these are the stories of
people i once knew.
they have come and
gone like ghosts in
the night. you might

I was so excited to get a signed copy of this book. I’m a huge fan of poet, Gretchen Gomez. I don’t know how many times I've readlove, & you, her debut poetry collection. From what I’ve gathered about this book is that it’s not pretty and it’s not hopeful. Even as I began to read the first few pages, I was thankful that I didn’t wait until the new year to start with this one. My family and I have had a tough year, to say the least, and to end it with this book, I realized my takeaways after reading this collection isn't to leave the past exactly as that; to have it occupy some memory but rather, confront my fears, continue to journal, and be brazen about new beginnings. In other words, stop apologizing for taking space. Own not just the pretty story about grace but what it took to get me here. But this isn't about me in this review, this is about a woman who have been burned several times over and her story of learning how to walk through fire.

When I think of ghost towns, I think “empty,” “ silent,” but walking through feeling every bit like someone or something is taking you in; watching your every move hidden in the darkness.
This collection isn’t what I’d label as “haunting.” It is a brutally honest walk through this shell of our memories and calling out every single skeleton in our proverbial closet and demanding it/them to show themselves out. There are trigger warnings peppered throughout the book, some ghosts have more than others. My hope for Gomez is this: that she found healing, not just strength in writing this brilliant and unapologetic collection.

However you find yourself in the new year, I encourage and recommend that you pick up this poetry collection. We all have our own ghosts and skeletons in the closet, may you finally confront your hidden fears and mistakes, look them in the eye, and challenge them, 'welcome to ghost town.' 

Gretchen Gomez is a Puerto Rican poet from The Bronx. When home you will find her watching crime shows, cuddling with her dog, or writing--trying to make sense of things. Gretchen is a full-time lover of words. She is the author of love, and you. She's also working on other collections.

You can find her here:
twitter: chicnerdreads
instagram: chicnerdreads
blog: chicnerdreads.wordpress.com
tumblr: chicnerdreads.tumblr.com

This is my first endeavor of publishing a book of poems composed by me. I have put a piece of my heart and soul in form of words. Hoping to touch the reader's heart.

I read this collection over the summer and felt like it matched the theme of June: promising, carefree, lovely and all things random. But then June turned to July and our family got swept in a whirl of hospital visits, prayers and pouring over Dr. Google. I stopped reading poetry for fun - which is a shame. 
The recent news and grief stricken faces on TV, I needed something airy, something wild and fun. I follow Hiya on Instagram and love what she posts, and I remembered that I hadn't gotten around to doing her review. It was a treat to revisit her words of lighthearted musings which brought back beautiful memories of this summer. 
This was such a great debut! Well done, Hiya! 

Vachaknavi Sarma aka Hiya is an automobile designer by profession. She belongs to a small town of Digboi, in the state of Assam in North Eastern India. She presently lives in Manchester, United Kingdom. 
She writes poetry in her spare time. She has been writing for the past 5/6 years. Wild Imagination is her first publication. It is a collection of her very first poems.

I am in love with this collection, I've read it twice already and plan on adding it to my reread pile soon. If you've never read any of Cheyenne Raine's collections, you are really missing out and I recommend that if you want to immerse yourself in all that is whimsical and powerful and fierce, pick this. I'm a huge fan of her light and immense talent. I loved that she wrote with such loyalty and pride for her culture that it made me weep.

Some things worth mentioning:
While I'm not fluent in Spanish, I find that I can read better than I speak. This collection is mostly bilingual, but don't let that intimidate you!! There was enough context within the poem that will make you understand it. I didn't get a chance to read the English version, but Spanish is such a rich and beautiful language that meaning of the poem will be different as some words don't really translate well. 

​​***I received an advance reader copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive one. These thoughts and opinions are my own.***

cheyenne raine resides in the san antonio light, pulling warmth and bliss into her lower-case lettered poetry. she writes the beauty amongst every scene, lacing diction to create vivid pictures. she publishes her work consistently on her website and sends little letters through email. raine is the author of several books, including maroon daydreams and charcoal thunderstoms.
Find her here: ​www.rainepoetry.com/

​The road from being a young Reggae recording artist to becoming a teacher in a Seventh-day Adventist school is an unusual one, but one that Queen Majeeda, traveled by faith. When the twenty-something poet and musician made the journey from her native Jamaica to New York City to do some recording, she decided to pursue a higher education. She had recently become a Christian, and her newfound relationship with God was quickly put to the test as she entered the York College of the City University of New York (CUNY) on a financial shoestring.

The road from being a young Reggae recording artist to becoming a teacher in a Seventh-day Adventist school is an unusual one, but one that Queen Majeeda, traveled by faith. When the twenty-something poet and musician made the journey from her native Jamaica to New York City to do some recording, she decided to pursue a higher education. She had recently become a Christian, and her newfound relationship with God was quickly put to the test as she entered the York College of the City University of New York (CUNY) on a financial shoestring.

