This chronicle of escape from the clutches of the Indian guru Mataji and her Sahaja Yoga is based on diaries and is strongly endorsed by Eileen Barker, a Member who is one of the world’s leading authorities on sects. As the author explains, the Guru used satanic cult powers to try to manipulate her and prevent the appearance of the book. The framework of a struggle between God and the Devil is influenced by her conversion to the Catholic Church, from which she has received enormous and spiritual support. ~ David Lorimer, Paradigm Explorer

In what is surely one of the most fully encompassing chronicles ever put to paper, God, the Devil and Me: The Chronicles of a Seeker of God from Valerie Georgeson is, and without a shadow of a doubt, one of the most compelling, and astutely created books within its genre/field that I have ever had the pleasure to dive wholly into. Having now read and finished this book myself, in rather a binge-reading manner over four days back-to-back, it is obvious to me that the author has a great affiliation to the centralized character, and that bringing forth all that is within the book can help stabilize en masse of teetering members of the human race. Indeed, the great lesson, you might say, from the book is that empathy is essential for spiritual evolution and that no spiritual leader has any right to impose behaviour on a disciple in the sole name of progress. For such authority is always unfounded, manipulative and illegitimate. FULL REVIEW: https://annecarlini.com/ex_books.php?id=308 ~ Exclusive Magazine, Review

Dear Val, I have just put down your book for the first time since opening it - except for food and sleep breaks ! I doubt I have ever read a braver or more searingly honest portrayal of a life in captivity. Without your profound faith, your courage and your long association with writing, It seems unlikely that anything like this would have seen the light of day. Even as a straightforward emotional and spiritual journey, it is extraordinary in its delivery of  pain, comfort. and hope, where disillusion, collapse and bitterness might have been the easier destinations....  So thank you for the insights into realms of experience that are beyond my protective "bravery circle". Most of us have one, but few are strong enough to seek beyond and survive to create a new and purposeful way of living. Your book is a blazing beacon against submission to false testimony and abandonment of self in spiritual transactions. Judy Meewezen, (novelist and journalist) author's website – judymeewezen.net ~ Judy Meewezen, novelist and journalist

The book shows the awful reality of the spiritual forces of wickedness, and their determination to oppose the Lord and damage people, but also that Jesus is stronger and longs to bring freedom to all who will trust in Him. ~ Derek Chittick - Christian Broadcaster, RCF

When I began reading God, the Devil and Me, I had a preconceived belief in what sects or cults were. But after reading it, I felt such empathy for what you Valerie, and others have gone, or are going through - experiences almost beyond belief. There is no doubt that your book highlights the immense risk and potential danger of being sucked into the occult. It is powerful and at times scary. But it has opened my eyes to greater Spiritual thoughts. God obviously loves you so much and you have done Him proud. Carolyn Carter. Reader in the Church of England ~ Carolyn CARTER Church of England Reader, Valerie Georgeson

This book offers the reader a rare opportunity to glimpse the fear, uncertainty, acute pain –and overwhelming, healing love of God and the Virgin Mary – that can be experienced when a life is lived as a relentless spiritual struggle to overcome the evil manifestations of a vengeful, erstwhile guru. Having endured incredible trials and suffering, including years of traumatic exorcisms, the author finally manages to accomplish the task for which God had ordained her: writing this book! ~ Eileen Barker, former head of INFORM., INFORM, an educational charity now based in the Dept of Theology and Religious Studies at King’s College, London.

God, the Devil and Me: The Chronicles of a Seeker of God  : Review  By PrettyPolly https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60261120-god-the-devil-and-me Valerie Georgeson was a very successful writer and actress, always interested in religion and spirituality. She was on the original writing team of EastEnders and appeared in Coronation Street and other drama series before writing adult novels (The Shadow of the Elephant quartet) and well-loved childrens' TV (Jonny Briggs, Simon & the Witch, Animals of Farthing Wood). But her spiritual journey was cut short after she unwittingly fell under the influence of a group whose charismatic leader wielded god-like power and control over her followers. In "God, the Devil and Me" Valerie explains how she got caught up with the Sahaja Yoga movement and how it affected her career and inflicted long term psychological trauma. She began writing God, the Devil and Me to raise money for a court case against the cult, but when they backed off, she realised that the book could in fact be what God had always meant her to write: a guide to help others in a similar crisis. In the aftermath of their escape and disappearance, it was the shared experience of the reality of God's presence which encouraged her and her husband to move on. This experience involved progressive changes, from fright to reassurance thanks to the intervention of the Holy Virgin; from psychic harassment to spiritual deliverance thanks to a gifted and experienced exorcist; from scary encounters with hidden forces to an ongoing relationship with the Lord – the ultimate 'other' who wipes away all darkness, while allowing us to take our own time and make our own decisions. Coming out of a cult is always difficult. But neither religious nor secular organisations set up to help victims of cults seem to recognize the all encompassing nature of the spiritual battles faced by true seekers. This is a chronicle of that seeking, showing the pitfalls and the helpful indicators on that stony path while discovering the power of the spirit to learn and evolve through trial and error, and the vital importance of forgiveness. Writing God, the Devil and Me turned out to be an important part of the battle it describes. This is a deeply researched piece of investigative journalism, a grown-up enquiry into the collective psyche. ~ Pretty Polly, Good Reads

I have known Valerie’s writing for many years and this is an astonishing and very personal book, written by a successful and popular author. She has the narrative skill to convey vividly the pain and fear of her experiences and she has the courage to confront them. This is a very powerful piece of writing. ~ Kay Patrick, Radio Producer and TV Director, Valerie Georgeson

This is a compelling read and so personal as Valerie opens her heart and soul to her reader. Her search for her God and Savior takes you on every step of her often rocky path and highlights the ease with which our lives can be influenced and even controlled by religious groups. It is often a sad story, some wonderful uplifting moments too, always challenging but always so real as she fights all the obstacles in her path to happiness. An intriguing read. ~ Valerie Georgeson, Margaret Keeble

This is an astonishing book: sometimes fearful; at times extremely sad; yet at all times a testament to one woman’s strength in fighting forces of loss, darkness and grief. Valerie Georgeson interweaves her seasoned novelist’s storytelling skill with an anthropologist’s forensic documentation in exploring one of contemporary society’s murkiest regions: the transgressional and all-consuming power of the fundamentalist cult. What is outstanding is the protagonist’s journeying into some of the darkest places a human soul can be taken, whilst retaining faith and emerging with renewed courage. Most remarkably, the illuminative narrative art remains unhampered. Colin Mills Honorary Research Fellow, University of Manchester, UK. ~ Colin Mills, University of Manchester, UK