Tag: poetry

July Book Reviews! #willowwillers #danantion #PTLPerrin #DawnPisturino #bookreviews #whattoread #writingcommunity

Here are the great books I read in June that were four stars and higher. Click on the book titles for the Amazon link.

Poetic Justice: A Rascal Todd Mystery Featuring Brody Thompson (Book 2 of 2: Rascal Todd Mystery)

by Dan Antion (Author), Willow Willers (Author)

Best-selling mystery author Brody Thompson is asked to help solve a real-life murder. Curious, Brody agrees to help Trevor figure out who killed his father and soon finds himself not only searching for a murderer but also in danger. After Trevor is attacked, Brody becomes more determined to find out what is going on. He runs across a character that held my attention or The Poet, who has been in hiding for years. The Poet communicates and leaves clues through poetry. Brody was a strong character who interacted with familiar characters from the past and met new ones, like Trevor’s mom. Journalist Rascal has a backup role in this story, but she is still there, along with her demanding kitty and the newsroom. The setting is woven nicely into the story, along with many delicious-sounding meals. I now want a pastry from the story. I found myself rooting for Brody and eager to find out more about The Poet. This can be a standalone read, but it’s nice to already be familiar with past characters. An engaging whodunit that had me guessing until the end.

Ancient Voices: Poems About Ancient Egypt

By Dawn Pisturino

“Ancient Voices” is a unique collection of poetry. Set in Ancient Egypt, each poem gives a glimpse into the lives of those who lived there. I could tell there was a lot of research that went into this collection and appreciated it. The fascinating setting provided both entertainment and learning. It’s hard to capture the essence of this book in a short review but here are three examples from the collection: “Love letter/buried in the sand/inscribed on stone/for eternal bliss…”—LOVE LETTERS, “Send me to my tomb with a blue lotus in my hair./My heart will dance with joy as I run through the Fields of Reeds,/Free of pain and disease. Limber as fallow deer, I will run,/Ecstatic in my youthfulness…”—THE BLUE LOTUS, and “I set out to write/The most beautiful poem in the world./Consulting the stars,/They quickly aligned/Into perfect letters of stardust/and cosmic dew…”—MOST BEAUTIFUL. A collection to be read more than once and one I can highly recommend.

Sanctum: Dragon Guild Book 1

By P.T.L. Perrin

I read and loved the Tetrasphere series and was thrilled to see the story continue with many returning characters set at a later date. Reading the previous series isn’t necessary as the author does a good job of bringing the readers into this world with beautiful settings and strong characters. Gabri, who was a baby at the end of Tetrasphere, is now almost sixteen years old. Something is after Gabri that her family and friends can’t protect her from, and is kidnapped and removed from all she loves. She finds herself on an unknown world imprisoned in a cold, damp cell by the enemy she calls the Shadow. Here her special abilities are gone and all she wants to do is go home. In the darkest of her moments, she gets unexpected help. This is an exquisitely described place where dragons co-exist with intelligent plants and there’s an ongoing battle between good and evil. Some questions are answered while others remain, and I can’t wait to continue the journey in the next story! A well-written YA fantasy that I can easily recommend.

Next week is the Creative Perspective Challenge Seven!

Embrace your inner child by reading a fantastic book! D. L. Finn (Denise)

#NewRelease! Gratitude & No Fairy Tale Just Her Poetry Book Three. #writingcommunity #poetry

I’m happy to announce I have a new poetry book available! I didn’t do my usual preorder this time and had no date set, just went with when it was ready.

This new collection is a blend of old and new. With my No Fairy Tale: The Reality of a Girl who wasn’t a Princess and her Poetry memoir no longer available, my poetry wasn’t either.  These poems cover many years and became part two of Gratitude & No Fairy Tale. I updated two poems to make the message clearer and pulled a few that were more suited for the memoir. The rest are untouched and as they were. It wasn’t easy not updating the words to my current thinking but it was more honest to leave it as it was.

Part one is my newer poetry that I use now in my store and have included in calendars I gift at Christmas. I hope to put together a book with the color photos soon, but the black and white print is available now and more reasonably priced!

Blurb:

Explore D. L. Finn’s poetic journey, from her newest to earliest works. Part One immerses you in a combination of her photography and symbolic poems. Peaceful winter days, forests, and sunsets illuminate her search for the magic of life. Part Two retraces her journey from her first poems. Her life is revealed through free verse poems and photographs that were featured in her memoir, No Fairy Tale. She discovers gratitude on her path to happiness. Join her as she explores her reality through emotions and nature in this special collection.

Excerpt from Part One

I included the poem under the picture so it would be easier to read.

in between the storms

a beautiful day emerged

my time to rejoice

 

 

beautiful moment

scampers softly through my soul

a gift from heaven

AMAZON PURCHASE LINK US

AMAZON PURCHASE LINK UK

I am also pulling my books from Kindle Unlimited and going back to other markets through D2D. My older books are still migrating there from Smashwords. So this is a process. I am trying D2D for print but in the past have gone through Ingram. Always more to learn as a writer, isn’t there?

May Book Reviews! #BFRandall #ElizabethGauffreau #RobbieCheadle #jacquimurray #stacitroilo #TeaganRiordainGeneviene #sarahpenner #writingcommunity #bookreviews #whattoread

Welcome to my May book reviews! These are four and five-star reads from April.

