Treasuring Poetry – Meet poet and blogger Dwight Roth and a review

Posted: June 10, 2026 | Author: robbiesinspiration | Filed under: Book Review, Books, Interview, Review, Treasuring Poetry | Tags: Bones of Inspiration, Book Review, Dwight Roth, Interview, Poetry, Robbie Cheadle, Treasuring Poetry, Writing to be Read | 54 Comments

A riverbed with stones, water, and grasses. Text: Treasuring Poetry with Robbie Cheadle and KAye Lynne Booth

Today I am delighted to introduce you to poet and blogger Dwight Roth. Dwight has a beautiful blog which you can find here: https://rothpoetry.wordpress.com/roth-poetry-home-page/. Dwight shares poetry, his lovely paintings, and other craft work on his blog.

Welcome Dwight

Tell us a bit about your writing journey and how you came to write poetry

Reading and writing were very hard for me in primary school. It seems like it took me until I got to the fifth grade to begin catching on to how learning worked. Over the years I dabbled in writing. I wrote songs that I played on the guitar and some poems in freestyle. What little I about poetry, knew was what I learned in my literature classes in high school and college.

After I retired, I began to participate in a live poetry reading at the Indian Trail Cultural arts center in 2013. It was led by Kym Moore, whom some of you know from our Word press blog. I began collecting my poems and had them printed into a booklet form at the local Office Max. She encouraged me to post my poems on a blog.

She introduced me to Word Press and in 2016 I decide to try and joined the Word Press blogging group. It was there I found a poetry community of people who enjoyed my poetry and it took off from there. I made so many wonderful friends over the years and found d’Verse Poets Pub to be a great help in learning to understand poetry in its many forms.

Kym also connected me with Tom Davis, editor of Old Mountain Press, who was a great help in writing my memoirs. He publishes a poetry anthology quarterly which I have contributed to for the past ten years.

I posted my photos and poems every day for over five years. My poems were all written in digital form so I got them published in spiral bound books at the local Office Max. I now have published ten books of poems and several children’s book along with a few my memoirs. Some of them can be found on Amazon Kindle.

Writing poetry has change my life and added purpose to my retirement years.

What is your favourite style of poetry to read?

My poetry of choice is freestyle but I do love writing haiku as well. Saying a lot with a few words is a fun challenge.

Share your favourite poem by another poet and why

I love the work of Billy Collins. His freestyle approach to the ordinary and everyday is so enjoyable to read or listen to. This was the first poem I ever read of his work. There was an immediate connection.

Aimless Love by Billy Collins

This morning as I walked along the lakeshore,

I fell in love with a wren

and later in the day with a mouse

the cat had dropped under the dining room table.

In the shadows of an autumn evening,

I fell for a seamstress

still at her machine in the tailor’s window,

and later for a bowl of broth,

steam rising like smoke from a naval battle.

This is the best kind of love, I thought,

without recompense, without gifts,

or unkind words, without suspicion,

or silence on the telephone.

The love of the chestnut,

the jazz cap and one hand on the wheel.

No lust, no slam of the door –

the love of the miniature orange tree,

the clean white shirt, the hot evening shower,

the highway that cuts across Florida.

No waiting, no huffiness, or rancor –

just a twinge every now and then

for the wren who had built her nest

on a low branch overhanging the water

and for the dead mouse,

still dressed in its light brown suit.

But my heart is always propped up

in a field on its tripod,

ready for the next arrow.

After I carried the mouse by the tail

to a pile of leaves in the woods,

I found myself standing at the bathroom sink

gazing down affectionately at the soap,

so patient and soluble,

so at home in its pale green soap dish.

I could feel myself falling again

as I felt its turning in my wet hands

and caught the scent of lavender and stone.

What is your favourite of your own poems and why?

As I get older, I enjoy pondering on life, death, and theology trying to understand what it all means.This poem is one that came from one of those times.

When My Spirit Rises by Dwight Roth

When my spirit rises

Unencumbered and free

No weight or worry accompanies me

Interesting that I value things

When in the end the spirit flies

Leaving them all behind

How much I worry and fret

But this too shall pass when I am gone

My spirit rises out of this shell

A virtual butterfly reborn

From caterpillar to chrysalis

Reborn in the image of God

Spirit, Creator, Redeemer, Savior

Knowing there is no place for the earthly

In the spirit world beyond

I can’t take it with me

But then again… Why would I want to

When my spirit rises

Leaving it all behind

What poetry projects are you currently working on?

My last project was a self-published book of poems called Bones of Inspiration.

I started publishing my own books using my home computer instead of going to Office Max. I have done the last three poetry books this way. I got a punch and bindings on Amazon that works very well for me. I print books for friends and family. I usually have about a hundred poems to compile every year or so. It is time consuming but I love the process.

My review of Bones of Inspiration by Dwight Roth

Picture caption: gorgeous cover of Bones of Inspiration by Dwight Roth

Dwight Roth is my kind of poet. He writes powerful and impactful poems and flash fiction using simple words and phrases. I don’t need a dictionary to read his work and his meanings and content are clear and precise. Dwight also writes about everyday issues and circumstances that I experience every day. This makes his poetry very relatable for me.

This collection covers a wide range of topics including love, fear, aging, and many others. He uses a technique of questioning in some of his poems which I also enjoy very much. An example of Dwight’s usage of this technique is in his poem Color in the Dark:

“What happens to color when the light goes out

Is the rainbow still there, dancing all about

Or do the colors all congeal to dark black ghosts

Spectors of nothingness seeking a place to float.”