This was a very short read, 54 pages in total, but I read it slow and reflected at the end of each chapter. I needed this. I need to read this unwavering, shouting to God, tears down your face type of faith. I needed to remember that prayers aren't answered the way we want them answered but that no matter what, He provides, He listens, and He loves and deems us worthy and lovable. I loved Queen Majeeda's spirit as she continued with her trials and journey. What an incredibly inspiring read. This is a must read for sure to anyone needing a bit of reminder of God's provisions and faith. 

A native of Jamaica, Karlene Hamilton, aka Queen Majeeda is a musician and recording artist, poet, and educator. She has performed her poetry, given lectures, and taught poetry writing workshops in a variety of venues in Jamaica and the United States. She has worked as a journalist and currently (2018) teaches at Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist School in Ocala, Florida. She holds a B.A. in English and an M.A. in International Relations, and is listed in Who's Who in Jamaican Arts and Entertainment. She claims Jeremiah 31:3 as her favorite Bible text, and the African Proverb, "No matter how far you've gone down the wrong road, turn back," as her favorite quotation.

Dr. Strange Beard, an all-new standalone in the bestselling, romantic comedy Winston Brothers Series by Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Penny Reid, is available NOW!

Hunches, horse races, and heartbreak

Ten years after Simone Payton broke his heart, all Roscoe Winston wants is a doughnut. He’d also like to forget her entirely, but that’s never going to happen. Roscoe Winston remembers everything—every look, every word, every single unrequited second—and the last thing he needs is another memory of Simone.

Unfortunately, after one chance encounter, Simone keeps popping up everywhere he happens to be . . .

Ten years after Roscoe Winston dropped out of her life, all Simone Payton wants is to exploit him. She’d also like some answers from her former best friend about why he ghosted her, but if she never gets those answers, that’s a-okay. Simone let go of the past a long time ago. Seriously, she has. She totally, totally has. She is definitely not still thinking about Roscoe. Nope. She’s more than happy to forget he exists.

But first, she needs just one teeny-tiny favor . . .

Dr. Strange Beard is a full-length romantic comedy novel, can be read as a stand-alone, and is the fifth book in the USA TODAY bestselling Winston Brothers series.​

Download your copy today!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2KqqV41
iBooks: https://apple.co/2twGVeA
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Add to GoodReads: https://bit.ly/2KvoGwA

​“Simone, this is not one of our adventures from when we were kids. This is not finding Blithe Tanner’s cat. These men are murderers, drug dealers, thieves.”
“I know.” Boy oh boy, did I know. I didn’t want to be here anymore than he did. I was frightened. Yet allowing Roscoe to be taken on his own hadn’t been an option. “I can handle myself, and I can provide backup for you, if you need it.”
Roscoe gripped my shoulders. “Nothing can happen to you, do you understand?” His words were emphatic, his gaze disoriented, desolate, frantic. “If anything happens to you, I’ll . . .” He swallowed, apparently unable to finish the sentence.
My heart twisted to see him like this. I wished there were some way to show him what I could do, what I was capable of, so he would stop seeing me as a liability.
Well, why can’t you?
“Huh.”
Now there was a thought.
Stepping out of his grip, I walked backward to the other side of the room and took a deep breath. “Okay. Come at me.”
He blinked. “What?”
“I want you to come at me.”
“Simone,” he seethed.
“Come at me, bro.” I did that little movement with my fingers, my palm turned upwards. “Come at me or I’ll start singing again.”
“I’m not doing this.”
“Fine.”Frustrating. “I’ll come at you.”
He stood there, features set, looking raw.
Moving quickly forward, staying light on my feet, I faked right and then went left, hooking him behind the back of his leg, catching his arm to twist behind his back, and sending him to the ground—face-first—with a thud.
I winced as he grunted, my knee at the base of his spine, his arm restrained behind his back. “Sorry! But you wouldn’t listen to me.” Leaning forward, I whispered in his ear, “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”
Roscoe’s back and shoulders rose and fell with an expansive breath, like he was about to respond, but in the next moment he’d spun his legs to the right, leveraged my knee on his back to throw me off-balance, and slipped his wrist from my hold.
In my defense, my grip had been lax as I was purposefully trying not to injure him.
The next thing I knew, Roscoe had me pinned to the ground, air knocked out of me, him hovering above, and my gun digging into my ribs beneath my shirt. He’d been careful to subdue my legs, likely so he wouldn’t end up with a bruised ballsack.
His stare more probing than angry—which I took as a good sign—he said, “I didn’t teach you that. Where’d you learn that?”
Even though I was still coughing, I smiled and rasped, “Since college, take judo.”
He nodded faintly, his eyes moving between mine, looking concerned. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”
“No.” Endeavoring to catch my breath, I said, “I took it easy on you because I didn’t want to hurt you either, but I’m an asset, not a liability.”
“You’re definitely an asset.” Roscoe frowned, his gaze dropping to my mouth. “And a distraction,” he said, his voice rough.
“I’m a distraction?” I asked, my words still breathy.
I bucked, but he held me fast.
“Yes. . .” His stare turned inward. “You are most definitely a distraction.”
Even though I’d had plenty of time to recover and we’d been holding still for close to a minute, I was still breathing hard. This might have been because of my lingering irritation. Or, maybe it was because the length of Roscoe’s lean body was lying on mine. He held my hands on either side of my head, our faces even, his mouth just inches away.
Was it insane that I hoped he kissed me?
Yes?
No?
Let’s go with no.
He gave me his eyes again and I saw something there, a battle. He looked undecided, at war with himself, straining against something I couldn’t see.
“Roscoe?” I whispered.
Roscoe closed his eyes, and I thought he was going to let me go, but in the next second his lips descended, capturing my mouth in a tender kiss.
I moaned.
I kissed him back.
That’s what one does when Roscoe Winston kisses one. Moan and kiss. Repeat. Because not doing so would be a travesty.
His hold on my hands slacked, his fingers seeking and threading with mine. He settled his hips between my legs, his form relaxing. The weight of him was different now, warmer somehow. At least I felt warm. I also felt cherished as his tongue sought mine, again tenderly, stroking, causing my abdomen to twist and tighten into delicious knots.
He broke the kiss and a protest died on my lips as his mouth trailed down my jaw to the sensitive skin of my neck, sucking, licking, savoring me. What had felt warm and cherishing heated, and my hips tilted reflexively as he nibbled on my ear, cradling his rapidly growing erection.
We both gasped as his hips rocked in an answering yet inelegant movement. It felt perfect and essential in the moment.
“Oh God.” His hot breath spilled against my jaw, a ragged sigh. “What are we doing?”
“I don’t know, but don’t stop.”

