Ellis Nelson's Blog, page 6

Lewis Carroll & the Paranormal:

I discuss the life of Lewis Carroll and his interest in the paranormal. What do we know about his library and his associations? How much (if any of this) affected his writing?

My Alice in Wonderland retelling is called Down the Treacle Well. The book trailer is below.

ORDER HERE: bit.ly/3roGX9f

SIGNED COPIES AVAILABLE: Contact himalayaspencerellis@yahoo.com for more info!

ARIES SEASON!

(Mar. 21- Apr. 19)

Happy birthday Aries! It’s your turn to shine this month.

You are a cardinal, fire sign— passionate, independent, and competitive. Aries know themselves and have a strong sense of self-worth. Leadership comes naturally. Possessing personal magnetism, you often attract others to projects and causes without much effort. Many Aries are physically active incorporating sports into their lives. 

As the first sign in the zodiac, Aries are newborns in a sense. Interestingly, Aries retain their youthful nature even as they age. Often more trusting or naïve than others, you will also tend to forgive quickly.

Aries are known for being adventurous, outgoing, and daringly bold. The negative side of Aries can be a reckless impulsiveness where consequences are not thought out or considered. There may also be a tendency to commit too fast to projects and not finish what is started. 

Symbol:

Your symbol is the ram with large, curved horns. The ram represents Aries unyielding determination.  

Ruler:

Your ruler is Mars. Mars was the Roman god of war. Mars is also associated with virility and fertility.    

Mar’s energy is masculine and is associated with the physical. Aries tends toward impulsiveness. You hold strong opinions, crave adventure, and love competition.   

Have you ever wondered what astrology has to say about your past lives?

REINCARNATION ASTROLOGY:

A Friendship Blessing:

Starting the week with a blessing from John O’Donohue’s book, Anam Cara (Soul Friend). I discovered his work several years ago during the Covid crisis. Diving deep into Celtic wisdom and honoring nature seems appropriate as spring takes hold and St. Patrick’s Day festivities happen next weekend.

Sharing the Reviews!

From multiple 5-star reviews:

“The several story lines were skillfully interwoven and while the story is targeted for younger folks there is enough depth and richness to satisfy adults.” (LibraryThing)  

“WOW! This is the first time I have read a novel by Ellis Nelson and it won’t be my last.” (LibraryThing)

“Down the Treacle Well is well-written, flows nicely, and is easy to read. It is also brilliantly clever—fun, funny, warmhearted, and wonderfully descriptive.” (Goodreads)

“The several story lines were skillfully interwoven and while the story is targeted for younger folks there is enough depth and richness to satisfy adults.” (Goodreads)

“It is, however, the injection of main characters with a 21st-Century sensibility that make it a story to recommend highly for modern readers who love fantasy, speculative fiction, or whimsical adventures.” (Goodreads)

” …Nelson reveals a darker side of Wonderland, one you get a glimpse of in the book and barely see at all in the Disney version. Friendly characters take on a more sinister feel as Nelson imbues them with plausible, but darker, traits and actions, and the more chaotic and dangerous characters are rounded out with unexpected rationality and even-handedness.” (Amazon)

“Author Ellis Nelson weaves the venerated Wonderland traditions with 21st century characters and ideas into a fun “what-happens-next” page turner.” (Amazon)

“…readers will enjoy this faithful and clever modern-day retelling of a children’s classic.” (Amazon)

 “It’s a historical novel wrapped in an adventure tied up with fantasy ribbons. This revisit to a children’s classic just might be a new classic itself.” (Amazon)

ORDER HERE: bit.ly/3roGX9f

SIGNED COPIES AVAILABLE: Contact himalayaspencerellis@yahoo.com for more info!

PISCES SEASON!

(Feb. 19- Mar. 20)

Happy birthday Pisces! It’s your turn to shine this month.

You are a mutable water sign, capable of diving to the deepest depths of emotion. Pisceans can adapt to changing circumstances and situations. Staying fluid and being able to almost shape-shift when required is not a weakness but a strength. Deeply compassionate and sensitive, Pisces often brings healing to events and people around them. Contemplation and a deep engagement in the search for inner truth comes naturally.

