Vi’s Comments (group member since Jun 04, 2011)

Vi’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Questions for Chapters 16 - 24

25. As I suspected, Isabel seems to have heard about Amelia before. Do you think it was just from Devlin or did she know about her via other people? Who do you think she was talking on the phone to?

26. The plot thickens. Do you think Gerrity is involved with Fremont's/Mariama's death?

27. I'm getting more suspicious of Layla. Do you think she's involved in whatever's going on? Or is she just too protective of Dr. Shaw?

28. "If I disappear, don't come looking for me" Did Devlin really come to warn off Amelia? Or was he trying to tell her something?

29. "Shani was her tie to Devlin" Why is Mariama insistent on haunting Devlin? Any theories? I really want to know more about Mariama.

30. Do you think Temple knows more about Devlin and Mariama than she's let Amelia known?

31. Rupert Shaw trying to protect himself is very interesting. Is it against Darius and whatever he's planning? Gerrity seems to be involved himself in it too.

32. Where/How did Amelia's father learn all those things he taught Amelia? Was he taught by somebody?

33. Fremont said he has limitations. Then why is he able to appear before twilight? Why then, the connection to Amelia?

34. "She has killed or will kill in the very near future" Seems very prophetic from Fremont. Do you think she's the killer? Comments.

Once again, what a break-point, Lisa Kay!

Since I'm discovering new books/series: how's ? Leslie, Diane?

Judy wrote: "Vi- the HQN Presents was OK- I gave it 3 stars- it started out well but I thought the ending was too rushed

I do the same thing as you with the currently-reading section of the home page- I don't ..."

The search for good HQN Presents continues. Is it just me or is the Presents line getting stale? It's like the same tropes getting recycled and there's nothing different/interesting in the way it's told.

Yeah, it's one of my secrets to GR - a true Tried and Tested way to get books off.

Catherine wrote: "Yes...2 that I know of.....Jean Plaidy and Philppa Carr. Plaidy is stirctly hitorical. I only read 1 Carr book..and it was a mystery/thriller "

Oh, I've heard of Plaidy (I think). The only Carr I know is Robyn Carr. Sorry, Catherine! :) If I like Holt's books, then I should start on glomming her books. Was the Carr book good? I seem to be in a contemporary-suspense/thriller kick lately.

That's the diff between you and me, Catherine. If I put the book aside, it's very difficult for me to pick it back. I have had 7 such books that I created a seperate shelf for it - Started-but-not Finished - in the hope that I'll get to it someday. So far, it hasn't happened.

Yeah, Leslie. I never, ever got the vibe that you loved NO. It's such a surprise! :D

Catherine & Rebecca: It's still amazing how you both can have more than 3-4 books going on at once. Even if they are different genres, I tend to lose interest in one or more. The combo I have going on now is the only thing that works. Even then, I have to keep reminding myself to read the chunkster. I add it to my currently-reading shelf so that it keeps showing up on my GR Home Page. I get antsy if a book remains there for too long and then I read it just to get rid of it from the Home Page.

Judy, how's the HQN Presents? Is it good?

Catherine wrote: "I readThe India Fan years ago...and I loved it. Have you read any others by her or under her pseudonyms? "

She has pseudonyms? I haven't even heard of the author before today morning, Catherine. Good to know the India Fan is good. I'm so tempted to pick it up now.

Rebecca wrote: "@Vi - you make that trip, I'll meet you there. We'll solve the mystery together."

It's a deal, Rebecca.

And I have to add - this book is much better than the first two. I'm totally sucked in whereas the other two - not so much. Of course, it could be just me.

Rebecca wrote: "@Leslie - it's funny what you've said about Anne Rice. I've heard the same thing about any celebrity that relocates to New Orleans. I've never read her books but I did see the movie.
"

Ooh, NO is getting even more intriguing. I really should visit to see what is happening there. What is in NO that makes celebrities behave like a-holes: A Mystery. Tune in on Thursday, 10 pm while we attempt to solve it. ;)

Same here, Leslie. For me, the three books should not be too similar. The dailyish book should definitely not be a genre similar to the doorstopper.

Oh, good. I was worried when I got those books. I couldn't believe I confused Victoria Dahl & Victoria Holt. The worst thing is they're still similar in my mind. Thankfully, I got only 3 books.

Obsidian was just ok for me - I read it for the Bingo challenge and it felt like a typical YA which came out after Twilight. Very very similar. And I love Ann Aguirre. Atleast, I loved her Sirantha Jax series. Enclave is high on my TBR.

