Tag Archive | poetry

I Just Found Out!

Apr22

PenCraft’s Spring Seasonal Book Awards

We are proud to announce that your book Christmas in Evergreen: Heart of Evergreen, has been selected as a winner of the 2024 PenCraft Seasonal Book Award Spring Competition. We hope this award inspires you to keep writing and helps you reach new heights in your career. The PenCraft Seasonal Book Awards recognizes books of remarkable literary quality, artistic excellence, and popularity with readers. Christmas in Evergreen: Heart of Evergreen exemplified these criteria as a winner in the Fiction – Drama genre. We hope receiving this award will contribute to your ongoing writing success.

A complete list of winners is posted on the PenCraft Book Award site, and all winners will also be listed in a national press release within the next couple of weeks.

Each Seasonal category winner receives a personalized award certificate.

Each winner also receives a sheet of 24 Seasonal Best Book award seals for the PenCraft Spring Seasonal Best Book Award.

A National Press Release announcement of all winners.

All Seasonal Award winners are also invited to our Annual PenCraft Book Award Ceremony. The event will consist of Dinner and the awarding of personalized plaques to all “attending” winners. The award ceremony and Dinner will probably take place in Las Vegas in February or March of 2025.  You will be notified of the actual date and place after the announcement of the Annual Winners in October of this year.

We hope you and your significant other or friend can join us to celebrate and help honor you and all the talented authors whose books won.

David Hearne, Editor In Chief, PenCraft Book Awards

Beauty of Poetry

Apr11

Book Link

From Amazon:

Beauty of Poetry written by Author Brenda Mohammed is filled with poems of various genres separated by picturesque posters before every genre. She has penned poems on love, nature, world icons, world monuments, peace, motivational poems, and Christian life. As a cancer survivor, she has dedicated a section for persons fighting cancer, surviving cancer, or lost loved ones because of this dread disease. The book is easy to read as readers can read his/her favourite genres in the order they prefer. The famous English poet John Keats said, “An object of beauty gives us perennial joy. Beauty never fades and is not devalued. A thing of beauty is a joy forever and it makes us forget the sorrows and sufferings of the world.” Keats also conceptualized beauty as truth and truth as beauty. He said, “Beauty is truth, truth beauty that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know. Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter.” Another famous English poet, William Wordsworth said, “Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words. Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks. Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquillity.” All the above describes the beautiful poetry in Beauty of Poetry, and what makes it special. It will be a beautiful asset to your library.

My Review:


Mary Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching poetry Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2024

Verified Purchase

This book is a very touching book with many poems that touch the heart. From writing about the beauty of a butterfly landing on one’s clothes before flying away, the beauty of gardens in other countries, overcoming situations in which she could have drowned, gone septic, cancer striking, an array of hard to fight viral illnesses, dengue, the list is endless but the central theme that with God all would be won persevered. The power of love for God and belief in Him is the driving force.

Think Tanka: vision in verse 

Feb4

Book Link

From Amazon:

Throughout time, the poet has used words to convey feelings, share ideas and unite the reader with their vision. Think Tanka uses the traditional structure of Japanese lyric poetry to unite the reader to the vision of the poet. if you can “see” what she is trying to “say” in every grouping of 31 syllables, then she has done her job. Think Tanka is a book for those who appreciate poetry, those who enjoy short reads, people who like to smile and those who know what it is like to be lost in a world of imagination. Whether you are buying this book for yourself or someone else, you’ll want to make sure you get an extra copy so you’ll have one on hand to share.

My review:

Loved this book of Tanka. I don’t write in Tanka, but I love reading it. This book contains many Tanka of any subject. I loved “57 years together” together and all of them, really. I laughed when pantyhose bunched, but the Wedding March had started so too late to take them off. The bliss of flying ever higher to our eternal home spoke volumes. I felt every emotion as I read.

The Poetry Mouse

Jan16

Book Link

From Amazon:

Evie believes there is more to life than taking care of her house and baking for her friends. She’s not like the other mice. She has a different path; her purpose is to write poetry.

Being a mouse, she longs for the simplicity of nature. So, every day she sneaks past the woods and into the meadow where she writes her inspired words. She might even find encouragement from a friend to submit her poems.

This is Evie’s story of finding her authentic self, becoming brave enough to do what she loves, and ultimately sharing her gift with the world as The Poetry Mouse.

My Review:

This was a lovely story to read. Evie, a mouse, works at her sewing and such to make a living in her pink house at the end of a lane. She yearns to write poetry and escapes for walks in the countryside. Her pen never stops, and everything she sees, she writes a poem. Mr Fox helps Evie to understand that she is a very good poet, giving Evie the boost she needed to take her poetry down to the post to send to a publisher. This book inspires.

Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers’ Favorite

Jan11

5 Stars – Congratulations on your 5-star review! Get your free 5-star seal!

BOOK LINK

Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers’ Favorite

Kim Daily believed that her marriage to Steve was perfect. They had a beautiful, welcoming
home and a great group of friends. Unfortunately, everything was a lie. While attempting
to shut down Steve’s laptop, Kim discovers a hit list with her name at the top. Realizing
that her life is in danger, she decides to flee. The incident leads to a series of events,
including involvement with the CIA, a fatal accident, and Kim and her best friend Nancy
relocating to the town of Evergreen. There, they start a new life, healing from old wounds,
making new friends, and finding love. Pick up Christmas in Evergreen by Mary L. Schmidt
to enjoy this captivating story.

