Harmony Kent's Blog, page 22
June 22, 2022
#BookReview: Hues of Hope by Balroop Singh @BalroopShado #Poetry
Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for a book by one of my favourite poets, Balroop Singh >>>
About the Book:Hues Of Hope is the collection of readers’ favorite poems from my poetry books. These poems explore the hope that lies within our heart, hope that whispers each morning to look at the horizon, hope that inspires us to look beyond the chaotic world and take the next step to vanquish the fears that try to fetter us. It promises to take us to an oasis of peace, unravels magical moments of joy, as beams of love calm our senses. It even guides us through dark alleys to show the streaks of light that shimmer through the clouds.
My Review:
A Captivating Book of Poetry
Grouped around the theme of hope, the poet brings us a captivating book of poetry that will enchant and move the reader. For certain, this is a book of poetry I shall read over and over again. Initially, I found myself highlighting so many passages, but then made the conscious decision to stop and simply absorb the beautiful words and imagery. To do otherwise would be to live life from behind the camera lens rather than living and breathing it.
Here are a couple of lines that lingered in particular for me …
“Like soft flowers under our feet | Like lovely drops of first rain | Like moonlight soothing our eyes | Love tiptoes into our lives.”
And …
“When rain drains away emotional dust | That gathers unawares”
And …
“I feel most like me | When I listen to my inner voice | When I am unaffected by criticism | And stay calm in my heart | When I refuse to be manipulated | And can listen to divine within.”
This collection offers not only hope, but also self-reliance, courage, lessons learnt, and the beauty in the midst of a life lived with trials and tribulations and ultimate self-discovery. I cannot recommend Balroop Singh’s poetry highly enough, and Hues of Hope gets a resounding five stars from me.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by 
For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …
UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
June 20, 2022
Harmony is Vocal again! The Ever Burning @Vocal_Creators #WritingCommunity #readersoftwitter #ReadingCommunity
Photo by Anne Nygård on UnsplashHi everyone. Exciting news today! I’ve written a short, scary fictional piece for the Campfire Ghost Story challenge on Vocal. This is based on the opening line, The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. The story is entitled: The Ever Burning, and is just under 1,000 words long.
I’d love to know what you think! And would be delighted if you could read my competition entry HERE and leave a like. To like, you’ll need to sign in to Vocal, which is free to do. In the event of a tiebreaker, all reads and likes will be taken into account. Your support would be gratefully received.
Thanks, everyone! Hugs 
June 15, 2022
#BookReview: Wild Horizon by Robert Appleton @bookroar_tweets
Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for a book by an author new to me, Robert Appleton >>>
About the Book:When a series of late-winter storms hits the annual Iditarod sled dog race in Alaska, bush pilot Ben Helm gambles on a break in the weather to fly two dropped dogs and two race personnel to the checkpoint at Unalakleet. But the conditions worsen, and a catastrophic mid-flight accident forces Ben to ditch on the landfast ice somewhere in the Bering Sea.
Stranded, with no communications and only limited supplies, the three survivors, with their two canine companions, must try to ride out the storms and stay alive long enough for a rescue party to find them. Katja, a young, sick trainee vet from Norway, and Obie, an optimistic race judge, come to rely on Ben’s survival grit and knowhow. Despite a personal childhood tragedy, he’s never forgotten the vital lessons his mother taught him.
But the frozen wild is an unforgiving place. A series of fateful events, encounters and opportunities forces the survivors to repeatedly take all-or-nothing risks to reach civilization. A lost musher and her team provide much-needed dog power, but no bearings. Meanwhile, a lone hunter who comes to their aid might not be who he says he is. And with seemingly no end to the tundra, the wild horizon dares man and dog alike to dig deep in order to survive the trek of their lives.
My Review:
An entertaining read.
I haven’t read this author before, and I’m glad I gave this book a chance. It feels true to life and well researched, and I would say the writer knows his stuff. The story starts with bush pilot, Ben Helm, as he struggles to land in inclement weather. The Iditarod sledding race sets a great backdrop and parallel narrative to the adventures that unfold.
“An old Cessna 180 Skywagon tottered into its descent toward Takotna’s frozen landing strip.” … from this opening line, the reader is taken on a few wild rides throughout the Alaskan landscape and the brutalities that both nature and man can throw at you.
