Wild Hope by Donna Ashworth #poetry #netgalley #review #bwpublishing @Donna_ashworth

Synopsis

‘Beautiful and uplifting’ Davina McCall

‘So inspiring, so heartfelt … the way Donna writes is beyond beautiful.’ Lisa Snowdon

Uplifting inspiration from the Sunday Times bestselling author of I Wish I Knew

Wild Hope is Donna Ashworth’s powerful new collection of wisdom to help us find hope, peace, self-acceptance and inspiration on the days we feel worn down, helpless or sad. Written with love and understanding, Donna reminds us that amidst our daily struggles and constant outpourings of bad news we have so much to hope for, and that every one of us can play a part, big or small, in making the world a better place.

With poems such as ‘That Thing You Do’, ‘Through the Wringer’ and ‘Rope Ladder’, Donna helps us to remember that most people in this world are good, and that acts of kindness and love within our individual spheres of influence, however small, all contribute to a better future. She also gently guides us, no matter how busy or overburdened we may be, to practice better self-care and self-acceptance.

Hope exists when nothing else can. On the darkest of days Wild Hope will help you find more light.

My review

Wild Hope leaves no hopeful stone unturned! There are so many poems in this collection and each one is so special. Donna’s poetry is simple to understand, and relatable. The considered topics are dear to my heart, such as: mother and daughter love, being proud of you, living life to the full, seizing each day, being who you are and living with nature, and the moon and the planets. Finding joy in the simple but memorable moments of life. There is an abundance of positivity, love, compassion, understanding and humour in this collection. At a time when we all need a boost so much!

It’s the kind of poetry you could dip into whenever you feel the need. Or if, perhaps you are going through a particularly difficult time. The poems on grief, women and growing older were positive, and illuminating. I’m sure they would be a much needed anchor to those in need.

This is a real mood booster would highly recommend!

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for a copy which I read freely. All opinions are my own.

My rating 5 🌟

Home

Sharing Options:

September 26, 2023 6

Smorgasbord Posts from my Archives – Previous Reviews from 2022 – The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet by M.J. Mallon | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine @sgc58 #thankyou #review #poetry #nature #forests

Thank you so much to Sally Cronin for dipping into her archives and resharing her previous review of my poetry collection: The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet. How kind. I really appreciate 🙂

From Sally’s blog:

My review for the collection This is a poetry and flash fiction collection seeped in nature and illustrates the love the author has for the environment, particular the forests. The first pages share the delightful love story of the Hedge Witch and the Musical Poet, bringing two solitary characters together in the sanctuary of a magical forest far from the human world. This story is followed by poems and flash fiction, some of which are poignant such as the tribute to a ginger cat in Chester, Don & I, and bewilderment voiced in The Network of Trees as they stand in danger from the human need for progress. There is also the sad reflection that much of the beauty and adventures to be found in the forests are being missed as children find themselves engrossed in the online world instead. The author makes sure to include the fun they could be enjoying instead. The Teddy in the Woods probably should come with a tissue alert. There are some reminders of poems from another collection which I also enjoyed Mr. Sagittarius Poetry; one of my favourites being Rainbow – Parasol of Light. In the second section of the collection there is a series of poems inspired by other writers.

Source: Smorgasbord Posts from my Archives – Previous Reviews from 2022 – The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet by M.J. Mallon | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

Sharing Options:

September 13, 2023 4

Book Review Writing Through The Soul by Brenda Fluharty #book #review #poetry

Synopsis

Writing Through the Soul is a collection of poetry your soul can’t ignore. Author Brenda Marie Fluharty has put together a group of poems speaking to the souls of all mankind. These poems will make you laugh, cry, smile and even wonder why. The poems cover many aspects of the soul; from the questions, we all ask to the heartbreak of the loss of loved ones. Writing Through the Soul has poems giving you a better understanding of spiritual awakenings, growth, and meditation. There are even poems covering the many trials of having a writer’s soul.

