Sam Harris versus Eben Alexander: Clash of neuroscience

Dr. Eben Alexander has written a book called Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife, about his near death experience that resulted from a severe case of bacterial meningitis. Newsweek magazine recently published a cover story titled Heaven is Real: A Doctor's Experience With the Afterlife, about Dr. Alexander and his book. I was vaguely aware of the news. However, I've been busy with the current virtual book tour for my own recently published paranormal-thriller titled Secondhand Sight, and so I hadn't really had time to read stop and read it. If interested, you can follow my tour at The Virtual Book Tour Cafe. I'll be sure to tell a couple of my best personal ghost stories along the way to keep things interesting. I only mention ghost stories because I believe that near death experiences are real phenomena due to a number of my own personal experiences with ghosts. By simple extrapolation, I believe that ghost encounters could be considered as nothing more than After Death Experiences. Granted, some of them are more interesting than others. But then I noticed a very intelligent Facebook friend had offered his opinion on this subject, posting that atheist author Sam Harris had completely "demolished" Alexander's account, at least from a scientific perspective. Curiosity naturally got the best of me. My friend's strongly stated opinion made me wonder what exactly Harris had said about Alexander's NDE. I've read several books by Harris, most recently Free Will, so I am familiar with the author's work. Because my friend is a … [Read more...]

Secondhand Sight book tour has begun!

Please visit my virtual book tour announcement at the VBTcafe to find the tour stops for Secondhand Sight. Free ebook copies will be given away at each stop. Interviews, fun stuff and freebies! I look forward to seeing you there... … [Read more...]

Secondhand Sight is officially on sale!

My new novel, Secondhand Sight, officially became available for purchase yesterday. Here's what Fiona I. from Reader's Favorite had to say in her review of the book: What a riveting read! This book grabbed me from the first page. Author John "Rocky" Leonard creates a thrilling and chilling murder mystery, with an intriguing touch of the paranormal. The title is apt, describing Dan’s ‘second hand’ flashes, which come from the object he touches. The threads pull together via various characters’ points of view, to a harrowing climax. I also liked the way the characters’ relationships develop and strengthen; and in the midst of all the mayhem, people find themselves and each other. The plot is deceptively simple because it is so ingenious. Dan’s descent into a manic paranoia is skillfully documented, and one feels for him in the mental confusion that accompanies his visions. The author also includes some interesting thoughts on the nature of dreams, hallucinations, psychometry (psychic revelations via touching objects), and the power of the mind. Murder mystery and paranormal fans will love this book.   … [Read more...]

Secondhand Sight official book trailer

Here's the official book trailer for Secondhand Sight, now less than a month away from official release... BookTrailer_only   … [Read more...]

Rocky Leonard interviewed October 9th at Unnecessary Musings

Please visit J.A. Beard's blog Unnecessary Musings tomorrow, October 9th  for my interview about my latest novel, Secondhand Sight. The interview was a lot of fun. I was asked some really interesting questions, definitely not your run-of-the-mill fare. Stop by and leave a comment at the blog for a chance to win a free e-book copy of the novel.   … [Read more...]