Tag: poetry

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BOOK REVIEW: Read Receipts by Ella C. Potter

I feel poetry is becoming a lost art. So, when a new poetry book comes across my desk, I am more than happy to spotlight it. I recently got gifted a chance to read Read Receipts by Ella C. Potter (aka Katrina Thornley).

Published: November 16th 2024

Genre: Poetry

Pages: 130


“We were the stars

Burnt out before anyone knew,

Exploding in the blink of an eye.

But god were we beautiful.”

Read Receipts from Ella C. Potter is a collection of free verse poems inspired by the past and moments of hard reflection. With undertones of angst mingling with moments of hope and healing, this poetry collection reflects upon toxic relationships and the processes associated with moving on. It explores themes of heartbreak, love, loss, transformation, self worth, and growth. Imagery of nature is weaved through out along with fairy tale references. The collection ends with a poem dedicated to a past self, a message to the reader to treat themselves with care and the importance of prioritizing yourself.

AMAZON

REVIEW

Read Receipts is a poetic story about dealing with toxic relationships, breaking free, and healing afterward. Each poem has no title, which I found a bit odd, but each poem transitions so well into each other as if telling a story. Yet I do have favorites like the start titled “Were directed..” “I found..” and the powerful “I have loved…”

To be honest, I was hesitant to read this book due to its raw emotional topic that felt all too close to home, but I found myself wrapped in support and power. Potter’s poetry empowers, not weakens, and that is how it should be. Read Receipts; therefore, it gets five stars from me!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

To learn more about the Author visit https://linktr.ee/KatrinaThornleyAuthor

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Book Review: Blood for Blood by J.N. Eagles

 From the author of last year’s “Open the Casket.”  This year, J.N. Eagles is back with Blood for Blood, a poetic story that will haunt you days after.

Blood for Blood

Genre: YA Poetry/ Supernatural

Cover Designer:  @j20graphics

Synopsis

An older vampire secretly resides in a neighborhood, preying off those who hike in the nearby woods. One night, he becomes distracted by a second attack and allows his prey to escape. Following a trail of blood, he comes face to face with his old mentor who only wants revenge and to keep the vampire laws. His mentor will either kill or transform everyone he cares for into vampires. After being arrested and interrogated for a crime his mentor framed him for, can he escape the police station before the sunlight diminishes him? Can he save his great-grandson? Will he be able to convince a stranger, who thinks of him as a monster, to help him? He would do anything as long as he didn’t have to accept his final death.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

REVIEW

Blood for Blood is achingly haunting! A story told in poetic prose, Eagles makes sure you turn the next page even though you don’t want to.

This book was so unique and beautiful all at once. Horrifyingly tragic, I was not sure I liked the trip Eagles was taking me on, but I loved it at the same time. The story is so incredibly good! It holds you and, with a gentle touch, yearns you to the end. This is true gothic horror reminiscent of the great Edgar Allen Poe.

This is a great story told in such a brave new way, and oddly, it works. I do not think the story could be told any other way. Eagles tells the tale of the vampire in poetic free verse poetry. It was offputting at first, but I soon felt at home in the Eagles’ style of storytelling. This book! I am still in awe and love. It’s on my favorite list of reads this year. 

Thus, my rating is 5 out of 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

J. N. Eagles currently lives in Alabama with her husband, daughter, two cats, and a flock of chickens. She runs a reading blog where she posts reviews about the books on her shelves, and she plans to write many books of poetry. She graduated from Athens State University with a Bachelor’s in English/Language Arts and graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Master of Arts in Writing. When she’s not reading or scribbling new stories, she’s enjoying the outdoors and working in her garden.

To learn more about Eagle and her other works, visit her Amazon page and follow Eagles on Instagram @j.n.eagles.author

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Book Review: WALLFLOWERS by Haley Valenta (poetry book)

I love poetry, and today I am reviewing Wallflowers by Haley Valenta. She delivers a poetic beauty I have not read in a long time. This is poetry to me.


Wallflowers

Published: Stetember 21, 2023

Genre: Poetry

Wallflowers is a collection of poetry covering subjects such as life, relationships, and mental health. This is the second collection of poetry published by the author.


Trigger warning: Contains talk of self-harm, depression, and anxiety attacks

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

REVIEW

Poetically open and rhythm-bound, Wallflowers shines and brightens on the beauty of pain and depression. How can pain and depression be beautiful? Because of the person you come out as on the other side is profound. While reading, some may not get it, while others may break down and cry yes, this is my life! In the end, though, Valenta brings you whole again, showing the light on the other side.

I can’t help but think of those who do not make it. The life they are missing if they had just held on and gotten the help they needed. Valenta is one of the lucky ones. She turns her sorrow into poetry, proving that you can rise above. You can come out of the darkness.

Valenta leads us through her journey in Wallflowers and shows us her poetic prowess in poems such as “Yes” and “So um…” oozing such sweet poetic goodness. In “Funeral Rites” and “Social Anxiety Disorder,” she stabs a hidden scar in your soul that glows against a kindred soul. Real. Raw and beautifully done!

My Rating is 5 out of 5 stars. I’d give it ten billion if I could.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Haley Valenta is a poet from Wisconsin who has been writing for most of her life. She studied Writing and Public Relations at Coe College and is looking to start a career in her field. She currently has two poetry books published through Amazon. 

You can find her on Instagram @hlylauren.

