Book Review: When Things Go Missing by Deborah J. Brasket

On December 3, 2025 By Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.comIn Astrology18 Comments

I rarely get to read for ‘just’ pleasure; and for that reason, it’s lovely when I get around to sit with a good fiction novel. Thankfully this season I was able to read another delightful book just before this one called, “The Fox Wife,” by Yangsze Choo. That said, I was able to read these books back to back–which IS a rare luxury! For that reason, I was happy to see how beautifully this novel by independent author, Deborah J. Brasket, “fit in” next to the New York Times Bestselling author’s book, The Fox Wife. There is no comparison, really, for these texts are different in genre and style; and, I am not a seasoned book review writer– but I’m really impressed by being able to sink into When Things Go Missing with the same feeling of compelling interest and turn-the-page excitement! The reason and inspiration for me writing this book review below is because Deborah’s novel was excellent. I’d like to help her bring her novel to a wider audience. I want to assist authors who are inspiring, such as herself. To do this, I will also suspend my regular astrology post to the “second tier” priority. That will be coming out soon, hopefully! For those of you who have enjoyed my astrology posts: thank you. It means a lot to me that you are a reader here. This is what we writers live for: to be read! That’s the reason for the gift and labor of love in writing anything–especially a novel–such a huge undertaking!

Book Review: When Things Go Missing by Deborah J. Brasket

When Things Go Missing is an engaging and quietly suspenseful novel that draws you in through its characters as much as its unfolding mystery. Deborah J. Brasket’s language is deeply descriptive, making the scenes easy to picture, and the emotional nuances easy to feel. The imagery is vivid enough that the world of the book forms around you almost automatically.

One of the strengths of the story is how it allows you to get to know the characters organically through the plot. Their personalities and motivations reveal themselves through the choices they make, the subtle clues that arise, and the creative passions that guide them. The interplay between the mother sending her enigmatic photographs and Cal’s artistic inspiration creates a compelling parallel — one that adds emotional texture and a sense of layered meaning.

The pacing is steady and immersive, carrying a gentle momentum that keeps you invested without rushing. Her novel’s organizational style, with each chapter heading labeled for the character and the symbolic theme, makes it easy to read even if you have a lot of interruptions around you! Brasket’s tone is thoughtful and nuanced, inviting both concern and curiosity for the characters as their lives intersect with mystery, memory, and creativity. It’s the kind of book that quietly pulls you deeper, where the atmosphere, relationships, and artistic elements all work together to create an absorbing reading experience.

Overall, When Things Go Missing is a satisfying blend of subtle mystery, artistic reflection, and emotional resonance. It’s a novel that lingers after you close it, not because of dramatic twists, but because of the vivid imagery, human depth, and quiet beauty Brasket brings to every page.

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Thank you, Deborah, for adding to my experience of my Thanksgiving Holiday! I knew when your book came out at the Autumnal Equinox, and you shared that in your comment, that it would be a great fit for me! Wishing you so much continued success with your novel.

Lunar New Year– Aquarius NM Jan 29, 2025

On January 28, 2025 By Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.comIn Astrology8 Comments

Hello and welcome.

We will be entering the year of the “Wood Snake,” in the Chinese calendar. This, as with many Asian and Jewish cultural traditions (and countless others I didn’t mention) have a focus on the lunar calendar (basing the new year on that) vs. just the solar calendar/Gregorian calendar. The Chinese calendar is more-so based on the planet Jupiter. Jupiter changes signs approx every year. So, the Chinese “animal” is annual. These different astrological frameworks (cultural traditions), can enhance and help flesh out interpretations of what’s to come, be, or what feels like it’s ripe and ready to turn the corner. They are complimentary to each other, rather than contradictory. Consider it all a Zen Koan.

I’m not getting a ton of intuitive insights right now, but I will share what I’ve got. This year has the potential to be very creative and full of growth. The wood energy is all very directional and intentional–so having some solid and flexible plans (think of bamboo) will certainly help to make the best use of this energy. With the Western astrological sign of Aquarius, we are also looking at a time of pretty profound novel ideas. The air element in the Western astrology is *very* present. Just look at the astrological map down below: 4 planets in absolute or near conjunction: Sun, Moon (yes we call the moon a planet in astrology), Mercury and Pluto! Wow wee… With Mercury there, and newly minted “Pluto in Aquarius” for he long haul, the emphasis is on transformational and profound ideas, and changes! Power is being reconfigured in every single way. With the presence of Pluto, nothing will look the same again. But, I think you already knew that! Hah!

