H.M. Holten's Blog, page 4

Heat Wave

Damaged Earth

Fierce light dazzles the eye

The air shimmers

And expands.

You struggle to breathe,

Sweat trickles down your back,

And the soil opens deep cracks.

Withered flowers draped

On yellow grass

Expire

Under the merciless

Sun

Withered Flowers

��HMH, 2023

The post Heat Wave first appeared on HM Holten.

Serene Tree

`

Yet another tree ��� the last of my sketches with poems.

Crayons on Paper

Pinetree on the coast

The vacant sea

Silent

Waiting

Waiting

For a breeze

For a sign of life

A pinecone drops

And silence returns

*

�� HMH, 2023

The post Serene Tree first appeared on HM Holten.

Reviews Follow-up

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Lisette Brody, Hotel Obscure

A Place to Live. A Place to Die

Hotel Obscure welcomes those who haven���t anywhere else to go. Hotel Obscure welcomes those who want to hide. Hotel Obscure provides shelter and a place to live or die according to need.

Nobody gets judged at Hotel Obscure, no matter what their reason for staying at this, once prestigious, hotel.

The neighbourhood is as rundown as the hotel, but several characters remember its glory days.

Ms Brody handles the shady characters and those who have a message to share with equal panache. Every story is a jewel in its setting, but you find strange connections and wonderful revelations on every page.

Graphic by HM Holten

Debi Ennis Binder, Dragon���s Revenge

Dragons and Humans Together on a Rescue Mission

Mayra and Wolfe, two powerful ring-witches have formed a strong bond.

Gaulte the Dragon, leader of the Ceshon Aerie Clan longs to reunite with his female counterpart and the younglings.

Hagan, the evil dragon, united with his helpers the shapeshifter and the gnome, is working towards destroying anybody who doesn���t yield to his power.

The setup is riveting. Debi Ennis-Binder writes a flamboyant fantasy novel and creates haunting pictures to remember and cherish.

Having said that, I���m not sure whether it matches the heights of Dragon Rings. All in all, it is still a worthy sequel to Dragon Rings.

Graphic by HM Holten

Sherrie Lowe, Song of the Phoenix

How to Overcome Loss and Learn to Live Again

Alannah has just lost her beloved Bernie to cancer. A divorced woman with grown-up children, she never expected to raise another set of girls. Worse, she must now do that alone.

Keeley and Sophie, grieve too, but in different ways. Sophie withdraws from everybody except her friends. Keeley shoulders her pain and does what she can to get on with life.

Ms Lowe poses difficult questions. How to bring up stepchildren when fighting your grief. How to cope with loss and learn to live. Song of the Phoenix is a poignant story about pain, but it also shows the reader the possibility of raising from the ashes and fly.

Graphic by HM Holten

Lizzie Chantree, Finding Gina

Going on a Quest Can Bring You to Unexpected Places

Gina has taken on a major pursuit. She travels the countryside to rectify old wrongs.

Toby, an heir to a manor house, offers her a site for her camper and may have hidden motives.

Lewis, a hungry journalist, has discovered a story that he can���t resist. To write it, he needs to find a mysterious do-gooder.

Finding Gina is a delicious tale of romance and family secrets. It is humorous and full of true-to-life characters that often wrangle with problems they could have avoided.

Ms Chantree has a light pen and a quirky story to tell. She does do with wit and elegance. Romance can be delightful in the right hands.

Graphic by HM Holten

Maureen Turner, Lucifer After the Fall Wings Unfurled Book 3

Fallen Angels and Human Women Attract One Another

When his fall comes, Lucifer decides to jump rather than let his fellow angels push him. His pride in his inner light and his integrity carries him through the centuries. Leader of the rest of the Fallen, he does what he can to control and protect the unruly bunch.

A huge part of the plot concerns the lust that consumes the ex-angels when meeting the beautiful daughters of men and the resulting Nephilim.

Lucifer After the Fall deals with many questions. Philosophy, the meaning of love, life (eternal and transient), crime, and punishment are just a few of those.
Ms Turner never disappoints, her crisp prose and cool wit, together with an intimate and shrewd look into the nature of an exile from Heaven, in other words, the former Morning Star.

This, the last part of the trilogy Wings Unfurled, brings the series to an absorbing conclusion.

Graphic by HM Holten

JS Frankel, The Window to Tellkar

Travelling Between Worlds can be Dangerous and Exciting

Mark Cornish is a normal guy, going to school and doing his best to get on with life. His mother keeps extremely busy, and hence, Mark is self-sufficient in many ways.

Glenda Cron is a bit of an outsider, but nobody knows to what degree.

The two teenagers get thrown together, and a story full of fantasy and parallel universes begins.

