Reviewed by Marie-Hélène Fasquel for Readers' Favorite

Hope Between Heartbeats by Liz Newman is a collection of poems about love and romance. The different poems are divided into four categories: life, love, loss and learning. They also come with a moving dedication (especially the one about “pillars of strength of resilience”) and an extremely personal and poignant preface which I cannot but partly quote: “I have always found comfort in the written word […]. It would make me feel like someone finally understood me and that I was going to be okay […]. I started writing my heart onto blank pages, in hopes that someone somewhere might find some comfort or strength in my writing.” Well, the author accomplished that with flying colors for sure!

Hope Between Heartbeats by Liz Newman is a first-rate collection of poems which deal with all the major topics of the heart including isolation, chasm, body and soul, following one’s own rules, illusion, fading, beauty, mortality… and many more. To top it all, it is not just a collection of poems about similar topics, it is a true opening of the author’s heart in a beautiful series of poems. The style and writing generally speaking is delicate, the words are perfectly selected, the syntax is heartrending, and the stylistic devices (alliteration, assonance, rhyme, personification, and so on) help us understand the message better and make this reading a moment of pure delight. That is why I highly recommend this collection. Thank you to the author for sharing such a gem!

Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

I Am A World Of Uncertainties Disguised As A Girl is an incredible embodiment of emotion, expressed through prose and poetry, and written by Nicole Lyons. The shuddering impact each verse creates in the soul of the reader is profound, dealing in various embattled reactions to situations in life and its complexities. Whether the subject be conveying one’s faith, promiscuity, temptations in life or broken hearts, each verse shakes you emotionally, as it reaches inside and tinkers with the many different experiences and aspects of a person’s existence.

Never before have I read poetry on such a large scale of extreme raw emotion. I was able to feel and relate to the pain of Nicole Lyons as she expressed so many variances in her life, up to the point of waiting for the impact of death to take place. The violations of a human body and soul were also felt, bringing back some very painful moments in my own life, all of which were expressed so fully in the pages of I Am A World Of Uncertainties Disguised As A Girl. Whether Nicole draws each verse from experience or imagination, the talent which shines through each page is intense, almost to the point of it blinding the reader in a lyrical depiction of pain, heartache, disaster and emotional invasion.

Two poems snagged my interest in particular: Turning Goodbye came across as a final message left on a tombstone or epitaph, whereas Impetus draws upon the raw emotion of a tidal pull. I wholeheartedly recommend I Am A World Of Uncertainties Disguised As A Girl to lovers of poetry over the age of 15 years, and look forward to adding it to my bookshelf at home, filled only with incredible works in literature.

Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite

I don’t consider myself a poetry type of guy. Southern man, ex-soldier; poetry just doesn’t fit into the self-image I’ve formed. Having said all that, I enjoyed the heck out of To Build a Home by Hinnah Mian. What’s the best way I can put it? This book moved me. From the very first sentence, it moved me. To Build a Home is a mixture of poetry and prose. Hinnah Mian is equally adept with either form. With the skill of a true master, the collection delves into the meaning of family, the painfulness of love, and the courage of a strong, indomitable spirit. The narrative is compelling. The insights are piercing, and the wisdom gained is significant. I like stories, traditionally told stories. But when someone can tell a story in an unconventional way, and I like it as well as a traditionally told tale, I am notably impressed.

There are so many clever phrases and deep thoughts in To Build a Home that it is hard to single out superior examples to write about. For example, “I have studied absence like a theory” appears to be a simple enough, straightforward thought. But the more I thought about this sentence, as I read about a love that was so often a painful experience for the poet, the more I could appreciate the subtle power of Hinnah Mian. The more I could see the depths of her skills. This is someone you have to slow down and appreciate. I am terrible at that, but her words brought me to a complete stop for a while. I like this book. I like this poetry. I may even be in love with this poet.

Reviewed by Lisa McCombs for Readers' Favorite

Have you ever felt at peace just by looking at a book cover? The cover is what immediately drew me to Poetry and Ponderings: A Journey of Abuse and Healing Through Poetry by Diamante Lavendar. Before turning to the first poem, this reader knew that Lavendar’s words would soothe the soul and demand repetitive readings. “Sometimes, life is a dance. Other times, it’s a journey,” says poet Diamante Lavendar in her inspirational collection of verse formatted into twenty sections referred to as Enlightened Affirmations and designed according to theme. As Lavendar instructs us to claim a place in society, she reminds us that life has a purpose and that we need to hold that purpose firmly within our sights. Lavendar advises us that “Success is measured by the succession of the little steps you take.”

