May Book Reviews! @PatFurstenberg @SueColetta1 @JoyYorkAuthor @DIY_Author @frank_prem merrildsmith.com @bakeandwrite @MarciaMeara @PatFurstenberg #mustread #readinglist #bookreviews #writingcommunity

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

Dreamland cover

Dreamland: Banat, Crisana, Maramures, Transylvania, 100-WORD STORIES, Folklore and History

By Patricia Furstenberg

“Dreamland” is a collection of hundred-word stories set in Western Romania, which includes Banat, Crișana, Maramureș, Transylvania, and more. There are 117 stories that are based on legends and seeped in history. Many stories are followed by a glance into the history behind that passage. I enjoyed how it offered vivid images of the areas, along with the history and people behind it. Some of the book was whimsical, other parts more dire, but it showed the progression of civilization and survival. It’s a unique way to be entertained and educated at the same time. There are lots of photos included that add a visual of the area being written about. This is a fantastic way to learn how the past shaped the future of Romania. I can easily recommend this well-written book!

Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature

By Kaye Lynne Booth, Frank Prem, Colleen M Chesebro, Robbie Cheadle, Andrew McDowell, Patricia Furstenberg, Marcia Meara, Emily Gmitter, Selma Martin, Merril D Smith, and D. L. Finn

A fantastic collection of poetry with a favorite theme of mine, nature. I am familiar with and a fan of many of the authors, but the ones I wasn’t, I am a fan now. All the poets have a different style, but each set produced beautiful imagery and flow. I was going to mark favorites or choose stunning lines, but it was impossible. I liked all of them. This is a shorter review than normal because I offer my praise to all my fellow poets in this anthology. It was an honor to be included with them. If you love poetry and nature, this is a collection you do not want to miss!

The Moonshine Murders: The Jailer’s Daughter Mysteries

By Joy York

Christi and Lily have joined forces again to solve a murder and mystery focused on Lily’s father, who suffered a gunshot wound. They get help from Troy and Jake as the pursuit leads to moonshine and a mysterious university study. I love the setting in the seventies, along with the musical references. It brought back many memories and added great layers to the story. The friendship between Christi and Lily is heartwarming and humorous. They have each other’s backs no matter what mess they or Lily are in. A sweet romance develops for Christi and Jake, while Lily and Troy appear to clash. There are many twists and dangerous situations they find themselves in that make this a page-turner. Who to trust becomes very important. A YA mystery for the young at heart that I can easily recommend.

Savage Mayhem (The Mayhem Series Book 9)

By Sue Coletta

“Savage Mayhem” tidies up the Alaska story in an exciting beginning, but soon it’s time for Mayhem and Shawnee to go to their next mission, Yellowstone. I was excited about the setting because Yellowstone is on the top of my list of places I want to visit. The vivid descriptions made me feel like I was there with them. Although even in this place of beauty, the Killzme hunt continues. This time the target is the buffalo—Shawnee and Mayhem. There is the history and importance of the buffalo weaved into the story, and feelings that need to be dealt with. Poe and Shawnee’s relationship is still strained, but she protects the bird even with the animosity between them. It’s always fun to see Mayhem and Shawnee playing husband and wife. This time they are planning their fake wedding at the lodge to provide themselves a cover while trying to stop their enemy. The past comes into play though and needs to be dealt with as they try to save the buffalo herd, themselves, and their working relationship. I have been rooting for Shawnee and Mayhem to take the next step, along with a pair of birds who have found each other, too. This is a story of growth, bravery, insight, and brutal justice. I fall in love with the characters more with each book. I look forward to the next journey and can highly recommend this book and series.

Embrace your inner child by opening the pages into amazing worlds! D. L. Finn

Day 4—Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature Blog Tour #newrelease #poetry #PoetryTreasures4 #poetryanthology

It’s day 4 of the WordCrafter Poetry Treasures 4 Book Blog Tour, and today we have a guest post from contributing poet Patricia Furstenberg.

Giveaway

Leave a comment for a chance to win one of three free copies of

Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature.

Leave a comment at each stop for additional chances.

Winners chosen by random drawing.