Three Gates to Hell: Hell’s Detours Can Lead to Heavenly Destinations

By B. F. Randall

“Three Gates to Hell” was a hard book to put down. It is a Christian suspense story set in the Bay Area, which caught my attention as I was born and raised there. Bobby is a prison chaplain in San Quentin who has received a request that he didn’t like. The story flashes back in his time in Vietnam to his career in the Oakland Police Department, and his family life. The little details made it feel like it was a real story being told, not fiction. Bobby is a devoted family man and a hardened cop with a heart. The gritty story weaves his progression to faith, creating a character I rooted for. A well-written faith-based novel I can highly recommend!

Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures

By DL Mullan, Barbara Harris Leonhard, Jude Kirya Itakali, Ivor Steven, Robbie Cheadle, Michelle Ayon Navajas, Gwen M. Plano, Elizabeth Gauffreau, David Bogomolny, Dawn Pasturino, Maggie Watson, Colleen M. Chesebro

I have enjoyed the Poetry Treasures collections and was eager to read this one. As always, I found a gifted group of international poets. I appreciate how it is set up with the author’s background and then the poetry. There’s symbolic and free-verse poetry with various topics and beautiful images to accompany them. I encountered both familiar and new poets, and each one of them pulled me with their words. A perfect book for a quiet afternoon or to wind down before you go to sleep. I can highly recommend this to any poetry lovers.

Burning Butterflies: Poetry About Southern African Flora and Fauna

By Robbie Cheadle

This book, “Burning Butterflies”, offers insight into Southern Africa with stunning art, photos, and poetry. The paintings are stunning, and the personal pictures allowed me to immerse myself in a place I’ve never been. The words, though, not only entertained but educated me about animals I’ve only seen in the zoo. Plus, Ms. Cheadle followed up poems with additional details which I appreciated. I don’t want to pick a favorite poem because I felt like they worked together to tell a story. Worry is expressed for survival for some and how others survive. Plus, there’s a focus on the environment and what grows and blooms there. I can highly recommend this fantastic collection for those who not only care about our planet but love poetry, art, and nature.

Badlands (Savage Land #2)

By Jacqui Murray

The story continues as the different groups escape the volcano’s devastation. Yu’ung leaves her tribe in the hands of B’o as she accompanies the Old One to the mountain clan along with their proto-wolf. This allows the story to be told through more than one point of view and tribes as Yu’ung runs into issues that set them back. Despite the destruction of their environment, there persists a lack of trust among different tribes and species, but it also creates an opportunity for individuals who typically wouldn’t cooperate to do so. Having read the other series and the first book, I was eager to see what happened next. This story didn’t disappoint and had some twists and heart-stopping moments. The growth of Yu’ung into a strong leader is great to watch, and I have a soft spot for the wolves. Character integration feels seamless, yet identifying trustworthy individuals remains difficult. The details though are what draw me in and I feel like I understand as best I can the life our ancestors led. I can’t wait for the third book to see how the journey goes. I can highly recommend this, and it can be read as a standalone, but I’ve enjoyed reading it from the beginning and getting to know the characters better.

Weeping Boughs Don’t Break

By Staci Troilo

“Weeping Boughs Don’t Break” is a family drama that focuses on a woman’s journey to independence, despite everything seeming against her. Claudia’s unexpected divorce is five years behind her. After suffering years of mental abuse and her husband’s cheating, she still lives in the house that carries all those memories, and all the debt. When her now-married ex-husband collapses, she gets a call from her children. They need her. So, as a good mother and a person who puts everyone in front of her, she goes to support them. But instead of giving that support, she finds out she’s responsible for making medical decisions for her ex. His current wife leaves unwilling to care for a sick man. Although Claudia reluctantly agrees to help because of her in-laws and kids, it takes a toll on her and reopens old wounds. The details of her Italian family and their faith added a special level to an already compelling situation. Plus, during all of this, she meets a kind, handsome man who befriends her, just when she needed it. A well-written Christian drama that I found hard to put down and can easily recommend!

The Conjurer’s Wife

By Sarah Penner

A young woman named Olivia is the wife of a famous magician in 1820s Venice. Suffering from amnesia after an accident, she helps her husband on stage, although she has no idea how he does his tricks. The husband appears to use her as a prop, but she is slowly rebelling. When one of their acts produces a fox, she immediately takes charge of it. Her care for the little fox leads her to search places she hasn’t been before. It’s here she discovers a secret. My theories regarding her fate were almost correct, but the truth still surprised me. A short story with an engaging historical setting and fantasy for those who like a bit of mystery, and a twist.

The Alchemist and the Woman in Trousers: a Cornelis Drebbel Adventure

By Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

“The Alchemist and the Woman in Trousers” was my introduction to Ms. Geneviene a few years ago on her blog, part of a weekly series. So, it was fun to revisit the story and read it in a couple of sittings. Felicity is a Victorian woman who refuses to wear the painful corsets with her gowns, but is more comfortable in her trousers. She travels with an alchemist, Cornelius, who isn’t exactly alive. Felicity comes across a young girl, Copper, who needs their help as an orphanage is coming to collect her, with her father missing. Plus, it isn’t only the orphanage that’s interested, including some unusual chimpanzees. Because of the circumstances, Felicity and Cornelius are left with only one option: keep Copper safe. Their search for Copper’s father drives the plot, featuring harmonic tuners, a purple world, villains, and an unusual green fairy. Steampunk and fantasy elements spring to life through vivid settings. An imaginative story that not only kept me entertained but also invested me in Copper, Felicity, and Cornelius’s outcome. I can easily recommend it to those who love an enjoyable steampunk fantasy.

Next week is the Creative Perspective Challenge, which is a week late due to my vacation. Will update soon on that!

