Lily Lawson's Blog: Lily's log, page 20
August 24, 2022
Book Reviews - Dreena Collins - Short Stories
Dreena Collins doing what she does best - writing stories. I love the variety in this book. Each character is well drawn and relatable. An dip into humanity's pool of ordinary beings with not such ordinary outcomes. One of my favourite writers just keeps dishing up the good stuff. Latest release from an award winning writer, if you haven't read any Dreena Collins don't leave it any longer.
This is labelled six of the best. Having read the collections they are taken from I would have found it very hard to choose just 6. I think from this book I am going for the 91 and a half reasons why it can’t be true. It speaks to me of holding on to every little meaningful moment of being aware yet unaware of the temporary nature of life. The recall of evidence, the sense of unbelief, it comes across so well in such a short piece. Dreena Collins is one of my favourite short story writers – read this and you will know why.
Dreena Collins is an award-winning short story writer and it is not hard to see why. It takes skill to convey a full story in a limited word count. The brevity is only in words not in quality.
6 stories. 6 looks at life. Short but not necessarily sweet. Take time to read the facts at the end too. 6 is lovely number for a collection but you will return to see what else she has to offer. As they say “leave them wanting more” and she does.
The Blue Hour, The Day I Nearly Drowned, Bird Wing and a little bit more are contained within this volume. It illustrates the authors gift for short stories and flash fiction all in one place.
I love a bit of flash fiction. So much can be said in such a small number of words and Dreena Collins makes every word count. The short story writer’s mantra “Get in, share, get out” applies here. The briefest glimpse tells us so much about the characters and their lives, you feel you know more than is being shared in the visit to their lives. Flash fiction requires a skill it is clear Dreena Collins has mastered.
This second collection from the talented short story writer looks at life from a different perspective. It illustrates that life is not simple, it’s messy and complicated. Jessica was nice stood out for me perhaps because I have wondered about the subject. Dreena Collins gets inside her characters and coaxes their thoughts and feelings out sharing them with us allowing us to identify with them as if they were stood in front of us. Relatable fiction told by a talented author.
Dreena Collins does not shy away from the emotional side of life. Her characters do not always act in the best way possible but each one is presented sympathetically from a place of understanding. The unexpected twists keep you guessing. This collection is a small illustration of the author’s range. I was happy to see that there is more to come.
Biography
Dreena Collins was born in Jersey, Channel Islands. She has a background in teaching, with a degree and a Masters’ degree in English Literature, as well as postgraduate teaching and Special Educational Needs qualifications. She now works as the Service Manager for a mental health charity. She lives with two males and a dog.
Previous publications include poetry featured in Mslexia magazine and Interchange periodical. She has been shortlisted and longlisted in several writing competitions, including the internationally celebrated ‘Bridport Prize’.
Things that Dreena loves include comfortable shoes, island holidays, spicy food, irreverence, and her family.
She dislikes intolerance (and Jaffa Cakes).
,www.facebook.com/dreenawriting
Book Reviews Ruth Loten - Unforgettable
I took my time with this book because I didn't want it to end. I wanted Tom to be happy whoever that was with. I could feel him being pulled in half. I was uncertain what he would do. These very human people with their doubts and flaws come to life on the page. This is a well written, believable story which will linger with me for a long time.
Bio
Ruth was born in Saltaire, West Yorkshire but grew up in Cleveleys, Lancashire. She graduated from Exeter University in 2000 and qualified as a Religious Studies teacher in 2001. Having met her husband at university, they got married and moved to the South East - him to do his MA and her to start her teaching career.
She worked full time as a teacher, writing odd bits here and there whenever she found the time, in between the job, the dogs, the husband and the small boy who was added to their family in 2005.
In 2014 Ruth gave up teaching to become a full time writer, but after a few months, life decided it had other plans for her and she went back to running around after another small boy. At the same time, the family moved to the Essex coast and started building their family life in a new town.
The only writing she was doing at this point, was a travelogue style Facebook page, run on behalf of their youngest son, which kept friends, family and a few strangers abreast of all the weird and wonderful things he was getting up to. When the littlest member of the family started pre-school, it was time for Ruth to dust off the fountain pen and notebooks and start writing again. She decided to study for an MA in Creative Writing with the Open University and in December she graduated with a merit.
