The Cult of Venus: Templars and the Ancient Goddess

Templars in America #7

by David S. Brody

Historians Cameron Thorne and Amanda Spencer-Gunn discover a 14th-century journal which confirms a long-rumored historical The medieval Church outlawed the Knights Templar because the warrior monks were secretly worshiping the ancient Goddess. The journal also sucks Cam and Amanda into the orbit of a ruthless cabal of modern-day pagans intent on pushing America into the loving arms of the Goddess—whether America wants succor there or not. Based on actual historical artifacts, and illustrated. Publishers Weekly says of the author, "BRODY DOES A TERRIFIC JOB OF WRAPPING HIS RESEARCH IN A FAST-PACED THRILL RIDE." This is a stand-alone novel with recurring characters. These books can be read in any order. * Not recommended for readers with strong religious beliefs.*

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Adventure, Action, Historical Fiction, Amazon

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2017

About the author

David S. Brody is a Boston Globe bestselling fiction writer named Boston's "Best Local Author" by the Boston Phoenix newspaper. A graduate of Tufts University and Georgetown Law School, he is a former Director of the New England Antiquities Research Association (NEARA) and is an avid researcher in the subject of pre-Columbian exploration of America. He has appeared as a guest expert on documentaries airing on History Channel, Travel Channel, PBS and Discovery Channel.

Reviews

[Mackey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 - I could go up or down....

This was one of the most fascinating books I've read in ages! While fiction, it is based on the factual artifacts that the Templar Knights came to "North America" long before Columbus was even born. This is a series of 9 books thus far and this is book 7 of 9 yet I felt very comfortable reading it as a stand alone. This particular book revolved around Astarte, a young girl destined to be a princess or leader of the "new world" in modern times. You will have to read the book to understand why. However, what I found so incredibly interesting was the archeological aspects of the book and as well as the goddess worship. I was, quite literally, reading the book and researching what they were saying throughout its entirety and say with my mouth hanging open in shock at what I was seeing and reading. There are illustrations throughout the book e.g. photos of henges, ceremonial sites, all here in the US! Fascinating stuff!! If you like history, the truth about history, are interested in paganism at all, or love a good action series based on the Templar Knights then you will LOVE this series. I've already downloaded book one so I can catch up with all that I missed.

[Chris Hall · Rating 2 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this, although I wasn't really engaged by the main characters and I found elements of the plot somewhat unrealistic. It was reasonably absorbing, but I'm not tempted to read more in the series.

[Ketutar Jensen · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Managed 2/3. It didn't get any better. *sigh* Total waste of time.

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Basically, all the negative reviews were "This author is liberal and hates Trump, won't be reading more of his books". Huh?
It was free on Amazon kindle, and with reviews like that... sounds interesting.

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All the negative reviews were wrong. "This author is liberal and hates Trump" doesn't even touch the problems with this book.

The author has two obsessions.
1) Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact (he is a former Director of the New England Antiquities Research Association (NEARA), which is a hobby society for "amateur archaeologists" who try to prove pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact.
and
2) The Alphabet Versus the Goddess: The Conflict Between Word and Image and the right side of the brain = feminine, left side = masculine.

Both are full of BS, but as David S. Brody is obsessed, he doesn't care. He will use anything to confirm his theories, interpret anything to support them, and invent things if there isn't enough data to be used.
For this book, he invented a diary written by Henry Sinclair that proves he visited North America. Here's an excerpt from the diary:

"My father has named this river Mary-Mac to honor our Lord. He has taught this name to the natives and hopes they will adopt it."

Yeah, those red injuns didn't name any rivers, it was all white men who done it.

"The word "mac" in Scottish meant "son of", so the name Mary-Mac translated, apparently, to Son of Mary"

Except that "Son of Mary" in Scottish is mac Màiri.
He uses a lot of "etymology" in this book, and it's all this kind of garbage.

"Mary is the most important woman in Christianity. The root of her name is mer, meaning the sea."

Except that it's a Hebrew name. Sea in Hebrew is not mer.