Introduction

I’m thrilled to introduce today’s guest, Patricia Furstenberg. I have read and enjoyed many of her books and very excited to be a part of this anthology with her. Here are Patricia’s thoughts on poetry:

Celebrating “Poetry Treasures”: 5 Simple Reasons Why Poetry Holds My Heart

With an enthusiasm for poetry I reflect on the release of our collaborative poetry collection, “Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature.” As a writer and poet I am drawn to poetry’s intrinsic beauty, and I’d like to share with you five reasons why this art form is so special to me. Because poetry can be often overlooked, perceived as an outdated and sometimes uninteresting genre, often associated with clichés, and one that requires a significant amount of time and patience to fully appreciate.

Despite common misconceptions, poetry is an effective form of communication that incorporates emotions, experiences and the beauty of nature into language. Poetry inspires creativity, provides therapeutic relief and communicates profound truths through carefully chosen words. Poetry is a journey of self-discovery that promotes harmony and connects us to the natural world’s beauty and truth. “Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature” honors this timeless magic, moving hearts and inspiring minds.

Here are five simple yet profound reasons why I adore poetry.

Like a magic key, poetry unlocks communication skills. Poems are so much more than just words strung together. Verse are formed through weaving emotions, thoughts and experiences into a linguistic tapestry. Poetry promotes effective communication, both with ourselves and with others, through the rhythm and rhyme of its lines. As we explore the complexities of poetic expression, we gain a better understanding of language and improve our communication skills.

Poetry inspires creative ideas. The beauty of poetry lies in its ability to pique our interest and generate new ideas. Poetry, whether through the timeless verses of classical poets or the contemporary musings of modern wordsmiths, has the ability to transport us to realms of creativity we were unaware of. Reading and writing poetry stimulates our imagination, encouraging us to consider new perspectives and appreciate the beauty of spoken language.

Poems have therapeutic benefits. Poetry serves as a spiritual refuge, providing solace and healing during difficult times. Reading poetry allows us to explore the depths of human emotion, providing comfort and understanding in the face of adversity. Poetry’s lyrical verses serve as a mirror to our own experiences, allowing us to navigate the complexities of life with grace and resilience.

Words strung in poems gain magical powers. In the intricate tapestry of poetry, every word and line has significance. Poets use verse to convey profound truths and evoke deep emotions. As we immerse ourselves in the world of poetry, we develop a greater appreciation for the nuances of language and the transformative power of words.

Cultivating harmony and enlightenment: poetry is more than just words on a page; it is a journey of self-discovery and awakening. Through the rhythm and flow of poetic verse we find inner harmony and connect with the world around us. Poetry has the unique ability to cross boundaries and bring us together in a shared experience of beauty and truth.

I urge you to look at “Poetry Treasures” as more than just a collection of poems, because it demonstrates poetry’s enduring power to touch hearts, inspire minds, and illuminate what it means to be human. Enjoy the experience!

About Patricia Furstenberg

Writer and poet Patricia Furstenberg authored 18 books to date. Standing out are: historical bestseller Joyful Trouble, page-turner Silent Heroes, history and folklore-inspired Transylvania’s History A to Z: 100 Word Stories and Dreamland, and beloved children’s literature The Cheetah and the Dog.

The recurrent motives in her writing are unconditional love and war, while Patricia’s keen interest for history and dogs brought her writing through a perfect loop, to her native Romania, Patricia being the creator of #Im4Ro hashtag, sharing positive stories.

Patricia grew up in Bucharest and was brought up listening to the legends and folktales of Romania’s past.

About Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature

 

Poetic Treasures Within.

Open the cover

and you will discover

Poetry Treasures

 

from the guests on

Robbie Cheadle’s 2023

“Treasuring Poetry”

blog series

on Writing to be Read.

Included are poetic gems from: Andrew McDowell, Robbie Cheadle, Patricia Furstenberg, Marcia Meara, Luanne Castle, D.L. Finn, Emily Gmitter, Kaye Lynne Booth, Selma Martin, Merril D. Smith, Frank Prem, and Colleen Chesebro.

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/mlM5YA

That wraps up today’s stop. Don’t forget to leave a comment and enter the giveaway for a free copy of this lovely poetry collection. Tomorrow will find us over at Colleen Chesebro, Author & Poet with a guest post by contributing poet, Merril D. Smith.