A Look at Poetry Reviews from the Past Year: The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet

Book Cover: Dark shadowy mountain craigs in background. A girl sitting in the trees with an eagle overhead in foreground.
Text: The Hedge Witch & the Musical Poet, Poems & Flash Fiction by M J Mallon

It celebration of National Poetry Month, I’m reblogging my poetry reviews from the past year on Saturdays throughout April in case you missed any of these noteworthy poetry collections.

Today’s review is The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet, by M.J. Mallon


Day 5 of the WordCrafter “Poetry Treasures 4” Book Blog Tour

We’re over at Colleen Chesebro, Author & Poet blog site for Day 5 of the WordCrafter Poetry Treasures 4 Book Blog Tour witha guest post from contributing author, Merril D. Smith and a reading of her poem “Trinity” from Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature. Join us in celebrating the release of this poetry anthology, a lovely tribute to the natural world. Leave a comment for a chance at a free digital copy of the book.


Book Review: The Body in the Attic

Box of Books Text: Book Reviews

About the Book

Welcome to River Bluffs, Indiana, a cozy small town populated with charming homes, close-knit families, and the occasional deadly secret….

House-flipper Jazzi Zanders and her cousin Jerod have found their latest project. The property, formerly owned by the late Cal Juniper, is filled with debris that must be cleared before the real renovation begins. But a trip to the attic reveals something more disturbing than forgotten garbage – a skeleton wearing a locket and rings that Jazzi recognizes….

Tests confirm that the bones belong to Jazzi’s aunt Lynda, who everyone assumed moved to New York years ago after breaking up with Cal. Soon enough, the whole family is involved, sifting through memories and rumors as they try to piece together what really happened to Lynda – and the baby she gave up for adoption. In between investigating and remodeling, Jazzi is falling for the old house’s charms – and for her gorgeous contractor, Ansel. But with surprises lurking in every nook and cranny, a killer might be waiting to demolish her dreams for good….

Purchase Links:

Audible: https://www.amazon.com/The-Body-in-Attic-Judi-Lynn-audiobook/dp/B07TT8CFRP/

Chime: https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks/the-body-in-the-attic-by-judi-lynn

My Review

I listened to the audiobook of The Body in the Attic, by Judi Lynn, and narrated by Devon Sorvari. I was drawn to this book by the title, and found the story to be well written, with all the makings of a good mystery, but I had difficulty with the narration, which often seemed just a little off, without proper inflection. The story was good enough to keep me listening through to the end, in spite of this, but each time an inflection was off, it pulled me out of the story.

When a body is found in a trunk in the attic of a house Jazzi is flipping, it solves the 30 year old mystery of why her aunt disappeared, but it opens up a new one. Who killed her? When a second, newer body is found on the property, it opens even more questions which need to be answered, especially when the two murders appear to be connected. While digging up the facts about her aunt’s disappearance, Jazzi uncovers the clues that will solve both mysteries, with the aid of a very helpful detective who, for some reason, shares the information on the case with her freely and takes her with him to confront the witnesses. (Okay, I admit, I had a hard time suspending disbelief on that one.)

A good mystery story, with less than perfect narration. I give The Body in the Attic three quills.

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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARCs. Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.


Day 4 of the WordCrafter “Poetry Treaasures 4” Book Blog Tour

Today is Day 4 of the WordCrafter Poetry Treasures 4 Book Blog Tour and we’re over at D.L. Finn’s lovely blog site, d.l.finn author, with a guest post from contributing poet, Patricia Furstenberg. Please join us in sending of this lovely poetry anthology, and leave a comment to show your support of its contributors and enter in the giveaway. Come on by and learn more.


Day 3 of the WordCrafter “Poetry Treasures 4” Book Blog Tour

Day 3 of the Wordcrafter Poetry Treasures 4 Book Blog Tour finds us over at Book Places where Kay Castenada interviews contributing poet, Emily Gmitter, and Selma Martin shares a beautiful reading of her poem “The Bridge Home”. Please join us in sending of this very special poetry anthology, Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature. Be sure to leave a comment to enter the giveaway, too.


Day 2 of the WordCrafter “Poetry Treasures 4” Book Blog Tour

Today were over at Merril’s Historical Musings for Day 2 of the WordCrafter Poetry Treasures 4 Book Blog Tour with a lovely reading from contributing poet, Andrew McDowell. Join us in launching this delightful poetry collection and support the contributing poets. And don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance at a free digital copy in the #giveaway!


