John Selby’s life has strongly inspired the plot and characters of High Heart. John’s in-depth biographical exposé clarifies the overlapping links between the author’s life experience and High Heart’s themes, plots and characters. Plus – more info at www.johnselby.com.

A number of deep cultural, political, scientific and spiritual questions were raised in High Heart. These 16 questions will help guide reflection and open discussion on the themes.

The author shares background information and insights regarding various dimensions of the High Heart story, encouraging readers to look deeper through the provided URLs and challenges.

In a jolting climax, we’re surprised both by Mahee’s subtle ‘a la nueva’ moves and also Ursula’s final tech twist, resolving the higher-order drama and revealing the ‘a la nueva’ vision’s power to transform traditional male/female conflict.

When Ursula hooks Bernardo’s brain electrodes to the jade piece through her computer system, the input nearly kills Bernardo – and he orders the execution of Jack and Mahee.

Bernardo fights with Mahalena and Jack as the deadline approaches to try and tap the ancient power of the jade artifact, and merge this mysterious Mayan dimension into Bernardo’s psych-tech mood-manipulation system.

Mahalena and Jack try to perform the required jade ceremony – but they’re suddenly captured by her brother’s henchman Quemado – and flown in his private helicopter over to the secret lab compound.

Again forced to separate from Mahalena, Jack finds himself confronting Bernardo’s shamanic master Alehandro, the dominant old-order brujo of the lake who is intending to sacrifice Jack and perform the ultimate jade ceremony with Mahalena.

In dangerous circumstances, Abierta refuses to tap into the power of the jade phallus. Instead she transfers this ultimate challenge to Mahalena – who feels dumbfounded and temporarily powerless.

Wearing a local native disguise, Jack bravely but nervously takes the mailboat over to native Santiago Atitlan – where he’s grabbed by threatening locals, then plunged into a deep cavern and an overwhelming encounter with Mahee’s grandmother and spiritual teacher – Abierta.