Ray Dennis Does The Secret

A Simple Law of Attraction Story

Fiction - Tall Tale
173 Pages
Reviewed on 04/11/2019
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

In Ray Dennis Does The Secret by Gary Troia, as Ray Dennis sits handcuffed at the airport in Baltimore, about to be deported for drug offences, he wonders what his life has become. As he lands back in England, he is determined to discover why he sabotages every opportunity in his life. As he tries to improve his outlook on life, he struggles to find a place to belong. The only way he finds comfort and can escape from the feelings of loneliness and despair is self-medicating with alcohol. After much deliberation, Ray decides it is time to end the thoughts of resentment and his old identity. He transforms into Ramon Deneuve and, armed with a new passport, travels back to the US to try to piece his life back together. He is introduced to the teachings of The Secret and discovers the magic of visualization and manifesting your goals. Ramon manages to manifest his dream partner, success and wealth; life seems to be perfect. However, Ramon soon discovers that visualization can sometimes bring you what you fear the most, if your thoughts and actions contradict your desires. He becomes entangled in a drug cartel that kills his soulmate and young children. Ramon leaves the US and with a better knowledge of the power of manifestation, he exacts his plan of revenge.

As a lover of the Law of Attraction, the subject matter of this book intrigued me. I found the writing style of the book in the first person perfect for the story line. The character of Ray/Ramon was flawed and tortured but he made a great lead character. The supporting characters were also very realistic, especially Juan who made a great villain. The writing style of the author was natural and flowed effortlessly. The teachings of manifestation and visualization were superb regarding that true power lies within us, but that your emotions must be in line with your thoughts. The example of how Ramon gives all of his attention to what he feared, not what he desired, was a stark warning to the power behind the teachings of The Secret. The references to automated behaviour in humans and their lack of belief that they have the power to change their lives were also very powerfully relayed. The entire story is brutally honest about the mindset of an alcoholic too, as Ray's ego and mind battle for control. Either the author has done extensive research, or he has written from personal experience, because this is a gripping read and I highly recommend it.

Jack Magnus

Ray Dennis Does The Secret: A Simple Law of Attraction Story is a contemporary humorous fiction novel written by Gary Troia. Ray could feel everybody’s eyes on him as he was escorted to the waiting plane by a man wearing a badge. What made those people even more curious was the fact that Ray was handcuffed to his escort. He could sense them wondering just what awful thing he had done to have earned this special service, and everything in him shouted out in protest at the exaggerated official response to his “misdeeds.” Now he was headed back to the chill and dampness of London, England and his old bedroom in his Nan’s house. The mild climate and comfortable apartment complex in Manassas, Virginia was forever consigned to being a distant memory. Not only had they escorted him to the plane, but they had also stamped his visa with the grim pronouncement: Undesirable Alien. He was back past square one and had no idea what to do next.

Ray Dennis Does The Secret: A Simple Law of Attraction Story follows the hapless London bricklayer as he takes stock of the latest developments in his life story and tries to figure out how to make changes, painless and easy ones if at all possible. Troia’s story emphasizes the inherent problems with educational institutions determining who goes on to academic or professional pursuits and who becomes a bricklayer. By Ray’s standards, and the benchmarks he sets out for himself and often achieves, that system failed him utterly. Ray is engaging and personable, and the reader can’t help but feel some connection with him as he is ensnared by a cult-like religious sect, and his story only gets better after that. Troia’s character study is perceptive and keen, and the author’s affection for his character is evidenced on every page. Ray Dennis Does The Secret: A Simple Law of Attraction Story is highly recommended.

Tracy Young

Ray Dennis is a bricklayer from London who managed to spread his wings and spend 3 years in the States plying his trade; however, he must leave under a cloud. Back at his grandparents' house in his old room, he finds himself at an impasse and turns to drink to ease his sorrows. Thanks to a neighbor, he finds solace in religion and joins a local church. Ray Dennis Does the Secret: A Simple Law of Attraction Story by Gary Troia is the story of a working man who decides to expand his horizons and seek an alternate path. Education and religion play a major part in his journey and a chance meeting leads him to The Secret. A change of name and fortune swiftly follows, and Ray or Ramon seems to attain the happiness he has been seeking. Tragedy, however, changes his path and he finds himself with a new mission in life.

What a great book. Who would have thought that the story of a London bricklayer could have so many twists and turns? The path that Ray Dennis Does the Secret takes is a dark and twisty one with such emotional turmoil it will leave you reeling. The Secret is an interesting era for Ray and Gary Troia draws the reader in beautifully. Set in London, America, and Spain, the book has a fascinating backdrop to a truly intriguing story. Ray Dennis is a character with many sides and I am looking forward to reading more about his exploits, and I look forward to more bricklayers' tales!

Lisa McCombs

When Ray Dennis is exiled from the United States and returned to England on what he felt was a bogus drug infraction, he knew that he needed a new life. When he meets Dave, Ray is introduced to the teachings of the Bible. Ray begins to feel that he has found the missing link in an otherwise empty life. With the basics of a positive lifestyle under his belt, Ray’s future adventures lead him to a variety of subsequent scenarios that include the painfully monotonous job of bricklaying; on and off spells of addiction; and a promising career as a teacher. Finally returning to America in the new identity of Ramon Deneuve, a new acquaintance introduces him to The Secret and all existence as he has known it before dissolves forever. Ramon meets and marries Hermosa with whom he visualizes a happily ever after. Unfortunately even Hermosa and The Secret cannot be trusted to assure Ramon a perfect life.

Ray Dennis Does The Secret: A Simple Law of Attraction Story by Gary Troia is an example of raw honesty and an unusual method of making life decisions. Although Ray Dennis Does The Secret is a wildly exaggerated tale, much of this story is believable. The old adage that “truth is stranger than fiction” holds true in this highly entertaining romp. Whether it is the intention of the author to provide his readers with a fast paced intrigue or a sympathetic saga, this book inspires me to seek out other works by the author. Gary Troia succeeds in seducing his audience until the final page.

Deborah Lloyd

A British bricklayer, Ray Dennis moved to the United States for a change in scenery. However, he was deported back to his home country when he faced a drug charge. He was invited to join a group of people who studied, and lived, the Law of Attraction as explained by Rhonda Byrne in her bestselling book, The Secret. Ray started reading and studying several areas that always had interested him and eventually was able to leave the monotonous, laborious work of laying bricks every day. He also became sober. He returned to the United States with a new identity and passport. It was not a straightforward, easy path, however, as his thoughts created a great life, along with dangerous situations.

Gary Troia has presented an intriguing drama of the possibilities of manifestation in Ray Dennis Does The Secret: A Simple Law of Attraction Story. This story is thought-provoking and challenging in many aspects. The up-and-down cycle of Ray’s life is heartwarming at times and excruciating at other times. He truly experiences the best of life, along with the most painful events one could imagine. His ongoing search for power and respect leads to unintended consequences. There are many characters in the story, representing both good people and malevolent people in today’s world. The story moves along at a fast pace, as Ray’s thoughts propel him to create various scenarios. Ray Dennis Does The Secret: A Simple Law of Attraction Story by Gary Troia is a captivating, unforgettable read.