Mariana by Susanna Kearsley

Mariana by Susanna Kearsley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Just when I had come to accept the fact that I was wrong and to just accept it - BAM - turns out I was right. Admittedly, I performed a most rambunctious Irish jig of a happy dance in my living room as soon as I read the last two pages.



Susanna Kearsley has blown me away for the second time. Mariana possessed the intrigue and mystery I had hoped for and made me long for a time that is not my own. Her use of prose flows as poetry in word choice. It's stripped down to a simple nature, words that we know but just don't use in everyday language and it is a loss for us and she does it smashingly. Example - everyone's heart beats hard in their chest. With Kearsley, the heart thumps hard against the rib cage and into the throat. It's so much more powerful.



Rich texture and colors abound in this novel and the characters are even more rich. Two particular events I did not see coming and one of them will haunt me and not in a good way. Given the nature of the character, it was a pivotal point, but reader be warned, it is intense and you must be strong. The other twist I LOVED and I was ecstatic to see play out.



The change between Julia's life and Mariana's life is so smooth yet so harsh and most importantly, SO real. The blossoming love between Mariana and Richard and the friendship with Rachel and Evan are so fulfilling I wish I could be a part of their world.



Reincarnation - whether you believe in it or not doesn't matter. Susann Kearsley will sway your mind and open the door to the possibilities of finding your lost love from centuries ago.



Overall, I can't say I enjoyed this as much as 'Winter Sea' but it is just as thought provoking and wonderful and I cannot recommend it enough. Kearsley's ability to transport you between now and what ever century she chooses is effortless and I look forward to reading her other novels with baited breath.



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Finally, a title

So - here it is folks


"Long Road Home"

If you'd like a sneak peak to the first three chapters then you need to find me on GoodReads, otherwise, you have to wait until I get this sucker published. (Which may or may not be a while)

We Sat at a Round Table

So here I am, Brent Spiner directly to my right, William Shatner, Michael Dorn, Wil Wheaton and Levar Burton complete the circle. It's become a hodgepodge interview. Spiner is still giggling over something someone said.

I finally say, "Okay gentleman, in all seriousness. Did you ever once regret taking the roles you did within the Star Trek Universe because of the typecasting hole it may have put you in over the years?"

Shatner laughs and sardonically says, "Don't be silly, whose been typecast?"

This is when Wil speaks up, looks me in the eye and clearly says..."Sure. We've all had that glimmer and said to ourselves, What the fuck did I sign up for? But then realize, I have a good life. Look where I am, the family I have the friends I have. I can't regret that. It's helped who I am here and now."

I sit back and soak in his honesty.

That's when the alarm went off. I smacked at the snooze button and asked Michael to wake up lil girl for school. As I came to, I wondered a couple of things. Was this a conversation of my psyche questioning my personal choices of being a bone fide geek/freak in life? For taking enjoyment in fantasy and being entertained by these preposterous notions that seem to become more real every day? And where the hell was Nathan Fillion?

Weird...

Le Late Late Show avec Craig Ferguson

Song of myself

 

Right, inner forearm

Thank you Mike

So excited I almost peed myself

CE SOIR AVE ARTHUR - SAISON 2 - "CRAIG... by ce-soir-avec-arthur

Pre-school Graduation

Lil man has taken the first big step in life and graduated from pre-school with his class. He'll begin 1/2 day kindergarten this coming August.

 

 

For those that care to know...

I have completed the transfer of all notes given to me by the Taylor's for my book. I will begin my last edit and then venture out into the world of obtaining a writing agent to have my book published. You ask "Ali, why don't you just self publish?" My response - WHY? To me, there is something much more to be proud of when a book is published by a reputable service. It gets looked over, edited properly and promoted more efficiently than I could ever do on my own.

Don't get me wrong, if you feel the desire to self publish and you have the money to do so, then by all means. As much as I love my kindle and the digital world and ease to the access of books; there's something deep inside my core that says "Do it the old fashioned way."

Of course, many changes have already taken place so those that read first drafts may not recognize it once I have a final manuscript in place. I'll let the world know when it's available for purchase.

In other news, last weekend there was a tragic accident that took the lives of two of my lil girl's classmates. This has been a tough week filled with services and funerals. She has held up well and has such great friends to lean on and be leaned on. Hubby has been terrific at being able to take her to these events and I am forever grateful for that. I'm really not sure I'd be able to handle it. It's one thing to know these things happen, but when it's so close to home...to look across the way and see your own child knowing that life is just so damn fragile, yeah, incomplete thought for sure...

Lil man has begun learning how to ride a bike with training wheels. He's no dare devil...yet

Hubby hosted the ASME HPVChallenge at the Indy Motor Speedway and it went beautifully. Unfortunately, Rose-Hulman did not grab 1st place and keep up the clean sweep of the past few years but they are going to the West Coast competition this weekend and have high hopes for reclaiming their title.

Also, he and lil girl are hoping to take a train trip across parts of the country. I think it would be a wonderful experience and have my fingers crossed that it will happen.

I'll post pics from home later this weekend and love and hugs to all.

Neil Gaiman and Doctor Who - no it can't get any better

Hugh Laurie has a blue's Album

It won't be released here in the states until late summer I believe. He's been traveling Europe playing some small venues and promoting it. Here's the title track.