I’m honored and thrilled that my new children’s book, Cora’s Quest, has been promoted today on Gobblers by Masticadores! Thank you to Manuela Timofte for publishing this exciting news! 🙏
Dear Family and Friends,
I’m excited to announce the release of my children’s book, Cora’s Quest! My nephew, Chris Mendez, illustrated the book, and it was a magical experience watching Cora come to life in her woodland world through her beautiful artwork.
Full transparency, this is my first children’s book. So, I hope that anyone (adults or children) who gets to know Cora will find her little story to be a charming tale, and will take her big message to heart with them into the future.
Book blurb:
Cora is a curious fawn who loves spending time with her parents. On one beautiful day, they stroll deep into the wilderness. They trot along on the trails, and Cora finds other fascinating animals. They skitter and fly around her with joyful purpose. Every unique sound catches her attention, stirring her curiosity to discover just where that sound came from. But suddenly her delightful family day takes a turn that begins to test the courage inside of her…
Cora’s Quest is available on Amazon (paperback and e-book) Click on the links for more purchase options: Barnes & Noble (paperback and e-book), and Kobo (e-book only).
To read more about my book, please visit Gobblers by clicking on the link below. Thank you for supporting Manuela and her team. ❤️
Resa rocks, enough said, and I’m sharing a bit about her if you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting her:
I’m an amateur photographer who has a passion for taking pics of outdoor ephemeral art.
My name is Resa McConaghy, and my site, “Graffit Lux and Murals”, was originally dedicated to showcasing & documenting Graffiti Art and Murals in Toronto and Winnipeg.
However, I now find I am featuring the Street Art of other cities around the globe through travels of mine, and guest contributors.
Taking these pics is a passion and a joy. Each work of graffiti art or mural evokes thoughts in me, and these thoughts are reflected in the titles of my Post.
Resa has posted and reviewed my last two books, Ever So Gently and More than Coffee, and now she’s done it again for Cora’s Quest, my first children’s book illustrated by my nephew, Chris Mendez! She creates stunning masterpieces weaving art and books together seamlessly like needle and thread.
So, I invite you to visit Resa’s post and immerse yourself into the colorful palette of her amazing creativity! Thank you again, Resa, for your invaluable support and friendship! You have enriched my life! ❤️🎉🙏
A Huge Thanks to you who have bought Cora’s Quest, and I’ll share again that in the last few days since Cora was released, it has reached… Top New Release in Baby and Toddler Beginner Reader Books, #1 New Release in Children’s Self-Esteem and Self-Respect, and #1 New Release in Children’s Mammal Books! I’ve never paid attention to Amazon’s Best Seller’s Rankings, but I’ll admit this news is a great boost! 🎉👏🏼 Thank you for stopping by! I appreciate you so much! ❤️ And I hope Cora will find herself on your holiday shopping list. 🥰
Have a wonderful weekend ahead, and I hope to see you at Resa’s!
I have read that a book can be promoted for any amount of time, not only on the heels of its release. Editor Barbara Leonhard from MasticadoresUSA proves this fact because my poetry collection, Ever So Gently, was released 16 months ago. So, I am honored and thrilled that my book is still being read with positive reviews flowing in after all this time.
Barbara says, “Scott’s poems may enable readers to find answers to their soul’s longings.” To read her beautiful review, a wonderful testimonial from Diana at Myths of the Mirror, and to learn more about my poetry collection, please click on the link below. I hope to see you at Barbara’s place. ❤️
I see the tears rolling, slowly, but with purpose. Will you let me dry them? Your invisible scars are as visible as words of anguish in your eyes. But there is no room for shame even though time swiftly moves while memories remain.
No, you don’t know me well, and I can’t relate to the nightmare that stole your self-worth, and we haven’t exchanged a friendly conversation over tea, but you can trust me. I only wish you kindness in your unfair moments of nothingness.
Please don’t let your soul accept blame – fingers point in one direction, and the compass lies in the palm of your hand, leaving blisters of terror as evidence. I’ll help you pick up the pieces from your shattered heart. I’m not afraid of a cut. If you’ll let me be your glue, I’ll fit them gently back together.
You wear the mask beautifully because you are beautiful, but isn’t it time to let it fall to the earth like a raindrop? To heal cracks on the inside and approach life on the outside?
Allow your soul to sing with melodies of celebration. Allow your soul to dance in elation, for you have walked through hell, felt the burn beneath your feet, but you have reached the other side and welcomed the reassurance of light.
You have one decision that is yours alone. No one will take it away… so how do you want the world to see you?