Meet Penny Reid:
Penny Reid is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.


​
Connect with Penny:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennyReidWriter/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lakzsD
Twitter: @ReidRomance
Mailing List: http://pennyreid.ninja/newsletter/
www.pennyreid.ninja

​

Hunches, horse races, and heartbreak

Ten years after Simone Payton broke his heart, all Roscoe Winston wants is a doughnut. He’d also like to forget her entirely, but that’s never going to happen. Roscoe Winston remembers everything—every look, every word, every single unrequited second—and the last thing he needs is another memory of Simone.

Unfortunately, after one chance encounter, Simone keeps popping up everywhere he happens to be . . .

Ten years after Roscoe Winston dropped out of her life, all Simone Payton wants is to exploit him. She’d also like some answers from her former best friend about why he ghosted her, but if she never gets those answers, that’s a-okay. Simone let go of the past a long time ago. Seriously, she has. She totally, totally has. She is definitely not still thinking about Roscoe. Nope. She’s more than happy to forget he exists.

But first, she needs just one teeny-tiny favor . . .

Dr. Strange Beard is a full-length romantic comedy novel, can be read as a stand-alone, and is the fifth book in the USA TODAY bestselling Winston Brothers series.

This pains me to say but this may be my least favorite of all Penny Reid's books. I had no problem relating to Sienna Diaz, as her character was pure fun right from the beginning. With Reid writing as Simone Payton, it didn't sound quite right to me. Even in the story, when race factors in and Simone tells Ashley Winston to let the person of color voice their fear, their concerns, and to let them speak up instead of relying on this "white savior" narrative. Or perhaps that's just how I took it, as a person of color with the knowledge and experiences of what marginalized people have to go through on any given day. I love you, Penny, but I truly didn't need to have someone like you, a white woman, tell me a story, nay, a lecture on race issues. It sounded forced, and hollow and I didn't need to be a part of that narrative. I GET that, and even my own experiences as a "token Asian" in a mostly Caucasian small East Texas neighborhood pales in comparison to how I know my black friends are treated daily. 
That being said, I tried to finish this book with an open heart, because I REALLY LOVE PENNY REID. In typical Reid style, hilarity, miscommunication and swoon worthy lines from Roscoe ensues. What kept me turning the pages were some of the action sequence and our lovely Winston brood. I just tried to block out some of Simone's internal monologue, and mostly listened and lamented with Roscoe. 

NOTES: there is a time jump so it was a little confusing in the beginning. Even if I didn't like this book, you still need to get this, as I believe there are a couple little "easter eggs" for Billy's upcoming story!
I'm super excited for Billy and absolutely can't wait for his happy ever after! And I believe I shed a tear or two during a conversation with Billy and Roscoe. 