My review

Writing Through the Soul A poetry Collection by Brenda Fluharty

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Brenda Fluharty’s, Writing Through The Soul, an inspiring book of poetry, explores the human condition, our soul’s journey, how we strive for happiness, love, completeness and growth in life.

There are poems about her son, her mother in law, mother, husband, family, birds and nature, friends and strangers, Monday morning chaos and her great love of night time poetry crafting. And.. believing in yourself and your writing self!

It is a personal, spiritual and at times religious collection, where Brenda refers to her angels and love for her dear departed grandfather.

Favourite poem titles include: love yourself, the crow, birds following me, the forest heals my soul, writing helps you heal, through the eyes of a child, he and she, the stranger in the street, mother, mother-in-law!

A short excerpt of this lovely poem.

Medium

I can see things
No one else can see.
Hear spoken words
No one else can hear.

Spirits from other places
Come to me.
I can see and talk to them.

If I tell anyone,
They will think I am crazy.
Maybe I am.

No one else
I know does this.
I am different
I can see the land’s past.
I can see the future for some.
I am a medium!

View all my reviews

My recommendation:

Recommended for poetry readers who like spiritual, religious and personal collections. And writers who understand what it is to write, with the trials, tribulations and all!

More reviews coming soon!

Bye for now…

Sharing Options:

September 10, 2023 9

Promotion Free Kindle Offer: The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet #free #kindle #offer #poetry #nature #flashfiction

Free Kindle Book Promotion – Tuesday, August 29, 2023, 12:00 AM PDT until Thursday, August 31, 2023, 11:59 PM PDT

Synopsis

The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet is a collection of poetry and flash fiction celebrating the beauty and the vulnerability of the forest kingdom. It begins with the poetic tale of the kind-hearted Hedge Witch, Fern, who discovers an injured stranger in desperate need of her woodland spells and magic.The sweet pairing learn from each other and through Fern’s guidance, Devin embraces the power of magic to leave behind his troubled past to become The Musical Poet.

Poetry/flash fiction titles in section one of the collection include: The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet, Rain Forest Love, A Forest Baby Boy, A Forest Baby Girl, A Modern Witch, Rock of Mine, Chester Don & I, The Network of Trees, More Trees Not Less, Two Boys Watching War, Mum Climbing Trees, Let’s Play, The Scorched Tree, Owl’s Holiday Home, A Man’s Holiday Home, A Child’s Excitement, The Teddy In The Woods, Run! The Organutans, All Hallow’s Eve Candy Girl The Forest Bash, Dreaming At Halloween, A Face on Bark, Golden Willow Tree, Rainbow – Parasol of Light, Lollipop Sunshine Tree,

In Section two I pay tribute to the following poets:Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Evangeline, Ruby Archer, King Forest, Bliss Carman, Woodland Rain, Emily Dickinson, Who Robbed the Woods, Rupert Blake, Stopping by The Woods on A Winter Evening,Oscar Wilde, In the Forest.With my poetry inspired by their works:The Forest Weeps, The Forest King, Raindrops and Childhood Dreams, The Woodland Treasures, Winter Woodland Moon, Child Me.

A 5 star review to tempt you from Kim Rigby:

I’m a big fan of Marjorie Mallon’s poetry and flash fiction, and The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet doesn’t disappoint. Clearly, the author is a Dendrophile (like me!) and the early part of the book builds a picture of a magical forest. There is a pervading lament, a cry for a bygone era, a desire to return to lost times that is mournful yet beautiful. Later poems, such as All Hallows Eve Candy Girl are marvellously imaginative, with clever alliteration. There is also a certain poignancy in two poems that feature the author’s parents, which I found immensely touching.
Overall, a stunning collection. Highly recommended!

Kim’s website: Website: https://kimrigby.com/

A 5 star review to tempt you more from Rosemary Mairs!

