I’m sharing more (way) overdue reviews, and a wonderful line-up of books on my bookcase are waiting to be read. So, more reviews will come in January. Here’s the line-up: Sesi Says Goodbye to Granny, They Call Me Mom, Too Much Fun to be Legal, Mennonite Daughter, Surviving Sue, The Garden of Love, Celebrating Poetry: A Companion Guide, and Tell Me a Story in 99 words. So you can see, I have an abundance of great reading ahead of me. I apologize for not reading more this year, but life just got in the way.

Back to the reviews! I should write reviews soon after reading the last page. Sigh. Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda! Anyway, I loved all of these. They each offer something different to the reader in prose, poetry, emotions, and adventure.
You can click on each image to purchase a copy, and I hope you leave with some good reading for the holidays or last-minute gifts! 🥰

If you need a little nudge allowing the Christmas spirit into your heart, Miracles and Ghosts by D. L. Finn is the perfect option. This collection consists of seven short stories and one novella that will break your heart and make you feel delight at the same time. I was easily drawn into the settings with Finn’s excellent and vivid storytelling, and the characters who seemed authentic. The tales remind us that when bad events occur, good can always be elicited from them. I read about loneliness, tragedy, kindness, and miracles. And who doesn’t love a friendly ghost or two?

I enjoyed this entire collection, but a few stories that stood out were the novella, “A Perfect Ghostly Christmas Novelette.” From a child’s worst nightmare to a mystery needing to be solved, to the support of family, ending with a new beginning, I felt heartbreak gradually grow to hope. “Words Hurt” underscored the realization that once words are spoken, they can never be taken back – an important reminder for all of us. Finn writes about a fractured relationship, death, forgiveness, and new beginnings. I empathized with Danielle in “Miracle in the ER” because she struggled to pay her bills while wanting to make Christmas the best for her two young girls. I felt this deeply having experienced something similar when my children were young. This is a story of miracles, more forgiveness, and the mending of a broken relationship. At the end, who wouldn’t believe in Santa all over again?! Other favorites were “At the Mall” and “A Man and His Cat.” A lovely collection of stories everyone should read during the holiday season, and if you don’t believe in miracles, Finn’s stories will surely make you a believer! Highly recommended!

Pieces of Me by Maggie Watson is a painful, yet beautiful account in poetic form telling of her experience living with domestic abuse. The abuse was not physical but mental with the label of gaslighting – a form that slowly and covertly chips away at self-worth. I know this author from her wonderful blog, Ephemeral Encounters, but I had no idea of her dealing with domestic abuse. There is no need to read between the lines, so to learn what she had endured really got my blood boiling. The preface alone was moving and inspirational:

From puberty to old age, a strong woman bleeds alone.
In the crimson waters of her menstruation, she bathes.
It prepares her for life with its cycles of pain.
From a young maiden to
becoming an old crone, the battles she will face.
A strong woman does so with grace.
Saltwater tears are the sustenance
on which she survives.
A strong woman is a goddess powerful enough
to hold her own without begging for the attention of
Any would-be king.
Her power lies not in weapons used to seduce.
She knows we all look the same when we die.
You can try to destroy her.
You will never win.
Like a phoenix, she always rises from the ashes to begin again.

In the prologue, Watson writes that poetry isn’t always pretty. As a poet, writing is a destination for my emotions, whether they are joyful or sorrowful. For Watson, her emotions find themselves living among the lines in her verses, beginning with sorrow but ending in survival. There was a time when her voice was silent; she couldn’t urge it to its deserved volume. In this compelling collection, her voice reaches its capacity, motivating others who are experiencing domestic abuse. She reiterates “strive to thrive, then plant new seeds and watch how they bloom.”

This entire collection touched me, gave me insight into Watson’s unfair toils with abuse, but a few that stood out were “Cut Me Open” “Lioness” and “Letter to My Inner Child.” I highly recommend this evocative poetry collection.