Another beautifully written and insightful poem is about a time when the poet was seven years old and his mother was ill. He perfectly captures the confusion and anxiety of a young boy who doesn’t understand what’s going on but knows its a serious event in his family’s life. An intense extract from this poem, Childhood Trauma:

“Being only seven years old I did not know what to thing as they

carefully carried her down the steps and loaded her into

the back of the hearse that had windows on each side that

read: Honsaker’s Funeral Home – Masontown, Pa

It was a great relief to know the poet’s mother survived and lived to reach a good, old age.

My favourite poem in the collection is Silence … or My Noise of Choice. Although I do not suffer from tinnitus like the author does, I am often overwhelmed by the noise pollution living in a big city. During Covid lockdown, when I went outside to hang out the washing it was delightfully silent. I could write a poem in my head or listen to an audio book on low to entertain myself. Now that we are back to normal life, I find being outside very noisy. I can’t listen to an audio book even with the sound turned up because I can’t hear above the cars and motorbikes racing up the road or an airplane flying overhead. The neighbours play noisy music or speak loudly as do pedestrians on the road. I find the constant noise pollution very stressful. This is a short extract from this poem:

“Sounds around me seem to compete for attention

floating through my head competing with my tinnitus

constantly buzzing like high-pitched cicadas and little twitters.

To my left the return fan for the AC hums off and on

drowning out the questions on Jeopardy and the Wheel.

Finally, the AC fan goes off, the TV is shut off … Ahhh … peace and quiet

But no, as I settle back with my laptop and blog the fridge drops its ice”

If you enjoy honest, easy to read and relate to poetry that is well written and engaging, you will enjoy this delightful collection.

You can purchase Bones of Inspiration from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Bones-Inspiration-Poetry-enjoy-think-ebook/dp/B0GKQ3SDX3

About Dwight Roth

Picture caption: Amazon author photograph of Dwight Roth

Dwight Roth is a retired elementary school teacher of 29 years, who grew up in the mountains of Southwestern Pennsylvania. He enjoys writing, poetry, painting, and music. He enjoys participating in the Indian Trail Cultural Arts poetry group and has had works published in, and recent omp.com Anthologies. He has self-published three memoirs and a book of poetry two children’s books and three “a word from the Word” daily meditation books. He and his wife Ruth live near Monroe, NC.

You can find Dwight Roth on his blog here: https://rothpoetry.wordpress.com/

You can find Dwight Roth’s poetry collections and other books on Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B017HW5AHG

About Robbie Cheadle

Picture caption: Robbie Cheadle author picture

South African author and illustrator, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated sixteen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, and written and illustrated three poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.

Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/

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This segment of “Treasuring Poetry” is sponsored by WordCrafter Press and the Poetry Treasures series.

Get Your Copy Today!

Poetry Treasures: https://books2read.com/PoetryTreasures

Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships: https://books2read.com/PT2-Relationships

Poetry Treasures 3: Passions: https://books2read.com/u/b5qnBR

Poetry Treasures 4:In Touch With Nature: https://books2read.com/PT4-Nature

Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures: https://books2read.com/PT5-SmallPleasures

Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons: https://books2read.com/PT6Seasons

Book Review: “Smoke and Secrets” & “The Corpse Wore Stilettos”

Posted: May 29, 2026 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Book Review, Books, Fiction, Mystery, Review | Tags: A.J. McCarthy, Book Review, MJ O'Neill, mystery, Smoke and Secrets, The Corpse Wore Stilettos, Writing to be Read | 1 Comment

About Smoke and Secrets

Charlie and Simm, Montreal pub owners with a knack for sleuthing, thought they were taking on a straightforward case when Noah Wolfe hired them to find his missing family fortune. Their search leads them to the idyllic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, where they quickly realize this is no ordinary investigation. Joined by Noah’s sharp-witted sister-in-law, Sarah, they dig into the Wolfe family’s past at a grand estate brimming with secrets.

As tensions rise, Simm’s estranged brother and his wife arrive at the mansion, adding to the already crowded and mistrustful atmosphere. A simple search for lost money turns menacing with suspicious deaths, an attempted murder, and buried mysteries that refuse to stay hidden. The deeper they delve, the more dangerous the case becomes. Charlie and Simm are forced to confront their own fears and face a ruthless killer who will stop at nothing to protect dark secrets, leading to a shocking climax that will change everything.

Award-winning author A.J. McCarthy brings back Charlie and Simm in this latest instalment of her mystery series. Can the much-loved couple outsmart a killer and unlock the puzzles that threaten them?

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYZX35V3/?bestFormat=true&k=smoke%20and%20secrets&ref

My Review of Smoke and Secrets

I received a digital copy of Smoke and Secrets, by A.J. McCarthy, from Sandra’s Book Club in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.

Always a fan of good mysteries, Smoke and Secrets, is up there with the best of them. This mystery is a big jigsaw puzzle, unfolding gradually as each new piece is uncovered. But each piece added brings even more mystery and more questions to the table, leaving the reader scratching her head in puzzlement all the way to the end.

My one complaint was with formatting issues, which made the paragraph layout weird and was distracting from the story. My eyes like to read in smooth lines and properly formed paragraphs, so this was a problem for me. I also noticed that the formatting didn’t offer page breaks between chapters, although that really wasn’t a big deal.

Simm used to be a P.I. and now cases keep falling into his lap, and his wife, Charlie is all in on helping to solve the case. This time an old client, Noah, shows up with a new dilemma to look into. His family was murdered in the last case they handled for him, and now, his brother has died and the family fortune has mysteriously come up missing. Simm and Charlie go with Noah and his siter-in-law, Sarah, to investigate the mystery and see if they can pick up a trail on the family fortune. Simms estranged brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Clarisse, show up unexpected and uninvited to round off our cast of characters. But, it soon becomes apparent that someone murdered Noah’s brother and covered up the crime.

