Harmony Kent's Blog, page 40
April 12, 2021
Harmony is on tour! Day 2
Hi everyone. I released my latest novel, The Vanished Boy, this weekend and this week I’m on tour! Today, I’m with Staci Troilo. I’d be delighted if you came to visit …
Staci’s blog: https://stacitroilo.wordpress.com/2021/04/13/the-vanished-boy/
A little bit about Staci, a fellow author and friend …
“Bonus! Ten (Little Known?) Facts About Me
In addition to being an award-winning author, I’m an award-winning recipe developer. I think I got that skill from my grandmother. We both love cooking and baking, especially for family.When I had my wisdom teeth removed, the surgeon insisted I’d feel like my cheeks were sewn to my gums but assured me they wouldn’t be and the feeling would pass. My parents grew increasingly frustrated with me over the week I was recovering because I couldn’t open my mouth. They thought I was “being overly dramatic” and I should just deal with the pain and use my mouth. Guess what… my cheeks were in fact sewn to my gums. It’s unheard of, but if it could happen to anyone, it would happen to me.Speaking of teeth…I’ve never had a cavity. Ever. Baby teeth or permanent teeth.I adore my pets. I know; most pet owners do. But it might interest you to know I never had a pet until we got first Casey, then Max, and finally Lucky. I had a pet-free childhood. Not even a goldfish.I can still do a split. Enough said.I play the clarinet, although I’m pretty rusty right now. (Use it or lose it, and I haven’t been using it lately.I taught myself how to type. You can’t really be a writer hunting-and-pecking the keys.While most of my work is inspired by my Italian heritage, I’m also part Irish, Scottish, German, and Swedish. (All from Dad’s side. Mom is full-blooded Italian.) I’m working on integrating more of my dad’s side into my work. (My serial Laci and Del series focuses on the Irish heritage, but I haven’t explored those roots too much yet.)I could spell “Valentine” by the time I was three.The first time I earned four-figures from freelancing, it was actually a ghost-writing job, so my name isn’t even on the project.”The post Harmony is on tour! Day 2 first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.
What to Do With Books That Are Insensitive to Social Norms | Story Empire
Hi everyone. John has an excellent and thought-provoking post at Story Empire today. What are your thoughts? >>>
Hi SEers, John here with you today. The last time we were together, I talked about sensibilities in writing. I made the point that authors should be careful when writing characters of a spec…
Source: What to Do With Books That Are Insensitive to Social Norms | Story Empire
The post What to Do With Books That Are Insensitive to Social Norms | Story Empire first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.Harmony is on tour!
Hi everyone. I released my latest novel, The Vanished Boy, this weekend and this week I’m on tour! Today, I’m with Denise Finn and Gwen Plano. I’d be delighted if you came to visit …
Gwen’s blog: https://www.gwenplano.com/blog-reflections/harmony-kent-is-on-tour
A little bit about Gwen, a fellow author and friend … “Between travels with my husband and visits with family and friends, I now write. My first book, LETTING GO INTO PERFECT LOVE, Discovering the Extraordinary After
Abuse, was published in June 2014 by She Writes Press. My second book, THE CONTRACT between heaven and earth, is co-authored by John W. Howell and was published June 1, 2018. My third book, THE CHOICE the unexpected heroes, was published June 4, 2019 by Fresh Ink Group.”
Denise’s blog …
A little bit about Denise, a fellow author and friend … “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 
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 children’s books, adult fiction, a unique autobiography, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.”
The post Harmony is on tour! first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.
April 9, 2021
The Vanished Boy by Harmony Kent @harmony_kent #NewBook #suspense
Hi everyone. I’m thrilled to say that my latest novel, The Vanished Boy, is now available to buy on Amazon in both paperback and eBook. It’s taken me a while longer than I’d planned, lols.
And in more good news, the new tablets I’m on to reduce to Leukotrienes my body produces are helping my breathing immensely. I also have an x-ray date, which isn’t so cool … not until May 4th … that’s well over 2 months since the initial referall, lols. At least it’s a date! 
Losing a child
Is like losing a limb.
And you wonder
Could it have ever been
So bad—
Your sin?
Harmony Kent
I’ll be on tour on just a few blogs next week, Monday through Friday, and I’d love to see you there! I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your wonderful support and friendship. Have a great weekend
©2021 Harmony Kent
The post The Vanished Boy by Harmony Kent @harmony_kent #NewBook #suspense first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.
Words of Wisdom
Hi everyone. Staci has a lovely post over at Story Empire today. Wonderful words of wisdom, reflection, and inspiration. Well worth a look >>>
Ciao, amici! This will not be my usual post. I find myself being very introspective these days. Over the years, there are certain dates that take on different meanings to us. Days that used to mean…
Source: Words of Wisdom
The post Words of Wisdom first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.April 7, 2021
#BookReviews: #Poetry Magical Whispers by Balroop Singh @BalroopShado and Midnight Haiku by Sue Vincent @SCVincent
Hi everyone. Today, I have two book reviews for you from a couple of authors I have met via the wonderful invention that is the world wide web. The two books are poetry from Balroop Singh and Sue Vincent and are well worth a read. (Since scheduling this post, Sue sadly passed away on March 29th. I only wish I could have published this post sooner.) Rest in Peace, Sue.
About the Book:
I wait for whispers; they regale my muse. Whispers that can be heard by our heart, whispers that ride on the breeze to dispel darkness and ignite hope. I’m sure you would hear them through these poems if you read slowly.