An enchanting collection of poetry and short fiction about the natural world and mankind’s relationship with it. I especially liked the title piece, which epitomises a longing I have, to live a simple pared back life in harmony with nature. I love trees, marvel at their beauty and splendour, and the author’s similar appreciation comes across in these pages, is apparent in the vivid imagery in poems such ‘Winter Woodland Moon’. Forest destruction and the effects of global warming are lamented in ‘The Network of Trees’ and ‘The Scorched Tree’.

There is a haunting, melancholic tone to several of the poems, such as ‘A Face on Bark’. One describes an old ruin, in which a vase on a table is “filled with muddy water where fresh flowers once bloomed”. My favourite is ‘A Modern Witch’, who “often sits alone in whimsy, in crowded places, remembering ancient times”.

I shall revisit this collection, can picture myself doing so in summertime, at my favourite spot, sitting beneath the horse chestnut in my garden, its magnificent canopy overhead, sunlight filtering through the leaves, savouring this magical ode to trees.

Rosemary Mairs website: https://rosemarymairs.com/

The kindle offer is on from…

Tuesday, August 29, 2023, 12:00 AM PDT

Thursday, August 31, 2023, 11:59 PM PDT

Links:

The Hedge Witch And The Musical Poet https://books2read.com/u/mv1OeV

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61376179-the-hedge-witch-the-musical-poet

Sharing Options:

August 29, 2023 0

Poetry promotions #free #kindle #poetry #deals Do What You Love, Mr. Sagittarius Poetry & Prose

The following poetry and prose collections are on free kindle offer from 17th to 19th August.

Do What You Love. Mr. Sagittarius Poetry & Prose.

The free kindle promotion is on from Thursday, August 17, 2023, 12:00 AM PDT until Saturday, August 19, 2023, 11:59 PM PDT

Download It Now:

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BKLC9DYY/

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/What-You-love-Fragility-Photography-ebook/dp/B0BKLC9DYY/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63114445-do-what-you-love

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/do-what-you-love-fragility-of-your-flame-poems-photography-and-flash-fiction-by-m-j-mallon

Media Kit: Do What You Love Fragility of Your Flame #poems #photography #flashfiction #new #book #release #writingcommunity #poetrycommunity #mediakit #paperback

Thank you to Smitha for this recent review: https://smithavpennings.com/2023/05/22/book-review-do-what-you-love-by-mj-mallon/

A quick read that will make you want to write, too!

Do What You Love by MJ Mallon is a quick read of 58 pages. It’s a sweet reminder to live life, look back to see how far you’ve come, appreciate all that’s got you this far and look forward to the future.

I could read the book in an hour and a half’s time. I’m sure it’ll take others lesser time, but that’s its USP. You feel good at the end of it that you’ve completed a book, which will most certainly make you look back and ahead at your own life. Who knows, it might even turn you into a writer and make you come out with a book of your own similar to MJ Mallon’s book. It definitely made me want to.
The author begins the book with an explanation of ‘The Fates’. As per Greek mythology, the three sisters of fate were personified as three old women who spin the thread of human destiny- Clotho (Spinner), Lachesis (Allotter), and Atropos (Inflexible). The author says, ‘The usual interpretation of the fates is harsh with the eldest Atropos choosing the manner of death by cutting the threads of an individual’s life with her dreaded shears’, ‘Clotho spinning the threads of life on her spindle’, and Lachesis, the allotter, measuring the length of life. However, the author has used artistic license and made them ‘friendly, jovial creatures’ who have a conversation with her. I found this manner of narration novel and refreshing.

And many thanks to Dan Costinas, contributor to Tomorrow Magazine, a great supporter of authors, who I have had the pleasure of connecting with via my Portugal travels. He has kindly read and reviewed Do What You Love. I appreciate his 5 star review! “A Perfectly balanced florilegium of verse, photos and other inscriptions!”

