“Feels like you’re old friends”

On January 28, 2023 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Promotions, Book Reviews, Writing63 Comments

At what point do Indie Authors stop sharing awesome reviews of their books? They certainly don’t intend to put their friends to sleep with yet another to read. I honestly don’t know the answer because each commentary is individual, offering a different aspect of the book touching that sole reader. So, how can I not share Paula Light’s beautiful and moving review of More than Coffee? One detail I’ll note is that I admired her honesty about visiting my blog, and I’d be hard-pressed to think that many of us couldn’t relate to her words. In case you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Paula, you can find her here, and she is a fantastic writer of poetry and fiction. You’ll also notice her selection of books for sale, all in kindle format, and I have just bought Ghosted that I can’t wait to begin reading!

And now, her amazing review…

More than Coffee by Lauren Scott

Posted on January 28, 2023 | 12 Comments

Sometimes a writer has such an engaging style that you feel you’re old friends after reading them. That’s the way I feel about Lauren Scott after finishing her memoir More than Coffee. Her vignettes and poetry are so honest and vivid that it seems she must have shared the stories in person, over coffee of course. I teared up when I read her parents’ love story, and I was right there with Lauren when she found a tarantula in her house (eek!). Lauren and I are about the same age with adult children who have moved away (though happily both of mine are only around an hour’s drive), so I can relate to many of the emotions she describes about being a parent and transitioning from living with your children to helping them leave the nest.

I’ve followed Lauren’s blog for a while, but like many of us I lazily read her posts as they appeared in my reader without actually visiting her site. Thus, I did not even know she had books for sale until she posted the link to a review by Mark Bierman. The review intrigued me so much I bought Lauren’s book, and I am glad I did. It was such a pleasure to savor this rich and tasty brew, redolent with love, loss, adventure, hope, and, above all, family bonds.

Thank you for sharing your life so beautifully with your readers, Lauren.

Thank YOU, Paula, for this beautiful review that truly brightened my Saturday morning, while (of course) enjoying a cup of coffee. ❤️

Thanks to all of you for stopping by, and don’t forget to visit Paula’s site! And if after reading her fabulous review, you feel the need to turn the pages in More than Coffee, I hope you enjoy the memories as much as she did! ❤️

A Taste of Buttercream Frosting

On January 26, 2023 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry68 Comments

When our eyes meet, love still lingers...
a love that has navigated its way
to this very moment. The breath of a
gentle summer breeze carried us
over hills seemingly too huge to bear.
Stunning, good-night hues painted
our evenings, and golden shades
offered morning greetings.
With fingers laced, our connection,
now deeper than that first kiss,
and as sweet
as the taste of buttercream frosting.
And so, our dance continues,
for it is written in the clouds,
over the horizon,
within the glorious shades of the future.

© Lauren Scott, baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
A reposting/revision of an oldie following the celebration
of our 34th wedding anniversary. (1/21/89) ❤️

7 am & the rest of the day…

On January 24, 2023 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Photos, Poetry59 Comments

We live for the weekends! Last Saturday our jobs weren’t calling. Our schedule was ours to create. So, our day began with an early morning walk where the temperature was below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold and clear. Donned with beanies, warm coats, and gloves, we walked around the neighborhood, enjoying the show of the sky changing colors. And then the words below came to mind…

The sun slowly opens

its sleepy eyes

The neighborhood still breathes

soft breaths

Not a soul

Not a sound

We own this moment

This moment is ours

Tranquility flows through our veins

We exhale gratitude

Another miracle reveals itself

in the creation

of a new dawn

Next, we drove to a local ecological sanctuary filled with numerous trails, so hand in hand, we followed them, enjoying nature’s fabulous entertainment and taking pics along the way. The day was beautiful, sunny and cold, but absolutely glorious!

The rest of the day was filled with relaxation, motorcycle rides, 5:00 o’clock wine-ing, then Saturday night at the movies. Retirement is nearing, but until then, we welcome the welcoming weekends!

Hope you enjoyed and I wish you a great week and weekend ahead! ❤️

Mark Bierman calls it “a love letter to life”

On January 20, 2023 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Reviews, Writing87 Comments

I am thrilled that my book, More than Coffee, released in fall of 2021, is still receiving beautiful reviews. Mark Bierman wrote a fabulous review in December as we headed into the holiday season. So, I’m delighted to share as we move forward in this new year full of possibilities. But before I do, if you haven’t met Mark and experienced his compelling story telling and fantastic sense of humor, you haven’t been fully living! His book, Vanished, is a riveting novel, and here is the link to my review: https://baydreamerwrites.com/2022/04/18/book-review-vanished/. You can also find Mark at his blog: https://markbierman.wordpress.com/. And now I will share his commentary that made me do yet another happy dance…

It’s pretty green outside these days, every flake of the white stuff has melted back into H20. But no matter what Nature’s decided, we’ve been coasting into the Holiday Spirit here.

The tree’s up, it’s branches adorned with bulbs and baubles for the exclusive swatting pleasure of our two felines. Outside, soft white lights are strung across the lilac bush and a spotlight highlights the Nativity.

But I’m not here to discuss Christmas, well, unless you’re looking for the perfect gift for that book lover.

So, without further ado, let’s raise a glass and toast a great read!

What’s it about?

