Pink lines dictate rules for the near future with Ominous news initially because of the unknown. Scattered thoughts from this positive result of what will unfold – Initiation after three and a half years of Taking care of self and counting six feet from others. Isolating from humans, but not from the warmth of nature. Variant, new, old, irrelevant – time to buckle down while Eager to enter into civilization once again.
A first time for everything, I suppose, and this is a first for hubby and me. It’s probably just as well we get Covid at the same time. But the worst part is over, fever and major fatigue. Now only mild symptoms that we have to plough through until we test negative. The sun is shining. The sky is bright and blue and lovely. We have our patio and backyard to visit nature and breathe in some fresh air. I think we’re both feeling a bit underwater from tasks needing our attention. But with low energy, we can’t push ourselves. We can only do so much before resting again. It is what it is. We just want to get better so we can enter society again, and we will. Patience.Rest. Patience. Rest.
Anyway, thank you for stopping by and stay well! This is the second lost weekend for us, so enjoy yours! Go outdoors and mingle with Nature! 🩷
My latest collection of poetry – please click on the link to purchase your copy. Thank you to those who have bought a copy and who have shared wonderful reviews. My heart is full of gratitude. 💙
I was knocked off my feet from a flu bug since last weekend and am now slowly returning to the land of the living. With fever and fatigue, sleep was my only activity, so I’m sorry for missing your posts, but I’m trying to catch up a bit. In the meantime, I’m also late in sharing another friend’s review of my book, Ever So Gently. Pooja is so kind and her blog, Lifesfinewhine, offers a variety of topics for her readers such as lifestyle, travel, mental health, beauty, blogging advice, six word stories, poetry and inspirational posts along with other occasional posts. She also offers multiple services, so if you haven’t met Pooja, please pay her a visit. You will be glad you did!
And now for Pooja’s detailed amazing review:
Ever So Gently By Lauren Scott Review:
I was first introduced to Lauren Scott’s writing when I followed her WordPress blog. Even though I was new to her blog, I thoroughly enjoyed her writing. And I’m pretty sure I have read the vast majority of the blogs she has published since I followed her if not all the posts she has published since. A good number of her posts include poetry so I was used to her style of writing and knew that I enjoyed it. When I saw that she had published a poetry book recently, I was very excited to give it a read. And since I loved the book (spoiler alert lol!) I decided to share my review of Ever So Gently by Lauren Scott.
Overall Review
I generally like to start with what I liked about the book overall and then go into more detailed thoughts on it. As you must have guessed by now, Ever So Gently is a poetry book. And what I loved about the poems is that they were so vividly descriptive. The poems are inspired by the things around Lauren and her experiences. And her descriptions made me feel like I was there with her.
For the most part, her poems are quite light and beautiful. But some are darker and dive into darker themes. Although these poems are heavier, I still very much enjoyed them and found the emotionally raw poems to be really touching.
Ever So Gently is not trying to be like every other poetry book. It’s also not trying to be pretentious or trying too hard. It simply just is and as a reader I love that. There were moments I forgot I was reading because I got so into it and lost track of time. What was supposed to be a ten minute break turned into half an hour. And to me, that’s a sign of a great book and a great writer.
I rarely talk about book covers but I wanted to add that I really love the minimalistic book cover. I’m a big fan of minimalistic covers especially for poetry books. This one is so calming and it really captures what to expect from the book.
Specifics
My favourite poem from the book is called Unexpected. I don’t want to give away too much about the poem but it’s such an uplifting one. For those of you that know me, you know I suffer from depression and anxiety. This poem is about getting better and trying to see colour again when your life has been stained grey. Interestingly, I read it right before my therapy session as I waited outside my therapists office. The universe is funny like that sometimes. But I think that’s what made me really connect with the poem.
Even though I enjoyed all the poems, I think my favourite were actually the more heavy ones because they had so much emotion behind them. Such as “Things I Know, Believe, And Imagine.” I thought this poem was very relevant with how the world is at the moment. It’s a great reminder of how important love, acceptance, and kindness are in a world where we are so quick to turn to hate and violence.