Since then Ruth's finished the novel she started during the first year of the course and she is now looking for an agent to represent that. She have also completed the first draft of a second novel and is now doing a Novel In A Year course to work on the third.
Follow Ruth on her Facebook Author page, Twitter and her blog
Makarelle is on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as well as having a website.
Book Reviews - Karen Honnor - Poetry
A little trip down memory lane poetry style. Delve into nostalgia and recall the simple pleasures of life. Karen Honnor's latest collection goes quicker than your pocket money but you will want to savour it. Unlike your pick 'n' mix it will still be there waiting for you when you go back to sample it's delights again. Karen's relatable rhymes touch places few poets venture into. Perhaps that's why I am such a fan. Well done Mrs Honnor, keep them coming, I will keep reading them.
Karen Honnor has a way with words, be it poetically, or in blog format. She also makes you think. There's a lot to think about here. Like the community scarf Karen tells stories, weaving the trials of lockdown with musings on life. This is well worth reading and is indeed a collection of hope.
Karen Honnor has written the only poetry book I have read in the way I would read fiction. I couldn't put it down. It is rare for me to find a poet that I can really relate to. I don't have a favourite famous poet. The indie poets I have read seem more inclined to speak my language. Karen certainly does. This is the best poetry book I have read. Honest, relatable and I suspect something I will turn to again
Biography
Karen Honnor has always had a passion to write. Mostly, fitting poetry and script writing in around her day job in the past, now she has closed her classroom door and she has the freedom to focus on her writing, in whatever form it takes. Writing is a powerful way to make connections with others and to start a conversation.
She finds inspiration from my everyday and write with honesty and a touch of humour about the subjects that effect us all, building her self-confidence as she goes. Her books and blog continue to strike a chord with readers and she is learning and growing as she writes my way through midlife.
You can check out Karen's blog here
and follow her on Twitter here.
Check out her latest interviews here..
Book Reviews - Julie Kusma and Derek R King - Honey Words to Heal and Mend
Julie Kusma and Derek King combine their poetic talent to bring words that resonate with the broken, damaged places we inhabit visible or hidden. They seek to heal them with honeyed words - we understand, we know. I read this last thing at night. It left me with a smile on my face.
Biography
Julie L. Kusma, currently lives in the United States, where she pens speculative fiction short stories, poems, and novels. She is the co-author of The Darker Half Series (gothic poetry) with Derek R. King, The Many Worlds of Mr. A. Skouandy & Other Stories from Oakwood Sanatorium (a psychological horror short story cycle), Moomii’s Storytime For Grownups Series 1 & 2 Anthology (short stories: Angel, New Mummy, Awaken, and Pumpkin), Pigglety Pigglety Poo (children’s picture book), Stuck That Way and Other Quandaries (a short story collection of paranormal horror), and of two CDs; Unbind: 7 Chakras Opening Meditations, and Shift: 11 Perspective Changing Meditations.
Several of her paranormal and horror stories and a few poems are available in audio format on her YouTube channel. Recently, contemporaries in the writing community honored Julie with the moniker “Queen of Horror.”
She holds a Master of Science in Health Education and a Master of Art in English, Creative Writing, Fiction.
Message from the author:
No matter what medium art takes; canvas, clay, or words on paper, the message isn’t so much what it means to the artist, but rather what the piece says to the observer. I hope my work speaks to you. – Julie
Buy Julie’s Books and CDs at
http://amazon.com/author/juliekusma
Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/juliekusma
Subscribe on YouTube at http://youtube.com/c/juliekusmaauthor
Book Reviews - Julie Kusma and Derek R King - Amore
Poetic words of love flow from these pages from the entwined poets. Emotion expressed in simple relatable terms. This partnership has a deep connection that shines through from every poem. Six stars. Keep the poetry coming.
The King and Queen bring a touch of magic as they cast poetic spells which flow through this volume seamlessly. Calling on the connection nature shares with us, speaking to the gods and the elements, acknowledging that remaining open can bring something special to our lives.
