The Stars Align…

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Promotions, Book Reviews, Poetry

While I was away from blogging, three more 5-star reviews gently flowed in for my book, Ever So Gently. These beautiful reviews added light to the initial reason for my break. And the true reward is learning how my poems resonate with others.
So for me, the stars align. ⭐️
Thank you again to Colleen, Robbie, and Miriam. I appreciate you all! ❤️🙏🏻

Another tidbit to share is that my son was recently visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, relaxing by Bear Lake at 9,500 feet elevation after a good hike while reading my book. You may remember that he painted the cover for me on canvas and also helped in the tedious formatting process. But he hadn’t read the poems. And my family is honest, so if there’s something they don’t like, they’ll tell me without hesitation (lovingly, of course). 🙂
Well, he absolutely loved the nature poems, and is currently reading the rest of the book. Fingers crossed, he feels the same way about part 2 and 3. Anyway, I love this photo he sent me and am grateful that my 28-year-old son is taking the time to read ‘his mom’s’ book. ❤️

And now for the wonderful reviews…

From Robbie:

Ever So Gently: A collection of poems is a beautiful memoir of the poet’s life and experiences, mellowed by experience and understanding, and told through carefully selected words. The poems are a mixture of freestyle and syllabic and share some vivid and delightful imagery that celebrates important moments in the poet’s life.

For me, the emphasis with this collection is on the softening of the poet’s attitude towards, and views, on life gained through experience and living. This message, reflected in the title “Ever So Gently” and the beautiful and peaceful cover, is wonderful and absorbing. Its subtle repetition throughout this book is like slipping into a warm bubble bath. It evokes the same delightful sense of peace and calm. My words must not be misunderstood to mean that none of the poems demonstrate moments of anguish and angst, as that is not the case. Those moments, that are so catastrophic and devastating to the poet at the time of occurrence are there, but their harshness is lessened through acceptance and understanding gained over the passage of time.

A few verses that I particularly enjoyed:

“A lone sailboat glides by
pausing for the unfolding.
With hair the color of an egret,
an older man leans against a stump.”
From The Sun Knows

“raindrops vacillate
layers hold their own secrets
delicate delight”
From The Peach Rose

“Each purl stitch was interwoven with love
from her gentle touch.
She, the teacher, me, the student,
as our bodies sank into the sofa
checkered in a 70’s palette.
From The Old Afghan

The two poems that I related to the most were The Mess and Young Campers, both about the poets children. This book is a celebration of life, the good and the less good.

From Colleen:

“Ever So Gently” asks us to accompany the author on a profound journey into the human condition seen through her own experiences. Scott has a way of making the mundane things in life a positive poetic event. That upbeat theme lasts throughout the book.

She split the book into three sections: The Wisdom of Nature; The Noise, the Laughter, the Chaos, the Loved Ones; and Lost in Thought. The author explores nature and how she relates to those quiet times when nature calls her name. The next section deals with the love in her life. The last section deals with the author’s deeper nature as she explores her feelings in greater detail.

I was surprised to see an excellent collection of haiku and other forms of syllabic poetry in the book. It was easy to connect with the variety of poems and themes. I enjoyed all of them!

I had two favorite poems. One was called “The Sign” and the other, “Ever So Gently.” Both poems are contemplative in nature, but filled with hope for the good things in life to enrich our lives.

From Miriam:

Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poems by Lauren Scott is a cozy and delightful read. I love the pastel color scheme of the cover. It conveys a soft feeling like the fluffy feathers caressing my skin. Her son Michael painted the cover on canvas. The title and the cover join in a beautiful harmony.

Even though this was an autumn evening, I snuggled in front of my fireplace, let the flames warm my face, and let Scott’s words warm my heart. By looking at the content, I knew gems were waiting to be found. This collection is divided into three parts. The first part touches on nature, the second part on relationships and loved ones, and the third part on thoughts in life.

Scott painted nature with her soft strokes. “Cottony clouds drift by. We want to move into them, feel their softness enfold us.” “Tiny threads of peace weave into the marrow of our souls mending any fretting that stirred.” “I wonder if pine needles wiggle in delight until they float to the earth…” The vivid imagery invited my presence in her natural world with the hummingbird, the sunflower, the peach rose, the lantana, the rocks, and the shiny shells.

