the first person by a feisty heroine with a sense of humor. Well-developed supernatural characters, mystery and a touch of romance add up to an out-of-this-world thriller." (4 Stars) -- RT Booklovers

"Ms. Robertson blends tried and true supernatural elements with some fresh ideas of her own, creating an entertaining combination. Vicious Circle moves forward at a steady pace, provides paranormal action, and takes readers on an adventure filled with strong characters and their tangled human emotions. I'm looking forward to the next book in the Persephone Alcmedi series, Hallowed Circle..." -- Darque Reviews

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What’s your opinion? And let’s use this sharing as the contest! I’m open to other opinions, and I welcome you to share your thoughts on divination in the comment section. Or, if you have a question about the book, ask away! Anyone who comments will be in the drawing for the book, but you’ll have to check back to see if you’ve won. The winner's name will be posted here on Tuesday evening.