Journals with poetic clues, secret passages and hidden keys all play a part in solving this well-crafted mystery. I give Smoke and Secrets four quills.

About The Corpse Wore Stilettos

SHE WORE A DONNA KARAN MARKED FOR REPOSSESSION.

Since Kat Waters’s father took a trip to the slammer on what she’s sure are trumped-up racketeering charges, life’s been tough. All their assets are frozen, and she’s down to the last few pairs of Jimmy Choos she can swap for rent. To keep her family out of the homeless shelter, the former socialite took a job at the local morgue—a job she’s about to lose when the body of a murder victim goes missing on her watch.

HE WORE A CAPTIVATING SMILE.

While Kat’s processing the latest victim in the prostitute serial killings, ex-Special Forces soldier Burns McPhee strolls in with an air of confidence, expecting access to the Jane Doe. While Burns tries to flirt his way into examining the latest victim, whom he thinks is connected to the death of his best friend, someone else steals the body right out from under them.

THE CORPSE WORE STILETTOS.

Dodging questions from the cops and kidnapping attempts from a body-snatching psycho, Kat and Burns forge a deal. He’ll clear her name and keep her safe if she gets him information on her peculiar coworkers, one of whom he’s certain is involved with the body heist. But digging up secrets can lead to a lower life expectancy. The unlikely team will need all their talents not to end up as the morgue’s next clients while they hunt for a murderer, the missing corpse, and a pair of diamond-studded stilettos.

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Corpse-Wore-Stilettos-MJ-ONeill-ebook/dp/B07Q6VZ4V9/

My Review of The Corpse Wore Stilettos

I purchased a digital copy of The Corpse Wore Stilettos, by MJ Oniell, through a KindofBook Deal. I’m offering an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own. This murder mystery is book 1 of A Sharp-Dressed Corpse Mystery Series.

This was just a really cute murder mystery. Morgue worker Kat Waters finds herself in the middle of a body snatching. When all the evidence points to her involvement, and it seems the police aren’t inclined to look further, she finds herself playing amateur sleuth, searching for the real body-napper. She’s not sure who to trust, including ex-Special Forces soldier, Burns McFee, who always seems to show up in the oddest places, (like at the morgue at the same time the body was nabbed). Kat just keeps getting in deeper, and McFee offers to clear her name, so she teams up with him to investigate her slightly odd co-workers in order to discover who the inside man, or woman, is that aided in the body-napping.

While Mcfee has high-tech equipment and special ops people at his disposal, Kat relies on her good fashion sense to turn up clues about the well-dressed corpse and the body snatcher, just from observing their shoes, and eliminating suspects according to their attire. Filled with red-herrings, reversals, and lots of misdirection, this mystery leads to some surprising revelations.

A well-crafted murder mystery and a truly fun read. I give The Corpse Wore Stilettos five quills.

About Kaye Lynne Booth

For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and Book 1 in her Time-Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders.

Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press, where she edits and publishes two short fiction anthologies and one poetry anthology every year amidst her many writing projects. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.

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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARC digital copies, (she also accepts print copies). Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.

Book Review: “The Joker’s Revenge”

Posted: May 22, 2026 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Book Review, Fiction, Middle Grade, Mystery, Review | Tags: Book Review, mystery, Nancy Beaule, The Joker's Revenge, Writing to be Read | Leave a comment

About The Joker’s Revenge

Darci Miller is fiercely committed to being the perfect daughter for her widowed father, but his overprotective nature is driving her crazy. Set in the backdrop of a Maine summer camp in 1972, this captivating young adult mystery/romance dives deep into a dark family secret surrounding her late mother—a mystery Darci is determined to unravel. When she learns of an opportunity to become a secretary at the very camp where her mother once worked in the 1950s, she jumps at the chance.

As Darci settles into camp life, she quickly realizes that there’s more afoot than just innocent marshmallow roasts. While a malicious prankster is playing cruel tricks, the head chef is on the verge of a culinary breakthrough—a machine that eliminates fat and calories from food. This invaluable invention has drawn the attention of someone intent on stealing it for financial gain and to settle old scores.

When Darci delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers startling revelations about her mother’s past that could change everything. Amidst the escalating chaos, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to her charming boss, complicating her life further as she navigates the jealousy of the spoiled daughter of the camps’ owners. Will Darci be able to uncover the truth and protect those she cares about? Dive into this enthralling tale of love, betrayal, and discovery!

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Jokers-Revenge-Intriguing-Maine-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0F1W7RJZZ/

My Review of The Joker’s Revenge

I received a digital copy of The Joker’s Revenge, by Nancy Beaule, through Sandra’s Book Club in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.

This tale has a complicated mystery plot which grabs reader attention and keeps them guessing, but the presentation could have been smoother. There is little to no foreshadowing, so we learn things are in the scene or previous circumstances exist abruptly, only when their part to play is necessary, and come as a shock, pulling the reader out of the story. It throws the timing of things off and makes buy in somewhat difficult.

My other criticism of this book is that the characters are not well enough developed, which makes relationship.progression between them seem forced or fakey. I just didn’t feel it. Although Darci’s feelings toward Ryder are alluded to, it comes as shock to discover that they have a mutual relationship, making me pause to wonder why I didnt see that coming. It makes it all seem kind of sudden.

Darci takes a job at Camp Chickadee in search of answers about her deceased mother, who had also worked there, so many years ago. But, someone is playing pranks at the camp and leaving a calling card from “The Joker”, and each one is getting more serious. Darci is convinced that the pranks at the camp are connected to the time when her mother worked there, although I’m still not sure why.