Biography
Julie L. Kusma, currently lives in the United States, where she pens speculative fiction short stories, poems, and novels. She is the co-author of The Darker Half Series (gothic poetry) with Derek R. King, The Many Worlds of Mr. A. Skouandy & Other Stories from Oakwood Sanatorium (a psychological horror short story cycle), Moomii’s Storytime For Grownups Series 1 & 2 Anthology (short stories: Angel, New Mummy, Awaken, and Pumpkin), Pigglety Pigglety Poo (children’s picture book), Stuck That Way and Other Quandaries (a short story collection of paranormal horror), and of two CDs; Unbind: 7 Chakras Opening Meditations, and Shift: 11 Perspective Changing Meditations.
Several of her paranormal and horror stories and a few poems are available in audio format on her YouTube channel. Recently, contemporaries in the writing community honored Julie with the moniker “Queen of Horror.”
She holds a Master of Science in Health Education and a Master of Art in English, Creative Writing, Fiction.
Message from the author:
No matter what medium art takes; canvas, clay, or words on paper, the message isn’t so much what it means to the artist, but rather what the piece says to the observer. I hope my work speaks to you. – Julie
Buy Julie’s Books and CDs at
http://amazon.com/author/juliekusma
Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/juliekusma
Subscribe on YouTube at http://youtube.com/c/juliekusmaauthor
August 21, 2022
Book Reviews - Ann Garcia - Poetry
Ann Garcia's poetry is special, it tugs at your heart. It awakens the child within us. It reaches places in us we may not wish to acknowledge as grown ups. It speaks of a connection that few of us ever get to experience. We have been given the key to an enchanted forest accessed by poetry. Led by words, down a path of dreams, with nature's child leading the way. Being lost is part of the attraction, in this secret world we can access whenever we choose.
Love me like October illustrates what Ann Garcia does best poetry and photography. Ann is a sensual poet she paints images with words that remind us of the wonders of loving and being loved and how special it is. This book is almost poetic instruction or guidance for those to whom love does not come easily. It takes skill to write sensually well, Ann Garcia has that skill in abundance.
Bio
Ann Garcia has Ph.D. in psychology. Her creative writing, which is highly introspective and evocative, primarily explores nature, self, and love. She draws inspiration from waters and woodlands within the Great Lakes region of the USA and her life as a wife/artist/mother/scientist.
Ann is active within the poetry community on Instagram where she’s a member of The First Line Poets Project. Find her on Instagram @solaceinraindrops or in the nearest garden where she’s bound to be taking photos of blooms, bees, or slime mold while holding off two corgis and trying not to hear her kids yelling, “Mom!”
August 1, 2022
Book Reviews - Fi Phillips - Haven Chronicles
Steve is an unlikely hero who goes on his own journey taking the reader with him. Each character you meet, you are wondering if they can be trusted, each part of the story leaves you wondering what will happen next and wanting to know NOW. I couldn't put this down and I am little older than the YA readership it is aimed at. Very pleased there will be more as I still have questions. Fi Phillips has a wonderful imagination and really knows how to engage the reader. This is a real page turner. In short I loved it and I really want to know what happens next. Not sure how many books there are in the series but I know I am buying them all.
Our unlikely hero Steve Haven is back with his magical friends having adventures, meeting more characters that Fi Phillips is so good at creating. These books hang around in my head. I opened book 2 and the characters and the world popped out like it had been 5 minutes rather than 3 years.
The author's skill at dealing with this fantastical jigsaw makes excellent reading.
Biography
For many years Fi Phillips worked in an office environment until the arrival of her two children robbed her of her short term memory and sent her hurtling down a new, bumpy, creative path. She finds that getting the words down on paper is the best way to keep the creative muse out of her shower.
Fi lives in the wilds of North Wales with her family, earning a living as a copywriter, playwright and fantasy novelist.
Writing about magical possibilities is her passion.
Haven Wakes on Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07WJ4YFNX/
Haven Wakes on Burning Chair website - https://burning-chair.myshopify.com/collections/fiction-books/products/haven-wakes-by-fi-phillips
Magic Bound on Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0B31Z7THB/
Magic Bound on Burning Chair website - https://burning-chair.myshopify.com/collections/fiction-books/products/magic-bound-by-fi-phillips-paperback-ebook-preorder
Amazon author page - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fi-Phillips/e/B07YNVCYDC/
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19503733.Fi_Phillips
You can also find Fi on:
July 26, 2022
Book Reviews - Rue Sparks
Some books leave you with a lot of words to write. Some books leave you unsure how to do them justice. Read this in one sitting. I wanted more but to be honest it doesn't need it. I don't want to spoil this. I read it without reading the blurb because of the enthusiastic response of people who read it. Sometimes it's better to not know and just go with the flow. It's 46 pages, it's less than an hour. Something tells me it will stick around in my head for much longer than that. Take a chance, you won't regret it.
