#BookReviews – Poetic Prose, Poetry, Western Fiction, Southern Fiction, & Japanese Photography

On September 15, 2025September 15, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Reviews69 Comments

Dear Family and Friends,

I’ve received so many amazing reviews for my book, that it’s time to pay it forward. So, this is the first batch of reviews with five more coming later this month. And another shout out to everyone who has offered support in some manner during my King Copper journey. I love you all! 💖

Back to these fabulous books…once you begin reading, you won’t want to put any of these down, even if life tries to intercept, and you know it will! 🙂
Simply click on the author names if you’d like to visit their websites!

**Photo by Oziel Gu00f3mez on Pexels.com**

Honeysuckle Heat by Michele Lee Sefton

Honeysuckle Heat by Michele Lee Sefton is a beautifully crafted love story full of passion. We meet crime writer, Matthew Oliver, and Jacqueline Fortin, a successful Los Angeles Anchorwoman. They have a long history together but parted ways. Suddenly, she’s back in his life, and their chemistry is what anyone would long for. Let me share an example of Sefton’s tantalizing prose:

‘He understood why a fallen leaf would want to lodge itself in her wavy strands. He kissed her on the spot where the leaf had been then let the errant flora fall on the kitchen tile – a concern for another time. His lips confirmed what his eyes suspected. Parched from months of emptiness, they were quenched by a softness that brushed against his soul, like a golden sunrise whispering its way above a lone hill. A soft beginning that turned his doting love for her into a warm and fiery glow.’

Will their intense physical attraction and love for each other be enough this time? Are their goals for the future aligned? I will let you find out for yourself. As the season changes and temperatures begin to cool, cuddle up with this captivating novella when an evening is winding down and your thoughts have taken a back seat. Let Sefton’s poetic prose transport you to another world built with many enticing layers. Highly recommended.

Gratitude & No Fairy Tale by D.L. Finn

I am familiar with D.L. Finn’s beautiful poetry. So, when I heard she had released a third book in the “Just Her Poetry” series, I bought a copy right away. The dog-eared paperback lies on my desk as I type this review. Finn’s collection spans from earlier published poems to newly released. I followed her journey from the beginning, which is a tribute to nature through a selection of syllabic poetry and lovely photos paired with them. We share the same love of nature and family, along with gratitude playing a significant role in life. Through Finn’s emotional journey, I smiled and also became teary-eyed. Every emotion you can imagine is highlighted throughout this evocative collection. She creates such vivid scenes that I felt as though I had stepped into a specific moment, feeling the sentiments with every bit of energy. There are too many favorites to mention, so here are a few:

“The Forest”

the forest’s sweet song/caresses my weary soul/with healing beauty

“Summer” (first two verses)

When I think of childhood summers,
It’s swimming, playing, fishing, and vacations
Long nights, as I imagined my next adventure
Finally, the crickets’ song lulled me into happy dreams.

My old house was heavy with heat
Making me wish I could lift the roof to cool
Square metal fans hummed in every room,
Everyone, except my grandparents, wore shorts and tank tops.

“Suicide Song” caught me off guard. I learned a little bit more about D.L. Finn. My heart ached, but the poem also speaks about second chances. A poignant and powerful piece of writing. I highly recommend this poetic compilation for everyone who appreciates poetry that touches on real life.

A Noble Bargain by Jan Sikes

A Noble Bargain is the second book I have read by Jan Sikes. She has a natural skill of pulling readers into her stories, making them feel like part of the character line up. I enjoyed A Beggar’s Bargain so much that I could not pass up the second book. In no time, I fell in love with Oliver Quinn and Rose Blaine. The year is 1948 in a rural Arkansas town. Times are simpler, but hard work is part of the landscape.

Oliver comes from a loving family who does not think twice about helping others in need. He is the kind of son every parent dreams of. His father passed away and he misses him dearly, but he adores his mother who has a heart of gold. Oliver also holds in his heart an American dream, and he will persevere to make it come true. His family is one I would love to meet. Rose and her two brothers live in a completely opposite world riddled with domestic abuse. After the tragic loss of their mother, the siblings have suffered under the violent fist of their alcoholic father. I had no trouble disliking their father, to put it mildly. Sadly, an escape had never presented itself, but Rose is determined to find a way.

