Maggie Watson's Blog, page 5

Spillwords Author of the Month Nomination and Congratulations to Ernie on his Nomination for Publication of the Month.

I am beyond ecstatic to have been nominated by Spillwords for Author of the Month.

Thank you so much to Dagmara K and her team for their continued support of my writing.

I would be very grateful if you would visit Spillwords

You can vote by following the link below.

Voting closes on 28/8.

*I have turned comments off on this post as it is the early hours of Tuesday here.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE AND YOUR CONSTANT SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT.

Vote

Thank you Ray at Masticadores Canada for Publishing my Poem “Mother of Mine”

Unsplash Image by Europeana

WOMEN: AS MOTHER/GRANDMOTHER

This poem was Published for the THEMATIC THEME WOMEN

Copyright © 2025 Ephemeral Encounters
All Rights Reserved

Reviews of Pieces of Me by Nicole Sara and Carol Anne

I am always deeply overwhelmed with gratitude when someone buys any of my books and takes the time to leave a review!

You all know how important this collection is to me and seeing these reviews has made my day!

From my heart Nicole and Carol Anne

THANK YOU!

Nicole’s Review

August Steps… & Book Review of “Pieces of Me” by Maggie Watson

If you are not familiar with Nicole’s beautiful art and poetry you can visit her blog

https://starrysteps.wordpress.com/

Or visit her Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/NicoleSaraArt

Or purchase her collection on Amazon

Carol Anne’s Review

Book review: Pieces of me by Maggie Watson

If you are not familiar with Carol Anne’s poetry you can visit her blog https://therapybits.com/

Carol Anne is an outstanding writer whose writing reflects her own experience of abuse and trauma.

I do hope you will take the time to visit both Nicole’s and Carol Anne’s blogs.

I have updated this by putting both reviews on one post because I never want to

oversaturate and Carol Anne’s review was published after my original post.

THANKS EVERYONE X

Exposed

(written August 2025)

Unsplash Image by Marco Bianchetti

To expose my vulnerabilities, remove packaging.

My words may contain impurities; feel free to rinse under a tap.

Rub salt into my wounds before dissecting them  on a plate.

You may need honey to sweeten.

Such was the barbarity from which I escaped.

Upon inspection, you will find no discrepancies

in my lines, but there will always be someone, somewhere

who calls me a liar.

And the irony of it all is that my accusers

stay hidden in the shadows

with veils covering their faces,

while I am not afraid to stand in the light

Copyright © 2025 Ephemeral Encounters
All Rights Reserved

Book Review: Surviving Sue by Vicki Atkinson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Atkinson (Vicki) earned degrees in counseling and psychology and a doctorate in adult education. Vicki is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and a leadership and life coach in private practice. Vicki lives near Chicago with her husband Paul and her daughter, Delaney, who continues to be the light of her life. Vicki’s beloved sister with disabilities, Lisa, continues to thrive, delighting friends and family with her big heart and sense of humor

WHAT AMAZON SAYS

“Surviving Sue” is a heart-wrenching story about the torment of keeping secrets, told from the daughter’s perspective. She navigates her mother’s mental health and addiction issues, while trying to shield and protect her disabled sister. “Surviving Sue” is about the power of storytelling to build resiliency, and a guidebook for others who struggle with complex family issues including Alzheimer’s, depression, alcoholism, developmental and physical disabilities.

MY REVIEW

Surviving Sue is not an easy read, but it

is a moving story written with raw honesty.

As someone whose own mother was schizophrenic,

I resonated with a great deal of this book.

It is so very hard to cope with when you are a child and

you have no idea why your mother is so unkind.

Not only did Vicki have that to deal with, but she

also the added worry of trying to keep

her disabled sister Lisa safe ( a burden that no child should

have to carry).

Vicki’s mother Sue, suffered from alcoholism, depression, Alzheimers and

also, Munchausen by Proxy.

Lisa was the main focus of Sue’s obsessive behaviour, while Vicki was the source

of her frequent outbursts of rage and anger.

My heart broke for every person in this family, and towards the end, especially Sue.

Alzheimer’s is a harrowing disease, which I have witnessed firsthand,

also.

Vicki’s courage and strength shine throughout this book,

and I could sense empathy for her mother despite what she suffered.

All mental illness has a root cause, I believe, and often requires

a deeper level of understanding

( I know, not easy when you are on the receiving end of it)

I applaud Vicki for writing this book with grace and sprinkles of humour, too.

How she survived Sue, I do not know.

I am glad that Lisa survived, also.

These things are not easy to survive, but somehow we find the strength

to do so, and sharing our story is part of the healing.

Thank you, Vicki.

I recommend this book with 5 stars.

YOU CAN BUY SURVIVING SUE ON AMAZON

You can find out more about Vicki by visiting her blog: https://victoriaponders.com/

Thank you Mich for Publishing my Poem “Deceit” at Hotel by Maticadores and Ray at Maticadores Canada for Publishing my Poem “A Strong Woman”

“DECEIT” by Maggie Watson

[image error]Pexels.com" data-medium-file="https://poetrybymaggiewatson.uk/wp-co..." data-large-file="https://poetrybymaggiewatson.uk/wp-co..." src="https://poetrybymaggiewatson.uk/wp-co..." alt="" class="wp-image-6180" />Photo by Antonio Friedemann on Pexels.com

WOMEN: AS WARRIOR/HUNTRESS

A Strong Woman is the Preface from Pieces of Me.

Book Review: King Copper by Lauren Scott

Most of you will remember I recently hosted Lauren’s Blog Tour for her new Collection of poetry, King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry.

