Harmony Kent's Blog, page 27

#BookReview: For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing @smariedowning

Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for an author new to me. I saw this book on a Bookbub list that didn’t include the UK, so I couldn’t get the deal, which is often the case, sadly. Anyway–happily–my local library carried this book, and I was able to download it for free, using an app called Borrowbox. I am so pleased I gave this read a go, and I shall be checking out more reads by Samantha Downing >>>

About the Book:

USA Today bestselling author Samantha Downing is back with her latest sneaky thriller set at a prestigious private school—complete with interfering parents, overeager students, and one teacher who just wants to teach them all a lesson …

Teddy Crutcher has won Teacher of the Year at the esteemed Belmont Academy, home to the best and brightest.

He says his wife couldn’t be more proud—though no one has seen her in a while.

Teddy really can’t be bothered with the death of a school parent that’s looking more and more like murder or the student digging a little too deep into Teddy’s personal life. His main focus is on pushing these kids to their full academic potential.

All he wants is for his colleagues—and the endlessly meddlesome parents—to stay out of his way.

It’s really too bad that sometimes excellence can come at such a high cost.

My Review:

Funny and Gripping

I came across this author and book via my local library, and I am so pleased I gave it a go. I shall be checking out more of this writer’s books.

“Entitlement has a particular stench. Pungent. Bitter. Almost brutal.” … from this wonderfully descriptive opening line, the reader enters the world of Belmont private school for the rich and privileged, where not everyone is as them seem. The book description calls this read a “sneaky thriller”, and it most certainly is.

The characterisation and interplay between the people populating this world is portrayed excellently and includes characters you will love and feel for as well as ones you’ll love to hate. The writing was descriptive and evocative and many lines stood out for me. Below are just a few that I loved …

“He still isn’t sure which one ran out first, the money or the desire, but they’d stopped renovating years ago.”

And …

“The best of Mom and Dad. A genetic jackpot, and Zach knows it.”

And …

“Every time he walks into his room, it’s like stepping into a gloomy cloud.”

And …

“If venom had a voice, it would sound like Courtney’s.”

I could list so many more. The book had me both on edge and giggling aloud throughout. As you may have guessed, For Your Own Good gets a solid 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/

#NaPoWriMo: A Poem A Day – Day 13

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Hi everyone! Today is day thirteen of the national poetry month competition.

Here’s my offering >>>

DAY  THIRTEEN:

[Instructions:] From NaPoWriMo Day Thirteen … Today, in honor of the potential luckiness of the number 13, I’d like to challenge you to write a poem that, like the example poem here, joyfully states that “Everything is Going to Be Amazing.” … When the Sun Comes

 

cold

cannot

pay

the bills

not today

no food

scared

of what

tomorrow

likely portends

inflation

rampant 

now

I wait

for the sun

free heat

awed

each day

fab

 

Image courtesy of Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/photos/ginger-cat...

Today’s poem is known as Waltz Wave Form. It has 19 lines with a syllable count of 1-2-1-2-3-2-1-2-3-4-3-2-1-2-3-2-1-2-1. Syllables can be split across lines using em dashes. 

 

 

Have a wonderful day, everyone, and I’ll see you tomorrow with Day Fourreen on the NaPoWriMo 30 Day Poetry Challenge  

 

© Harmony Kent 2022

 

#NaPoWriMo: A Poem A Day – Day 12 and #TankaTuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 269 #Colleen’s #SpecificForm #TankaProse @ColleenChesebro

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Hi everyone! Today is day twelve of the national poetry month competition, and also Colleen’s weekly Tanka Tuesday challenge. Today, I’ve combined the two challenges into one.

Here’s my offering >>>

DAY  TWELVE:

[Instructions:] From NaPoWriMo Day Twelve … write a poem about a very small thing … whether it’s an atom, a button, a hummingbird’s egg, dollhouse furniture, or the mythical world’s smallest violin. And from Colleen’s Weekly Tanka Tuesday challenge … This week’s form: Tanka Prose. TANKA PROSE: We write Tanka prose from the first person point-of-view. The prose paragraph(s) must also seek to be, if not poetic, at least something that grabs our attention. It must compete with the verse in its style, intending to be inventive and expressive all on its own.

The tanka portion is 5-7-5-7-7, or short, long, short, long, long. To keep us all on the same syllable count, we use SodaCoffee Syllable Counter.

Image courtesy of Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/photos/floor-eart...

 

“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust” we mourners are told. No matter our chosen method of removal, our body returns to “ash” and “dust” and joins the cycle of nature yet again. Still, I’d sooner hold your rough palm in mine than a pile of damp, comfortless dirt. The modern way is to recycle and reuse. … If only I could renew you so easily, my love.

 

The smallest speckle

Of grit in my grief-filled hand

From damp earth we come

To the dirt we must return

Woe’s tears scorn eternal dust

 

 

Have a wonderful day, everyone, and I’ll see you tomorrow with Day Thirteen on the NaPoWriMo 30 Day Poetry Challenge  

 

© Harmony Kent 2022

 

#Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships #NewBook #Anthology @bakeandwrite @GodsAngel1 @artsrosch @ElizabethMerry1 @harmony_kent @linesbyleon @ColleenChesebro @mhurdle112 @Marjorie_Mallon

Hi everyone! I have exciting news to share today … I’m part of a poetry anthology, and the book is out now! I’m thrilled to join some truly skilled poets in this amazing collection. Here are the contributors …

 

Relationships are golden

and each of

 Arthur Rosch, Elizabeth Merry, D Avery, Robbie Cheadle, Harmony Kent, Lauren Scott, JulesPaige, 

Leon Stevens, Colleen M. Chesebro, Miriam Hurdle,

M J Mallon, and Lynda McKinney Lambert 

pay poetic tribute to their most intense

personal moments.

 

 

If you’d like to check out this new book of poetry, you can find more information and sales sites HERE.

Thanks for stopping by and cheering us on. Have a lovely day! 

 

 

 

#NaPoWriMo: A Poem A Day – Day 11

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Hi everyone! Today is day eleven of the national poetry month competition. I missed yesterday, as my Saturday ended up being more full on than I’d anticipated.

Here’s my offering >>>

DAY ELEVEN:

[Instructions:] Write a poem about a very large thing. It could be a mountain or a blue whale or a skyscraper or a planet or the various contenders for the honor of being the Biggest Ball of Twine.

Image courtesy of Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/photos/smiling-ba...

 

Breath-taking

Mind-numbing

Heart-warming

Apple of your eye—

Baby’s first smile

 

How can such a tiny thing

Pummel your heart to mush

Tear your world wide open?

It’s the smallest biggest thing in the universe—

New life

 

Today, the utter juxtaposition of the enormity of new life, which comes in such a small bundle, left me awestruck. I hope I’ve managed to share a little of that with you.

Have a wonderful day, everyone, and I’ll see you tomorrow with Day Twelve on the NaPoWriMo 30 Day Poetry Challenge  

 

© Harmony Kent 2022

 

#NaPoWriMo: A Poem A Day – Day 9 & 10

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Hi everyone! Today is day ten of the national poetry month competition. I missed yesterday, as my Saturday ended up being more full on than I’d anticipated.

Here’s my offering >>>

DAY NINE & TEN

[Instructions:] Day nine asked for a Nonnet, so I’ve incorporated that into today’s challenge, which asks for a love poem. So, here’s my “love nonnet” …

 

You don’t come around often enough

Your absence makes my mouth water

Full of anticipation 

For that guilty pleasure

Your taste on my tongue

Yummy texture

Managed sin

Pizza

Time!

A Nonnet has nine lines and begins with nine syllables. Each line loses a syllable, so we have a syllable count of 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1.

I couldn’t resist writing a Love Nonnet for a certain secret love in my life, which I have to limit my exposure to! I hope you enjoyed this bit of fun.

Have a wonderful day, everyone, and I’ll see you tomorrow with Day Eleven on the NaPoWriMo 30 Day Poetry Challenge  

 

© Harmony Kent 2022

 

#NaPoWriMo: A Poem A Day – Day 8

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Hi everyone! Today is day eight of the national poetry month competition.