One night, Oliver and Rose meet by chance, which is the beginning of their story. I enjoyed rooting for this kind young man to change Rose’s life for the better. I wanted Rose and her brothers to find a way out of the terror they had been living in. But to avoid spoiler alerts, I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a compelling story that spotlights the good in people and the benefit of resilience.

Cade’s Quest by Linda Broday

Cade’s Quest begins the first in a series about The McIntyre’s and truly conveys the special connection of family. Readers are transported to the old west in the late 1800s. Four years prior, Cade and his siblings underwent a horrific event when their parents were murdered. And yet, even this amount of time could not erase the horror Cade experienced of “staring into their mother’s face frozen in death and seeing a fly on her cheek.” I felt his agony through the riveting words on the page. Reading about the tragedy was heartbreaking, but what tore at my heart even more were the town “do-gooders” deciding where each child would go. Imagine what it would feel like being young and ripped away from your sisters and brothers after losing your parents in a horrifying crime. Making sense of the heinous act alone for a young child would seem impossible. Imagine how alone and frightened you would feel. Now as an adult, Cade’s mind is set. He needs to find his siblings, but he doesn’t know the first place to look.

I love Cade’s demeanor: courageous, kind, and dedicated to those he loves. As he initiates his quest, several obstacles get in his way – one is being accused of a crime he didn’t commit, which forces him to run. Rumors about his brother, Jess, have him wondering what is true or simply gossip. Along his journey, he meets a young Comanche woman, Rain, who cares for her orphaned nephew. She is also on the run from evil. They become each other’s ally, but will their friendship develop into something more beautiful? You will need to dive into Broday’s exciting storytelling to find out! I highly recommend Cade’s Quest for those who enjoy a gripping western drama.

I’m also adding a lovely book that would be perfect for your coffee table.
My copy should arrive tomorrow!

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***Click on my daughter’s image to order your copy!*** 🧡

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you‘re leaving
with a book or two or four! 😁
Wishing you a beautiful week! 🩷

Lauren Scott

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

Almost ‘Fall-ing’ – a haiku trio

On September 14, 2025September 14, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry95 Comments

When I think of the new season upon us, I envision warm reds, oranges, and yellows, and vibrant shades of pink. I can smell cinnamon baking in the oven, and imagine sipping a pumpkin spice latte for a morning treat and hot apple cider as an evening winds down. Maybe an occasional indulgence in a delicious apple crisp, and of course, some cozying up under soft blankets.
This is my favorite season, so won’t you join me as we enjoy a little fall-ing? 🍂🍎🍁

These photos are from years past, as summer is stubborn and won’t let the trees transform just yet, but I’m ready for the change now…

crisp mornings join late
summer afternoons to greet
fall’s cozy prelude

leaves change into their
raspberry autumn wardrobe
attire for the dance

new season creates
inundation in its wake
melodious crunch

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Do you have a favorite? 1, 2, or 3? Or maybe all three? 😁
Thanks for swinging by, and I wish you a peaceful Sunday. 🩷

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.

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 at Gobblers by Masticadores
Spillwords Author of the Month May 2023
Spillwords Publication of the Month October 2024
Spillwords Publication of the Month June 2025

An Awkward Move – short story

On September 10, 2025September 10, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry70 Comments

***Photo by Marcus Lenk on Pexels.com***

Clinking of pots and pans echoes throughout the house. I sit on my bed, leaning against the pine headboard while Mom’s busy in the kitchen getting dinner ready. Dad will walk through the door any minute sporting his huge smile, happy to see his family after a long day’s work. I miss my brother, Jack, who moved out last August for his first year in college. The house is quiet without him pushing my buttons. He was really good at teasing his younger sister! Now that he’s not here, my heart has a big hole in it, and the void triggers my negative head space. My back slides down the headboard, taking my mood with it. Suddenly, I can hear my grandma say, “You shouldn’t slouch, dear.” My mind drifts about life: everything I love and hate. I know hate is a strong word, but it’s the word that fits. I love my family; it’s me I have a problem with. When I first heard the Taylor Swift song, “The Outside” I felt as though she wrote the lyrics for me.