"The name Magdalene is the Westernized version of the original Hebrew name, Migdal. Migdal in Hebrew means "tower". So the name Mary Magdalene translates to the Tower of Mary"

No. It translates to Mary from Magdala.

"The root of the word is mat, from the Egyptian goddess Maat. Other words have the same root, like matriarch and matron."

No, it isn't. The root of the word is medha, mendh, to learn, wisdom, as a product of learning. Egyptian is not an Indo-European language, and maat, ma'at means truth, balance, and justice. Neither word has anything to do with mater, mother, which is the root of matriarch and matron.

That's the kind of "science" he pushes throughout the whole book.

For example, he has this theory that the Phoenicians built the Stonehenge and the "American Stonehenge" and that they are connected with a straight "sunrise line" to the "Phoenician Stonehenge", or the "Israeli Stonehenge" (Rujum al-Hiri)

The problem is, of course, that these things are not in line if you remember that the sun rises in due east on Spring Equinox...

"What Cam believed, and taught, was that waves of European and Mediterranean explorers had crossed the Atlantic prior to Columbus - Phoenicians, Irish, Norse, French, Scots, perhaps even ancient residents of Atlantis."

Atlantis... Yeah, sure... Sorry, I wouldn't hire you as a history professor either. So - some university apparently had hired him to teach history. He's a lawyer. He teaches this pseudo-history based on very shaky grounds, fairytales, and conspiracy theories. The university didn't renew the contract, and he's p'd off, because "the history he was teaching was not considered politically correct by the liberal-minded faculty". Atlantis. *rolling eyes*

"When people first learned to read, that caused us to use the left side of our brains much more than we had been. As I said earlier, the left side of the brain is what men use most. So when we began to read, we became more masculine in our thinking"

Yeah... things governed by the left side of the brain: maths, science, language, not just reading and writing. Language. But, no language is good, women invented maths, it's just letters, the alphabet that's bad. *rolling eyes*

Then there's the problem with the fact that David (A graduate of Tufts University and Georgetown Law School) made his main character an attorney. ("My name is Attorney Cameron Thorne" Your name is Attorney? Such an unusual name.) The problem is that David doesn't know how the law works. He makes Cam bully people by using legal threats that wouldn't work on anyone with the least knowledge of the law and their own rights. He doesn't know how to handle criminal clients. He doesn't understand what client-attorney confidentiality entails. He doesn't know how to talk about things without mentioning certain things. It's really ridiculous.

"This was not like fighting with one hand tied behind his back. It was like fighting with no hands at all".

Nah, it's like fighting with no brains at all.

Then there's the pseudo-feminism.

"Scientific studies show women, generally speaking, really are more intuitive than men"

Yeah... what is this thing called "intuition"? Attention. Noticing small, insignificant details. Association. Understanding. Drawing conclusions. It's not something magical, incomprehensible, supernatural, or paranormal. It's just seeing more in the world than your own navel. If the guys like David here knew this, they would insist men are better at "intuition" than women because it would be called "observation, deduction, and logical reasoning" - like Sherlock Holmes.

"I think when people think about Goddess worship, about making the godhead more feminine, they get this vision in their head of everyone standing in a circle holding hands and singing. And then afterward talking about their feelings. But I don't think that's what the ancient Goddess represented. Sure, she was compassionate and kind. But she could also be aggressive and strong when necessary".
(Compassionate and kind? WTF are you talking about?)
Amanda blinked, considering Cam's argument. "Okay."
"Think about it this way: what's more aggressive than a mother bear protecting her cubs?"
"Good point".
(What? "Good point"?)
"We shouldn't think of Goddess worship as necessarily being synonymous with passivity. Cultures that worship the Goddess can be aggressive."

Now, that's insulting, David. Women are not passive and submissive and gentle by nature, and you know nothing about the ancient Goddess worshiping cultures. No wonder considering your source material. Maybe try reading books written by actual historians, archaeologists, and anthropologists talking about actual scientific discoveries and history, (and preferably written by women), instead of finding literature that confirms your theories.

"Cam made an interesting observation. "Notice how he uses words like stem and root and honey. All things from nature. As if nature itself were evil."
"That's what they believed".

