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Bleeding Heart
A collection of heartfelt and intriguing poems, short stories and riddles broadening your view on life and dealing in a wide range of topics: faith and hope, the realm of fantasy and imagination, dreams, silliness, and the hardships of life. If you feel like reading something short with a strong message behind it to get you through the day, browse a wide variety of poem titles. If you want funny, the "hump day" poems will make you laugh! If you want to delve into something more, a story that touches your heart and makes you think, there are short stories to peruse. If you want to challenge your mind, the riddles are like a fun puzzle for all ages to enjoy! Everything you need can be found here in this inspiring and thought-provoking collection!
70 pages, Paperback
First published April 29, 2014
About the author
Elizabeth Rawls
10 books69 followersRawls is the product of a traveling family, who even lived in Italy for 6 years. She loves exploring the unknown, whether it be in a forest, inside a forgotten castle, or within the pages of a book.
She runs on coffee, cuddly cats and the beauty of nature to keep the wheels of her imagination turning as she writes stories that will both entertain and inspire others, giving them worlds they can explore and become lost within.
Sign up for her newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/22a2f2dce8c0/eerawls
She runs on coffee, cuddly cats and the beauty of nature to keep the wheels of her imagination turning as she writes stories that will both entertain and inspire others, giving them worlds they can explore and become lost within.
Sign up for her newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/22a2f2dce8c0/eerawls
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 25, 2014
This is so far removed from anything that is out there right now in terms of its ethereal approach to faith, love, and life.
The author[s] have created a rather vivid and beautiful collection of poems, short stories, and riddles which capture the imagination well.
I geunienly did not want the book to end.
I felt for a couple of days I had left reality and entered a wonderful fantasy fairy land that captures the heart of God.
The messages contained within each poem or story is a clear and deep reflection of the author[s] faith and view of life.
The author's heart clearly is for fantasy and she has a great talent to capture the mind and heart into the world she creates. The wording is captivating and it feels a little like watching LOTR in my head the descriptions drawn you in.
My favorites of this collection are:
What We Take For Granted.
In a clear and compassionate way, this helps us all to reflects on the finer moments in life we take for granted.
A Fairy's Longing.
A Dragons's Treasure
Very well written to address what we chain ourselves to and keeps us in darkness.
Life's Ocean.
A Night Forest of Lights.
Such beautiful and ethereal descriptions.
The Orphan Child's Family
Very clever use of analogy of the son and the father.
Mankind's Downfall.
Reminds me of a song by Dan Le Sac and Scroobius Pip, they rap a letter from God to Man and this echoes that very thought and it's so very true.
China Doll.
I really do rate this book and am so looking forward to reading more from the author.
This book was in exchange for a honest review.
The author[s] have created a rather vivid and beautiful collection of poems, short stories, and riddles which capture the imagination well.
I geunienly did not want the book to end.
I felt for a couple of days I had left reality and entered a wonderful fantasy fairy land that captures the heart of God.
The messages contained within each poem or story is a clear and deep reflection of the author[s] faith and view of life.
The author's heart clearly is for fantasy and she has a great talent to capture the mind and heart into the world she creates. The wording is captivating and it feels a little like watching LOTR in my head the descriptions drawn you in.
My favorites of this collection are:
What We Take For Granted.
In a clear and compassionate way, this helps us all to reflects on the finer moments in life we take for granted.
A Fairy's Longing.
A Dragons's Treasure
Very well written to address what we chain ourselves to and keeps us in darkness.
Life's Ocean.
A Night Forest of Lights.
Such beautiful and ethereal descriptions.
The Orphan Child's Family
Very clever use of analogy of the son and the father.
Mankind's Downfall.
Reminds me of a song by Dan Le Sac and Scroobius Pip, they rap a letter from God to Man and this echoes that very thought and it's so very true.
China Doll.
I really do rate this book and am so looking forward to reading more from the author.
This book was in exchange for a honest review.
November 23, 2014
((I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review))
Let me start by saying that I give this book 5/5 stars. I loved it. It was a very endearing and satisfying read. There was nothing about this book that I didn't like. I'm not even sure where to begin, my mind is swarming around like a bunch of buzzing bees!
The book has a lot of personality. It's very outside the box and quirky and just fantastic. What do I mean by outside of the box? For each poem and short story in this book, there is a different font, size, and layout. The poem "A Fairy's Longing" looks much different than the poem "A Dragon's Treasure" and so on. My impression was that each story in this book had its own unique design and that's something I'm very pleased with.
As for the actual stories inside of the book, they did not disappoint. Both authors, Elizabeth and Rachel, have great story telling talent.They know their way with words and I look forward to future works of Rawls.
