Monthly Archives: May 2024

announcement, book release, Cover Reveal, Poetry

Cover Reveal

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I was going to post some pictures from my recent holiday today, but I received the preview cover from my publisher this morning and so decided to run with that. Hence the delay in posting.

Here it is, alongside the first book.

These books have one poem to be read each day for a year. Here is the blurb about Book 1.

Take a lyrical journey through the first half of the year with V.M. Sang’s FROM JANUARY TO JUNE.

This anthology captures the essence of everyday life, nature, and the world around us through the versatile medium of poetry. From haiku to narrative poems, and the humour found in limericks, From January To June is a diverse collection of poetry.

A calendar in creativity, a diary in verse; this collection is the perfect companion for daily reflection and inspiration, providing a poem for each day that resonates with the diverse experiences of life.

And a review from Amazon.

Sashadoo

5.0 out of 5 stars Clever and unusual, a unique blend of poetic styles.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 December 2023

Verified Purchase

I thoroughly enjoyed this unique collection of poetry from V M Sang. I say unique because it’s rare to find such an eclective collection of different styles, forms and subjects in one one book, all by the same author. From Haiku to full length poetic pieces, covering a wide range of topics from the weather to personal feelings and the rare beauty found in the more mundane, everyday events in the poet’s life. Definitely something for everyone and I have no hesitation in recommending the book and giving it a 5 star review.

Here is a poem from Book 2 to whet your appetite. It is the first poem in the book, dated July 1st.

It’s deep into peach season, so I wrote this in honour of that delicious fruit.

Peaches

A peach with skin so soft.
Breathe in the sweet scent
As to my nose it wafts.
Made just to tempt.

Bite into the flesh.
That scent did not lie
The flavour is so fresh.
That I cannot deny.

Juice runs down my chin.
The peach is so sweet
It must be a sin
To enjoy such a treat.

The book contains many poems of different types, like the first one. I will keep you informed as to when it will be released. It should be sometime next month.

If you can’t wait, then you can get the first book by clicking on this link, or to get my previous poetry book, Miscellaneous Thoughts, you can click here.

Or click on the book cover in the sidebar.

Do you like the cover? Does it tie in with the first book, to show they are linked?

book reviews, novel

Review of The Wind Weeps by Anneli Purchase

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I didn’t post last week as I was on holiday. I’ll tell you about it in my next blog.

Overview

An exciting story that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout.

Story

Andrea has left her safe home and finds herself in British Columbia. Here she gets a job on the wharf where she meets Jim, an attractive fisherman. They go on a few dates and she finds herself falling for him. But Jim goes to visit his family and makes no contact.

Along comes Robert. Handsome, strong, charming Robert. Thinking she’s been dumped by Jim, Andrea gets engaged to Robert. Many people warn her that he’s not what he seems, but without being specific, so she marries him.

She soon discovers her mistake.

Characters

The characters are true to life.

We meet Andrea as she starts her job on the wharf and experience her mistakes as a rookie. She is a likeable character, but like us all, makes wrong decisions with regard to her life. She is vulnerable and strong at the same time.

Jim is a kind and likeable man. The reader can’t help but like him and it’s ‘Oh no!’ when Andrea decides he’s dumped her.

Robert is charming and handsome at the start, but he has a dreadful flaw. We come to root for anyone who opposes him.

Then there’s Michelle, a French Canadian. Andrea shares an apartment with her. She is very supportive of Andrea. A likeable person.

Writing

The writing is good. I don’t think I found any typos or grammatical errors. It is told in the first person.

There are a couple of chapters where the Point of View character changes from Andrea. This confused me in a chapter near the end, but it soon became clear.

Ms Purchase brings us right into the action. We are on the edge of our seats, rooting for Andrea. She keeps the tension going throughout.

There’s a sequel. Yay! I’m off to read it now.

I gave it 5*

My ranking of books.

In order to get a particular number of stars, it is not necessary to meet all the criteria. This is a guide only.

5* Exceptional. Wonderful story. Setting well drawn, and characters believable–not perfect, but with flaws. Will keep you up all night. No typos or grammatical errors.

4* A thoroughly enjoyable read. Great and original story. Believable setting and characters. Very few grammatical errors or typos.

3* I enjoyed it. Good story. Characters need some development. Some typos or grammatical errors.

2* Not for me. Story not very strong. Unbelievable and flat characters. Setting not clearly defined. Many typos or grammatical errors.

1* I hated it. Story almost non-existent. Setting poor. Possibly couldn’t finish it.