JS Frankel is a prolific author, and his fantasies pull you in, leaving you no moment to reflect. The bad guys are evil, but his protagonists come across as real people with real, but often troubled, lives. The Window to Tellkar is no exception. It is thought-provoking and compelling.

Graphic by HM Holten

Alice Renaud, Music for a Merman

Can an Eco-Warrior and a Merman Find Common Ground?

Rob Regor has a mission. His job as a policeman gives him the opportunity to scrutinise humans for his father, who hates the species.

Charlotte Fitzwilliam (Charlie) has left her family to save the environment, especially around the Morvann Islands and the nearby mainland. Her actions don���t please her rich family.

Both mistrust one another when they meet, but they soon find common ground. Will their connection make or break them?

Alice Renaud writes her fantasies for adults. Her style is compelling, and in Music for a Merman, the gallery of Mer-people, as well as humans, is delicious, the dialogue both amusing and complex. As a reader, you feel drawn into the waves, both in the figurative and the real sense.

Graphic by HM Holten

Nancy Jardine, Before Beltane, A Prequel

Northern Britannia AD 71 is Fraught with Tension

Princess Nara of Selgovae, an acolyte to the Goddess, finds herself back home with her unforgiving father.

Lorcan of Garrigill travels as an envoy for King Venutius. It is a dangerous post, and the danger only increases when he meets the Druid Maran.

As the title states, this is a prequel to the Celtic Fervour series. In it, Ms Jardine gives a view of the complicated politics of England’s early Roman occupation period. More than that, the two imminent protagonists of the series come to life as complex characters.

Graphic by HM Holten

*

��HMH, 2023

The post Reviews Follow-up first appeared on HM Holten.

Blossoming Tree

Here is the second tree from the sketches with attached poems. The poem is obscure, to say the least, but I allowed myself to edit it slightly.

Crayons on Paper

`

Close by

A tree, lost in thought,

Longing for Spring.

Its dreams

Manifest

In birds, flowers, and people

Dreaming of

Commitment

`

�� HMH, 2023

The post Blossoming Tree first appeared on HM Holten.

Cork on the Water

*

I will be OK.

*

I���ll pop up like a cork on the water.

Try it

Press me down,

No matter how long,
And see.

*

I will be back.

*

Unhurt?

No way

Humiliated?

Perhaps

But I will be back,

Floating, and

Moving along

*

��HMH, 2023

The post Cork on the Water first appeared on HM Holten.

Solitary Tree

A few weeks ago, I found three tree sketches with attached poems. I���m not sure when I made them but thought I���d share them here.

Crayons on Paper

*

Solitary but serene

The tree fills its space with strong branches

Grounded and healthy

Only a little moss on the north side

As it contemplates the flowers

Cushioned among its roots

And birds flying off in the distance

*

�� HMH, 2023

An Author���s Take: Questions by S.S. Bazinet

I want to thank S.S. Bazinet for the opportunity to talk about my latest book, Snares and Delusions. The chance to dig deep into the writing process and to explain what moved me to present my main character, Britta, in the way I did is rare. 

Physical Education Class at the German School in Copenhagen

Why did you choose this historical period to write about?

There are many reasons for my choice of historical epoch. One of them is my family history which inspired the three books of The Triptych. Not only that, but the recent world war that ended around 1945 has also influenced society in many ways, and I dare to say that it is a factor in our current world situation.

One of my greatest hopes in writing about this terrible period is that it could be a warning. Wars are never won, no matter how we try to justify them. Having said that, I���m certain, should another war happen, I���d feel compelled to take part or take sides in one way or another. We can���t know what it is like to be confronted with the horrors of war until we have experienced them.

What can I say? I hope that my small contribution against war will make its point.

General Strike Copenhagen, July 1944

What inspired you to write this story?

Part of my answer is stated above. On a personal level, writing it was a labour of love, but it was also cathartic.

Please, give us your take on your main character, Britta.

Britta was a hard character to work with and on. Her innate demeanour is fun-loving and a little rebellious. It quickly gets quelled through her granny���s overbearing demeanour (for instance at the thunderstorm in the beginning). Her father and mother had little to say, because of Nana���s strong presence in the household.

Fathers were distant in those days, working long hours, and not concerned with the upbringing of children. It was seen as female work. Women worked as hard as housewives and breeding machines.

Britta���s father has personal issues that come to the fore in Woes and Wonders. He is a war victim in more than one way. Britta admires him over all others, but she has no understanding or knowledge of his past.

Her mother appears weak, but she is the only person in the household who speaks out about the danger Hitler presents. Her thoughts only come forward in Woes and Wonders, as she is seen through Britta���s eyes in Secrets and Lies.

The heads of the family, Nana and Father, only see the German influence as something positive.

What child would have had a chance to understand the political consequences of the philosophy behind the Nazi ideas? Especially when the people she admired most were pro-Hitler. Britta had no chance. The teachers at her school impressed and enforced these ideas.