Some of my favorite poems were Mirror World, Night Forest of Lights, and the very powerful Mankind's Downfall. It was hard choosing my favorite, though. Asking me to pick my favorite poem is like asking me to pick a favorite My Little Pony character. One doesn't simply just pick a favorite when the book (er, pony?) is so good! I swear, I'm better at analogies than that.
This book would also make a great gift for anyone who reads/writes poetry. I would definitely recommend it for a Christmas gift.
A solid 5/5 stars for this book!
Let me start by saying that I give this book 5/5 stars. I loved it. It was a very endearing and satisfying read. There was nothing about this book that I didn't like. I'm not even sure where to begin, my mind is swarming around like a bunch of buzzing bees!
The book has a lot of personality. It's very outside the box and quirky and just fantastic. What do I mean by outside of the box? For each poem and short story in this book, there is a different font, size, and layout. The poem "A Fairy's Longing" looks much different than the poem "A Dragon's Treasure" and so on. My impression was that each story in this book had its own unique design and that's something I'm very pleased with.
As for the actual stories inside of the book, they did not disappoint. Both authors, Elizabeth and Rachel, have great story telling talent.They know their way with words and I look forward to future works of Rawls.
Some of my favorite poems were Mirror World, Night Forest of Lights, and the very powerful Mankind's Downfall. It was hard choosing my favorite, though. Asking me to pick my favorite poem is like asking me to pick a favorite My Little Pony character. One doesn't simply just pick a favorite when the book (er, pony?) is so good! I swear, I'm better at analogies than that.
This book would also make a great gift for anyone who reads/writes poetry. I would definitely recommend it for a Christmas gift.
A solid 5/5 stars for this book!
January 28, 2015
I don't like poetry. Never have. Most poems I've read have used so many literary devices that the reader can't understand even a speck of what the author was "trying to convey."
But this.... oh yes.. this collection was good. Very good. And for once, I actually understood what the author is trying to say!
Rawls and Rawls use symbols and metaphors for the understanding of the story/poem's premise, content, and overall spiritual significance. That's exactly what I look for in almost every fiction work I read - a purposeful meaning. The language is eloquent enough for one's intellect but not overly sophisticated to annoy the reader.
If you like poetry, this is a collection you're going to want to read. And, if you're someone like who likes written work with purpose, this is definitely a read you're not going to regret picking up.
The gospel is embedded in every work; that's why it's worth the read.
But this.... oh yes.. this collection was good. Very good. And for once, I actually understood what the author is trying to say!
Rawls and Rawls use symbols and metaphors for the understanding of the story/poem's premise, content, and overall spiritual significance. That's exactly what I look for in almost every fiction work I read - a purposeful meaning. The language is eloquent enough for one's intellect but not overly sophisticated to annoy the reader.
If you like poetry, this is a collection you're going to want to read. And, if you're someone like who likes written work with purpose, this is definitely a read you're not going to regret picking up.
The gospel is embedded in every work; that's why it's worth the read.
January 23, 2016
Lovely, imaginative poetry written to inspire your heart and revive the soul.
January 2, 2015
Do you enjoy being challenged and inspired by stories that are written in such a way as to evoke deep emotion, and bring new ideas to light? When stories closely reflect snapshots of life, they often speak to our hearts - especially if the emotion woven into the story reminds us of our own struggles, or disappointments, or joys. Today, one of the often-overlooked modes of storytelling is poetry, which the dictionary defines as ‘a literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm’. Doesn’t this sound like a treasure trove for readers in search of deeper meanings and messages? And yet many avid readers steer away from poetry, thinking it too difficult and abstract to understand, and perhaps too boring to be enjoyed. Certainly this was the category I fell into, until I read a book entitled Bleeding Heart, a debut collaboration by Elizabeth Rawls and her mother, Rachel Rawls. Published in 2014, Bleeding Heart is a collection of poems, short stories and riddles written with a Christian view of life at the core.
Bleeding Heart is comprised of four sections, with three by Elizabeth - Poems, Short Stories and Riddles - and one by Rachel, which includes a selection of various poetry including the humorous ‘hump day’ works. Naturally each composition in the volume holds a different theme. A few of the various messages include: the beautiful uses of imagination; a sorrowful comparison between poverty and the wastefulness of wealth; the meanings of dreams; the importance of God’s guidance in our ‘quest’ of life; the sorrow of losing and grieving for a loved one; and many more. While I cannot pretend to be an expert at analyzing or evaluating poetry, I do know that many of the selections contained in Bleeding Heart spoke to my heart, and touched my imagination in ways that prose seems incapable of. Each poem is a heartfelt, miniature story, with lovely rhythm that in most cases flows smoothly, like a spoken song carrying vivid depictions of life and fantasy. As for the three short stories – one of my favorite portions of the book – each one also holds to a poetic rhythm while brimming with emotion and meaning. Additionally, a fun bonus to the volume is found in a surprising collection of six riddles. They are not easy… They tickle your brain… And they are fun!
