The Book of Love

By Kathleen McGowan

Once there was a gospel written in Christ's own hand: a treasure of almost unimaginable magnitude, referred to by the Cathars of medieval France as The Book of Love...

Fresh from her successful search for the long-hidden scrolls written by Mary Magdelene, journalist Maureen Pascal now finds herself on the trail of the legendary lost gospel known as the Book of Love. But just as there were those who would stop at nothing to seize and suppress the Book of Love seven centuries ago, so there are those today who are equally determined that its radical message should never be revealed. In a race across Italy and France, new dangers await Maureen and her lover Sinclair as they begin to uncover secrets and shine new light on the hidden corners of Christianity.

Combining expert research with dazzling plot twists, The Book of Love is sure to thrill readers as they follow Maureen's search for clues through some of the world's greatest art, architecture and history, until a potentially fatal encounter reveals the Book of Love to her -- and to us.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Release date: Dec 11, 2012
• ISBN: 9781471105418

Kathleen McGowan

Kathleen McGowan is an internationally published writer whose work has appeared on five continents and in at least fifteen languages. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three sons. You can visit her website at www.theexpectedone.com.

Reviews for The Book of Love

[susanbnm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This one was not as compelling as the first in the series. I really enjoyed the switching back & forth between Matilda & Maureen, but there were times when I thought the plot became too confusing to follow. I was also more disappointed in the contents of red book, I guess because it was not as much of a revelation as the contents of the scrolls in the previous book, THE EXPECTED ONE. Still, it was entertaining enough to keep my interest and now I am anxious to read the third book, THE POET PRINCE.

[christineellei · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This sequel to THE EXPECTED ONE this book again follows Maureen Paschal on her quest to uncover the truth behind the Magdalene line following the crucifixion of Christ. I usually enjoy books with this type of story line, but in this case I found the writing to be excessively repetitive and unoriginal. Ms. McGowan seemed to be trying to fill pages and not only repeated herself excessively but gave the reader pages and pages (and pages and pages) of rehashed myths and stories from history. One version was not enough, so she then went on to retell the same myth again in another form. I managed to finish the book, but by the end I didn’t really have any interest in what was happening. I understand there is a third book (THE POET PRINCE) in the Magdalene series coming out in July this year. I, personally, am not going to bother.

[debbie.menzel · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Either the first book of this series was waaaaaaaaay better, or I was smoking crack when I read it. This book was painful to read. It's written in a weird mixture of 1st & 3rd person, sometimes like a textbook and sometimes like a novel. It's preachy, poorly written and obvious. Do NOT waste your time with this drivel!

[fels_3 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I was so enraptured with the prequel of this book, The Expected One, that I couldn't wait till The Book of Love comes out. Unfortunately, this is such a big disappointment! Ms. McGowan seems uncertain whether she wanted to write about historical fiction or history. The book is loaded with explanation to the point of a school textbook. The last of the trilogy is already out --supposedly about the Poet Prince, and I'll probably buy it just because I want to finish the whole, hoping it will be better than the second, if not as good as the first.

[virginiagill · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book as well as the first in the trilogy "The Expected One" were both great reads and very thought provoking. Lead to lots of interesting discussions around our house which for me can be the most fun part of reading a book. I'm very much looking forward to the third book.If the idea of Jesus being married or having a family sets you on edge this may not be a series for you. However, if you can separate your beliefs a little and let your imagination run these books are a lesson in the true depths of love. It would be a shame to miss them.