​​***I received an advance reader copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive one. These thoughts and opinions are my own.***

Meet Penny Reid:
Penny Reid is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.


Connect with Penny:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennyReidWriter/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lakzsD
Twitter: @ReidRomance
Mailing List: http://pennyreid.ninja/newsletter/
www.pennyreid.ninja

I wanted to really love this one, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I do like Jessica Honegger's story of grit, influence and faith woven into her being as she fought for the things that mattered to her: her adoption dream, and the seemingly happenstance start of her Noonday company. 
I have been scared multiple times as a mother, and as an author. I've jumped in anyway. I understand needing to let people into your life, and the need to stop comparing our own demons and faults against someone's perfect life....but we do anyway. It's just human nature. What I didn't need was someone looking like Jessica (she's beautiful) cheering me on as my inner monologue talked myself out of not comparing. Perhaps, that's just me and my outsider perspective. Or my introverted self telling Honegger's words to 'calm down and take a breath.' 
There was quite of wisdom here in her words though, and I have no doubt that there are others who yearn for that type of enthusiasm and can do spirit embolden them to step out of their preconceived circles. 

​​***I received an advance reader copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive one. These thoughts and opinions are my own.***

JESSICA HONEGGER is the founder of Noonday Collection, a fair-trade jewelry company that partners with artisans across the globe to create unique and hand-made pieces of jewelry. She and Noonday work to empower women from a wide variety of communities and cultures to create their own, thriving businesses by partnering with Noonday as an artisan or ambassador. Jessica lives in Austin with her husband and children.

Salome and the Battle Poems is a poetry collection that explores the weaponization of art to heal and protect the body and soul of the oppressed, the mentally ill, and the disempowered. Salome is a biblical figure, mythologized here into a radical symbol of women’s liberation and empowerment. The collection is divided into three sections: vengeance, tenderness, and photosynthesis. This structure reflects the process of overcoming, the alchemy of transforming righteous rage and suffering into power and true healing, and the precious raw love at the center of it all that we must protect and nurture at all costs—no matter how deeply it’s nestled between anger and armor.

This was quite a read! The imagery, the pacing, and for compelling words strung together like this: 
Call it sin.
Call it slut.
I'll take the head and call it even. (Salome)
Or this
& every morning
I strip the lonely 
from my longing arms
and stra the warpaint on
my grieving, grinning face. (the Alchemist)
Although, I have several favorites, this collection packed a powerful punch and I loved both the journey and the empowerment that came from it. I'll be on the lookout for more from this poet! Well done, Tyler Rose Mann. 

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

Tyler Rose Mann is an internationally-based multidisciplinary artist. Born in Brooklyn, NYC and raised in Mount Vernon, New York, she currently lives in Chiang Mai, Thailand and spends her time writing, painting, and volunteering with causes that promote environmental sustainability and human rights, with a focus on women’s issues. She has discovered power and healing in art, and hopes that her words can be lifelines for the wounded and weapons for the disempowered. Visit www.tylerrosemann.com to watch her live performances, explore her visual art and nonfiction writing, or book her for a commission or show.

​Through the eyes of a monster or a warrior. Beneath the soil where evil lives or across the sea in different lands. Against a force that none can win or held by a lover's hand. Each adventure begins with you, guided by a Mad Lord's rambling. The debut collection of Poetry and Short Stories by Lord Huey.

The ramblings of a mad lord was a fun read with its twists and turns, haunts, and even sighs. While I appreciated his poetry, it was his short stories that I loved! Author, Logan Hughes did an excellent job painting a picture for you within a small window and within each short, I hoped for a continuation but was satisfied with each ending. What a debut!

SPOILER: My favorite was 'the child' since I have that weird and disturbing fear that my children may one day turn on me....or maybe I just watch too many zombie movies and children are the best and worst zombies. 

​Logan Hughes is a writer and photographer from Miami, FL, currently traveling the USA researching and gathering inspiration for his next publication. Writing under the name Lord Huey, his self-published “Ramblings of a Mad Lord” is a collection of short stories and poems that takes readers on an adventurous discovery of the struggle between good and evil in our own minds. After a life altering event, he decided to redirect his lifelong passion for creating intricate worlds filled with history, adventure, philosophy, and inquiry into human nature back from developing games to his childhood passion: writing. Making it his purpose and joy in life, it inspired his motto “Creare Sine Metu” or “Create without Fear” which is the driving force that fuels his work. His photographs serve as inspiration for his written creations, offering a beautiful, sometimes mysterious, backdrop to his stories. You can learn more about Lord Huey, read his blog, connect to him on social media or sign up for emails about new and limited edition releases via his websitewww.lordhuey.com