Darlene Foster has written another hit in her Amanda Travel series: Amanda in Scotland. I enjoy traveling wherever Amanda takes me. She is a 12-year-old full of adventure and curiosity, and I felt as though I was standing beside her, easily envisioning the scenery through Foster’s vivid descriptions. This time, Amanda and her friend, Leah, visit Amanda’s Aunt Jenny on the magical Scottish Isle of Arran. What could go wrong on the picturesque island? Mystery and adventure have their ways of captivating Amanda, and sure enough, she finds herself in the middle of two mysteries while exploring the beautiful island. One involves the past and the other entangles Leah’s father, which is more unsettling. Even though this book is written for middle-grade readers, adults will enjoy it as well. Foster sprinkles in history so subtly that it doesn’t feel like a textbook read. Traveling with Amanda on her adventures is simply fun, and it’s always fascinating to learn about other cultures. This book can be read alone, but I encourage readers to explore Foster’s prior Amanda Travel books. They are all entertaining. Highly recommended.

All the Words I Kept Inside by P. J. Gudka is the author’s debut book of poetry. In the beginning of this moving collection, I learn that she has poured her heart and soul into the poems over the past four years. Poetry can prompt an array of emotions, so her writing isn’t uplifting, but it is authentic. The truth is simply the truth, and the sun doesn’t always shine where truth is revealed. Gudka’s poems are beautifully written, but they pack heavy emotions deep in the core of their purpose. The title says it all. The author’s experiences and feelings that she has been afraid to publicize have finally reached the point of releasing the emotional burdens.

Even though the poems are personal, she urges us to dig deep inside to confront our darkest thoughts. The positive message is that we are not alone. What better method of healing exists than to provide freedom to plaguing thoughts by writing them down? Acknowledgement leads to recovery. Gudka’s poetry is honest and vulnerable, expressing unforgettable pain. Reading her words, absorbing their meaning, made my heart ache for her. However, I felt privileged to be given a glimpse into her life, heart, and mind. I couldn’t choose one favorite, but a few that stood out were “Boundaries” “Bullets Don’t Always Hit the Right Target” “Caged” “Acceptance” and “My Ugly” which I’m sharing, and I highly recommend this heartfelt and poignant collection.

I don’t want you to love me for my beauty
I don’t want you to love me for my charms
I want you to love for my ugly
I want you to love me for my darkness
Hold me when I can no longer stand
Hold me when I fall again and again

Sun Haiku by Dawn Pisturino is a clever collection in which each day of the year is given its own haiku – a concept that fascinated me. What touched me first before immersing myself in her poetry was reading the dedication to her brother, Mark, who passed away from melanoma. I was so saddened to read this, and the term melanoma hit home because my husband is a survivor of this most dangerous type of skin cancer.

Pisturino devotes her lovely collection to the sun, emphasizing its effects on people, the climate, and animals. We all know that sunlight is needed to sustain life, but it is also worshiped in many cultures. However, like anything in excess, the sun can cause negative ramifications such as drought and skin cancer as mentioned earlier. As I ventured into the beautiful and captivating poetry, I was in awe of Pisturino’s ability to create such vivid images by concisely weaving words together. I also enjoyed the Leap Year haiku at the end, along with the two powerful bonus short stories and poems, especially, “Father Sun.” I knew that choosing a favorite or two out of 365 haiku would be impossible, so I’m spotlighting a few and I highly recommend this amazing collection.

sunlight penetrates
the mountains with life-giving
force – peaks brush the sky

trees lift their branches
to the sun with holy praise
a forest temple

peach cobbler sunrise
whipped cream clouds over the bay
morning coffee brews

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Also, if you’re looking for a children’s book, Cora’s Quest would be a lovely addition beneath a Christmas tree. Unfortunately, the paperback is showing ‘temporarily out of stock’ on Amazon, which I don’t understand and I haven’t received any explanation. I’m frustrated, to say the least.
If you can share some insight, I’m listening. 🙂
As an option though, the paperback is available through Abebooks, a subsidiary of Amazon, if you’re familiar with this company. The e-book is also available, but to me, the paperback would offer the full magical experience for tiny hands to hold.

I’m sharing new reviews of my book that filled my heart with gratitude, and thank you to all who have read Cora’s Quest and for the wonderful reviews!

Happy Reading, Happy Shopping, and Happy Holidays! Virtual hugs to you all!

❤️🙏🎄

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