Posts Tagged ‘Poetry’

Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for An Imaginary Affair organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Diana Raab will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

An Imaginary Affair

by Diana Raab

Synopsis

An Imaginary Affair is a collection of sensitive and sensuous poems for poets and non-poets who appreciate the challenges and intricacies of being human.

The poems touch on key human elements, such as love, desire, passion, memory, loss, and gratitude. The poet celebrates the joys, and pains inherent to a woman’s heart, while honoring the wisdoms and tones of Neruda’s poetry. Some of the epistolary poems are directed to Neruda in response to his riveting poems.

“In this intimate collection of poems, Diana Raab pays tribute to the sensual physicality of Pablo Neruda’s work and to her own real and invented lives. With unvarnished honesty, An Imaginary Affair celebrates a woman’s heart and mind through a handful of odes, epistolary poems, and the idea that memory and anticipation can sustain and nourish us; even drinking a glowing hot toddy is transformed into a meditation on how an ordinary act can awaken desire. Her unvarnished honesty gives equal attention to matters of mortality, where loss is lyrically considered (“…will you run from me / when trains sleep at their stations”), and also explored in the spirit of open curiosity (“How long does it take / for a pine casket to disintegrate / in this caving land…). These poems remind us that to be alive is to try and balance joy and lament, and how through this effort we more deeply inhabit the world and ourselves.” –Emma Trelles, author of Tropicalia and Poet Laureate of Santa Barbara

Read an Excerpt

Please Don’t Forget Me

I want you to know

one thing:

if there is ever a day

when you begin to think

about my place in this world

and if I could live without you —

stop in your tracks,

and look the imprints

your feet made in the sand

where you and I walked together

arm in arm, side by side

shoulder touching shoulder.

You are ingrained in my brain

like every kernel of sand

that lies beside the largest ocean

in this world where we inhabit

two sides familiar, yet foreign

to one another. But, in the end,

I had to let you go: when you love

someone it’s what one must do —

set them free to do what they need

or want, and when they want

to do it, whether it is with you or not—

while always keeping in mind

I will never in my lifetime or yours

stop loving everything about you.

About Author Diana Raab:

Diana Raab is an award-winning, memoirist, poet, blogger, inspirational speaker, and workshop facilitator. As the author of nine books of nonfiction and poetry, Raab teaches workshops on writing for healing and transformation, inspiring others to use creativity for healing and self-discoveries. Her 2 latest books are WRITING FOR BLISS: A SEVEN-STEP PLAN FOR TELLING YOUR STORY AND TRANSFORMING YOUR LIFE and WRITING FOR BLISS: A COMPANION JOURNAL, available on Amazon and wherever books are sold. Publisher’s Weekly says this about WRITING FOR BLISS: “This thoughtful and detailed primer…targets pretty much anyone interested in writing a memoir.”

Raab has written over 1000 articles and poems including her contributions to Psychology Today, Thrive Global, Wisdom Daily and many others. She has taught at UCLA Extension, the Santa Barbara’s Writer’s Conference, 1440 Multiversity, Hugo House and others.

Her chapbook, An Imaginary Affair: Poems Whispered to Neruda is written in response to his work.

Website

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Amazon

Finishing Line Press

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Welcome to The Kid’s Korner.

I decided to do this feature as I have so many great children’s books to share. From picture books, to books for beginning readers, to middle graders, I have plenty of fun ones.

Today I’m sharing a collection of illustrated poems by a talented brother and sister writing team.

check to see if still free

20 Degrees From Normal

Creative Poems For All Ages

by Anissa and Antonio Ferris

20 Degrees from Normal: Creative Poems for All Ages by [Ferris, Anissa, Ferris, Antonio]

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Genre: Poetry / Illustrated Chidlren’s Book

My Review

 Anissa and Antonio Ferris, sister and brother teen writers, show a lot of imagination in their poems dealing with situations kids face in their every day lives. Younger readers and teens will surely relate to some of the messages presented in them. I sure did with Fly Invader and Inverse Nurse. My son’s favorites were Pet Rex and Pet Spider.

The vibrant and fun illustrations by Fanny Liem connect you with each poem. They pop right off the pages.

Sweet and funny, this rhyming book, whether read together or alone, will become a family favorite.

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Synopsis

By teens for teens. Who better understands teens than teens themselves? In this funny poem collection siblings, Anissa and Antonio Ferris, explore a plethora of subjects.
You will be amused be the rant of an unappreciated wheel.  You’ll relate to the alarm clock failing to work. You’ll acknowledge the wisdom of the lighthouse.  You’ll laugh at the battle with the fly.  You’ll ponder the joys of friendship.  You’ll be amused by what happens to those who are unprepared. You’ll marvel at what a best gift is. You’ll laugh at the havoc a pet rex would create. You’ll be amused by the shampoo phenomenon.  You’ll nod your head as you read the teenagers’ and the parents’ point of view. And many more! Whether you’re a high school freshman or senior, scroll up and grab your copy now to finally enjoy a book by authors who get you!

Amazon / B&N

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Today’s the day, all the excitement, all the anticipation, and now it’s finally here.

Scroll down and check out Mosaics!

And don’t forget to enter the mega giveaway, including a Kindle Fire, a $50 gift card, and a paperback library, at the end of this post!

