Destiny’s Consent: Summoning Her Radiance

Laura Shepard Townsend’s newest book, Lions & Gondolas, opens with lions roaring about in a baggage car carrying three fleeing women to California, and concludes with measures of dancing and sweet violin music fracturing the family.

For sure, this most rewarding novel contains wonderfully neverending pages about teenage Angelica Grastende interfacing with Abbot Kinney, creator of California’s Venice. And reveals their enthusiastic sharing the wisdoms of experience and youth. as mellowed by values of her Romani heritage and Abbot’s wide-world philosophy.

They wander, together, without restriction though a convoluted Venice of the early 1900s, explore every pier attraction, the city’s hidden tunnels and surf the ocean with a glee of outstanding proportions. Indeed, Lions & Gondolas is an almost overwhelming volume of great merit, which attaches itself to the reader by honored promises of more adventures to come on every following page. Plan to read late, with this one. It’s a gem.

– William C.

I read the books out of order… Lions and Gondolas first and then, at 2am after a straight read, I ordered The Gypsy’s Song on Amazon…

That was 2012. Since then, I have read each book at least 9 or 10 times. Every time, without fail, I discover more precious wisdom and perspective woven into the elegant tapestry of these works. Ms. Townsend has enchanted me with powerfully written, historically insightful, culturally rich stories with intimately developed characters…

Never before have I thirsted for more from an author…

– Deborah P.

The Gypsy’s Song was one of those books I couldn’t put down. I loved reading about the gypsy lifestyle and philosophy that was incorporated in a fast moving plot and visually beautiful writing style. The characters are so colorful, realistic and engaging that I wanted to continue to read to find out what was going to happen to them.

It was wonderful to read about Gypsies, their culture and way of life, a life very different in the early part of the twentieth century in Europe, when Gypsies traveled about in ornate wagons drawn by their marvelous horses. The time the family spends with a traveling circus in America, learning the various jobs is no less fascinating. I am looking forward to reading Book II.

– J. A. Ingle

I recently binge read all three of these books and I am floored by them. The depth and scope of her knowledge and wisdom astounds me. Likewise for her philosophical and spiritual bent. I can’t imagine the amount of research involved, unless she lived with the Rom and traveled with a circus and flew old planes and somehow were a guest at grand affairs in the 1920’s .her attention to detail is likewise amazing. But the book you won’t be disappointed.

– Karen E.

In the historical fiction settings of the Rom Gypsies wandering Europe and of a Rom gypsy family finding a new home in 1920’s Venice, California — we meet a range of characters at once familiar and mythic. The tales of Destiny’s Consent are ultimately spiritual journeys, even as we learn about Rom gypsies and Venice history in a colorful spectrum of culture and society. This is entertaining storytelling deftly shaped by a beauty of language and of heart.

– Sigrid Bergie Feliciano

Lions and Gondolas is enjoyable on many different levels. It serves as a coming of age novel, as a sympathetic treatment of the Romani people, as a thrilling story of a woman lion tamer, and as an inside look at the early days of that magical city, Venice, California.

As an amateur historian in Venice, I can say that Shepard Townsend has written a turn-of-the-century novel that is so authentic you can almost hear the waves hitting the pier, and see the gondoliers making their way down the canals. If only most writers paid at much attention to detail and accuracy.

In addition to a three-generation Romani family, we meet a young Howard Hughes and a magnificent Abbot Kinney, who single-handedly conceived and built this city of enchantment that continues to delight tourists. Ah, but if they could only have visited it 100 years ago. Now, thanks to Laura Shepard Townsend we can do just that.

– Jim

Indulge a few hours with Laura Shepard Townsend’s first book, The Gypsy’s Song, and you will be rewarded with a world of inspiration, like playing inside the colors, patterns and textures of a rich Vuillard painting. Starting on a night of lion stealing, this tale accelerates into the Gypsy world of color and spice. Readers will want to put on layers of patterned skirts; let their hair go wild and join these women of Rom in a world lived with an acute sense of truth.

Townsend’s women are wild and free and stunningly authentic; born in her soul; grown up in her playful imagination and nurtured by her loving wisdom. She has released them for our delight. This book is a gift and a fine adventure. She makes history come alive during a fascinating era.

– Natalie Tirrell

This wonderfully written novel combines two topics which fascinate me—-bohemians and Venice Beach.

As the first book in the Destiny’s Consent trilogy, it’s an entertaining and enjoyable read. I was immediately transported to the magical world of Los Angeles at the early part of the 20th century. The women in this novel are strong and empowered, and their gypsy culture is colorfully described, making you feel like a participant in every vivid scene. If you love Venice Beach, these free spirited characters will warm your heart and enrich your consciousness.

– Patricia Nolan Stein

I loved this book… Lions and Gondolas is a charming historical romp through the splendors of Venice past.

