MINUS ONE: With Haikus and Other Poems: The Story of a Life
“Minus One” is a wonderful collection of poems that took me on an emotional journey. There was a mixture of Haikus and free verse that offered an insight into the highs and lows of life. Plus, there was the bonus of lovely pictures. Here are a few of my favorite passages: Seascapes, “Damp knees in the damp sand. Uneasy in the stillness, /watching for the yellow hair of fairies, /hidden in the tide, their voices from another world,” Haikus, “Blessed, healing rain/soaks my parched skin and/flushes out all grief,” and more Haikus, “Broken by the storm/branches bent as if with grief/hold their beauty yet.” A beautiful read that any poetry lover would enjoy.
“Tina Lost in a Crowd” is a sweet children’s book for beginning readers and parents reading to them. I loved the beautiful illustrations that enriched the story and the fact this was based on an actual event. Tina, who just finished 3rd grade, invited a friend to go on a family excursion to see a symphony and fireworks. Everything was going perfectly until intermission, and the girls needed to use the restroom. I loved how Tina and her friend handled being lost. It was a good lesson on how to handle a situation like this. As a parent, I know the fear of not finding a child, and reading this story with children allows talking about what to do if it happens. I’ll be adding the paperback to my collection for my grandchildren, and we’ll be reading it together—a wonderful debut children’s book by Ms. Hurdle.
Dead of Winter, Journey 4, The Old Road
I love the journey Ms. Geneviene has taken us on, so far, with this series. In this installment, “The Old Road,” the focus is more on the Deae Matres, with more attention going to Boabhan. The Lady in Green, Boabhan, intrigues me, and I feel like there is so much more to uncover. With peril surrounding this group, Emlyn finds herself in constant danger. I don’t want to say too much, but I was happy with returning characters and terrified of ones who made an appearance. I enjoyed this being a longer read than the first three, and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
by Harmony Kent
“The Vanished Boy” is a terrifying glimpse into an 18-year-old’s disappearance. Carole is a widow who never stopped grieving. When her only child, Jayden, left a cryptic message on her cell phone and then didn’t return home from a party, she began searching for him. I couldn’t imagine being in her place, yet I felt all her pain as I read it. Finding his laptop, Carole began digging into her son’s digital life. This is when the realization came that she didn’t really know her son. That was a great insight into how the internet allows us to reach out to others yet be more distant from the ones we love. Carole is a strong character that was relatable and determined. Her relationship with her sister felt very real, and the love for her son pushed her beyond any normal limits. As I kept reading, I formulated some theories, but I couldn’t have guessed the outcome. This is a well-written story that was hard to put down, and I highly recommend it!
I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews. If I don’t like a book, I won’t finish it. It doesn’t feel right leaving a review in that case, but I have been known to email the author:) Life is too short not to enjoy every book you read!
Embrace your inner child by reading a good book! 🙂 D. L. Finn
Excellent reviews, Denise. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, John 🙂
Good collection and great reviews, Denise. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Jacqui:) I had fun reading them.
You’ve been reading up a storm, Denise! 🙂
Congratulations to all these authors. I read Harmony’s The Vanished Boy and really enjoyed the story!
I have been, Mae, and enjoying every moment of it:) Harmony’s story was one I won’t forget soon.
Thanks for the endorsement, Mae 🙂
Great feature, Denise! Thank you for the new reviews, and have a wonderful start into a famous week. 😉 Michael
Thank you. Michael, it was a great group of books! I hope you also have a great start to a wonderful week:)
Very good choice, Denise! Thank you! Michael
Fantastic reviews, Denise! A great selection of books!
Thank you, Jan:) It sure was!
Terrific reviews Denise and congratulations to all the authors who are in the Cafe so will share their reviews over the next couple of weeks.. great job…hugs
Thank you, Sally, I appreciate that:) Hugs right back xo
Thanks, Sally 🙂 xx
Hi Denise. I love that you have such a wide variety of books in your review posts. I’m honored to be in such fabulous company! It means a lot to me that you are part of the Journeys of “Dead of Winter.” As I prepare them, each Journey has some aspect that makes it special to me. This one had one all new chapter. Next, Journey 5, is different than all the rest, having 2 chapters devoted to the “Dead.” Now I’m in the middle of working on Journey 6, and a violent chapter sets it apart from the rest, but that also created development for several characters. Every volume, and every reader is special to me. Hugs on the wing.
A wide variety and all good read;) I am enjoying being along on the Journey, Teagan. I did enjoy the “Dead” chapters and can’t wait for Journey 6! Hugs on the wing back.
Another great selection. I have one of these in my stack and need to get on with it.
Thanks, Craig:) You have some good reading ahead!
A great selection of books and fabulous reviews, as always, Denise. What a wonderful surprise for me to come back from my trip and find my book among your reviews. Thank you so much for including my debut children’s book this month! Have a wonderful week!
Thanks, Miriam 🙂 I hope you had a wonderful trip! Have a great week too xo
It was wonderful. I always wished to stay longer! 🙂
Thanks so much for this wonderful review, Denise. Congrats to Miriam, Elizabeth, and Teagan 🙂
I was happy to share it, Harmony:) It was a great read.
Fantastic reviews Denise. Happy I have a few of these books awaiting me. <3
Thanks, Debby:) You have some good reading ahead! Xo
I surely do! 🙂 xx
Wonderful reviews, Denise. I’ve read all but Harmony’s book and that one is in my kindle! I think we have similar reading tastes. Ha ha. Have a wonderful week and Happy Reading!
Thanks, Diana:) I think you are right we do have similar reading tastes! You have a great read ahead. Have a happy week too and, yes, happy reading.
That’s awesome. Thanks so much, Diana 🙂
I started yours last night, Harmony, and I hope to finish it today or tomorrow. It’s riveting!
Yay! Doing my happy dance 💃😁💕
I’ll have a review done in a day or two!
😁😁😁
Lovely reviews Denise. I’ve read three of these books, not read Teagan yet. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Balroop:) I’m really enjoying Teagan’s story.xo
The Vanished Boy stayed with me a long time after I read it. The others are on my ever-expanding TBR list. Wonderful reviews, Denise!
Thank you, Jacquie:) Yes, it did hang on to me as well. You have some good reads ahead.
Thanks so much, Jacquie 🙂
Great collection of books and wonderful reviews, Denise! Thanks for sharing❣️
Thank you, Vashti:) All good reads!
Wonderful reviews, Denise. Congratulations to Elizabeth, Miriam, Teagan, and Harmony! I’m planning to catch up on Teagan’s series and The Vanished Boy is on the TBR as well. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Thank you, Mark:) You definitely have some good reading ahead!
Good on you for the reviews, Denise. All sound great. I’m particularly intrigued by Vanished Boy.
Thank you, Sandra:) Can’t go wrong with any of them! That is s good one. Have a great Tuesday. Xo
Elizabeth’s words do sound lovely. And the other works interesting as well. Thanks for sharing.
Hope your weekend is a special one.
Hugs
They were, Sandra. Thank you, I hope your weekend was special too! xo
I have read three of these books, Denise, and enjoyed them all.
You can’t go wrong with any of these books! Thanks, Robbie:)