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It is time to start Kay Hooper's long, psychic detective series, even if I prefer not to read about violent or police-type crime is my least-liked sub-genre of mystery. Knowing Kay is a great author and the psychic aspect, are the draws. She is caring and keeps you engaged.

I am enjoying this suite of short stories more than I imagined I would. For the first time, many end happily. The variety is impressive but we Manitobans always have comprised all walks of life, creativity, and spirits. For once, I am reading short stories quickly, with interest; instead of wondering, "All right, how many pages are each one".

Reading more than six pages per evening would probably help.

I am not impressed yet but have waited years to try this series. I acquired this opening volume recently. I will give it first novel patience but it's odd format takes getting used to in of itself: half gangster-sounding cat narration, half business woman who isn't necessarily a cat-person. Carole may have dropped her numerous metaphoric quips and over-description of what colour everyone's eyes are, clothes, etc.

I don't know why preferring Vicky Bliss' series has me an oddball. They are so obviously better than the Amelia ones! But her publisher wanted more of those, so Vicky's series comprises few novels. I insisted on about a 2-year wait to mete out Amelia ones,. Now I am engaged and entertained from page one! Barbara hit her stride with this! To counteract sleeping quickly, I'm going to treat myself to reading today.

Another of many authors I have collected for years, before beginning to read them; of course because I thought I would like them. I am reading Ruth Rendell's first novel quickly, which compliments the constancy and level of interest but I am not blown away. I will excuse that it is a first novel but I imagined we should fall in love with "Chief Wexford" and I am not doing so. Few personages are likeable actually.

I have come to enjoy this very much. It doesn't sound like any other mainstream, historical, or "cozy" mystery. An original tone, style, and premise are certainly to be lauded; especially the former too. The general career and environment of a heroine can be new but the tone and writing style direct how creativity and originality. I'm glad I own the succeeding two and a volume mystery far ahead, "Waverly Place".

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to my friends and peers, no matter if you are parents to dearly-loved pets, or human mammals. Enjoy your week-end around the world and Canadian gardeners: let's get started! Manitoba is in a drought but I make a prayer for soothing rain soon.

I'm too tired to read lately. Great television aired this week. Not least, though I don't watch sports: our Winnipeg Jets won their NHL hockey game last night and have made it to the Stanley Cup finals! See the history of the Jets. We have not won the Stanley cup since forming in 1972 and in 1996, had no team for years. It would be monumental enough for us but this year: we are the sole Canadian team still in!

Today, I worked up the courage to ask a distant acquaintance for a favour, to locate our dear cat Conan; missing since last year. He could be anywhere in our rural outskirts, where our home is, or our town. We have canvassed several places and put posters in stores. However, this fellow cat Mom is the elementary school bus driver, with a huge reach in every direction! She will show Conan's poster to her busload!

I have collected Victoria Holt for years and this is the first time I am giving her a whirl. Starting with her first novel of this name, in 1960, I am glad to see that I like her! I should not have been surprised. Rather than be confined to a sappy romance, this is an intriguing gothic mystery just like I am used to, with Grand Master Phyllis A. Whitney, Dorothy Daniels, Dorothy Eden, and others.

I'll tell you what. I dislike how the spirit is used as a bitchy, commonplace sidekick, who isn't the character's beloved relative and whose surely surreal presence isn't enchanting at all. "Cozy mysteries" ruin opportunities to create adult paranormal content. However, other than the stupidity of ransoming a friend for money instead of requesting her help, the rest is great. I am invested and enjoying the novel.

As I suspected, a "cozy mystery" is not the place to look for spiritual emotional experiences. They joke it away and there is no wonderment at discovering we can communicate with spirits. This one is instantly here and made into a common, annoying sidekick. Also, I thought this entailed a Great-Grandmother at least, not a former nanny. However I like Carolyn's writing and protagonist. A mystery is just starting.

This portrait looks exactly like our Petal, when she was a kitten. She remains precious looking as a grown-up lady. This photo brightens my heart every time I look at it; exactly like my real girl.