Scott shared her joyous moments of meeting her husband and their newfound love. “Life has blossomed into delight and wonder in every part of its glowing greatness.” She missed her son and daughter, who were grown and gone. She would leave her son’s room messy to remind her of his presence. The days when the children were little were greatly missed. She reminisced about the younger days when her parents moved from place to place and she missed old friends. The old Afghan reminded her of the memory and wisdom of her mom. One Sunday afternoon, she had the last conversation with her dad. “His voice offers no response, silent for eternity, his body, a shell.” Scott’s memorable moments reminded me of my own with my husband, my daughter, and my parents.

The poem “Things I Know, Believe and Imagine” posted a valuable question. “I believe Love should remain the center of all humankind, but since hate continues to linger on the street, here’s a question to ponder… what should we do differently?” A Two-Wheel Getaway told a cheerful story of meeting biking strangers who became instant friends. The star poem Ever So Gently conveyed the message of hope.

“Its [star’s] glow will grow ever so gently
Into a bright beacon of hope
Rising with the golden sun
Bringing clarity to our vision.”

Thank you for visiting today, and I hope these touching reviews entice you into reading my collection.

To purchase your copy, simply click on the image above
or on this link: https://tinyurl.com/3ds4839u

Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday! 💙🩵💚

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

68 thoughts on “The Stars Align…”

  6. Fantastic reviews dear Lauren, all so deserving and wonderful your Son enjoying reading your poetry and took the time to help in its creation..
    Your poetry always touches the heart and expresses emotions we all feel perfectly ..
    Sending Lots of Love my friend xx ❤ as you enjoy the rest of your week ❤

    1. Hi Sue, thanks for reading and for your lovely words, as always. My son actually texted me this morning, saying that he loved my book! Whew! And I know he’d be super honest if he didn’t. He’s vacationing in Yellowstone and visiting Grand Teton, so that is where he finished it. Made my day! Sending lots of love and hugs to you too, dear friend. ❤️🤗🌷

  7. Wonderful reviews! And I love the photo your son sent you. It’s always a bonus when family enjoys your work. For some reason, it means so much.

    1. Thanks, Darlene! I love that photo, and you’re right, it does mean a lot when family likes our work. He just texted me and said that he loved the book! Exhale time! 🙂 He’s in WY vacationing, so my book has scene some beautiful sights. xo

  8. Yes, it’s a real gift when my kids read one of my posts or some of my work. While great, I find their comments to be amusing. They know the real us and always love their sarcasm, “Dad, were you really this cool, calm, and collected in the delivery room? Are you sure your memory is correct? Mom tells a different story.” Ha, ha.

    1. Thanks for the laughs, Brian. I can relate to those questions. It’s like we were born in our 50s or 60s and were never young and cool. But I will share that my son just texted me, saying that he finished my book while visiting Grand Teton and he loved it! That’s big for him. So, whew! That makes my day! Thanks for reading and have a great day! 🤗

      1. Oh, I wasn’t the only one that came out as a fully formed adult. Ha, ha. Funny how our adult children see us that way. That’s awesome though that your son said that. Very cool. Yes, celebrate the small victories. Exciting stuff.

  11. Congratulations, Lauren on these reviews. I loved your beautiful book. It is wonderful that your son is reading your book, Gregory has not read any of mine and my husband has only read Through the Nethergate. He was surprisingly complimentary about it, I think his expectations were lower 💗

    1. Thanks so much again, Robbie. Your support is always appreciated. I’m happy that Michael is reading it, and he texted me a few minutes ago saying that he finished and loved it. That makes me able to breathe easier. 🙂 I know my daughter’s reading it too. We can’t make our family read our work. My husband has read some poems, but not the entire book. Maybe someday, hopefully. 🙂 But I know your family supports you as much as mine supports me, and that is big! ❤️❤️

  16. Lol! Thrilled you son is reading the book.
    I’m impressed how perfect the cover is, considering.

    All great reviews, Lauren.
    I remain a huge fan of this book.
    💖📘🌺

    1. Thanks, Resa. He actually finished it while in WY. He’s on vacation, sightseeing around Yellowstone and Grand Teton. So my book has done some traveling. 🙂 And he loved the collection. So I’m happy! He’s 28 and would be honest with me if he didn’t. 🙂 Thanks for being such a huge fan. You rock! 🩷💐🙏🏻⭐️

    1. Hi Marina, he finished that day in Yellowstone and loved the book. So that made me happy because he’d be honest with me if he didn’t. 🙂 Thanks for reading these wonderful reviews. And I send you many, many hugs for a wonderful weekend too. ❤️🤗❤️🤗❤️

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