Apart from numerous typos that detract from the read somewhat, I enjoyed this book a lot. I bonded with the characters and the world building and even fell in love with the dogs. Some areas could do with a stripping down of too much information, such as “He took a swig of his 7UP then fired up his refitted six-cylinder 230 hp, Continental 0-470 engine.” … This level of detail takes away the otherwise well-drawn tension.
Some wonderful humour threads throughout the tension and suspense and adds greatly to the rapport between the characters. I’ll definitely be checking out other novellas by this writer, and Wild Horizon gets a solid 3.5 stars from me, rounded up to four for rating purposes. If you enjoy action/adventure, then you want to take a look at Robert Appleton books.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by
For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …
UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
June 14, 2022
#TANKATUESDAY Weekly #POETRYCHALLENGE #277 #SpecificForm @ColleenChesebro #TankaProse
Hi everyone!
Today, I’ve joined Colleen’s weekly TankaTuesday challenge, which asks for us to create a specific form syllabic poem. The form asked for is Tanka Prose, and I have chosen to write a Verse Envelope (tanka/prose/tanka).
You can find Colleen’s post HERE.
FRUSTRATION
sudden muscle spasm
pills scattered all over floor
with the lid unscrewed
why not when the cap is closed?
warped law of the universe?
I swear, it’s like I’m scattering confetti … only hard, awful-tasting, big brown pills instead. And they go everywhere. Over-where. Under-where. In all those nooks and crannies impossible to ever reach. And, usually, at the end of the day when I’m ensconced in my wheelchair rather than on my feet, which just makes the whole mess even more difficult to clean up and sort out.
fluffy sunset clouds
produce a sentient face
eyes, nose, and a mouth
I tell you, that smile is not
beneficent but impish
Tanka is typically written in the 5-7-5-7-7 or s/l/s/l/l five-line syllabic structure. Tanka prose always contains a title. One basic requirement: one paragraph, and one tanka. There are two basic forms in classic tanka prose: Preface (explanation), and the Poem Tale (episodic narration). No rhyming.
I hope you enjoyed today’s poetry. Have a lovely day!
© Harmony Kent 2022
June 8, 2022
#BookReview: Within You by Amber Night @bookroar_tweets
Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for a book by an author new to me, Amber Night >>>
About the Book:What does it take to love, when all is broken?
London, 2159. A society divided in two.
Maya has left the shelter of the inner city bubble of the Zone, searching for the truth. What is life really like out here, in the Ring? But what she finds instead is him: her boss at the pub where she finds work, Juan.
Maya is instantly drawn to the guarded, enigmatic man. And maybe Juan is not as indifferent as he seems. But he is hiding something, and Maya has her own past to hold at bay.
In a world where strength equals survival, their secrets could unravel the fragile trust between them – and their very existence.
My Review:
A fantastic read!
I haven’t read this author before and am so glad I picked up this read. Within You is a Dystopian Romance, and the romance element (hot and steamy and gripping) is brilliantly done. The dystopian element was a bit thin on the ground for my personal taste, and not a lot happened from that side of things. However, the world-building and characterisation were excellently done, and the writing superb. The ending felt abrupt, and the reader will definitely want to pick up book 2 in this series, a novella.
Here are some lines I loved … and there were so many! …
“The threat hung thick in the air, a palpable presence which soaked into the plush furniture like a fog and lingered, lingered. Even to this day, the sight of a Chesterfield sent shivers up Maya’s spine.”
And …
“She saw the sigh more than she heard it: the ripple of it as he breathed in, then out, tension flowing from his muscles like a current into the earth.”
And …
“The tears were a block of ice somewhere inside her, pushing at her throat,”
And …
“Past the ruins of a Japanese pagoda, more memory than structure now.”
… I could go on and on. Amber Night is most definitely an author to check out, and Within You gets a resounding four stars from me.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by
For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …
UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
June 7, 2022
#NewBook: A Voice in the Silence by D L Finn @dlfinnauthor
Hi everyone! Today it gives me enormous pleasure to have fellow author, Story Empire contributor, and friend, D L Finn, over to visit and tell us all about her new book! Today is release day, and I’m so excited to have my pre-ordered copy drop into my ereader this morning! So, while I get busy reading, I’ll hand over to Denise so she can tell you all about A Voice in the Silence >>>
Thank you, Harmony, for inviting me to your beautiful blog to share my latest release, A Voice in the Silence. 
