Highlights to Showcase!

On August 27, 2025August 27, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Reviews, Books, Discussion, Poetry76 Comments

***Photo by rovenimages.com on Pexels.com***

There is so much happening that gives reason for celebrating in the midst of still missing Copper. I don’t normally remember my dreams, but I dreamed about him the other night and it was vivid. Just an ordinary day with him trotting around the house, “nails clicking on the floor.” Anyway, I am so grateful and humbled by the beautiful reviews that are flowing in for King Copper. Thank you to those who have shared your heartwarming thoughts. ❤️

I also want to share the great news that my dear friend, Maggie, at Ephemeral Encounters, has been nominated for Author of the Month by Spillwords! And my good friend, Ernie, at The Dawghouse, has been nominated for Publication of the Month for his poem, “Little Mouse.” Way to go, Maggie and Ernie! 🎉

I encourage you to cast your vote for these two amazing writers at https://spillwords.com/vote/ and voting will conclude on August 29th. 🗳️

On another note, writing reviews seems to be a slow process for me. I should get in the habit of writing the review right after finishing a book. But no…I can’t stop reading, therefore, the books pile up and so do the reviews waiting to be written. That’s currently where I’m at. But having an abundance of books to read is the best problem, right?

And my latest selection include the following 5-star reads:

Gratitude & No Fairy Tale by D.L. Finn
Honeysuckle Heat by Michele Lee Sefton
A Noble Bargain by Jan Sikes
Cade’s Quest by Linda Broday (Jan’s sister)
Endangered Species by Jacqui Murray
Embracing the Power to Live by Marsha Ingrao

So next month, I’ll share my reviews! In the meantime, I hope you’ll check these fabulous books out!

Let’s keep those TBRs towering! 😂

And let’s not forget my TBR:

I’m currently reading a wonderful book: The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Lowenhohle by Thomas Wikman
and in the lineup are:
Sam, A Shaggy Dog Story by Sally Cronin
The Bush Devil Ate Sam by Curtis Mekemson
Rhyming Dreams by Nicole Sara

I’m sure the lineup will grow as fast as I’m typing! 📚

Lastly, I’d like to share an earlier, beautiful review of King Copper by Jan Sikes:

Processing Loss in poetic form
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2025
Verified Purchase

I shed more than a tear or two as I read this beautiful tribute to King Copper, a chocolate lab that gave so much love and joy to the author’s family. The poetry is heartfelt and poignant. Some of the poems speak of the happy times and some of the deep sadness at Copper’s passing. He came to their home in March with youthful spirit and left in March gaining angel wings with 13 years in between. This is a touching story of unconditional love. Here is an example of poems that touched me deeply…

Young Lab

There once was a friendly, young lab
With energy delightfully fab
He loved belly rubs
Hated baths in the tub
He gave big, toothy smiles, never sad!

My Shadow

Feeling empty in my bones
walking from room to room,
where is my shadow?

Those are just two very short examples of the deep heartfelt poetry in this book. The photos of the deeply cherished Copper and his family are an added bonus. If you’ve ever experienced the pain of loss and struggled to find a way to carry on, I recommend this short read to help you process. It touches on the reality of grieving and how hard it can be to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Yet, we do, as the author shows us.

Thanks so much, Jan, and a huge thanks to you who have shared your reviews on your blogs (I’ll reblog soon), and/or on Amazon and Goodreads. I am grateful beyond words! ❤️

This wraps up the highlights, so hugs to you for stopping by!
I know you have a million blogs to read and support like I do,
so your time here is appreciated! Have a spectacular day! 💖

***Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com***

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

Marsha Ingrao at Story Chat Digest publishes my poem “Sepia”

On August 26, 2025August 26, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry

I’m thrilled to have my poem “Sepia” published on Marsha Ingrao’s site, Always Write, for her Story Chat Digest! Marsha is so generous to publish the work of fellow authors for the readers to analyze, both poetry and stories. Her blog is informational and entertaining. By the way, submissions can not be published anywhere in the past. So my poem is brand new. I’m also honored to celebrate beside my dear friend, Maggie Watson, and Doug Jacquier, who I’m happy to meet through Marsha – another benefit, meeting like-minded bloggers.
Thanks so much, Marsha! ❤️

Sepia

by  Lauren Scott

I walk around the neighborhood at a good clip.
Blood flows in every vein like a river to an ocean.
Familiarity around each corner feels like a needed hug.
My legs love the stretch of the stride.
Pausing for a moment, I close my eyes, breathing in fragrances…
tall pines, jasmine, and how lucky to have the sun's company.
Its warmth is welcomed.
When his presence is gentle, it’s a summer I remember.