Here’s my offering >>>

DAY EIGHT:

[Instructions:] Name your alter-ego, and then describe him/her in detail. Then write in your alter-ego’s voice. Maybe your alter-ego is a streetwise detective, or a superhero, or a very small goldfinch. Whoever or whatever your alternate self may be, I hope this prompt lets you stretch both your writing skills and your self-knowledge.

Image courtesy of Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/photos/broken-sta...

all week my husband

has told me I’m hot

I was so very pleased

turns out I’ve been running

a fever!

 

Mmm, this is my week. I’m on steroid therapy and have developed a minor infection … this little ditty of mine has amused me no end (can you tell I’m in a bit of a cheeky mood today?), and in response to today’s NaPoWriMo prompt, I have to ask, what would my alter ego say to this? … [clears throat and dives right in …]

 

born from the foam of severed genitals

I wear many faces

I am the goddess of sea, of war, of love

come hither oh ardent suitor

let my waves of passion rock you

 

Today’s poetic form is a Japanese form called the Gogyohka, which translates as ‘five-line poem.’ A Gogyohka is stanzaic, is written in one quintain or five-lined stanza, and each line is one phrase. It is without limits on theme or meter or length of each line/phrase, and is untitled and unrhymed.

It seems dear Aphrodite gave me a helping hand this morning … and how fitting that she went on to have a daughter called Harmonia? *wink, wink*

 

Have a wonderful day, everyone, and I’ll see you tomorrow with Day Nine on the NaPoWriMo 30 Day Poetry Challenge  

 

© Harmony Kent 2022

 

#NaPoWriMo: A Poem A Day – Day 7

Hi everyone! Today is day seven of the national poetry month competition.

Here’s my offering >>>

DAY SEVEN:

[Instructions:] Write a poem that argues against, or somehow questions, a proverb or saying. They say that “all cats are black at midnight,” but really? Surely some of them remain striped. And maybe there is an ill wind that blows some good. Perhaps that wind just has some mild dyspepsia.  

Image courtesy of Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/vectors/mental-he...

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder”

 

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder

Even as you roam and wander

Further and further from sight, and mind, and me

Alas, your face got lost in the fog of my faulty memory!

 

Have a wonderful day, everyone, and I’ll see you tomorrow with Day Eight on the NaPoWriMo 30 Day Poetry Challenge  

 

© Harmony Kent 2022

 

#BookReview: Under Forgotten Skies by Anneliese Dahl and illustrated by J D Pernoste @intheminuses @bookroar_tweets

Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for a beautiful book of poetry by an author new to me, Anneliese Dahl >>>

About the Book:

For those who enjoy heartfelt poetry, Anneliese Dahl shares, in this book of short poems, vignettes of humor, loss, passion and magic. Organized in 6 chapters with beautiful illustrations by Pernoste, this book brings you the sensitive heart of a young woman finding her way through life.

My Review:

A Beautiful Book of Poetry

This collection of poetry cannot fail to move the reader. Wonderful illustrations accompany many of the poems. The book is broken into chapters and the work covers things such as loss, anger, whimsy & fantasy, love, passion, and so much more.

Usually, I highlight lines that stand out for me as I read; however, this book is in comic book format on the Kindle app, so I couldn’t notate. This also meant I couldn’t change the text size or book orientation, which made the logistics of the reading more difficult than they would have been with a straightforward eBook.

I ended up taking screenshots of some of the poems and illustrations that moved me …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope these snapshots show adequately just how lovely Under Forgotten Skies is. I’ll be taking a look at the poet’s other books for certain, and this read gets a solid 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/

 

Harmony is Vocal again! Lifeboat Seven @Vocal_Creators #WritingCommunity #ReadingCommunity

Photo of Dorothy Gibson as she plays her true life role in Saved from the Titanic

Hi everyone. Exciting news today! After quite a long absence from the Vocal platform, I’ve written a fictional piece for the Ship of Dreams competition. This is based on the tragedy of the sinking of the Titanic as its 110th anniversary approaches (April 15th). The story is entitled: Lifeboat Seven, and is roughly 2,250 words long. I had a lot of fun … erm … diving deep (sorry!) into this one.

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.  I’m super buzzed at having written a bit of fiction again!

Thanks, everyone! Hugs