As each prank gets more dangerous, and some of the campers are hurt, camp staff become convinced that Gunnar, the maintenance man is behind them, even before we see any evidence pointing to him. But there’s more going on, since DeAngelo, the cook, has invented a machine that removes the calories from food, and he’s convinced that Gunnar is after his invention.

Is Darci right about the pranks being connected to her mom’s time at Camp Chickadee? Or are they connected to DeAngelo’s invention? When DeAngelo starts acting suspicious and then, disappears, readers must wonder, but you’ll get no spoilers here.

Plenty of suspense and lots of twists, which makes it an intriguing mystery. I give The Joker’s Revenge four quills.

About Kaye Lynne Booth

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A Rave Review for “The Ones Who Stayed With Me”

Posted: May 20, 2026 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Book Review, Memoir, Nonfiction, Review, WordCrafter Press | Tags: Book Review, Memoir, Nonfiction, Nurse Sammy, The Ones That Stayed With Me, WordCrafter Press | 1 Comment

Digital and Print copies of The Ones Who Stayed With Me, by Nurse Sammy

I’m pleased to be able to share this five-star review of The Ones Who Stayed With Me, by Nurse Sammy on GoodReads. I am so honored to have played a part in this book’s creation through WordCrafter Press. Please take a moment to check it out.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8593852106

Treasuring Poetry – Meet poet and blogger Carol Anne

Posted: May 13, 2026 | Author: robbiesinspiration | Filed under: Book Review, Books, Interview, Review, Treasuring Poetry | Tags: Book Review, Interview, Robbie Cheadle, Treasuring Poetry, Writing to be Read | 54 Comments

Today I am delighted to introduce you to poet and blogger Carol Anne from Therapy Bits blog. Carol Anne writes beautiful and thought provoking poetry as well as posts providing insight into living with dissociative identity disorder, complex PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder.

Welcome Carol Anne

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to write poetry. What does your poetry mean to you?

My name is Carol Anne, it is a pen name, I’m 46, and I live in Ireland. I have always been a writer, from a very young age, I wrote poetry. I am a child abuse survivor, I am also diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, complex PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder. I am also blind. I write mostly to raise awareness of dissociative identity disorder, complex PTSD, and blindness, I’ve also written a lot of poems about healing after child abuse. My poetry is partly my therapy, it helps me to cope.

What is your favourite style of poetry to read?

I love reading free verse, senryu’s, haiku’s, and basically any poem that the writer has shared, it is the raw emotion in the poetry that I love to read about.

Share your favourite poem in your favourite style by another poet.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –

And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –

I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet – never – in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.

Emily Dickenson

What is your favourite of your own poems and why?

My favourite poem is I am a puzzle. Here it is. It describes what living with dissociative identity disorder is like.

I Am A Puzzle by Carol Anne

I am a puzzle

with pieces that don’t fit

every way you try

you will get nowhere with it

the whole picture is not shown

on the box or it’s lid

and I hate to tell the truth

I’ve been this way since I was a kid

Absorbed in the puzzle

I lose all track of time

Anxiety over takes me

As though I’ve committed a crime

Is it wrong to be more than one

The puzzle pieces scatter on the floor

As I turn over the table and run for the door

I am running scared,

trying to get away

the pieces fall to the ground

and stay where they lay

some of the pieces overlap

while others are alone

when I look at the pieces

I am chilled to the bone

How will I ever put together

All that is broken

When all I have to go on

Are secrets that are spoken

These are my only clues

to the misfit puzzle pieces here

and I am half way out the door

denial in it’s most sincere

Left on the floor in disarray

The pieces try to call to me

I turn my back on them

Why can’t they just leave me be

I walk back to the table

And turn it right side up

I gather all the puzzle pieces

Making my hand like a cup

They shower down onto the table

And I vow to give it one more try

But I don’t know where to begin

I can only ask why

July 2013

Why do you blog? What is your favourite thing about blogging?

I blog to raise awareness of mental health, disability, and to help myself to release my feelings. Blogging has connected me with lots of people from all around the world, that is one reason I love it, also, I love to get feedback on my writing.

What’s next for Carol Anne?

I’m in the process of collecting some of my poems and putting them into a book. I’d also like to work more on writing some fiction, I do write fiction, but I feel I need more practice at it.

About Carol Anne

Picture caption: Carol Anne with her dog – photograph from Instagram

This is Carol Anne’s introduction on her blog:

My name is Carol anne. I am part of a did system. Did stands for dissociative identity disorder. I also have PTSD posttraumatic stress disorder. I was diagnosed with did in December 2010.

I have been blind since birth. I am 35 years old.

This is a blog about my life, it will mainly focus on therapy and the process of going through psychotherapy, but I will also post some stuff about my life.

I am in college studying IT. It has its challenges but overall I love it.

Blog: https://therapybits.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolanne.johnsonmunchy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manyofus40/

About Robbie Cheadle

You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/

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This segment of “Treasuring Poetry” is sponsored by WordCrafter Press and the Poetry Treasures series.

Get Your Copy Today!

