Welcome! Here are the books I read and reviewed in February that are four stars or higher.
By Nicole Sara
This is a beautiful collection of poetry infused with the colors of emotion. The poems are accompanied by a meaningful quote and a photograph that paint a complete picture. I always love it when nature and feelings are intertwined, like in this collection. As I read, I highlighted many passages, but I had to narrow them down to share here. “With smooth foggy fragments on soles of thought/I breathe in the seasons, burning within/murmuring shadows/and night…”—SHARDS OF LIGHTS, “I run along deep spirals made of words/the syllables like steps,/unwinding lightly/like in a dream I float, on air and lands/roaming through mists, and sighing/silently…”—SMILING YELLOW, “some cover the silence in words,/others, the words under silence/some dress the grey into color/and others the autumn in summers…”—SOME, OTHERS, and “Don’t lose the delicate dream…/Rays draw an infinite sight/Minutes gather like dew/Fabulous carpet of light…”—DEW DREAM NOTES. I can highly recommend this and will be reading more from this poet!
By Nicole Sara
I read and loved “Rhyming Dreams” and was eager to read this collection. I wasn’t disappointed as I dove into more captivating poetry, photos, and quotes. The beautiful passages weave emotions, nature, and colors. It was a trip through the seasons of both nature and feelings. Here are just some of the poems I highlighted along the way. “I take a step/I create a remembrance/I draw a sign in the sun…/and I color the way/in a hue or another/with the choice that make or I shun…”—Multicoloured Minutes, “Shy shimmers carried afar/on wings of moments and cloud/afloat on a wave of blue thoughts,/on steps like reflections/aloud…”—Sweet Dear Memories, and “Like waves, my search unwinds through/rolling seconds/and thoughts collect dark clouds, sunny/shine/spiraling tides of coldness and blue…”—Splash. A beautiful collection that I can easily recommend!
Re-Create & Celebrate: 7 Steps to turn your Dreams into Reality
“Re-Create & Celebrate” is a well-written, well-thought-out self-help book. I have done a lot of work on myself in the past, but it’s easy to fall back into bad habits. This was the perfect uplifting read for me right now. It is divided into seven steps that offer insight into the subject, a place to gain more awareness by answering questions, and a bonus: a poem. Ms. Georgakas includes her own struggles and stories along the way that add to this positive read. It not only tackles dreams but also covers the mind, body, and soul. It’s a book that will have you smiling, nodding in agreement, and probing uncomfortable feelings. If you are looking for some motivation or working on personal growth, this inspirational book is for you. I can highly recommend it.
Cat Thief: A Collection of Short Stories
“Cat Thief” is a collection of seven short stories, each with a different flavor. I have to admit, besides the great review for the book I found on a blog, the cover immediately pulled me in. I have a cat that looks just like the one on the cover. I’m glad I picked up this book; it kept me entertained from beginning to end. I did enjoy meeting the cat in Cat Thief, and it had a fun twist that included magical potions, but my favorite of all the stories was Glimpse into the Future. A Romany gypsy with a gift to see the future had a recurring dream where a woman was murdered. This one was a wonderful, mystical-mystery where I quickly grew to care about the well-being of these characters. Although this was a quick read that I finished in one sitting, it was satisfying. I can easily recommend this book.
NOTE: I owe Nicole Sara an apology. Last month, when I posted a review for The Blues and the Beautiful, it was the wrong collection. I was actually for Rhyming Dreams. I noticed when I went to read Rhyming Dreams and realized I’d read it. SO I fixed my reviews where they were posted, including last month’s reviews here. I included both now that my mistake has been corrected. Definitely a first for me! If you ever notice I’ve made that mistake or another, please let me know!
Embrace your inner child by reading a great book or two! D. L. Finn (Denise)
Great reviews, Denise! Thanks for sharing!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Thank you, Yvette 🙂 Happy to share!
I like the cat thief cover, too. It’s okay about getting collections mixed up in your last reviews. I’m sure you’re not the first. I love the lines you’ve quoted from Nicole Sara’s collections!
Its a fun cover, Priscilla 🙂 Thank you, I hope never to do that again. Both wonderful reads.
What a lovely sampling of books. I like that you also review poetry collections!
Thank you, Noelle:) I enjoy reading poetry and happy to include it here!
Great reviews, Denise. Congratulations to Nicole, Cindy, and Lynette
Thank you, John 🙂
Congratulations to Nicole, Cindy, and Lynette on the stellar reviews! Sharing to help spread the word.
Thanks, Liz 🙂 I appreciate you getting the word out!
My pleasure, Denise!
Thank you very much, Liz!
You’re welcome, Nicole!
Thanks for sharing your lovely reviews, Denise, they always help me in choosing some more books for my wish list.
Thank you, Balroop 🙂 That’s good to hear, I find the same thing in our community.
Thank you for sharing, Denise. I have “Rhyming Dreams” waiting for me and I look forward to opening it up. Congratulations to these authors!
You have a good collection waiting for you, Jan 🙂
Thank you kindly, Denise! 💕
Thank you so much, Jan! 💖
Hi, Denise. I enjoyed reading your take on these books very much. I agree about Nicole’s, and look forward to exploring the other two as well. Congrats to Nicole, Cindy, and Lynette, Hugs all around.
Thank you, Teagan 🙂 Both great poetry collections from Nicole. Can’t go wrong with any of them. hugs right back xo
You know I love the cover of Cat Thief. Shadow, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge years ago, used to drag my yoga pants through the house if I left them draped over the bathtub where he liked to sit, lol. The cover made me think of him. Congrats to the authors on the reviews and new releases!
When I saw that cover I knew it had to be a good read! That’s funny about Shadow dragging your yoga pants to sit on. Must be a black cat thing my Coco likes to collect things around the house including stuffed animals and leaves them on our bed. If I move them they come right back…lol They always stay in our hearts don’t they, Teri?
They sure do. I was just visiting Shadow’s stone in the yard yesterday.
It’s great to read your fantastic reviews, Denise! 😲
Thank you, Timothy 🙂 A good variety.
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Looks like some good ones here. I too love the Cat Thief cover.xo
Thanks, Sandra 🙂 Hard not to like that cover 🙂 xo
Thank you very much, Denise, for your reviews of my collections! 🌹 I am so happy you enjoyed my poems and photos, very grateful for all your support! 💖 Also, thank you for the recommendations as well… very cute, the cover of the “Cat Thief” short story collection by Lynette Creswell. 🙂
You are welcome, Nicole 🙂 I enjoyed them! Sorry about last month’s mixup. All good ones like yours. Xo
Thank you, Denise! Oh.. it has been a strange two months for me too, this start of the year, and not posting as usual either, yes. A good thing March is finally here. I have just shared your review post as well, and also added a spring touch to my post ☺ Thank you once again!
Wonderful reviews! I’ve read a couple of these, and I agree with your assessments.
Thank you, Dawn! Yes, good ones xo
Excellent reviews, Denise. Best wishes to Nicole, Cindy and Lynette for success with their collections.
Thank you, Laura 🙂 Much appreciated! Xo
Hi Denise, you have featured some wonderful books here. I’ve read Cindy’s and Nicole’s first book and both are excellent.
Re-Create and Celebrate sounds like a wonderful source of inspiration.
Have a grand weekend. xo
Wonderful reviews, Denise! Congrats to the authors! I’ve read Cindy and Nicole’s books and agree with your thoughts. Lynette’s book sounds great, so I’ll add it to my TBR. 🙂 xo