Dad recently accepted a job in this small town. He told Mom that it would benefit his banking career and would be a good change from the big city for all of us. She supported him, so I had to move. After all, I’m a minor. The bummer is that I’m a new student at the high school in the middle of my junior year. Not easy for a sixteen-year-old, but I forgive my parents. Maybe I’m more mature than other teenagers. Sometimes parents have their reasons for doing things and kids will never get it. Most of the time, mine are cool, so I try to understand their decision – even if this move has been awkward for me.

When I’m on campus, I feel like a weed in a garden of roses. Acne is so annoying, and my body is the bane of my existence. My parents thought I was cute when I was a chubby, little girl. But cute isn’t what I see staring at me in the mirror. My long, auburn hair, and blue eyes that change to green are the only things I like about myself. I need to lose a few pounds too. The current culture is no body-shaming, but kids do it anyway because some kids are jerks, boys and girls!

I’m just not a pretty girl on campus, and I don’t care if I’m pretty or not, but being judged makes me feel uncomfortable. I turn a corner in the hall and there’s another model-thin girl strolling past me. It’s not like they didn’t exist back home in the big city, and pretty girls come in all shapes and sizes. Thin doesn’t mean perfect and thin doesn’t always mean healthy.

So why do I feel unsure about myself? One thing I’m sure of is that I miss the bright lights and energy buzzing through the streets of the big city, horns honking, and people walking fast in every direction with someplace important they need to be. I had three girlfriends back home, and a couple of boys who weren’t crushes, but cool to hang out with. All the kids in my inner circle accepted each other for who they were. The same insecurities lived with me, but the friends I made were more accepting. We’ve stayed in touch through texts, emails, and talking on the phone, but I wonder if our friendships will eventually fade. It’s hard when you can’t see each other in person. On campus, the perfect kids stare and laugh behind my back. Are these assumptions in my head? No, I couldn’t make up the staring and laughing. I know the difference between reality and imagination.

I tap on the calendar in my cell phone…three months, two weeks, and four days have passed since the big move across the state. Funny how it feels like a year! My finger hovers above the Facebook app, and I know it’s the wrong move. Stay away, I warn myself, but I don’t listen. I scroll through photos of my friends hanging out with other friends; they seem to mock me. Why don’t I delete my account? I really hate social media, which alone puts me in a different circle than most teens. I’m not one of those girls who likes to share meals, clothes, and fingernail polish. It’s so stupid!

“Emma, you need to just be yourself,” Mom reminds me. She and Dad drill the point across to not worry about what others think. “Try to put yourself out there to make friends, Em,” Dad says. Sure. No problem…in a new high school and new town. Easier said than done. I wonder if they’ve forgotten what it’s like to be young.

I close out the Facebook app as quickly as I opened it. If you ask me about popularity, it’s never been important. But I need to find my own group of friends. I want to belong. I want to find my own corner on campus. A patch of grass where I can park myself and talk with other girls or boys who like the things I do…cats, dogs, hiking, reading, writing, and listening to music. Can my peers overlook what my mirror shows me? Are my insecurities confusing my perspective? Time plays an important role in life – more wisdom from my parents. So, after more time passes, I may like this town. I may like the school. I may fit in. It’s hard to imagine, but I don’t feel it’s impossible.

Mom’s voice travels up the stairs like a pop song melody, telling me that dinner’s on the table. I can smell her spaghetti sauce. She is the best cook! The Italian aroma lifts my spirits as my stomach growls. I slide off my bed and hit the stairs running. Dad got home twenty minutes earlier, giving him and Mom time to catch up before I join them. We sit down at our oak dining table and they ask about my highs and lows. It’s a good way for them to understand what I’m going through. I can talk to them about anything. They have an open door policy, but there’s one thing I haven’t shared…

After dinner, I offer to do the dishes, but mom gives me the night off. I take the stairs two at a time back to my room. I pull my cat journal out of my desk drawer and slide into my usual spot on the bed, pushing my pillow up against the headboard and scooting back into it. My thoughts wander on the lined pages. It’s amazing how time flies when I’m reading a great book or writing. The sun begins to set. Darkness slowly falls outside my window. The bright moon winks at me through my shutters, and it’s comforting. Tomorrow is Friday. One more day at school before the weekend. I can make it. Wow, I feel tired, but my thoughts won’t sleep.