Venus and Neptune in Pisces can actually strongly enhance our intuition, and our ability to tap the spiritual for compassion, comfort, and more. Interestingly, those two planets, along with Saturn in Pisces are forming a “trine” or easy-flow aspect to Mars in Retrograde) in Cancer. The time is now to work through those emotions, clarify that road within to understand the movements of our urges and desires. We have a change to step back and get a better angle on seeing it all from different perspectives with that strong help from Aquarius!!! It’s a good time work with the desire nature in a way that tempers it, but also, while helping that desire nature to flourish in a productive way (pointing back to the “message from the Lunar New Year: growth and creativity!).

As if there wasn’t enough Aquarian influence, that Venus/Neptune conjunction is also in harmonious aspect with Uranus (sextile) and that means that whenever Mars and Uranus start moving forward again (Did you guess it would be so close to the New Moon/Lunar New Year?!– Jan 30th), innovation rules the roost! Mars won’t follow suit until Feb 24 when it goes direct in Cancer at 17 degrees. This is actually marvelous. Uranus astrologically is definitely known as the great disruptor–but also the great liberator! Humanity needs to see clearly, but can it? With the strong Piscean addendum/influence to this Lunar New Year, it seems that there could certainly be a lot of confusion. What does the muddling mean? Well, the Ego won’t tell you. And, the Ego is okay and not a bad guy, but fear is the matrix for promoting non-change, “stay the same” and not reclaiming any new freedoms. So there is a need to “wake up.” It’s not a really good catch phrase, “wake up.” A better word form would be “SEE CLEARLY NOW.” How can we see clearly if we already have so many fears and conclusions? It’s much harder to keep the mind open, to watch, and wait and see. Isn’t it? Well, this is the time to do that.

Focus on your only locus of control: your own life, behavior, patterns, thoughts, schedules, and rhythms, and that will really, really help. To back up what I’m saying, Mercury in Aquarius is forming a trine to Jupiter in Gemini. There can be some transformation in the “lightening up of the load” by truly focusing on the narrow and small. The narrow and small, and the big picture can both be part of the clarity–but none of us our omniscient, so we gotta work with just what we’ve got now. What is right there in front of you, staring right back? That doesn’t mean you can’t strive for more. It just means you have to start with the stump you are already on, right now. Right here, and right now.

Happy Lunar New Year Everyone!

Let’s make this a year to grow our own gardens of possibility. It can take on any form. And the best part is, all you need to do is make the choice, and then hold the “space for it.” Yeow! Let’s have the best time we can!

Growing time

On November 11, 2020 By Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.comIn Astrology14 Comments

The title for my blog post can be taken so many ways. Here’s the way I meant it: i want to grow Time like a healthy plant, like thyme, or an ivy, or a eucalyptus delugpta. I want to see it’s taproots pierce the soil with life lowering deep into the ground, anchoring the sprouts above ground. I want to grow time like I would grow a seed into a seedling and then eventually a tree. Time that makes me think of ship anchors and trapeze acrobats. Time that makes the joys of the earth and that of heaven consistent and bridge-able!

I rarely give myself time to draw. For this image, I gave myself the length of a song by Donovan, 4 min. This Donovan song came on during “The Queen’s Gambit,” a fantastic Netflix series about a female chess prodigy. Immediately the song clicked in with me when I heard it, like a drug I needed more of. I needed to listen to the whole thing, the fantasty of the lyrics and the bluesy moves of the notes. I still don’t know what the song means. Apparently Donovan wrote it as an apology to his friend.

I think it’s the harpsichord that gets me, or maybe it’s the sound of Donovon’s voice. Regardless, there’s so much untapped expression to be harnessed. I’m glad I found 4 min to do this. It’s really important for me to do *any* drawing for me, but it always gets placed at the end of my list. I wonder why. I know why. This drawing isn’t the important thing. If you look at it, it doesn’t contain very much, but it is the fact that I did Something.

Just the touch of one swirl across the page builds enough energy in me to fuel all my future dreams. Just one! So, it doesn’t take much, maybe it’s too easy to feel, to get consumed by it. Maybe it’s perfect and delicious, and exactly what I needed. Maybe the craving for more is the beginning of all things…. desire. Tis the season for abundance, magic and growing time!

I would never want to grow time without music! Music is like “coloring in” time. It gives the moments that pass, the ability to dance. It’s an opportunity to dance. Music is dancing. Time is free to groove or languish through music.