Yeah. "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots". So evil.

And then the stupid jokes.

"Did I tell you one of my ancestors, Bertrand de Blanchefort, was a Templar Grand Master?" His pronunciation of the name made Amanda think of cheese fondue.

"We call it the eggscroll"
Either the language barrier prevented him from getting the joke, or he just didn't think it funny...

They are all stupid like that. Some are more questionable than others. Most are of bad taste. None funny.

[Carlos Mock · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Cult of Venus: Templars and the Ancient Goddess (Templars in America Book 7) by David S. Brody

"Sometimes I wonder if it really matters. Yahweh, Jesus, Allah, Buddha, the Goddess, whatever. The Freemasons have the right idea. As long as you believe in some being greater than yourself, some higher power. Something to keep you humble." p. 92

"Men predominantly use the analytical side of their brains, while women are more balanced. But the way we teach our children is geared toward the way men think." p. 167

This is a stand-alone book. You don't need to read any of the prior books to enjoy it.

The plot opens when Cameron (Cam) Mitchell - a lawyer/archeologist who believes that many cultures came to America before Columbus did - gets a phone call from Katherine Morville that she's in danger and she has the Sinclair Journals proving they were in America in the 14th century. She's soon found dead and Cam is able to retrieve the journals.

Soon thereafter Cam is caught - by mistake - in the arms of another woman - Erin Donovan - who later hires him as her lawyer so he can't defend himself against the claim he was taking advantage of her. Cam is married to Amanda Spencer-Gunn and this conundrum ruins his life.

At the same time, Astarte - who's Cam and Amanda's adopted daughter and 40th generation descendant of an American Indian princess with claims to the Mormons, Christian, Muslim, and Egyptian bloodlines - is lured to a skying camp by 86 y/0 Jamila Bashear. Jamila is the leader of a cult that believes in the worship of the Goddess and believes Astarte will lead the world on that path. She thinks that women think with the right of their brains and are therefore more artistic and levelheaded. Men are ruled by the left side of their brains and are more aggressive and logistical. The right side of the brain uses art and symbols. The left side uses the written word. Jamila believes that the invention of literature (left brain) killed the Goddess worship so she bans books in her camp.

Cam and Amanda have to solve the puzzle of the journals, the discovery of a buried treasure, and rescue Astarte from Jamila's claws before it's too late...

Narrated from the third person point of view, this is the 7th installment in the "Templars in America" series. It's an easy fast read. Unfortunately, Mr. Brody repeats himself a lot. We get the same theory over and over again throughout the book. It doesn't help that the books are the same theme with a slightly altered plot. If you liked the prior books you'll enjoy it. I enjoyed it!

[Roger Campbell]

I read this book with great interest and anticipation. I am a US History buff and found the pre-Columbus era fascinating and intriguing. The author did a notable job of explaining the known ancient relics and symbols found in North America prior to Columbus' discovery. The relationship between the husband/wife research team was a little sketchy and not as strong as what I expected. The antagonist's character was completely expected as I read the story. The book's, and from the writings of the authors, the political attitude was definitely left and the author reinforced this position several times, I expect to characterize the personality trait between left and right brain dominance. The story contained a lot of Freemason/Templar relationships, with the Freemasons taking on a sinister manner that may turn many off. I found the story weak but the history fulfilling.

[Patricia A Spring · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical mystery

Similar to the Da Vinci Code, the story is intriguing and action oriented. I took a point off because the three main characters all disappointed me. Cameron is supposed to be smart and good at solving clues and mysteries but he couldn't see that the woman in his office asking attorney client privilege questions was involved in his sting? He didn't think to show Amanda the texts from her phone? Not believable for the character. Don't even get me started on Amanda, even after having proof that the pictures were faked in a previous book she didn't believe, trust or forgive Cam all because she'd been cheated on? Even though he didn't have any time to cheat, swore he didn't do it, asked her to trust him. Then the minute something about came up again she went off again, trust wouldn't have rebuilt that fast and her on off switch was unbelievable. In this story she's mad that he didn't trust her with another set up after what she put him through the first time, saying even though she knew it was fake she couldn't unsee it. No trust would make the relationship die. What twelve year old orphan taken into a loving family that jumped threw hoops to get her would just throw it away to stay at a school? On the basis of a picture and again a smart man worries more about his income than his family? All that made me so disgusted with the characters. Especially because each of them had been through similar stuff in previous stories so they should have trusted each other or at least had reasonable doubt. I did enjoy the information, the presentation so the reader can look for themselves and the theories

[Betsy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Search for history OR political agenda?