I think about how we used to go to church as a family. It’s been a few years since my parents became frustrated with some people in the congregation. Disheartened enough that they decided to step away from organized religion. I still say prayers though. Does God listen? I don’t know, but I always feel better afterwards. I’m sure it helps just getting the words out. Telling the universe about what makes me happy and anxious. And I always say what I’m grateful for – Mom and Dad who love me and who try their best, and Jack who I miss so much. I know how lucky I am.

Tonight is different though. I close my eyes, and I pray for something that I’ve never talked about. I didn’t want Mom and Dad to worry about me or feel bad about moving. So, tonight I pray for a friend, someone to laugh with. Someone to calm the negative thoughts spinning inside my mind. Parents can only help to a certain point. A friend will ease the awkwardness of moving to a strange town in the middle of high school. A friend will make me feel accepted. Just one friend. Can you hear me, God? Am I asking for too much? It’s not like I’m asking for two.

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A Redwood Connection

On September 5, 2025September 4, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry101 Comments

One evening before dinner, we drove to a nearby redwood grove that has been renovated. We found new grated nature trails, an obstacle course, and a small rock climbing stump for children. Only a few people were there, and among the tall giants, we felt a cool respite. A slight breeze accompanied us as we walked for almost two miles on a winding trail, and hopped along the obstacle course keeping our balance and freeing our inner child.
It was really fun, breathtakingly beautiful, and calming...

In Good Company

When we stroll among redwood trees,
our steps slow down, we are in good company.
There is no reason to rush and we won’t hesitate
to hug them with open arms, because, why not?
They deserve reverence for their generosity.
In their company, fine fibers of peace
flow through our hearts and souls,
centering us. Any worries burdening our minds
fall to the earth to be walked upon and buried.
We listen as their leaves whisper in the breeze,
Be filled with joy and do not fret,
for there is no time for that nonsense.

From Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poems

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Can you feel the magic? I hope you can,
and I wish you an enchanting weekend!
Thanks for visiting! 🤎🧡❤️

A Special Shout-Out, King Copper reviews, and Precious Artwork of Copper 🧡

On September 3, 2025September 3, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Reviews, Poetry102 Comments

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 sidebar for 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. 💖

***Image credit to Dr. Vicki Atkinson***

~ Balroop Singh – https://balroopsingh.com/2025/08/25/poetry-bookreviews-2/

‘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…

~ Nicole Sara – https://starrysteps.wordpress.com/2025/08/26/end-of-august-book-review-of-king-copper-by-lauren-scott/

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…

~ Diana W. Peach – https://mythsofthemirror.com/2025/09/03/august-a-meadow-a-beach-and-book-reviews/

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…

~ Dr. Vicki Atkinson – https://victoriaponders.com/2025/08/31/stole-my-heart

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…

~ D.L. Finn (Denise) – https://dlfinnauthor.com/2025/09/02/september-book-reviews-deborahjay-laurenscott-writingcommunity-bookreviews-whattoread/

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 Copper using photos I provided, and I continue to be in awe of their extraordinary talent:

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!

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Thank you for stopping by!
Happy September,
and I wish you a wonderful new season
as autumn patiently waits around the corner!

Hugs to you all! ❤️

***Click on the image to order your copy!*** 🧡

Gobblers by Masticadores Publishes “An Avoidable Tizzy”

On September 1, 2025September 1, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Gobblers by Masticadores, Poetry62 Comments

Can you believe September has arrived already? Time sure mystifies, doesn’t it? On this first day of the month, I woke up to find this wonderful surprise in my inbox. Thanks so much to Editor, Manuela Timofte, for publishing my writing. I’m grateful to be featured on her beautiful literary site, and I hope you’ll peruse around if you’re unfamiliar with Gobblers. This poem is in the form of a haibun, part prose and haiku. Thanks again, Manuela! ❤️