Poetry Treasures: https://books2read.com/PoetryTreasures

Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships: https://books2read.com/PT2-Relationships

Poetry Treasures 3: Passions: https://books2read.com/u/b5qnBR

Poetry Treasures 4:In Touch With Nature: https://books2read.com/PT4-Nature

Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures: https://books2read.com/PT5-SmallPleasures

Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons: https://books2read.com/PT6Seasons

Book Review: “Haunted River” & “Of Body and Bone”

Posted: May 8, 2026 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Book Review, Books, Crime, Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal, Review | Tags: Book Review, Crime Fiction, Dectectives Daniels and Remalla, Haunted River, J.T. Bishop, Kaye Lynne Booth, mystery, Of Body and Bones, Paranormal, Writing to be Read | Leave a comment

About Haunted River

Detectives Daniels and Remalla came to Dumont for a quiet week off. They found a body on the riverbank instead – and a town that suspects they’re the killers.

The Black River has secrets. For years, locals whispered about the ghost of a murdered woman haunting its banks. Her killer was never found. Her case went cold.

Then they discover a second body on the riverbank behind Daniels’ cabin. Same spot. Same killer?

Suddenly, their peaceful vacation becomes a fight for survival. The small-town sheriff suspects them. The townspeople watch their every move. And someone in Dumont is willing to kill to keep the past buried.

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Haunted-River-Paranormal-Thriller-Detectives-ebook/dp/B08HY1KL8P

My Review of Haunted River

I purchased a digital copy of Haunted River: A Murder Mystery Suspense Thriller, by J.T. Bishop through a free KindofBook deal. I’m offering an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.

I chose this book because of the title. I mean, who wouldn’t be intrigued by a mystery involving a haunted river? It is book 1 in the Detectives Daniels and Remalla Murder Mystery Series. Obviously, the characters carry this series.

Gordon Daniels is a great dad and husband, in addition to being a first-rate detective. Aaron Remalla is a good-looking single guy, with a healthy fear of the paranormal. Together, they charm the local residents of the small town of Dumont, (or not), and battle the bad guys, once they dispel the myth of the woman in white that roams the river and identify who the bad guys really are. This tale has more twists and turns than a winding mountain road as Daniels and Remalla try to unravel what is truly happening in Dumont, where everyone is suspect, even the local sheriff.

When a dead body is found in the river on Daniels’ uncle’s property, our two big city detectives become suspects, and the race is on to prove who really murdered the girl before the local sheriff finds a way to pin it on them. The girl is found in a place and a manner that is uncannily similar to another death which occurred in the distant past and is also tied in with the local legend of a lady in white, reportedly seen by many of the local residents.

A top-rate paranormal murder mystery. I give Haunted River five quills.

About Of Body and Bone

A kidnapper strikes again, but his evil ties to a killer reveal a dangerous threat.
After a shocking investigation ends, Detectives Daniels and Remalla are back at work, but their routine is shattered when a child goes missing and they rush to find a young boy and the man who kidnapped him. But all is not what it seems when they discover the kidnapper’s connection with a previous case and a killer now behind bars.

When Daniels becomes a target and Remalla is plagued by the past, they must trust their instincts to find a killer and protect an innocent victim. But when Daniels’ family is threatened, Daniels must choose between following the law, or breaking it.

As the killer reveals his true nature, strange abilities, and mysterious hidden ties to an evil past, Daniels and Remalla are forced to confront their oaths as officers and moral compass in order to defeat a man capable of destroying… both body and bone.

Of Body and Bone is book three in the Detectives Daniels and Remalla Series. It closely follows and should be read after Of Breath and Blood.

If you love two bantering detectives, a gripping murder mystery thriller that will keep you up at night, a touch of supernatural suspense, and a riveting fast-paced read, then enjoy Of Body and Bone.

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Body-Bone-Edge-Your-Seat-Paranormal-ebook/dp/B08W4PKQZW

My Review of Of Body and Bone

I purchased a digital copy of Of Body and Bone, by J.T. Bishop through a free BookBub deal. I am offering an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.

I chose this book because I just finished Book 1 in the Detectives Daniels and Remalla Murder Mystery Series and very much enjoyed it. So, when I found Book 3 in a free BookBub deal, I just couldn’t resist. The series is titled for the two detectives who are the main protagonists, the good guys who solve the crimes, but not before being put through the wringer by their adversaries, Gordon Daniels and Aaron Remalla.

I must say, these books are written in such a way that they work well as stand alones. Even though I skipped book 2, the author offers enough information about the interim between books. 1 and 3 to have a general idea of what happened in book 2 without actually reading it. As a reader, that’s a good thing, but I wonder if it is so good for the author.

In Of Body and Bone, Rem is still recovering from his experience with an evil cult in Book 2, and we learn that although the head of the cult is behind bars, looking at being locked away for a very long time. But her reach is far and they soon find that the kidnapper they are looking for in their current case has ties to the cult leader, Allison. It soon becomes apparent that this is no ordinary kidnapper and things just get weirder as they try and solve the case, and Allison’s lawyer tries to discredit them both. No spoilers here, but we are left with the feeling that this story may not be over yet, even as they wrap up the case.

Filled with surprises, this paranormal mystery does not disappoint. I give Of Body and Bone five quills.

About Kaye Lynne Booth

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Book Review: “Wicked Tides”

Posted: April 29, 2026 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Book Review, Books, Dark Fantasy, Fiction, Review | Tags: Book Review, Courtney Leigh, Dark Fantasy, Kaye Lynne Booth, Wicked Tides, Writing to be Read | 2 Comments

About Wicked Tides

Love was never meant to bloom in blood-soaked waters.

Treson Harbor is a place plagued by terrifyingly beautiful monsters from the deep and they’re hungry.

When no man is safe on the water, pirates and fishermen alike, people look to hunters.

Vidar “Bone Heart” Woelfson is the Captain of the Burning Rose, a ship known for its blood red sails and the ruthless nature of its crew. He has hunted more sirens than any other ship on the sea and unlike most, Vidar hardly does it for the money. He is haunted by events from his childhood and lives to see every daughter of the sea slaughtered.

