The Cordello Quest

Lazuli Portals #1

by Joanna Gawn, Ron C. Dickerson

What would you do if you found yourself in another world?
If you were told you had a key role to play in the lives of a people you never knew existed?
That you had been a part of their legend for centuries?
Who would you rely on?

The Cordello Quest is a tale of hope, trust and faith.
It is a tale of natural magic and mystery ... of making the most of your inner knowing.
It is a tale of trying to do the right thing ... wherever you are.
It is a tale of tuning in to your most aware self.
Most of all, it is a tale of the power of love and light.

With strong metaphysical themes, The Cordello Quest has been called inspirational, empowering, uplifting, healing, magical, and absorbing.

Are you ready to join Keira and Jason on their journey of awakening? Are you ready to allow synchronicities and lovelight into your life?

The Cordello Quest is the first book in The Lazuli Portals Trilogy. The second book of the series, Mosaic of Light, is currently being written.

Genres: Fantasy

380 pages, Paperback

First published January 12, 2012

About the author

Hi! :)

I'm a writer with M.E. - and also have the changes of female middle age to navigate - therefore writing now only happens when I have "spare energy"!

I also love reading, being organised, visiting beautiful gardens and spending time on the moors or by the sea. I'm very happily married, and am owned by two cats. I love chocolate and am a stationery addict. I have a deep interest in subtle energies (I was a Reiki practitioner/teacher for several years, and brought some of those resources to our writing website and blog) and have regular Japanese acupuncture.

I write with my best friend and co-author, Ron Dickerson, who's Cornish - hence our novels being set in that beautiful, mysterious county! His background is in rugby, business, Rotary and Round Table. We attend our local writers' circle together; Ron is a keen poet, and of course loves reading too! He's also a pretty serious Francophile. :)

Writing our first novel, The Cordello Quest, has changed our lives. We are inspired by universal energy, the awakening of consciousness, galaxies and rivers and megaliths - and synchronicities.

In addition to writing novels, we also create lots of short stories, flash fiction and (now and then) haiku and other poetry. We have published some of our short stories in three collections: The House of the Stormwind, and Crystal, Fire and Water are both free to download in ebook format, while our latest 190-page collection Dark Perfume is available for 99p in Kindle format, and is also published in paperback.

Although I am passionate about reading, I rarely accept requests to review the work of others. However if I enjoy a book that I've read, I will often choose to rate and review it. I'm happy to accept friend requests from other members who are here to read and to share the books they've enjoyed ... not to promote their books to me. ;)

*** I am now only rating/reviewing books that will be shared as Recommended Reads on our blog at lazuliportalswriting.wordpress.com ***

Reviews

[Midu Hadi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book for free, in exchange of an honest review, from Making Connections. Get your copy here.

What I liked:

I liked the idea of a world so far ahead of us, the inhabitants of which abhorred violence but weren't afraid to use it.

What I didn't like:

Keira accepted things too easily- because of which she came across as bland & I never really connected with her.

Details, like the dolphins being sacred were just dropped on us while too much time was spent describing the scenery.

Since this book isn't what I usually go for, I'm adding another star to my original 2 star rating.


Also reviewed at:
Shelfari

[Linda Parkinson-Hardman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within the first page I was hooked, and not just because of the story. As I read from page two onwards I found myself thinking `this is just like Shamanic journeying I've done in the past'. You can imagine my surprise when a little further in, it becomes obvious that this is in fact a journey that is outside the physical body. The book for me was like a UK version of The Celestine Prophecy where the story was almost secondary to the messages that were being shared. These were messages I have heard many times, acted on a lot in the past and left behind in more recent times, I am pleased to say that it has reconnected me to that earlier self and I feel more whole and connected than I have done in many years. I am now looking forward to reading parts 2 and 3 of the Lazuli Portals.

[Kate’s Book Spot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly I’d like to thank Joanna Gawn for sending me this eBook to read and give an honest review. This is the first book in The Lazuli Portals Trilogy with the second book Mosaic of Light currently being written.