My research uncovered the active recruiting to HJ and BDM among pupils at the German School in Copenhagen. It is also proven that the Jewish children who attended the school were ousted and the last Jewish child had left the school by 1940 (J��diske b��rn p�� Sankt Petri skolen i K��benhavn blev mobbet ud (berlingske.dk)) The link is just one example among many ��� and unfortunately in Danish. I just thought I���d include it to accentuate the novelty ��� 28th of May 2017 ��� of this research. For years, even as late as 2016, the German school denied any involvement in the ���German cause���.

Of course, Britta could have learned from her mistakes, and that she didn���t is her tragedy.

DNSAP Headquarter in Copenhagen

What would you like your readers to take away from this story?

I think my message is that war causes endless numbers of victims. Not just the obvious ones.

The victims of war send a message that reverberates through generations. War uproots people; it can cripple bodies as well as minds.

If you have anything else you���d like to tell us about Secrets and Lies, please do.

Secrets and Lies stands alone, but reading all three parts of The Triptych would enrich Britta���s story.

I���d like to include the Book trailers for every book in The Triptych as they might give a better impression than many words can do.

Snares and Delusions Book Trailer – YouTube

Woes and Wonders Book Trailer December – YouTube

Secrets and Lies Book Trailer – YouTube

The Bombing of Shell Hus, March 1945

My books can be found on Amazon. Here is the link to my author page on Amazon US

https://www.amazon.com/HM-Holten/e/B076CJP47N/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

Spring Rain

`

The copper-beach triad stretches thirsty leaves towards the sky

As the rain starts dripping

Colours awake and shimmer in the hazy air

Blades of grass raise on tiptoe to drink liquid life

*

A girl walks, laughing towards the dripping greyness

As clouds gather and empty their burden

On the languishing soil

*

Little flowers open their petals

They enter the Spring Symphony

With tiny bell-like voices

Singing a song of bliss

`

��HMH, 2023

Volcano

Here is the last of my Lanzarote-inspired watercolours

Watercolour on Paper

�� HMH, 2023

Review Bonanza

*

Tina-Maria Miller, The Chateau of Second Chances

A Retreat to New Openings

Chateau Fontaine gives a retreat to suffering humanity. Some of them live there, and some come to visit, but everybody transforms their outlook and lives.

Valentine prefers being incognito and has nothing against being taken for the gardener. Will he come out of his shell?

Millie has called off her wedding for what seems to be the perfect reason. Will she change her mind?

Andrew doesn���t know what to think or do. Will he find a solution to his dilemma?

India must choose between being the life and soul of the party or taking life seriously. Will she survive?

Many quirky characters assemble at the Chateau of Second Chances. They will all be taught lessons that can transform their lives. It is up to them to follow their hearts and/or minds, but they must confront their demons.

This setting is perfect for Tina-Marie Miller���s sense of humour and insight into humanity. She writes with her usual panache and vision. The chateau of Second Chances is the perfect setting for Miller���s unusual brand of romance with a twist.

*

CS McDonald, Murder on Pointe

Beware of Merciless Ballerinas

Fiona Quinn ended a promising ballet career because of a skiing accident. She���s a happy kindergarten teacher.

Silja Ramsay, Fiona���s best friend, is a prima ballerina. She���s back in town to star in the ballet Coppelia.

Together, they discover the murder of one of the other dancers.

Enter Homicide detective Nathan Landry. He recruits Fiona as an undercover agent in order to solve the case.

This is the premise for Murder on Pointe. McDonald writes a delicious and wicked murder intrigue with lots of dancing and scheming dancers. There are hilarious moments as well as spine-tingling incidents.

From Fiona���s home to the theatre backstage, the reader must hold his or her breath, even if it is difficult, especially when laughing out loud.

*

Anna Casamento Arrigo, House Built on Fog and Sand

Poetry about Life, Death, Love, and Falling

If you want consonance and assonance, you can���t go wrong with House Built on Sand and Fog. In this collection of poetry, Anna Casamento Arrigo shows many aspects of life, love, despair, and contentment. 

A powerful journey awaits the reader; here are poems to make you laugh and cry. Poems to make you think. Poems to uplift.

The illustrations give powerful visionary expression to the words.

How do we cope with grief and loss? How do we survive abuse?

Yet, there are plenty of heartening and delightful moments to find on these pages. Anna Casamento Arrigo does more than that: she holds life up for us to inspect and come to terms with. Moving and profound, this is a book to cherish.

*

SS Bazinet, A Mother���s Love (A Light so Bright book 1)

Love is the Moving Force in the Universe

A tale of bigotry and chauvinism hides in the pages of Bazinet���s wonderful book about the birth and life of the Holy One.