An Avoidable Tizzy

Dr. Google isn’t credible, which leads me to the quote, “Don’t believe what you read on the internet.” I didn’t heed the advice. I mimicked the drowning man in the parable, “Two Boats and a Helicopter.” Do you recall this man who passed up several rescue attempts while facing raging floodwaters because he knew that God would save him? How we miss the signs… Instead, I dove into the words, ignorant of their harm like a fly into a web – each syllable engrained into my psyche, tossing me into a tizzy as Dad would say. I couldn’t get out of my head. It was a night of sheet thrashing. Poor sheets thinking, “What have we done?”…

To read the rest, please visit Manuela at Gobblers by clicking on the link below. I hope you’ll leave a ‘like’ or share your thoughts that I always love to read. Thank you!

An Avoidable Tizzy

I appreciate your visit, and Happy Labor Day to those who celebrate!
And I wish you a wonderful week to kick off this new month.
Our summer was thankfully mild, but I do look forward to autumn,
a favorite time of year. 🧡🍁

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© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.
Photo: Photo by chivozol on Pexels.com

Spider on a Hand

On August 30, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry83 Comments

Trust doesn’t come easily.
She can’t be bought
like dropping quarters
in a gumball machine,
and she doesn’t hand out trust
as if distributing flyers
for an open house.
It takes time and discernment,
the emotion that comes
with falling in love,
you just feel it.
You know it’s been earned –
the intuition,
a tattoo on your heart.
What happened then?
Conversations sharing pure joy,
utter anguish spilled
like oil in the sea.
Suddenly,
she’s a spider on a hand
that gets brushed off
hoping never to be seen again.
The drop, nosediving
into a state of confusion,
the impact shooting pain
through every vein and cell.
She tosses questions
into the universe,
they spiral through
the perplexity
because kindness
comes in soft tones,
gentle melodies
only to be shunned.
A decade wiped clean
from the wall calendar.
A friendship washed up
like a soda can on the shore.
Rude actions can crush
a caring heart
at any age.
At any age a caring heart
can become crushed.
She hears chatter
of wishing
to be young again.
She understands
the growing-older trials.
The aches catch her too,
but although good
memories stay vivid,
she doesn’t miss the games,
starting point in youth,
and yet, the games continue.

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© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.
Photo: Photo by chivozol on Pexels.com

#BlogTour: The Mystery of the Pink Poodle by Dawn Pisturino

On August 29, 2025August 29, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Promotions, Books85 Comments

Today, I’m delighted to welcome author and poet Dawn Pisturino as she continues the blog tour for her new middle-grade mystery novel, The Mystery of the Pink Poodle. Dawn’s website is dawnpisturino.wordpress.com, so if you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting her and reading her wonderful writing, please pay her a visit. Her recent popular books are Ancient Voices: Poems about Ancient Egypt and Sun Haiku: 365 Days of Sunshine. The paperback and e-book of Dawn’s book will be available on Monday, September 1st, but the e-book can be pre-ordered now by using the link at the end of this post.

Now you have the floor, Dawn…

Good morning, Lauren! I’m delighted to be here with you today as part of the blog tour for my debut middle-grade children’s mystery novel, The Mystery of the Pink Poodle. Although written for ages 9 to 12, I believe older children and adults would also enjoy reading it.

Amazon Blurb

Alina has a big problem. Her father is a popular mystery writer. Her mother is a glamorous movie star. Left in the care of the housekeeper, Alina feels neglected and unloved. But a summer trip to a living ghost town in Arizona turns a hot, boring summer into an exciting, intriguing mystery.

Who’s the crazy old lady upstairs? Why is she always crying about a missing pink poodle? Why is she a prisoner in her own home? And why won’t anybody help her?

When Hollywood meets the Wild, Wild West, a mystery unfolds that will change Alina’s life forever. With the aid of two wannabe cowgirls, Alina follows the trail of an ancient puzzle to discover the answer to the mystery of the pink poodle.

Author’s Note

Although this was written as a mystery novel, the story involves so much more. The larger themes center around friendship, the meaning of family, and intergenerational relationships. The book, above all else, is about people and our care and concern for them, no matter who they might be.