Conclusion And Where To Buy “Ever So Gently”
Overall, Ever So Gently by Lauren Scott is a book I think is a must read. It’s really so well written that I think everyone would find it enjoyable and easy to follow even if you are not particularly a poetry fan. I would say this book can be enjoyed by both poetry lovers and those that don’t generally read poetry. The poems are largely uplifting but are still quite thought provoking and draw a lot of emotions from the reader. If you’re not sure what to read next or are looking for something to read, do consider this book. It won’t let you down.
You can find Ever So Gently By Lauren Scott on Amazon.
Thanks again, Pooja, for this amazing and thoughtful review of my book. To say that I’m grateful doesn’t justify how I feel, knowing the positive affect my poems had on you. ❤️ Click here to read Pooja’s post.
Please know that not all reviews of my book are on Amazon or Goodreads, so you can click here to visit my page for updates. Also, if you have read my book and were as touched by the collection as Pooja, please consider sharing your review. They are like hugs for Indie Authors, and who doesn’t like a hug? 🙂
Fun fact: My son offered to create the cover, but instead of doing it digitally, he painted it on canvas (a surprise to me) using colors I requested. I wanted minimalistic and gentle for this book and I’m so happy with the outcome.
Thank you for stopping by, and thanks to you who have bought my book! I hope you enjoy this collection where I prompt you to reminisce and reflect upon your past, present, and future. And what matters most is to love and live ever so gently.
I know these promotional posts tend to get repetitive, and yet, it has been so exciting and humbling to receive such generous support from my fellow friends in this warm blogging community. I appreciate you who have followed along, liked, or even left a comment on the several tour stops. And before I move forward to share Selma’s post, I have a silly confession to make…a week ago, I was making changes on my blog and accidentally closed comments on all posts. I can’t believe I did this, but I mention this because if you tried to leave a comment on the early tour stops and weren’t able to, comments have been reopened. Not that you have the time to go back. We barely have time to go forward! 🙂 So, maybe it’s too late, but I wanted to let you know. Now for today, I am sharing my lovely friend’s promotional post, Selma Martin, which also includes her stunning 5-star review. For those of you who don’t know Selma, please visit her blog by clicking here to read her beautiful and amazing poetry.
Introducing You To My Author Friend, Lauren Scott
Hello, reader friends. How about that heat, huh? It’s coming to the end of the month and I have yet to find a pleasant day, temperature-wise. The only respite I get is in slow reading the many books I’ve purchased. Thank God for good books!
Today, I’m tearing at the seams and cannot wait to tell you and help shift your attention to something gentle that exists in the world today: A new book, Ever So Gently, by Lauren Scott, owner of the following website:
The first time I mentioned Author Lauren Scott was back in May when I posted an Amazon review of the first book of hers I read, released in 2021. Here’s a refresher.
And now, Author Lauren Scott has a new release: A collection of poems that will linger Ever So Gently in your soul.
There’s just so much I wish to tell you about Lauren, but first, an interview I conducted with her recently.
Tell me something about yourself/your life that readers wouldn’t know otherwise.
If you’ve read my memoir, More than Coffee, then you’ll know this fun fact…when I was 9 years old, I knew I wanted to be a professional singer. I wanted to be just like Barbra Streisand.
Her voice lulled me to sleep on many nights in my youth. So, I performed concerts in my living room for my family, singing into my precious hairbrush microphone, and I sang in school choirs as I grew older. I won best vocalist in choir and first place in my senior talent show. I also performed a rock gospel song on a church choir tour, performing in several venues on the east coast. I sang the same song in front of an audience of 2000 people, and what an experience! I reveled in those exhilarating spotlight moments, and then my dream changed. And that’s okay because we can have more than one dream. But I am grateful for these amazing memories, and now writing has slid into that dream slot.
Tell me about ‘Ever So Gently’ and why you wrote it.
I’m thrilled to give you a little back story…I had organized this 90-poem collection into three parts: Nature, Love, and Life, and yet a book title still remained in hiding. And then one of my poems stood out titled, “Ever So Gently,” and it’s as though a lightbulb turned on. Everything clicked. Then I began to ponder how we live each day. It’s easy to live ‘gently’ when things happen according to our plans. But what if they don’t? What if heartache befalls us? Do we react ‘gently’ or do we press the panic button? I’ve done both, but I’m trying to focus on ‘gentle.’ And while in this mindset, I thought of the love my heart has felt, the tranquility and companionship of nature, and the good and not so good that life has tossed my way. So, I offer you the beginning of my introduction in the book…
“Ever So Gentlyexpresses the gentle demeanor in which I welcome nature’s offerings. The gentle way in which I should react to life’s challenges. The gentle grace in my heart, full of gratitude for the love in my life. For the support of family and friends through every stumble and celebration. When I witness another sunrise, I remember to breathe and live gently. But succeeding in ‘gentle’ may not happen around the clock, so if I slip up, I will try again.”
