Confessions of a Reformed Southern Belle.: A Poet's Collection of Love, Loss, and Renewal

by Tosha Michelle

Tosha Michelle has a unique and inspirational literary voice. Her poetry is heartfelt and soulful. She takes you through the depths of melancholy and loneliness with “Yearning,” and sings a “Love Song to the South” that will take you back to a simpler, more beautiful time. She’ll have you cracking up with a poem about her cat, dancing with her “Goddess of the Night,” and ready to take on the world, with “One Voice.” And you'll be soaring with her in the universal soul in the Whitmanesque “Edges.” And everything she writes cries out with the words of the poor little forgotten book on the shelf – Read Me! Go ahead and turn the page.

44 pages

First published November 4, 2014

About the author

Tosha Michelle is the author of Confessions of a Reformed Southern Belle: A Poet's Collection of Love, Loss, and Renewal and Self Help to Self Harm: The Dubious Guide to Life, Love, and Relationships.

She is also a reformed Southern Belle who lives to write, thrives on creativity, earning degrees and majoring in snark. A lifelong devotee of Godiva chocolates, so hide your sweets. A human rights advocate and lover of all things feline and girly.

Reviews

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confessions of a Reformed Southern Belle: A Poet’s Collection of Love, Loss, and Renewal is the first book of poems published by Tosha Michelle. In its pages, readers will find an unique voice; a voice that cries out for universal good in the form of justice, understanding, and love. Her love of books, writing, and creativity in general, come through in vivid display as well.

Join her as she explores the trio of themes from the subtitle: love, loss, and renewal. Fall under the trance of her melodic wordplay, just as I did years ago. Yes, hers is a familiar voice to me as I am fortunate to call her my friend. And I am excited for others who will be introduced to her talent by this book. A word of caution though- be careful of that narcissistic, rock star cat of hers.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tosha Michelle is a woman of many gifts: she hosts a podcast called "La Literati" and does more to promote great, undiscovered works of fiction and nonfiction in one week than most of us will do in a lifetime. Now, however, she has added a new feather to her cap (wide-brimmed and sun-shading, no doubt; she is, after all, as Southern as Belles come) and inextricably elevated herself to the ranks of the authors whom she interviews. CONFESSIONS OF A REFORMED SOUTHERN BELLE manages to be beautiful, haunting, spirtual and wise -- a game plan for fragile romantics to navigate life's more thorn-adorned paths without conceding one iota of their rosy natures along the way. Read it, then listen to this woman. She knows of what she reads and writes!

[Jane Rothman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tosha Michelle’s “Confessions of a Reformed Southern Belle, is a rollercoaster ride of emotions that travels through her entire being and touches the hearts of her readers. Be prepared to experience the depths of melancholia and sorrow, the regrets of loves and friendships that once where or could have been, and the pure joy and exuberance for life. The writer is, truly, opening up her heart and inviting us all in for open house. In one of her most touching narratives “Read Me”it becomes clear that Tosha Michelle has grown from that forgotten book on the shelf, to someone who has found her voice and must be heard.

[Christopher Voss · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will laugh, you will cry, you will not be able to put this book down. Makes a great gift for any poetry lover you may know.

[Trish Ferch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to The Rainbow Connection-to borrow the thoughts of Kermit :) Welcome to the insightful world of Ms. Tosha and travel the wonderful path lined with her feelings on lovers and dreamers and things both over and under the rainbow. I personally have known Tosha for over 10 yrs, strictly on-line, and have appreciated her talents with words all along. It is great to finally see it all put together. I hope you enjoy her world as much as I do.

[Hunter Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine collection of poetry by the lovely Tosha Michelle, who is a great proponent for art and creativity. I might be biased because I like her so much (but that's ok). I appreciate what she's done in this collection, exploring the the themes of a young woman in transition: "I am the dust of the galaxy/ Yearning to know itself." (From her poem "Edges").

[Georgina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plumbing the depths of her own soul and that of humanity at large, Tosha delivers a heartfelt, poignant collection of poetry which both celebrates and calls to account her fellow (hu)man. At times she's whimsical (gosh she loves her cat), and other times celebratory (what a lucky friend Mr. Smith is...), but above all, she's honest. xx

[Claudia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tosha is made of magic, her poems are beautiful and full of a magical atmosphere, while reading I am lost in a dreamy world, full of nostalgic feelings that fall lightly like a leaf in a pleasant autumn day.
I would recommend it to anyone.