Ohh. I haven't seen the movie and I'm not sure which movie it was. I think one of her books was on sale which was why I got curious. Thankfully, I didn't buy her yet. Still on the fence.

Vi's Answers to Lisa Kay's Questions for Chapters 10-15

I think I have as many questions as you, LK. I tried so hard not to answer a Q with a question of my own ;)

13. Okay, who was the dude outside Devlin’s house? I’m guessing he’s Darious Goodwine, but what was with the shimmery blue stuff in his palm that smelled of sulfur?
I'm thinking Darius too but I'm not sure what that stuff was. Does Darius know Mariama is hating Devlin? Is that stuff something to help the ghost materialize or something?

14. Whatever Devlin and Mariam were fighting about seems key to all this. I didn’t realize that in the earlier books, but I think so now. You? (That scene with Mariam’s feet floating inches above the steps was freaky, too. More so than the falling painting; I don’t think she’ll ever let him go. And Amelia’s instinct to protect Shani from Mariam was interesting. Hmmm.)
Yes, I completely agree. I can't help thinking Mariama is getting more powerful? What did happen between Devlin & Mariama that he can't let her go? I can't help feel for Shani. I don't think she likes haunting with Mariama.

15. If Devlin didn’t send the text or eMail to Amelia, then who did? Robert Fremont? Or someone else altogether?
That was creepy too. I don't altogether think it was Fremont. He didn't seem to have foreseen when the stars will be aligned perfectly for whatever he was wants to find.

16. Whatever... and despite that ‘almost kiss,’ it doesn’t seem as if Devlin is ready to let go of his ghosts, either. Right?
Totally. Again, what did happen between them? What's up with Mariama? Is she haunting because she doesn't want to let Devlin go or is there another reason for it? How does Shani fit into all this?

17. Aww, poor little Shani. I wasn’t a freaked out by the heart on the mirror in Amelia’s house, indicating she’s manifested inside her sanctuary. Maybe I should have been, but I want Amelia to help her. What was that dark malevolence that followed Shani? Did Shani write the repeated “HELP ME” on the mirror, or is she too young? Who could it be? Robert Fremont? Or somebody worse?
Really - poor, poor Shani. I really feel for her. I think it's Shani reaching out to Amelia - probably the only adult that she can reach out for help. Devlin ignores her and Mariama doesn't exactly seem to be the motherly type while in Ghost mode. The dark malevolence is interesting - I can't help think Darius has something to do with it.

18. Questions and comments regarding Amelia’s morning walk (Chapter 12):
a) Where does Fremont get his energy? (Still wondering his ghost is so different.)
Good question but I still don't have the answer.

b) Did Fremont bring something – or someone – with him that is draining Amelia? Does that mean he might have gone to the Gray? (Hey, that’s Amelia’s last name!)
No. So far, I think Fremont is trustworthy. It wouldn't do to harm the hand that feeds you, right? If something's draining Amelia, then Fremont might not get his job done.

c) Did Shani or some other ghost – or person – perform psychokinesis to put the “HELP ME” on the mirror?
I still think it's Shani. I'm just hoping she doesn't turn out be acting as bait - that really would be super turning point at the end.

d) Is the timeline of Fremont’s death important?
Yes - It is. He was murdered so something he discovered must have gotten him into trouble. Was he meeting somebody for info? What was he doing at the cemetery? I mean Amelia needs answers to those questions if she has to solve the mystery.

e) Who was the man who sidled up to Amelia at the rail to admire the sunrise? Anyone important? Is he the guy who follows her later?
I think so. Suddenly, I'm seeing Darius everywhere. Was this guy the same one as the one outside Devlin's house? It can't be a coincidence can it? When suddenly she's seeing too many guys?

f) And probably most important, BOOK QUOTE: “You still don’t know who you are, do you? You still don’t understand why we come to you.”
This quote is very, very important. I wish we'd gotten answer to it also. Amelia later muses: It's too late for her to go back to the middle - the entities have started reaching out to her. What does that mean?

g) Fremont believes Dr. Rupert Shaw is evil, yet Amelia trusts him. We know that he financed Mariam’s education, but he was more interested in her grandmother, Essie Goodwine. Comments.
After his reaction to Amelia's question, I'm not entirely sure he is trust-worthy or if he's completely evil. Maybe in-between. Maybe he knows stuff but didn't act on it or stood by? He could have gone one step too far in his interest of Essie Goodwine. I need to read more!