Welcome to the WordCrafter “Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature” Book Blog Tour

It’s day 1 of the WordCrafter Poetry Treasures 4 Book Blog Tour, and today we have contributing poet D.L. Finn with a reading of her poem, “The Island”. Stick with the tour for the rest of the week for readings and guest posts from contributing authors Andrew McDowell, Patricia Furstenberg, Merril D. Smith, Selma Martin and Robbie Cheadle, an interview with contributing author Emily Gmitter, and a review on Carla Loves to Read. If you leave a comment at each stop, you’ll be entered in our great giveaway.

Giveaway

Leave a comment for a chance to win one of three free copies of

Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature.

Leave a comment at each stop for additional chances.

Winners chosen by random drawing.

You can keep up with the tour through the links in the schedule below, but they won’t work until each stop goes live.

Mon. April 8Writing to be Read – Reading by D.L. Finn

Tues. April 9 Yesterday and Today: Merril’s Historical Musings – Reading by Andrew McDowell

Wed. April 10Book Places – Interview w/ Emily Gmitter & Reading by Selma Martin

Thurs. April 11d.l. finn author – Guest post by Patricia Furstenberg

Fri. April 12Colleen Chesebro, Author & Poet – Guest post by Merril D. Smith

Sat. April 13Carla Reads – Review/ Reading by Robbie Cheadle

Book Trailer

Book Trailer for Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature – created by Robbie Cheadle

About the Anthology

This volume of the Poetry Treasures series is a special one for me because it is the first volume to feature my works. I am proud to be featured along side such talented poets as Colleen Chesebro, D.L. Finn, Frank Prem, and Robbie Cheadle who I have gotten to know and I am familiar with their works. In addition, I got to work woth many creative poets who were new to me, introduced through Robbie’s “Treasuring Poetry” series right along with the series readers. These include Andrew McDowell, Patricia Furstenberg, Emily Gmitter, Marcia Meara, Selma Martin, Luanne Castle, and Merril D. Smith. Without their contributions and willingness to pitch in with the promotions, there would be no anthology. I have so enjoyed working with this group of poets, who have stuggled to meet tight deadlines and put up with my confusions as I shuffled through emails to & from hosts and contributors, and contributors who were also acting as hosts as I put this blog tour together. A big thanks goes out to them for all their efforts and hard work.

The quality of poetry in this volume makes it a poetry treasure to be sure, and I’ve had several contributors thank me for all my hard work. It has been a labor of love. But although I co-edited and did the final formatting, this is really Robbie’s baby, and without all of her hard work, this project wouldn’t be. The anthology was born from Robbie’s “Treasuring Poetry” blog series, and it is Robbie who invited the guests to submit their work, compiled and organized them all into a coherent manuscript, and did the first round of editing. Somehow, she fit all that into her very busy life, and it is she who should be commended, not I.

This is my blog post, my addition to the tour as a contributing author, as well as editor of the project. I will not burden you with my photo and bio, which you, my readers, see with every post I make. Instead I will get right to the main attraction for this stop and move on to a reading by contributing author D.L. Finn.

Introduction of D.L. Finn

Author of children’s books, adult fiction and poetry, D.L. Finn is a multi-talented Califirnia author. Her Haibun and syllabic poetry draw vivid pictures in the mind and I am pleased to feature her works within this volume of Poetry Treasures. She shares with us today a reading of her poem, “The Island”.

Reading of “The Island”, by D.L. Finn

About D.L. Finn

D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.

About Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature

Poetic Treasures Within.

Open the cover

and you will discover

Poetry Treasures

from the guests on

Robbie Cheadle’s 2023

“Treasuring Poetry”

blog series

on Writing to be Read.

Included are poetic gems from: Andrew McDowell, Robbie Cheadle, Patricia Furstenberg, Marcia Meara, Luanne Castle, D.L. Finn, Emily Gmitter, Kaye Lynne Booth, Selma Martin, Merril D. Smith, Frank Prem, and Colleen Chesebro.

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/mlM5YA

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That wraps up today’s stop. Don’t forget to leave a comment and enter the giveaway for a free copy of this lovely poetry collection. Tomorrow will find us over at Colleen Chesebro, Author & Poet with a guest post by contributing poet, Merril D. Smith. Join us and don’t forget to leave a comment for another chance to win a free digital copy of Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature.

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Book your WordCrafter Book Blog Tour today!


Reviews of my poetry collection, “Small Wonders”

On sale for National Poetry Month – Only $2.99

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/SmallWonders


Robbie Shares Her Poetry

Robbie Cheadle shares her poem “He Walks Away”.


A Look at Poetry Reviews from the Past Year: Ever So Gently

Book Cover: Blue/Green abstract background
Text: Lauren Scott, Ever So Gently, A Collection of Poems

It celebration of National Poetry Month, I’m reblogging my poetry reviews from the past year on Saturdays throughout April in case you missed any of these noteworthy poetry collections.

Today’s selection is Ever So Gently, by Lauren Scott