The action started pretty quickly – one minute Keira and her boyfriend Jason were having a not-so-romantic midnight picnic with Jason getting rather drunk, and the next Keira had wandered off and experienced what I can only describe as an intense and bizarre spiritual event. This turned out to be just the beginning of a beautiful yet dangerous journey for Keira and I found her acceptance of the situation she was in particularly admirable, especially when she had no idea where she was or why she was there.

Charls was an intriguing character and with him looking just like Jason Keira was quick to trust him. He introduced Keira to the amazing world of Cordello and its lovelight energy which seemed to be something that others coveted. It was at this point that Keira discovered her purpose in Cordello and although she didn’t know the details of how she would complete her quest, she felt confident that she would be shown the way. As the story progressed she faced challenge after challenge and each time I felt concern for Keira and her new Cordellan friends.

I felt connected to many of the words in the book but there was a particular moment near the beginning when Keira said that she had switched off her worry circuit and I just loved this saying – being a worrier myself I’ve often wished that I could stop worrying and thought that this was a lovely way of describing it (one I will definitely use in the future).

When the story first switched to Jason’s point of view I was pleased to get a clearer impression of his character, he knew that he had acted badly by drinking too much and as he went to look for Keira he was unaware that his own adventure was just about to begin!

I was very curious about Charls and Keira’s friendship, there were times when I thought that they were just really good friends but then I’d be sure that there was a hint of something more and with Jason still hanging around on the other side I wasn’t sure what to think.

After many ups, downs, twists and turns, which left me feeling as exhausted as Keira, the epilogue came along and made me think about the next portal and what might be discovered there – I’m looking forward to finding out!

The whole book had a calm, peaceful feel to it and I think that most of this was attributed to the clear and precise writing style. I loved the detailed descriptions because they made me feel like I was actually there alongside Keira on her quest. I also loved how this wasn’t just an enjoyable fantasy story, it was full of deep meaning and self-awareness which I could translate into my own life. I felt empowered whilst reading this book and took away a feeling of positivity that was much-needed after a shaky start to the year for my family and myself.

This was an imaginative read interspersed with spirituality and thought-provoking ideas, this is definitely a story that will stay with me.

[Sharon Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cordello Quest opens on the Cornish moors. It is very atmospheric with the moonlight and the mist. Keira has been disappointed by partner Jason’s announcement – she was expecting commitment when instead, Jason tells her he’s been offered a job hundreds of miles away. Turning around to speak to Jason, Keira finds him snoring against a rock. Feeling drawn to one of the crags, she makes her way over and as she touches it, the crags move into a circle.

From this moment on, Keira moves into a parallel universe where she is part of the legend that will save the Cordellians from a neighbouring country … and what a parallel universe it is! At times I felt as if I was being led through a wonderful healing meditation. The descriptive writing opens up this world and the depth makes it come alive.

During the time that Keira is experiencing this ‘other’ world, Jason is still on the moors. He wakes and follows her dew-bejewelled footprints. Within the stone circle, he has a visitation from a mentor. So while Keira is learning and exploring, he is also.

After the reader becomes familiar with Cordello, the conflict begins. Lord Charls (a Cordellian) follows the path of a stereotypical male of only seeing resolution through battle but Keira knows that the ending can be achieved through ‘lovelight’. I loved universal energy being called the ‘lovelight’ and how the authors have made this accessible to all (which it is!) but mostly I loved how the authors gave it the power to transform.

As with all good quests there are also betrayals, heartache and love. I did wonder about the relationship between Lord Charls and Kiera, and wasn’t sure which way their friendship would go … especially seeing as he looked the same as Jason!

The ending did surprise me! Now I’m intrigued to find out who and which portal the second book will explore!

Throughout the Cordello Quest you will find allusions to myths: Kronos and Uranus; Atlantis; the Shining Ones … and also lightworkers; energy vibrations; synchronicity; facing your fears and the power of thought and emotion. Most importantly is the message to listen to and follow your own intution.

The Cordello Quest is a beautifully written magical journey and I enjoyed the way that although this is about Keira’s quest, the story also flashes back to Jason. This really felt like it tied up the story and made it whole.