You’re so welcome, Denise! It’s lovely to have you over to visit, and I wish you all the best with your new book
I use my experience of living in the forest and being cut off from the world in A Voice in the Silence. If our antique landline goes down, we lose the internet, even having a generator. Our local phone company doesn’t fix landlines, or their DSL equipment, beyond a few band aids. They plan to turn off all landlines soon. Imagine being cut off from news during a fire, or unable to call 911 if you need help in these instant information times. We’ve been there and are now going to be there much more often without a cell signal at our home. Not something I had to worry about moving to the forest years ago, but I’m working on a solution. Although that isolation makes for great fiction which is used in this story. So, even in our connected world, there are still places that aren’t, and Drea and Adam find themselves in that situation.
Fun Finn Facts
We have one dog, five cats, and a goldfish.The animals were based on my own animals and their mannerisms.
Blurb
Drea Burr has experienced more than her share of loss when a stray dog, cat, and rat enter her life. Although the animals start to mend her broken heart, there is something very unusual about them. During a snowstorm, Drea discovers a chilling set of footprints leading to her front window. Both the police and a ghostly messenger warn her about a killer stalking widows. Help comes from her late husband’s best friend, Adam Hale. As the two try to discover answers, more questions arise— about a killer, ghosts, and animals experimented on in a lab.
Can Drea and Adam survive the threats coming from so many directions and save themselves and the animals they’ve grown to love? Or will more tragedy destroy her second chance at happiness? Find out in this thrilling, cozy paranormal adventure.
Excerpt
The fading day’s dull orange glow filled the void in Drea’s attention usually occupied by the TV and computer. The landscape held no movement, not even the expected high winds that had caused her power to be shut off to prevent forest fires. A surge shot through her body in the same uncomfortable fashion that the flu had done last week. But it wasn’t a virus relapse—it was a warning that someone, or something, was watching her.
Perhaps it was a wild animal. A deer, or even . . . “Rob, is that you?” She held her breath, waiting for a sign. Finally, she blew out the empty hope when she couldn’t keep it in anymore. Two years of this had worn her down.
The cold gun on her lap offered no protection against the dark thoughts that took her to a place that was getting harder to climb out of. She pulled her sweater tightly around her and scrutinized the tree-lined driveway that led to the curvy country road. She shifted her weight in the yellow-and-white lounge chair and studied the weapon in her hand.
“You understand, don’t you?”
The .45 pistol her husband had bought her for protection ten years ago had become her confidant when she tired of talking to ghosts. Today, though, it carried the heavy weight of her existence.
“It’s too much. Just too much loss. I’m so alone, and to top it off, Robbie’s so far away.” Her throat tightened. She sipped some water and took a deep breath. “I must disappoint you, even thinking about using this gun on myself, Rob. It would devastate Robbie if I—”
Drea’s shoulders slumped, and her head followed when her glance caught a prominent headline in the morning paper she had retrieved from the end of the driveway. An unidentified woman’s body had been found, and a killer was on the loose. She used the gun to cover the fearful headline, even though her chances of being murdered by a serial killer were slim to none.
She shook her head. What she needed to focus on was her relationship with her son. They used to be so close, before he met that woman. Now he barely called his mother to check on her after his father died or when her beloved pets passed. This morning had brought an unwelcome text from him.
Tammy isn’t feeling well. It wouldn’t be a good time to visit right now. Sorry, Mom. I’ll talk to you soon. Love you.
“I hope he wakes up someday, Rob. That woman is toxic. Of course, you saw through her the first time you met her. I should have listened to you. Do you hear that, Rob? It’s me admitting I’m wrong, which we both know hardly ever happens.”
Amazon Purchase Link US
Amazon Purchase Link UK
Author Bio
D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include adult fiction, poetry, a unique autobiography, and children’s books. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.
D.L. Finn Links:
Harmony is Vocal again! Do you Have What it Takes? @Vocal_Creators #WritingCommunity #ReadingCommunity
Hi everyone. After my amazing first-place win on the Vocal platform, I’ve written a short, motivational piece inspired by reader comments on my story Lifeboat Seven.
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
I’d love to know what you think! And would be delighted if you could read my submission HERE and leave a like. To like, you’ll need to sign in to Vocal, which is free to do. Your support would be gratefully received. Already, I’m super buzzed at a comment I’ve received within an hour of this going live.
Thanks, everyone! Hugs
#TANKATUESDAY Weekly #POETRYCHALLENGE #277 #TASTETHERAINBOW @ColleenChesebro #Nonet
Hi everyone!
Today, I’ve joined Colleen’s weekly TankaTuesday challenge, which asks for us to create a syllabic poem based on “Taste the Rainbow”, where colour features in the poetry.