‘Magical Whispers’ would transport you to an island of serenity; beseech you to tread softly on the velvety carpet of nature to feel the ethereal beauty around you. The jigsaw of life would melt and merge as you dive into the warmth of words.
In this book, my poems focus on the whispers of Mother Nature, whispers that are subtle but speak louder than words and breathe a quiet message.
Each day reminds us
It’s the symphony of surroundings
That whispers life into us.
I’ve been meaning to get around to reading this author’s poetry for a while, and I’m so glad I have now. Magical Whispers isn’t a long book, but its poetry needs reading slowly and savouring. It goes deep. The book is split into two sections. The first deals with Mother Nature, and the second takes on a more personal note. I enjoyed it all.
I stated off by listing my favourites but, quickly, found the list growing far too long. Here a some of my favourite titles: Magic of Senses, Whispers of Soul, Song of Dusk, and A Loner. And below are a couple of my favourite verses:
Walk with me
I know this path too well
I’ve walked and crawled
I’ve been bruised
My bleeding feet ferret out thorns
and
Where the bridge bends
Meet me there
To watch the sun kiss
The flowing water
I shall be reading more of this author’s poetry for sure, and gets a resounding five stars from me.
About the Book:
Haiku is a Japanese poetry form that has become very popular over the past decades, taking on its own unique character under the rules for Haiku in English. a creative mind just seventeen syllables sharing a story The three hundred and sixty-five poems within this book collate a year’s journey in poetry through the seasons and the intermingled landscape of mind, body and spirit. The poems were originally published as “midnighthaiku” every night at the appropriate time, leaving, like Cinderella, a trace of a day’s passing and a glimmer of the day yet to come. Each poem can be read ‘on the surface’, but each has its own layers of meaning too, waiting to be discovered by those who turn their attention to the heart.
***
My Review:
Midnight Haiku has 365 poems along with photographs. I read this book all in one go, but it deserves for me to go back and read one poem a day. While the poems follow the seasons, loosely, they are also timeless. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection, and below are some lines that stood out for me:
choosing the high ways
arduous ascent required
sacrifice of self
and
only fools and death
blithely walk the labyrinth
with impunity
and
the ego acquires
lining its nest with tinsel
magpie of the mind
This is an inspirational book of poetry written after much reflection and contemplation. It gets a resounding five stars from me. I 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 these reviews. Thanks for stopping by
For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …Magical Whispers
UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
Midnight Haiku
UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
The post #BookReviews: #Poetry Magical Whispers by Balroop Singh @BalroopShado and Midnight Haiku by Sue Vincent @SCVincent first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.A trick that works | Story Empire
Hi everyone, Craig has a great post over at Story Empire today, all about using ambient sound while writing. Well worth a look >>>
Hi gang, Craig with you again. I’ve been toying with something I think you’ll be interested in. First you get some background. When I started writing I used to play classical music in the backgroun…
Source: A trick that works | Story Empire
The post A trick that works | Story Empire first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.House of Sorrow: Legends of Madeira #BookReview and #NewBook from Joan Hall @JoanHallWrites
Hi everyone. Today, I have a book review from author and friend and Story Empire co-author, Joan Hall. I bought this short novella yesterday and read it in one sitting >>>
About the Book:
Dream home or damned home?
Ruth Hazelton is over the moon when her husband Lee agrees with the nineteenth-century Victorian in Madeira, New Mexico, is the perfect home for them. While he starts his new job as police chief, she sets about unpacking and decorating.
But it’s not long before Ruth needs more. She becomes a fixture in the community, making time for everyone, volunteering, hosting events—she’s every bit the social butterfly her husband is not. Through her friendships, she learns several former residents of her home met with untimely deaths. If she were superstitious, she might fear a curse, but such nonsense doesn’t faze her.
Until the unthinkable happens.
Now, as the end of Ruth’s life draws near, she must find a way to convey her message and stop the cycle to prevent anyone else from suffering in the house of sorrow.
My Review:
The foreshadowing in this small novella is excellent. We meet Ruth in her dotage and get a partial back story, then the narrative returns to her younger days when she and her husband move into the Victorian house that called to her. At about 66 Kindle pages, this is a wonderfully tense but quick read. Here are a couple of lines that stood out for me …
‘Patches of white still lingered in shady areas. The snow would melt. But would her heart ever thaw?’
and
‘ [I] didn’t choose what happened, but I can choose my attitude.’
The ending came way too soon for me, which shows what a great job the writer did of setting the scene for the first novel in the Legends of Madeira series. I’m watching for release day, I can tell you. House of Sorrow gets 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/B08R8XRTB/
The post House of Sorrow: Legends of Madeira #BookReview and #NewBook from Joan Hall @JoanHallWrites first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.April 6, 2021
WRITING AND OUR HEALTH
Hi everyone. Denise has a post about writing and regular movement over at Story Empire. I’m a day late sharing this one, but it’s well worth a look if you haven’t seen it yet. Some great tips and pointers >>>
Hi SEers! Denise here, and today I’m going to talk about how writing affects our health. Writing has many benefits for our minds and brain. Letting those written words flow keeps our mind sharp as …
Source: WRITING AND OUR HEALTH
The post WRITING AND OUR HEALTH first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.April 2, 2021
Don’t Talk Like That: How to Write Good Dialogue–Tags & Beats
Hi everyone. I have the second on a series of posts on how to write good dialogue over at Story Empire >>>
Hi SErs! Harmony here
Source: Don’t Talk Like That: How to Write Good Dialogue–Tags & Beats
The post Don’t Talk Like That: How to Write Good Dialogue–Tags & Beats first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.