Embrace your inner child by reading and reviewing a good book! D. L. Finn (Denise)

#CreativePerspectiveChallenge Three Results! #flashfiction #poetry #challenge #writingcommunity

As promised, here are the amazing authors who participated in the third challenge, along with my attempt at this unusual picture. I love how everyone has a unique take on the same image. My mind oddly went down the Hanzel and Gretel path.

Yvette Calleiro: LINK

Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene : LINK

A Forest Walk (app 950 words)

Blue skies, birds chirping, and blooming flowers marked a warm spring afternoon. My sister Ellie and I were walking the familiar trail in the forest behind our house. Today, we were searching for sugar pine cones to glitter. My sister loved the bigger cones and decorated the backyard with them. Yet, despite the day’s outward calm, a chilling unease unsettled me.

“Come on, Zoey! You’re walking too slow!” Ellie skipped ahead.

“Slow down. Mom said we must stay together in the forest.” I sighed and raced ahead to be next to her again.

“I’m almost six years old! You think you’re grown up turning ten, but I can take care of myself.” She lifted her upturned nose, covered in freckles, and bounced ahead.

I frowned and pushed back the childish bangs growing out. I’d rather be home playing video games, but I followed her closely as she scooped up pine cones of all sizes into her basket. A chill filled the damp, tree-lined path.

“We should turn around, it’s getting late.” I tugged on her arm, but she pulled away.

“I need one more cone. The tree is right around this bend. Then we’ll go back, and you can play your stupid games.” Ellie ran off, disappearing around the corner.

“Ellie!” I shouted and raced at full speed to catch her. All I needed was a mountain lion to think she, or even me, was food.

I quickly found my sister, along with a very odd stranger. Her hair was the brightest of red and appeared to glow. She reminded me of a creepy clown wearing a mad hatter hat. She was holding up a basket of candy.

“Ellie! Come here.” My voice was firm, like our mom’s when she expected an immediate response, and Ellie complied.

“Oh, sweet girls, no reason to be afraid.” Her red lips sneered and then puckered up to the basket.

I pulled my sister close, she didn’t fight me. One glance into Ellie’s blue eyes showed the same fear I was feeling.

Even with all the makeup hiding the beautiful woman’s face, I knew who this was. My heart felt like it was going to burst out of my chest and run back home without me.

“Let’s get out of here!” I grabbed Ellie’s hand tightly.

“Wait, sweet girls,” the woman said. She bent down and held out a chocolate bar. “I have a cake and a cup of tea waiting for you at my house. Then we can decorate your cones.”

“No, thank you!” I yelled as we sprinted away from her.

A loud cackle followed us and tickled the back of my neck. Ellie dropped her basket, breathing hard. I urgently pulled her along. That woman exuded a strange, malevolent aura that was clinging to us.

“Come back! Come back! Let’s play!” The woman’s voice surrounded us like the speakers Dad got for the TV.

“Leave us alone!” I screamed.

“We will have fun. You’ll see…” The voice faded away, and a bird’s screech filled the air.

A black raven circled above us. It swooped down, pecked at our heads, and flew at our mouths with bright red candy.

“Cover your mouth!” I grabbed an oak branch off the ground and swung at it.

A direct hit launched the crow into flight.

“Is that  Ravenna, the Forest Witch? I thought she was dead.” Ellie’s eyes widened as she gasped for air.

“Yes, it has to be her. We need to get home and tell Mom.”

“What if Ravenna follows us?”

“We’re safe; we didn’t take her candy. I think she’s gone,” I replied and glanced back over my shoulder, fully expecting to see her.

“But I’ve heard she can still take you as long as you’re in the forest.” Ellie tripped over a branch, and I caught her before she fell.

“Careful! I’ve heard that too, but we are almost home and out of the woods. Come on.”

The caw of the bird in the distance filled my skin with goosebumps. We exited the woods as our mother burst out of the house with her rifle. The bird dove at us, and I threw Ellie down and covered her with my body, but before the bird got to us, our mother fired. A woman’s scream filled the air and then disappeared along with the bird.

“Zoey! Ellie! Are you okay? You didn’t eat anything, did you?” Mom yelled, her brown eyes scanning over us.

“No, Mom. We remembered the stories about Ravenna, although I didn’t know she wore clown makeup,” I said, pulling my little sister up and hurrying us toward safety.

“Thank goodness! I heard that human-like caw and felt an unease I’d never felt before. I was coming to find you. I was so relieved to see you, but when that bird with glowing red eyes came for you, I knew who and what it was. The make-up must be something new or a trick. Get inside, girls!”

“I thought… Ravenna… was dead… Mommy!” Ellie gasped as we passed by our mother, who didn’t lower the gun and wasn’t taking her attention off the sky and forest.

“So, did I. That’s what your grandma told me. It’s been almost a hundred years.  I never would have let you go out there if I knew Ravenna was back.”

Hand in hand, my sister and I entered safety, knowing that wasn’t the last of the woman who lured children into her house and made them into candy. The candy kept her youthful, according to the legend, but who could tell under all that makeup? All I knew was the forest was no longer safe, and video games were now the better option.

The next challenge is on April 8th!

Watch for a special post tomorrow!

Embrace your inner child by trying a new challenge. D. L. Finn

Creative Perspective Challenge Two: Links and Haibun! #jansikes #gwenplano #yvettecalleiro #sandracox #writingcommunity #flashfiction #poetry #haibun #creativeperspectivechallenge

Hi!

It’s been another fantastic week full of amazing writing. I had fun writing a longish haibun, which is below.

If you haven’t seen these posts I highly recommend visiting.