As the poet continues to offer words of encouragement, she also warns the reader of imminent dark clouds in life. “Love to the best of your ability. Give without hope of receiving. Be thankful for even the tiniest blessings. Know that good comes from even the worst circumstances. Realize only then you are in a position to truly live." Diamante Lavendar’s work is an inspiration in any of the 122 pages of heartfelt affirmations obviously based on actual life trials. This chap book of both rhyming and free verse lessons in life is a beautifully woven addition to any personal collection as is reflected in these words: “Hard lessons learned are the focal points on the map of life.” Lavendar urges the reader to push forward in finding peace.

Reviewed by Charles Remington for Readers' Favorite

Enlightenment by Raminder Bajwa is a book of poetry mainly about love. Romantic love, spiritual love, love of country, love of God, finding love, losing love. Raminder Bajwa's lyrical verses take us on an enchanting journey along pathways which we may find hauntingly familiar. Through the poet's eyes, we see a fresh new world sparkling with enticing possibilities. Using simple but urbane language, he ponders on the joy, the troubles, and the fears that surround our personal relationships. He urges us to find God, but not through any of the organised religions, rather to find the God within ourselves. His powerful poem 'Stop Now' observes the multitude of atrocities committed in the name of religion and contains the lines: "What fool wrote those books that decimate God's creation? In the name of religion millions killed. The count goes up unabated. Oh religious man, at least now stop and say you're satiated."

There are verses on the 9/11 and Paris atrocities where he asks us not to compare the monsters with animals as this simply serves to denigrate the latter. But there are also uplifting verses of hope and encouragement - the poem 'Every Time I Fail' contains the lines "Experience and tenacity I have the knack. Every time I fail, I just keep coming back." Neither does Raminder shy away from observations on the hereafter. His poem 'The Other Side' contains a spiritually uplifting vision which, taken together with the other poems which make up this collection, creates a rounded and optimistic view of modern life in general.

Enlightenment is the second book of poetry I have had the privilege to review by this author and, like the first, I have much enjoyed the experience. Raminder Bajwa's voice is like a cool breeze wafting gently over our fevered brows as we struggle through our increasingly complex and demanding daily lives. Never arch or pretentious, his verses are moving and, most importantly, accessible. I congratulate Raminder on another fine volume of poetry.

Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

Secret of True Love: Poems from the Heart is a book of prose and poetry written by The Duke of Quails. In the introduction, the Duke explains his quest for love, inclusive of his determination and his destiny. The poems that follow describe how love has no shape, no ideal, and that love is neither shallow nor ornamental in its purest form. The first title in the book – BIG LOVE – displays the harshness, critique, shallowness, cold-hearted attitudes towards those with fuller figures, before crushing the insults and pointing out that inner strength is a magnificent gift which attracts true love. Different types of love in the world do not discriminate, whether it be between those older or who live apart, sometimes in great distance. Love is not measured in how close you can stand next to somebody or inhabit the other’s personal space. Love can also sometimes bring out ugly aspects of a person’s persona, such as jealousy, ego and snobbery. Having the love of another does not make you better than anybody else, but it does make you that person’s whole world; hopefully it brings you to become a better person than you once were or which you could have been.

The Duke of Quails has introduced a book of many different sonnets and poems, showing there are many different types of love, including that in the innocent eyes of a child or a love for animals, young love and more. Some also show the emotion behind those who are abused and battered, giving examples of how love can prevail, even against reason, such as in the title: ABUSIVE WAYS. As a domestic violence survivor, the words within this particular poem rang true and brought tears to my eyes. As I read through each poem, my heart almost felt like it would burst from my chest at the incredibly beautiful and descriptive words which lay before me. With so much darkness and hate in today’s world, I pondered how different life would be if we all lived by kindness and giving, thus dissolving the racism, torment and ill-feelings towards others. Even a love for one’s pet is so strong that it defines true love, as it comes without conditions, without a catch and without restriction. The Secret of True Love: Poems from the Heart is a book of pure emotion, which brings out love, light and positivity in the reader. I very much enjoyed reading The Duke of Quails’ writings within this book, and recommend that it be stocked in school, city and home libraries in order to bring inspiration to all readers when they need it the most.

Reviewed by Ashley Tetzlaff for Readers' Favorite

Robert Frost had Mountain Interval, Shakespeare had The Sonnets, Emily Dickinson had her Collection, and Joie Schmidt has her Dreams of the Heart, Volume One. Many of the poems tout similar vocabulary and style as the old masters, as seen in this excerpt, “You are the purple hues/In my sunsets, the warm and heavy/Sighs, that make knees/Shiver; that pushes two weary/Footfalls past noon/That conjures courage/To make love once again swoon….” Although some of the poems are more modern (referencing pavement and cellphones), many of the verses are ethereal and focus on the well-known subjects of love gained and love lost, as well as God, angels, friends, and nature.

