ROGER SCANNURA I am travelling, teaching and performing, and your book is with me all the time. I mention it to the audience and students. Please know I love it, I keep rereading it and I really enjoy it! LOUIS MOUCHET Dear Alison, I had tremendous pleasure in reading you book. It's very original and its unique poetry will stay in my dreams for a long time. Love LOUIS MIRJANA Latcho devlas and bravo Alison! I have at long last started reading your book. Though I have just embarked on my journey, I am anxious to read on. The characters are captivating and the atmosphere is enchanting and you definitely have a unique style of writing! SUSAN Vancouver ROZANNA I just finished reading The Gypsy Chronicles. What can I say. It was wonderful! I saw a little of myself in every page. You see I am a dancer who fell head over heels in love at first site. And just like your character Estrella de la Flamenca, this happened when I was 27.  Your book reminded me that the best decision I've ever made (to marry my husband of twenty years) was made by trusting my intuition Thank you so much. I loved it! Many many Blessings. Rozana AMANDA FRESCURA Flamenco Instructor:  Alison, I just finished reading your book. It was delicious! A treasure! Thank you! Your little book was not just a fairy tale for me. It was a reminder of my past, my passions, my art that I forsake, and in the Cafe Alegria--all the stories of the people celebrating and rejoycing in such an unpretencious way; It is the way of the Gypsy. They are proud without the arrogance, and I long to return to that place. So--I am jazzed, got my passion re-charged, and want to dance again, and maybe even fall in love. Christine Leakey: Alison, Your book is beautiful!  I finished reading it this morning and I would love to see it made into a film. I envisioned how all of the settings looked and those beautiful charmed beds. How I want one now! :) You know what's funny, years ago, I almost bought a bed that was dark wood and the back board had two birds carved into it. hmmm.... :) When will the second book be coming out? You know I will be waiting to buy one. You have such a romantic way of describing things, luring me in and making me feel like the woman I am. Thank you for that. I could hear the sounds of the flamenco, the guitar, the sounds of the voices calling out, where are you! I have been asking that question since I was a little girl and I continue to. I remember one time laying behind the sofa in my parents home and I must have been 10. There I was, wedged behind the sofa where my cousins guitar was stored in its case. As I gazed at the guitar, I wondered, where is he and sent the message out there, here I am, waiting for you... can you believe it, at 10!! I was like a little adult... anyhow, your book really brought so much home for me. Thank you. :) Even though I am not from a gypsy background, I am from an arts background and felt some similarities with regards to detail and depth. :) You have this within you. ELIZABETH  MIDDLETON Pianorama I finally got a copy of your book and Lord have mercy I stayed up til the week hours of the morning - couldn't put it down! The adventures of Gitana are unforgettable. It's a story that is in every way utterly delightful and wonderfully delicious! I can't wait for the second volume of the Chronicles to appear! You are one hell of a writer. I am sending my copy of The Gypsy Chronicles to my daughter; I will have to buy another copy for myself to savor and treasure. The stories are absolutely inspiring as they exemplify womanly courage and morality in a world so full of treacherous pitfalls. I love the story of Estrella, the beautiful flamenco dancer, vigilantly maintaining the virginity of her heart, soul and body until the day she marries her true love! Such stories as these are what all young girls in this day and age need to read! BRITTA VISSER STUMPP Fuse Tribal and Belly Dance Magazine I, unlike so many scholars, know the difference between cultural studies and fiction. There is a place for hard cold facts - and there is a place for levity. Your work brings joy into the world! The Gypsy Chronicles took me back to a time of innocence and make-believe without any mawkish tricks or predictable plot lines.

MARION BERLINGER Austria

Alison you are an inspiration. Your book is absolutely charming - a magic spark of desire and for the 'GOODs' in life. You took life's little (love) secrets, seasoned them with tangy humour & delicately dolce passion, then  wrapped them around these hot & colourful characters who wink with joy and wisdom, seemingly alive in those pagess! I finished reading TGC and am still charmed, - turned the last page on Wednesday and am walking on a huge rosy cloud.

MARGIE

Texas:

I'm ready to fall in love now!

I finished reading The Gypsy Chronicles over the weekend. What a wonderful book. I'm ready to fall in love now! I had just received TGC in the mail and took it with me to the Central Market Cafe where Erik and the Gypsy Tribe were playing. We were all on the deck outside built around some big beautiful trees. I was eating my dinner, reading my book, and listening to the wonderful gypsy music. After a couple of hours the daylight was almost gone and I had to move around several times to sit in an area that still had a sliver of light so I could keep reading. I was so captivated with the book, I did not want to stop reading! I even used that little flashlight on my keychain until that light dimmed. Then I called my friend who had recommended TGC to me, and told her how much I was enjoying the book and the music and held my cell phone near the stage so she could hear the gypsy music, too. After the music ended, I came home and stayed up until the wee hours of the morning, reading about these wonderful loving couples in the book.

