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 ~My Review~
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.*** Rating: 5/5About the Author
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 [email protected]. 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
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Two countries, two choices, one life.
When Kyraenean slave Celeste risks her life to reach the free nation of Etraea, a country filled with technology and wealth, she unknowingly sets off a chain of events that will change her life forever. After escaping her new owner, Celeste awakens in the home of an Etraean soldier, sworn to protect the fragile peace. For Corporal Mick Haynes, life is simple. Follow the rules, do your job and work your way up the ranks. Getting shot and finding a wanted slave at his family's farm wasn't part of the plan. When a Kyraenean bounty hunter locates Celeste, Mick's loyalty will be stretched to the limit. With war on the horizon, Celeste faces two impossible choices. Both securing her freedom, but both at a cost she could never have imagined. Will Etraea provide the freedom she's longed for or shackle her to an entirely new master? ~ My Review~
These are the kinds of books that I like. The quiet, unassuming ones with faith and courage as the biggest themes, but has action, a dash of romance and enough mystery for you to be invested in these characters and their lives.
This fantasy world of Etraea and Kyraenea, two different countries and a girl, Celeste, trapped and caught in between piqued my interest from the get go. I loved that an Etraean mother who had essentially rescued and healed her, had her own ties to Kyraenea. The family dynamic was lovely in its portrayal of close knit, without being cliched and that their faith was and is their main priority. Sarah Addison-Fox paced this book fairly well. We get glimpses of the other character's point of view but mostly, we're in Celeste's head and her fear of being taken back to slavery and her acceptance of what may come. The moments leading up to the war moved quickly and before I knew it, the book was over. Which explains my rating. I wished it didn't end so abruptly but I'm excited for Addison-Fox and would love to see where Celeste goes and what happens to the Haynes family. ***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.*** Rating: 4/5
About the Author
Sarah Addison-Fox is a New Zealand-born home-schooling mother of two who loves action-packed, clean, fantasy with strong heroines. She has an astonishing amount of nail polish, has all her creative writing credentials shoved in a drawer somewhere, and has a husband who, after 27 years, can still make her blush. When she’s not working on both her YA fantasy series' she can be found fangirling on Goodreads or sending GIFs on Twitter.
Sarah Addison’s Official Website: http://www.sarahaddisonfox.com/ Amazon & Social Media Links: Instagram: sarahaddisonfox/ Facebook: sarahaddisonfoxfantasyauthor/ Website:www.sarahaddisonfox.com Twitter: @Saddisonfox Goodreads: Sarah Addison-Fox
Today is the cover reveal for The Most Special Chosen by Rachel de la Fuente. This cover reveal is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The cover is designed by Loraine Van Tonder: http://lorainelotter.wixsite.com/rynkatryn
Blurb:
Elysabeth Vance is so determined not to be lost in her obsession that she refuses to see what's right in front of her. Damien is so afraid of ruining his only chance at happiness that he's blind to Elysabeth's obsession. Once they open their eyes to what they have, nearly incomprehensible secrets will be revealed. After all, fate happens, even if you don't believe in it. You can find The Most Special Chosen on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37506238-the-most-special-chosen About the Author
Rachel de la Fuente (meaning of the fountain) lives in Maryland with the love of her life and two furry children that meow. Her first novel The Most Special Chosen is being released by Burning Willow Press on March 3, 2018, but it's hardly her first story. She's been writing since elementary school, and telling stories since she could speak. She is an avid fountain pen enthusiast with a bit of an ink problem, and often writes book notes and sections of stories by hand.
Rachel was born and raised in southern California, but spent many summers with family in Mexico. Her parents loved traveling, so she also spent many vacations in various locations, soaking up foreign cultures and sights. She still loves to travel, and is committed to crossing all of the locations off her bucket list. Rachel is a proud Slytherin, and when not writing, spends much of her free time reading, cross stitching, and watching documentaries.
You can find and contact Rachel de la Fuente here:
- Website: http://racheldelafuente.com - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorracheldlf/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorracheldlf - Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6904911.Rachel_de_la_Fuente - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_racheldlf/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPT0u-K8wfIDjtpAzfyTYIQ -Newsletter: https://racheldelafuente.us16.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d9c28d9c11226013eb8c0544e&id=fb56c60d55
Giveaway
There is a cover reveal wide giveaway for the cover reveal of The Most Special Chosen. 5 winners will win an e-copy of Elysabeth & Shawn, the Prequel Series by Rachel de la Fuente. For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below: 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 ~My Review~
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.*** Rating: 4/5: Really liked itAbout the Author
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.
~ My Review ~
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.
Rating: 5/5About the Author
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.
~ My Review ~
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 Rating: 5/5 StarsAbout the Author
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. |
Book Pick:I use Goodread's rating scale1 star – didn’t like it
2 stars – it was OK 3 stars – liked it 4 stars – really liked it 5 stars – it was so amazing, it's on my reread pile! Categories
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