A canine friend trots beside me, but only in my mind’s album
since time has faded like a few friendships.
The more calendar pages I flip, full of ink and pencil,
the more memories turn into sepia...

Comments are turned off, so please visit Marsha's beautiful site to read the rest of my poem, and Maggie and Doug's, and share your thoughts! And while you're there, I hope you take some time to peruse around. 💖

Story Chat Digest: August Poetry

Thank you for popping in when I know you have a million blogs to visit. I appreciate you! ❤️

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An Avoidable Tizzy

On August 24, 2025August 24, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry106 Comments

*Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com*

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?”

I held my breath, hoping for daylight to peek through the curtains, watching the red digits on the loyal clock seemingly remain in place. So, when light glimmered through the white fabric, it felt like a lighthouse’s beacon. I let go of an exhale, another day – enough of those words! They can’t hurt me anymore (sticks and stones), for darkness is no longer their ally. A step forward into a new mindset that will comfort and encourage.

browsing online can
provoke unhealthy thinking
fact check for trueness

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Thanks for popping in! I hope you’ve had a good weekend so far and wish you a lovely Sunday. ❤️

Nature’s TV – Friday’s Poetry

On August 22, 2025August 22, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Photos, Poetry98 Comments

These are photos from past lake camping & backpacking trips. Beauty at its best, don’t you agree? We plan to get back to the lake next summer, but we had to pass this year because our favorite campground is being renovated. Poetic thoughts spill out from things I see, emotions, events, family, and nature. Nature always inspires.
So, won’t you join me at the lake? Have a seat, sip something cold, and simply ‘be.’

Nature’s TV

A moment to reflect
lake glimmers
in sunshine’s embrace
ripples shimmy across surface
dragonflies soar like mini gliders
feathered friends paddle away
after a brief “hello”
muscles and mind feel gratitude
no screen of any size
only Nature’s TV

I hope you enjoyed your time at the lake. Thank you for joining me!
Happy Friday, and I wish you a tranquil weekend. 💚

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Gobblers by Masticadores welcomes King Copper!

On August 20, 2025August 20, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Promotions, Books, Gobblers by Masticadores36 Comments

A huge Thank You to Editor, Manuela Timofte, for sharing the initial post about my new release, King Copper – A poetic account of the joy that arises when a lovable chocolate lab walks into your life and changes it forever. And the eventual heartache you feel when he crosses over the rainbow bridge thirteen years later and still too soon. I’m always honored to be featured on Manuela’s beautiful site along with many talented writers. 🙏

“But today isn’t about feeling sad, bittersweet, yes, but this day is for my family and I to celebrate Copper through this special book. We can ‘see’ him frolicking with his friends in a magical place where pain doesn’t exist, only lush green meadows, redwoods, cheerful sunflowers, smiling daisies, ladybugs, and butterflies. It’s about believing…“

To read the entire post, please visit Gobblers, and if you haven’t subscribed, I hope you will. Manuela shares evocative poetry and stories from a myriad of talented authors. Thanks again, Manuela! ❤️

King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry

Thanks for dropping by, and I wish you a fabulous day! 🤎🧡❤️
Now that the blog tour has ended, I’m going to work on
finishing overdue reviews for some great books. 🙂

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One More Time…

On August 19, 2025August 19, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Books, Poetry76 Comments

It looks like Copper accompanied my son and daughter
on wonderful hikes in their respective states, CO and TN.

♥️🤎♥️🤎♥️

Dear Family and Friends,

The King Copper blog tour has come to an end. Maggie kicked it off with fireworks on August 4th, and Marsha created a grand finale yesterday on August 18th. I can’t express how thankful I am for those who helped spread the word about Copper. Many fell in love with him through the poems and photos shared. This feels like a warm hug. And the 5-star reviews that are flowing in are all touching my heart like the collection is touching the hearts of readers. Offering more gratitude is definitely justified to the wonderful blog tour train drivers:

Maggie at Ephemeral Encounters
Mike at Silent Pariah
Jacqui at https://worddreams.wordpress.com/
Ernie at dawgdaddyresponds
Sally at smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com
Dawn at dawnpisturino.wordpress.com
Marsha at alwayswrite.blog
Brian at writingfromtheheartofbrian hopped on the train unexpectedly,
which was a wonderful surprise!

