Harmony Kent's Blog, page 38

Don’t Talk Like That: Talking Heads

Hi everyone. I’m over at Story Empire today with another post on writing dialogue >>>

 

Hi SErs! Harmony here Today, I’d like to take another look at dialogue. Because this is such a large topic, I have spread the topic over a few posts. As the post title suggests, we’ll…

Source: Don’t Talk Like That: Talking Heads

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Are you a Sensing or an Intuitive writer? | Story Empire

Hi everyone. Gwen has an interesting post about personality types and writers over at Story Empire today. I had a bit of fun and took the test …

 

Hi SE friends! Gwen with you today, and I’ll be focusing on why we write as we do. Last month I commented on Extroverts and Introverts, per Dr. Carl Jung’s typology. This post will look…

Source: Are you a Sensing or an Intuitive writer? | Story Empire

The post Are you a Sensing or an Intuitive writer? | Story Empire first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.

Push Me Off the Cliff by Marina Osipova @marosikok #NewBook #Russia

Hi everyone. It gives me great pleasure to host fellow author and friend, Marina Osipova, with her latest book, Push Me Off the Cliff. I’ve read other books of hers, and they show the adversity of wartime Russia in all its stark horror, as well as human bravery and perseverance. I’ll let Marina tell you more about her new release >>>

 

Hi everyone. Thanks to Harmony for hosting me today. 

My pleasure!

As was the case with my other stories set against the backdrop of WWII, the inspiration for Push Me Off the Cliff came from what I consider my mission as a writer: to tell the whole world about how my countrymen suffered and endured but came out victors.

About the Book:

March of 1948. Three years have passed since the Great Patriotic War ended in victory, disposing into the streets of the destroyed and hungry cities and villages brave decorated soldiers: thousands of them having been burned, maimed, or disfigured beyond recognition.

On a crowded commuter train, Maria hears an invalid singing, which painfully connects her to her time at the front and to the love that failed to happen to her. Why, then, since that day, does the voice from the past echo so insistently in her present life? The torture of uncertainty—was it really Armen?—intensifies after the next encounter and leaves her with an unsettling compulsion to do . . . what? Help him? Or, rather, rescue herself from her lonely and unassuming existence her heart subtly rejects? She must decide whether she is willing to let go of the life she knows for feelings she had never thought she could experience. 

But, first, she has to find him.

As the genocide of 1915 within the Ottoman Empire destroyed the lives of Armen’s parents and about one-and-a-half-million ethnic Armenians, his future is shattered by this other war and betrayal. Legless and totally alone, and without any family after his mother is gone, it seems the most merciful thing for him would be to end his miserable existence by leaping off a cliff. Otherwise, he must find the courage to continue living in the condition the war left him and find his place in the bitter every-day reality full of difficulties prone to men like him.

Maria and Armen. Each carries private wounds. In the face of despair, will fate offer them a chance to heal their souls and hearts?

 

ABOUT MARINA:

Marina Osipova was born in East Germany into a military family and grew up in Russia where she graduated from the Moscow State Institute of History and Archives. She also has a diploma as a German language translator from the Moscow State Institute of Foreign Languages. In Russia, she worked first in a scientific-technical institute as a translator then in a Government Ministry in the office of international relations, later for some Austrian firms. For seventeen years, she lived in the United States where she worked in a law firm. Eventually, she found her home in Austria. She is an award-winning author and a member of the Historical Novel Society and a member of the Historical Novel Society.

Pre-order Link:

Push Me Off the Cliff goes live on Sunday, May 9th. You can get your copy here …

Amazon USAmazon UKThe post Push Me Off the Cliff by Marina Osipova @marosikok #NewBook #Russia first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.

#BookReview: P S I Love You: A Broken Legacy by D G Kaye @pokercubster

Hi everyone. Good news: my long awaited chest x-Ray shows my lungs are clear! Yay! . The issues seem to be down to an overactive immune system, which the new tablets are helping with, plus all the inhalers, lols. I appreciate all of your well wishes and support over these many months.

I owe an apology for not being around online much this last week or so. My first COVID vaccine has hit me hard and left me tired and with headaches. I’m well on the mend, though, and glad I’ve had the first dose.

Today, I have a book review for an author I’ve known and admired for a long time, Debby Kaye. Her honesty and bravery shine through in this book of non-fiction, and I feel it’s one everybody should read >>>

About the Book:

Confronted with resurfacing feelings of guilt, D.G. Kaye is tormented by her decision to remain estranged from her dying emotionally abusive mother after resolving to banish her years ago, an event she has shared in her book Conflicted Hearts.

In P.S. I Forgive You, Kaye takes us on a compelling heartfelt journey as she seeks to understand the roots of her mother’s narcissism, let go of past hurts, and find forgiveness for both her mother and herself.

After struggling for decades to break free, Kaye has severed the unhealthy ties that bound her to her dominating mother—but now Kaye battles new confliction, as the guilt she harbors over her decision only increases as the end of her mother’s life draws near.

Kaye once again struggles with her conscience and her feelings of being obligated to return to a painful past she thought she left behind.