 

RATTLE SNAKE ANNIE I am a tough critic because I'm an avid reader and I wear my emotions on my sleeve. You took me through many raw emotions! I have seen 100s of live flamenco shows and you have put it into words like no other writer. You should get a prize! Maria la Tuga Porto Portugal I don't know who you are, Alison Mackie. I must thank YOU however. I thank the DUENDE in you. I thank you for Elvira. I thank you for Juan. I thank you for Estrella y Sabicas. Most of all, Alison Mackie, I thank you for El Cafe de la Alegria.I will meet you there, at El Cafe de la Alegria. Be sure of that. El Cafe where everything is possible as long as you join naked - and by naked I mean 'leave the preconceptions at the door' The cafe where only the true selves alone, raw and without fears, fit and feel at home. I don't think Gitana and Tzigani are fruits of your imagination Alison. NO WAY. You are Gitana, Estrella, Elvira, Carlos, Juan and YOU are El Cafe de la Alegria. Blessed you are Alison Mackie  for you are a rich person. Is that important. Yes. THAT is important.

I offered to read a bedtime story (yours) to my 25 year old daughter, and she accepted. Girl!! We were smiling, blushing, laughing, and crying together from the Introduction to p.63 "Greeting the Snake." Occassionaly Angela would ask me to read over again a paragraph or sentence and she would say "That was good!" and we would both agree. And sometimes we'd have to stop reading so that one of us could relate a memorable moment from our own life, sharing everything as women and friends; mother and daughter. Still the differences in age and experience was unveiled after we smiled through 'Kitchen Tango Reading the last paragraph I could tell my daughter was not grasping what was happening so I changed my tone of voice to be a bit more sultry and backed up to the beginning of the paragraph. I repeated: She thrummed to the him of him, she, woman to his man...and I was thrilling to the excitement of those words. My daughter looked at me blankly even with the rereading so I read on, emphasizing the last word: "seed" Angela's eyes lit up! "They made love!" I laughed, astonished disbelief of her naivete and how long it took her to get it. It was soooo much fun reading it together. Respect, SZ

ONE YEAR LATER, SUZANNE:

I am traveling and in transition right now. Change is exhausting and I am going through much of it these days!

One thing that has remained constant though, is the presence of The Gypsy Chronicles! No matter where I have been, no matter how chaotic my life was, I always knew where my copy of The Gypsy Chronicles was! Last night, I took it from its traveling box and put it on the shelf with the few other books that are traveling with me. It has come to represent love, friendship, and constancy in my life. I have many new friends through this special little book and its story tells me that romance is possible at any stage of life. That gives me hope and strength to carry on! You have done a good thing, my author friend - on the pages of your book and online!

BELLE

Santa Fe

And a wonderful book it is! I read it in one sitting! Laughed and cried. I do come from Gypsy blood, and this book certainly touched my heart, and my mother's as well! When will the next one be out? Cant wait!  Much love to you Alison!

BELLA

Washington DC

Got your magical book two days ago and could not put it down...it was wonderful! I loved it. My sister in law saw me with it, started reading the back cover and begged me to let her borrow it! You have a unique, warm imagination and it is only a matter of time before your book catches on...Congratulations on such fine work. I cannot wait to read Volume II!

JAN WARD

Musician Bucks County, Pa.

This is not a deep book so much as, like all good fairy tales - all fables, knows the deepest depths and plays with them...and plays with our spirit in the telling. There are no surprises - there are delights; no great illuminations -just reminders of the sublime truths we all know in our heart. A wonderful first book about the dance of love at its most basic, and one that shows promise of immortality.

ELLEN GARFIELD

Boston

You have written a modern fairytale. So when is the second book coming??? I want it NOW!!! I loved TGC. I want more, more, more!!!

KATHLEEN

The Gypsy Chronicles speaks to me of the kind of love that every heart yearns for; something supernatural and magical. There is so much tender love on every page. I wish I could ask Gitana to tell me the name of my soul-mate (;

I feel like Estrella: Just like a Bull!! She is delicious, and incredibly sensual without any inhibitions. I do very much relate to this lady!:)~ Blessings, peace and much love your way Alison

Luna Hagen

I actually expected a larger book- not one that could be read in two hours! The storylines made Gypsies seem romantic and fun enough to want to hang out with them.