I also want to repeat how much I loved
everyone’s personal touch in their posts.
How the poems affected them,
and how they felt other dog or pet parents
would appreciate the collection.

And to those who have bought the book or plan to,
and who have already posted reviews, Thanks so much!
A side note, selling my books isn’t about making money.
Believe me, I spend more than what comes in.
For me, my hope is to touch hearts
in whatever way that is fitting for each individual.
My books also become legacy for my family,
so compensation isn’t always the only reward.
Watch for it, here it comes…

One More Thank You

If repeated often
words can sound trite
though intentions are true
as stars shine bright.
A heart that grows full
from abundant kindness
unselfishness feels
like a heartfelt caress.
So don’t feel weary
from hearing a ‘thank you’
because the sentiments
like a sunrise are oh, so true!
~ LS

I appreciate your presence here and wish you the best day and week ever! ❤️

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#BlogTourLastStop – I’m at Marsha’s today as she ends the tour for King Copper in a spectacular way and one that tugs at my heart.

On August 18, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Promotions, Book Reviews, Books

The blog tour train has reached its final destination at Marsha’s blog, Always Write, and what a post she created! I told her that I thought the tears had begun to dry up, but they keep finding me. Though my family is beginning to revel in the joyful memories of Copper, we still him so much. Sometimes, it’s hard to believe that he won’t greet me one day when I walk through the door. This is life. There is a beginning and an end. I also told Marsha that I guess I wanted others to know Copper like his family did. So far, the reviews are beyond touching. Adjectives are being repeated, but I think you know what I mean and how I feel.

So, please visit Marsha and her wonderful blog, to learn something different about this special poetry collection. And to get to know her if you haven’t already met her! I have to be honest, if you’re a dog parent or even a cat parent, my poetic sentiments will resonate because all of our hearts have been melted by our furry family members. ❤️

A soft reminder, my book is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble in paperback and e-book,
and on Kobo in e-book only. 🙏

And now, click on the link below that will transport you to Marsha’s beautiful blog.
Comments are turned off.

Book Tour: King Copper by Lauren Scott

To those who have followed the tour,
To those who have bought a copy of my book,
To those who have already left amazing reviews,
To those who kept visiting despite the tour,
I offer my deepest gratitude from the bottom of my heart.

Have a fabulous day and week ahead! ❤️

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Maggie shares her review of King Copper!

On August 16, 2025August 17, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Promotions, Book Reviews

***A young Copper loving the beauty that life brings.***

I’m thrilled to be featured at Maggie’s beautiful blog again. If you recall, she kicked off the tour on August 4th. What a wild two weeks it has been! She was also the first to review my book, and she shares her review today. Here’s a peek into her lovely words:

Anyone who has ever owned a pet knows
how heartbreaking it is when we lose them.
As Lauren so correctly says, “loss is loss, hearts still break,
tears fall until there are no more stages of grief”.
I smiled and I cried while reading this beautiful collection of poetry
written in tribute to Lauren’s Labrador, Copper.
I loved all the poems, particularly the ones signed ‘Love Copper’ and ‘Your Copper Boy.’
Lauren also included many lovely photographs of this handsome boy, on his own, and with members of her family...

To read Maggie’s full excellent review, please head over to her beautiful site.
I’ve turned off comments here, so she hopes to see you soon!

Book Review: King Copper by Lauren Scott

Before I close, I want to highlight Maggie’s recent book, Pieces of Me. Below is what Amazon says:

For more than a decade, I lived in a toxic/abusive environment.

I survived by learning when to keep my mouth shut.

Now, I have a voice by writing about my experience through poetry.

This is my story, no longer silenced.

I hope it gives you the courage to do the same!From the ashes, I rise.
Emerging from the dust and ruins
of the carnage you left behind,
wiping away the dirt from the words that
once left me unable to breathe.
As I lay gasping for air, you did not care.
You could have been my downfall, but I refused to die.
Now watch as I climb to the summit of my life,
no longer caught in your riptide.

I highly recommend this evocative poetry collection that I gladly gave 5 stars.

So, now you have two book ideas: Pieces of Me and King Copper. Please visit Maggie to read her full review, and to learn more about the collection of books she has published.