Today, I would like to share my review of Lauren’s beautiful book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lauren Scott is a poet, and writer of fiction, memoir, and children’s books. She enjoys small-town living in Northern California with her husband, Matt. They have a wonderful relationship with their son and daughter who are adulting and enjoying life out of state. Lauren has authored three collections of poetry: New Day, New Dreams (2013), Finding a Balance (2015), and Ever So Gently (2023). In 2021, she released her memoir, More than Coffee in verse and prose. In 2024, her first children’s book, Cora’s Quest, was released. Lauren’s writing has been published in many anthologies, and she is a monthly contributor on Gobblers at Masticadores, an online literary site. Her work has also been featured at Spillwords Press, also an online literary site, where she was voted Author of the Month in May 2023, Publication of the Month in October 2024, and Publication of the Month in June 2025. Lauren discovers writing inspiration from family, her connection with nature, and the simple things in life. To learn more about Lauren’s work and books, please visit her contact links below:

Author website: baydreamwrites.com

Instagram: @baydreamwrites.com

https://www.amazon.com/author/lauren-scott

www.goodreads.com/author/show/42498464.Lauren _Scott

WHAT AMAZON SAYS

When I knelt down to Copper’s level, my heart melted. His amber, soul-searching eyes told me all I needed to know.

I recalled sitting at the table, perusing a Labrador rescue website. A lab sporting a copper-colored coat stood out like a citrine crystal in a bowl of black diamonds. I had to meet the handsome fellow.

So, on a late winter March day in 2012, my family drove to Oakland to meet Copper. A woman was fostering him in her small apartment. He had a gentle demeanor, and after a walk around the block and some play time, I was ready to take him home. My son and I were excited to welcome Copper into our lives. But my husband and daughter were hesitant to adopt another dog so soon. Would we be replacing Lucky Girl, our black lab mix, who passed just four months earlier?

Despite telling the woman we needed time to make a decision, only three days later, we found ourselves signing the adoption papers. Copper effortlessly jumped into the back of our car for a ride to his new home. We heard that the best way to get past the grief of losing a pet is to get a new one, and that’s what we did. Lucky Girl would always be in our hearts. But after many conversations, we felt the timing was right. I, especially, couldn’t shake the feeling that Copper was meant to be our next canine friend.

From the hugs, cuddles, and games of fetch, Copper learned to trust us. And so, he became family. For thirteen years, he gave us unconditional love. He crossed over the rainbow bridge this past March. It is serendipitous to know that he came into our lives in March and left our earthly world also in March – the month of new beginnings. He was a bright light in our lives that will shine eternally. This is the power of our dogs or any pet. They leave a positive, long-lasting imprint on our souls.

MY REVIEW

Anyone who has ever owned a pet knows
how heartbreaking it is when we lose them.
As Lauren so correctly says, “loss is loss, hearts still break,
tears fall until there are no more stages of grief”.
I smiled and I cried while reading this beautiful collection of poetry
written in tribute to Lauren’s Labrador, Copper.
I loved all the poems, particularly the ones signed ‘Love Copper’ and ‘Your Copper Boy.’
Lauren also included many lovely photographs of this handsome boy, on his own, and with members of her family.
I felt the pain of her grief in “Tail Wag” as she writes, “I walk through the door, no senior pup trots up to me, greeting with a tail wag, oh, my aching heart”.
And in the section of the book titled “Still too Soon”, Lauren tells of her last moments spent with Copper and then the agonising decision made after taking him to Pet Emergency.
The depth of love for Copper is apparent throughout this collection.
To quote Lauren again, “unconditional love, what could be better?”.
I believe that is why we feel their loss so much, because that kind of love is irreplaceable.
I admire Lauren for having the strength to put together this collection while still grieving (Copper only passed in March).
Lauren had the joy of owning this beautiful dog for thirteen years, and I am sure he is still wagging his tail on Rainbow Bridge, with so much love for his owner.
Thank you, Lauren, for sharing Copper with the world.

YOU CAN PURCHASE KING COPPER HERE

Lauren it was an honour to be a stop on your blog tour and I wish you continued success!

I am pretty sure Copper is ecstatic with all the attention he is getting right now, he deserves it, and so do you my friend.

I am never going back

(written August 2025)

I could retrace my steps.
I could return to the cocoon I emerged from.
I could assume the foetal position.
I could cut myself to reopen the wound.
I could remove my tongue to silence my truth.
Giving up is easy.
I thought about it often back then.
My odds of survival were slim.
There was no way out, and so I turned in on myself.
It was my fault he did not love me.
It was my fault he raised his voice.
In the end, I chose to play dead while he watched me bleed.
Now my light shines brightly while I fly like a bird released.
The view up here is beyond compare.
You are welcome to join me.
I was not born for anyone to hold me
in captivity as a silent lamb.
I have come a long way, and I am never going back.

Copyright © 2025 Ephemeral Encounters
All Rights Reserved

Thank you Ray at Masticadores Canada for Publishing two of my Poems “Braveheart” (Parts One and Two)

WOMEN: AS QUEEN

These poems were published for the THEMATIC THEME WOMEN.

These poems were first published in In the Shadow of my Pen ( A Collection of Poetry and Prose)

Copyright © 2025 Ephemeral Encounters
All Rights Reserved

Consumed

(written August 2025)

Consumed thoughts grip tight.
A stranglehold on the mind.
Surrender or fold.
Nothing flows when constricted.
Only weeds grow without love or light.
Obsession seeks control.
Unplug yourself from the source.
We own nothing.
Nothing should own us.
Dereliction of care leads to a lack of trust.
And in the absence of trust, all things become void.

Copyright © 2025 Ephemeral Encounters
All Rights Reserved