I’m happy to share the great news that my good friends Maggie, Mike, Dawn, and Robbie have been nominated for 2026 Best of the Net. Also, Robbie’s son, Michael, who’s following in his mom’s footsteps. Editor Michelle Navajas of Hotel by Masticadores found their work to be worthy of this high honor, and I couldn’t agree more with Michelle. So, please join me in Congratulating not only these talented authors, but all of the nominees! You can read about these amazing authors and their writing by clicking on the link below. 🎉
And I’ll leave you with another peek into Colorado beauty that inspired a poem…
Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National ParkSprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National ParkTrail that loops around Bear LakeTrail of Aspens with the Rocky Mountains in the distance
Dear Nature,
You cast your spell and all sense of reality magically slips away into the ether. Your shimmering lakes entice with their serenity. We inhale peace, exhale burdens. Your trails lead to places only presented in our imaginations. We inhale peace, exhale burdens. Your mountains humble in their magnificence. We inhale peace, exhale burdens. Your aspens captivate, donning their golden apparel. We inhale peace, exhale burdens. Thank you for your beauty, for your gifts of tranquility… priceless gems to be cared for, never to be taken for granted.
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Thank you for your presence! I hope you enjoyed the pics and poem, and please visit Michelle’s post to Congratulate the nominees! Have a wonderful day! ❤️
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
To begin with, I want to offer a SHOUT-OUT to my dear friend,Maggie Watson. She was voted Spillwords Author of the Month for August! You can find her on the Spillwords sidebarfor the month of September. But she is not new to Spillwords. She has been awarded Publication of the Month as well, and had several pieces of her beautiful and evocative writing published. Congratulations, Maggie! You deserve this high honor! 🎉🎉🎉
Secondly, I can’t help but share some fabulous King Copper reviews from friends who have posted them on their blogs. I’m combining all into this one post by including an excerpt and the link to their beautiful blogs. So, I invite you to visit their sites to read the rest of their lovely reviews – and to learn more about these amazing author friends. 💖
‘King Copper: Our Dog’s Life in Poetry’ is a heartwarming tribute to a pet whose love shines through Scott’s poems. This handsome guy looks stunning in the pictures that the poet has shared. I am not a dog lover, but I can understand how much love and understanding these furry friends hold in their hearts. Copper’s unconditional love has been beautifully expressed in memorable poetry by his mom.
No less than a celebrity, the poet tells us that Copper was a show-stopper, a hugger, and a kisser. His graceful gait, his charming smile, his slobbery kisses, and his dedication to guard his loving family made him an adorable golden boy. The warmth that radiates from his amber eyes reaches your heart if you look at his pictures. Most of the poems celebrate Scott’s love for Copper, but there are a few that tug at my heart as they bring out the poet’s grief when she hears “a dog barking in the distance” or misses the sounds like “nails clicking on the kitchen floor.”
‘Loss is Loss’ perfectly captures the emotions of those who grieve, a feeling which can only be understood by those who know that mourning seeps into our skin, a constant reminder that our loved one will never return. However, ‘Rainbow Bridge’ breathes positivity and encourages acceptance…
Lauren has put together this tender collection in memory of her family’s Labrador, Copper. Each and every poem in this book feels like a precious gem and a keepsake, Lauren’s verse carrying along the joy of companionship, the ache of farewell and the warmth of cherished memories. The poems are also accompanied by cute photos, elegant too… of sweet handsome Copper, photogenically posing or playing with family and friends.
There are the funny and playful moments, the gentle ones, the nostalgia and the love, the warmth and the togetherness… all captured wonderfully by Lauren in her poems,so sweet… as is this endearingly cute memory she shares in “Copper Boy”, “When he smiles, his white choppers shine as if they’ve never caused any commotion…never mind the afternoon when he attempted to eat the barbecue!” or a reminder of the purity of unconditional love, and the way it can transform our life…
Anyone who’s ever loved a dog (or another furred or feathered family member) will be able to relate to this lovely collection of poetry about the author’s Chocolate Lab named Copper.
Copper’s transition over the Rainbow Bridge and the author’s immense grief provided the inspiration to chronicle the lab’s personality, relationships, and life in poetry. The poems are heartwarming, joyous, funny, loving, and sad. A few of them are written from Copper’s point of view. The style of poetry ranges from silly limericks to deeply emotional free-form pieces.