Christmas in Evergreen is the first book in the Heart of Evergreen series, and Mary L. Schmidt
does an excellent job laying the foundation for future installments. Kim is an admirable
character and I could not help but fall in love with her. I felt her turmoil when she discovered
the true nature of her husband of five years. It was heartwarming to see that she found people
who helped her get through a difficult time and helped her learn to trust and love again. The
story takes place during the festive season, and themes of family, friendship, and love perfectly
describe it. The author’s detailed descriptions paint a vivid picture of Evergreen and its intriguing
residents, whom I am excited to read more about in the upcoming books. I enjoyed Christmas in
Evergreen because it is entertaining and has an exciting plot.

Memories from another Lifetime LOVE

Jan5

Book Link

From Amazon:

Can poetry be memories from a previous life?

Love is the second book in the series Memories from another Lifetime.

Memories from another Lifetime is a collection of very personal and hauntingly beautiful poems about love, desire, heartbreak, betrayal, hurt and denial. They go to the core of raw and visceral emotions, perhaps from another lifetime. A powerful and moving experience.

My Review:

I’ve read quite a bit of poetry lately, but this book is the cream of poetry due to the young age of the writer, age 13, and the verbiage of the written words found within. At 13, writing love poetry with the brain and experience of one who is older compelled me to think how this could be so. I think it was easier to lay bare emotions and feelings due to early teenage hormones but also reading her own mother’s poetry over the years. Poetry begets poetry. Like mother, like daughter. The poetry within is very deep, sensual, and full of all kinds of emotions

Angel Messages Two: songs of the heart

Dec29

Book Link

From Amazon:

The songs of the hearts of Angels guide us, lift us and fill our lives with hope and love. They harmonize with our heartbeats, ask us to trust and remind us that we are precious. They call to us tenderly, helping us find comfort. Encouragement is but a request away. How is this (and more) all possible? Because the songs of the heart are pure love. When our hearts are singing the songs of love, we connect with Angels. Open your heart to connection with Angels, with Angel Messages Two – songs of the heart. Unlike a book that takes a story and divides it into chapters, Angel Messages Two – songs of the heart, is a book of messages (songs) that can be read one right after another or one at a time. From day to day, a different message may speak to you. Open this book to find what is perfect for you (or someone else) at that moment. The pictures in this book, remind you that Angels appear in a variety of forms while the Tanka brings to life, the deeper message each of the photographs. Angel Messages Two – songs of the heart, is perfect for anyone who has ever wanted to connect with Angels as much as it is perfect for anyone who already has a relationship with Angels. The messages are presented in poetry that we call Tanka. Tanka is a form of traditional Japanese lyric poetry that uses 31 syllables spread out over 5 lines, to convey its message. The word “tanka” translates to “short song.” The short songs of this book help us to be aware of our deep, abiding connection to energies we might not be able to see but can feel in our hearts. To be in the presence of Angels is soothing, warm; reminiscent of being around the most supportive energy you can imagine. It can also be energizing, electric and indescribably emotional. When an Angel makes its presence known, it will be when you most need the confirmation that you are not alone. You always have a home in an Angel’s heart and they are excited to be at home in your heart.

My Review:

This is a truly angelic read. If you’ve never seen an angel, don’t worry. One will show up in one way or another. The poems ring true and fit the angel images within. The TANKA form is used in this poetry book. The messages are lifting. Thank you, Annette, for the pleasure of your poetry.

Love on a Winter’s Night

Dec15

Book Link

From Amazon:

Step into a world where winter’s gentle touch paints landscapes in shades of ivory and silver, where the hush of snowflakes conceals whispered secrets blowing through the trees. “Love on a Winter’s Night” is a spellbinding journey that invites you to nestle deep within the warmth of frosty evenings. In this exquisite collection of winter-themed love poetry, you’ll discover the magic of true love, woven into each verse like a tapestry of emotions.

As you turn the pages, you’ll be transported to a realm where every stanza is a hearth, crackling with the fires of passion, just like sipping cocoa by the fireside. The verses will kindle the flames of your soul, offering solace amidst the enchanting snowy world that surrounds us.

Jill Yoder, an accomplished editor, remarked, “As I read this book, I could envision nearly every scene. I could feel every bit of excitement, yearning, and love throughout each page.”

“Love on a Winter’s Night” is not just a book of poetry; it’s a testament to the enduring power of love amidst the chill of winter. Let its pages envelop you in its magical embrace, where love shines as brightly as a star on a frosty night.

My Review:

Winter’s love is what I felt as I read this book. No matter how cold, rainy, or snowy the weather, true love warms the heart and spirit of two in love. Cuddles, sharing food, an Eskimo kiss, spooning, or laughing in the rain, true love warms the heart, body, and soul. Perfect poetry on love.

Blossoms of Hope

Dec6

Book Link

From Amazon:

A poetry collection of harmony and hope.

A poetry collection through a woman’s eyes, subtle reminders of your strength and of your importance in this world. We are all connected to this earth~as the world turns, time churns, the sun rises, rivers swell, tears well, the wind blows, happiness flows and the sun sets on the horizon. There is hope for me, for you and for us.

My Review:

Wow. What a powerful book Jami Kellett has written. She has bared her soul with the world. Freely given with no expectations whatsoever. Darkness happens, but light can be found. From the scent of a flower, the glow of moonlight, or the warmth of the sun, peacefulness is found in nature and in other humans created by God above. Everyone should have a copy of this book. The evocative words reach in deeply to one’s soul.