Harmony Kent's Blog, page 42
March 19, 2021
I learned a new word | Story Empire
Hi everyone. Craig has a fun and informative post all about ‘picaresque’ over at Story Empire. I always love the examples he gives! >>>
Hi Gang. Craig with you again, and I learned a new word. (Not that I’m likely to remember it at my age, but writing it down helps.) I’m sharing it here, because it’s also an obscure kind of story s…
Source: I learned a new word | Story Empire
The post I learned a new word | Story Empire first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.
Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Weekly News – #Paranormal Marcia Meara, #Supernatural Adele Marie Park, #Poetry Harmony Kent, #Adventure Audrey Driscoll.
Hi everyone. Sally has my book of poetry showcased with a wonderful review over at her cafe and bookstore today. Also showcased are Audrey Driscoll, Marcia Meara, and Adele Marie Park. Well worth checking out. What a wonderful way to start a Friday! 
>>>
The post Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Weekly News – #Paranormal Marcia Meara, #Supernatural Adele Marie Park, #Poetry Harmony Kent, #Adventure Audrey Driscoll. first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.Welcome to the Cafe and Bookstore Weekly News – where I will share recent reviews for authors in the Cafe. Firstly some great news from Marcia Meara who has created a three book boxed set of The Em…
March 18, 2021
Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – New book on the Shelves – #Poetry – Midnight Haiku: : A Year in Contemplation by Sue Vincent | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
Hi everyone. Sally has a new book out by Sue Vincent over at her cafe and bookstore. I’ve bought my copy and look forward to reading it! I’d be delighted if you could pop on over and check it out >>>
The post Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – New book on the Shelves – #Poetry – Midnight Haiku: : A Year in Contemplation by Sue Vincent | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.Delighted to share the latest release from Sue Vincent is the poetry collection Midnight Haiku: A Year in Contemplation About the collection Haiku is a Japanese poetry form that has become very pop…
March 17, 2021
#BookReview: Pink and Purple Bob by Crystal Napolitano @crystalnapolit2
Hi everyone. I hope this finds you all well. No health updates for me this week. We’re still waiting and seeing. Today, I have a children’s book review for you from an author I’m new to and enjoyed. Next week, I have a review for the first book in a 2-book crime-thriller series, which I’m currently enjoying >>>
Bob is a sad lonely dog who wants pink and purple things to make his life complete.
With the help of a little mouse, all his wishes come true!
However, in the end Bob realizes there’s way more to life than his precious pink and purple things.
A colorful rhyming picturebook with highly animated characters that is sure to captivate all ages. Learn about kindness, friendship and feelings with PINK AND PURPLE BOB.
Perfect for bedtime, storytime, read along, earlyreading, playtime, emotional development and just for fun. For ages baby and up!
This is a wonderful children’s book that lends itself to shared reading. The illustrations are bright and colourful and just gorgeous. I love the ryhming verses and the overarching message that friendship is more important than possessions. Some of the words are put in all-caps for emphasis too.
I adore this little line: ‘Bob named his friend for being as GREAT as she was teeny ..’
For me, that says it all.
Five stars from me. A fun read for all ages!
***
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: Pink and Purple Bob by Crystal Napolitano @crystalnapolit2 first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.
