Kelly O’Hearn’s second Arcanum novel takes readers on a sensual, metaphysical journey through time, memory, and the mystical pull of past lives.
What if the answers to your deepest questions weren’t ahead of you—but behind you?
In Whispers in the Forest, the second book in Kelly O’Hearn’s captivating Arcanum series, readers are invited to follow a journey of unraveling—not just of one woman’s life, but of the lifetimes that came before it.
Set between the sleek perfection of Manhattan and the golden light of Provence, Whispers in the Forest is part romance, part metaphysical mystery, and entirely a spellbinding meditation on identity, intuition, and the soul’s journey across time.
The Story That Transcends Time
At the heart of the novel is Sarah Fuller, a high-profile perfumer known for her ability to capture memory and emotion in a single note. But as the book opens, Sarah finds herself increasingly disoriented by vivid dreams of a medieval maiden in a forest—and haunted by the feeling that her current life may not be the only one she’s living.
After a particularly intense vision, Sarah leaves her curated Manhattan world behind and travels to the South of France in search of a rare rose said to carry an ancient lineage. Her journey is professional—or so she tells herself. But as Sarah’s dreams intensify and the veil between her waking life and subconscious memories thins, she is forced to confront a deeper truth: the life she’s living may be entwined with one from the distant past. And the man she meets in France may not be a stranger after all.
What follows is a lyrical, immersive exploration of reincarnation, memory, and the mysterious pull of unfinished stories.
The Tarot Behind the Tale
What makes Whispers in the Forest especially intriguing is not just its plot but how it was written. Kelly O’Hearn channeled the entire Arcanum series through Tarot readings, conducted over forty hours of virtual sessions. During those sessions, she uncovered eight lifetimes she believes are part of her soul’s journey.
“The story didn’t come from my head,” O’Hearn explains. “It came through me. Tarot became a bridge—between lifetimes, between archetypes, and between the personal and the universal.”
The result is a novel that is both intimate and expansive. The emotional resonance readers feel as they journey with Sarah through confusion, longing, and clarity mirrors their own spiritual questions: Who was I before this? Why do I feel connected to certain places—or people—I’ve never met? What if there’s more to our story than this life?
The Alchemy of Scent and Spirit
One of the most enchanting threads woven through Whispers in the Forest is the theme of scent as a doorway to memory. Sarah’s work as a perfumer is more than background; it’s a metaphor for how the soul recognizes what the mind has forgotten. A single fragrance can stir forgotten dreams, just as a single encounter can awaken a buried truth.
From ancient rose oils to medieval tinctures, O’Hearn infuses the book with sensorial magic, making it not only a feast for the imagination but also a visceral experience. Readers will find themselves smelling the Provence air, feeling the moss of the forest beneath their feet, and sensing the electric charge of soul recognition.
Reincarnation as a Mirror
For readers drawn to stories of soulmates, karmic bonds, and spiritual awakening, Whispers in the Forest offers both emotional depth and mystical intrigue. It explores how patterns from past lives can ripple into the present—and how recognizing those patterns is the first step in breaking free of them.
Unlike traditional romances, Sarah’s love story is not rooted in a new connection but a remembered one—a bond that transcends lifetimes and challenges her to embrace the full truth of who she is. It’s a love story for seekers: those who have felt love that defies explanation or grief that feels older than this life.
A Novel for the Mystically Curious
Whispers in the Forest will resonate with fans of:
- Time-slip or reincarnation fiction (The Time Traveler’s Wife, Outlander, A Discovery of Witches)
- Mystical and metaphysical novels with strong female leads
- Stories that blend romance, psychological growth, and spiritual transformation
Whether you’re drawn to Tarot, curious about past lives, or simply love a lushly written story that stirs the soul, Kelly O’Hearn’s novel offers an unforgettable experience. It invites you to see your own life not as a straight line but as a circle, a spiral, or even a rose—unfolding one petal at a time.
Whispers in the Forest releases May 13, 2025, in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats. It is published by Global Entanglement and is the second installment in the Arcanum series.
To learn more about Kelly O’Hearn, her writing process, or her Tarot offerings, visit ArcanumTheSeries.com.