[Heather Culford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having had the privilege of reading some of Tosha's poetry online I am thrilled that she is now sharing her wonderful words and thoughts with everyone. Sweet, soulful, humorous and thought provoking...a must read!!

[Diane Grechoski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boy.. the title say's it all... Tosha Michelle, is one of the finest poets I have read in many years. Confessions of a Reformed Southern Belle.:A Poets Collection of Love, Loss and Renewal. Tosha opens up and shares the beautiful writings of love,loss and renewal with such grace and charm, leaving you feeling you have a friend, that has taken the same path.. Just a wonderful read.......

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful glimpse into a beautiful mind. The lovely Tosha shares her poetry with us, like a gift. Sensitive and emotion-filled, this carefully chosen collection of poems will have you thinking and feeling in equal measure.

[Tina Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tosha Michele wrote a small charming book of poetry that I sat down and read in one sitting. It was full of insights and joy and sadness just what a book of poetry should be full of. Bravo, Tosha.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sultry, haunting, and sublime---Tosha has weaved incantations that pull you from scene to scene like a dandelion seed on a humid summer breeze.
-P. Hammarberg

[Bob Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really impressed and pleasantly surprised upon reading just a few poems from this collection. I can't wait to read more. It's that good. I'll be recommending it to all my friends.

[Jennifer Berry-bross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tosha's poetry shows how beautiful her soul is and how compassionate she is for life. Her writings blanket you with true Southern hospitality.

[Raelee Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely/Beautiful

Lovely strung words, evocative of tears, dreams, smiles, and courage. Layers that peel back like rose petals opening to sum.

[Sadi Kalen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tosha Michelle takes you on a journey through her world....the most personal and inner-most path through her soul.... a story beckoning to be heard.... siting in a book-shop as the time passes by lays a book that cries out, "Read Me!" And it is with our very good fortune that we find it here in this beautiful work from a multi-talented woman in the literary arts. Tosha is not only an amazing poet and author, but a fine radio hostess and extremely talented singer. I feel privileged to own a piece of her creative work and life story in this enchanting book of stories that cries "read me!" on stormy nights in bed with a candle on the nightstand and a hot chocolate to warm my chilled hands. It was a pure joy to read this book on kindle, although I believe it would be an even bigger treat to own the book in print.

"Confessions Of A Reformed Southern Belle: A Poet's Collection of Love, Loss, and Renewal" is a tome of love, loss and nostalgia that cries out to be read time and time again. From the irreverently funny tale of a rockstar kitty to the nostalgic and blissful memory lane trip down into love long lost but forever remembered, there is a story that will resonate with you and take you on a soulful journey in these pages. Highly recommended reading for ardent lovers of the lyrical word.

[Larry White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Work of Art by a Perpetual Dreamer. Walk with Tosha on a journey through her deep, yet delicate spectrum of emotion. Love, kindness, happiness, loneliness and humor. Pen to paper, a work of art to be enjoyed by all. Simply put, "Beautiful".

[Ian Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, great poems by a great personnel! :)

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still feel like I’m sitting on a porch swing next to Tosha Michelle, drinking sweet tea, weeks after finishing this lyrical collection of poetry. The fragrance of magnolia and honeysuckle surrounds us. Tosha creates a strong sense of place seen through her unique perspective, taking us to a particular location while musing on universal themes.

Writing is “a way to make the unknown, known, the unseen, visible, to make the intangible, tangible.” Confessions of a Reformed Southern Belle beautifully achieves this goal.

[Lenny Castellaneta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must confess that I’m not much of a poetry lover/reader. That said, I found myself entranced with the author’s musings. Honest & heartfelt… & with a touch of scattered whimsy as evidenced in “Ode to Tucker” & “My Lost Love”, personal favorites of mine in this collection. (And I love the nod to Christmas in “Love Song to the South.”)

This is the perfect gift for all occasions. It’s a quick, enchanting read that shouldn’t be overlooked… much like the little book in Tosha Michelle’s short story, “Read Me!”