Quotes and Writing
Hi everyone. Today, Denise has a fun post all about quotes and writing over at Story Empire >>>
Hi SERers! Denise here. Today I’m going to talk about something I appreciate, quotes. Growing up, I heard many quotes that would make me think. There were a few my great-grandmother would repeat to…
Source: Quotes and Writing
The post Quotes and Writing first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.March 15, 2021
Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – #FREE Book Marketing Opportunities 2021 – Making the most of your promotion Sally Cronin | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
Hi everyone. Sally has a great round-up and explanation of all her promotional activities for us writers over on her book blog today. I appreciate this wonderful lady so much! >>>
The post Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – #FREE Book Marketing Opportunities 2021 – Making the most of your promotion Sally Cronin | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.There are a few things going on in the Cafe and Bookstore and I thought this was a good time to have a recap of existing promotions and some new or revised ones coming up in the next few weeks. I a…
Don’t Talk Like That: How to Write Good Dialogue–Name Dropping
Hi Everyone! Today, I have the first post in a series on how to write good dialogue over at Story Empire. Enjoy! >>>
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay Hi SErs! Harmony here
Source:
The post first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.March 12, 2021
Another reason to read and write…
Hi everyone. Gwen has a wonderful post at Story Empire today all about how reading and writing help our brains. Well worth a look >>>
Hi, SEers! Gwen with you today. After learning that March is Brain Injury Month, I thought it might be interesting to share some medical benefits of reading and writing. Before we begin that discus…
Source: Another reason to read and write…
The post Another reason to read and write… first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.March 10, 2021
#BookReview: Hadley & Grace by Suzanne Redfearn @SuzanneRedfearn
Hi everyone. First of all, I’d like to apologise for not visiting as many blogs as I would have liked lately. I’ve struggled with my breathing again and am on a course of yet more steroids. With my inhaler ramped up to the maximum dose, my health team want me to have a chest x-ray to make sure nothing unseen is occurring in my lungs. I’ve had around 8 separate treatments of steroids over about 11 months, some for a week and others for a fortnight. Sadly, we’re no nearer identifying the underlying issue as yet. I’ll keep you updated as and when I can. Here’s hoping for a clear x -ray result.
On a happier note: Today, I have a book review for you from an author new to me but who has become a firm favourite after reading this book. I’ll be checking out her other works >>>
About the Book:
The author of In an Instant delivers a heart-pounding and emotional roller-coaster ride of self-discovery in the tradition of Thelma and Louise.
Needing to escape her abusive marriage, Hadley flees with her two kids, knowing it might be her only chance. A woman who can’t even kill a spider, Hadley soon finds herself pushed to the limits as she fights to protect her family.
Grace, new mother of baby Miles, desperately wants to put her rough past behind her for good, but she finds it impossible when her path crosses with Hadley’s, and her quest for a new start quickly spirals out of control and turns into a terrifying flight for survival.
Stronger together than apart, the two find their fates inextricably entwined, and as the danger closes in, each must decide how much she is willing to risk for the other.
A powerful story of self-discovery, Hadley and Grace is the heart-racing tale of two women facing insurmountable odds, racing to stay one step ahead of the trouble that is chasing them, and discovering new kinds of love and family along the way.
My Review:
This book grabbed me from the get-go and didn’t ease up from there. This is a wonderful read along the lines of Thelma & Louise but with kids in tow and less violence, but it’s gripping and entertaining all the same.
I loved each and every character, and the author did a fantastic job of bringing alive Skipper, who has to be my absolute fave. He enhances the tale so much. While some coincidences do occur to bring the different folks together and trigger the unplanned ‘fugitive fleeing’, they are entirely believable.
Some lines that stood out for me:
‘Boston has weather, but it has a more clear opinion of it–fall, winter, spring, summer–all of it crisp, clear, and breathtaking.’
‘Then, like making the wrong move in Jenga, she pulled out the wrong brick–made a single horrible wrong move that sent three worlds tumbling.’
‘Coincidence is not something Grace beleives in […] it seems to her that some hidden connectivity existed in that moment that profoundly influenced their lives, intertwining their fates and bringing them to this remarkable place and time.’
And remarkable it is. The tension of this fast-paced read is infused with wonderful humour and very real human interactions. I could not put this book down and read it in two sittings. I only stopped to sleep. The ending is well rounded and nicely tied off.
You have to read this book. As you may have guessed by now, it gets a resounding five stars from me. I’d give it ten if I could!
***
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: Hadley & Grace by Suzanne Redfearn @SuzanneRedfearn first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.
Are You a Disciplined Writer? | Story Empire
Hi everone. Today, Mae has a great post on writing discipline/schedules over at Story Empire >>>
Hi, SEers! Mae here. We think of writing as a creative endeavor—as it certainly is—but today I want to talk about the discipline of writing. Many of us have been writing since childhood. That’s no…
Source: Are You a Disciplined Writer? | Story Empire
The post Are You a Disciplined Writer? | Story Empire first appeared on Welcome to Harmony Kent Online.