Gwen Plano: LINK

Sandra Cox: LINK

Yvette Calleiro: LINK

Jan Sikes: LINK

Robbie Cheadle:  LINK

Sue Wickstead via D.L. Finn Blog: LINK

Fear’s Plague (522 words)

It was the 326th day of the green fog that appeared the same day she was prepared to declare war on their rival kingdom. Queen Anna stepped into the icy mist to greet another day, as she had every morning. Her people hid inside their homes, fearful of the cold mist, but she couldn’t. It was her duty to protect them, but how? The sun nor moon hadn’t been seen in either night or day. Only the clock ruled now.

The strange phenomena delayed their attack until one day no one had it in them to fight. Hate turned into fear, and that ruled them now. The scouts she had sent out never returned. Anna worried they were the only ones left in this cold, cruel world shrouded by this heavy green death. No weapons, prayers, or even magic had altered their predicament.

Their food supply was limited after their pigs, cows, chickens, and goats lay down and never got up again. Most forest animals did the same. No crops would grow, no flowers bloomed, and trees were frozen in their winter state. Wombs barren. Fear ruled the land, even the criminals cowered behind closed drapes.

Anna stood alone on the old stone bridge, breathing in the heavy air and watching a flock of vultures. Surviving the destruction, they, like her people, remained.

“How can we fight the very air we breathe?” She wrapped her arms around her thin body.

Her head bowed. Exhaustion filled her soul every night when she tried to sleep. Would she wake up? Did she want to? Giving in, letting death claim her, would be simple. Just lay down, following the example of the animals and her subjects, and surrender.

“Surrender to what?”

She clung to that unanswered question. It had kept her going.

The bird circled and dove into the forest. A wave of goosebumps, prickling and crawling, spread across her arms. It was time to get out of the fog, but how long would the castle and homes provide safe shelter? Her skin itched and her eyes watered. Still, her feet remained planted on the bridge her grandfather had built. Hopelessness threatened to overtake her when the song her mother used to sing to her as a child, filled her heart. Ignoring the warnings she needed to get back inside, she sang. Low at first, but her voice strengthened and grew.

“Bless the forests with flourishing flowers

Rainbows, butterflies & waterfalls’ powers

With gratitude and love overflowing,

Nature’s sacred cedar grove is glowing…”

Anna’s face warmed like the summer sun was shining on it. The sweet perfume of her rose garden filled her senses. And for a brief second, a beam of sunlight reflected off the river. Then it vanished, and the song became hollow, echoing across the raven.

With a slight spring to her step, she hurried across the bridge to the safety of the castle. Queen Anna knew in her heart what needed to be done. It will take everyone and her childhood song to push away the hate.

voices blend in love

sing a song of gratitude.

healing will begin

 

NOTE: Watch for newsletter this week if you are subscribed.

Next Challenge March 11th!

 

 

 

February Book Reviews! #MarshaIngrao #carolanntaylor #RobbieCheadle #DaveWilliams #ColleenChesebro #DWallacePeach #GwenPlano #YvetteCalleiro #TeaganRiordainGeneviene #writingcommunity #whattoread

Here are the great books I read in January that were four stars and higher. Click on the book titles for the Amazon link.

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A Homemade Christmas

By Carol Ann Taylor

I have seen Ms. Taylor’s posts about food and her recipes, so I was excited to read through her cookbook. This collection focuses on Christmas and family traditions. The book is split into sections that start with Christmas starters and end with Christmas Leftovers. It all starts with a note from the author explaining that the recipes come not only from her grandmothers and mother but also from some of her friends or her travels. These are more than ways to cook food. They bring back wonderful memories, but they also are healthy and made from scratch. Holiday tradition remains important; however, incorporating novel elements enhances the experience. I especially like the chapter on making gifts to give. Memories and cooking notes were helpfully added. Here are a few recipes I want to try: Prawn Cocktail, Spiced Red Cabbage, Red Wine Vegetarian Gravy, A Honey Jar Ferment with Garlic, Pickled Garlic, Homemade Mustard, and Gluten-free Christmas Pudding. I was excited to see a couple of gluten-free options included. At the end is a helpful US-UK Conversion Chart to help with measurements. Plus, there are nice images throughout. A great gift, ideal year-round, expanding our traditions; some I’ll experiment with beyond Christmas. I can easily recommend this festive cookbook.

STORY CHAT VOL II: INTERNATIONAL SHORT STORIES GENERATING CONVERSATIONS

By Marsha Ingrao

“Story Chat Vol. II” is a collection of short stories in all genres, including nonfiction. There are six sections, and the last one includes Horror and Science fiction, which is always a go-to for me, but I had many favorites outside that category. With the unique differences it was hard to pick a favorite but here are some that I’m still thinking about: “A Cautionary Tale on the Dangers of Allowing Your Characters to Take Over Your Story” by Geoff Le Pard, “The Grand Adventure” by Diana Peach, and “Anxious About Sea Horses,” by Gary A. Wilson. However, the exceptional nature of this collection did not stem solely from the great stories. It was the Questions for YOUR Story Chat Group that followed, and the best part was the Discussion Excerpts that many had. The other authors gave valuable story advice. Tips on improving writing were also included in the nonfiction. This had it all, and I found some favorite authors, along with new ones that I will be reading. This group appears both supportive and talented. I can easily recommend this collection.

Gasp! Poetry!