Mixing biblical atmosphere with fantasy and legend, A Mother���s Love presents the reader with grief, intolerance, trials, and joy.

Bazinet���s parable reminded me of writings such as Herman Hesse���s Siddhartha and Kahlil Gibran���s The Prophet. Poignant and thought-provoking, A Mother���s Love unfolds in poetic language and spiritual reflections.

*

CW Hawes, In the Shadow of the Mountains of Madness

High Octane Paranormal Investigation

Pierce Mostyn and his team land in Antarctica to investigate the destroyed Vostok Research Station. They must agree that there is a great danger to humanity lurking under the ice cap.

The Mountains of Madness, visited in Lovecraft���s At the Mountains of Madness, present a challenge that they must meet.

Those who know Roerich���s paintings will recognise the atmosphere in Hawes���s writing. The chilly colours of the paintings, the lurking danger, the Shoggoths, and The Elder Things cannot fail to create a hair-raising read.

Be prepared to shiver during pitched battles and savour the lifelike characters��� plight.

*

Rob Corn, The Titanic Paradox

If Time-Travelling, You Will Face Consequences

Dan Hunt has an absorbing interest in Titanic���s history, but he doesn���t expect to end up taking part in the doomed ship���s maiden voyage.

John Franklin wakes up in the twenty-first century and must find answers to help him cope.

Around these two hapless heroes, a drama plays out that will reset the weft of time. It seems to be up to them to bring the world back on course.

The gallery of characters is extensive, but Corn manages to present their feelings and actions believably. That is if you accept that time travel is possible. Certainly, there are enough theories to be found in modern physics to vouch for the probability of such a scenario.

The Titanic Paradox deals with the repercussions of interfering. The Chaos Theory, the Butterfly Effect, and the Grandfather Paradox all play a role in Rob Corn���s first full-length novel.

*

Anna Casamento Arrigo, A Child���s Love

The Cycle of Life

How does a mother���s love influence her child? Does it make a difference if the child is a daughter or a son? How much does our gender mean in relation to our mothers?

One thing is clear, in A Child���s Love, Anna Casamento Arrigo presents a poetic and touching relationship between two women. Mother and daughter build up a special relationship that blossoms between them no matter what life throws at them.

This is done in beautiful illustrations and lyrical words that make you laugh and cry.

*

Lindsay Townsend, The Snow Bride

Fairy-Tale of Fear and Loss, Hope and Love

Being a witch, Elfrida expects to be able to take care of everything and everyone. When a fierce beast abducts her sister, she offers herself as bridal bait.

Sir Magnus, scarred for life and battle-hardened, returns from the crusades with little hope for a normal life.

Together they take on the search for and rescue of Elfrida���s sister.

Ms Townsend doesn���t sugar-coat her fiction. On the contrary, the action unfolds in raw expressions that fit the period. Elfrida comes to life as a strong but sensitive human being, and Sir Magnus��� plight is striking, etched on the reader���s mind with fierce pen-stokes. All in all, The Snow Bride presents a believable and fierce world that bowls you over and makes you think.

*

John Dolan, Land of Red Mist

Love, Loyalty, Treachery, and Philosophy

I can���t imagine a John Dolan that doesn���t make you think. I have yet to read all of the Time, Blood, and Karma series, but that is just an accident. I���m looking forward to devouring those I haven���t read.

The protagonist, Edward Braddock certainly does that. A young man, unwilling to settle and work on his father���s estate, goes to Malaya during the turbulent years after WWII and until the country is finally free of colonial rule.

He must grow up quickly to answer the challenges of his work for his uncle, Seb.

Many questions emerge as the political climate includes racial divisions, insurgence, and the end of British rule.

Add to this the exotic scenery, the enigmatic Malayan beauties, the uprising in another country, and you have a full-flavoured John Dolan novel. His writing is superb, the research accurate, and the plot captivating. Books that force you to think are the best.

*

Kathleen Harryman and Lucy Marshall, The Promise

Delicate WWII Romance

Rosie finds warfare repugnant. She feels betrayed when her friends sign up to fight the moment war is declared.

Will feels compelled to enlist. He must enter the brotherhood of his family to take up the mantle of his father.  

Jimmy will go with his friend anywhere and may be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Both Will and Jimmy love Rosie.

Set in a seaside town in Yorkshire, The Promise begins just before the second world war is declared and stays the course of the fighting.

It is possible to discuss whether Rosie is selfish or just loves her friends too much. Will she remain true to her love?

Will Jimmy be true to his promise? Will, too, faces unexpected challenges.

War changes lives and creates turbulence, not only in the fields of honour but in hearts and minds. This is the base for Kathleen Harryman���s wartime novel, The Promise. The first-person narrative, told by each of the main characters is revealing and efficient.

*

�� HMH, 2023