Thanks to your generosity and for taking the time to vote, my poem “Treats only, Please!” won Publication of the Month for October on Spillwords Press!!! 🎉🎉
I am so excited to receive this award among 15 other wonderful nominees! Thank you to Dagmara K. and her team for providing a welcoming literary site for authors to share their emotions through words. I’m honored to be a part of the Spillwords Press community!
I offer my deepest gratitude for your vote and ongoing support, and for visiting Spillwords to read my poem, “Treats only, Please!”I’m delighted that my light-hearted, entertaining take on Halloween resonated with so many! A poem that was inspired by the days when my children were young and had a blast dressing up in their cute costumes to trick-or-treat! I took a stroll down memory lane to find the pics below…
My angel and lion!Lion meets cheerleader!Harry Potter meets a vampire, and our Lucky Girl joins in the fun!Lucky Girl was given her wings in 2011. ❤️
My poem is displayed on the sidebar of the Series tab at Spillwords.com for the month of November, if you’d like to take a peek!
Have a wonderful day and weekend ahead, and thank you again!
Dear Family and Friends, I am thrilled to share that my poem, “An Invitation” is published on Spillwords Press today as a Featured Post! Thank you to Dagmara and her team for accepting my submission. It is always a great honor to have my writing featured on this wonderful platform, and to be in the company of many talented authors.
An Invitation
Smooth granite invites contemplation and reflection. Please, take a seat, relax, watch the lake’s ripples perform their water dance. Does the shimmering surface remind you of stars presenting a ballet in a brilliant night sky?
Note the tall pines swaying in the breeze, you can gently sway, too, if you feel the need. Let the depth of your soul bathe in the beauty...
You can read the full poem here, and please don’t leave without giving it a ❤️. You only need to log in if you’d like to leave a comment, and I’d love to read your thoughts. But either way,I’d appreciate your support! 🤗
Thank you again to Dagmara K. and her team! I am truly grateful! ❤️🌷
These reviews are long overdue, but I enjoyed each book equally, all 5 glowing stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I will post my reviews soon on Amazon and Goodreads. 😁
The Contract by John W. Howell and Gwendolyn Plano is a story with romance interwoven between the elements of a thriller and a supernatural. Chapter One had me hooked! Peter and Teresa become Heaven’s representatives on earth to assume the bodies of deceased Brad, who was a Navy Seal, and Sarah, who was a teacher and married to an abusive husband. Together, they are assigned a colossal mission, which produces an action-packed and intriguing story. Just when I thought I had it figured out, I began second-guessing who Brad and Sarah should trust. A fun fact for me was the familiar settings of the town of Davis, San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Sausalito, all in my ‘backyard.’
I’m sure it isn’t easy coauthoring a book, but the authors did a fabulous job in making sure the writing flowed seamlessly. The thriller element will keep you turning the pages to the very end, and the love story and supernatural qualities will leave you feeling good. A highly recommended book that offers something for everyone!
I don’t normally read phycological thrillers, but when I ran across a blog post promoting Warning Signs by Carol Balawyder, I immediately paid a visit to Amazon. I was already familiar with Balawyder’s wonderful storytelling and was eager to dive into another one of her books. Once my copy arrived, I dove in and finished the book in two days! A definite page-turner! The story of Eugene, the main character, is horrific, but the author’s experience in Police Technology is apparent from beginning to end, which made my experience fascinating. Regarding Eugene’s criminality, Balawyder didn’t paint graphic scenes that would be disturbing. I appreciated this decision in writing the book. The reader learns the crime, can envision the scene, which is horrendous, but then the story progresses with believable supporting characters who attempt to fit the pieces together. They each carry their own baggage that enriches the tale. A twist took me by surprise, but the conclusion is superb. I’ve always loved a good mystery where the characters work diligently to solve a crime. So, I enjoyed this book for the different genre that it was, along with Balawyder’s brilliant writing. Highly recommended!
Ephemeral Encounters (Her Book of Words)by Maggie Watson is an exquisite collection of poems that speaks candidly from the heart. The melody of unrequited love plays throughout the pages. I cozied up with these lovely poems one evening and read from beginning to end. Watson’s language is both accessible and elegant. You’ll discover honesty, raw, yet beauty, throughout each poem – the emotions are palpable. Watson gently adds passion to this mix to keep the reader even more engaged.
Falling in love and being loved are elements of life that are vital to one’s desire to live. It is human nature to hunger for attachment, acceptance, and feeling special. When this love enters into our life, a poet feels inspired to write. And when the ache of a love not meant to be persistently throbs, a poet also feels inspired to write. Watson has compiled a touching, relatable, and profound collection. I have too many favorites to list, so I’ll share one of them that stood out, “Unfinished Symphony” (the first of three parts):
Don’t place flowers on my grave when I die. I am not there. I will be standing right beside you. I will be the wind in your hair. Or keep me in your heart. That is where I always wanted to be. I would have swum across an ocean to be in your arms. But you kept running, and I grew tired. In this world, we could not be lovers. Maybe in the next? You will always be my unfinished symphony.