There was no crude sex- which I liked, just innuendos that left much to the imagination.A young adult could read this book- it just isn't filthy at all, just true innocent love with marriages that last forever and stand the test of time! (A good example I think!)

STACI

Miami

It Really was a fairytale. My FAVORITE line: Women are born to love. They are born to fall in love, to be loved, and to make love." SOOOO TRUE!!!

Manuela Blue

Switzerland

Love your book - its hard to let go of the world you created to wake up and find myself in the real world again. I enjoy reading every word of it.

Minna S.

I've been having the most wonderful time in my beloved Andalucia...This time my visit has been even more special, because I"ve had the spirit of your magical book with me.

"Love Hope Love": You are an amazing writer alison, it will come. i finished your book last night and cried tears of joy and love for estrella. i am looking forward to your next. the summer is too long to wait! ;} i do wish you could take the trip to CA with me to show its' passion in person, who knows what could happen! if not, perhaps i'll meet someone 'in the know' to give it to!

Robin New Mexico - I've never read a novel told in stories before it makes your writing style joyous and uniquely your own. I will send to you a photo of myself with your book, along with my horses. I enjoyed the humor and little pearls of wisdom throughout. Much love to you, Robin

Alice Fritz

Maryland

Your book was a delight to read. I loved it and it is so beautiful with pictures and art. The stories were priceless. I am keeping this book forever! I am looking forward to the next book now.

Baglamatisa

Massachussets

Bravo Alison, I just finished The Gypsy Chronicles,  and I loved it! I am waiting impatiently for the next book.

ODILIA GALVAN RODRIGUEZ I loved your book, and recommend it to friends and familia. Your book would make an incredible film. I so hope this will happen! I will pray on that.

TOPAZ

Thank you Alison for your wonderful work. Your style of writing keeps me up way after my bedtime, laughing, then wishing I could visit the beloved city of Ronda, Spain. We should try to get Oprah Winfrey to read your book. I'm so sure she would be as delighted as I am.

Shalom Topaz

SUSAN McCallum

BC

Alison, your writing and imagery is captivating and sensual. I want to catch the next flight to Spain!!! Really I have to go there and settle in for a bit.Hats off to your graphic designer and to you to giving her freedom in expressing the vision of your book. As an artist myself we really appreciate people like you, hey you are an artist too hmmmmm, it is all making sense now! I also admire the respect your gave the people in your acknowledgements. I'm excited for you and am looking forward to your next book.Raise that glass higher and higher still!!! Cheers, remain blessed!

LISA MCDONOUGH

The characters were three dimensional; it was very easy for me to visualize them, and their surroundings. Although, I was a bit confused about the time era. I am not sure if that was something you wanted people to create on their own.

There was great character development, but I felt it was short lived and I would have enjoyed reading more about everyone. I felt teased and left wanting more. Lol, that is actually a good thing though. It seems that you have a treasure chest full of gems running over the sides and you are sharing only what fell on the ground. The worst I can say is that it was too short! When I reached the end I remember thinking, "Is that it???" And this is not even a bad thing, you seized my attention, but with someone as curious as I am, I would have Loved to read more!

You definitely evoked my imagination and made me wish my love were with me.

There was purity in your book that I think people today lack. I would stick with the good morals you present, I believe it can be more effective than you think.Global awareness is now popular. Instead of countries being in their own entities, we are becoming more of an international society. People want to know the unknown, to go to a place where they can escape trivial day-to-day monotony. Delving into diverse cultures that are not a part of constructed norms is (in my opinion) what people want. You had that effect in your first book. Gypsy culture and love enthrall fans of your writing. If I were to advise you on your second, I would tell you to make sure to stay focused on, and carry over, the things that made your first book captivating.