Dahlia knows the ship with red sails well, but she knows its captain even better. The man who took everything from her as a child still hunts her waters and she will end him if it’s the last thing she does.

Scarred and vengeful, Vidar and Dahlia will soon cross paths again after eighteen years and things certainly will not be peaceful. But even greater horrors might force the two together in an unwilling partnership.

Their rivalry runs deep… their love will run deeper… but not without bloodshed.

***This book contains violence, graphic sex, and language. Please see inside or on my website for a more detailed list of triggers***

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Tides-Enemies-Lovers-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B0DDN19X28

My Review of Wicked Tides

I purchased a digital copy of Wicked Tides, by Courtney Leigh in a KindofBook deal. I’m offering an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.

Wicked Tides is described as a dark fantasy romance, which intrigued me. Following the enemies/lovers romance trope, which I’ve found difficult to buy into in the past. But Miss Leigh does a nice job of making me believe that a Siren and a man who lives to hunt her kind could develop an affection for one another through their hate. Nicely done.

The secret is to not let the hero or the heroine realize themselves their changing feelings, and make them deny them once they do. By giving them a common cause, they find the opportunity to learn their previous assumptions about one another may not be completely true.

Captain Vido Weolfson, known also as Bone Heart, due to his hard-hearted cruelty, makes his living hunting Sirens – vile and evil creatures who lure men to their deaths and eat their flesh, often while they still live. But, hunting is more than just a job to Vido. It was a quest for revenge on the creatures who captured and murdered his father and his crew when he was just a boy. Only Vido and an old hunter named Gus came away alive, but not before he had made the sirens pay for what they’d done.

Dahlia is the lone survivor of that massacre, and the young siren who took pity on the young Vido and helped him to escape, thinking he would flee. Instead, she was left alone, cast out by her kind as being responsible for the death of her clan. She’s always known she’d see the boy who destroyed her life, but when their paths cross once more, they make a temporary alliance for a common cause. Although neither will admit it, they each discover that their enemy is more than just a cold-blooded killer

Finding romance amidst danger and suspense. I give Wicked Tides five quills.

About Kaye Lynne Booth

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Book Review: “25 Fires” & “In This Burning World”

Posted: April 24, 2026 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Apocalyptic, Book Review, Books, Collection, Poetry, Review | Tags: 25 Fires, Book Review, Eric S. Hoffman, In This Burning World, Mary Mackey, Poetry, Poetry Collection, Writing to be Read | 5 Comments

About 25 Fires: A Call to What Comes Next

A book for anyone frustrated with the present – but unwilling to give up on the future.

25 Fires confronts a fractured world and asks: What comes next?

Told across 25 short, incendiary chapters, it traces an arc from the glittering cosmos to the choices of a single life.

Fierce and poetic.
Clear-eyed and human.

A book you can read in one sitting.
A fire you can carry for years.

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/25-Fires-Call-What-Comes-ebook/dp/B0GNHJK9KT

My Review of 25 Fires

I received a digital copy of 25 Fires, from the author, Eric S. Hoffman, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.

25 chapters of poetic verse make up this short book. It begins in the first section, titled “Inferno”, laying out the poet’s bleak vision of the world as we know it

“Our institutions are crumbling.

Schools are running on fumes.

Democracy sells to the highest bidder

And insulin costs more than your car.

We’re better than this.”

In the second section, titled “Smoke”, and deals with the desperation of dealing with life in today’s world. Chapter 7 depicts life in our world.

“is there anybody out there?

Is anyone actually home?

I wonder sometimes.

I scroll past all these comments and conversation.

I swipe through photos and updates about your dog.

But it all feels… empty.

And although many of these are a cry of woe, amongst the predictions of doom, there lies a message of hope, like in chapter 24, in the section titled Sparks:

“The shift has already started.

The new world is already being built.

Not by the biggest armies,

Or the deepest pockets,

Or the loudest mouths.

But the rest of us.

Getting our minds in order.

Putting our hands to work.

The single mom hunched behind a laptop.

The grandfather up at 3 a.m.inhis garage.

Little fires.

Scattered in the dark.

We may not see each other,

But together we’re illuminating what comes next.”

One must ponder which is more captivating, the verse or the message which it carries? This short volume is easily read in a single sitting, but you may want to go back and go over it again to absorb the full impact.

Poetic verse with an important message. I give 25 Fires four quills.

About In this Burning World

Poetry for a planet in crisis: Love, loss, and hope in a burning world.

In In This Burning World, Mary Mackey offers a powerful collection of poems that unflinchingly confront the realities of climate change. Through vivid imagery and emotional depth, Mackey explores themes of apocalypse, love, and resilience, inviting readers to find hope and connection in the face of environmental destruction.

These poems capture the beauty of a world on the brink, while also celebrating the enduring power of human relationships. Perfect for readers seeking:

Poetry that addresses climate change
Inspirational verses about love and loss
A hopeful perspective on the future

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/This-Burning-World-Poems-Apocalypse-ebook/dp/B0DYWXW9Z9

My Review of In This Burning World

I received a copy of In This Burning World: Poems of Love and Apocalypse from the author, Mary Mackey, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.

Poems of love and apocalypse. It seemed to me a curious combination. I had to check out this poetry collection.

True to the title, there are poems depicting both. Poems of apocalypse bring vivid images of destruction and ruin.

When Mirrors Are Reversed

When mirrors are reversed
we will walk together through skeleton forests
along rivers that boil like molten glass

behind us ghost panthers
will stalk us through the dust of our cities
gathering up our unborn children
and unraveling our dreams

the skies will be filled with fish
and the oceans will be filled with crows
our mouths will be filled with dust
and we will not drown
we will smother

Poems of love evoke feelings of pleasure and contentment.

Walking Toward the Largo do Machado

when the smell of jasmine
flows through the streets of Catete like a warm fog
when the scent is so liquid you can
breathe it in get drunk and stagger
I think of all the years I have loved you
and all the years I will go on loving you
I think of how we protect each other from pain and betrayal
how each night we wrap ourselves around each other
and peace floats above our bed like a canopy of white petals

Somehow, they all fit together perfectly to form a tapestry of anticipation and hope.

A unique collection of poetry about climate change, life and love. I give This Burning World five quills.

About Kaye Lynne Booth

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Book Review: “Come Get Me”

Posted: April 17, 2026 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Audio Books, Audiobook Review, Book Review, Books, Crime, Fiction, Review, Suspense, Thriller | Tags: Book Review, Come Get Me, Crime Fiction, Molly Black, Rosanna Pilcher, Suspense/Thriller, Writing to be Read | 3 Comments

About Come Get Me

When two dead bodies are found oddly staged on trains across the country, the FBI realizes a serial killer is at work. FBI BAU Special Agent Caitlin Dare wants to escape her dark past and never ride a train again. But when she is assigned to spearhead the case, Caitlin realizes she will have to play cat and mouse with this diabolical killer—even if it means facing her worst childhood fears.

Come Get Me is book 1 of a brand-new series by critically acclaimed and number one best-selling mystery and suspense author Molly Black, whose books have received over 2,000 five-star reviews and ratings.

The FBI is alarmed by the rash of killings on trains throughout the country, and they realize they have to put together a joint task force to tackle it. Through a partnership with the rail police, FBI Special Agent Cailtin Dare is chosen to spearhead the new unit designed to hunt killers using trains across the country.

But Cailtin remains haunted by memories of her missing sister, her unsolved case, her erratic conductor uncle, and a harrowing fear of trains.

Can Caitlin keep her own demons at bay long enough to face her past—and catch a killer?

A harrowing crime thriller featuring a brilliant and tortured FBI agent, the Caitlin Dare series is a riveting mystery, packed with nonstop action, suspense, twists and turns, revelations, and driven by a breakneck pace that will keep you listening late into the night. Fans of Rachel Caine, Teresa Driscoll and Robert Dugoni are sure to fall in love.

My Review of Come Get Me

I purchased an audiobook copy of Come Get Me, written by Molly Black and narrated by Rosanna Pilcher through a free Chirp deal. I am offering here an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.

I’m not sure what it was about this book, but I had a hard time relating to the character, Caitlin Dare and the story. The story line is your average murder mystery, FBI crime thriller, but nothing unusual to make it stand out in any way. There were few places where I felt an impending sense of danger to keep me on the edge of my seat as any good thriller should. I was not particularly impressed by Pilcher’s narrative skills, as the narration sounded choppy, with missed beats often. I tried varying speeds, but it did not make it any better.

Caitlin Dare is an FBI agent that tends to go rogue and break the rules to achieve her final goal; a trope that is rather cliche and predictable. She is assigned to a new railroad crime unit and a new partner, where she is faced with having to prove herself to her superiors and to herself, by earning her partners trust and solving the latest string of murders, where victims are left posed in train cars, found only after the murderer has a chance to get away.

An average crime thriller, with a sub-par narration. I give Come Get Me three quills.

About Kaye Lynne Booth

For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and book 1 in her Time-Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders and The D.I.Y. Author writing resource.

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Treasuring Poetry – Lauren Scott talks about her latest poetry book, King Copper, and a review

Posted: April 15, 2026 | Author: robbiesinspiration | Filed under: Book Review, Books, Interview, Review, Treasuring Poetry | Tags: Book Review, Interview, King Copper, Lauren Scott, Robbie Cheadle, Treasuring Poetry, Writing to be Read | 90 Comments

Today, I am delighted to welcome children’s author and poet, Lauren Scott, back to Treasuring Poetry to talk about her recent collection of poetry dedicated to her late dog, Copper.

Picture caption: Front and back covers of King Copper by Lauren Scott

Tell us a bit about your beautiful Copper and how he came into your lives.

Four months had passed since our black lab, Lucky Girl, crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. After many conversations with my husband, daughter, and son, the timing felt right to welcome a new canine friend into our family. So I began searching a Lab Rescue website. We’ve always adopted second chance rescues, wanting to give dogs, whose owners couldn’t keep them, a loving home. Most of the labs I saw were black or yellow, which are common in our area. We didn’t want to replicate any dogs from the past, so Copper stood out because his coat was literally the color of copper. He was so handsome, I had to meet him, and when I did, he immediately joined our family. More details of how Copper came into our family are in the book.

Copper was lovable and had amber eyes that saw right into our souls. He was the perfect walking partner and freely gave slobbery kisses. He always made us laugh when he thought he was a chihuahua trying to sit on our laps; her grew into 80 lbs. of muscle.

Why did you decide to write this collection dedicated to Copper?

Copper was our first dog where we had to make that heartbreaking decision of life or death, and it was beyond painful. We did the right thing for the right reasons, but second guessing came naturally. He was 14 ½ years old and had other health issues, so when his health took a turn for the worse on March 3, 2025, taking away his suffering was the human thing to do. The events of that Monday morning are still vivid and roll through my mind in slow motion. The grief was so intense I began writing poetry. I gave my heartache a place to live in my poems, and with my previous fun poetry about Copper, a collection evolved. This was my first unplanned book – a loving tribute to our senior pup who we still miss even after a year since he received his angel wings. I have to add that all of our dogs were special; there are no favorites. But when Copper passed, I was in a different stage of life where I had time to work on King Copper. And all of our beloved canine family members have their place in a poem because Copper has met them across the Rainbow Bridge.

King Copper is a special keepsake for my family, and the book includes color photos that show his personality and our love for him. I have read in many wonderful reviews that this collection helped others move through their grief, which is another reason for wanting to publish this special book. Anyone who reads this collection will smile, maybe laugh out loud, and yes, will most likely shed a tear. Then the heart and mind loosely grasp acceptance – a task that takes effort because it’s not that the grieving has ended, but we all understand loved ones don’t live forever. If you’re a dog lover, a cat lover, or a pet parent in general, the poems will resonate and reach into your heart, and so will Copper.

What is your favorite poem from this collection and why?

Choosing a favorite poem is difficult because all of them offer special messages. But I would say “Copper Boy” on Page 4 stands out because it speaks of his fun and mischievous personality, his good looks, and his unconditional love, which is the true reason we call our pets family. Below is an excerpt:

“When he smiles, his white choppers
shine as if they’ve never caused
any commotion…never mind
that afternoon when he attempted
to eat the barbecue!”

Do you have any advice for pet owners on dealing with the grief of losing a beloved pet?

First of all, grief has no timeline. If your heart is broken from the loss of your beloved pet, please give yourself grace. Allow yourself to grieve, to cry, to relive precious moments with your pet. I’ve heard it said that the best way to get through the loss is to bring another pet into your family, but we’re not ready just yet. Our timing with Lucky Girl and Copper is dissimilar. Our son and daughter are adults now, living on their own, and my husband and I live in a different phase of life, so the journey varies for everyone. When the time is right though, we’ll know it. I’ll pull some lines from one of my poems, “Loss is Loss” on Page 38:

“…and no matter what triggers the pain
we must offer ourselves grace…
to grieve as we should
to mourn as days unfold.
Loss is loss shattering us
into tiny pieces of uncertainty
until the healing of time
brings those pieces back together.”

What is next for Lauren Scott?

Now is the time to get to work again, and I know Copper wouldn’t want his family to wallow in a puddle of sadness. My second idea for a children’s book, Carlie and Charlie Go Camping, has been simmering for over a decade, so it’s time to revisit, make some edits, and remove from the burner! Carlie and Charlie’s story is inspired by my family’s wonderful camping trips when our son and daughter were young. But their story isn’t just about camping. It’s about family bonding, staying active, and getting outdoors to learn about nature while leaving devices at home. It’s about unplugging in this day and age where technology advances at lightning speed, and how important it is for our health to find a balance. I’m excited to see this story in print!

Simultaneously, I’m compiling another poetry collection. However, instead of self-publishing, I plan to submit both books to small publishers I learned about at the San Francisco Writers Conference in February. This year is for trying new options, so we’ll see what the outcome is down the road.

My inspiration comes from the iconic quote: “You never fail until you stop trying.”
~ Albert Einstein

Click on the slideshow to see more photographs of Copper with his family.

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My review of King Copper by Lauren Scott

Thank you, Robbie, for providing this opportunity to talk about our beloved Copper Boy. And thank you again for your beautiful review! I love how you highlight the Preface and Still Too Soon prose sections, which convey the important ‘before and after’ to the context of the poetry collection. I hope if any of your readers are grieving, they will give themselves grace. And if they choose to let Copper into their hearts, I know they will feel his unconditional love, and I offer my deepest gratitude.

King Copper is a beautiful collection of poems paying tribute to the life of the poet’s dog, Copper. We become incredibly connected to our pets and they are part of our families. As a result we experience great grief and loss when they pass over the rainbow bridge. Lauren’s recordings of magical moments in her relationship with Copper and the joy he brought her and her family are a delight to experience. These emotions are described in Lauren’s micro poem, Temporary Smiles:

“Memories of joy
bring temporary smiles
tears wash them away”

The Preface and Still to Soon prose sections share a bit about Copper, his introduction into the poet’s family and his subsequent life with them, and his passing. He lived to a good old age of 14 1/2 and is sorely missed by his family. The book includes some lovely photographs of Copper with various family members.

This collection is fairly short but it is a worthy read and will help ease other hearts aching from the loss of a beloved pet.

Amazon US purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lauren-Scott/author/B08NCRH4MK

Lauren Scott’s Amazon US author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lauren-Scott/author/B08NCRH4MK

About Lauren Scott

Picture caption: Author picture of Lauren Scott

Lauren Scott is a recent Pushcart Prize Nominee who enjoys small-town living in the Bay Area with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Their daughter and son live out of state, and with frequent visits and technology, this family of four remains close. Lauren has published four collections of poetry: New Day, New Dreams (2013), Finding a Balance (2015), Ever So Gently (2023), and King Copper (2025). In 2021, she released her memoir, More than Coffee.

Her first children’s book, Cora’s Quest, was published in 2024. Lauren has been a guest on several podcasts, and her writing is featured at Spillwords Press, Gobblers and Masticadores, and LatinosUsa. At Spillwords Press, she was awarded Publication of the Year (Poetic 2026), Author of the Month (May 2023) and Publication of the Month (June 2025, October 2024). Lauren’s work is published in several anthologies. She is currently working on her second children’s book and a collection of poetry. Lauren’s muse discovers inspiration from family, spending time outdoors, and marveling at the mysteries of life.

Website: baydreamerwrites.com

Instagram: @baydreamerwrites

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B08NCRH4MK