Pre-publication reviews: Edge of Perception
Ron Lewis isn’t psychic; but if he could have predicted the future, he might not have been blindsided so badly. His work as a physicist and engineer is firmly rooted in science, but his innate attraction to the strange, weird, and inexplicable both in human interactions and brushes with childhood and adult monsters seem to belay everything he believes in.
What if an old family curse and these supernatural encounters are more real than anything else? Ron’s journey really begins after a tragedy strikes, even though he’s spent his childhood supporting ‘normalcy’ and rejecting the input of his experiences: “It’s amazing how you can find normalcy even in the most bizarre situations. By the time I started high school, I had figured out how to create a reasonable life while dealing with the threat of the Tokoloshe.”
When he turns from rejecting the truths of his senses to embracing them in an attempt to communicate with the dead rather than rejecting this possibility, all hell breaks loose.
One of the many special flavors of Edge of Perception lies in this transition process from one stalwart concept of reality to acceptance of ongoing clues which indicate that more lies beyond the realm of perception.
As Ron embarks on a discovery process that leads to accepting concepts he’s long been invested in rejecting, readers are carried into a scientist’s world which is shaken by seemingly impossible evidence of something that may not be provable in the traditional sense.
Insanity and extrasensory perceptions fall neatly into the realm of uncharted territory for Ron, but as he probes both in the course of an unpredictable relationship, he grows in ways that allow him to accept and deal with forces that lead to a revised perception of life, death, and what lies beyond.
Even more thought-provoking is Ron’s use of science to enter a spirit world where none have ventured before. Is he cheating with a ghost? Or is his unearthly relationship the side effect of a machine that can make the dead appear, changing his perspectives about those he loves?
Ron’s venture into the spirit world will attract fans of paranormal fiction that enjoy accounts of scientific and psychological investigations. It skirts the edges of logic and the supernatural, creating a compelling story that opens the door to other worlds and a particularly dangerous force that Ron unwittingly unleashes onto his friend Mike and the world.
With its compelling, action-packed story that follows Ron from childhood night terrors to adult confrontations with the nature of reality and evil, Edge of Perception offers a powerful narrative that sifts through the demons in Ron’s life to conclude with an unexpected bang.
–-Donovan’s Literary Services
In Edge of Perception by Steve Bellinger, raised in the West side of Chicago, to a poor colored family, Ronnie Lewis thought the American Dream was out of his reach. Although Ronnie loved science, his fascination for the paranormal was always present. Since childhood, Ronnie has been tormented by a malignant spirit that visits him in his nightmares, the result of an ancient curse placed on his ancestors in the days of slavery. The spirit taunts him psychologically, causing Ronnie to wear a magic talisman for protection. Ronnie thinks that this will be enough, but as Ronnie grows into adulthood, the curse seems more determined than ever to bring heartache and tragedy into his life, and take everything he loves from him. An offer to research the possibility that ghosts do exist takes Ronnie on an emotional roller coaster journey that he will never forget. Is there another dimension of the universe, and if ghosts can visit us, can we visit them? Ronnie is about to find out.
The synopsis of this story does not do the novel or the talents of the author justice. Edge of Perception has every ingredient of a brilliant novel, from the unique story line filled with tension, surprises and well-placed conflict to the colorful and interesting characters. The author has an exceptional ability to build character relationships and cover subject matter that will make the reader ponder. The historical aspects of how African American people were treated by society were covered exceptionally well, especially when Ronnie embarks on a mixed-race relationship. I thought the author has very cleverly written a story that includes the topics of karma, human intuition, fate, the paranormal, and time travel, all woven into the main story line of an African American man trying to find love and happiness when his life is filled with sadness and tragedy. You do not need to be a fan of paranormal novels to enjoy this book. The characters, story line and thought-provoking subject matter will send shivers down your spine. Highly, highly recommended.
—Lesley Jones for Readers’ Favorite