When Tanis Helliwell headed off to Ireland to spend a few months in a country cottage, she set herself an ambitious goal: to become enlightened. As is the humorous inclination of the Universe, we often receive what we ask for, though not necessarily in the way that we expect. Thus, Helliwell found her lessons in enlightenment directed by a leprechaun.

Helliwell's book focuses on her daily meetings, conversations and activities with the leprechauns (mainly one leprechaun, who introduced himself as "a teacher of elementals who are studying humans") inhabiting the old cottage she rented. The deal was reciprocal: by sharing information, teaching and learning would be had by both leprechaun and human, especially around the issue of evolution and how leprechauns and humans might better work together in creating our future.

This is a fascinating and utterly enjoyable book. Helliwell alternates between appropriate doses of skepticism and acceptance, humor and wonder. She has a keen eye for describing the leprechauns and their antics, as well as for sharing the lessons she learns. Topics range from the essence of food to the nature of earth, wind, air and fire, and Helliwell has many intriguing meetings with a variety of energetic beings.

If you want a fun, inspiring and thoughtful look at what is possible when we open our consciousness to other beings and other ways of perceiving nature, take a chance on this book. Even if you must consider it fiction, Helliwell's leprechaun tale is a meaningful journey.

Several years after she bought the 57-acre plot with vineyards, which would come to be known as Lily Hill Farm, Penny Kelly met the elves. In exchange for Kelly's agreement to simply walk the land, the elves agreed to help the vineyards produce 100 tons of grapes, despite past averages of less than 50 tons per year. Elated, Kelly was sure she had got the better part of the bargain. Little did she realize how difficult it would be to walk the land, listen to the elves and comply with their many attempts to teach her the "nature of balance."

This book reveals how often we are our own worst enemy. The elves offer Kelly a different way of seeing the world, a better way of working with the soil, grapes and vines, and a deeper understanding of moving in harmony with the farm. While Kelly generally senses the wisdom of the elves' advice, she often cannot make the commitment to follow through. Walking the land is delayed; agreements are broken and promises forgotten; self-doubt and skepticism run rampant. When the grape harvest fails to reach 100 tons several years in a row, Kelly is disappointed. As the elves keep reminding her, "It's yer illusion, lady!"

In the end, Kelly learns that 100 tons of grapes was never really the challenge. The true challenge was confronting the shift of an entire belief system and way of life. No small feat for any of us.

Dawn Baumann Brunke is the Editor of Alaska Wellness magazine. If you would like to do book reviews or have a book to suggest, please e-mail her at brunke@matnet.com.