Since Pisces is the last sign in the zodiac, it has traversed all the signs and experienced many lessons. In all these situations you experienced hope and joy, fear and pain. All of these are deeply understood and felt by you, Pisces. This is what makes Pisceans so sensitive and vulnerable. Pisces needs to remember to stay grounded in the 3D world.

Symbol:

Your symbol is the two fishes seen in pairs in the gorgeous illustration above. The two fishes represent how Pisces’s attention is divided between fantasy and reality. 

Ruler: (modern)

Your ruler is Neptune.

Neptune’s energy is feminine and associated with changeability and illusion. On the positive end, Neptune can be a source for dreams and creativity. But Neptune can also function as deception or delusion.

Have you ever wondered what astrology has to say about your past lives?

REINCARNATION ASTROLOGY:

Down the Treacle Well in Bookstore

Although I’ve known the book was in bookstores, this is the first time I’ve seen it on shelves. This is the Tattered Cover, Denver.

Spectral Analysis: Seeking Lost Souls

(Book 1of 3)

by Joanne Cook

This novel follows the story of Janine Stinger, a tech specialist on the crew of a TV ghost-hunting show. Janine is deeply scarred by a previous relationship and especially vulnerable, although she does her best to hide it. When the team stumbles upon a story that dovetails with her own growing up, family history and local legend collide to confront Janine’s darkest fears. Is she part of a true haunting and curse? Her attempts to keep her past private start to crumble as her crush on the team’s lead paranormal investigator become mutual. How can she balance the past, the present, and the increasingly darker threats all while a river ghost lures people to their deaths?  

Janine’s character is well-developed as are the other supporting characters. The personal dynamics of work, family, and romantic relationships all play a role in this historical ghost story. The author provides wonderful technical details on ghost hunting, the equipment, and the process. I loved the historical details and research that provided the backstory of the book. The reader learns about the culture in which ghost stories arise and grow. Although this book deals with one haunting, the reader is deeply invested in Janine’s experience and what is in store for her next.  

Valentine’s Day Craft (EASY)

Valentine’s Day combined with Wonderland! A simple craft project with supplies you probably already have at home. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Visit Wonderland in my new book:

Lewis Carroll’s Birthday!

(The birthday post)

Lewis Carroll was born on January 27th, 1832. Lewis Carroll, the pen name taken by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, was born into a line of English military officers and clergymen. His father was gifted in mathematics as was he. While the father found a home in the high Anglican Church, the son spent most of his life teaching at Oxford. The world would also come to know the son as the writer of one of the most recognized English language works of all time. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was published in 1865. Through the Looking Glass followed a few years later. Lewis Carroll became famous for his fantasy works and a category of writing known as literary nonsense (Jabberwocky, The Hunting of the Snark). His writings continue to inspire and influence our culture.

A curious fact: Goodreads lists over 140 Alice retellings! Just one clue about the influence Lewis Carroll has had. https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/27554.Best_Retellings_of_Alice_in_Wonderland

  

My own retelling story is called Down the Treacle Well. You can find out more here: https://ellisnelson.com/books/

The London Séance Society

by Sarah Penner

Following on the heels of the successful, The Lost Apothecary, Sarah Penner’s latest novel has had a lot of hype. I found her new book when the library had a long waiting list for her first book and anything with séance in the title will get me to take a look.

The London Séance Society follows the story of Lenna Wickes who has recently lost her sister and who wants desperately to solve her murder. Since her sister was studying under a renowned medium, Lenna travels to Paris to engage Vaudeline D’Allaire for help. The two of them wind up back in London trying to solve a murder at a men’s club that functions as its own spiritualist-type institution. Of course, the two murders are connected and Vaudeline has her own history with the men’s club.

Not a bad setup, overall. The novel has a good pace with plenty of twists and turns. This is one where there may be a few too many. Throw in lesbian attractions. Men and misogyny. I started out thinking reading this book that it would be historical fiction but found the world the author created never existed. The contrived use of the séance in this way was irritating in a time when men’s societies did scientifically investigate phenomena. The use of language during this Victorian period many times felt far too modern. It was as if the author was unfamiliar with the way people spoke and the customs of the time (even though there are notes at the end of the book about mourning and funeral customs). The actual séance scenes and Vaudeline’s procedures were creative and well executed. Although the book held a lot of promise, it missed the mark for me. So much so, I’m going to pass on Penner’s first book.