CHECK OUT A CONVENIENT PREVIEW OF THE BOOK HERE:
Share one poem from the book and tell me what inspired it.
My husband and I have been empty nesters for two years now, and we’re proud of our daughter and son for chasing their dreams, for paving their own paths. But their dreams happened to be across the country. So, between all of us flying back and forth, texting, talking on the phone, and zooming, we stay in touch. But for me, it’s not the same. I miss them so much that sometimes it hurts. We only get one ride around the sun, and I’d prefer that my ride be closer in distance to them. Maybe someday it will. I hope so, but in the meantime, I wrote the poem below:
The Same Sky
I don’t know if I should feel embarrassed about having a moment that lasted for a day, and there is no point in fighting the tears. They are winners.
Would other parents think differently? Not that I care because…
I loathe the many miles between us as though they have done me wrong, becoming my enemy.
But the consolation is knowing that when my eyes look upward, when I exhale acceptance, we share the same vivid blue sky.
The distance, simply geography.
If you were to leave a ‘message in a bottle’ for the future, what would you say?
Be you. It’s as simple as that, but it’s not always simple to discard the mask. Try not to free the negative voices in your head. Do what makes you happy because you only get one chance. This is it. Live gently, live kindly toward others, and be true to yourself. I believe happiness will follow.
Dear people, add this video to your options when deciding if you’re ready for a book that speaks “ever so gently” on your soul.
Lauren Scott’s Bio
Lauren Scott is a poet, an author of short stories, both fiction and reflections of her life. She enjoys small-town living in Northern California with her husband, Matthew, and their lab, Copper; they have two grown children. She has authored two collections of poetry: New Day, New Dreams (2013) and Finding a Balance (2015). In 2021, she released her memoir, More than Coffee. Her new collection of poetry, Ever So Gently, was published in July 2023. She is a published author at Spillwords Press and was voted Author of the Month for May 2023. She is also a contributing author in the anthology, Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships (2021) and in the anthology, This is How We Grow, released July 2023. Lauren’s writing inspiration comes from her love of family, spending time in the great outdoors, and finding joy in the simple things.
An exclusive from the Author–COMING SOON:
I have finished my first children’s book, and I’m working with my illustrator,aiming to release it at the end of the year or early 2024. This is an excitingnew adventure.
For more updates, please click on Baydreamer’s Website above to inhabit the ever so gentle world of Lauren Scott.
Thanks for reading. Tomorrow I will post my Amazon review here for you.
And now for Selma’s elegant and stunning review:
Read it slowly, and savor it long
Ever So Gently–A collection of poems by Lauren Scott, a book of 126 pages, is a beautiful collection to savor more than once. In a combination of poetry forms like free verse, haiku and tanka, etheree, shadorma, and others, the Author celebrates family memories and present moments and reflections on where she is in her life today. Read it slowly and feel the words cause your own memories to float to the surface.
The book is divided into three parts: The Wisdom of Nature; The Noise, the Laughter, The Chaos, The Loved Ones; and Lost In Thought. In Part 2, there’s even a poem from the perspective of Copper, her Labrador—a clear indication of the different loves in the Author’s life. Undeniably you will find the words swell your heart with gratitude too.