[Lizzie Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a complete sucker for books about 'other worlds' and anything that's slightly metaphysical, or not anchored in reality. Like AVATAR, in fact. So the Cordella Quest was right up my street. When the heroine Keira passed through the portal I travelled with her - and the authors' descriptive powers certainly helped to make me feel like this. When she left Jason and met Charls I felt fearful for Keira, could he be trusted? Had she stepped from a bad situation into a worse one? I loved the idea of "lovelight" and the message in the book that we all carry it within ourselves but don't always know how to channel it. Although the book is completely original it did remind me of another favourite book of mine The Celestine Prophesy. I felt rather bereft at the end of the novel and I was heartened to read that Book 2 and 3 will be available one day soon.

[C.M. Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cordello Quest by Joanna Gawn and Ron C. Dickerson is a very thought provoking work with wonderful descriptions of the ‘other’ world of Cordello. This is a good mixture of metaphysics and fantasy that will both entertain and may also get you thinking.

I haven’t read anything like this since reading ‘The Celestine Prophecy’ many years ago and can happily recommend it. The ending also opens the door to a second follow up and I look forward to reading that.

Well written, no editing problems that I could see just a little too descriptive for me in some places but that is just me, easy four stars.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, in fact I can't wait for the next one! I loved the concept of love light and feel this carries a message for us all to live our lives from a place of love and compassion, not only did I enjoy the story but I feel I have gone through a spiritual change from reading it. The book was well written, easy to read and kept me wanting more with each page, just as I expect from a good book.

[Shalini Boland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle and uplifting story which made me think about how I live my life. Although this is an adventure with quite a few hair-raising moments, it is also a relaxing read - one I looked forward to each evening and I'm sorry it's now over. It's left me with that dilemma of what on earth to read next. I'm very much looking forward to book 2 in the series.

[Catherine Craig (Angelic Light) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this magical book and I can't wait for the next one in the trilogy. Well done Joanna and Ron!

[Penumbra · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was given this book to read through the Making Connections ARR group, thank you.


First off, I have to say that I really wanted to like this book because the idea is right up my alley, but I couldn’t get anywhere near half way finished with it. I could only get to page fifty. The reasons for my not continuing to read this book are explained below.

The two main characters in this story are Kiera and her boyfriend Jason. We experience the story in first person through Kiera’s eyes and in third person through Jason’s eyes. The way we experience the story through Kiera was highly irritating for me. Kiera narrates the story in what is almost like a dream like trance. Even the strangest things that happen to her, like being transported to an unknown place, is greeted with something akin to, “I felt a peaceful feeling wash over me, I’m filled with laughter and happiness.” This happens numerous times within fifty pages. Kiera’s emotional detachment to what was happening made it impossible for me to relate to her. I can’t identify with a character if they have no emotions or links to the events happening around them. On the other hand, Jason’s part of the narrative was able to draw me in more because it was in third person.

The Cordello Quest begins with Kiera being very disappointed that her boyfriend, Jason, has told her that he is moving for a better job. She thought that he was going to ask her to marry him, but didn’t. Instead he drinks too much and then falls asleep. While Jason sleeps Kiera wanders off toward some boulders, where strange things start to happen. What I didn’t like was that almost immediately Kiera is transported to this other place with barely any build up in the story and Kiera is totally cool about it because the 'peaceful feeling' came over her. The tone of the narrative is like looking through a misty haze, I guess I would compare it to someone who is on valium. People have reactions, people have emotions, but most of the time Kiera feels pretty much neutral about everything that is happening and this is all explained away by Kiera as something similar to “I don’t know why I felt this way, but it just was.” I thought the lack of explanation by the author was a lazy way to get from one point to the other without having to give a reason on what had transpired.

So the things that bothered me were: the too sudden jump to another world without explanation and the emotionless reactions of Kiera so that I couldn’t relate to her or what was happening to her. The hazy tone of narrative that didn’t make me ‘feel’ anything, but felt like someone was ‘telling’ me what’s happening to them. I want to experience a story and this book does not let me experience it.

In the end I couldn’t get further than fifty pages because of the way Kiera narrated the story with a lack of emotion that was too irritating. I give this story 1 star, but I think there will be people who like this style of writing even though it turned me off.

[Peter West · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met the authors of "The Cordello Quest" at a Mind Body & Spirit Fair in Cornwall, where we had a stall next to them. I was drawn to the book from moment I laid eyes on the cover, it just drew me in.

