The Book of Love: A Novel (Magdalene Line)

While parts of this book held challenge for me, lam rewarded with a profound ending. Love always wins. I have often said that love is our greatest weapon and greatest defense. I knew I was right. Thank you Kathleen

As a convert to Catholicism fifty years ago, I chose as my patron saint, Mary Magdalene. At that time, the veils of notoriety had been lifted from her reputation (ruined by the Church). Since then, I have been voraciously consuming all I can about her & this Church to which I am eternally linked. Ave Maria!

For me Kathleen McGowan's "Magdalene Line" trilogy is a spiritual tour-de-force which finally made sense of 2000 years of history and a lifetime of confused teachings of western religion. Based on almost two decades of historical research and inspired with her own personal spiritual vision it opened my eyes to a truth which, as she writes, is there "for those with eyes to see."The first book, " The Expected One ", takes place alternately in the present time and two thousand years ago, with the heroine Maureen researching, discovering and re-membering events from the time of Jesus. These are exquisitely told through passages from the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, discovered as the book unfolds and alternating as flash-backs with events in present time. Teachings of compassion, deep forgiveness and equal place for the voice of the divine feminine in all matters spiritual and temporal.This second book, " The Book of Love (The Magdalene Line) ", should only be read after the first (or you will, in my opinion, be cheating yourself of a wonderful reading experience and perhaps also the truly life-changing opportunity which these books offer). It weaves together three main time periods and is infused with its teachings of the Way of Love in ways which touch the heart and mind again and again both directly and subtly as these teachings are illustrated in the lives of its characters. Balance of masculine and feminine, expression of love in its many aspects, personal and universal, and service to truth form a rich tapestry as, in the words of the book, "The Time Returns."The third book, " The Poet Prince: A Novel (Magdalene Line) ", continues the story with the same contemporary characters, this time illuminating the time of the Renaissance as Kathleen McGowan shows her mastery in combining extensive historical research with her own very special talent to enter the lives and places of those she writes about and bring fresh spiritual insight into their place in history and in our lives today. It also explores the place of prophecy and the duty we may have to fulfill it, or to give it fresh meaning.Like all the best trilogies, "The Magdalene Line" does not end with three books, and I await the delight of reading the fourth book when it appears. Thank you Kathleen.

As with the first book I was left with an urge to learn more...and more. Belief in the power of love, if accepted, is the one tenet of all religions. Mc Gowan's characters reflect a beauty of truth, however contriversial, rarely seen or practiced. Thanks go to her for this enlightening experience.

A solid Episcopalian, I am always fascinated with alternative approaches to Christianity. The importance of Mary Magdalene in spreading the Jesus movement is just beginning to be recognized. The book is well researched, although does contain a few flaws. My mixed feelings come from the hyper-perfection of Matilda - just felt I could have used a bit more fallible humanity there. I also would have liked some further development in the opposing forces - they show up early in the story, then disappear until the final denouement. A good book all in all, though, it held my interest all the way through.

This book was very personal for me! I have long felt there was so much more to Jesus and his relationships and I indeed found what I was seeking inside these pages! I cannot wait to read the author's other books and I will definitely read this again!Thanks to this amazing author, and everyone involved in bringing it to print.A truth of enjoying a book such as this is that having an ebook is not enough...it is a treasure that must be held in True book form and I can't wait to get an actual printed edition!"I have loved you before, I love you today, and I will love you again. The time returns."

The story continues with the life of the descendants of Mary Magdalene and Jesus. It posits that several royal families were descended from this pair. It also opens the possibility that Jesus may have written his own Gospel.

This is book 2 in the Magdalene Line Trilogy. It's a wonderful read but I think in enjoyed book 1, The Expected One, just a hair better. This book reveals that Jesus wrote his own gospel, The Book of Love and was used by his wife Mary to spread the word of the Lord. Maureen, Berenger and even Peter are back for this second journey into the past of the Bible. The Catholic Church does its best to prevent Maureen from continuing her journey but there are angels who watch out for her. Could be read as a stand alone but it's better to have the background of The Expected One. Ready to start book 3, The Poet Prince.

I should say immediately that this is not the sort of book I would normally read, but I have recently come across Mathilde of Canossa in another context and am having trouble finding out much about her (especially as I don't speak Italian!). Sometimes a good historical novel can set some wheels moving. Unfortunately, this is not a good historical novel.Think Dan Brown meets Harry Potter, topped up with a soupcon of feminism for spice. The overall message is one that most women have understood since the dawn of time, and that was famously - and far more succinctly - captured by the Beetles in "All you Need is Love".. However, my main problem was quite simply the writing style. It reads rather like an inexperienced writer's essay on a subject in which she has very little interest. There are no real characterisations, no depth and little attention to real life or practicalities.However, it should have done wonders for tourism in Chartres.

A beautifully crafted tale weaving into its fabric the history of Jesus, The Magdalene and their descendants. If you hold firmly to the belief that Jesus never married this is not the book for you, but if you keep an open mind - and heart - this story will speak volumes to you. It is not a book that demands you change your beliefs, but only to open to the possibility that the historical 'facts' are not always as they seem. I loved this book on so many levels for it confirmed some aspects for me, and opened avenues of investigation on others. A worthy follow on from 'The Expected One'.

Seriously one of the best books. Well written great story and interesting characters. Looking forward to the next one. Brilliant

I really enjoyed this book . Kathleen McGowan is has done a lot of research for her story. The first half of the story seemed to go on to long about Matilda and her life . The second half of her story though WAS ABSOLUTELY MESMERISING AND BRILLIANTLY TOLD. I stayed awake all night to read every little bit of it. I Would recommend this book as a follow up to Kathleen McGowans first book. The expected one. As I said BRILLIANT

I found this second book to be more of a lecture than a novel. I was disappointed in the author for nor fishing Matilda properly. We are left high and dry as though the story has just puttered out. I hope the next book is better. Liz