From the early woes of childhood and teen years, this collection of stories and poems paints a picture of young dreams and fears. But as adulthood sets in, these dreams and fears change. More than Coffee touches on love and loss, nature and endurance, marriage, and parenting. In these memories, humor diffuses fear and taking risks proves to be a powerful method in boosting self-confidence. Through it all, whether in the wilderness near a sparkling lake or in the comfort of home, there’s nothing like a good cup of coffee. A poignant and reflective collection of verse and prose that is best enjoyed sipping your favorite coffee roast.

My Thoughts:

The title gets it right. This book is about far more than coffee, more than a journal; it’s a love letter to Life. An exquisite and heartfelt testament to a life well lived.

Every anecdote and poem is a window to a different season that is relatable to anyone who’s been on this journey for more than a decade. The stories and poems are thoughtfully crafted and wonderfully penned. They complement each other nicely and capture the intense emotions of those moments and milestones.

I smiled at the tales about her bouts with arachnophobia, but not because I’d wish that on anyone. It reminds me of my own, ‘tour of duty’ in the defense against spiders when I had to “save” my youngest daughter. Then again, I feel the same way about snakes.

I highly recommend this book for those who savor each day!

Meet Lauren and grab your copy in time for Christmas! (or an upcoming birthday or Mother’s Day!)

Lauren writes poetry, memoir, and fiction short stories who lives in California with her husband of thirty-four years and their chocolate lab; they have two grown children. She has authored two collections of poetry: New Day, New Dreams (2013) and Finding a Balance (2015). Her latest book, More than Coffee: Memories in Verse and Prose was published in 2021. And in 2022, she contributed four poems to the anthology: Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships. Lauren writes about family, experiencing loss, finding joy in the smallest things, and nature from her many backpacking and camping adventures.

Parallel to her passion for writing is her love for reading. Whether it is a gripping thriller or a heartwarming romance, she enjoys exploring different worlds and meeting diverse characters, drawing similarities to reality that translate into her own writing. Her writing projects are sometimes serious – drawn from painful subjects and raw emotions – or they spotlight her silly side – pulled from humorous moments captured in photographs.

Lauren is inspired to write from her love of nature and the marvelous wild world that surrounds her: the smell of the woods, the sound of a babbling brook, and the chorus of birds singing. Recent backpacking trips with her husband along the California coast and Sierra Nevada mountains have stirred up thoughts to pen about love, lost friendship, family, and the possibility that anything can happen. Hikes along the Paper Mill Creek remind her that life is fragile. From trout hatchlings to swallowtail butterflies, Lauren marvels at how the world is interconnected and that every living thing matters. She hopes her readers will find a little nugget of delight, comfort, or understanding in her poetry and stories – some detail that resonates with them beyond her words.

Amazon.com

Instagram Website

Thanks again to Mark for this amazing review, and I admit that “love letter to life” made my heart sing!

Happy Reading and Happy Friday! ❤️🎉

Other Worlds

On January 9, 2023 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry, Writing51 Comments

Wealth comes in many
fabulous shapes…

Hardbacks, paperbacks,
they sit on the shelves,
waiting patiently
for their pages to be turned,
the simple, blissful touch,
but some rest with elation
knowing their stories
and poetic thoughts
have been liberated,
pages dog-eared for
another reading,
the words having
touched a chord.
Seams of the bookcase
stretch like stitches
in too-tight jeans.
The bookcase itself
bulges like a belly satisfied
from a hearty meal.
I feel excitement of a child
wandering through a toy store
when I peruse new
for the shelves…
Is it fair to own so many
captivating adventures
and poetic musings?
Quiet moments await
for me to immerse
into those other worlds…

The End-All

On January 4, 2023January 6, 2023 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry, Writing47 Comments

Happy New Year! Wishing you all a healthy and joyful 2023
filled with an abundance of creativity, and I hope you enjoy
my first poetic offering for the new year…

The End-All

This poem isn’t meant to signify the end-all.
It really shouldn’t, nor does it intend
to lug around such a label…too much liability.

Instead, it dreams of opening like soft petals
of a springtime bloom reveling in the first kiss of sunshine.

It wishes to open like the door of a little quaint cottage
adorned in pastel blues and delicate yellows,
welcoming you inside

as if to offer a cup of tea and a plate of shortbread
so you might feel relaxed and rejuvenated,
but most of all, so you would feel accepted.

❤️

Darker than the Deepest Sea

On December 15, 2022 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry, Writing49 Comments

As this year nears the end, I thought sharing this poem again (though slightly revised) would be timely as we slowly glide into a new beginning…

I view life like a package wrapped in celebratory paper.
The matching ribbons fascinate in their delicate,
entwined camaraderie, so fingers gently unravel,
heartbeat increases from excitement of what will
be found. We lift the lid, peek inside,
our inner child moves to the forefront of our minds.

But we must remember that unlike recyclable paper,
the gift of life cannot be tossed back into the universe.
There is no spare awaiting on the sidelines,
and we should be mindful that the contents require
tenderness with a set of instructions solely
for the recipient, each one of us individually,
as visible as a red rose in a garden of white daisies…

because we are beautifully unique.

Then once we have absorbed the guidelines,
following them with gratitude and tenacity,
the purpose of our gift will reveal itself
as naturally as moonlight on a night
darker than the deepest sea.