 

 

My Review:

As soon as I saw what this book was about, I had to read it, and I am so pleased I did.

Because of the difficult subject matter, and my own history, I had to take a deep breath before I plunged in. Not only has this writer’s honesty and bravery helped me to understand my parents a little better, it has also shown me precisely what my sister has become. I’d missed that, and this explains so very much.

It is a sad fact of life that, all too often, the victim becomes the perpertrator, unless we have the insight and strength to do something about it. I have long joked that I’m the reverse ‘black sheep’ of my family, and it seems to me that Debby is too. For all our successes, and the miracle of growing into well-adjusted adults in spite of it all, we will never be accepted by a parent who demands that we live their lies, manipulations, and abuses. The same with any sibling who demands the same.

Some lines that resonated with me in particular:

‘A narcissistic mother doesn’t have to be in one’s presence. She can still demand and demean no matter how far away.’

and

‘It is my decision to banish my mother from my life and a resolution to find peace within myself with my decision.’

and

‘[…] if we’re lucky enough to realize the bad, we have the opportunity to steer ourselves in a better direction.’

For a while now, I have struggled to think of what I will do when one or the other of my parents dies. I’m not even sure they would let me know, at this stage. And reading this honest and brave account from D G Kaye has helped me immensely. It has also helped to explain the till-now inexplicable behaviour of my twin sister. She has grown up with emotional neglect, as did I, and has now become a narcissist. This book has helped me to identify why she lives and behaves the way she does.

From my own life, I know how hard it is to go against the grain to become your own person despite your upbringing. It takes work, day by day, to resist some of those unhealthy habits instilled in us as children and to trust our judgements and motives. It takes courage to not give in to the insidious lack of self-esteem with which such adults are often left. The author has overcome much, and I admire her deeply both for her acheivements and for putting her journey into words so that others of us can also be helped.

PS I Forgive You: A Broken Legacy gets a solid and resounding 5 stars from me. A difficult read, but a book everybody should read.

 

***

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/

 

The post #BookReview: P S I Love You: A Broken Legacy by D G Kaye @pokercubster first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.

Using Lists Within WordPress Reader

Hi everyone. Over at Story Empire, Mae has an incredibly helpful post on how to use WordPress Reader and lists. I’ve followed her instructions, and my inbox is now much more manageable. Well worth checking out >>>

 

Hola, SEers. Not only is it Cinco de Mayo, but it’s also a Mae Day on Story Empire. I’m delighted  you’ve chosen to join me. If you’re a WordPress user, you’re probably familiar with Rea…

Source: Using Lists Within WordPress Reader

The post Using Lists Within WordPress Reader first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.

A quick Look at Books that Have been Challenged or Banned | Story Empire #CancelCulture?

Hi everyone. John has an excellent article over at Story Empire today. I cannot believe some of the books now banned. Well worth a look >>>

  Hi SEers, John with you again. Happy Arbor Day. Hug a tree or better yet, plant one. The last two times I have been exploring the idea of sensibilities in books as it relates to race, religi…

Source: A quick Look at Books that Have been Challenged or Banned | Story Empire

The post A quick Look at Books that Have been Challenged or Banned | Story Empire #CancelCulture? first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.

#BookReview: Brother’s Keeper by Jan Sikes @JanSikes3

Hi everyone. Today, I have a book review for an author I’ve known and loved for a long time, Jan Sikes, with her short story, Brother’s Keeper. Jan always comes up with some wonderful story premises that truly put her characters through the tough stuff >>>

About the Book:

Quentin Marks’ mother can only love one son, and from the day Rowdy was born, she makes Quentin, his little brother’s keeper.

She demands that Quentin fix every problem for Rowdy and that he also protect him. The truth is, after a deadly snakebite, Quentin owes his very life to his little brother, a debt that will never be paid in full. Only now a man is dead, and once again, their mother calls on Quentin to make the problem go away and save Rowdy from prison.

When is enough enough, and how much of his own life will Quentin Marks have to sacrifice?

 

 

My Review:

‘Quentin Marks covered the length of the eight-by-ten jail cell stopping now and then to punch the concrete walls that held him.’ From this opening line, we are taken back a short way to how and why Quentin ended up in the jail.

Brother’s keeper is a quick and easy read, and I really felt for the older brother. Although, I did get annoyed at him for always putting his brother first no matter what. I won’t say more on what happens as I don’t want to put in spoilers.

Some technical issues let down the narrative, such as overly descriptive dialogue tags: ‘Rowdy whined.’ and ‘Quentin snarled.’ etc. Also, split infnitives snuck in there in a few places. Otherwise, the characterisations were done well enough to engage me and make me care.

The ending could have brought more fizz and resolved more regarding the main character’s dilemna, and on the whole, it left a bitter taste.

In summary, an enjoyable and fast read, which with a bit of polishing would get a solid 4 stars. As it stands, I give it a rating of 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4 for rating purposes) because it falls somewhere between ‘an okay reaad’ and a ‘go read this book’. See my notes on ratings below.

 

***

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/

 

The post #BookReview: Brother’s Keeper by Jan Sikes @JanSikes3 first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.