– Pat Hartman

Laura Shepard Townsend’s talent comes from a powerful source. She makes history come alive during a fascinating era. Her characters stole my heart. Once begun, I could not put the books down.

– Stella Page

Laura Shepard Townsend’s style is reminiscent of Robertson Davies’ in The Deptford Trilogy. She has created a splendid and empowering female adventure punctuated with wisdom. I did not want the book to end.

– Rocki Graham

In poetic prose Laura Shepherd Townsend has created a breezy and exotic tale of three generations of audacious gypsy women, runaways from a husband and a small-time east coast circus with a pair of purloined lions in tow in The Lure of a Land by the Sea: Venice Vignettes.

I love this book! It’s philosophical. It’s metaphysical. It’s mystical. It soars with the genuine magic that was Venice, California, circa 1920, and with the master magician himself, Abbot Kinney.

– Delores Hanney

Lions and Gondolas is a quick read, until the summarizing glowing bits of wisdom makes one stop short in all of the adventuring to reflect. For example: “Now I know that love always possesses a fragility to it that lets it be forgotten in a breath.” Descriptions of stunning grace call out for re-reading several times for the pure joy of it.

In this “memoir” of her early years in Venice, Angelica Grastende muses, “I first entered Venice, on foot, much like a pilgrim who enters a holy place, as a seeker, stirred with expectation.”

Immersion in Laura Shepard Townsend’s time-worthy second book in the Destiny’s Consent series, might cause readers to find themselves enjoying a similar sensation.

I did.

– Mary K.

BRAVO!!!!! A great 3rd book of this series. I loved all the descriptive prose about a flashy time of our history. The end was a surprise and of course now I must plead with Laura Shepard Townsend to get working on the 4th because I just know you have more to tell about Angelica.

I wondered which words you wrote while I was enjoying my peaceful retreat at Solyluna in Costa Rica.

Much love to you Laura.

– Bobbi T.

I weep as I come to the end of The Gypsy’s Song. I should have ordered the second book at the same time. Now I must wait for its arrival. The story is captivating and filled with so much, so many parts that have influenced our lives. Small tangents that speak to me on another level. Perhaps I was a gypsy in a past life. The draw to Bohemia touches us both profoundly and I love all the small references to a larger philosophical belief, references to Jung, The Tao, reincarnation, oh so many.

– Fran H.

I am reading a delightful book by Laura Shepard Townsend, titled Destiny’s Consent. I was fortunate to meet this beautiful woman in Costa Rica last year. Not sure exactly why it took me a year to pick up this book but so glad I did. It’s a beautifully written story. If you are looking for a great read, beautifully written descriptive story about Gypsies in S. Ca in early 20th century pick it up from Amazon. She has a great web site too.

– Paula B.

Angel’s Flight. This is an incredible read. I could not put it down…cover to cover in less than 24 hours.

Laura Shepard Townsend is beyond masterful… this tapestry of words is a treasure… especially to Venice California (gift yourself and your friends this book and the two predecessors: The Gypsy’s Song and Lions and Gondolas available in paperback on Amazon)

– Anonymous

I had to write before I forget how wonderful your books are. I recently binge-read all three and I’m floored by them. The depth and scope of your knowledge and wisdom astounds me. Likewise for your philosophical and spiritual bent. I can’t imagine the amount of research involved, unless you actually lived in a bardo with the Rom and traveled with a circus and flew old planes and somehow were a guest at grand affairs in the 1920’s. Your attention to detail is likewise amazing. I can clearly picture, and almost live, everything. And I thank you for that. What an experience to read and savor Angelica/Ann/ Angel’s story.

Unforgettable.

– Paul and Karen

I love book two even more than book one. It is very rich with details, reality, emotions, and characters plus an unusual subject area – the circus arts, clearly a dying art too.

I think it is very cool that I can ‘see’ your persona come through in reading your books – the magical aspect, the mystical angle, your humor, your perception of the deep ties between 3 generations of women and the different stages of their lives. I’m not done yet, but I had to tell you how wonderful you are as a writer.

Keep it up, dear old friend. I’ve been reading the book on the beach sometimes and I laugh out loud at parts of it.

– Loretta S.

I read the books out of order…Lions and Gondolas first and then, at 2 A.M. after a straight read, I ordered The Gypsy’s Song on Amazon…

That was 2012. Since then, I have read each book at least 9 or 10 times. Every time, without fail, I discover more precious wisdom and perspective woven into the elegant tapestry of these works. Ms. Townsend has enchanted me with powerfully written, historically insightful, culturally rich stories with intimately developed characters…

Never before have I thirsted for more from an author…

– Deborah H.

I found Lions and Gondolas and its prequel in the “little free library” box near me. Being a resident of Venice (albeit temporarily- for school) and also someone who plays Roma music and has spent time among them in Serbia and Macedonia, I felt this was really well done. Such an enjoyable yet thought provoking read! Can’t wait to read the next installment!

– Dizzy