I invite you on a journey to places you have never been and maybe wouldn't choose to go. Leave behind improbability and rational thought and let yourself play. Just accept things as they are presented and have faith.Rue Sparks takes us to 13 places I have never been before. I didn't even know what speculative fiction was never mind read any. Magical realism is a recent discovery. This book has Rue Spark's name on it so I went for the "if you haven't read the genre but you have read the author" approach. This doesn't mean I can explain speculative fiction but given that this book deals with things that would be firmly in the I can't explain category I guess that fits. As writers we are taught to ask "what if?" and Rue certainly has done that. This book is amazing and inspiring.We are firmly in Rue's safe hands. Remember The Stars Will Guide Us Back.
Rue Sparks' creates a world and characters you can believe in. Wren has identifiable struggles, grief, loss, feeling excluded, wondering if someone can be trusted. As Wren attempts to resolve the mystery surrounding Aiden Turney's death, they discover things about themselves too. This is great writing with unusual elements. Bravo Rue. Jethro is my favourite but can they be trusted? I don't always go for the good guys. You will just have to read the book to find out.
Bio
A widow, disabled, and a member of the queer community, Rue Sparks traverses the equally harsh and cathartic landscape where trauma and healing align to create stories that burrow into the hearts and minds of their readers. In addition to The Stars Will Guide Us Back, Sparks has authored the novella Daylight Chasers, and the contemporary mystery novel The Fable of Wren. They are writing the web serial The Dragon Warden. They live in Noblesville, Indiana in the USA with their sweet senior support dog and still draw and paint when they’re physically able.
Book Review - The Story of the Forest - Andy Seed
My butty likes brevetting in this place called the Forest of Dean. What am I talking about? I am using Forest Dialect (I don't know much as you can see!) which I learned from reading this book. It's a very interesting book which takes you through from 9000 BC to the present day. Although it is written about the Forest of Dean a lot of the content would also apply to other parts of the country as it is, like all history, about people and their lives. This is a children's history of the Forest of Dean but aren't we all kids anyway? Just some of us have more experience than others. I think anyone would enjoy this colourful, easy to read, relatable book. Highly recommended.
Translation in case you are interested - My butty (friend) likes brevetting (wandering about) the Forest of Dean.
July 22, 2022
Book Reviews - R S Jonesee - Postscript Island Series
At the beginning of this book I thought it was one thing and as I got further in I realised it wasn't. R.S.Jonesee made me reconsider what my first impressions of a book tell me, which is quite fitting given the contents of this book. It is in some senses an easy read but that didn't stop me rooting for the MC and wondering where tropical love might take them.
Heaton has it all including the girl, until the girl gets caught naked with an equally naked chef.Liz's fiancée decides that with a lottery win in the bank he wants a different life without her in it.They both arrive on Postscript Island in disguise looking to heal their broken hearts.They thwart each others intentions. When the disguises fall away they are left wondering if there is something real between them and if they can trust it. R.S.Jonesee excels at Romcom, with real characters. She knows love is by no means a simple thing.
Bio
Rebecca Sue Jonesee lives on a wooded forty acres with Mr. Jonesee and a Maine Coon cat named Walter in rural Indiana. She writes stories that tug on your heartstrings and make you laugh while rooting for the main characters. Whether you enjoy wholesome romance or steamy love stories, Rebecca has you covered. Recently she joined in on a romantic comedy boxed set featuring dozens of USA Today Bestsellers and award-winning authors. This PG13 assortment will give you months and months of fun! Or jump into a sexy romantic comedy series based on the fictional Postscript Island, where everyone scores a second chance. P.S. Resort is where the main action happens. Rebecca’s had tremendous fun researching sandy beaches, hunky lifeguards, over-the-water bungalows, and exotic fish swimming in the turquoise sea. (Just don’t fault her for being broke and utilizing Pinterest.) Check out her island board. https://pin.it/4bLBw00Be sure to read her young adult psychological thriller (includes a sweet, teen romance), The Silent Daughter, on Amazon's new Vella.