Chapter Two – Identical Twins

[Conrad, Arizona, June 2008]

Alina removed her pink-rimmed sunglasses and took a quick inventory of pink toenails peeking out from pink leather sandals and her pink denim shorts and halter top. A pink watchband circled her left wrist, pink earrings dangled from her ears, and a strand of matching pink beads hung around her neck.

“So what?” she said with an indifferent shrug. “I like pink. It’s my favorite color.”

“But your hair—it’s pink! And your dog! I’ve never seen a pink poodle before!” The twin, wearing a blue shirt, stared at her in horror.

“As I said, I like pink. It matches my baby blue eyes.” Alina made a pouty face and batted her eyelashes as if posing for an imaginary camera.

“Your mother doesn’t have pink hair,” the blue twin insisted. “And why are you so skinny? Are you sick or something?”

“My mother’s a movie star. She has to be thin. I’m going to be just like her, so I have to be thin, too.”

“Anorexic, more like it,” the blue girl grumbled. “Movie stars and models never eat.”

“Don’t mind her,” said the other girl, putting out her hand. “She’s just jealous. My name’s Shiloh Blair. This is my sister, Billie. We’re going to have fun while you’re here.”

Alina shook the girl’s hand. “Identical twins! How will I ever tell you apart?”

“We don’t dress alike,” Shiloh answered, “except once in a while. You see? I’m wearing red. Billie’s wearing blue. We like to be different.”

“She likes books,” Billie said. “I like horses. But we both like country western music.”

“Yuck,” Alina said. “I hate country western.” Muffy squirmed in her arms.

“Can I hold her?” Shiloh asked.

Alina handed her the curly-haired pink poodle. “Her name is Muffy.”

“Our mother runs this place,” Billie said. “She won’t let us have any pets. She’s afraid the old lady upstairs would make a fuss.”

“The old lady upstairs?” Alina felt uneasy that the face in the window belonged to the old lady.

“Yeah, she lives up on the third floor. She owns this place. She ran out of money and opened up this house as a bed and breakfast inn. People come here to stay all year round. But we’ve never had a movie star’s daughter before.”

“Or a famous mystery writer,” Shiloh chimed in. “You’re so lucky!”

Alina frowned. “I’m not so lucky. My parents are divorced.”

Billie and Shiloh looked at each other and laughed. “Our parents were never married,” Shiloh said.

“And we hardly ever see our father,” Billie added. “At least you live with your father. It must be so exciting traveling around with him.”

“I never go anywhere with my father,” Alina said. “He’s always busy writing. And I never see my mother. She’s too busy making movies. She calls me once in a while on my cell phone. I spend all my time with the housekeeper, Mrs. McPherson. But at least she likes me and worries about me.”

“He brought you here,” Shiloh pointed out.

“Because he had to. Mrs. McPherson is back in Pennsylvania visiting her sick sister. Otherwise, I’d be spending the summer at home in Beverly Hills.”

“Beverly Hills!” the twins squealed.

“90210,” Shiloh said. “How cool! Do you live in a huge mansion like Paris Hilton and drive around in a limo with a chauffeur?”

“Do you have a big swimming pool and your own tennis courts?” Billie asked.

“Give me a break,” Alina said. “I go to school and do homework, just like you.”

Author BIO

Dawn Pisturino is a retired registered nurse in Arizona whose international publishing credits include poems, short stories, and articles. She has published five poetry collections, including her most recent release, Ancient Voices: Poems About Ancient Egypt, which achieved #1 Amazon New Release status in African Poetry, History of Egypt, History of Africa, and History of North Africa. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of America and the Arizona Authors Association.

https://www.dawnpisturino.org

http://www.dawnpisturino.wordpress.com

Amazon Link to Pre-Order

https://a.co/d/cCZeDA0

The Kindle and Paperback will be available on September 1, 2025.

Thank you so much, Lauren, for hosting me today!

It’s my pleasure to help promote your book, Dawn!
I can’t wait to read it,
and I wish you great success! 💖

Thanks to you who popped in today, and I hope you’ll grab your copy too! ❤️

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