The collection is written in two parts, each beginning with a short section of prose. The first piece of prose describes adopting Copper, the love-at-first-sight experience of meeting the perfect pet. The second describes losing Copper after 13 years and the author’s devastating grief…
Lauren Scott’s beautiful new book, “King Copper – Our Dog’s Life in Poetry” stole my heart. Sadly, one of the common denominators in life is loss. When those I care about – friends, family, clients, former students – reach out and share their grief about losing a pet, there’s often a sense of shame about the depth and capacity of the torment. “After all,” (a dear one said recently, speaking about the unexpected passing of her cat), “she was just a pet”.
I saw what she was doing – attempting to minimize her pain with a reductive explanation. Self-talk intended to soothe, with words borrowed from a thoughtless one who used the phrase “just a pet” to offer consolation. For many of us, our pets embody the qualities we long for in humans, especially those who disappoint us. Caring, loyal and loving, they ask only for those qualities in return – delighted by belly rubs and extra kibble now and then.
I was excited/nervous to read Lauren’s tribute to her beloved Copper. Excited because I know it was a labor of utmost love for Lauren. Nervous because I knew “King Copper” would prompt tears. Lauren writes with powerful poignancy. I embraced every word…
King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry is a beautiful tribute that deeply touched my heart. The words brought back memories I had of losing our sweet dog a couple of years back and of remembering the joy she brought us too. Our pets are such a gift, and this collection not only shows that but also offers comfort to all of us who have known the loss of a beloved pet. Here is an example of the depth of emotions: “A dog barks in the distance causing me to pause,/it sounds like Copper’s/ wild imagination longing for one more moment”—One More Moment. I can highly recommend this for all those who have loved and lost a pet family member.
Balroop, Diana, and Denise include other reviews of compelling books worth adding to your towering TBRs!
THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE WHO HAS READ MY BOOK AND WRITTEN BEAUTIFUL REVIEWS. I AM AMAZED AT HOW MANY HEARTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN TOUCHED BY COPPER’S LOVE FOR HIS FAMILY, AND HIS FAMILY’S LOVE FOR HIM. 🧡🤎
Lastly, some friends years ago offered to draw or paint Copperusing photos I provided, and I continue to be in awe of their extraordinary talent:
Barbara Soby
DM Denton
DM Denton
Resa McConaghy
Resa McConaghy
I know this is a long post, and if you made it to this point, your time is appreciated! I hope you will celebrate Maggie’s great news with me, and follow the links to read the full excellent reviews of King Copper. My deepest gratitude goes to Balroop, Nicole, Vicki, Diana, and Denise! Any other reviews that came in early and were posted on blogs, I have reblogged. These reviews came in within a few days from each other, which is why one blog post seemed like a better option. I truly hope I haven’t missed anyone!
There is so much happening that gives reason for celebrating in the midst of still missing Copper. I don’t normally remember my dreams, but I dreamed about him the other night and it was vivid. Just an ordinary day with him trotting around the house, “nails clicking on the floor.” Anyway, I am so grateful and humbled by the beautiful reviews that are flowing in for King Copper. Thank you to those who have shared your heartwarming thoughts. ❤️
I also want to share the great news that my dear friend, Maggie, at Ephemeral Encounters, has been nominated for Author of the Month by Spillwords! And my good friend, Ernie, at The Dawghouse, has been nominated for Publication of the Month for his poem, “Little Mouse.” Way to go, Maggie and Ernie! 🎉
I encourage you to cast your vote for these two amazing writers at https://spillwords.com/vote/ and voting will conclude on August 29th. 🗳️
On another note,writing reviews seems to be a slow process for me. I should get in the habit of writing the review right after finishing a book. But no…I can’t stop reading, therefore, the books pile up and so do the reviews waiting to be written. That’s currently where I’m at. But having an abundance of books to read is the best problem, right?
And my latest selection include the following 5-star reads:
Gratitude & No Fairy Tale by D.L. Finn Honeysuckle Heat by Michele Lee Sefton A Noble Bargain by Jan Sikes Cade’s Quest by Linda Broday (Jan’s sister) Endangered Species by Jacqui Murray Embracing the Power to Live by Marsha Ingrao
So next month, I’ll share my reviews! In the meantime, I hope you’ll check these fabulous books out!
