It’s that time again when most of us wonder where the past year went and how fast it zipped by. In just a few weeks, we’ll be drinking champagne and kissing at midnight, ringing in a new year, 2023. Decades ago, these numbers sounded straight out of The Jetson’s! But before the bubbly and the kiss comes Christmas, a Christian holiday for those of you who celebrate the birth of Jesus. But another jolly soul arrives, too, Santa, so you know what we need to do…shop!!

And if you’re looking for a gift, specifically, a lovely book that can be read in one sitting or savored by reading one poem or story at a time, look no further, my book, More than Coffee, may just be the perfect choice!
To give you a little peek inside the pages, here are some wonderful reviews:
By Sally Cronin Delightful collection of prose and poetry reflecting on a life
This is a delightful collection of prose and poetry reflecting on a life tinged with sadness but also a great deal of love and humour. The author celebrates moments from her early life and marriage of over thirty years with stories that will entertain and also bring the reader’s own experiences to mind.
Sometimes it is the simplest things that evoke the warmest memories, such as a silver cutlery set, a toy frog called Sam, a yellowed kitchen chopper and the first time baking a traditional family birthday cake.
We are invited to concerts as a teenager overcomes self-doubt to solo in front of an audience of 2000 and fulfil a dream inspired by her idol Barbra Streisand. There are moments with spiders that might have you looking around your immediate surroundings, but you will also find yourself in some wonderful wilderness areas offering moments of reflection and a dip in a mountain pool.
Love is a central theme beginning with her mother and father’s love story that endured for nearly 70 years having begun in WWII with all its uncertainty and lengthy periods apart, and the author’s own fateful meeting with her husband, involving a kitchen appliance!
The loss of parents, even after a long and wonderful life, leaves a hole in our hearts. Their stories and poetry dedicated to them in this collection are heart-warming and reinforce the extent of their loving influence on the generations that followed.
The final part of the collection reflects on the changes that come when children leave the nest, and whilst this is obviously a time of sadness, there is also pride and delight as new lives are forged with future adventures to look forward to.
I enjoyed all the stories and poems in the collection and I am hard pushed to pick just one favourite but this one touched my heart.
Simple Existence
I stare at this page, milk white as the
blanketed ground in winter’s staging
where are the syllables?
I fear they have flown to faraway places,
across desert dunes and boundless oceans
and might not return so that I may tell him
(again) how irreplaceable he is.
Instead, I’ll touch his lips with mine
and steady myself in the arms of a man
who is satisfied with my simple existence.
I can highly recommend this collection to read in one sitting or to dip into when you are in need of gentle and uplifting moments.
By Jane Sturgeon – More Than Coffee: So Much More Than a Memoir of Verse and Prose
I loved every word in this book. Scott’s style and loving expression took me into the heart of life and to what truly matters. Her thoughts of Wil, her father-in-law, are compassionate and delightful in equal measure. Scott’s love for her family and the life she and Matt have built for their children shine through. Belonging and Riding With The Wind are two of my favourite poems.
More Than Coffee is a delight from start to finish and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs a dip into the magic of life.
By Robbie Cheadle – A bright ray of sunshine
This lovely book is a mix of a memoir about the author/poet’s life with some beautiful freestyle poems included after each prose section to enhance the emotion and moments shared. The memoirs are relatable and cover delightful memories of family brought back through inherited items and stories shared by family members as well as the author’s own life experiences including achievements, romance, parental love, and overcoming fears. The author’s personality and humour comes through strongly in her writing and poetry, as well as her joy and pleasure in the simple things in life.
My favourite poem in this collection and the one that summarised for me the spirit and essence of this book is Fulfilled.
Fulfilled
Let me drink from the gaze in your eyes
Eyes that have me wildly mesmerized
Mesmerized under their vivid piercing spell
Spell which only you many cast over me
Me, with a heart madly in love
Love, a whirlwind of euphoric emotions so true
True in not only our hearts, but in our minds
Minds, fully aware of their endless thoughts
Thoughts so amorous of us entwined
Now, if after reading these beautiful reviews, you find your interest is piqued, simply click on the Amazon link above, and Magic! Your copy (or copies) will be on its way! 🙂
So, I will end by saying that through the poems and stories in my book, I hope to inspire you to see the beauty around, to feel gratitude, to face challenges with verve, and to trek through that fear knowing you will find the light. I invite you to pour a cup of your favorite roast, or your preferred beverage, sink into your favorite chair, and enjoy the the rich taste while turning the pages. My wish is that you’ll find even a little nugget that resonates.