By Dave Williams

This collection of poetry is like its title, “Gasp! Poetry!” is a fun and introspective read. There are eighty-eight poems with a wide variety of topics like unicorns, human nature, history, and science. Written in free verse with some rhyming included. I highly enjoyed the humor that poked fun at many subjects, along with the whimsical and serious side. Here are some of the ones I highlighted: “I lift a handful of sand,/watch the grains/cascade in the spaces/between my fingers,/thinking there’s/got to be metaphors/for time, uniqueness, perseverance—/maybe insignificance…”—Is a Poem about Grains of Sand on a Beach Too Pretentious? or “He felt bad/that she thought/their relationship/wouldn’t work/because she thought/his ventriloquist doll/was so creepy…”—Buddy’s Secrets or “The leaves dropping/could be said to be/eaves dropping on us,/walking as we are on this forest trail…”—Leaves Dropping or “In this busy blurry/hurly burly world,/she likes to slide/into the lines…”—Under the Covers and “The drive from their house/to the parking lot seemed/to take a long time to Joe,/as did the walk…”—Unicorn Migration. A group of poems that I can easily recommend!

Sunflower Tanka: An Anthology of Tanka, Tanka Prose, & Experimental Tanka

Colleen M. Chesebro, Robbie Cheadle (editors)

By Suzanne Brace, Yvette Calleiro, Kay Castenada, Luanne Castle, Robbie Cheadle, Colleen M. Chesebro, E.A. Colquitt, Melissa Davilio, Destiny, Tamiko Dooley, Lisa Fox, Cindy Georgakas, Chris Hall, Franci Hoffman, Marsha Ingrao, Jude Itakali, JulesPaige, Kenneth, MJ Mallon, Brenda Marie, Selma Martin, Michelle Ayon Navajas, Lisa Nelson, D. Wallace Peach, Freya Pickard, Dawn Pisturino, Gwen M. Plano, Jennifer Russo, Aishwarya Saby, Reena Saxena, Merril D. Smith, Nicole Smith, Ivor Steven, Ben Tonkin, Trilce Marsh Vazquez, and Cheryl Wood.

“Sunflower Tanka” is the first annual anthology with contributions from over thirty-five talented poets. Many I recognized and already was a fan of their poetry, but the rest were new to me. Meeting both new and known poets under the theme “into the light” was wonderful. The editors offered their insight into sunflowers at the beginning of the book. It was enlightening to understand the importance of the flowers to them. Then the great poetry started and kept coming. There was no way I could choose my favorite lines or poems; I enjoyed them all. I love all forms of tanka poetry, but I think the garland tanka fascinated me the most. This is a collection meant to reread, especially with its uplifting messages. I can easily recommend this to all poetry lovers!

A Peril in the Vines: A Medium’s Peril Book 3

By Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

Daphne, Clover, and Phineas continue their story set in the 1920s. Daphne is a medium who has seen a massacre in her visions, which somehow link the pumpkins and vines that grow everywhere in the new town they end up in. Clover has a vivid dream that refers to tarot cards and a message. It all seems to center on a young girl and a doctor looking after her. Additionally, some matchmaking is happening. I love the setting and era and all the little details that bring it alive. Besides the paranormal, there is a mystery to figure out, along with some humor. I have been enjoying this series and, like all the characters, there’s a special place in my heart for Clover, Daphne’s assistant. I can easily recommend this quick read that can be a standalone, but I have preferred reading it from the beginning.

Note: Next week is the Creative Perspective Challenge and also a new release post!

Embrace your inner child with a good read! D. L. Finn

November Book Reviews! @JanSikes3 @frank_prem @LBroday @JillWeatherholt @pokercubster @SLMarchisello #writingcommunity #bookreviews #whattoread #mustread #readersoftwitter

Here are the great books I read in October that were four stars and higher. Click on the book titles for the Amazon link.

A Noble Bargain

By Jan Sikes

I read and loved the first book “Beggar’s Bargain” and was eager to jump into a new story in the series. Oliver Quinn took care of his loving family after his father was killed in a work accident. His dream is to become a professional baseball player. Rose Blaine takes care of her family after losing her mother. The difference between the two is in one home there is love and respect while the other one is full of fear and abuse. When they meet at a local dance, Rose immediately captures Oliver’s attention. A friendship develops as Oliver tries to figure out how to help Rose. When Rose’s home situation reaches a critical point, she and Oliver strike a bargain. He will drive Rose and her brother to their aunt and uncle in St. Louis and they will introduce him to a famous baseball player, her uncle. This is a story of strong contrasts. On one side Oliver’s family is there for each other and they treat each other with kindness whereas Rose’s father and business partner are both cruel and each day it’s a challenge for Rose to survive. Some heavy subjects like abuse and rape were addressed, and Rose’s home situation had me worried. Yet, she had a strength that I could admire that bloomed under some kindhearted help. Oliver’s nonjudgmental nature and willingness to do the right thing, regardless of personal gain, were admirable. It was nice to see characters from the previous story and catch up on their story too. Oliver’s family and Rose and her brothers captured my heart, and I lost sleep not being able to stop reading. This is a story I highly recommend, and think is Ms. Sikes’ best yet.

Pilgrim: Volume 1

by Frank Prem

“Pilgrim: Volume 1” is a thoughtful collection of poems woven together with the word pilgrim. The blurb called “Pilgrim” small wisdoms, but it felt bigger to me as it touched on our journey through life. There are little illustrated feet that creatively guide us to the next poem. A quick but powerful read. Here are only some of the words that touched me: “listen pilgrim/do you hear/the stillness/even the sound/of a cicada/is embraced/in the silence…”—thought sound, “…listen to the sound/of your inner self/when you contemplate/your transformation/you know/this too/is an elemental magic”—elemental alchemy,” and “this is the nature of time/and what is a life/but time/spent/waiting”—natural waiting. These are poems that are meant to be read more than once. I highly recommend this poetry collection!

