dear judas is the first chapbook in the dead letter series by Melissa Jennings, exploring trust, betrayal, and whether people are truly capable of forgiveness.

 I enjoyed Melissa Jenning's debut collection, Afterlife. Admittedly, it took me a while to truly get into the collection's headspace. Dear Judas was nothing like that. If anything, I devoured this in a single setting and reread it again for clarity and a better understanding at the poet's world of duplicitous people. 
This is a chapbook, so it's shorter, for those not familiar with poetry collections. Letters from the betrayed are marked with bitterness and fraught with anger. I loved the imagery of the crown of thorns and blood. It was rather interesting to read because we all know a Judas who have come into our lives at some point, and whether we've moved on from the act of treachery, or still reeling from it, we can relate to this collection. I have a lot of favorite lines from here.

"don't suffocate in a sin you couldn't help."
(I noticed this seems to be a resounding favorite)
When your parents named you,
did they know that they were naming a constellation?
they looked at how you glowed, not how
you were surrounded by darkness. 

****A note for my faith readers: I'm Catholic and while the imagery were haunting, I didn't feel like Jennings used some religious images as a way to mock or make fun of the faith and the faithful. I loved their style and whatever their intention in using these, it made the betrayal more powerful and humanizing.....we have all met a Judas. We have all worn our own crowns of thorns. We've also been someone's Judas and caused pain to others. It's this deception and greed of wanting power that I paused on.**** 

Melissa Jennings lives with their cat, Dora, in the sometimes sunny but always vibrant city of Glasgow, in Scotland. Melissa is currently studying towards an MA in English Literature at the University of Glasgow. They are an avid reader and a writer of many genres - poetry is just the first step.
To follow them, visit their website at ​www.melissajennings.co/

Before I begin, let me preface this review by saying how much I appreciate redeeming stories and an honest portrayal of people who grew up in the Christian faith and walked away due to outgrowing it, being stifled by the rules, seeing the hypocrisy and much like the Prodigal son parable coming home and being welcomed back to the love that once felt overbearing.
Let's be honest here. Everyone who grew up in the Christian faith have experienced their time in the desert without God and then found themselves on their knees to pray for forgiveness. At some point, we've all been there. Yes, our circumstances differ. Our deserts look different and our times spent wandering varies from person to person. 
This was such a sweet short story on that parable. Both Jenna and Max had their time in the desert. Both knew hypocrisy and pain. I appreciated and love the realness of doubts that author Joanna Alonzo paints. Did God just say that? What am I going to do? All these whys and hows remind us to be still and to discern His voice from the noise.  Well done and I can't wait to read about the other stories in this collection. 

​***I received an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive one. These thoughts and opinions are my own.***

​Joanna Alonzo is a walking paradox. She is a beautiful, albeit messy, mixture of thought and emotion, expressed in the form of hopefully readable - and relatable - stories. She is a kingdom kid, who looks forward to being a writer and storyteller even when she reaches heaven. She is passionate about the unreached, about those who have yet to know the Love she found in the arms of the Almighty. She is intrigued by the world and its people, who day by day, continue to convince her that God is the greatest Storyteller of all.
http://www.joannaalonzo.com/

Ink Stained Hands is Jennifer Rapp’s debut collection of haiku she first started sharing on Instagram. Within this book, you will find poetry that focuses on various themes such as love, heartbreak, empowerment, and strength. 

Jennifer has the unique ability of working her way into your heart and soul in just 17 syllables. Her short yet (bitter) sweet poetry conveys a sense of understanding, that she has her own story, and wants the rest of us to know that we’re not alone.

Haikus have to be carefully thought of, not just for its correct form usage, but to make sure its story makes sense and still have the ability to be dissected and taken apart, much like every other poem. It's the poet's abilities to use this Japanese poetry (5-7-5 syllables) and build a story within its parameters. But a story that evokes emotion, whether it be a sigh of content, anger, motivation. I'm a big fan of Jennifer Rapp's haikus and look forward to them when she posts them on her social media. (Follow this lady, if you aren't already). This book made me an even bigger fan and I continue to be impressed and in awe of her haiku writing ability. Ink Stained Hands: a Haiku collection is thoughtful, much like the poet herself and its quietness and simple lines, formed a picture of a life in which one was once loved, lost and as Robert Frost once said, "it goes on," [again].
​Well done, Jennifer!!

