The Light Between Us

September 15, 2015
A psychic medium discusses her ability to communicate with the dead. As a "strange little kid," Jackson experienced odd sensations of dread that foretold the death of her grandfather and, later, a beloved schoolmate. As the unsettling impulses evolved further, any fear and distress was allayed when her mother admitted that this gift "ran in her family for generations." The daughter of a first-generation Hungarian immigrant and a German schoolteacher, the author passionately describes these formative years as a time when her paranormal talents expanded to encompass the channeling of others' emotions (including those of her first love) and the superimposing of colors onto physical forms. Jackson's full acceptance of her gifts would take time and patience, and with the aid of other psychics and years of trial and error throughout college, the author was able to embrace what she determined to be her true destiny as a psychic. The incremental development of her mediumistic capacity comprises much of the book's second half, as compelling profiles of those visiting Jackson for celestial guidance further fortify the author's testament to the spiritual power and emotional heft of her craft. Volunteer work with the Forever Family Foundation, a grief support collective, further connected the author to a larger psychic community. Readers fascinated by channelers of human energy and post-mortem communication with the "Other Side" will appreciate Jackson's personal approach to the wonders of the psychic spectrum. While the phenomenon won't hold much appeal for skeptics-particularly the author's ability to give psychic readings over the phone-the author's affable approach and breezy writing style create a welcoming environment through which to speculate and ponder the credibility of the "cords of light that tie us to those we love." These candid, fascinating experiences impart significance and possibility to the science of psychic conveyance.

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October 15, 2015

The psychic medium memoir is alive and well in Jackson's debut about communicating with the departed and passing messages to those left behind. She recounts her uncanny childhood and traumatic teen years trying to just "fit in," followed by years of self-doubt, worries, and the setting aside of the abilities for a length of time. Next, she describes cathartic moments of self-acceptance and the knowledge that her psychic and mediumistic gifts are real and must be used to serve humanity. However, Jackson's story diverges from the customary psychic memoir in that she has been certified by both the Windbridge Institute and the Forever Family Foundation, organizations that use scientific methods to determine the authenticity of a medium's ability and accuracy. Years as a high school English teacher may have contributed to her graceful style. VERDICT Filled with great vignettes that demonstrate how messages from beyond can reassure us and that death is nowhere close to being the end, this book will gratify readers of true-life paranormal stories.--Janet Tapper, Univ. of Western States Lib., Portland, OR

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