Dan runs many facebook groups including:

Authors for the Algarve: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3522447591319276

Authors for Hispania: https://www.facebook.com/groups/7012396018786814/

Dan Costinas

Mr. Sagittarius

Buy it Now: http://mybook.to/MrSagittarius
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51004313-mr-sagittarius
https://www.bookbub.com/books/mr-sagittarius-poetry-and-prose-by-m-j-mallon

Thank you to Patricia Furstenberg for this recent 5 star review:

An interesting read.
The author takes us into a magical world through a tale about two aged siblings, confronted with the grief brought by their departed brother.
Their chat takes place on a bench under the Golden Weeping Willow tree-where nature reveals messages.
Mr Sagittarius unravels as a book full of pleasing poems and short stories. Appealing photographs highlight them.
This is a book that lovers of poetry, mystery, and whimsy will enjoy.

Patricia’s blog: http://alluringcreations.co.za/wp

A 5 star review from Robbie Cheadle:

Mr Sagittarius is a beautiful collection of poems and short stories, set in the lovely gardens of Cambridge and linked by the visits and experiences of a family of twin brothers and their younger sister.

The story starts with William visiting the weeping willow tree in the garden, a place that was special to his twin brother, Harold, who has recently passed away. William sees Harold’s spirit in a dragonfly that he chats to and finds solace in their one-sided communication.

This is a few lines from a poem about the dragonfly:
“Ancient, sweet fellow
Sacred magic bestower,
Change tumbling on fragile wings.”

When William returns home, he has an altercation with his sister, Annette. During their spat Annette reveals that she has always felt left out and overlooked by her twin brothers. This revelation leads to William and Annette becoming closer and visiting the garden together. Not long after, William passes on and Annette is left alone. She visits the garden and communicates with the spirits of both her brothers over the course of the rest of her long life.

The visits of the siblings to the garden are captured in lovely verse. This is an example I really enjoyed:
“I dream in colour
But now everything is dark
Where has the light gone?
Oh, cruel leafy canopy,
No green meadow, just blue thoughts.”

My favourite of the short stories was The Old Man of Snow and The Snow Snake. This is a story about making good choices in life and rejecting greed. I enjoyed the tale and the descriptive writing.

Mr Sagittarius is a gorgeous book full of delightfully depictive poems and short stories and decorated with striking photographs. This is a book that lovers of poetry, mystery, and wonder will love.

Media Kit: Mr. Sagittarius #poetry #prose #photography

The free kindle promotion is on from Thursday, August 17, 2023, 12:00 AM PDT until Saturday, August 19, 2023, 11:59 PM PDT

Sharing Options:

August 17, 2023 8

Smorgasbord Book Promotions – Summer Book Fair 2023 – #Photography #Poetry #Flash M.J. Mallon, #Poetry #Shortstories Colleen Chesebro, #Africa #Poetry #Essays Robbie Cheadle @RobertaEaton17 @bakeandwrite @sgc58

Many thanks to Sally Cronin for featuring myself, Colleen and Robbie in this post. Here is some of the detail from her blog:

This year in the second part of the Summer Book Fair, I (Sally,) will be sharing my recommended books from the last 12 months and sharing either my review or one of their top reviews.The first author today is M.J. Mallon and her collection that I can highly recommend Do What You love: Fragility Of Your Flame Poems, Photography and Flash Fiction