"the sea loves the moon,
for even in the darkness
he sees her beauty"

The poetry of Jennifer Rapp tends to sway between happiness and heartache, stirring up so much while saying so little.

Jennifer graduated from California Lutheran University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in English. She began writing poetry at a young age, and aspired to someday use her gift as a way to reach out and connect with others. 
She currently lives in Lancaster, California with her family, and brainstorming her next collection of poems. 
Social media:
https://twitter.com/jenrrapp
https://www.facebook.com/jrinkstainedhands

Newlywed Katie Maxwell is ready to settle down and leave her amateur detective days behind. But when the veil of secrecy surrounding her husband’s latest project takes them to Europe, her penchant for sleuthing lands her in some serious hot foreign water.

Katie will need to think quickly to talk her way out of handcuffs and a Parisian jail cell. Too bad she doesn't speak French.

For the Love of Katie is the second madcap adventure in The Katie Chronicles. This book can be read as a standalone, but why would you want to skip the first?

Something worth mentioning before I begin: I never read the first book, as I understood this can be read as a standalone. That being said though, and much like the blurb, why did I want to skip the first one, right? I got the feel for the characters and their relationships with each other from the beginning. There were parts that I'm sure I if I had read the first one, I would have been privy to the inside jokes. 
However, my clueless self enjoyed the ride as I laughed along with this book!! There were tons of giggles and some cringe worthy moments to be had and I was rooting for Katie's happiness to make sure she doesn't get into any more trouble.  The secondary characters were written well and kudus to Erica Lucke Dean for the character development. I felt like that coworker who always tagged along for these after hour drinks and knowing just a little enough about these coworkers for me to both adore and worry about. 

***I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive one. These thoughts and opinions are my own.***

​After walking away from her career as a business banker to pursue writing full-time, Erica moved from the hustle and bustle of the big city to a small tourist town in the North Georgia Mountains where she lives in a 90-year-old haunted farmhouse with her workaholic husband, her 180lb lap dog, and at least one ghost.

When she's not busy writing or tending to her collection of crazy chickens, diabolical ducks, and a quintet of piglets, hell bent on having her for dinner, she's either reading bad fan fiction or singing karaoke in the local pub. Much like the main character in her first book, To Katie With Love, Erica is a magnet for disaster, and has been known to trip on air while walking across flat surfaces.

How she's managed to survive this long is one of life's great mysteries.

Follow me on Bookbub to get notified when my books go on sale. 

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/erica-lucke-dean

2017 Award Winning Readers' Favorite Book in the Poetry-General category in recognition of excellence in writing!

A collection of poems about inspiration, love, beauty, loss, and life to move the heart and make the spirit continue to soar. The following is one of the poems from the book. It's the poem that inspired the title of the book and encompasses the theme of this collection:

Dreams of the heart 
Are beyond overwhelming
A sunset bursting beautiful
Streams of rushing majesty

Reflections of 
The immaculate spirit
A creative cascading soul
Spreading love and hope
Into the forgotten world

Embracing
Watchful oceans
And turning skies

Melting 
Into changing rivers
The vision survives
​

To say poetry has changed in recent years is an understatement. I'm not going to get into different poets, as that's not the point of this review. I do enjoy modern poetry but every now and then, I'd like to read more about faith and optimism instead of heartache and bitterness. 
This collection made me sigh, a lot. Joie Schmidt writes beautifully and these poems sounded lyrical in its delivery and pacing. It was reminiscent of poems I grew up reading, with its imagery in nature and the timing and melodic quality of each poem.  Well done, Schmidt. 
​
***I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive one. These thoughts and opinions are my own.***

​Joie Schmidt is the international award winning author of "Dreams of the Heart", a compilation of poems about love, life, loss and inspiration. In October 2010, she was contacted by a publisher who discovered her online writing and offered to manage / publish / market / interview Schmidt on an on-going basis. In January 2011, three months later, "Dreams of the Heart" was published. (In memoriam of the 3/11 tragedy in Japan all proceeds from "Dreams of the Heart" books sales will go to the relief effort until 3/11/12) 

