Monday, November 21, 2022

Virtual Book Tour + #Giveaway: Rebirth of a Sage by Lani Gonzales @GoddessFish


Rebirth of a Sage

by Lani Gonzales

GENRE: Spirituality/Self-Help/Memoir


BLURB:


A TRANSFORMATIONAL MEMOIR OF LOVE AND LIGHT.

In Lani Gonzales' intimate self-help debut, Rebirth of a Sage, readers meet the woman she was when she discovered ayahuasca and commenced her journey toward spiritual rejuvenation. Panicked, fearful, and drained, she hoped for an escape for both her and the lonely little girl she'd buried inside. Guided by the Shamans and supported by friends she made along the way, her cleanse progressed one ceremony at a time, culminating in a state of pure spiritual refinement.

Through eleven soul-stirring chapters enriched with enlightenment and healing, readers experience a kaleidoscope of emotions as they journey with Lani. A heartwarming chronicle ensues, traversing the blissful highs and devastating lows she faced along her way to rebirth. Unburying her darkest demons, she inspires us to do the same, gradually weaving threads of transformation and encouraging us to reconnect and reignite the divine flame within our souls.


Purchase Rebirth of a Sage on Amazon



Excerpt:

I will not carry the weight of your sin.

It is yours to carry, and not my own.

When my innocent eyes looked to you,

You took your life, and I slowly lost my own.

But that is your sin to carry, and your sin alone.


I will not carry the weight of your sin.

It is yours to carry, and not my own.

You taught me that life was worthless,

Something that easily comes and goes.

But that is your sin to carry, and your sin alone.


You trespassed on my innocence, the pureness of my soul.

But that is your sin to carry, and your sin alone.

I will not carry the weight of your sin.

It is yours to carry, and not my own.

You told me to be silent. You told me to be still.

But something inside me rotted; something inside me grew cold.

But that is your sin to carry, and your sin alone.


I will not carry the weight of your sin.

It is yours to carry, and not my own.

You violated my body, using it for the needs of your own.

But that is your sin to carry, and your sin alone.


I will not carry the weight of your sin.

It is yours to carry, and not my own.

The weight I’ve tried to shed.

The weight I’ve tried to purge.

Deceived into believing it should be shed from my body, the vessel for my soul.

But the weight that should be lost is that of your original sin, your sin, and yours alone.


I will not carry the weight of your sin.

It is not mine to carry.

It is yours and yours alone.


Interview with Lani Gonzales

    If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

    Trust your intuition, honor your truth and let your story flow from a place of love and authenticity.


    What are the most important magazines for writers to subscribe to?

    Read what inspires you! I love National Geographic. With the negativity of the news and the pressure to be perfect from social media, National Geographic is a reminder of how beautiful the world and humanity can be.


    What do you owe the real people upon whom you base your characters?

    Rebirth of a Sage shares the story of how a healer, Emilse guided me during an ayahuasca ceremony through the darkness of my past towards love and light. Rebirth of a Sage also shares the story of John Jairo. Although his only job was to drive me to and from the ayahuasca ceremony, he knew that I would need a friend and he supported me as I relived the traumas of my past.


    Emilse and John Jairo speak little English. I translated and published Rebirth of a Sage into Spanish, and I will be returning to Colombia to give them copies of the translated book. I wrote Rebirth of a Sage to speak my truth, but I also wrote the book to memorialize their kindness and compassion. I owe Emilse and John Jairo my endless gratitude.


    What is the first book that made you cry?

    Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt


    Does writing energize or exhaust you?

    Writing simply for the sake of putting pen to paper feels exhausting. However, when I write from a place of purpose and passion, writing energizes me.


    Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

    I wrote Rebirth of a Sage to honor my truth and share my story authentically. I was worried about the perception of readers, but you can’t please everyone. Ultimately, I decided to write Rebirth of a Sage in a way that would honor the truth and the little girl I once was who suffered in shame and silence.


    Where did your love of books/storytelling/reading/writing/etc. come from?

    My family immigrated to the United States when I was two years old. We didn’t have much money, and a family friend gifted us books and a set of encyclopedias. My childhood wasn’t easy, and the stories I read gave me hope that I would one day be able to live a life just as beautiful as the stories in my book.    


AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Born in the Philippines, Lani Gonzales immigrated to Virginia, USA, with her family when she was only two years old. Determined to emulate her parents' discipline and ambition, Lani worked through college and law school and is now a practicing partner in a successful law firm in Tampa, Florida. A world-traveling, volunteering, energy-healing, aspiring hypnotherapist, Lani is committed to using her light as a beacon to help others find theirs.


Connect with Lani Gonzales

Website



 

Giveaway:

$20 Amazon/BN GC 




Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.


5 comments:

Lani Gonzales said...

Thank you so much for sharing my story!

Rita Wray said...

Sounds like a good read.

Stormy Vixen said...

Congratulations on your release of Rebirth of Sage, Lani, I enjoyed reading the interview and the excerpt, your book sounds like a very helpful read! Good luck with your book and the tour!

Thanks for sharing it with me and have a marvelous week!

Sherry said...

This book sounds very enjoyable.

Lani Gonzales said...

Thank you so much everyone! I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to share my story! I hope you enjoy Rebirth of a Sage!