When Ghosts Speak: Understanding the World of Earthbound Spirits    by Mary Ann Winkowski Order:  USA  Can Grand Central, 2007 (2007) Hardcover     Reviewed by Ricki Marking-Camuto If you believe in ghosts, or are at least open to the possibility, you must read Mary Ann Winkowski's When Ghosts Speak. In it, she takes a no-nonsense, practical approach to discussing earth-bound spirits. Mary Ann Winkowski, an Italian Catholic, comes from a long line of paranormal-sensitive women from the old country. When she was very young, her grandmother realized that she had the gift, which had skipped a generation, and began taking her to funerals of family, friends, and acquaintances to communicate with the recently-deceased and help them cross over. As she grew older, Winkowski's grandmother taught her how to create the White Light that all earth-bound spirits need to cross over, a light they all have until seventy-two hours after their memorial services. Many ghosts, however, do not cross over immediately after dying, which is why Winkowski has to create the light for them. Eventually, this talent led to her to becoming consultant to CBS's Ghost Whisperer. In her book, she talks about the reasons that ghosts stay earth-bound and discusses how she helps them cross over. She then goes on to explain how to tell if one has a ghost, and what can be done for protection. I was a little apprehensive to read When Ghosts Speak, because, although it fascinates me, the paranormal also scares me. However, Winkowski is not out to terrify; she simply wants to inform readers about ghosts. Her stories, while engaging, are not scary and she presents them in a straightforward manner. As she repeats throughout her book, her job, like anyone else's, is just what I do. If you are looking for scary ghost stories, you will not find them here. However, if you wish to know more about earth-bound spirits, Mary Ann Winkowski's When Ghosts Speak is the book for you. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews