The Dress Shop

May24

Book Link

From Amazon:

A Historical Romantic mystery novella

When her father is killed in a train crash, twenty-one-year-old Marian Jamison is left to care for herself and her mother. She admires Thomas Hawthorn, who enters her life by design. Mysterious occurrences and a voice in the night make Marian question her mother’s sanity. She is left not knowing whom to trust, including her own heart. Love and intrigue are woven into an intricate design, fitting perfectly inside the walls of her dress shop, but a loose thread could unravel her entire world.

My Review:

The Dress Shop is a sweet, cozy historical novella full of romance and mysterious goings-on at the dress shop. The mysteries are heart-rending, the love is palpable – one meant to be. This couple falls in love in a clean, romantic manner. The nuances are true to the point in time. However, how can a lady sew a dress so fast? I don’t know, but they did back then.

Tangled in Water

May23

Book Title: Tangled in Water

Series: n/a

Author: Pam Records

Publication Date: March 18th, 2025

Publisher: Historium Press

Pages: 418 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Any Triggers: no

Twitter Handle: @cathiedunn @marylschmidt

Instagram Handles: @pam.records.author @thecoffeepotbookclub @mschmidtphotography

Hashtags: #HistoricalFiction #Prohibition #Mermaid #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub

Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2025/04/blog-tour-tangled-in-water-by-pam-records.html

Book Title and Author Name:

Tangled in Water

Pam Records

Blurb:

1932. Natalia is 16 and a bootlegger’s daughter, playing the mermaid mascot on a rundown paddlewheel used to entertain brewers and distributors. 

A sequined costume hides her scarred and misshaped legs, but it can’t cover up the painful memories and suspicions that haunt her. An eccentric healer who treats patients with Old Country tonics, tries to patch wounds, but only adds to the heartache. A fierce storm threatens to destroy everything, including a stash of stolen jewels.

1941. Prohibition is over, but the same henchmen still run the show. Nattie’s new mermaid act is more revealing, with more at risk. When the dry-docked paddlewheel is bought by the US Navy for training exercises, the pressure escalates further.

Can Nattie entice a cocky US Navy officer to help her gain access to the ship for one last chance to confront her past, settle scores, and retrieve the hidden loot? Is there a new course ahead?

Excerpt 5:

Nattie listened for engine sounds and looked over the railing. On the main deck, passengers were finally arriving. In small clusters they strolled up to the ticket counter, carrying small valises for the three-day trip. Some had porters carrying a travel trunk. Some men had nothing. They didn’t plan to sleep, it seemed.

The onslaught of passenger voices was sharp-edged against the metal hull, ricocheting from rust patches and layers of paint over iron bones. Teeth-hurting noises, metal scraping on metal, came in bursts. Tugs in the harbor made big hoot-hoot bellows, like jumbo-sized mama owls calling their owlets for dinner. The owl babies never answered. Maybe they had deformed legs, too, and were ashamed. Maybe they were waiting for the mutiny at midnight, the one the fog spirits had wanted her to join.

She thought about slipping away before passengers had a chance to stroll up to the Mermaid Lagoon. She could use some quiet time in the rat-runs, the crew-only passageways and secret-door vaults that crisscrossed the ship, places to hide bootleg barrels in case of a raid. They were also a good hiding place for a mermaid sick of being on display.

The water was choppy, the wind gusting in haphazard whooshes and wails. The up-and-down motion of the boat was making her gastric abnormalities act up. Being sickly was inconvenient.

Margret would be by soon, making sure she was ready for passengers. Nattie checked the ink on her arms. Some scales were forever ink under her skin. Other rows were added with a fountain pen as needed. Drawn with water-blue ink and a very unsteady hand, the scales looked like ivy groping on wind. Perhaps she’d had too many dribbles and maraschino cherries from discarded Polynesian Passions when she did the last touch-up.

Nattie rubbed some spit polish on her bare shoulders, making the mix of old and new ink scales glisten like she was fresh out of the lake. Men liked her to look slippery like that, or so they said. Then she adjusted the shells hanging around her neck to make sure all her right parts were covered. No point in giving away the goods, Mimi always said.

She finger-combed her hair, tucking the big tangles behind her ears, letting the ribbons knotted with pearls and strings of sequins skim her neck and bare shoulders. She hoped she looked at least a little bit lovely. Jakub had promised he would come by. He still might.

On each side of Nattie’s tank, hanging blue and green scarves draped off a small dressing room for her. She wheeled her rollie chair through the silk curtains for one more check of how she looked.

A mirror, bolted to a metal beam, was cracked so her face looked sliced and spliced, put together by a blind man. Bangs fell over her eyes. Her hair was a dirty blond color, ordinary. But her eyes were vibrant, turquoise, like still lagoons at twilight. A saxophone player had told her that once. He smelled like BO and she told him so. He didn’t make her sit on his lap after that.

Universal Buy Links:

Ebook: https://geni.us/cNfENHQ

Paperback: https://geni.us/3IgN95U

Hardcover: https://geni.us/EzoT1

Author Bio:

Pam and her husband, Mark, recently uprooted from the Midwest to move to Savannah, Georgia, the perfect place for enjoying the beach, historic architecture and Spanish moss.

She’s recently retired from writing content for software companies and now focuses on writing fiction, camping, and exploring historic cities.

Pam is the author of three historic novels.

Author Links:

Website: www.PamRecords.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090920739720

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/pam-records-writes

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pam.records.author/

Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/pamrecords

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19472278.Pam_Records

This entry was posted on May 23, 2025. 2 Comments

The Red River Slayer

May22

Book Link

From Amazon:

Confronting their pasts

 …to stop an infamous killer

When a fourth woman is found dead in a river, security expert Mack Holbock takes on the search for a cunning serial killer. A disabled vet, Mack is consumed by guilt that’s left him with no room or desire for love. But while investigating and facing danger with Charlotte—a traumatized victim of sex trafficking—he must protect her and win her trust…without falling for her.

From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

Discover more action-packed stories in the Secure One series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following order:

Book 1: Going Rogue in Red Rye County
Book 2: The Perfect Witness
Book 3: The Red River Slayer

My Review:

This series by Mettner is awesome, and this is my favorite book thus far in this series. Both Mack and Charlotte and perfect, even though they think too much about what they are ashamed of and not enough about their good qualities. In true Mettner style, she brings about a transformation between them that creates beauty and love instead of low self-esteem and unworthiness. Each person at Secure One has their strengths and is great for the team. Due diligence brings the TRed River Slayer down.

Betty Boop’s

May21

Book Link

From Amazon:

“Everybody’s favorite liberated cartoon woman.” 
—Elle

Classic and loveable Betty Boop is as fashionable, inspiring, and popular as ever!

If there’s one thing Betty knows, it’s how to make a lasting impression. For more than 80 years, the glamorous international icon has sung, sashayed, and “Boop-Oop-a-Dooped” past rules and conventions, unafraid to take risks or set trends, and proving time after time that she can do anything she sets her mind to! Betty is beloved by millions of fans around the world, who are enchanted not only by her adorable appearance and iconic phrase, but also by her wit, inspiring messages, and ahead-of-her-time wisdom. 

Here the authors take ten empowering and universally inspiring themes pulled directly from the classic Fleischer Studios Betty Boop cartoons and demonstrate why they’re more relevant than ever in today’s world by blending them with modern images and timeless wisdom and advice. All-encompassing topics include:

  • Self-confidence
  • Positive thinking
  • Independence
  • Kindness
  • Healthy living
  • And more!

Youthful, ambitious, sassy, and confident, Betty Boop seeks to make a positive change in the world around her. She is vibrant and magnetic—she inspires. Betty is stylish and sexy, but never to please anyone but herself. She’s got class. She’s proud of who she is and won’t apologize for it, approaching life with irrepressible moxie. And with her daring look, can-do attitude, and irresistible charm, Betty is ready for anything that comes her way.

My Review:

Betty Boop has been around for a very long time. In this book, Betty provides uplifting quotes from Susan Horan. The wisdom from Betty over the years still applies today. Horan focuses on the body, mind, spirit, physical, mental, health, wellness, independence, and how to become empowered in the process of reading. The graphics contained within are memorable and life-affirming. This is a book that anyone can refer to time and again for the insightful nuances and downright beautiful positivity that Horan delivers.

Nothing Proved

May20

Book Title:     Nothing Proved

Series:                        Regina           

Author:          Janet Wertman

Publication Date:      May 19, 2025

Publisher:      Janet Wertman

Pages:                         376

Genre:                        Historical Fiction

Twitter Handle: @cathiedunn @marylschmidt

Instagram Handles:  @janetwertman @thecoffeepotbookclub

Hashtags: #HistoricalFiction #TudorFiction #ElizabethTudor #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub

Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2025/04/blog-tour-nothing-proved-by-janet-wertman.html

Book Title and Author:

Nothing Proved

by Janet Wertman

Blurb:

Danger lined her path, but destiny led her to glory…

Elizabeth Tudor learned resilience young. Declared illegitimate after the execution of her mother Anne Boleyn, she bore her precarious position with unshakable grace. But upon the death of her father, King Henry VIII, the vulnerable fourteen-year-old must learn to navigate a world of shifting loyalties, power plays, and betrayal.

After narrowly escaping entanglement in Thomas Seymour’s treason, Elizabeth rebuilds her reputation as the perfect Protestant princess – which puts her in mortal danger when her half-sister Mary becomes Queen and imposes Catholicism on a reluctant land. Elizabeth escapes execution, clawing her way from a Tower cell to exoneration. But even a semblance of favor comes with attempts to exclude her from the throne or steal her rights to it through a forced marriage. 

Elizabeth must outwit her enemies time and again to prove herself worthy of power. The making of one of history’s most iconic monarchs is a gripping tale of survival, fortune, and triumph.

Guest Post for When Angels Fly:

Elizabeth Tudor’s reign ushered in England’s Golden Age – after a path to the crown that should have been impossible. My latest novel, Nothing Proved, shines a light on the process by which she came to learn the lessons that shaped her transformation from bastard to queen.  Orphaned, abused, imprisoned, and betrayed, she learned suspicion, self-reliance, loyalty, and strategy – qualities she wielded for the rest of her life.

Elizabeth was born on September 7, 1533, to King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. Her birth was a profound disappointment: Henry had desperately hoped for a male heir – and when Elizabeth was just two years old, he executed her mother on fabricated charges of adultery, incest, and treason, all to remarry. Elizabeth’s resulting precarious position gave her a front-row seat to the downfall of queens, courtiers, and family members, imbuing her with natural caution.

Henry’s death in 1547 thrust Elizabeth into a dangerous new reality. She found some brief stability with her stepmother, Katherine Parr – at least until Katherine’s husband made inappropriate advances and Elizabeth had to leave. To rebuild her reputation, she became the perfect Protestant princess, which put her in great danger when Catholic Mary took the throne in 1553. The Protestant resistance made Mary see Elizabeth as both a rival and a threat; and in 1554, after Wyatt’s rebellion, Elizabeth was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London where she lived under the shadow of a potential execution order. Her release did not end the danger: she was kept under house arrest for over a year, constantly watched and manipulated by a paranoid regime. Even after her release and ostensible rehabilitation, plots swirled to usurp her power by marrying her to someone who could control her.

Elizabeth’s survival in the face of danger gave her the confidence to lead, and navigating her way through these challenges taught Elizabeth the lessons she would use all her life. When Mary I died in 1558, Elizabeth ascended the throne at age 25 and surrounded herself with carefully chosen, loyal advisers. She never married, perhaps because she saw too well how power could shift through unions – or perhaps because she had seen too much of betrayal in personal relationships. And unlike her father, who ruled with impulse and fury, Elizabeth governed with patience and subtlety, navigating religious disputes, foreign threats, and internal dissent with calculated care. In all, she turned her traumatic upbringing into a source of strength, reshaping those lessons into a reign that proved a woman could not only survive but rule – and rule well.

Buy Links:

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/bM8Vrk

Additional Buy Links:

Barnes & Noble:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nothing-proved-janet-wertman/1146831389

Kobo:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/nothing-proved

Apple:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/nothing-proved/id6740549129

Author Bio:

By day, Janet Wertman is a freelance grantwriter for impactful nonprofits. By night, she writes critically acclaimed, character-driven historical fiction – indulging a passion for the Tudor era she had harbored since she was eight years old and her parents let her stay up late to watch The Six Wives of Henry VIII and Elizabeth R.

Her Seymour Saga trilogy (Jane the Quene, The Path to Somerset, The Boy King) took her deep into one of the era’s central families – and now her follow-up Regina series explores Elizabeth’s journey from bastard to icon.

Janet also runs a blog (www.janetwertman.com) where she posts interesting takes on the Tudors and what it’s like to write about them.

Author Links:

Website:         https://janetwertman.com

Facebook:      https://www.facebook.com/janetwertmanauthor/

LinkedIn:       https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-ambrosi-wertman-b5531aa/

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

Bluesky:         https://bsky.app/profile/janetwertman.bsky.social         

Pinterest:       https://www.pinterest.com/janetwertman

Book Bub:      https://www.bookbub.com/profile/janet-wertman          

Amazon Author Page:                      https://www.amazon.com/stores/Janet-Wertman/author/B01CUSMWFA 

Goodreads:        https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2028387.Janet_Ambrosi_Wertman           

This entry was posted on May 20, 2025. 2 Comments

And The Gold Goes To…Willa R. Finnegan!

May18

Book Link

Gold from Literary Titan!

“Snow: Cursed takes a classic fairytale and shatters it like glass underfoot. We start with a familiar image: Snow White, pale as snow, hair black as night. But instead of dwarves singing in the mines, we get blood, betrayal, and wolves with names like Big Bad and Dummy. This story spins out into something entirely new, grittier, darker, and painfully human. At its heart, it’s about identity and control. Who are you when the world decides you’re evil before you even take your first breath?

What stood out most to me was the prologue. Finnegan immediately immerses the reader in a morally ambiguous space, blurring the lines between good and evil. The opening passage reads like a blend of philosophical reflection and personal testimony. Statements such as “no one is truly good, and no one is truly evil” are particularly striking, establishing the thematic foundation for the rest of the novel. Rather than presenting a simple fantasy, the prologue invites deeper reflection on the assumptions we make about people and the lasting impact of the roles society assigns them.

Snow herself is fascinating. She starts out fragile and frightened, learning that her own father plans to burn her alive because of a curse. That scene involving Merlin and the journal was particularly impactful and emotionally resonant. When she finds out about her supposed destiny and how her father lied to her for fifteen years, it’s devastating. And then she breaks out of the castle, climbs the wall, and everything flips. There’s this moment where she takes down Big Bad, the alpha wolf, and suddenly she’s “Red Riding Hood,” drenched in blood, leading a pack. That moment was striking, intense, and deeply affecting. It vividly conveyed her transformation, which felt palpable through the page.

While Finnegan’s writing occasionally leans toward directness in the dialogue, it’s balanced by a refreshingly original voice that brings a distinctive energy to the narrative. It’s dramatic and fast-paced, but it never takes itself too seriously, and I appreciated that. There’s a kind of campy magic in how she blends fairytale with modern sarcasm. When Snow throws a dagger near Dummy’s neck to shut everyone up, it’s brutal and hilarious. That blend of horror and humor works surprisingly well. The side characters are uniquely compelling, with Midnight the wolf standing out in particular. Her character arc is both surprising and dramatic, culminating in a plot twist that is as unexpected as it is effective.

The ideas in this book stick with you. Finnegan messes with traditional fantasy in a way that made me uncomfortable, but in a good way. There’s a recurring theme of rewriting your story instead of letting it be written for you. Snow literally goes from princess to fugitive to alpha to maybe something even darker. And that evolving identity is central to the whole thing. It’s not always clean or elegant, but it’s full of grit and soul.

Snow: Cursed is a fairytale for anyone who’s tired of black-and-white stories. It’s for readers who like a little bite with their magic. Readers are likely to find this story thoroughly engaging. It is intense, emotionally charged, and at times brutal, yet undeniably compelling. I found it difficult to put down.”

The Perfect Witness

May17

Book Link

From Amazon:

She’s the key to the whole case.
All he has to do is keep her alive to testify.

Protecting the key witness in a high-profile trial is security expert Cal Newfellow’s top priority. But keeping Marlise alive becomes a test of courage and will when they’re attacked and forced into hiding. Battered but not broken, Marlise also has a mission: to put a dangerous criminal behind bars forever. That means trusting a man battling his own demons. The man sworn to help her heal…and survive.

From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

Discover more action-packed stories in the Secure One series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following order:

Book 1: Going Rogue in Red Rye County
Book 2: The Perfect Witness
Book 3: The Red River Slayer

My Review:

This book is a fantastic follow-up to book one in this trilogy. It has heart-wrenching moments, moments of joy combined with romance, and the thrills never stop! But the downtrodden are resilient, and love flows even when one can’t admit their love to themselves. I just started The Red River Slayer as I loved book two so much. Thanks to Ms. Mettner.

Fallen Pomegranate Seeds Duology

May16

Media Kit

Book Title: Falling Pomegranate Seeds: The Katherine of Aragon Story

Series: Omnibus Edition

Author:  Wendy J. Dunn

Publication Date:  February 28th, 2025

Publisher:  Poesy Quill

Pages: 1030 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction / Tudor Fiction

Any Triggers: This is a story for adults, with adult themes and situations.

Twitter Handle: @cathiedunn @marylschmidt

Instagram Handles: @wendyjdunnauthor @thecoffeepotbookclub

Hashtags: #HistoricalFiction #TudorFiction #KatherineOfAragon #Duology #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub

Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2025/04/blog-tour-falling-pomegranate-seeds-duology-by-wendy-j-dunn.html

Book Title and Author Name:

Falling Pomegranate Seeds: The Katherine of Aragon Story

Wendy J. Dunn

Blurb:

In the Falling Pomegranate Seeds Duology, readers are transported to the rich historical tapestry of 15th and 16th-century Europe, where the lives of remarkable women unfold against the backdrop of political upheaval and personal struggles.

In the first book, beginning in 1490 Castile, Doña Beatriz Galindo, a passionate and respected scholar, serves as an advisor to Queen Isabel of Castile. Beatriz yearns for a life beyond the constraints imposed on women, desiring to control her own destiny. As she witnesses the Holy War led by Queen Isabel and her husband, King Ferdinand of Aragon, Beatriz dedicates herself to guiding Queen Isabel’s youngest child, Catalina of Aragon, on her own path. Beatriz’s role as a tutor and advisor becomes instrumental in shaping Catalina’s future as she prepares to become England’s queen.

Fast forward to the winter of 1539 in the second book, where María de Salinas, a dear friend and cousin of Catalina (now known as Katherine of Aragon), pens a heartfelt letter to her daughter, the Duchess of Suffolk. Unable to make the journey from her London home due to illness, María shares her life story, intricately woven with her experiences alongside Catalina. Their friendship has endured through exile and tumultuous times. María seeks to shed light for her daughter on the choices she has made in a story exploring themes of friendship, betrayal, hatred, and forgiveness. Through María’s narrative, the eternal question Will love ultimately triumph?

Snippet 15:

Beside María, the crack in the wood revealed lightning bolts ripping apart the sky. In the cabin, women called out in fear, Inés and Francisca, like Catalina, precariously balanced on their knees, praying loudly as the ship pitched and rolled in quick succession. Others held onto whatever they could. María’s heart beat so fast, as if trying to burst free from her chest.

The wind buffeted the ship without mercy. Suddenly, the storm-gale shrieked, a scream of such power it left María clinging to Catalina and silenced all around them. The ship heeled savagely over, toppling María and Catalina to the wet floor. Water streamed through every crevice of the upper cabin.

Doña Elvira screeched, “Mother of God. Save us! We’re going under!”

From All Manner of Things

Buy Link:

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/bax5n6

Author Bio:

Wendy J. Dunn is an award-winning Australian writer fascinated by Tudor history – so much so she was not surprised to discover a family connection to the Tudors, not long after the publication of her first Anne Boleyn novel, which narrated the Anne Boleyn story through the eyes of Sir Thomas Wyatt, the elder.

Her family tree reveals the intriguing fact that one of her ancestral families – possibly over three generations – had purchased land from both the Boleyn and Wyatt families to build up their own holdings. It seems very likely Wendy’s ancestors knew the Wyatts and Boleyns personally.

Author Links:

Website: www.wendyjdunn.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorwendyjdunn

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

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@wendyjdunnauthor

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/wendy-j-dunn

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B004FRTZFA

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/197156.Wendy_J_Dunn

This entry was posted on May 16, 2025. 4 Comments

The Girl From Pompey

May15

Please welcome Bryony Best to my blog. Hello Bryony! I’m so happy to have you on my blog today.

Please introduce yourself to those reading this blog post.

I publish memoir style books that shine a light on healing trauma, addiction recovery and mental health. Spirituality is also embedded into all my books, and I share my own spiritual development and growth throughout my stories.  

I am also a Holistic Therapist who has studied mediumship for many years. 

My books are currently being used as resources within mental health in the U.K. and USA. I also created my own branding and I currently sell TGFP limited edition merchandise alongside my books.  

Has writing always been part of your life and when did you “know” that it was time to start writing your first book?

I have written poetry since I was a child, but I never thought of myself as a writer. I am a spiritual person who meditates daily, and it was while meditating that inspiration hit me and I started writing my first book back in 2011.

How difficult was it to write your first book?

It was easy. I was unaware of what I should have been doing and therefore I just transferred my ideas and knowledge into my laptop. Now, I plot and plan my chapters, research the theme and am more aware of what is required from me.

Have you ever wanted to give up and what stopped you?

Recently I have considered whether writing is a viable career for me financially, but I love creating stories and sharing my experiences to help others. I work multiple jobs and volunteer too, but I feel it is important to love what you are doing. I tried chasing the high-powered career and it did not make me happy. Writing and helping others makes me happy.

Who is the most supportive of you and your dream to be a writer?

My fiancé believes I will become financially independent and a famous author in the future, and he is my biggest supporter alongside my readers.

Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

My first book contains ten years of research for happiness and fulfilment, and I believe this is why the book has received such great reviews.

What is the best advice given to you (book or otherwise), and by whom?

Be true to yourself. When you fall asleep in bed are you happy with your choices? If yes, then continue.

What is your target audience and what aspect of your writing do you feel targets that audience?

My books entertain everyone, but they also contain themes for very serious subjects. Any person seeking guidance or advice for overcoming trauma, mental health, inspiration, or addiction can especially benefit from reading my book.

Did the cover evolve the same way, or did you work with someone to make it come together for you?

I have a clear idea of what I want before I finish the book making the cover design easier. I usually hire the same cover artist who is very talented.

What are you working on now? Can we get a peek, an excerpt?

I am currently writing my tenth book, and it will be book number five in The Girl from Pompey series. The story continues from my last book and is set in Wales. I share details of my new life, but it is not long before my demons catch up with me. The book has two timelines, one in the present and one in the past set in a mental hospital.

Any last words before we wrap things up?

I love writing books and connecting with readers. I publish disturbingly honest books based on my life. At the heart of my writing is a desire to help others. If you are ever in need of help, then please do not suffer in silence. Reach out or tell a friend. Call a help line or find someone to help you.

Bryony Best currently lives in Wales with her fiancé and much loved chihuahua dog. Bryony works part-time for a charity and writes books but hopes to be a full-time author in the future. In her spare time Bryony volunteers with her registered pet therapy dog in a local care-home alongside volunteering as a Reiki healer at a local church. Bryony is a Reiki Master with a diploma for Crystal Healing, alongside training for Mediumship for many years. In Bryony’s books she shares wisdom and Spirituality alongside her triumph defeating her own addictions and overcoming mental illness.

Social Media 

Bookbub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/bryony-best

Instagram – https://instagram.com/bestbryony?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thegirlfrompompey

Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@bryonybestauthor?_t=8aVbG7g14iM&_r=1

Website – https://www.bryonybest.com

Twitter – @bryony_best 

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/friend/i?invite_token=MTNiMmM0OWItNjJlYy00MjBlLWE1OWQtNzdjNGJiNDEyMDFl

Linked In https://uk.linkedin.com/in/bryony-best-17b393221

X https://x.com/bryony_best?t=WM9_eGepNWjSriXReJVMJA&s=09

Amazon.com Author page – Amazon.com: Bryony Best: books, biography, latest updateBook on Amazon.com https://a.co/d/cxzDC7m

Rainbows Red Book of Poetry

May14

Book Link

From Amazon:

‘Do yourself a favour: buy this, curl up in your favourite chair and read it, knowing you will come away refreshed.’

Life is a complex thing. As social beings, we live side by side, sometimes in not so harmonious circumstances. This book celebrates love and tackling the challenges we face as humans. Control is not always ours.

Keep learning.
Keep growing.
Be yourself.
Do your best.

Life is complicated, yet very simple.

‘These poems are layered and more formal — with an air of William Blake or even Christina Rosetti — but without pretension or anachronism. They still have the Lawson touch.’

‘Lily Lawson has this way of making me weep.
And dance.
And understand myself a little better.
And understand others, perhaps, a little better too.’

“Hate vs Love” is the strongest poem in the collection. … I enjoyed the repeating “p” sound in “powerful punch poisoning” as an attempt to replicate that ongoing bruised feeling when hateful words hit our heart. And following this, “wasting weighty words” is an excellent way to display exhaustion, as the mouth quickly gets tired of forming the “w” sound. Another favorite line of mine is “History is buried deep within me” in “The Vault”.

My Review:

Mary Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartfelt

Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2025

Verified Purchase

The poetry within these pages are heartfelt. The good in life compared to the bad in the same poem. Overall, the poetry speaks of pain, heartache, loss, love, visions of not texting or tweeting, but back to the old ways before digital. The most important part of the poetry concerns a person standing strong despite what others have done to her.