Synopsis for "Beyond Da Vinci, The Next Chapter"

Bernadette’s father left her with a mystery on his deathbed –an ancient secret surrounding the Holy Grail. But it’s Bernadette’s inquisitive mind that takes it to the next level as she realizes the Grail is only the tip of the iceberg. But did she have the courage to delve into the unknown and follow the signs pointing to the Pleiades?  Seeking out Samuel Sinclair, the author of the novel about Da Vinci’s code, the two join forces, and begin a journey into territory hitherto uncharted as their exploration takes them through a labyrinth of personal, political and evolutionary discoveries that are often enriching, occasionally dangerous and ultimately explosive, as they are swept into a realm beyond legends. A realm of new human potential rooted in ancient and eternal wisdom.

Prologue for "Beyond Da Vinci, The Next Chapter"

The fire was reduced to a few burning coals, its glow still reflecting off the black marble hearth. As the sound of the late winter rains intensified, Bernadette pulled the burgundy throw that lay carelessly across her legs up and around her body, her left hand maintaining its grip on the book she had just finished reading. It was a novel that revealed a secret ancient truth that had been cleverly veiled in Leonardo Da Vinci's works of art. The book had been on the New York Times best seller list for months, but Bernadette resisted reading it until now. She knew the real story published years ago in the research book Holy Blood, Holy Grail. Why read a watered-down version? Although she had to admit, it was a clever idea, and a fleeting pang of jealousy that she hadn't come up with it herself reminded her she was still unpublished.

The troubling sound of a limb as it scraped against the house momentarily distracted her. She shivered from the bone-chilling temperatures brought on by the fury of gusting winds as they tore maliciously across the landscape. Would there be no end to this storm? In the closing darkness she could still make out a gnarled, old oak, stoically braving the elements. A lone raven perched at the top - a solitary lookout on the mast of a ship being tossed by a tempestuous sea. The California foothills that normally offered a palatable winter had unleashed one of the worst in recent memory.

Bernadette's thoughts were drawn back to the Da Vinci book lying in her lap. It told quite a story, but most readers, in her opinion, were missing the point. In a burst of frustration, she pushed her short dark curls away from her face. Why don't they get it?...

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