C. (Comment, never msg).’s Comments (group member since Jan 30, 2014)

C. (Comment, never msg).’s comments from the Gentle SPECTRUMS group.

It has shaken us, that Spirit's sister died at only 11, without her people knowing why. It makes us watch out for Spirit. Their Mother died at 9; two gone early. They came home and found Nirmal that way! The worst way to lose a loved-one, finding them already gone. Our famlly is in shock, that they endure this awful discovery again.

“More Than You Know” Beth Gutcheon 2000 (4 stars)

This one, I loved and will remember. However I am seldom capable of allowing 5 stars where there are killed animals and hung on as long as I could. They were fleeting, not plot contributors however they came up enough that one star dropped. There is a much larger reason culminating with that, for this really is an exquisitely well-developed story with marvelous language. It paralells two Maine island families over 200 years. Our peer, Margaret knew I owned this and for at least two years; she raved about it as "the perfect ghost story". I debated that, back when we discussed wanting atmospheric hauntings for adults; not the comical cozy variety. However her review specifies a spectre should be a fleeting vision. Having read this at last, I disagree emphatically.

Had I not had her endorsement, I would have been less bothered by the outcome of the ghost NEVER speaking with Hannah. This is a time where a review damaged enjoyment. I might have enjoyed it having a ghost at all but she had me expecting "the ghost story blueprint", which it is not for me. She wrote "communication should be difficult", which implies it will come eventually and I looked forward to it. The ghost seldom appeared, was never resolved, and never spoke! A letdown for me. A wonderful story and characters but thankfully, I have recently fulfilled my quest of finding elsewhere, the kind of ghost story that really whets my appetitite for spirit experiences.

“The Ice Diamond Quest” Eric Wilson 1990 (2 stars)
https://www.amazon.ca/review/RD3A6UUE...

I enjoyed this a great deal more than the few to which I have reluctantly given low stars. I explain what is noticeably wrong with it, more candidly than usual. I am conscious of the feelings of authors who might see our feedback. However I think Mr. Wilson might benefit from what I have to say. I am respectful and know he has done much better.

The blurb at my blog discusses there not being a decent Irish source for years and there hadn't been one for Scotland when I considered it. I found the one that came competitive. I crammed novels, even though I prefer savouring Celtic authors / settings / literature a few at a time. There has never been a place for Wales and still, I wanted a place to enjoy Scotland without duplicating the later ladies. I am elated to have thought of combining all of them! If we read even one book mixed and matched of each country, there's somewhere it belongs. :)

We have interesting similarities. I mentioned wanting to read Rex's second novel this year, which took a long darned time to acquire. Finally someone got it for my birthday a year ago. The reach of my book-acquisitions wouldn't be possible if we bought new. Lastly, I also finally read "Feint Of Art", Juliet Blackwell's first novel authored with her sister as "Hailey Lind". Nowhere near as good as her ghost and witch content. You really notice her filling in gaps with comedy. However one must give a pass to one's first mystery and novel. Anyway we've both read of art forgers early this year.

Tizzy in England was with Gentle Spectrums 2015. I visited her blog yesterday but Disquis doesn't let me comment. I hope she sees this. Without knowing she was pregnant: I read that she has just had a baby! She married about two years ago and her wedding gown is what we see in her avatar thumbnail. I've told her it is a gorgeous photograph and now, she is already building a family.

Congratulations to you and your husband, Tizzy for your daughter! She is so tiny, cute, and precious! Born December 29 and just one month old. I also read Tizzy's Christmas wish to her visitors like me, wondering when her child would arrive. It must be a relief and joy that she is here.

If there are heavy times that need support, or when it is your birthday, anniversary, promotion; anything you would like to share: this announcement thread is for you.

HAPPY OPENING DAY TO OUR RIEDEL CIRCLES! It is February 1: our challenges officially begin today! We have the choice to tally what we read until January 31, or to count content from January to December based on the calendar.

To let me know which groups you are doing, you need only make me a blog post and send it via e-mail. Or those without blogs, e-mail me wth your Goodreads profiles and name the themes you are doing. :) It looks like a small, cozy year so we can use all the promotion we can get. My fond, positive wishes to you all, Carolyn!

A happy reminder to those in this group: this gives us an easy place to tell you: I am drawing for the winners of our 2015 groups right now! My fiancé, Ron, as always is helping me draw the names for our overall, year-end winners of: ETHEREAL, MY KIND OF MYSTERY, and GENTLE SPECTRUMS! I hope you all join me in 2016. Thank you for adding your special characters and having been a part of them.

Each initial name we choose will be e-mailed to see if you accept, as long as I have your e-addresses from last year; so keep your eyes on your in-boxes. I hope you recall Ethereal 2015 has a unique prize for the year we are finishing today: numerology or tarot readings offered by our fellow participant, Hazellie! Yours sincerely, Carolyn.

It's only January. Leslie and I are just nuts. Hehehe! We don't even start until February 1 but you count whenever you like. *I* start with the new year! :) Leslie for instance, might follow the wind and close her reading in December, which works out equally. I don't care about any details, except fellowship with you lovely ladies from year to year. :)

People rejoining me flow into the next year, whether it's January or February. The point of starting our year one month differently, is to avoid a pile-up of accounting over Christmas; that's all.