Wildwood Healer: A Novel

By Linda Broday

Sicily lives alone after losing the only man she loved years before and is the town healer. She gathers herbs and mushrooms to help the local people. She was the closest thing they had to a doctor during the Great Depression. One day, she finds a dog on her doorstep and later finds the young teen who has been hiding in the woods. She takes him in and helps everyone she can including abused wives. I was invested in Sicily and the town from the first page. There were some kind people but also some cruel and corrupt and Sicily had the strength to stand up to them. The story deals with serious issues such as abuse, hunger, mistreatment of children, and corruption, but at its heart, it’s about Sicily’s kindness and determination to do what’s right. I loved the relationship between her and Tate and how she handled a person from her past. The setting was lush, and I could easily picture living in this town during a difficult period in our history when people had so little. But this is where Sicily shone a light and offered solutions instead of despair, making this a hard read to put down. A well-written historical story that captured my heart, I can highly recommend it.

Guarding Her Christmas Secret: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance

By Jill Weatherholt

Hannah Simpson moves to one of my favorite fictional towns, Bluebell, CO. She wants to start over after a tragic loss. Cody Beckett becomes the legal guardian of his best friend’s six-year-old twin girls, McKenzie, and Madison. He gets a call that McKenzie is causing some issues and has to deal with the teacher, Hannah. Although he trains companion dogs, he has no idea what he is doing with the girls. Hannah and Cody have different opinions about how to handle McKenzie. But soon they find themselves thrown together to plan a Christmas festival. The twins are thrilled to have the four of them spend time together, and Hannah is drawn to the dogs in training. I’m happy whenever I visit Bluebell and see old friends. I loved how Cody stepped up by taking the girls, but at the same time didn’t trust himself to raise them. He has a big heart that shines through to the girls and pups. But it’s the slow-burning friendship and attraction between Hannah and Cody that makes this a page-turner. He is patient with Hannah, even not knowing her story and having his fiancé break up with him while Hannah has to deal with her past and loss. Of course, it helps they both have the local grocery store owner looking out for the two of them, along with the girl’s intentions. It’s a heartwarming Christian story that focuses on hope, family, and second chances. I can highly recommend this, especially for reading around the holiday season.

Haiku for the Midnight Hour

By Dawn Pisturino

“Haiku for the Midnight Hour” is a collection of what Ms. Pisturino calls experimental, with a fun twist of darkness. There are seventeen categories, including Home Alone, Creatures in the Night, Fairy Tales, and From Outer Space. I did read it as close to midnight and thoroughly enjoyed it. Here are just a few of my favorites: “ramshackle old house-/ready to fall—hiding ghosts/abandoned spirits”—House, “full moon at midnight/stares boldly at old tombstones/dead come back to life”—Tombstones, “snakes slight through the/grass with eager hunting for/hypnotized victims”—Snakes, “mummy wrappings and/gray ash trail across the floor/unholy wand’ring”—The Mummy, “Cthulhu calling/stretching his tentacles through/space fracturing minds”—Cthulhu, and “moon maidens dancing/under full moon waxing big/pregnant with magic”—Moon Maidens. This is a fantastic poetry collection for Halloween reading, but also for any time of the year. A read I will enjoy more than once and can highly recommend it to poetry lovers.

P.S. I Forgive You

By D.G. Kaye

I read “Conflicted Hearts” and understand what the author grew up with. I could easily relate to an unhealthy childhood and what it requires as an adult to get past it. In “P.S. I Forgive You” Ms. Kaye has cut off communication and contact with her mother to heal and live a better life. But when her mother is dying, a pang of guilt creeps in and another layer of healing comes into play, forgiveness. Whether you do it in person or allow yourself to forgive from a distance, it can heal that pain carried around. This book was a journey to understand her mother while taking care of herself. We all must walk our paths in life and Ms. Kaye found a powerful one that inspired me as a reader and survivor of a damaging childhood. In life, love and liking can be separate truths. We can wish them well but not aspire to be a part of their lives, and we can forgive them to heal ourselves. The author incorporated this wisdom into an interesting reflection on her life and the lessons she learned. I can easily recommend this, especially if you come from a not-so-perfect family too.

Secrets of the Galapagos

By Sharon Marchisello

Giovanna lost her business and fiancé because of a clever con artist. She goes on a cruise with her grandmother to the Galapagos Islands to regroup and perhaps run into the con artist. Giovanna’s relaxing snorkeling trip takes a dark turn when she realizes she has been left behind and the woman she was with is missing. Everyone ignores her inquiries about her new friend and then tragedy hits the cruise ship, and the police become involved. Giovanna is immersed in more than one mystery, with her past coming into the mix. Giovanna is a fun character who is determined to find answers. Her relationship with her grandmother, who has a strong mind adds a lot of depth to the story. But it’s the islands that captured my attention. The setting was beautifully brought to life through the descriptions. I could feel the ocean breeze, see the fish when they snorkeled, and imagine the island’s celebrity turtle, Tio Armando, the passengers were all eager to see. Giovanna’s investigations lead her into danger and an attraction to the local detective. “Secrets of the Galapagos” was an entertaining mystery with a few twists and turns, and an exotic setting that I’d love to visit someday.

Blog Tour Schedule for Miracles and Ghosts

Sandra Cox: November 1st A Perfect Ghostly Christmas

Liz Gauffreau:  November 5th Miracle in ER

John Howell: November 6th A Man and His Cat

Colleen Chesebro: November 7th At the Mall & video

Jacqui Murray: November 12th The Red Truck

Jan Sikes: November 13th Christmas Reunion

Engage your inner child by reading a book! D. L. Finn

October Book Reviews! @BalroopShado @Virgilante @stacitroilo @Jina_Bazzar @StevieTurner6 @DanDwayneSpenc1 @PaulaCappa1 @AlexanderZPain #writingcommunity #whattoread #readinglist

Here are the books I read in September that were four stars and higher. Sure was a great reading month. Click on the book titles for the Amazon link.

