Come Hell Or High Water – Part 3: Deluge

Come Hell Or High Water

Part 3: Deluge

Author: Stephen Morris
Independently Published
2013
ISBN #978-0-9847731-6-9

“Part 3: Deluge” is the third book in the paranormal trilogy “Come Hell Or High Water”, by Stephen Morris. In Part 1: Well Spring, we met Magdalena, a secretary at Charles University in Prague. Through a strange set of circumstances she ends up helping Fen’ka, a wise woman who was lynched by a mob for witchcraft in  1356. With her dying breath Fen’ka cursed the city and its people. In searching for help for Fen’ka, Magdalena brings two very dangerous people to Prague: Elizabeth, a beautiful Irish mythologist who is in actuality the Dearg-due (an Irish vampire figure that does not have to play by the same rules as the vampires that we all know and love!), and George. a New York based Jesuit priest who is also head of a coven. What Magdalena does not realize is that George and Elizabeth are set on destroying the city of Prague!

In “Part 2: Rising” the focus changes to Magdalena’s friend Victoria, and the alliance she forms with several of the visiting professors at the conference on “Evil and Human Wickedness” that Magdalena’s boss is hosting. Together they go head to head against Magdalena, George, and Elizabeth to locate the four magical tools that are protecting Prague – Chalice, Sword, Staff, and Pentacle.

In “Part 3: Deluge”, the very existence of Prague is threatened by a flood that will wash away the Charles Bridge and its magical protection of the city. (Remember, Fen’ka’s curse was on the city and all of  its people.) George and Magdalena rush to carry out the curse by weakening the bridge with the flood, which will allow them to enlist the help of the devil Svetovit to destroy the city.

The book begins with the story of Nadezda, in the winter of 1356-1357. Her husband, a baker, was in the square when Fen’ka was burned, as was her brother, who ran home with a burning branch from the fire, throwing it into the family fireplace. Nadezda is forced to go into the Jewish section of town to consult with an elderly rabbi, after she faces the shadow of Lilith, who is trying to steal her baby. She confronts Lilith to discover the secret of the witch’s curse, only to find that it lies very close to home!

I love the way that the chapters alternate between past and present, weaving the web that all of the story’s characters are caught up in. Everything that happens in this story is for a reason – the present becomes the past – a past that lays the foundation for a new present, and a new future. There is excellent use made of mythology, of the environment and history of the city of Prague itself, and of the elements that make up the esoteric world. All of this unfolds through the lives of the characters in the story.

Being a Tarot reader myself, and a student of esoteric magic, I was riveted at the use both factions (George and Magdalena, and Victoria and her professors) made of the Tarot itself, of the qualities of the four elements (Fire, Water, Air, and Earth), and of simple things like salt and herbs. Morris shows a thorough understanding of religion, myth, and basic human nature, bringing everything together in a final showdown between George, Magdalena (who is beginning to realize that she has been duped), the devil Svetovit, Victoria, and the professors.

This is quite a compelling series – one that you want to read again and again!

© 2000 – 2013 Bonnie Cehovet

Reproduction in any venue prohibited without the written permission of the author.

 

A Challenge From Me To All Tarotists!

 

I read a post yesterday from Mary Nale, founder and editor of Attune Magazine and Attune Magazine Radio. Mary and I have worked together for a long time now. Mary was letting us know that she is hav ing a very difficult time keeping the magazine and radio show going financially. My heart just hit rock bottom – why had I not realized this? Why had I not stepped up on my own? I want you all to read Mary’s thoughts in her own words. Here is the link to her post: Attune Magazine Needs Your Help.

Mary states that she has come to the end of her financial resources, and needs help to keep going. I felt very bad that I had not realized this sooner, and that I had to be asked to step up. Mary is the one who talked me through hosting many classes in the Attune classroom. has accepted my work for her magazine, and hosted me on her show many times. All of this cost me nothing but my time.

I made an immediate decision. I sent a donation as soon as I read her post (there is a donation button on the Attune home page), and committed to ads on a continuing basis for my books. I am always happy when I find an individual (or group) that I can donate to with good conscience, and I needed to up my game from free to paid promotions for my books. For me, this was all a given.

I am going to tell you some things about Mary. She is a single mother with two daughters in their early twenties. She also has a lovely grandson named Shane. Mary is responsible for her entire household. She takes what time she has left and devotes it to her passions – Tarot, other forms of divination, and self-improvement. She actively searches for links in these areas, and shares them on a regular basis. She puts together a quarterly magazine on diverse subjects, including articles, reviews, interviews, videos, and more. She offers advertising space at a very affordable rate, and is willing to help people set their ads up.

She also hosts Attune Magazine Radio on Blog Talk Radio every Saturday morning. Recent topics include dreams (with Amanda Goldston), weight loss (with Amanda Goldston), an interview with Brad Tesh and myself about our new book (Seek Joy … Toss Confetti”), and Tiptoeing Through the Tarot (with Koneta Bailey). All of these shows are informational, and they are all archived for future listening.

Mary also does reviews herself, and mentors people on how to get their work and themselves out in front of the public. I should also mention that Mary offers readings through Skype or by phone!

I am hoping that each of you reading this blog will help in any way that you can. Sometimes we just don’t have money to donate … in which case I would ask that you send a prayer up that as a community we are able to save this valuable resource.

© 2000 – 2013 Bonnie Cehovet

All material on this site is copyright by Bonnie Cehovet, and may not be reproduced in any format without written permission.