#BookReviews – Poetic Prose, Poetry, Western Fiction, Southern Fiction, & Japanese Photography

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Reviews

Dear Family and Friends,

I’ve received so many amazing reviews for my book, that it’s time to pay it forward. So, this is the first batch of reviews with five more coming later this month. And another shout out to everyone who has offered support in some manner during my King Copper journey. I love you all! 💖

Back to these fabulous books…once you begin reading, you won’t want to put any of these down, even if life tries to intercept, and you know it will! 🙂
Simply click on the author names if you’d like to visit their websites!

Photo by Oziel Gu00f3mez on Pexels.com

Honeysuckle Heat by Michele Lee Sefton

Honeysuckle Heat by Michele Lee Sefton is a beautifully crafted love story full of passion. We meet crime writer, Matthew Oliver, and Jacqueline Fortin, a successful Los Angeles Anchorwoman. They have a long history together but parted ways. Suddenly, she’s back in his life, and their chemistry is what anyone would long for. Let me share an example of Sefton’s tantalizing prose:

‘He understood why a fallen leaf would want to lodge itself in her wavy strands. He kissed her on the spot where the leaf had been then let the errant flora fall on the kitchen tile – a concern for another time. His lips confirmed what his eyes suspected. Parched from months of emptiness, they were quenched by a softness that brushed against his soul, like a golden sunrise whispering its way above a lone hill. A soft beginning that turned his doting love for her into a warm and fiery glow.’

Will their intense physical attraction and love for each other be enough this time? Are their goals for the future aligned? I will let you find out for yourself. As the season changes and temperatures begin to cool, cuddle up with this captivating novella when an evening is winding down and your thoughts have taken a back seat. Let Sefton’s poetic prose transport you to another world built with many enticing layers. Highly recommended.

Gratitude & No Fairy Tale by D.L. Finn

I am familiar with D.L. Finn’s beautiful poetry. So, when I heard she had released a third book in the “Just Her Poetry” series, I bought a copy right away. The dog-eared paperback lies on my desk as I type this review. Finn’s collection spans from earlier published poems to newly released. I followed her journey from the beginning, which is a tribute to nature through a selection of syllabic poetry and lovely photos paired with them. We share the same love of nature and family, along with gratitude playing a significant role in life. Through Finn’s emotional journey, I smiled and also became teary-eyed. Every emotion you can imagine is highlighted throughout this evocative collection. She creates such vivid scenes that I felt as though I had stepped into a specific moment, feeling the sentiments with every bit of energy. There are too many favorites to mention, so here are a few:

“The Forest”

the forest’s sweet song/caresses my weary soul/with healing beauty

“Summer” (first two verses)

When I think of childhood summers,
It’s swimming, playing, fishing, and vacations
Long nights, as I imagined my next adventure
Finally, the crickets’ song lulled me into happy dreams.

My old house was heavy with heat
Making me wish I could lift the roof to cool
Square metal fans hummed in every room,
Everyone, except my grandparents, wore shorts and tank tops.

“Suicide Song” caught me off guard. I learned a little bit more about D.L. Finn. My heart ached, but the poem also speaks about second chances. A poignant and powerful piece of writing. I highly recommend this poetic compilation for everyone who appreciates poetry that touches on real life.

A Noble Bargain by Jan Sikes

A Noble Bargain is the second book I have read by Jan Sikes. She has a natural skill of pulling readers into her stories, making them feel like part of the character line up. I enjoyed A Beggar’s Bargain so much that I could not pass up the second book. In no time, I fell in love with Oliver Quinn and Rose Blaine. The year is 1948 in a rural Arkansas town. Times are simpler, but hard work is part of the landscape.

Oliver comes from a loving family who does not think twice about helping others in need. He is the kind of son every parent dreams of. His father passed away and he misses him dearly, but he adores his mother who has a heart of gold. Oliver also holds in his heart an American dream, and he will persevere to make it come true. His family is one I would love to meet. Rose and her two brothers live in a completely opposite world riddled with domestic abuse. After the tragic loss of their mother, the siblings have suffered under the violent fist of their alcoholic father. I had no trouble disliking their father, to put it mildly. Sadly, an escape had never presented itself, but Rose is determined to find a way.

One night, Oliver and Rose meet by chance, which is the beginning of their story.  I enjoyed rooting for this kind young man to change Rose’s life for the better. I wanted Rose and her brothers to find a way out of the terror they had been living in. But to avoid spoiler alerts, I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a compelling story that spotlights the good in people and the benefit of resilience.