You can find Colleen’s post HERE.
Image by Peter H from Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/photos/sea-sunset...Facets of Life
flamingo flush of new dawn imbues
comfort in a sky fast-filling
with dark thunderheads of doubt
soul’s waters grow muddied
in the grey downpour
indifferent
rain soaks through
derides
heart
mind
all will
confidence
just live not thrive
days of ebony
domineer and squash all
joy’s crimson sunrise-glow dulled
to the stratos of midnight hue
old and bent well before its season
roots dig deep and branches reach upward
e’en in the dark of endless night
stars twinkle, promise of sun
a fresh start still to come
breath of wind lifts fog
baby leaves bud
on bare limb
promise
hope
bloom
of growth
nourishment
from all the muck
a jewel is born
once polished, it displays
a multitude of facets
veritable kaleidoscope
that will shine through all weathers of life
Today, I chose a double nonet with four stanzas: At least two or more stanzas with nine lines each, featuring a syllable count of 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1, 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9 syllables per line with a title. Because of the hourglass shape of a double nonet, it can be used to represent time’s passage. They can be written on any subject. Add a title to all nonet forms.
I hope you enjoyed today’s poetry. Have a lovely day!
© Harmony Kent 2022
June 1, 2022
#NewBook: Harmony is on tour with Joan Hall @JoanHallWrites for the release of #Life&Soul
Hi everyone! Today, I’m thrilled to be visiting fellow author, blogger, Story Empire member, and friend, Joan Hall.
Joan has kindly invited me over to help me promote the release of my second book of poetry: Life & Soul, Book 2 in the Soul Poetry Series.
As many of you know, due to health issues, I’m not able to manage a big launch tour this time, but I had three blog visits last week, and three this week. I’m so grateful to all of you who offered your time and blog space for me. You’ll find me at Joan’s place HERE. We’d love to see you and say Hi!
As well as being an avid delver into the mysterious and a fan of moons, Joan is the author of many books of fiction, short stories, and series. Joan is excellent at bringing chills to her readers. You will find her works on her Amazon Page, and they’re well worth a look! Thanks for stopping by, everyone!
#BookReview: Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander @ClaireAWriter @MichaelJBooks @NetGalley
Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for a great read from an author new to me, Claire Alexander. This is a stunning read, and I’ll be checking out this writer’s other works. I discovered this book via NetGalley. Although I read and reviewed this book back at the very end of February, the publisher has requested that I not post on my blog until a week prior to release. The book publishes on Thursday 9th June, and here’s my review >>>
About the Book:
All that stands between Meredith and the world is her own front door . . . but what will it take for her to open it?
Meredith Maggs hasn’t left her house in 1,214 days. But she insists she isn’t alone.
She has her cat Fred. Her friend Sadie visits when she can. There’s her online support group, StrengthInNumbers. She has her jigsaws, favourite recipes, her beloved Emily Dickinson, the internet, the Tesco delivery man and her treacherous memories for company.
But something’s about to change. Whether Meredith likes it or not, the world is coming to her door . . . Does she have the courage to overcome what’s been keeping her inside all this time?
My Review:
A Heart-wrenching and Heart-warming Read.
I haven’t read Claire Alexander previously, but I’ll be sure to check out her other books after this excellent read. I finished this book in one sitting, and it’s not a short read.
“My name is Meredith Maggs and I haven’t left my home for 1,214 days.” … from this highly interesting opening line, we’re taken into the life of “Mer”, who hasn’t left her house for about three years, following a trauma.
The writing is powerful and packs a punch. This book will make you cry and have you laughing out loud at various points. Any traumatic references are in the past and covered sympathetically and aren’t too arduous to read about. Here are some lines I loved …
“… all the pretending in my life is a ten when the truth is that most days barely scratch the underside of a six.”
And …
“I told her that I didn’t think affirmations were supposed to be lies, which led to a long conversation about self-sabotaging behaviours.”
And …
“… she told me in the cross voice she uses to hide more complicated emotions.”
And …
“… my mouth was shaped for a Chardonnay, so I decided I might as well make the most of it.”
I could go on and on … the writing was so good. Okay, so I lied … here’s one final line … “Maybe it wasn’t too late to consider a different version of myself from the one Mama had strapped meinto, like a too-tight coat.”
As you might have guessed, Meredith, Alone gets a resounding 5 stars from me. Read this book: you will love it!
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by
For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …
