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Alan Joshua

Alan Joshua

About

A native Philadelphian, Alan Joshua (pen name) is a Clinical Psychologist with a background in Forensic Psychology.

His diverse background includes working in a State penitentiary and mental institution, a sleep laboratory, and a pain management center.

Joshua has published many nonfiction journal articles. The Shiva syndrome, his debut fiction novel, is a science fiction/paranormal mystery and thriller.

Always curious about the unknowns of human experience, he is fascinated with creativity and paranormal abilities. This led to his involvement with Psychology and research into Parapsychology while attending Saybrook University.

He has explored paranormal abilities using hypnosis and in-depth interviewing of a wide range of practitioners. Among his prized possessions are a shriveled, mummified banana (a product of one healer’s biopsychokinesis) and a small, curled Austrian teaspoon produced by a German healer while six people sat around him. (see http://alanjoshua.com/biopsychokinesis )

The Shiva Syndrome incorporates his knowledge of Parapsychology and experiences with healers, intuitives, “psychic” sensitives, etc.

Unsurprisingly, he is a science fiction fan and has been influenced by such writers as Asimov, Bradbury, Crichton, Heinlein, Serling, and Phillip Dick.

As an avid Star Trek fan, he is fond of contradicting Gene Roddenberry, believing that human consciousness and its potentials are “the final frontier.”

Commitment

Commitment

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Description

<p>It’s hard to be committed to anyone when you don’t know whom to trust.</p><p>Alexis Toles, a former FBI agent turned undercover CIA agent, is quickly finding that out in Nancy Ann Healy’s newest political thriller, <i>Commitment</i>.</p><p>Alex embeds in a secret organization of intelligence operatives known as The Collaborative. Its partners include operatives from the CIA, National Security Agency, FBI, US Department of Defense, and an entanglement of foreign intelligence agencies.</p><p>It’s about half a year after the death of President John Merrow, a friend and someone she respected. But she remains committed to overthrowing The Collaborative as she works with a onetime adversary who believes the organization’s involved in the president’s death.</p><p>Meanwhile Alex; her wife, Cassidy O’Brien; and Cassidy’s son try hard to live as a family but must first overcome personal struggles, including a nasty custody battle with Cassidy’s ex-husband, Congressman Christopher O’Brien. The family has their own share of secrets that, if unleashed, could affect their hopes for the future.</p><p>There’s no place to turn without discovering people who are not who they claim to be. That can’t stop Alex. She must remain committed to the cause, both at home and as she works against The Collaborative.</p>

Story Behind The Book

After immersing myself in parapsychological research, I was staggered by the reality of paranormal abilities and their life-changing potentials. These were powers known to ancient masters, dating back 30,000 years ago, but were lost amidst the disbelief of modern science. But disbelief doesn't negate their reality and the profound realities lying beyond our senses. This is a story of their twenty-first century resurrection and the awesome power they can bestow.

Media Links

Reviews

<p><span style="color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:arial, sans-serif, verdana, helvetica;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);">The SHIVA Syndrome is endorsed by </span><b style="color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:arial, sans-serif, verdana, helvetica;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);">Dr. Stanley Krippner</b><span style="color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:arial, sans-serif, verdana, helvetica;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);">, a leading psychologist and parapsychologist:</span><span style="color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:arial, sans-serif, verdana, helvetica;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);"> &quot;In The SHIVA Syndrome, the author (a clinical psychologist)</span><span style="color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:arial, sans-serif, verdana, helvetica;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);"> skillfully and ingeniously interweaves altered states of consciousness and parapsychology with genetics, paleontology, mythology, and religion to produce a frightening, brisk, and film-worthy story building to an intense climax.&quot;</span><br style="color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:arial, sans-serif, verdana, helvetica;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);" /><br style="color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:arial, sans-serif, verdana, helvetica;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);" /><b style="color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:arial, sans-serif, verdana, helvetica;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);">The Midwest Book Review</b><span style="color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:arial, sans-serif, verdana, helvetica;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);"> says, &quot;At first glance one would think this to be either a sci-fi saga or perhaps a thriller: technically, that's correct; but it's so much more. Its focus on untapped human potential gone awry in a deadly experiment also lends to its enjoyment by new age readers or any interested in the paranormal - and let's not forget the reader who enjoys political intrigue and a bit of spiritual reflection in their reading. Lots of action, intriguing concepts, and examinations of belief systems and the greatest opportunity in human history to reshape the world: that's the essence of a powerful saga in The Shiva Syndrome, which is not only highly recommended 'as is', but would translate well to the screen.&quot;</span><br style="color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:arial, sans-serif, verdana, helvetica;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);" /><br style="color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:arial, sans-serif, verdana, helvetica;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);" /><b style="color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:arial, sans-serif, verdana, helvetica;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);">The Self-Publishing Review</b><span style="color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:arial, sans-serif, verdana, helvetica;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);"> reports, &quot;Any attempt to describe the book in a single statement is difficult, but the book mixes uncommon palettes and manages a masterpiece with it. If The Andromeda Strain was analyzed in four dimensions, The SHIVA Syndrome might be the result. Such a base comparison is an overall disservice to the unique nature of this book, however. It is a surprising, suspenseful, and utterly superb read from start to end, facing modern mindsets with past, present, and future thinking all at once.&quot;</span><br style="color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:arial, sans-serif, verdana, helvetica;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);" /><br style="color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:arial, sans-serif, verdana, helvetica;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);" /><b style="color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:arial, sans-serif, verdana, helvetica;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);">The New Consciousness Review</b><span style="color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:arial, sans-serif, verdana, helvetica;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);"> opines, [If] I had to categorize it, I would say it is a metaphysical thriller, while knowing that it truly falls under many genres...The Shiva Syndrome is a thrilling read, and I could definitely imagine this in the theater. The author is skilled at putting the pictures in your head without confusion. You find yourself connecting with his characters so that you are vested in their outcome. Would love to see a part two! Highly recommended.&quot;</span></p>