About the collection Do What You Love is a personal poetry collection celebrating how the fates may have a part in all that we do.With special poems and short reflective moments inspired by family, flowers and nature, love, scrumptious morsels, places I’ve visited, lived and intend to live in, the friendships and hopes I have for the future.The overarching theme is to live a life well lived… And to do what you love.One of the reviews for the collection
Sheila 5.0 out of 5 stars Prose, poetry and images: poignant, sensitive, playful: a lovely collection Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧I’ve read this author’s work before: young adult novels, poetry and flash fiction, and I love her imaginative handling of the magical, the phantasmagorical and surreal. This short book is no exception to the quality of MJ Mallon’s output. I found her exploration of her past life captivating.We may consider that the inclusion of often very personal material in a compilation of this sort would make it difficult for the outside reader to find a way in. This is not true at all of MJ Mallon’s poetry and prose: in many places, I related so much to what she writes, especially about a daughter ‘flying the nest’ to a faraway country. I particularly loved the device MJ Mallon uses to draw all this together: she presents it as a conversation with Atropos, one of the three Fates in Greek mythology: the Morai.Atropos presides over the past. I thought this worked extremely well as a central metaphor. It had me googling the three Fates, and reading all about them: Clotho, who spins the threads of life, guardian of the present; Lachesis, who measures the length of life with her measuring rod, and is guardian of the future: and Atropos, who is the guardian of fate and destiny, and who chooses the manner of death by snipping the threads of an individual’s life.MJ Mallon has had a fascinating and varied life experience: born in Singapore, she spent her childhood in Hong Kong and her teens in Edinburgh. She now lives in Cambridge. Every culture she has lived in, I believe, has influenced her imagination, her interests and her approach as a writer. In this book, we find a compilation of words and images which draw us in: poignant, sensitive, delicate, playful, as she opens up for us her past and present relationships, the places she has loved and spent time in, and her thoughts and feelings about it all.A highly recommended book for you.Read the reviews and buy the collection: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US – Amazon Ca

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US –And: Amazon UK – Website: M.J. Mallon – Goodreads: Goodreads – Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

The next book that I recommended last year is by Colleen M. Chesebro and her collection Fairies, Myths & MagicII. A Winter Celebration

About the bookIn this second book in the Fairies, Myths, & Magic series, step into a world where dark fairies and other magical beings converge in a collection of poetry and short stories inspired by winter and the celebration of the winter solstice.From autumn’s scary fairies to the forgotten female characters of Yule, prepare to embrace the magical winter solstice myths from around the world. Meet Frau Holle in the Wild Hunt, Befana—the Christmas Witch of Italy, and the Japanese goddess Ameratasu who controls the springtime. Prepare to embrace the Scottish trows, the Irish Goddess of Winter—the Cailleach Béara, and Snegurochka—the Snow Girl.Learn how to make Yuletide rituals part of your celebration by embracing the symbols of Yule by decorating with evergreens and crystals.

One of the reviews for the collection
Jacqui Murray VINE VOICE 5.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinary introduction to mystical topics Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸75 pieces on a myriad of topics, all themed to fairies, pagan mysteries, and the winter solstice. I know little about those so for me, this was a literary banquet to be relished. I picked this book up because I was impressed with the posts on Colleen’s blog, then read it cover to cover because her wordsmithing is entrancing. If you like me haven’t spent much time thinking about the meaning of fairies and magic, rest assured you will enjoy this book. The entries cover so many topics and emotions, so many mischievous beings, there is going to be something for everyone.One of the reviewers called this an “extraordinary handbook as well as a captivating read.” I would have to agree. Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

Head over to discover more about Colleen Chesebro and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Goodreads: Colleen at Goodreads – Website Wordcraft poetry – Author website and blog: Colleen M. Chesebro – LinkedIn: Colleen M. Chesebro – Facebook: Colleen M. Chesebro Poet and Author

The final book today is by Robbie Cheadle’s. A stunning syllabic poetry collection in celebration of Africa’s wildlife. Lion Scream: Syllabic Poetry About Southern African Wildlife

About the collection

Do you rely on Earth for your survival?Lion Scream is a graphic collection of poetry and prose. The book portrays the author’s experiences with South African wildlife and the growing impact of the Sixth Mass Extinction and Climate Change on the natural environment.