Fiction Dialogue 201 | Story Empire

Hi everyone. Staci has an excellent post all about advanced dialogue techniques over at Story Empire. Well worth a look. Sorry I’ve missed some posts. I had my first COVID vaccination on Friday, and it wiped me out until this morning. Have a lovely day, all >>>

Ciao, SEers! My first post for Story Empire was called Fiction Dialogue 101, and it was actually our site’s inaugural post… all the way back on August 31, 2016. I thought it was time fo…

Source: Fiction Dialogue 201 | Story Empire

The post Fiction Dialogue 201 | Story Empire first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.

#BookReview: Just Her Poetry by Denise Finn @dlfinnauthor and Summer Magic by Marcia Meara @MarciaMeara

Hi everyone. I’m pleased to be able to say the tablets I began a couple of weeks ago continue to help my breathing. I have my chest x-ray appointment for May 4th, and my first COVI-19 jab tomorrow … everything crossed!

On a happy note too: Today, I have book reviews for authors I have known and respected for a long time. Today’s offerings are of a poetic nature >>>

About the Book:

Take a journey with D.L. Finn as she blends her love of nature with her deepest emotions.

Sit with her on the forest floor observing its tranquil beauty, or stroll along the ocean’s shore admiring the vastness of its horizon. Here in these peaceful moments you’ll be able to experience her thoughts and feelings in the light—and in the darkness.

T his is a thought-provoking collection of poetry that invites the reader into all the seasons of a soul.

 

My Review:

Just Her Poetry: Seasons of a Soul is a beautiful collection of poems about the changing seasons and also emotions. I thoroughly enjoyed this moving collection of verse, which is like a master painting but in words rather than on a canvas.

While I enjoyed each and every poem, River’s Journey, Silence, Change, and Abuse stood out in particular for me. Below are some verses I’d like to share with you from the book …

RIVER’S JOURNEY
I sit high above the river—observing. Its twists and turns propel it forward. The water crashes down the rocky ledges Leaving spectacular waterfalls to admire. It’s heading for a manmade lake Where someday it will be released into a river again, Then its journey continues until it reaches the sea. It’s a long journey ahead for this river. But, it’s also a beautiful reminder No matter what life throws at me No matter what obstacles, it keeps flowing forward. And if I ever find myself stuck in an unmoving lake… I’ll wait until that moment when it is my time of release Then I can continue my journey to the sea of dreams.

and

SILENCE
It is fleeting in that moment. In between events it waits. Motionless Moving Magnetic— It is calling you. Unheard Unnoticed Untethered Until time fades into darkness. The exact instant you close your eyes. It’s still there waiting—Silence.

and

Privacy gone in exchange for security that watches and waits. We hope that our fears are never recorded on our camera.

More amazing still, the author even wrote some of these poems while riding on the back of a Harley! Here’s what D L Finn has to say about that: ‘The most challenging place to write was sitting on the back of my husband’s Harley while maneuvering through the roads and wind. I’m proud to say I never lost a pen or piece of paper doing so.’

This book is full of soul searching, reflection, and creativity, and gets a resounding 5 stars from me.

 

 

About the Book:

Summer Magic: Poems of Life & Love is a collection of contemporary poetry about exactly that–life and love.

The first part of the book features poems about the magic a young boy discovers while camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The second part of the book has a sampling of poetry about love, life and death, autumn, and dreams coming true.

 

My Review:

The poems in the first half of this book centre around a character in Wake Robin Ridge, MacKenzie Cole, so if you’ve read that series, these verses will mean more to you than if you haven’t yet done so.

The poems in the second half are of a more varied nature and cover many aspects of life and the world around us.

A few of the poems that stood out for me are: Ambush, Showers, Star Gazing, Campfire Ghosts, Bruises, and Attitude Really is Everything.

 

SHOWERS

Drip-drip. /  Huddled and sighing / inside the tent / boredom a damp prescence / keeping him company. / While Dad naps to the sound of the rain. /  Drip-drip. /  Comic books scattered / On his rumpled cot. / Superheroes as powerless / As little boys while / The day spills water / Over all his plans

 

and

 

Joy shared /  And excitement / Doubled.

 

and

 

CAMPFIRE GHOSTS

Dark Clouds / Hide the silver light / From his wide-eyed gaze. / Night reigns / In blackest glroy, / Held at bay only / By the oragne firelight.

 

Summer Magic gets 5 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 …JUST HER POETRY

UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/

US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/

 

SUMMER MAGIC

UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/

US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/

The post #BookReview: Just Her Poetry by Denise Finn @dlfinnauthor and Summer Magic by Marcia Meara @MarciaMeara first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.

Don’t Talk Like That: How to Write Good Dialogue–Punctuation | Story Empire

Hi everyone. I have another post on Story Empire all about how to write good dialogue >>>

 

 

Hi SErs! Harmony here Today, I’d like to take another look at dialogue. Because this is such a large topic, I have spread the topic over a few posts. As the post title suggests, we’ll…

Source: Don’t Talk Like That: How to Write Good Dialogue–Punctuation | Story Empire

The post Don’t Talk Like That: How to Write Good Dialogue–Punctuation | Story Empire first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.