For the most part, I have enjoyed Brody's series. I thought the Crimes was stupid but realize it was a set up for this book.
Authors need to remember books are timeless. The 2 🌟 rating because of strong one sided political agenda. While discussing the "unwashed" Templars, Brody side swipes a group who Brody seems to have neglected to understand may be buying his books.
I do like The historical content but DO NOT like the largesse Brody has made to the to political party.
This book was written in 2017 so Brody was unhappy about election results.
I will look at reviews before buying anymore of his books. If I need political debate, I can turn on the TV .

[Paul Bourke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite the DaVinci Code ... but a decent read

I enjoyed this novel. The story is something that immediately made me want to pick this up and read it. I love stories of the Templar’s and their influence on history. And I enjoy authors who can take the evidence from history and spin a good yarn with it. This fits the bill and makes for a good read. For me it was sometimes a bit laboured how the detail was revealed and at times it really felt a bit forced. The characters seemed a little contrived and shallow but I treated this as a bit of an action story and that was therefore ok. In general this is worth a read but don’t expect to get the same sort of thrill you got when you first read something like the DaVinci Code.

[Bob Ely · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book and brought out some ideas that could be real. It makes the reader wonder. A lady calls Cam and tells him she has some journals and is being chased. She will leave them somewhere that can be found by him. She is killed. Cam begins to go through the journals, along with his wife Amanda and they find that it leads to the theory that the Knights Templar were her again long before Columbus. They also point out that society worshiped the "Goddess" Their adopted daughter is a priestess and is wanted by a woman who wants to take over as the "Goddess". The Masons are also involved. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book. As a Mason, I can say that some of the references to the Masons is accurate, so the author does his research. It is a good book.

[JESUS GODINEZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Prophetess of Venus

As the Templar, reborn into Freemasonry, researchers continue to decipher ancient texts and maps of hidden treasure and secrets, both Cameron Thorne and his wife, Ananda, are again drawn into the thrilling world of prophecy and controversial historical facts. Again, author David Brody, has spun a tale of mystery and intrigue that questions the history of the churches of the world intertwined with the age-old adoration of the Sacred Feminine as he continues the story of the Destiny of the fortieth princess in the guise of their daughter, Astarte and the revelations of what was the true treasure of the Templars hidden in America. A fast and compelling read for history buffs alike.!

[Amalie · Rating 1 out of 5]

It has been a long time since I hated a book this much. It is confused, it is all over the place, it is filled with both stupid and deeply unsympathetic characters. Most of all, the whole central point of "the goddess" often makes no sense. While i personally think it is stupid to make pretty much every goddess ever worshipped into on deity, I can accept it as a plot point. However, it drove me insane, that the historians would often also refer to a singular "the goddess" in pretty much any situation, despite not having any contact with this cult yet, so why would they also believe that every goddess ever, were all the same?

[Richard Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story. Well written.

Intriguing historical fiction. Based in factual history with enough facts unproven to make a skilled story teller smile and perform with excellence. Mr. Brody is such an author. Wish i was. In my opinion it is a timely story in that the world is divided. Male v female. Democrat v Republican. People of color v white. Young v is old dudes.
We are all too vain and judgemental for a species about to be decimated by microscopic monster. Maybe the Corona virus is on a mission from nature? A this story implies, we have lost our balance.

[Leslie B Mink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent discourse on possible Templar treasures in UD

Enjoyed reading this about the possibility that the Template may have been to North America centuries before Columbus. Also great story about values of earlier Christians, their beliefs and practices laid out in a novel. Just how much is really true, and how much is make-believe? Excellent series that encourages thinking.