When I picked up Joie Schmidt’s Dreams of the Heart, Vol. 1, I wasn’t expecting much. As an admirer of the masters, and someone who has knocked about with poetry writing myself, I knew creating quality poetry is much harder than most people imagine. And I have read my fair amount of whiny prose claiming to be poetry. Needless to say, I was surprised and enamored by the feeling, style, and class brought to bear by Ms. Schmidt. I couldn’t stand to lay the book down. I even read some of it aloud and treasured not only the bliss in my heart but also upon my lips. I could see a girl in Jane Austen’s world poring over such a volume. In my mind, many of the poems contained in Dreams of the Heart, Vol. 1, are worthy to sit beside those of Frost and Dickinson. I sincerely hope Joie’s talent is recognized for what it is: fit for the ages.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Music, poetry and life – can there be one without the other? Love and faith are universal elements of humanity, even if humans have different forms of love and faith, different beliefs. One thing that unites us all is music and poetry. It defines us, consoles us, refreshes us, and it makes us understand what even the greatest politicians or orators of our times cannot do. “They say life is hard, be able to bend like a feather/ But don’t you worry – the divine flute! Holds the strings of the Universe together.” Music and poetry are the heartbeat and breathing essence of life.

Raminder Bajwa’s collection of poems, The Flute Player, strives to bring the complex world of the twenty-first century into context. The book is divided into four sections: Of Love, Observations, Wishes, and Attitude. Each section contains short, concise poems that reflect the power of music and poetry in life. Coupled with colorful photographs, the poems evoke emotions using metaphors, particularly musical metaphors, of significant depth. The poet strives to present an understanding that all in life is equal and not one of us is better or more important than the other. We are all linked together, regardless of our beliefs and our politics; we are linked together through poetry and music.

“It takes a small musician to understand the Big One’s musical notes./ It takes love, not hate! To bring joy, take it for free,/ Don’t search for the flute player! He’s within you and me.”

This is a powerful and insightful collection of poems, one that needs to be studied over and over again.

Reviewed by Chris Fischer for Readers' Favorite

In a unique and creative read by the obviously talented author D.L. Finn, No Fairy Tale: The Reality Of A Girl Who Wasn't A Princess and Her Poetry is a read like none other. A work of non-fiction, autobiographical in nature, the story is actually a re-telling of the author’s own life experience, but told in the voice of a fictional princess. The princess wants nothing more than the return of her father, to be reassured of his love for her. But instead she gets a new step family, and some difficult and painful experiences that no one should have to endure. The abuse the princess endures, as well as experiences with addiction and the turmoils of adolescence, are all painfully outlined. Through all of her difficulties, the princess is still somehow able to find hope, and to pull herself out of the misery that has become her family life. This story is one that will stay with a reader for a long time after the book is done, and one that I can easily recommend!

Author D.L. Finn has done an amazing job in providing her readers with a very intimate look into her harrowing youth, but in such a way that I have never seen before. Using the guise of a fictional character to tell one's own personal history was a true stroke of genius, and one that other authors will soon emulate, I have no doubt. The author also brings herself back into the story at the end of No Fairy Tale: The Reality Of A Girl Who Wasn't A Princess and Her Poetry, providing readers with highly personal and moving works of poetry and photographs that will make the story all the more real to them. Many readers will be able to connect with this story, from those who have lost a parent, or come from blended families or from a history of trauma, and they will be able to find inspiration from the life that D.L. Finn has lived. I certainly hope that the very talented author, D.L. Finn, will continue with her work in this area. Her voice is one that deserves to be heard!

Reviewed by Maria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

Jane Guttman’s Kids in Jail: A Portrait of Life Without Mercy is a forceful narrative about one of the most disturbing social issues facing our society today; the splintered state of our juvenile justice system. It exposes the devastating stories of thirteen children who are behind bars in a series of poignant poems that reveal their fears, shame and hopes. Allie has been in jail since childhood. Tough, bitter and smart, she screams for love and understanding as she continues her days in captivity, dreaming of rising from the ruin that is her young troubled life. Rashad has been out of jail since three days. If he finishes high school, he will be the first one in the family to do so. Dirt poor and struggling, his mother is unable to nurture and guide him.

Jane Guttman’s choice of poetry to tell the stories of these troubled young people makes her book even more compelling. Verse after verse, one can hear their screams and feel their fears. “Heard about this kid that was raped/when he was a kid/a little kid/ like about age 6,” says one poem. “Show respect/Follow the rules/Don’t want to be the target/of some staff’s hit,” goes another. In moving metaphors, there is also a small hint of hope as in the lines: “Know this kid who has 16 relatives in prison/She told us in class and asked/the teacher how she could have a chance/Teacher said “You do.”

Most of these kids do not have many choices because they are either abandoned by their own parents or live in troubled foster homes and dangerous neighborhoods. Some are lured by the wrong friends and blinded by drug use. And they all end up in jail where a career in crime awaits them, unless sweeping changes are done to the juvenile justice system. Kids in Jail: A Portrait of Life Without Mercy is as eloquent as it is heartrending!