In February 2011, she was interviewed for her book. The interview is featured on a site among approximately 20 other authors, several of whom are NY Times Bestsellers and / or award winning recipients. She is beyond honored and blessed to be in the company of such incredible talent. With such prestigious influences in her midst, Schmidt was inspired to publish "Dreams of the Heart vol. II" in August 2011. Upon, reading poetry at an open mic event organized by "Writer's Row" founded by Jessica Wilson, that took place in downtown L.A.'s "The Last Bookstore", and meeting prolific poets who had written 20+ books, she was further inspired to achieve such levels of realized productivity. Her north stars are authors of unparalleled success like JK Rowling and Agatha Christie. Some of the authors she holds dearest to her heart include Shakespeare, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Robert Frost. 

Throughout the time that she has been pursuing her writing dreams, she has independently published over 800 poems and articles. Her online writing has been viewed close to 900K times, her poem "Wisdom & Youth" and an interview was been featured in two separate issues of "Christian Women's Magazine", her poem "Bricks & Passages" has been published by Edgar & Lenore's Publishing House, her biography, picture and "Dreams of the Heart" have been added to this same publishing house's "Calliope's Closet" collection, her radio interview was featured in "Aquillrelle Magazine", and her poem "Greater Good" was featured in CWL xPress' new in-print magazine in August 2011. Additionally, Schmidt feels honored and blessed to have been a performer/poetry reader for the 2011 Poetrypalooza (a 10-day citywide poetry celebration in Los Angeles - held by the ZZyZx WriterZ a new emerging LA based writing group (consisting on such talents like Kimberly Cobian, Henry Chow, and more!), that teams up with local artists, musicians, actors, educators, and more writers). 

Between 2011 and 2013, Schmidt volunteered as Creative Outreach for "The New Writers" a non-profit organization created to help lift up and support the dreams of writers all over the world founded by Sarah Stuart, as their "Creative Outreach Director". On Sept 17th, she was interviewed on Marc Medley's "The Reading Circle" WP88.7 FM (a radio station broadcast from William Paterson College & webcast around the world on www.gobrave.org.) In October 2011, she connected with a beautiful charity called "Humanitarian Aid Foundation" (a non-profit organization that helps the needy and orphaned children of Ghana, Africa) as an ambassador/volunteer to help spread the word and support. 

In November 2011, she was honored and humbled by being asked to contribute her poem "The Touch of a Snowflake" to Conneticut's largest independent poetry group Free Poets Collective's Ekphrastics book of poems for The New Britain Museum of American Art (to be published in 4/2012). She was also humbly honored with the gift of becoming an administrator for "Free Poets Collective." In February 2012, she was contacted by the publishers of "Pho for Life" and asked to contribute poetry/writing to the second edition "Miso for Life". The editions are collections of Asian writers to celebrate, support and uplift the Asian community. 

In March 2012, "Keep Joy in a Pocket & Love in a Heart Locket" was published with $1 being donated to "Save the Children" (the charity Schmidt holds dearest to her heart) for every copy sold. in April 2012, she was interviewed in "Proverbs & Wisdom" founded by Ashley Ormon. June 2012 was a wonderful month as well! Schmidt began a contributing writing with SPMG Media, with approx. 1.4 million world-wide subscribers, and approx. 30,000 local targeted community subscribers. She also officially became a writer for "Kids on the Porch" (KOTP) a TV show created to help prevent bullying amongst children and teenagers. She has been writing consistently for the show which was inspired by a true news story and more! In November 2012, she also co-hosted the charity event "Us Saving Us" with KOTP.

In June 2013, she was asked to participate in the upcoming "Asian Pacific Festival: Arts & Music by the Sea" taking place at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort in September 2013. In May 2014, 3 of her poems were published in the third anthology series of Asian writers "Kim Chi for Life". Also in 2014, she created "Keep Joy in a Pocket & Love in a Heart Locket" inspirational stickers. To purchase stickers, please email joiemaeschmidt@gmail.com. 

In 2015, Schmidt was honored by having two poems "Creativity" and "Pathways of Hope" from "Dreams of the Heart, vol. II" published in Proverbs & Wisdom's first in print edition of In The Light Magazine. Two years later in 2017, "Dreams of the Heart, vol. I" became an award winning book recognized for excellence in writing in the Poetry-General category awarded by Readers' Favorite. 