Tracks of Infinity
by C. S. Boyack

Jenny’s reporter career takes a step backward as she is moved to desk work. Cody, her son, needs to write a paper to pass a college science class. While searching work folders, Jenny discovers something intriguing to both her and Cody. They take a day to investigate and stumble upon something curious. Cody’s Professor confirms it’s not a usual find. Things change rapidly after this as they become aware they are being followed. A fellow student, Bai, joins forces with them as they try to find the truth and report it. The relationship between mother and son is fun and natural, as they always seem to have each other’s back. Cody’s focus on sounds and how to make them had me thinking about sound effects in movies. I found that part very interesting. Bai was my favorite character though, as she was just herself and very skilled at electronics, which helped them. It was also good to see the radio show from “The Hat” make a few appearances, too.  This story was not only entertaining but also left me thinking. I can easily recommend “Tracks of Infinity.”

Just One Goodbye: Poems from the Heart

By Balroop Singh

When Ms. Singh unexpectedly lost her beloved husband, she turned to poetry as a way of expressing her grief. The first year she wrote through the seasons and found a way to share deep pain that I don’t think I’d be capable of doing. I have always admired Ms. Singh’s well-written poetry but in this collection, she made me empathize and understand as best I could without having gone through this loss. This quick read was not only a testament to a profound love but trying to make sense of it all. Every poem was powerful, and many brought tears, but I won’t share my favorites like I usually do because a couple of sentences can’t capture the emotions behind them. A collection I can highly recommend to not only poetry lovers but those who have known the sudden loss of a loved one.

Born for Revenge

By Staci Troilo

A missing teenage girl comes back after a year. She is uncommunicative and offers no insight into what happened to her. Two other girls are missing, and Detectives Cabe and Holden are determined to find those girls, but their families aren’t cooperating either. I was hooked from the start and couldn’t stop reading, eager to find out what happened next. The story weaves an insightful perspective from an unknown narrator, revealing the reasons behind the events without disclosing the individual involved. My favorite characters and relationships between them are the two detectives, Cabe, and Holden. One of them had a side story and another mystery to solve. I liked their banter, humor, loyalty, and determination. Finding the girls is at the heart of the story with many unexpected twists, making me reconsider my guess of who was behind the kidnappings. A captivating mystery with relatable characters that I strongly recommend.

My Grandmother, The Dinosaur Hunter (The Grandmother Protectorate #1)

By Jina S. Bazzar

An eleven-year-old boy and his younger sister visit their grandmother. One night, they follow her to the edge of the forest. When the grandmother disappears, they follow her. They end up in another world called Cruxil. They quickly find themselves in trouble and need help. It’s here they not only find out they didn’t know their grandmother like they thought, but they might be just like her. A fast and fun middle-grade read that I thoroughly enjoyed.  Fantasy based with a dinosaur, hydra, and a large frog, unlike the ones back on earth, it dove into family relationships and doing the right thing. This is a book I will eagerly share with my granddaughters, and I can wholeheartedly recommend it!

Farewell: A Short Story

By Stevie Turner

A fun short story about an aging rock group pulling themselves together for a sold-out tour. They add in a new backup singer Baz met in rehab and head to get some practice in. The new guy, Steve, was my favorite character and the one I was rooting for. Wives and girlfriends were included in this reunion and mixed in were jealousy, some drug use, flirting, and band practice. It seemed to be pulling together when the old backup singer arrived. Everything changed one night when something terrible happened and the police became involved. A coverup starts. The killer’s identity came as no surprise, but the unfolding of events proved fascinating. A different type of read for me that I enjoyed, especially the music part.

Dog Walk of the Apocalypse: A Short Story About One Man, One Dog, and One Zombie

By Alexander Pain

A fun short story about a man who takes his dog for a late-night walk. He doesn’t expect to run into a zombie and calls the police. I laughed out loud at the ending and the modern treatment of zombies. I will be reading more from this author and can easily recommend this quick read.

Hildie at the Ghost Shore

By Paula Cappa

While creating delicate lace, Hildie is interrupted by a sailor. He requests she do a rune reading for him so he can contact his beloved daughter, who has passed. The eerie setting and detailed rune readings added depth to the ghost story, drawing me into Hildie’s world. The conclusion was quite touching. I was immediately captivated by the second bonus story, igniting my curiosity about that world. A girl goes to live with her grandfather. He takes a daily walk at noon, forbidding her to join him. This is a prequel, and I am eager to read the book that follows. A quick and satisfying read and I can easily recommend it.

A Christmas Season in Hell: A Short Story

by Dan-Dwayne Spencer

Aston is a bored English college professor. It’s Christmas break, and a student gets him to promise to read his story, something Aston doesn’t want to do. As he is getting ready to go home for his quiet holiday, the floor gives, and he ends up in a secret room from when the building was a theater. Luckily, his injuries aren’t too severe, and he discovers a source of water, but there is no one left at the school to be aware of his predicament. It’s here he finds a skeleton and a diary. The direction the story took next surprised me and I couldn’t put it down. An engaging short story that I recommend!

Embrace your inner child this fall by reading a good book! D. L. Finn

New Release! “Simple Pleasures” By Elizabeth Gauffreau #writingcommunity #readingcommunity #poetrycommunity #newrelease #whattoread #poetry #haiku

I’m thrilled to have Elizabeth Gauffreau here to day to talk about her latest release, “Simple Pleasures!” Here’s my five-star review: LINK

Simple Pleasures Blog Tour

Thank you, Denise, for hosting me on my blog tour for Simple Pleasures: Haiku from the Place Just Right! For today’s stop, I’ll be taking your readers to Smugglers Notch, which is between Jeffersonville and Stowe Vermont. (In this context, “notch” refers to a pass between two or more mountains.)