A project focused on bringing women’s voices to readers and celebrating the stories they have to tell. Including stories by Keyan Bowes, Carol Cao, Chelo Diaz-Ludden, Sarina Dorie, Naomi Elster, Jordanne Fuller, Ari Harradine, Karen Heuler, L.S. Johnson, Tonya Liburd, Kelsey Maki, Julia Ray, Patty Somlo, P.K. Tyler, Deborah Walker, Keira Michelle Telford, Kim Wells, Elizabeth Wolf, and Sylvia Spruck Wrigley

Mosaics: A Collection of Independent Women Volume One

Mosaic CoverMosaics: A Collection of Independent Women will inspire and shock you with its multi-faceted look at the history and culture surrounding femininity. If gender is a construct, this anthology is the house it built. Look through its many rooms, some bright and airy, some terrifying- with monsters lurking in the shadows.

Mosaics Volume One features twenty self-identified female authors writing about Intersectionality, including women of color, and members of the disability, trans, and GLB/ GSD* (Gender and Sexual Diversities) communities. We have curated amazing short fiction, flash fiction, poetry, essays, and art. It’s personal, political, and a great read.

This collection includes Hugo Award Nominees, Tiptree Shortlists, Pushcart Prize Winners, USA Today Bestsellers, indie superstars and traditionally published talents alike. The anthology combines leading and new voices all proclaiming their identity as Women, and their ability to Roar.

 

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Buy Your Copy Now! Amazon.com

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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A Rare Nativity (1)
Blog Tour Schedule

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A Rare NativityA Rare Nativity (32 pages) by Sam Besson
We have all heard the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, and we have all seen the traditional Christmas crèche. Now, author Sam Beeson and photographers Nina and Terral Cochran combine these two classic Christmas icons to create A Rare Nativity.
Upon reading the first lines of the book, it is clear the narrator holds a bitter grudge as he sends his enemy crude and discarded gifts: On the first night of Christmas I gave my enemy a briar from a tanglewood tree. On the second night of Christmas I gave my enemy two rotten eggs.

Night after night the gifts pile up shards of glass, rusty nails, gnarled twigs, and more. What the narrator s enemy decides to do with each of these odious gifts is nothing less than a Christmas miracle. The photographic creation of the rare nativity at the end of the book is both a work of art and a wonder to behold.

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Amazon * Deseret Book

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My Review

There’s a saying I’m sure you’re familiar with, “Good things come in small packages.”

It’s a perfect description for this book.

The story is short, written as a poem, with pictures of each item this man sent to his enemy.

For the twelve days of Christmas he sent what seemed to be junk.

What his enemy did with the junk is something we wish we would have done.

Once I finished this book, I wanted to be kinder. To turn the other cheek. To let go of petty anger and grudges. To be better.

It only took me a few minutes to read A Rare Nativity.

The message stayed with me much longer.

4 Stars

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About the Author

Sam Beeson gives himself annual writing assignments. In 2005, he wrote a poem a day. In 2007, he wrote about his wife every day. In 2015, each day he wrote a handwritten letter to someone new. Sam teaches high school English and loves reading the journals of his ancestors.

 

$25 Blog Tour giveaway

$25 Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon eGift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 11/11/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com eGift Card or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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There is just as much beauty and wonder inside this book as there is on the cover.

I don’t profess to know a lot about poetry. I just know I like to read it.

It moves me the way a wonderful painting or other piece of art does.

I don’t have to understand it, I just have to feel it.

Tapestry moved me in many ways. It still does.

I keep it on my ottoman and when I am not busy, I sit quietly and open the book to a random page and read.

Solitaire Parke filled these pages with some wonderful poetry. I just have to show you a couple of my favorites.

It Won’t Be Today

Sometimes loneliness beckons to us all.

Without realizing it, we answer to its call

With a moment of solitude that stretches into days,

Of quiet and pensive recollection

That leads us down this tangled maze.

There are times when I have wanted more,

But it slips away like it has before.

In a moment of hesitation the time will pass,

Into the darkness that is found in me,

And falls ever downward becoming my past.

I keep the world at the length of my arm.

Always standing alert, ever sounding alarm

At the very feelings that could show me the way,

But blinded, my search always end with me,

Proving again that it won’t be today.

Higher Ground

I have discovered when all else fails;

When my eyes are tired and weak.

I have but to pull on the inner strength

For the truth inside me to speak.

Knowing the truth but living with lies

Causes your conviction to break.

You have but to lean on a greater need

For your heart to no longer ache.

The room for wisdom – A place of rest

Where equality’s finally found.

We have but to ask for the master’s help

To stand alone on higher ground.

 

These are just a couple of the many poems that grabbed my heart and soul.

I look forward to many more quiet moments with Tapestry. Before long this book will be soft and worn from many readings.

I gave this book the 5 STARS it so richly deserves.

Thank you Solitaire for your lovely poems.

Also by Solitaire Parke

 

I am reading this right now. The first of The Dorian Trilogy.

It is free for your kindle today. Click on the image to get yours.

To buy Tapestry you can click on the image also.

Solitaire is also calling all Dragon Riders. He is having a contest on his blog. To check it out and enter go here:

http://solitaireparke.wordpress.com/2012/06/30/the-emerald-dragon-character-contest/

The Emerald Dragon Character Contest

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THE CALL FOR ALL POTENTIAL DRAGON RIDERS HAS BEGUN!!

The Emerald Dragon by Solitaire Parke

This Contest is open Internationally – All are welcome to participate.