If you are new to poetry like I am, Bleeding Heart is a collection likely to spark a new interest in an ancient literary method of storytelling. The Preface, where each author discusses portions of the ‘stories behind the stories’, provides invaluable help, hints and guidance to begin uncovering the layers and ideas of the poetry. On the other hand, experienced poetry-readers are certain to find the emotion woven into each work inspiring, as well as touching. Naturally not every poem or story is likely to resonate with every reader. Some portions may feel too dark and dismal, or the rhythm may not move as easily into one imagination as it does another. Possibly the poems were written at different stages of the author’s life, as varying levels of fluency and vividness are apparent. Overall, however, Bleeding Heart is a beautiful work that is, without any fragment of doubt, written straight from the hearts of Elizabeth and Rachel Rawls. Their talents and gifted ability to convey emotion and inspiration through words are clearly the result of walking in tune with our Lord. And Bleeding Heart is the beautiful result.
Note: I received this book from the author, free of charge, in exchange for my honest review. Thanks to Elizabeth Rawls for sending me a copy!
Bleeding Heart is comprised of four sections, with three by Elizabeth - Poems, Short Stories and Riddles - and one by Rachel, which includes a selection of various poetry including the humorous ‘hump day’ works. Naturally each composition in the volume holds a different theme. A few of the various messages include: the beautiful uses of imagination; a sorrowful comparison between poverty and the wastefulness of wealth; the meanings of dreams; the importance of God’s guidance in our ‘quest’ of life; the sorrow of losing and grieving for a loved one; and many more. While I cannot pretend to be an expert at analyzing or evaluating poetry, I do know that many of the selections contained in Bleeding Heart spoke to my heart, and touched my imagination in ways that prose seems incapable of. Each poem is a heartfelt, miniature story, with lovely rhythm that in most cases flows smoothly, like a spoken song carrying vivid depictions of life and fantasy. As for the three short stories – one of my favorite portions of the book – each one also holds to a poetic rhythm while brimming with emotion and meaning. Additionally, a fun bonus to the volume is found in a surprising collection of six riddles. They are not easy… They tickle your brain… And they are fun!
If you are new to poetry like I am, Bleeding Heart is a collection likely to spark a new interest in an ancient literary method of storytelling. The Preface, where each author discusses portions of the ‘stories behind the stories’, provides invaluable help, hints and guidance to begin uncovering the layers and ideas of the poetry. On the other hand, experienced poetry-readers are certain to find the emotion woven into each work inspiring, as well as touching. Naturally not every poem or story is likely to resonate with every reader. Some portions may feel too dark and dismal, or the rhythm may not move as easily into one imagination as it does another. Possibly the poems were written at different stages of the author’s life, as varying levels of fluency and vividness are apparent. Overall, however, Bleeding Heart is a beautiful work that is, without any fragment of doubt, written straight from the hearts of Elizabeth and Rachel Rawls. Their talents and gifted ability to convey emotion and inspiration through words are clearly the result of walking in tune with our Lord. And Bleeding Heart is the beautiful result.
Note: I received this book from the author, free of charge, in exchange for my honest review. Thanks to Elizabeth Rawls for sending me a copy!
April 23, 2015
Bleeding Heart is a show of creativity. Filled with beautiful worlds of Elves, Fairies, Dragons, Puppets and more, this book let me into worlds I wish I could experience for myself. For now, I'll stick to experiencing them on the page.
This author is super creative and the poems and stories touch deep feelings. The riddles are clever, and the Hump Day poems put a smile on my face.
Many poems and stories are influenced by the author's experiences in Europe, creating vivid settings.
I own both the print and eBook format of this book and both read very well, though I would prefer to have a book of poetry such as this in print rather than eBook out of personal preference.
I'd reccomend this book to everyone.
This author is super creative and the poems and stories touch deep feelings. The riddles are clever, and the Hump Day poems put a smile on my face.
Many poems and stories are influenced by the author's experiences in Europe, creating vivid settings.
I own both the print and eBook format of this book and both read very well, though I would prefer to have a book of poetry such as this in print rather than eBook out of personal preference.
I'd reccomend this book to everyone.
January 9, 2019
Elizabeth Rawls and her mother, Rachel Rawls, have compiled poems, short stories and even riddles into this volume that will encourage, inspire and comfort. They explore life, with its variety of grief, humor, beauty and sadness. More than that, they dive into faith and purpose at the heart of life.
This is a volume you will want to return to often. Many of these poems are not a one-time read; they're meant to be fellowshipped with, like a dear old friend.
This is a volume you will want to return to often. Many of these poems are not a one-time read; they're meant to be fellowshipped with, like a dear old friend.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews