By Alex Craigie
“The Bubble Reputation” is a chilling read showing the dark side of social media and news. Emmie has it all. She is a successful children’s author, on a show, happily married, and close to her parents. After she wins an award, things change after a fabricated story is posted about her to increase profits. She tries to let it pass, but the anger and outrage directed at her take on a life of its own. Her reputation is ruined, and there isn’t a shortage of people, including a family member, trying to make money off it. She was a character with whom I felt her pain as her life spun out of control. She quickly found out who had her back and who wanted to see her downfall. I loved the relationship between her and her husband and her parents. This story was a dire warning of what can happen when an editor and journalist decides they can say whatever they want about another human, regardless of the consequences. The sad part was how a portion of her young reader’s parents quickly believed whatever they read about Emmie, and from there, it spiraled out of control. A quick read that I couldn’t put and can easily recommend.
Grief Songs: Poems of Love & Remembrance
A beautiful collection of family history that Ms. Gauffreau paired personal photographs with a tanka poem to bring history to life. “Grief Songs” is a tribute to the author’s parents and brother and their life together. It reads like a memoir that vividly transports the reader to the past through images and words. It is a quick and moving read that shares moments in time. This is a compelling reminder that even though we lose our loved ones, our journey with them is never forgotten. I can easily recommend this book to those who enjoy poetry and memoirs.
Sorrowful Soul: Book 3 in the Soul Poetry Series
By Harmony Kent
I have read and enjoyed the first two books in this series. I was looking forward to reading this collection, yet I worried it would be a heavy read. Instead of heavy, it was powerful. The free verse poetry told a story with vivid images and emotions that explored loss. Arranged by the seven stages of grief, the words painted a picture of the expected feelings during the process. All of us face a loss at some point in our lives, leaving us to deal with it in our own way. This book lets us know it’s okay to be in denial, sad, or angry at a situation out of our control. In the end, hope peeked through, offering a new road to take once we journey through our grief and hopelessness. For those who can’t see that light, Ms. Kent offered some valuable information for those who might need someone to talk to. This is a must-read for those who love emotional poetry that provides understanding and healing.
I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews here! If I don’t like the book, I won’t finish it. It wouldn’t be fair to leave a review for an unfinished story, and life is too short not to enjoy my reading journey!
Embrace your inner child, and read a good book! D. L. Finn
Hi Denise, these are all fabulous reviews. I have read Liz and Harmony’s poetry books and loved them both. I have Trish’s book on my TBR.
Thanks so much, Robbie! 💕🙂
Three wonderful reviews, Denise. I haven’t read The Bubble Reputation, but it sounds frightening because social media can be such a dangerous weapon in the wrong hands!
Thanks for the comment, Priscilla – I’m horrified by what I see on social media sometimes.
Thank you, Priscilla:) Social media is a dangerous weapon in the wrong hands and Bubble Reputation really dives into that.
I can also recommend The Bubble Reputation, Priscilla. This type of social commentary is sorely needed these days.
Thanks, Robbie!
Thanks, Robbie! <3
Yes, great reads, Robbie! you have a wonderful read waiting for you 🙂
Thank you, Robbie, for adding your recommendation!
Thanks, Robbie! 🙂
Thanks so much for your wonderful review of Sorrowful Soul, Denise. I’m doing my happy dance 💃 Huge congratulations to Trish and Liz … two books I have on my TBR. Have a great week. Hugs 💕🙂
Thanks, Harmony! I’m looking forward to reading Sorrowful Soul. xx
💖
Sorrowful Soul was a powerful read meant to be read more than once, Harmony 🙂 You have some good reading ahead!
Thanks, Harmony! A huge congratulations to you as well. I hope you will find something that resonates in Grief Songs.
💖
These are very tempting reviews of Harmony’s and Liz’s books, Denise. Off to check them out. I have actually read Alex’s book and can thoroughly recommend it. A good story well told and, I’m afraid, all too real in the world today. But with a brilliant denouement.
Yay! Thanks so much, Judith 💕🙂
Thanks, Judith! It’s a comment that’s brightened a dull, cold day. <3
You can’t go wrong with either poetry collection, Judith! Yes, Bubble Reputation is not only well told but frightening how easily it can happen.
Excellent reviews, Denise. Congratulations to all the authors.
Thanks, Staci. I’m thrilled 💕🙂
Thanks, Staci. I love Grief Songs and am looking forward to reading Sorrowful Soul.
Thank you so much, Trish!
Thank you, Staci. All good reading 🙂
Thank you, Staci!
Three awesome reads, Denise. My kindle is happy that I’ve already read them. Ha ha. Congrats to Trish, Liz, and Harmony on the wonderful reviews.
Thanks so much, Diana! 💕🙂
Thanks, Diana! I’m halfway through The Bone Wall and it’s genuinely a book I resent having to put down!
Bone Wall was a fantastic read, Alex and so hard to put down!
Thank you, Trish. That book is a grim one, so you’re brave. But I’m delighted that you’re giving it a try. It’s great to see The Bubble Reputation getting such wonderful reviews. Congrats!
Yes, very good reads, Diana 🙂 I do believe our kindles approve as we work our way through them…lol.
I try. I really do try, but every time I feel like I’m getting ahead of the pile, I buy more books. Sigh.
Me too!
Thank you for adding your recommendation for Grief Songs, Diana!
A fabulous book, Liz. It’s stuck with me.
Wonderful reviews.
Thank you, Craig 🙂 All great reads.
These sound good, Denise. I’ve read Harmony’s and am probably too weak to read Alex. SM is such a powerfully destructive tool. The stories of ruined lives are awful and true.
Thanks, Jacqui – I don’t blame you. There are things I’ve read on SM that horrify me.
Both beautiful collections, and Social Media is a chilling subject to dive into, Jacqui. Its a good lesson that just because its written doesn’t mean its true.
Thanks, Jacqui. Yes, SM is a minefield at times. Hugs 💕🙂
Congratulations to these three super ladies for receiving such wonderful reviews! I can’t wait to read each of these works, and thank you for sharing your thoughts on them, Denise. Best wishes to all for HUGE sales ahead!
😊❤️😊
Many thanks, Marcia! I can hand-on-heart recommend Grief Songs, and I have Sorrowful Soul on my Kindle.
Thanks, Marcia 🙂 You have some great reading ahead! Yes, here’s to huge sales for them. Xo
Thank you very much, Marcia! I hope you will find that Grief Songs strikes a responsive chord.
Thanks, Marcia! 💕🙂
I’ve read Harmony’s and Liz’s poetry books. Thanks for sharing The Bubble Reputation, I feel drawn to it with your thoughtful review.
Thanks, Balroop – it IS a lovely review, and it’s great to be here with two poets I really enjoy. Your Hues of Hope made a huge impression on me.
Like you, Alex, Hues of Hope lingers in a beautiful fashion after reading.
Bothbgreat poetry collections. Bubble Reputation is so relevant, I think you will enjoy it.
Thanks, Denise! <3
I’ve read The Bubble Reputation, Balroop and can highly recommend it.
And so can I, Balroop
Thanks, Liz!
Thanks, Balroop 💕🙂
Terrific reviews, Denise. Congratulations to these fine authors.
Thanks, John!
Thank you, John 🙂 Can’t go wrong with any of them.
Thank you, John!
😊
Thanks, John 💕🙂
😊
Excellent review, Denise. I’ve read Harmony’s collection of poetry and Trish’s fantastic “The Bubble Reputation” and enjoyed them tremendously. I’m sure Liz’s is exceptional as well. Congratulations to all three authors!
Thanks, Mae 🙂 Yes, they were not only enjoyable but reads that hang on. i believe you’d enjoy that collection too.
Mae, a comment like that makes everything worthwhile! Many thanks.
Thanks, Mae!
Thanks, Mae 💕🙂
Thank you so much for that great review, Denise. It’s a privilege to be on here in the company of authors I rate very highly. <3
It was a thought provoking book, Alex that has kept me thinking. I hope it leaves readers thinking twice about what they read on Social Media! Xo
♥♥
Thank you, Trish.
Great reviews for great authors! Thanks for sharing, Denise!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Thanjs, Yvette! Can’t go wrong with any of these reads 🙂 xo
Thank you, Yvette!
Thanks, Yvi 💕🙂
All terrific books Denise and fantastic reviews. xx
Thanks, Sally!
Thanks, Sally 🙂 All good ones!
Thanks, Sally 💕🙂
Fantastic reviews, Denise! I have read both poetry books and have Trish’s book on my Kindle. I look forward to reading it. Thank you for sharing and congratulations to these authors!
Thanks, Jan – I just hope it loves up to Denise’s lovely review!
Thank you, Jan!
Thank you, Jan 🙂 Good Poetry reads, and I think you’ll enjoy Bubble Reputation!
Thanks, Jan 💕🙂
Thank you so much for featuring Grief Songs today, Denise!! I greatly appreciate it.
I throughly enjoyed it, Liz!
Ooh, I hope to read all of these soon! Fabulous reviews, Denise.
Thanks, Jacquie 🙂 Can’t go wrong with any of them!
Thanks, Jacquie!
Thanks, Jacquie 💕🙂
Great authors. Great reviews. Bubble Reputation is scarily relevant today, isn’t it?
scoxox
It certainly is, Sandra!
It really is scary and how people will blindly accept information so easily.
Thanks, Sandra 💕🙂
Fantastic reviews Denise. I’ve also read and loved Alex’s and Harmony’s book and look forward to reading Liz’s too. Congrats to all! <3
Thanks, Debby 🙂 They were sure good reads! Happy reading xo
Thanks for sharing. <3
Thanks, Debby 💕🙂
<3
Thank you, Debby!
🙂
Thanks, Denise. Great reviews and more recommendations for such talented authors. Congratulations to them all. ♥
Thank you, Olga!
Thank you, Olga 🙂 It was a great group to read.
Thanks, Olga! 💕🙂