BOOK TOUR: THE REINCARNATIONIST by M.J. Rose
"THE REINCARNATIONIST is equal parts modern-day thriller, historical fiction and love story. With one foot in present-day Rome and New York and another in Rome some 1,600 years ago, my story is about two worlds consumed by the fires of intrigue and passion." -- M. J. Rose
I couldn't say it better myself. M. J. Rose hit the nail on the head when she describes her latest (9th) book release or THE REINCARNATIONIST. It is all of what she says and more. The bare bones of it all (and I mean that, there are archaeological digs, tombs, ancient ruins), is that it is a love story. A deep, insanely beautiful love story that spans centuries and keeps you turning the pages to try to piece it all together. But let me warn you, before you realize it, you'll be sucked into the suspense and the characters will grab a hold of your heart and won't let you go.
I finished reading the book two nights ago. At 2 a.m. And with a newborn in the house, you know what that means about staying up late and giving up my precious sleep. I am still thinking about the characters (past and present). Thinking of their lives. What that had to offer the world. Their predicaments. And then wondering, what my past lives were. How I lived them. If I knew about them now, how I might try to *right* the past. Or if I could.
Traditionally, I am not sure I would have picked up this book myself. Then again the cover art is gorgeous. And captivating. So much so, when I had visitors this weekend, a friend, one that isn't a huge "reader" grabbed a hold of the book and started reading. Fingering the cover, pages... asking what it was about. Reincarnation is something that peaked her interest. And well, the book that M.J. offered me to read and review? Well, it is going to be sent across the country (well North anyway) to my close friend. I know the book, this book, might actually bring her back to reading. The way a good book should. And me, when M.J. sent the back cover copy my way to consider reading... had me hooked too.
I don't want to give anything away. Really. The book is too good to spoil. So here is the official blurb for the book:
Photojournalist Josh Ryder survives a terrorist’s bomb, only to be haunted by near hallucinatory memories of a past life in Rome as a pagan priest whose dangerous congress with Sabina, one of the Vestal Virgins, poses a transgression so serious the lovers will face a certain death if exposed. Scents of jasmine and sandalwood and images of furtive liaisons and violence descend on Josh at will, pulling him to an ancient yet strangely familiar Roman burial chamber harboring the remains of a woman clutching a wooden box.
A trail of present-day murders takes us deeper into a labyrinth at whose heart lies the enigma of a collection of ancient gems or memory stones whose origins trace back to both ancient Egypt and India. The stones’ promise to "assist the wearer in reaching his next incarnation" sets the ancient and modern worlds on a collision course.
And then, of course, my interview with M.J. Rose herself! She was so kind to drop by and answer a few questions for us.
You must have spent hours researching this book--with all the references to ancient Rome, Italy, and well, reincarnation. Did you happen to travel to Rome at all in your research? How about an archaeological dig? If not, is that something you would want to do yourself one day?
I did go to Rome several times. It's an amazing city with modern times and ancient times side by side every where you look. And I did see some archaeological digs there in process although I didn't get to go on site and really get involved. But I'd love to. I've been absolutely fascinated with archaeology since I was a kid.
Of course, the title alone will suggest this question-- who do you think you were in past lives or who do you wish you could have shared lives with and why?
I've gone to a reincarnationist and tried to find out and am afraid its very unexciting. An Egyptian slave girl, a Roman soldier, a Pilgrim wife. I never thought of who I wish I was - but its a great question. I think I would have like to have been a great philosopher who lived to 90 and died in his or her sleep of natural causes.
What is the most interesting reincarnation story you have heard since writing the book? I am guessing now that you have this book out, many people have shared their theories and stories with you... I'd love to hear the most interesting.
At a booksigning a woman came up to me and told me she'd heard me earlier that morning and knew she had been my sister in New England in the late 1600's and we'd died of a pox. What is so astonishing is as you can tell from my earlier answer, i have reason to believe that i was there then. But that's nothing compared to the fact that the woman has a tiny white mark on the side of her nose in the same exact place I have one. What is the mark? For both of us the same answer. A chicken pox scar from childhood.
And lastly, just because I ask this of everyone, if you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
I would like to be able to fly.
Oh, and M.J. is guest blogging over here later today (or tomorrow, depending on when I get the post up for reading). So, don't go too far away. She's got loads of background information on the how and why she wrote this book.
Here's some more fun links to keep you interested. If I haven't sold you on the book yet. But you should, really, go buy it. Totally worth the cash. It is such wonderful read. She'll have you up til 2 a.m. too. Trust me!
M.J. Rose's official website
Read an Excerpt
Watch an Interview
Watch a booktrailer
Listen to the BookExpo Podcast interview
Read M.J. blog devoted the novel's fascinating subject matter.
Buy the Book
Reading Group Guide