I enjoyed the book so much, that once I had finished it I immediately began to read it again. Not something I have done with many books.

The Cordello Quest is the first book in The Lazuli Portals Trilogy and it gets off to a cracking start. The story very quickly takes the central character, Keira, from the moors at night to world of Cordello where her quest begins.

During an interview Stephen King once stated that “an opening line should invite the reader to begin the story… it should say: Listen. Come in here. You want to know about this.” The Cordello Quest does just that.

I love stories that take someone from our world into another world of magic and adventure. When you combine a physical journey with the spiritual or metaphysical lessons that the central characters undertake you have story that not only entertains but touches you, the reader, on so many levels.

I loved the attention to detail when describing the world of Cordello. It made the sights, sounds and smells of that world very real to me as I was reading. So much so that I frequently re-read several parts of the book just to engage again with the pictures in my own mind.

The combination of detailed description and the telling of the story from Keira and her partner's (Jason) viewpoint are very well balanced. Their both very different but linked "journeys" add an extra and very welcome dimension to their story.

I love to read a book that draws you in and makes you to continue to the end, yet still leaves you with “I wonder what happens next” and the Cordello Quest does just that. Fortunately this is the first book in a Trilogy, so I am very much looking forward to answering that question!

If you enjoy stories that transport you to another world, that leave you feeling that there is still more to learn about your own self awareness and spiritual journey then I thoroughly recommend The Cordello Quest.

This is one of those stories I will return to again and again.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book for free via Making Connections, so I could read and review it.

This book was well written, although it isn't something I would normally read (given it's focus on spiritually, something I know little about). I really enjoyed the part where Keira and her group were in the tunnels and solving puzzles to get them to the next area. The first part of the book seemed really slow, while the second part picked up a lot.

One issue I had was jokes that were told in Cordello that were based on our culture. One of the earlest examples is a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow (brought on by a rainbow, not a pot of gold). I can't see another world, with a culture so different from our own having simlair stories about pots of gold. That messed up the other world aspect of the book for me. It's a very simple thing really, but it bothered me every time a joke was brought in that was culture focused.

I was kind of surprised that Jason didn't play a bigger role in this book. I thought at first that they'd both go to the other world and help out. Jason stays in our world, while Keira ends up in the other world. I guess I missunderstood somehow.

In a lot of ways, this book would work well as a stand alone novel (other books are being planned and I think the second one is being written now). The suggestion of other stories waiting to be told doesn't come up until the end of the book, after all the drama is over and Keira is going home. I'm not sure about reading the other books, but that mostly depends on who the other books are going to be about. Are they still Keira or are they each about a new person? I'm hoping Keira, since I already know her.

[Nea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This book certainly wasn't without its issues, but I enjoyed it. It is decently written in a simple style that makes it a quick read. There's also a bit of mystery weaved in to keep interest high. More importantly, it quenched the thirst I've had for metaphysical fiction since reading the Celestine Prophecy series. If you loved Celestine Prophecy, you'll at least like Cordello Quest. If you dislike Celestine Prophecy, you will absolutely hate this book.

Joanna Gawn's target audience is obviously fans of Abraham Hicks, Eckhart Tolle, Louise Hay and other new age types. In fact, as much as I love the aforementioned spiritual leaders/authors, there were moments while reading this book when I wanted the characters to do ANYTHING other than trust their inner guidance. But there was limited variation.

The main character, Keira, was almost too perfect. She repeatedly uses the exact same techniques to save the day, she always does the right thing, and nothing ever goes wrong for her. Charls, on the other hand, makes the story a lot less predictable. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from his character, which led to a few nice surprises.

I wish I could give the book more stars because I do love non-religious spiritual fiction, but the author needs more practice on her craft. She has a strange obsession with hyphenating and there were other annoying editing oversights. Towards the story's climax, I sensed that she rushed through, rather carelessly missing opportunities to add depth.

If you enjoy new age thought, I recommend that you at least give this book a try. Yes the book has it's flaws, but it is still a good, light-hearted read.

[Joanna Gawn]

I choose not to rate my own novels - that simply doesn't seem the right thing to do. ;-)