(Reader's Favorite receives "thousands of entries from all over the world" & "submissions from independent authors, small publishers, & publishing giants such as #RandomHouse, #HarperCollins & #SimonSchuster, with contestants that range from the first-time, self-published author to New York Times #bestsellers like J.A. Jance, James Rollins, and #1 best-selling author Daniel Silva, as well as celebrity authors like Jim Carrey (Bruce Almighty), Henry Winkler (Happy Days), and Eriq La Salle (E.R., Coming to America).")

As her success steadily grows and with such an incredible jump start to her writing/artistic dreams, Schmidt is wholeheartedly excited by what the future increasingly continues to hold for her. Her favorite quotes: "If you can dream it, you CAN do it!" (-Walt Disney) and "The only limits in life are those you place upon yourself" - in other words YOU have no limits.

Official Website: www.JoieSchmidt.com
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/p.s.JoieSchmidt
Readers' Favorite Author Profile: https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/dreams-of-the-heart

Title: Prime
Series: Riftkeepers #1
Author: Carrie Whitethorne
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release: October 3, 2017
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34517316-prime

Blurb:
One night. One taste. Pure Magic.

Stressed and tired, Charlotte needs a break. Raising twins single-handedly often takes a toll that even a glass of wine can’t cure.

And when Charlotte is reunited with the gorgeous and captivating Callan McAidh— who showed her what true passion and pleasure really were years ago— Charlotte knows her life is about to be turned upside down once again.

But when Callan reveals the truth about himself, and about her past, Charlotte is catapulted into a world of danger and mystique. Now, it’s up to Charlotte to accept her destiny while holding on to the only man she’s ever loved.

Charlotte soon learns that some legends have dark origins; some so dark it is impossible to evade their touch.

Buy Links:
Amazon- http://amzn.to/2CPzL7O
Google- http://bit.ly/2itfa0u
iBooks- http://bit.ly/2ksdxEC
Kobo- http://bit.ly/2zW92oz
Nook- http://bit.ly/2ADaw88

This was a fun little read! This did have too much sex, definitely not a clean read, for my clean readers. I had to skip a few pages. There is also strong language here. That being said, the bulk of the story was fine and enjoyable - no pun intended. The characters were well written and just when I thought I had them figured out, they surprised me, which was part of why I really liked this book. Can't wait for the second installment. 

***I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive one. These thoughts and opinions are my own.***

Carrie is a mum.  An author.  A creator of worlds. A dreamer.  A friend.

At her childhood home in Yorkshire, Carrie was encouraged to utilize her imagination, to see things for what they could be, and to ask the question “what if?”  Her mum introduced her to worlds filled with magic: Barrie, Lewis, Tolkien, Blyton.  That magic evolved and continued to inspire her when she discovered Rowling and Sanderson.  They all asked the question and explored the possibilities, opening doors to new adventures that would forever change generations to come.    

Even as a child, Carrie preferred creative outlets and writing.  But as an adult, Carrie had not yet had that moment of inspiration to begin writing a novel of her own.  That all changed one normal morning, on a normal walk to school, when a small boy slipped from the pavement and on to the road.  There was no accident. No horror.  Just a near miss that later formulated into one question: what if he was able to save himself?  Fueled by this question and Carrie’s love of fantasy, European folklore, and mythological creatures, The Riftkeepers emerged.  This world answered her question.  The series gave birth to characters that took on a life of their own, many telling continued stories in novellas and spinoffs.

When Carrie isn’t writing and annoying her editor with endless typos, she barely sleeps, thinks about her characters, indulges in an unhealthy Facebook addiction, exploring the beauty of the Lake District as her backyard, and contemplating which she loves more: pizza or wine.  Definitely wine. Considered to be one of the most boring people she knows, writing her own biography was a definite weakness. Her first draft was rubbish and was picked apart by friends who insisted she was funnier and far more interesting than she gives herself credit.  She was no longer allowed to write her own biography, so she provided input.

Carrie now resides in West Cumbria with her husband and two children.  They are her inspiration.  Her world.

Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Whitethornebooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/C_Whitethorne
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitethornebooks/
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16044748.Carrie_Whitethorne
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Carrie-Whitethorne/e/B01N7K0YK7
Website: http://www.carriewhitethorne.co.uk

These pages contain the lives of sixty people. Sixty glimpses into psyches and souls of emotionally driven individuals. People like you and me, filled with anger, jealousy, joy, and wonder. Spend time getting to know them, forging connections. See who you fall in love with, who you disdain, who you want to invite out for coffee and who you’d like to forget by the end of the book. Jump into the water and see who and what you’ll be flooded by.

As soon as I finish a poetry book, I take a day to let the words just stew and sometimes, I'll go back and pick up the book again just to reread the passages that resonated with me. This was a collection of different eyes and personas. This could be any one of us, at any point in our lives. Stories that were told in moments that mattered, like our first kisses, our first loves, our last kisses, that stranger we bumped into at the train, our family secret, our regrets, our mountain of dreams and trials. I felt myself blushing at a few of these stories. In some, I could only hope there were happy endings or at least, satisfactory for the person. At the end of the day, isn't that what we hope for, at least? Our own version of happy ever afters. Well done, Morse, for an inspiring collection that just flooded (me) by. 

​T. Haven Morse is a multi-genre writer with a focus on writing poetry, stories, articles and essays that speak to the heart of readers. She lives in a magical cottage in the woods and spends as much time as she can, walking among the pines, live oaks, and honeysuckle vines for peace and inspiration in Evergreen, TX. Haven is a part of the Bountiful Balcony Books family and is pleased that you’ve discovered her work.

An extended edition off of the best-selling poetry book, Uncaged Wallflower. This edition has over 110 new poems and over 40 illustrations. Uncaged Wallflower is for those who feel trapped in the thoughts their minds produce, unable to express them with the rest of the world out of fear of critique or disagreement. For the people who need an extra dose of positivity in their day and inspiration to follow their dreams. This is not a poetry book for you to read and relate to in a sorrow filled way. It is for you to read and say yes, I can be better, and I will.

I wanted to begin my 2018 with positive affirmations, and I knew Jennae Cecelia who oozes positivity and light in all her words was something I needed to read. This extended edition didn't disappoint. I was already a fan from her previous works and  I continue to be a grateful fan for the way she pieces together her poetry. Some read like bite size affirmations that I need to hear on repeat, others sound like a friend who offers her support and implores you to listen to yourself more, love yourself more and share your dreams to the Universe more. I have a few earmarked that I know I'll keep coming back to for years to come. 
Some of my bite sized faves:
Comfort Zone
One life.
Many stories
to make.
A comfort zone
should no longer 
hold you in place.

Dreams are meant to be chased
not buried in fear.
- get running

Jennae Cecelia is the self-published and best-selling author of the poetry books, Bright Minds Empty Souls, Uncaged Wallflower, I Am More Than a Daydream, and her latest release, an extension off of Uncaged Wallflower. 

She has developed a strong passion for writing uplifting poetry that encourages 
her readers to reach their full potential and learn about fulfilling their dreams. 

Jennae's soul is happiest when she is meditating, doing yoga, drinking coffee, exploring nature, drawing, or being around people who lift up her spirits.

I'm a huge fan of Isabelle Kenyon's poetry. I had read the first book (see review here) and one thing I wanted was for Isabelle to have more poetry! This collection does not disappoint!
Kenyon continues to give us a commentary on social issues, such as homelessness, and offers a glimpse of the forgotten, such as the elderly, or perhaps those who silently stood in the sidelines during the #metoo movement, but with a story, nonetheless.  I appreciate the poet's take on these issues, as only a poet can take a jarring forgotten life and try as she might, spark a little light into it. Except, it's on the reader to take that spark and do something worthy to these words. Lovely words they may be. Another job, well done! 

Buy Links:
https://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Heart-Wanders-Matt-Banks-ebook/dp/B0763YHVXV/

I enjoyed this collection. While I admire Matt's passion in his words, I felt like this should have been more organized in how the entire collection was laid out. It jumps from being in love, to the bitterness of old wounds, to inspiration and a take on today's political climate and changing societal landscape. The randomness was a little off putting at times. When you read about an inspirational poem and then it's followed up with an erotic poetry, it's a bit jarring. Overall, I did come to appreciate the messages he imparted. 

***EDITED TO ADD: I use Goodread's rating system. ***
3/5 liked it