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Book Review: If Only My Eyes Could Speak by Nicole Sadiee

Hosted by Indie Promotions

If Only My Eyes Could Speak

Published: (February 2018)

Genre: Memoirs,  Poetry by women

“If Only My Eyes Could Speak” is an important book that entails the struggles of a young black girl growing up in a broken home. It is a book made to represent the mistreatment and misinterpretation of adolescents who are forced to grow up in toxic environments. The book contains personal poems and letters that speak on behalf of sexual abuse, abandonment, miscarriage at a young age, and sexual conquests. This book is only a taste of what Nicole has seen and experienced through her own eyes.

Available Now on Amazon

REVIEW

 A silver winner of the Global Ebook Awards and Winner of the Dan Poynter Legacy Award If Only My Eyes Could Speak is a gut-wrenching read. A short but powerful read this book speaks volumes.

Reading like we are peeking into a young girl’s journal Sadiee shares her personal poetry, and prose (letters) she wrote as a young girl going through physical and sexual abuse trying to make sense of it all.

 Her writings start at the age of 14 and go through to 17, and the words and things Sadiee writes should not be in the mind of a child so young.  Yet, her prominent piece “Letter To My Mother” written at the tender age of 14 explains it all.  

It took me a couple of days to recover after reading this book. Haunted by the eloquence of young Sadiee’s words you FEEL each syllable she writes, and the therapeutic release she feels as she writes them. 

A beautiful piece to show we can overcome. We can take the bad and make it good.

My overall rating is 5 stars and beyond.

Purchase now on Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nicole Sadiee is an upcoming model, author, and entrepreneur. Growing up in Georgia with a broken family and a love for writing helped produce her first book at 18. “If Only My Eyes Could Speak” is just a taste of how Nicole has experienced life beginning at the ripe age of 14. She lets you into her world raw and see how her childhood has shaped her into the young woman she is today.

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Book Spotlight: Open the Casket by J.N. Eagles

It’s a book spotlight triple-header as we start to enter the fall season. As the days get shorter and the air crisper delight yourself with Open the Casket by J.N. Eagles.

Open the Casket

Publication Date: April 2023

Genre: Paranormal/ Horror/ Poetry/ Young Adult

A ghost, he has the freedom to roam as long as he stays within the black gates. What he didn’t expect was to fall in love. Can he protect the grave she’s mourning? Can he restore the guidepost for all spirits who pass through the cemetery? Should he remain or transcend? So many questions, and yet one thing is for certain—he must protect the guidepost at all costs.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

About The Author

J. N. Eagles currently lives in Alabama with her husband, daughter, two cats, and a flock of chickens. She runs a reading blog where she posts reviews about the books on her shelves, and she plans to write many books of poetry. She graduated from Athens State University with a Bachelor’s in English/Language Arts and graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Master of Arts in Writing. When she’s not reading or scribbling new stories, she’s enjoying the outdoors and working in her garden.

Learn more about J.N. at JN Eagles

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The Old Crone of Beauty

Switching from being mostly a book author to a freelance writer has caused my creative writing to slow down. Recently, I have felt the desire to return to it. So, I took a short mental break and was able to come up with two short pieces of writing. I am unsure whether to call them poems or prose. Nevertheless, I hope you will support me and enjoy one of them, which I will share with you today.

The Old Crone of Beauty

The Old Crone of Beauty, people often seek purely out of curiosity. No eyes have ever grazed her face. Always shrouded and hunched, how could anyone be of beauty and such? No one should care except only for the wares that she brings.  
  
Salves for wounds, tonic to drink, beautiful rose-smelling oils, and soaps to erase your stink. Sometimes there'll even be yummy cakes and jams that the town folks clamor to have. As a pretty young girl, she hosts her market stand.  
  
One day a young lad became brave to ask the girl has she seen the Crone's face.  
The girl smiled, saying, "Ay." To which another boy piped in to say, "Is it you, my lady?"  
"Nay," she did laugh. "I am not that blessed for her beauty; I cannot compare. Though she
does beg to differ, for I am young and vibrate. She says her beauty and her heart have long
been dead. But she is the most beautiful I've ever seen. Her pain, I think, is what makes her so pretty. For no matter what unkind, she finds love and beauty inside."  
  
The boys were silent, and the young girl smiled, giving a nod, and turned away. The young lad had to see the Old Crone of Beauty for some reason that day.
  
That night he dared and ventured to the Old Crone’s home. The Old Crone did not live in
some deep woods hidden but on a hill between the forest trees. The lad soon reached the
well-worn path that leads up to her home. As he started his journey up, he knew he would
quickly see her glowing lantern flames shine bright for the weary traveler that may come in
sight. Instead, he would be her guest tonight.  

As he approached closer, he soon saw the illumination of her little cottage and soon the
Crone herself as she came from around back into view. The lad gasped as he saw the Crone freeze.  He saw she was carrying a basket probably filled with herbs and berries and grasses. Straightening up her stance, he saw a hand come from her shrouds, reaching up to pull back her cowl. The boy gasps again.   
  
While age seemed to have weathered her hair to gray, her skin, her face glowed with a beauty almost perfect. Coming out of his trance and finding his voice, he called out, "You are not an old crone of beauty! Just beauty, I see."  
The Old Crone couldn't help but smile, making the young lad's heart flutter all the while.  
  
"Come back another time," she said. "The night is not looking so divine." The Old Crone points up to the sky. The boy follows his gaze to see a flash inside the overhead, dark clouds. The boy looks back to protest. To maybe stay the night instead when the Crone was gone, nowhere to be seen.  

The Old Crone of Beauty.

By JannyC, All rights reserved Copyrighted(c) 2023