I highly recommend this poetry book for anyone who has ever been in love or who has nursed a broken heart.
I’ve always been fascinated with packing imagery and emotions into just a few lines of poetry, and haiku is one form that delivers. Dawn Pisturino’s book, Lunar Gazing Haiku, is a beautiful collection of over sixty haiku touching on emotions, passion, spirituality, seasons, and of course, the spectacular moon. I immersed myself into these short yet meaningful poems one morning while enjoying a hot cup of coffee. In the beginning of the book, Pisturino includes the Introduction that offers history on this short Japanese poetry form which I found to be beneficial. Gaining more knowledge by reading enriches the experience while enjoying the content. This short chapbook is meant to be read more than once. Throughout its pages, there is an aspect of life for everyone that will resonate. Highly recommended for all poetry lovers. I enjoyed this entire lovely collection, but a few favorites are:
Fireflies
fireflies in the dark spur childhood imaginings fairy lanterns glow
Autumn
crisp red apples taste sweetest in pie and cider on brisk autumn nights
Healing
mooncakes and water capture moonlight’s silver rays powerful healing
I hope you won’t leave here empty-handed, but thank you for stopping by! Happy reading, Lauren ❤️
We’re all amazed at how fast time flies, and I continue to be…because it seems like yesterday when my book, Ever So Gently, was first published. This is my 4th book, and after one year has flown by, I’m celebrating with joy the 1st Anniversary of this poetry collection dear to my heart. Not to mention, the beautiful, soft cover painted by my son that paired perfectly with the title and the message within the pages. I want to thank everyone who has bought a copy! I feel so honored by the beautiful reviews I’ve received and all of them, 5-stars. A Big Thanks to you all! 🙏🙏
Reading Ms. Scott’s poetry is like roaming the pages of a spiritual book and you can feel a connection. Upon picking up this book I first read “Ever So Gently” and felt an instant connection, as I’ve lived such moments myself during bushcrafting adventures, connected to nature and all of creation. As I continue to read, each poem is equally as deep and reveals not only the writers soul, but my own. ~ Scott Mitchell, Photographer and Poet
A beautiful collection…
“Ever So Gently” is a beautiful collection of free verse and symbolic poetry. It is broken into three sections that cover nature, life’s moments, and some author insights. I love nature and I’m drawn to vivid images, but the emotions and insights explored in our shared experiences were equally intriguing. There was a peace within these pages that allowed me to drift off into a poetic slumber when I was done reading. Although I enjoyed the entire collection, here are a few lines that captured my heart. “Fresh raindrops/gently landed/on their wilted spirit/as I witnessed them lifting…”—Wilted Spirits, “You stowed dreams in the clouds,/imaginings rose higher than the heavens…”—First Breath, “Their presence graced my universe beautifully like an endless ceiling of bright blue sky. Then they were gone.”—Friendships Gone, and “Its glow will grow ever so gently/into a bright beacon of hope/rising with the golden sun/bringing clarity to our vision.”—Ever So Gently. A collection that I will be enjoying again and can highly recommend. ~ D. L. Finn, Author of Sounds in the Silence
Reads like an Impressionist painting looks…
This book of gentle poetry reinforces love of family, nature and the mysteries of life. Written in a free style, the poems are organized into 3 sections: The Wisdom of Nature, The Noise, The Laughter, The Chaos and The Loved Ones. Each section breaks from free style at its end and features syllabic poetry. This book is for lovers of poetry who look for words to savour, poems to read over and over and a book to treasure in their collection. Through her writing, Lauren Scott reveals a caring and gentle soul that lives up to the title of her book. ~ Resa McConaghy, Photographer and artist at https://graffitiluxandmurals.com. For Resa’s full review on her blog, visit https://graffitiluxandmurals.com/2023/08/20/ever-so-gently-by-lauren-scott/.
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.~ Selma Martin, Author of In the Shadow of Rainbows
If you don’t own a copy of Ever So Gently yet, I hope you will soon. It’s never too late! But most of all, my wish is for you to find some poems that you can call your own – poems that resonate to the core. ❤️
I appreciate you joining me in this special celebration! 🎉💫
Thank you from the bottom of my heart! 💙🩵💚
To purchase your copy in paperback or e-book, click ‘Buy on Amazon’ or visit Barnes & Noble, and Kobo where Ever So Gently is also available.
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY, AND THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY! HUGS & HAPPY READING, LAUREN 💜💜
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author & Poet 