Lion Scream
There is no jungle
Only acres of smooth stumps
There is no jungle
No habitat, no food source
Hopeless lion screams tonight

A review for the collection
Lauren Scott 5.0 out of 5 stars An beautiful, effective poetry collection conveying a vital message. Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸While I turned the pages of Robbie Cheadle’s new book, I became enlightened. I absorbed the information she includes about South African wildlife and the vital message that flows seamlessly from beginning to end. Lion Scream is a unique and touching collection of poetry that takes the reader on a journey to learn about the wildlife in South Africa from Robbie’s personal experiences in the bush, but not to omit “their plight in the face of the Sixth Mass Extinction.” Her passion for wildlife is surely felt throughout the pages.A wide variety of animals are highlighted in this collection with stunning, color photos. Animals range from lions, tigers, cheetahs, hippos, and elephants to the Hadeda bird that I had never heard of before. Robbie profoundly expresses how the habitats of these incredible animals have been lost due to global warming, and how the animals’ safety has been compromised due to the evil actions of humans, all because of greed. Robbie’s emotions are palpable through her powerful and sometimes distressing poems. The book takes a detour in the end with a short story that touches on mental health, but the story ties into the initial issue of global warming and the lost habitats.Robbie’s poem entitled, “Lion Scream” may be short, but its message is concise and effective:There is no jungle/Only acres of smooth stumps/There is no jungle/No habitat, no food source/Hopeless lion screams tonight And below is a verse from the heartbreaking poem “Rhino Dilemma” –Savage men move quickly/Hack out valued horn/Animal left bleeding; awakes to sure death/Tears of pain and anguish/Slide from fading eyes. Years ago, I read two non-fiction books about elephants, and I instantly fell in love with them. So, reading Robbie’s poems about these amazing animals and the poaching horrors they endure is beyond heart wrenching. But a few poems are playful, painting a delightful picture:Now it’s time for some fun/Trunk draws in water/Up it comes, spraying a fountain overhead/Cool drops sprinkle downward/She trumpets with joy. A few of Robbie’s poems made me smile, but most tugged at my heart because of the serious issues of extinction, human actions that result in the animals’ suffering, and climate change. Anyone who wishes to become educated on these issues or who wishes to foster a solution where humans and animals can contentedly coexist should read Lion Scream. Highly recommended. Head over to buy the book: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US

Read the reviews and Buy the books :Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Follow Robbie : Goodreads – blog: Robbie’s Inspiration- Twitter: @bakeandwrite

Please do pop over to Sally’s fabulous blog to read the full blog link below:

https://wp.me/p3ZnNr-INc

Sharing Options:

July 27, 2023 10

Tanka Tuesday #sun #sea #rock #photography #poetry #challenge #Portimão: Rocks With Faces and a Crocodile!

The prompt this week is a photo challenge see above truck on beach from Terri at: https://secondwindleisure.com/about-me/

To concentrate on visual imagery and use the words, sun, sand and sea…

Rocks With Faces

Sun sand and sea rocks!

Creates faces to enjoy!

Close up they transform

Think its eerie that they do?

Let me share them all with you!

Rocks With Faces And Meet The Eerie Man!

(Freeform Poem.)

A playful rock whale surfaces,
Begging me, begging me,
Grab my make believe barnacles!

Salty tears fill a dinasaur’s eye,
Chiselled by years of unrelenting tide, Turbulent tears for all eternity.

DINOSAUR (LOOKING RIGHT)
OR SHARPED NOSED MAN (LOOKING LEFT)

Faraway a sailing boat glides along,
Unaware of the sharp nosed man,
His watery beard, lips lapping salt.

WHITE SPEC IN DISTANCE IS THE
SAILING BOAT

On the shore, a rugged cat grimaces,
His itch begs a scratch, But his stone face has no purr.

Close up the cat transforms,

Becoming a lonesome bunny,

Lost without his magician.

In front, a pyramid points to the heavens,
Upon it a sunbathing iquana stretches,
Its long tail delivering a zigzag crack.

I glance up,
an eerie mouth gapes,
its ragged jaw yelling danger.

My husband wades back.
He jumps in making waves,
And the water rushes in.

The tide creeps closer,
Pummelling the rock again,
Creating new faces.

***

A Crocodile At The Beach

Who is this fellow?

Stay back! Don’t dare come closer!

Phew, he isn’t real!

***

The above crocodile was an artistic piece of work. Looked very realistic!

To enter Colleen’s challenge:

#TankaTuesday Weekly #Poetry Challenge No. 328, 7/11/23

Some photos of the beach and me! Yes I do love the beach!