As you said, you read tons that classifies as spiritual, paranormal.... anything mystical as well as fantasy and fictional wonders. I've seen your books and you ace this all the time. Children's literature makes it easy because there's usual a talking animal or something magical. :)

"Eyes Of An Angel" is life-affirming; reinforcing many of my beliefs and introducing things I had never heard of. Ann Hite and Natasha Mostert were unique and good. Mary Ellen Taylor is my first 5-star book. I really got into that adoptive family and the dual personal mysteries they solved! It has nothing to do with a crime; exactly my kind of pure mystery!

I understand and ditto. When you do send the e-mail with posts for the two themes, I look forward to knowing about my Christmas card. :)

Great! Will be very grateful to have post(s) from your blog about Ethereal and My Kind Of Mystery. You need only e-mail when they're up. :) Numbers are small so far; all the promo we can get would be wonderful.

We definitely aren't looking for or focused on horror. I consider spirits a positive thing. Ethereal is anything mystical or spiritual; anything beyond the physical. Gothic literature by itself would not fit because there isn't always metaphysical content. Anything religious or paranormal, as well as fantasy because it's magical. That "special something" that is not explained rationally. :)

Yes. Nathalie Cole, Alan Rickman. I heard Spirit's birth sister, Nirmal passed away at the beginning of this month. She too of course is only 11 years-old. My heart goes to her people, where my Spirit was born. They lost their Mom at only 9 but Nirmal's people had some notice that Mom Penny was unwell. We are watching Spirit carefully! Their sister, Boots is still there and someone else adopted his twin, Lucy. Three of them left and I pray, going strong another 11 years.

I am very sorry about your uncle. I am fed up with cancer killing anyone at all. I'm glad the service was helpful to your family.

I think the problem will solve itself. Old books are showing up on the group shelf. I wanted a way to just show 2016 (and couldn't see at first where to create 2016). However our new books will override those.

That's a great list, Leslie! Feel free to cut yourself a topic with your name. Make yourself at home. I *love* seeing your easy-to-glance stars! Yes, I was thrilled to find your e-mail officially joining! :) I was catching-up on my e-mails soon.

I enjoyed "Fer-De-Lance" and have expected to like succeeding volumes better. I have heard Georgette Heyer's name many times. If you're giving her a 4, I must watch out for her. It's okay Erin: we have plenty of themes with which to match your books!

Here is what I have finished and plan to read, that touches on the ETHEREAL.

“The Sunflower's Gift” Ann Marie Brezovski, Patricia Trudeau 2014 (3 stars)
https://www.amazon.ca/review/R3RCUVTH...
“Eyes Of An Angel: Spirit Guides, Reality Of Love” Paul Elder 2005 (4 stars)
https://www.amazon.ca/review/R2SQUVJ4...
“The Union Street Bakery” Mary Ellen Taylor 2013 (5 stars)
https://www.amazon.ca/review/RTWJVU12...
“Ghost On Black Mountain” Ann Hite 2011 (4 stars)
https://www.amazon.ca/review/R2K44UJW...
“The Midnight Side” Natasha Mostert 2000 (4 stars)
https://www.amazon.ca/review/R2D783BR...
“Throw Your Tooth On The Roof” Selby B. Beeler, G. Brian Karas 1998 (4 stars)
https://www.amazon.ca/review/R2KQULXY...
“Charlotte And The Quiet Place” Dr. Deborah Sosin 2015 (5 stars)
https://www.amazon.ca/review/R3G1RALJ...
“More Than You Know” Beth Gutcheon 2000 (4 stars)
https://www.amazon.ca/review/R2HXT93Z...
“One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” Dr. Seuss (Theodore Seuss Geisel) 1960
(3 stars) https://www.amazon.ca/review/RCFYGS0G...
“The Haunting Of Josie” Kay Hooper 1994 (5 stars)
https://www.amazon.ca/review/R3Q3TLN7...
“The Divali Story” Anita Ganeri, Carole Gray 2003 (3 stars)
https://www.amazon.ca/review/R2RR2INZ...
“An Inquiry Into Love And Death” Simone St. James 2013 (5 stars)!

“The Boggart” Susan Cooper 1993 (starting).

Future considerations
“Keeper Of The Castle” Juliet Blackwell 2014
“The Novice's Tale” Margaret Frazer 1992
“Echoes” Maeve Binchy 1985
“Into The Fire” Jodi McIsaac 2013

Here are mysteries I am already finishing, this first month of 2016!

“The Wyndham Case” Jill Paton Walsh 1993 (4 stars)
https://www.amazon.ca/review/R1RD3O8B...
“Feint Of Art” Hailey Lind 2006 (3 stars)
https://www.amazon.ca/review/RC0LWUBZ...
“The Union Street Bakery” Mary Ellen Taylor 2013 (5 stars)
https://www.amazon.ca/review/RTWJVU12...
“The Ghost On Black Mountain” Ann Hite 2011 (4 stars)
https://www.amazon.ca/review/R2K44UJW...
“The Midnight Side” Natasha Mostert 2000 (4 stars).
https://www.amazon.ca/review/R2D783BR...