[Sheila Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was there ever a time when all worshipped the same God/Creator

Astarte young girl always knew she was different, losing her parents and being adopted by Amanda and Cameron both historians and knowing Astarte's story but at only 12 years old they wanted her to have a little young girl life first, but that is not going to stop the Goddess worshippers who have their own agenda. A fun and interesting story that keeps you wanting just a little more

[Susanne Wendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked most about the book was the inclusion of research the author obviously undertook to authenticate the background of his novel. Great having actual photos included. An enjoyable story. Unfortunately the two main characters were not well developed in that Cam who is supposed to be clever isn't very, and his wife Amanda is rather immature. But that aside the story moves along at a good pace and there's enough tension to make you want to read to the finish.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty unbelievable

It was fairly entertaining. I liked all the factual information. However, so much was very hard to internalize. Worshipping the Goddess? Comparable to worshiping the myth of Jesus, in my opinion. Amazing what people dreamed up in past years right up to the present. Many coincidences in the story that were pretty far fetched. I read the first 2 books but not sure if I will read the next.

[Kathryn Laing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fascinating book weaving historical artifacts into the storyline. Cameron Thorne and wife Amanda are still researching the legend of Prince Henry Sinclair of the Templars having sailed to New England. Now they have received Sinclair’s journals, which lead them into danger for both of them and their adopted daughter Astarte.

[Steve Lundh · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premises was a fun one but in the first half the author felt the need to bash things not liberal and the second half was just straight up anti-Christian. If that is you thing then you should enjoy this book. Be aware that the story line was very easy to see what was coming so almost no surprises.

[Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me too

Not quite the revolution but the author again challenges the paradigm. Up to date, I am not sure that the Masons, or any Masonic body would endorse anything attributed to them in this book. It is however a great story that has not reached its climax.

[Cheryl Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great tale!

It is truly amazing to me that I have not come across these books before, as I have been reading books all my life. What is also amazing is the historical facts not taught in American history. Mr. Brody gives is a clue as to "Why?"

[john temple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly good read either as one of the series ( 9 books in total) of as a stand alone. Well researched and gives food for thought a turbo charged da Vinci code. A page turned as every book by this author has been. Wholeheartedly recommend this book and the whole series

[Susie Pickthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

I have read 5 of David Brody’s books and have loved every one of them! I have checked several of the references in the books for authenticity and they have been ‘spot on’ as Amanda would say!
Keep up the good work, Mr Brody!

[Mo Allard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! David Brody continues to mix fact and fiction for this series. I intend to read more from this series and highly recommend them to others!

[John E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting revelations

Brody blends real Templar riddles into a story that twists and turns, sometimes a bit too far into fantasy land. The ancient religious revelations are astounding and not common knowledge.

[Philip A. Guercio · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining read with some old subjects covered in a different way. If you like tales about the Templars, The Goddess, etc. this is your book. The underlying plot could have been less obvious and te ending left something to be desired.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better and better

Me. Brody’s Templar’s in America series just gets better. I read the first one and was amazed at the depth he has researched his subject. I love history and fiction and this series is the best of both. Bravo Mr. Brody, keep up the superb work.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dealt with Templar knights being here long before Columbus, leaving signs such as American stone henge etc. the story surrounds a couple who is trying to prove the whole story is true. Love the pictures of the real artifacts that make the whole story feels true. Good books.

[Marj Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another super adventure!!

A rollercoaster ride through history and modern events to bring the tidbits together. Loved every minute of the story. Wow, is all I can muster. Great continues on.

[Dana Monson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced and interesting

While I do not support the idea of goddess worship that is subtly being promoted in the book the storyline with Arstarte is very intriguing. The what if idea and the action keep me reading this series.

[Keith Withers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathtaking

From ancient times to the present day life has been building up to a new revelation. Writing a book of this king whilst using actual currently known dedicated sites makes this a story of mystery...or is it actually factual. I leave you to be the judge