h) BOOK QUOTE: “Because she knew you can’t always control what you bring back,” he muttered. ...Eep!
Foreshadowing! What's going to happen?

g) We now know that Darius is Mariama’s first cousin, raised as her sibling. He persuaded her to run off to Africa, where Devlin found them and brought Shani home. But Mariama and Darius came back changed: her more bitchy and Darius as a tagati (a sorcerer who uses medicinal conjure for evil).
Mariama and Devlin's relationship is at the core. We really need to know more them and Mariama in particular. Was she a good person before she got changed?

h) Was Fremont was trying to stop Darius from drug smuggling? He paused before confirming. Or was he just stopping there to murmur a protective incantation against Darius? And why would a ghost be afraid of a human?
Well, it makes sense Fremont would be afraid of Darius - we don't know what constitutes a tagati. Can Darius do something that can harm Fremont? Does Darius have some sort of control over the ghosts?

19. Who is this dude in the straw fedora and Madras blazer? Why were his lips moving, but there was no phone to his ear? Was he talking into a microphone? Or is he a psycho stalker?
Ugh. Suddenly Amelia's seeing too many guys. It can't be a coincidence. Does that mean whoever it is know about Fremont or that she visited Devlin?

20. So, why was Ethan agitated over the blue Buick that might have been following Amelia? Does he worry about her that much, or could he know to whom the car belongs?
I think something's happening that we are not yet sure of. Ethan's involved into his skin in whatever's happening. I'm thinking it has something to do with Fremont as well.

21. What was Dr. Shaw’s look of malevolence all about when Amelia mentioned gray dust?
I don't know. There's so much foreshadowing going on. And what is that herb thingy he took? Was it a drug?

22. What in the world is up with Layla? I sure would NOT take any tea from her.
I know - what the heck is up with her? Why was she spying on Amelia? Is there a conspiracy going on?

23. All this talk of ibogaine and gray dust; I’m with Amelia, why would anyone want to take that stuff? (Despite the chance at spiritual enlightenment or feelings of euphoria.) However, I’m getting worried about the mention of “a series of obstacles that must be overcome” and the possibility of being “invaded by another spirit.” That sounds like foreshadowing. Comments.
This series of obstacle thingy is something I've read in other novels. I think it was then called Vision Quest or something. It is more popular in fantasy novels based on tribes. After this quest, usually, they get a familiar/guide animal or something like that. I used to think it was a trope but maybe it's based on a fact? Foreshadowing is happening every other page in this book.

24. Okay, that was creepy, the way “she” was leaning against the door frame and watching Amelia. Think it is the same perfume that clung to Fremont?
Maybe she knows about Amelia? I mean Amelia has visited Dr.Shaw many times so she (assuming it's Isabel) could have seen her and heard about her from Devlin. It wouldn't be surprising if she was curious. And Amelia could be jumpy due to the things happening to her.

Has anybody read Anne Rice's Vampire books? I've been hearing about it and thinking of giving it a try..is it good?

And Leslie, I had so my fun today too and it's barely 8 am. I actually wanted to buy which was released yesterday but ended up buying so many others. CC got a workout today when I read about this book: . I sort of bought other books from the author thinking she was Victoria Dahl. I just realized a few mins ago that they were different people.

Today's Lesson: don't go to Amazon before you are completely awake.

This combo is the only thing that seems to work for me: 1 audio, 1 doorstopper, 1 shorter book. If I have two shorter books going on, then I can't multi-task. It's finish one first.

Leslie, how can you read, watch and work on comp? I can do anything while TV's on but not reading and working on the comp at the same time.

Oh, Lisa Kay! The pics are so beautiful. I really want to visit Charleston now. And the houses on Tradd Street are so gorgeous!

Lisa Kay wrote: "Vi wrote: "I feel like I've finally joined an elite club of reading multiple books going on at once."

LOL! I think that is a side-effect of GRs."

Definitely.

Lisa Kay wrote: " HP

Rapes? In Harry Potter? Eep. Thank goodness...not!"

I agree :)

Wow, the team is very quiet! Does that mean everybody's reading?

I started yesterday and like Leslie, I'm completely sucked in too. The third book is much better than the first 2 which didn't suck me as good as this.

Also started yesterday with going as Audio Book. I feel like I've finally joined an elite club of reading multiple books going on at once.