 Smuggler’s Notch originally got its name during the War of 1812 when it was used to smuggle goods to and from Montreal, Quebec after President Thomas Jefferson placed an embargo on trading with Great Britain and Canada.

There were plenty of large boulders and caves to provide smugglers with ways to evade detection. (Source: Vermont Historical Society)

In the 1850s, the Underground Railroad used the pass to smuggle runaway slaves into Canada. And, of course, Smuggler’s Notch was used to bring liquor across the border into the United States during Prohibition. (Source: Vermont Historical Society)

So, Smugglers’ Notch has earned its name! Today, a narrow, winding road with hairpin turns and jutting boulders makes vehicle passage a tricky proposition in places. Needless to say, the road closes in winter.

And you do not want to attempt to bring a tractor-trailer rig through there.

(Photo Credit: Vermont State Police)

It’s always a thrill to drive between two mountains. (A lot of sun glare that day!)

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO LINK

It’s good to get up close and personal with the forest–

 

–and take a hike. Once again, a kindly stranger takes our photograph!

 

 The bird’s eye view:

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO  (Central Vermont Aerial Photography)

 

‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free

‘Tis the gift to come down where I ought to be . . . .

                      ~ Shaker song attributed to Joseph Brackett

The simple pleasures of our favorite places in nature are gifts of the spirit to be shared with others. In this collection of 53 haiku, each paired with a photograph, poet Liz Gauffreau invites readers to come with her to some of her favorite places in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Some places are long-time favorites going back years; others have become favorites by virtue of inspiring poetry.

 

Author Biography

Elizabeth Gauffreau writes fiction and poetry with a strong connection to family and place. Her work has been widely published in literary magazines, as well as several themed anthologies. Her short story “Henrietta’s Saving Grace” was awarded the 2022 Ben Nyberg  prize for fiction by Choeofpleirn Press.

She has published a novel, Telling Sonny, and a collection of photopoetry, Grief Songs: Poems of Love & Remembrance. She is currently working on a novel, The Weight of Snow and Regret, based on the closing of the last poor farm in Vermont in 1968.

Liz’s professional background is in nontraditional higher education, including academic advising, classroom and online teaching, curriculum development, and program administration. She received the Granite State College Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2018. Liz lives in Nottingham, New Hampshire with her husband. Find her online at https://lizgauffreau.com.

Book2Read Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/SimplePleasures

Print & Fixed EPUB for tablets and Kindle Fire

BookFunnel PDF Purchase Link: https://buy.bookfunnel.com/gef1ili6qd

For any device.

September Book Reviews! @sgc58 @NoFacilities #whattoread #bookreviews #writingcommunity #readinglist

Here are the books I read in August that were four stars and higher. Click on the book titles for the Amazon link.

Size Always Matters: Don’t be part of a statistic, start losing weight today

By Sally Cronin

“Size Always Matters” is a book that reveals how and why to lose weight. Ms. Cronin, in her forties, realized she needed to lose 150 pounds to improve her health and live longer. She not only researched a healthy diet and applied it to her daily routine, but also helped others. I’ve constantly battled with the diet yo-yo, losing weight only to gain it back. I would think, I’ll get to it later, but my body is letting me know that now is that later. The book refreshed my knowledge, especially regarding Candida, but it also provided new insights. I love how Ms. Cronin covered the whole person, including our psychological reasons for overeating and our physical ones, too. This book isn’t only for weight loss, but also for overall health. I have used food and my diet to control health issues, and Ms. Cronin expertly explains the fundamentals of proper nutrition and necessary vitamins. Not only is there great information, but a way to find your ideal weight and delicious-sounding recipes. This book inspired me to cut out the food that has crept into my diet that doesn’t belong there and get rid of the extra pounds I’m carrying around. An excellent resource for weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. I highly recommend this!


Simple Pleasures: Haiku from the Place Just Right
by Elizabeth Gauffreau

“Simple Pleasures” is a beautiful gathering of 53 haikus and gorgeous photographs accompanying them. It’s incredible how much meaning can be packed into just a few words. I felt like I was walking along with the author and exploring where she lives and travels. Since the poems were all good, it made it hard to pick just these two haikus to share: stream water eddies/swirling whirlpools, sun-warmed rock/our feet touch the bottom and the pond in winter/windswept snow, crystalline sky/fridge air, silence. Ms. Gauffreau offers a nature that I so enjoy exploring. It was a soothing read that will be reread more than once. I can highly recommend this collection!

Bridge to Nowhere: A Rascal Todd Mystery

By Dan Antion

Rascal is a young journalist settling into her new job and boss. A building burns and she tries to prove it was arson. This leads to an eventual murder and a mystery for Rascal to solve and report. I enjoyed her enthusiasm for finding the truth. She is a strong character with an entertaining cat, Bonkers, who is focused on being fed. There are crossover characters from The Dreamer’s Alliance Series, which I also enjoyed reading. This book has a strong and vivid setting for Rascal to navigate, and although it isn’t necessary to have read the past stories to understand this one, I did like knowing the history. An exciting start to what promises to be a fun series!

NOTE: Still on my break, so haven’t been around much. As soon as I get my Christmas collection to the editor mid-month, I’ll be back. Although I will be on a writing break until the end of the year. xo

Embrace your inner child by reading a good book! D. L. Finn