p.s. I am glad you left Carlos and Sundora

From Portishead to Port Charlotte, Florida and Paris my strange and wandering little book  has set up camp in hearts all over the world. Dear Readers  your support is a very fine thing -  I Thank you for it!  E EMMA G UK   UK The Gypsy Chronicles shows the Gypsies in such a beautiful light when there is normally so much negative idealogy surrounding my ancestral heritage.  You have done my ancestors (who were the Romani Gypsies of New Forest, Hampshire, South East of England) proud. This book is a beautiful shining star that outshines the darkness that surrounds it. I'm addicted and can't put it down. LUCY LEA: Latcho Divus Alison. I absolutely loved the GC, have read it twice (once in bed! and once on the beach) really inspiring totally lost myself in it, can't wait for the next installment, you are a talented missus you..much love and blessings, hope you and yours are well xxx DJ RAMA Miami Najis Tuke Alison... I am falling in love with this story... I am not done yet... But I Love it! The Gypsy Chronicles is a treat for the imagination!!!! It truly captures the "mystery" of being a Gypsy in a real sort of a way...I'm currently with Angicaro and Raguel...I am reading much faster now...haha... Te aves baxtali pen! SUSAN POCA American-Hungarian Roma / Ohio I fell in love with your book. No, I mean I fell INTO your book and fell in love with the characters. My heart and soul jumped right out of this world, and into the world of "Gypsies". What a romantic story tastefully written leaving a lot to the imagination. The characters were beautiful. I didn't want it to end. Can't wait for the next book. TABOO GYPSY I fell for the way you write things. You have an amazing tact for sensual language. PAOLA CHA CHA Reading your book restored my faith in el amor puro......in pure love. Many blessings. LISA MCDONOUGH There was a purity in your book that I think people today lack. I would stick with the good morals  you present, I believe it can be more effective than you think! * full review bottom of left column. MAUREEN PAONI Your book was reccomended by Tara, my Hair Dresser. I enjoyed it very much. Your book has a light hearted ethereal quality about it. It left me wanting more. Gypsy's have always had a negative connotation but you have changed that. I can see this as a movie and look forward to seeing it. Can't wait to see the scene between Estrella and Sabicas. FATIMA Thanks for responding. I meant what I said about your book. I have read many many books of all kinds, but yours is the only one that gave me joy. And joy is the rarest gift of all.   I would really love a T-shirt! Please make sure there are some smaller sizes. Most places make them all too big which limits when they can be worn.   Thanks again. Fatima STEPHEN SICILIANO Alison, I finished Gypsy Chronicles while on vacation in Mexico. I enjoyed it very much as an novel creation/objet d'art. It works in an unorthodox way, which I'm sure pleases you. "Gitana" does a great job of capturing just how fun and a place Spain is today, the modern overlaying the traditional in a truly successful juxtaposition you can't find anywhere else. It brought me back to my times there.                          ANGICARO Photography and name used in book) The story picked me up and carried me along. I was with Gitana 100% I cried when 'Angicaro' started singing 'De Colores' on the bus. My mother used to sing 'De Colores' to me when I was a little girl and I hadn't heard it in so long! Also I want to thank you for naming a character after me and for using some of my photos in your book. It was a real treat working with you and playing a part in the creation of your Gypsy Chronicles.  GRANGE RUTAN aka 'Lady Haig' Montclair, New Jersey You are magic Alison and I must say I am as fascinated with you as I am with the uniqueness of The Gypsy Chronicles.I am holding right now, its foreign and timeless with voodoo panache.And the way you bring it to market? You are the wiz.Nobody beats you...  You have an IQ for sensuality my dear. Books have lives and 'The Gypsy Chronicles' has had at least 100 through the interaction of readers who have taken the time to pose in full lusty regalia for a picture holding this little gem, managing to side step reason to perpetuate this beautiful fantasy which has a life of its' own... There should be a Gitana doll for Barbie, for she too would believe!

DONNA

Pennsylvania

"I wish I was young again."

To say that TGC was a masterpiece would be an understatement. After reading TGC I felt enchanted, as if I was a part of the story and I got a taste of what it might be like to be part of a culture where ones desire captures the heart, as well as the soul. Sundora and Carlos were my favorite couple as they danced around the inevitable with intensity and heat. As I said before, I found myself blushing, as if I were watching through a window and could not stop. Every character seem to come to life. Your talents are tasteful my dear, in that you know what to leave to the imagination. To incorporate the matrimonial bed was brilliant, to impress upon young readers to wait until marriage, and to the older readers to rekindle a fond rememberance of their wedding night. Every little detail, right down to eating of the tomato, putting the wine on her wrist and her neck, was sensual.  I only wish I was young again and could live in an era to start my life anew with a passionate love like this! Bravo. Thank you so much for allowing us to indulge in such a beautiful, tender story.

PAULA

Pennsylvania

I've always believed words and images have profound power...but it never really hit home till I read The Gypsy Chronicles and found in the middle of a chaotic day a smile creeping across my lips and a passage or two coming to mind...you might well imagine which ones...suddenly, an attitude shift :) I do believe your pen and book are charmed!