Cade’s Quest by Linda Broday

Cade’s Quest begins the first in a series about The McIntyre’s and truly conveys the special connection of family. Readers are transported to the old west in the late 1800s. Four years prior, Cade and his siblings underwent a horrific event when their parents were murdered. And yet, even this amount of time could not erase the horror Cade experienced of “staring into their mother’s face frozen in death and seeing a fly on her cheek.” I felt his agony through the riveting words on the page. Reading about the tragedy was heartbreaking, but what tore at my heart even more were the town “do-gooders” deciding where each child would go. Imagine what it would feel like being young and ripped away from your sisters and brothers after losing your parents in a horrifying crime. Making sense of the heinous act alone for a young child would seem impossible. Imagine how alone and frightened you would feel. Now as an adult, Cade’s mind is set. He needs to find his siblings, but he doesn’t know the first place to look.

I love Cade’s demeanor: courageous, kind, and dedicated to those he loves. As he initiates his quest, several obstacles get in his way – one is being accused of a crime he didn’t commit, which forces him to run. Rumors about his brother, Jess, have him wondering what is true or simply gossip. Along his journey, he meets a young Comanche woman, Rain, who cares for her orphaned nephew. She is also on the run from evil. They become each other’s ally, but will their friendship develop into something more beautiful? You will need to dive into Broday’s exciting storytelling to find out! I highly recommend Cade’s Quest for those who enjoy a gripping western drama.

I’m also adding a lovely book that would be perfect for your coffee table.
My copy should arrive tomorrow!

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© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.

Click on my daughter’s image to order your copy! 🧡

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you‘re leaving
with a book or two or four! 😁
Wishing you a beautiful week! 🩷

Lauren Scott

Author – King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry
Author – Cora’s Quest (a children’s book)
Author – Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poetry
Author – More than Coffee: Memories of Verse and Prose
Author – Finding a Balance: A Collection of Poetry
Author – New Day, New Dreams: A Collection of Poetry
Co-Author – Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku
Co-Author – Petals of Haiku: An Anthology
Co-Author – This Is How We Grow
Co-Author – Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships
Bi-Monthly Contributor on Gobblers by Masticadores
Spillwords Author of the Month May 2023
Spillwords Publication of the Month October 2024
Spillwords Publication of the Month June 2025

69 thoughts on “#BookReviews – Poetic Prose, Poetry, Western Fiction, Southern Fiction, & Japanese Photography”

  1. Great reviews, Lauren and so nice you are paying it forward. I loved Michele’s book, Honey Suckle and your described it so well. I enjoyed hearing more about Denise’s poetry book and such a great poem. Jan and Linda’s books are on my TBR pile. Thanks so much for sharing this! I’m sure they’re all thrilled!
    ❤️

    Reply

  2. I think you got me on the Noble Bargain, Lauren. I’m intrigued on that story. Finn’s book sounds satisfying, too, especially for poets out there. Lovely reviews, Lauren.

    Reply

  4. Thank you for sharing these wonderful reviews Lauren.
    I think we all have a TBR which is now sky high 🤗
    It is nice to pay it forward.
    All these books sound worth a read.
    Hugs and love to you my friend.
    Have a lovely day 💖🦋🌈🤗

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your lovely words, Maggie, and sky high is right. 😂 But I have to remember that it’s not a race. Otherwise, where is the enjoyment of reading a good book? Love and hugs coming your way!
      💖🌻💖🌻💖🌻💫🌟

      Reply
  14. D.L. Finn, Author's avatar D.L. Finn, Author

    Thank you SO much, Lauren! Your review made my day, and it will get a happy forest dance. I loved Linda’s and Jan’s books, too. Thrilled to be here with all these great reads. xo

    Reply

  16. All wonderful reviews, Lauren. Congratulations to all these talented writers. I have read Jan’s book and loved it. Her latest is on my Kindle. I love Dense’s poetry. Although I haven’t read this one, I ordered her upcoming release. I will certainly have to check out yours and all the other authors!

    Reply

    1. Thanks for taking the time to read my review, Joy, and for your endorsements. I’m sure Jan and Denise will be thrilled. And thanks also for your interest in the others and mine too. So many books, so little time. But I feel that slower is better than not at all. 🙂 Have a great weekend! ❤️

      Reply

  18. D. L. Finn’s poem on Summer took me right back to my youth, Lauren. Summer days filled with exploring woods, swimming in ponds and rivers, a hot house heated by only one swamp cooler (I moved outside in the summer), and going to sleep to the sound of crickets and one bullfrog that lived in the ditch out front!

    Reply

  20. I can relate to that feeling of gratefulness, Lauren. We have a beautiful, generous, and kind community here. I’ve read Jan’s and Denise’s books, but you gave me lots of choices for other reads. Wonderful reviews. Congrats to all the authors!

    Reply

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