The Fortune Teller: A Novel

I was initially unsure about the book when I first started reading it because it opens with a cheesy romance (which I really can't stand) and it instantly develops into a love triangle (which I can't stand even more). Luckily, the romance takes a backseat to the actual story. The main character is Semele and I didn't really care about her story until later on in the book (it shifted from romance to some personal issues). Semele's story, however, is not the main story. The book chronicles the extraordinary events of a deck of tarot cards connected to a woman named Inonna. Semele finds an ancient manuscript one day while appraising a private book collection for her newest client and she's instantly drawn to it. She's soon thrust into Ancient Egypt & Ancient Rome among other exotic locations as she follows the tarot cards as well as Inonna on an epic quest through time. Reading the manuscript soon becomes her top priority as she can't wait to see what adventure awaits her next! I had so much fun reading the flashbacks to Ancient Civilizations. I'm actually interested in Anthropology and Archaeology and hope to become a Museum Curator someday so I was drawn to this book much like Semele was drawn to the manuscript. omg the attention to detail was so spot on! The way the Author sets the scene is amazing! She describes everything so elegantly and vividly! You can actually imagine yourself there! And to top it off she blends real history with fantasy fiction! She had me fact checking names, places and events and sure enough they were real. I really appreciate the fact that she she drew from real history to tell a story. I learned a lot about the history of tarot cards as well as the Great Library of Alexandria (omg I can just imagine the splendor of such a historical landmark!). I also enjoyed reading about Graphology (the study of handwriting or penmanship), Psychic Powers, Prophecy and Appraising Antiquities which all played a part in the story. Excellent Read! Hope she writes more stories like this!

This book's description spoke to me as I borrowed it from my local library. Immersing myself - couldn't help it - over the next few days was a deepening experience that came to find all my own connections with the 'past'. Lives intertwined, messages sent across generations, time lines that are linked through heart and soul and the mystery of how that is possible. The writing is confident, emotionally tangible and powerfully felt. And the research absolutely lovely - anyone can spin a yarn that is appealing - to have it anchored in the world of old, of the ancients and cruising through all the possible layers of history is immensely well done. The complexity of the characters coupled with a suspenseful, wonderful narrative takes you on a journey inside, deep inside. That's how I experienced this novel. Promptly bought The Fortune Teller to send to my sister and am now reading The Memory Painter, once again with complex and deeply felt, characters. Thank you Gwendolyn Womack for your skills, please, keep writing.

I enjoyed reading this, well actually listening to it on my recent road trip. If I could give it more stars I would. Very few books hold my interest after reading it. It's been weeks after reading it and still thinking about the story. What I loved about this story was the subject. I like a good mystery mixed with a little romance and paranormal. I read Tarot cards, have for years. Always wondered about their birth. Even though, in this story, it was fictional. I like the mystery and surprises in the book. I enjoyed the way Gwendolyn weaved effortly the 2 stories in the book together without making it confusing. This is important to me when listening to it instead of reading it. Gwendolyn descriptions of places and characters were perfectly blended with the action of the story. I prefer, when reading a book, more action driven than descriptive stories; because, I get bored. Not this this book. I loved it.

This is one book that will go on my most favorite list. The story weaves a most remarkable tale between ancient and modern times. Semele, an appraiser of antiquities collectibles, is sent to Switzerland to catalog a dead man’s collection. The collection is impressive, but one item she finds will change her life forever – an ancient manuscript. She almost missed it, but instinctively she was drawn to its hiding place. Curiosity got the better of her and she photographed each page of the manuscript with her cell phone. Semele intended to translate each page to reveal the secrets she knew it contained. What she didn’t figure on was that she was part of those secrets. She also didn’t figure on risking her life and those of family and friends. This is a well written and researched book, filled with historical events, mysticism, Nazi experiments, and a whole lot more. Well done Ms. Womack – I am looking forward to reading more of your books.

Great premise, but poorly executed. It felt very rushed. With so many centuries involved in this story, perhaps the author wanted to move the story along. But the antagonist should have had a much bigger role than the last 50 pages of the book. It was pretty well written, but I would have been happy with a slower pace. I really didn't like Semele's character. She treated Bren like he was completely disposable, all because of a preminition she had. "You don't end up with me anyway, so what does it matter if I toss you aside with no explanation? You'll be fine!" And don't even get me started on the romance with the other guy. That was forced and rushed and made no sense whatsoever. Their history is shared, so naturally they're... soulmates?? Not sure on that one. Again, the premise is really good, but the actual novel is not.

I nearly stopped reading in the first 30-40 pages because it seemed more like a ridiculous Harlequin romance than anything else. I persevered and enjoyed the middle parts most. The ending was kind of cheesy. Definitely a ‘don’t think too hard about it’ book, but decent if you want an escape and aren’t too picky.

I fell in love with Gwendolyn's style of writing while reading The Memory Painter so I knew I'll love this book even before I opened it. But as soon as I've read first line, I was immersed in the story and couldn't put the book down. It is well written with the history beautifully mixed with fiction. I enjoyed the journey from ancient Egypt through the time up until today's events. It's the type of book you won't be able to put down no matter the consequences. Ionna's story kept me awake and I felt like reading over Semele's shoulder while she was translating. Well done!

I'd recommend the book to anyone who finds the Tarot fascinating, as well as anyone who loves delving into deep history, whether occult or ordinary. You don't need a Knowledge of the Tarot, though it will help you understand the chapter headings of nothing else. It's an excellent page turner, and far more involving than most of the action thrillers of which there seem to be an inexhaustible supply.

I read The Memory Painter awhile back, and expected something as good. The book's written well enough, but I felt the ending was somewhat mundane; as if 'cause and effect' were juggled and instead of a cohesive whole, the outcome was disparate from what the story was really about.

I really enjoyed this novel which explores the origins of the Tarot through generations of clairvoyant women. This book is equal parts history lesson, exploration of the supernatural, antiques roadshow, and well-paced modern thriller.

I loved this book. It was exciting from start to finish. I don't often reread books but I will definitely reread this one at some point because I think there is more to learn. And I will be reading more from this author