Let’s keep those TBRs towering! 😂
And let’s not forget my TBR:
I’m currently reading a wonderful book: The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Lowenhohle by Thomas Wikman and in the lineup are: Sam, A Shaggy Dog Story by Sally Cronin The Bush Devil Ate Sam by Curtis Mekemson Rhyming Dreams by Nicole Sara
I’m sure the lineup will grow as fast as I’m typing! 📚
Lastly, I’d like to share an earlier, beautiful review of King Copper by Jan Sikes:
Processing Loss in poetic form Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2025 Verified Purchase
I shed more than a tear or two as I read this beautiful tribute to King Copper, a chocolate lab that gave so much love and joy to the author’s family. The poetry is heartfelt and poignant. Some of the poems speak of the happy times and some of the deep sadness at Copper’s passing. He came to their home in March with youthful spirit and left in March gaining angel wings with 13 years in between. This is a touching story of unconditional love. Here is an example of poems that touched me deeply…
Young Lab
There once was a friendly, young lab With energy delightfully fab He loved belly rubs Hated baths in the tub He gave big, toothy smiles, never sad!
My Shadow
Feeling empty in my bones walking from room to room, where is my shadow?
Those are just two very short examples of the deep heartfelt poetry in this book. The photos of the deeply cherished Copper and his family are an added bonus. If you’ve ever experienced the pain of loss and struggled to find a way to carry on, I recommend this short read to help you process. It touches on the reality of grieving and how hard it can be to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Yet, we do, as the author shows us.
Thanks so much, Jan, and a huge thanks to you who have shared your reviews on your blogs (I’ll reblog soon), and/or on Amazon and Goodreads. I am grateful beyond words! ❤️
This wraps up the highlights, so hugs to you for stopping by! I know you have a million blogs to read and support like I do, so your time here is appreciated! Have a spectacular day! 💖
I’m thrilled that my dear friend, Maggie, is kicking off the blog tour for King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry. I’m turning off comments, so I hope you’ll visit her to read more about this sentimental book. Just click on the link below. The official release date is Wednesday, August 6th, but you can pre-order now in paperback and e-book at Amazon or Barnes and Noble, and at Kobo for e-book only. Thanks again, Maggie! I appreciate you, my friend! ❤️
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
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!
I am thrilled to share Maggie’s lovely review of my book that is about 14 months old. The excitement began in July of last year, and I’m grateful to say that it’s continued. I am humbled to receive almost thirty 5-star reviews.
But first of all, let me introduce you to Maggie if you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting her:
I am Maggie Watson, an Indie Poet and Author from Scotland. My poetry journey began at the start of the pandemic in 2020. At that point, I had no idea it would then become such a big part of my life. We can all agree that those years were very difficult, and I found the "lockdowns" particularly hard. So I began putting pen to paper, merely to get my sense of isolation and frustration down on paper. Fast forward to December 2020 and "The Madness of Corona" was published (by a publishing house). As happy as I was seeing my name on an Amazon product page, I was embarrassed by the content ( but heh, we all started out at some point). I knew I wanted to do better, and knew I could do better, so I decided to try and self-publish as a goal to aim for. Self-Publishing is not difficult, only time-consuming. In February 2021 I released "Me and My Shadow" and later that year I also released "Once Upon a Time". Looking back though,I would say that I was going for the achievement factor and still not paying much attention to the quality of my writing! In 2021 I joined the Instagram writing Community. I will always be grateful for the love and support shown to me by my fellow writers (especially when my account was hacked). I would say being on there brought an improvement in my writing because the standard is so high, as it is here on WP! I recently took the decision to leave IG and this blog will now be my main platform. Last year(2022) my work was included in an Open Skies Anthology. I also had my work accepted by Glass Gates Publications and Gypsophila Zine (see my Other Publications Page) as well as releasing "A Jar of Stars" and "In the Shadow of My Pen : A Collection of Poetry and Prose. This year has been my most successful to date as far as submissions go,including Gypsophila Zine again and also Spillwords. My new Collection "Ephemeral Encounters (Her Book of Words) has also just been released. I write for the love of writing, and I always hope someone can take something from my words🙏.
I've read Ephemeral Encounters and loved it, but Maggie has just released another new collection of poetry:
You can pre-order Pieces of Me in e-book format, which will be released on October 7th, along with the paperback. Since I have a strong affinity for paperbacks, I’m holding out! But I love Maggie’s beautiful and evocative writing, so I know her new book will be another wonderful addition to my home library.
Now, I invite you to visit Maggie by clicking on the link below to read her full review of my collection of poetry, Ever So Gently.
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author 