I recommend Ever So Gently to anyone who knows how to tap into and make much of the happy moments in life. Because life is not always a bed of roses, yet beautiful things happen all the time. Any of the poems will have resonance. What, with language like these excerpts from the book:
“That this routine, though simple to some, would not be the same, would not provide the comforting experience if one of us was not present? I shudder to imagine such a scenario…” ~Toots and Circles\
“the soil exhaled and my lantana sang “Hallelujah!” ~ October’s Miracle\
“When I reminisce to these years, memories make me pause… to a time when I witnessed their laughter and tears,” ~The Tiny Town\
“a little bit more. I’m sure she knows the amount of residence she claims in my heart. Then again, it is quite difficult to quantify.” ~A Little Bit More\
“Then with the years your adolescence faded like my blue dye, but I stayed loyal.” ~The Blue Down Jacket\
“Life is like a package wrapped in festive paper.” ~Darker Than The Deepest Sea\
All the poems offered me a tender glimpse into Scott’s life. One calm evening to read through this poetry collection is all I needed to recognize how much I have in common with this Author. That she and her husband are empty nesters puts me right in her shoes. So the poem that will remain tucked safely in my happy place is the following:
“I find comfort in the clothes\ strewn on the floor\ soon to be dumped in the washer,\ wallet lying on the dresser,\ cell charging, bed comforter\ in shambles\because the messiness\ displays his presence.\ Now with air miles accumulated\ back in his time zone,\ the room shines in all its cleanliness,\ the neatness grating on my nerves,\ the silence, a cold shoulder.\ My hand pulls back the comforter,\ tousling, creating wrinkles\ in the navy fabric, then I pull\ some old shirts from the closet,\ tossing them on the floor.\ I can certainly pretend\ he’s just out with friends…”\\ The Mess, p.59
I hope you’re ready for just such a book, serene and enticing, that will speak ever so gently to your soul. I cannot wait to read more poetry like this from this Author. 5-star from a satisfied customer.
A huge hug to Selma for her exquisite presence in this blog tour!
And I want to thank my wonderful friends for their exceptional support from the beginning:
Robbie kicked off the tour on August 2nd, and she also created the awesome book trailer using my photos.
Sally featured me on August 3rd for her ‘new book on the shelves’ post.
Balroop continued with the tour on August 7th, sharing my book and her stunning review.
Colleen conducted a fabulous interview on August 21st for her ‘Meet the Poet’ series.
Resa grabbed the reins on August 20th (after my wilderness break) creating an elegant interview and stunning review.
Diana read my book early, wrote a beautiful 5-star review, along with a beautiful testimonial for the back cover.
If you missed their posts, I invite you to check them out. And if you haven’t met Selma or any of these wonderful bloggers and writers, I encourage you to get to know them. Your blogging experience will be greatly enriched. 💜
Today, I am more than excited to be featured on Resa’s blog. If you know Resa, you’ll understand how her words about my poetry collection fit exquisitely. Here’s a glimpse of what she felt:
“I read the poems in order, but not at first. Deciding to try a different approach, I dove into the book like it was a box of chocolates. I read whatever poem in any order, as the fancy lead. Yet, as delicious as it all was; it’s more than confection.
It’s like collecting beautiful fabrics and trims. Poems were read, materials collected and a pattern designed. When the poems were over, they had draped a rich, beautifully adorned gown over my spirit.”
To read the full interview with her gorgeous images and creativity, please visit her post.
I’m delighted to be featured on Sally’s Smorgasbord blog! She shares new books on the shelves and is always so generous and willing to help other authors. Please check out her blog to read the full post. Thanks so much, Sally! 💖
I also want to thank everyone who has already bought a copy, and I truly hope you enjoy the collection. Yesterday, another review was posted to Amazon and Goodreads, and let’s just say, “I’m over the moon!” Stay tuned for the next post on the blog tour that will be on Monday, August 7th. You may get tired of seeing these posts, the joys of a book launch, but I appreciate you stopping by and reading. ❤️
I am excited to be featured today on Robbie Cheadle’s blog, Robbie’s Inspiration. She is helping with the promotion for my new book, while also sharing her beautiful review of my prior book, More than Coffee. Please visit her site to read more! Thanks again, Robbie! ❤️
I am thrilled to announce the release of my new poetry collection, Ever So Gently! But first let me tell you the meaning behind the title…
I had organized this 90-poem collection into three parts: Nature, Love, and Life, and yet a book title still remained in hiding. And then one of my poems stood out titled, “Ever So Gently” and it’s as though a lightbulb turned on. Everything clicked. Then I began to ponder how we live each day. It’s easy to live ‘gently’ when things happen according to our plans. But what if they don’t? What if heartache befalls us? Do we react ‘gently’ or do we press the panic button? I’ve done both, but I’m trying to focus on ‘gentle.’ And while in this mindset, I thought of the love my heart has felt, the tranquility and companionship of nature, and the good and not so good that life has tossed my way. So, I offer you the beginning of my introduction in the book…
“Ever So Gently expresses the gentle demeanor in which I welcome nature’s offerings. The gentle way in which I should react to life’s challenges. The gentle grace in my heart full of gratitude for the love in my life. For the support of family and friends through every stumble and celebration. When I witness another sunrise, I remember to breathe and live gently. But succeeding in ‘gentle’ may not happen around the clock, so if I slip up, I will try again.“
Fun fact: My son offered to create a book cover for me, so I told him that I wanted an organic design unlike my prior book covers, and I wanted soothing, gentle colors: pastel blues, greens, a little white. Bodies of water came to mind, a freshwater lake, a gentle flowing river, or the calming of the sea. So, to my surprise, instead of using the computer, he painted the cover on canvas. I couldn’t be more ecstatic with the beautiful, gloss paperback cover. Thank you, Michael!
AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK AND E-BOOK VERSIONS.
Book Blurb:
In Ever So Gently, Lauren Scott shares her strong link to nature, taking the reader on a tranquil walk through a redwood grove. You’ll find an invitation to sit quietly on a patio, captivated by the simple beauty of a hummingbird. She’ll entice you to revel on the shore of a freshwater lake, mesmerized by its stunning beauty.
Scott shares how love has shaped her life. From that first delicious kiss to celebrating decades of marriage through a love that deepens over time. How her heart melted when she became a mom, then ached when her children started their adult lives across country. And how her adorable canine companions found their way into her heart.
Scott underscores how life presents mysteries we struggle to solve. We can’t help but ponder the deeper meaning of a simple vision. She prompts you to reminisce and reflect on your past, present, and future. Through the ups and downs, what matters most is to love and live ever so gently.
I am so grateful to Robbie Cheadle for creating the incredible book trailer below with my photos. I get goosebumps each time I view and listen. Thank you, Robbie!
And Thank You to Diana W. Peach for reading my book early and posting a beautiful 5-star review (below):
When I read Scott’s poetry, I know I’ll unearth thoughts and feelings deeply personal to her life, reflections that will undoubtedly resonate with mine. The experience of what it is to be human, the shared longings and losses, and the way love shapes our days is the thread that ties this collection together.
This book of about 90 poems is divided into three parts. The first is a peaceful exploration of nature; the second, Scott’s appreciation of the many forms of love in her life; and finally, a series of poems on a broader scope of thoughts. They’re all lovely and positive with an underlying theme of love and appreciation. This is a feel-good collection of both free-form and syllabic poetry that I’m delighted to recommend.
A few favorites: “The Hummingbird’s Quest” (from the section on nature). “The World is Broken,” “If the Universe would Share,” and “Mom’s Plea” (from the section on loved ones). “Maybe,” and “Other Worlds” (from the section on broader reflections). A romantic beauty:
The Giver
He pulls me into myself so I may see qualities he loved from the beginning though his perception runs deeper – mine, a trace of clouds, then he lifts my heart and soul to the starlit sky where our dreams become us.
Another favorite of Diana’s:
The Hummingbird’s Quest
We hold our breath. Its wings flutter at a possible eighty times per second, so we’ve read.
It closes the distance between us, and we know it eyes the dangling rosy petals. But below those blossoms lies the sleeping dog. He wouldn’t be the least bit interested in the winged creature, but the winged creature doesn’t know this to be true.
And so, we watch our tiny friend flit to within a few feet of the blooms, then disappointment lands in our thoughts as it retreats to the maple, camouflaged to the naked eye.
If only it could be brave. If only it knew there was no threat below from the eighty-pound sleeping beast. In fact, the beast quietly snores, and we are confident he is dreaming of squirrels.
Robbie and Diana, along with these wonderful friends, are going to help promote my bookin their special, creative ways:
So, stay tuned! 🎉🎉 And, of course, I hope “Ever So Gently“finds itself gently resting on your coffee table or in your device. But another wish is that you discover the reward of living ever so gently. 💜
Thanks for stopping by and for your support. And please feel free to share to help spread the word!
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author & Poet 