View at Medium.com

https://linktr.ee/mjmallonauthor/

Sharing Options:

July 13, 2023 40

Smorgasbord Book Promotions – Summer Book Fair 2023 – #Poetry Balroop Singh, Harmony Kent, #Flashfiction #Poetry M.J. Mallon | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

Thank you so much to Sally for this lovely feature – summer book fair promotion for Balroop, Hamony and my collection The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet.

From Sally’s blog:

The first book today is a collection of poetry by Balroop Singh I recommended in June 2022 Hues Of Hope: Selected Poetry

About the collection

Hues Of Hope is the collection of readers’ favorite poems from my poetry books. These poems explore the hope that lies within our heart, hope that whispers each morning to look at the horizon, hope that inspires us to look beyond the chaotic world and take the next step to vanquish the fears that try to fetter us. It promises to take us to an oasis of peace, unravels magical moments of joy, as beams of love calm our senses. It even guides us through dark alleys to show the streaks of light that shimmer through the clouds.

One of the recent reviews for the collection

Hues of Hope is a collection of poems to savor. Each descriptive verse captures aspects of the virtues of life: beauty, hope, or love. Readers travel through time and mystery and then settle into their own hearts. Singh shares herself, and that is the ultimate gift of the poems. The few lines below are from a poem called Magic of Senses. They offer a glimpse of the magic this poet creates:

Far away an emerald lake
Entwined with the horizon,
A perfect magic to touch and feel
The eternal Link that connects.

Peace and beauty knotted forever
Aspens enhance the joy of wilderness
The orchestra of wind whispers
An air of musical mirth.

Head over to read the reviews and buy the collection: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

A selection of other books by Balroop Singh

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – and : Amazon UK – Follow Balroop : Goodreads – blog:Balroop Singh on WordPress – Twitter: @BalroopShado

Another poet that I can recommend having read all three books in this series is Harmony Kent and… Life & Soul (Book 2 in the Soul Poetry series)

About the collection

Life & Soul is the second book in the Soul Poetry Series by acclaimed author Harmony Kent.

This beautiful collection of over fifty poems will take the reader through the highs and lows of everyday life via contemporary poetry in a range of styles and themes. Within these pages, you will find reflections on the Lonely Soul, the Seeking Soul, Brief Soul, Friendly Soul, and the Loving Soul—states of mind and living and longing we each experience over the course of a life.

Life & Soul offers something for lovers of poetry from all walks of life.

One of the reviews for the collection

ADG 5.0 out of 5 stars As good as the first Reviewed in the United Kingdom

This second installment of Slices of Soul is just as thought provoking and insightful as the first offering, with some wonderful prose and feeling created within its pages. I felt the authors sense of loneliness and struggle, as well as betrayal, and I liked the journey towards hope and love in the later stages. It was also intriguing reading the short autobiographical segment where we really get to know what defines the author. Strong poems for me were Wild and Free, Still Laundry to Get Done and The Group, and I loved the phrase ‘My favourite hello my hardest goodbye my whole reason why’.

This short collection is quick to read but also one to take your time with. The Zen influences and personal touches are what made it stand out for me.

Head over to read the reviews and buy new collection : Universal Link

A small selection of other books by Harmony Kent

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon UK – And : Amazon US – Follow Harmony:Goodreads – Website:Harmony Kent – Twitter: @Harmony_Kent

The final book today is another I can highly recommend. The flash fiction and poetry collection The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet by M.J. Mallon.

Source: Smorgasbord Book Promotions – Summer Book Fair 2023 – #Poetry Balroop Singh, Harmony Kent, #Flashfiction #Poetry M.J. Mallon | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

About the collection

The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet is a collection of poetry and flash fiction celebrating the beautiful vulnerability of the forest kingdom. It begins with the poetic tale of the kind-hearted Hedge Witch, Fern, who discovers an injured stranger in desperate need of her woodland spells and magic.