Thank you for reading, and I offer my utmost appreciation to you who have enjoyed my memories, and to those of you who have written reviews.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS, MERRY CHRISTMAS,
AND HAPPY READING! ❤️🎄❤️

This sounds lovely Lauren. Well Done x
Thanks, Alison! You know the feeling. 🙂 I appreciate you reading. xo
X
I love this post and the pictures Lauren. Thanks for sharing those beautiful reviews. Wishing you many more.
Thanks for your lovely words, Balroop, and for your amazing review, too! I wish I could post them all here. 🙂 ❤️
Books make the best gifts. Thanks for the reviews and the nice post, Lauren.
I agree, Anneli, and I have several on my wish list. Thanks so much for reading and for your kind comment. 💗
A wonderful book, Lauren. Wishing you great success with Christmas sales.
Thanks, Robbie, for your wonderful review and support. Wishing you the same for your new Christmas book. ❤️
Thank you, Lauren.
Wonderful reviews. Congratualtions. I love your dog too.
Thanks for your kind words, Darlene, and Copper thanks you, too. 🙂 💞
These are terrific reviews, Lauren. Congratulations.
Thanks for reading, John. I’m thankful for all the wonderful reviews my book has received. 🤗🙏🏻
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Congratulations on the excellent reviews!
Thanks so much, Liz!
You’re welcome, Lauren!
Beautiful and such lovely pics Lauren. Your book sounds awesome. Such gorgeous reviews too🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thank you for your lovely words and encouragement, Kamal. I’m very appreciative. 💗💗
You are most welcome dear Lauren. Happy week ahead. Lots of love 💗💗💗💗
What a fun post for the holidays and a great way to help the shoppers out there. Great reviews for a great read, Lauren. Congrats. ❤
Thanks, Diana. I appreciate all the wonderful reviews, including yours! I’m not concerned about sales, though. It’s more about sharing experiences, hoping others identify with them, knowing they’re not alone, especially when it comes to the sad or challenging times. It’s been fun, and in the meantime, my next book is moving forward. 🙂 Are you working on a new book? ❤️🙏🏻
If we worried about sales, Lauren, we’d be worrying all the time! Lol. It’s just not worth the stress. I have a new book in mind, but family stuff is going to make it a slow, slow project. I’m okay with that and just going with the flow this year. 🙂
You’re right about the worrying, and I have enough of that anyway. 🙂 I can’t wait for your next book, but I understand about taking it slowly. You’ve been through a lot, so I send comforting hugs your way. 🤗
Thanks, Lauren I’m hoping to write a bit come January. 🙂
That’s good to hear, Diana…
A book is a gift you can open again and again. That’s why I love giving them for birthdays and holidays. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a New Year of inspiration.
Exactly, Evelyn! That’s why I love gifting them too. Thanks for your visit and wishes. And I wish you the same. ❤️🎄
Your book is a gift, Lauren, as are you. So full of love and kindness. I wish you every success with your Christmas sales. Much love flowing to you all. xXx 💕😘💕
Thanks so much, Jane. I am so grateful for your lovely review and for your loving words, too. Much love and many hugs to you, dear friend. ❤️❤️❤️🌹
Love your Christmas cookies picture. xXx 🍪✨💕
I wish I could share with you both, Jane. 🙂 Hugs! 💗❄️🎄💗🍪🥰
One day, my lovely. xXx 💕✨💕🧁😘
Hopefully so! 💗🎄❄️🌺🙏🏻💗
Yes yes yes for your book!
As I told you I loved it and I even wrote a review as I wanted more people to know about it…
Enjoy the season Lauren ❤️🎄
Oh, Marie, I just read your review which I’ll return to once I’m done writing this comment. But I am speechless! So I will just say Thank you for your beautiful and touching words that go straight to my heart and make for an amazing start to a new week. The first read for my morning. I’m grateful! Sending Big hugs your way and wishing you a wonderful season, too! ❤️🎉
Great reviews for your book. Time definitely goes far too fast these days.
Thanks so much, Binky! And time sure is mysterious, isn’t it? 🙂
Happy holidays Lauren ❤
These three great bloggers are a lovely array of reviewers for this post!
Happy Holidays, Lauren!
I know…2023 Eeeeeeeek!
I couldn’t agree more, Resa. Thanks again and wishing you a wonderful holiday season. Yes, time sure is mystifying! ❤️🥰🎄
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xoxo