I was curious about this book because I am interested in psychics and all things paranormal. I didn’t realize when I purchased the book at a3.5 stars
I was curious about this book because I am interested in psychics and all things paranormal. I didn’t realize when I purchased the book at a used book store that the author is from Kingston, Ontario, where I live. As it turned out, there were so many references to Kingston businesses, both past and present, that it was like taking a trip down memory lane. I also felt a sense of recognition when I saw the author’s photo at the back of the book, although I don’t remember ever having met her.
For a debut novel, this is a very good book! The story is interesting, thoughtful, and hopeful despite the fact that the main character, Judith, suffers from a lack of self-esteem and is depressed throughout most of the book. I can well relate to her and the author brought all of Judith’s friends from The Results System repatterning workshop they attended, to life, exceeding well. I especially liked Vivienne, Judith’s closest friend from the workshop. In fact, some of the characters reminded me of some of my cousin’s friends - my cousin being a hairdresser who has a close friend that reads tarot cards - and who has been hosting New Age spiritual events in her salon for many years. I won’t be the least bit surprised if she actually knows the author. I must ask her!
I have attended a local psychic fair in the past (and several of my cousin’s events) and have had my fair share of experiences with psychics, mediums, tarot card readers, and other types of intuitive people, both gifted and not so gifted. My own Spidey senses tell me that although A Season Among Psychics is a work of fiction, it is based upon many of the author’s personal experiences as she has significant similarities to Judith.
For a book about the world of “woo-woo” this story is very realistic and the connection between Judith and the man she loves who lives far away, Brian, is refreshing in that it is not a typical romance as the status of their relationship is not resolved at the end of the book. I like that. Life is like that.
However, I was completely distracted by the terrible job that the editor did with the punctuation in this novel. I found more than 50 mistakes that I was tempted to redline but didn’t, and it is a real shame because this book and its author deserved a better editor. Overall, though, A Season Among Psychics is well worth a read if you share these interests....more
Just finished reading Mariana by Susanna Kearsley and it took my breath away, leaving me in tears. This story, for me, is utter perfection. I didn’t sJust finished reading Mariana by Susanna Kearsley and it took my breath away, leaving me in tears. This story, for me, is utter perfection. I didn’t see the ending coming but I loved it more than words can say. ❤️...more
**spoiler alert** I love Susanna Kearsley’s writing and I couldn’t put this book down. It has everything within its pages that I most appreciate about**spoiler alert** I love Susanna Kearsley’s writing and I couldn’t put this book down. It has everything within its pages that I most appreciate about a story (gothic setting, wonderful characters, gorgeous descriptions, romance, adventure, time travel), except for one thing.
She faded to black with a cutaway from the most important love scene between Eva and Daniel and didn’t describe their coupling. I was crushed by that. One more paragraph in that scene would have earned the fifth star for my review.
As a long-time fan of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, I am always drawn to historical fiction set in Scotland, especially if there is romance As a long-time fan of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, I am always drawn to historical fiction set in Scotland, especially if there is romance involved. This is the first book by Canadian author, Susanna Kearsley, that I have read, and it will not be the last.
A novel within a novel, its two storylines kept me equally captivated and happily lost within the dreamy walls of Slains Castle with its views of the winter sea and in Cruden Bay, as author Carrie McClelland wrote the love story of her ancestors, Sophia Paterson and John Moray and found love herself with historian and University of Aberdeen lecturer, Graham Keith.
I love everything about this book, from the author’s exquisite prose to her impressive research of Scottish history and the invasion of 1708, to her rich and satisfying character development. The romantic, intriguing and melancholy tone of The Winter Sea has been a perfect fit for my current mood and I would take up residence in its setting if I could.
Thank you, Susanna Kearsley, for your gorgeous book and for your dedication to getting the history as close to perfection as you can. And thank you for creating characters that will stay in my memory for as long as I have one. This is the perfect book to accompany my extensive collection by Diana Gabaldon, and I now understand why she has spoken so highly of your books....more
I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5 as its prose is as sumptuous and sweltering as Savannah in summer. Some call it Savannah's first scandalous novel I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5 as its prose is as sumptuous and sweltering as Savannah in summer. Some call it Savannah's first scandalous novel and I'm sure it was as it was published in 1939 and contains the "N" word frequently, as the author writes using the patois of the people of the region at that time. It is the story of low born Zelda O'Brien whose life is a compilation of tragedies and yet she somehow is able to maintain her dignity in the face of all adversity and never, ever cries. I don't want to give too much away but this is an epic love story and a heart-wrenching ode to growing up poor and turning oneself into a person of means through whatever means necessary in order to vindicate oneself in the eyes of those who'd looked down on them. No matter what Zelda does to achieve those means, I maintained compassion for her and always wanted her to succeed. Powerful, gorgeous writing! I'd love to read more of Harry Hervey's work....more
I give this book 4.5 stars because I enjoyed it so much. I have never walked the Camino but I know people who have and I think I would like to try mysI give this book 4.5 stars because I enjoyed it so much. I have never walked the Camino but I know people who have and I think I would like to try myself someday. However, I have read all of Graeme Simsion’s books and this one that he wrote with his wife, Anne Buist, inspired by their own two Camino walks is my favourite. It is interesting, inspiring, smart, thought-provoking, and romantic. It is an unusual love story for adults who don’t necessarily read chick lit or Harlequin. I think that it will appeal to everyone who either has or wants to walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, or for anyone who is just looking for a well-written, non-formulaic romance with heart and soul. ...more
Who doesn't love a Christmas miracle? This one got me, Jane Porter. Made me cry at the end. Made me want to have more faith and believe in miracles toWho doesn't love a Christmas miracle? This one got me, Jane Porter. Made me cry at the end. Made me want to have more faith and believe in miracles too. xox...more
I confess that I've been reading a lot of Diana Gabaldon's novels lately (she's a tough author to best in my world) and as I have a love for Scottish I confess that I've been reading a lot of Diana Gabaldon's novels lately (she's a tough author to best in my world) and as I have a love for Scottish Highlanders and medieval times / historical fiction, I thought I'd give this book a read. I was really disappointed in it because the story was so freakin' cheesy, predictable and the characters spoke as if they were from the 20th century and not the 12th. It was just incredibly LAME. I kept hoping that it would get better but it was nothing more than a silly soap opera attempt at the genre....more
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