The sweet pairing learn from each other and through Fern’s guidance, Devin embraces the power of magic to leave behind his trouble past to become The Musical Poet.

Poetry/flash fiction titles in section one of the collection include:

The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet, Rain Forest Love, A Forest Baby Boy, A Forest Baby Girl, A Modern Witch, Rock of Mine, Chester Don & I, The Network of Trees, More Trees Not Less, Two Boys Watching War, Mum Climbing Trees, Let’s Play, The Scorched Tree, Owl’s Holiday Home, A Man’s Holiday Home, A Child’s Excitement, The Teddy In The Woods, Run! The Organutans, All Hallow’s Eve Candy Girl The Forest Bash, Dreaming At Halloween, A Face on Bark, Golden Willow Tree, Rainbow – Parasol of Light, Lollipop Sunshine Tree,

In Section two I pay tribute to the following poets:Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Evangeline, Ruby Archer, King Forest, Bliss Carman, Woodland Rain, Emily Dickinson, Who Robbed the Woods, Rupert Blake, Stopping by The Woods on A Winter Evening,Oscar Wilde, In the Forest.

With my poetry: The Forest Weeps, The Forest King, Raindrops and Childhood Dreams, The Woodland Treasures, Winter Woodland Moon, Child Me.

One of the reviews for the collection

D.L. Finn 5.0 out of 5 stars If you love poetry, magic, and forest this collection is for you! Reviewed in the United States

A unique and beautifully written collection of poetry and fiction weaved magically together. I love trees and nature, so a forest setting pulled me right in. Section one starts off with “The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet.” A whimsical tale of an injured man, Dale, found by a magical woman, Fern, who takes him in to heal. It was great to see a couple more poetic pieces continue this sweet journey. Section two offered poetry based on some famous poems. The beautiful imagery captivated me throughout this book.

I appreciated all the poetry and prose, especially “The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet” but here are more favorites, “Rock of Mine,” “The Forest King,” and “The Scorched Tree.” It was great to see a couple of samples that I enjoyed from “Mr. Sagittarius Poetry and Prose” included. If you love poetry and flash fiction, especially the forest and magic, this is a collection you won’t want to miss. I plan to add the print version to my bookshelves so I can keep enjoying it.

Head over to read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon UK – And:Amazon US

Read the reviews and buy the books:Amazon US –And: Amazon UK – Website: M.J. Mallon – Goodreads: Goodreads – Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

Sharing Options:

July 6, 2023 4

#TankaTuesday Weekly #Poetry Challenge #Trees #Reed #Celtic #Astrology #Abhanga #Manchester #Travel #Humour

This week Colleen asked us to check out this blog to find out what kind of tree we are! Being a huge nature and tree fan I couldn’t resist!

Here’s the link. https://onetreeplanted.org/pages/what-kind-of-tree-are-you

Outcome: I am apparently a REED, The inquisitor – a secret keeper who digs to discover the real meaning and truth of things. And guess what… I love a good story!

REED – THE INQUISITOR

OCTOBER 28 – NOVEMBER 24

Recently, I was in Manchester visiting my daughter, travelling around the city on trams, happily eavesdropping. Yes, I admit it, being nosy is one of my favourite pastimes!

On one tram, a group of young men were chatting about their late night. One said, “I hope you are not going to bend me like a pretzel again tonight like last night…”

Ha ha! Well, let’s just say, my author’s imagination was doing crazy somersaults imagining what he meant by this! It seems to be an acrobatic thing… tiktok, google and see. And has some sexual connotations?

I have written another poem which I intend to include in a poetry collection I’m currently working on with a sensual/love/humour theme. More about that later… It’s in early draft stages at the moment.

So, for now, this is the tame version of Bend it Like a Pretzel… The Clue On The Tram.. A Reed, Pretzels and Lads.

Abhanga are written in any number of 4-line stanzas with 6-6-6-4 syllables each. L2 and L3 rhyme. The end rhyme scheme is abbc. Don’t forget to title your poem.