Beach Read · book review · Contemporary Fiction · Womens Fiction

Book Review ~ Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand

Beautiful Day was my first Elin Hilderbrand book and I wasn’t disappointed, not by a long shot!  I breezed through it in 3 days and enjoyed it thoroughly.  The story is about a family who gather together for the youngest daughter’s wedding in Nantucket.  What makes this wedding a little different is that their mother passed away a few years ago but she left a notebook for her youngest daughter filled with instructions/suggestions for her future wedding.  

This book reminded me of a wedding movie as I read it.. you know the kind of movie where the family all comes together from leading their separate lives, each with their own problems and drama and somehow try to make it work in the end for the sake of the bride and groom.  

The setting was lovely and I was swept away in the beauty of Nantucket.  I enjoyed getting to know each character and found their stories interesting.  Margot had me rooting for her through every curveball thrown at her, though I was irked at her siblings for leaving so much up to her and expecting her to handle it all!  I related to Jenna, the bride, the unplanned baby of the family (so was I!), and the one who was left behind when her much older siblings became adults and moved out and on with their lives.  She wasn’t a main character but there were some tearful, sweet moments hearing her story.  The only character I found a little unbelievable was Ann.  The choices she made throughout the story didn’t make much sense to me and I admit I rolled my eyes more than once.  

Last but not least, the notebook… a sweet idea right?  In theory, yes!  And I liked the premise when I began the book.  Beth, their dear mom, most definitely did make her presence known throughout the wedding..  but I’m not sure what happened because at some point it became a tad bit overbearing more than sweet and I hate to say that because overall I truly liked the book!  Ah well!

Overall, I did enjoy this story and I am now a fan of Elin Hilderbrand.  I will most certainly be reading more of her work in the future!  Check it out if you are looking for a light and fun read!  4 STARS! 🙂

My angels · Poetry

Last Night

(Photo of original poem, including photo it was inspired by included below  ~ Raeanne in ICU at 1 day old ~)

Early 2000s

Last Night

Mommy’s here… kissing your sweet face
Desperately kissing you in every precious place
But where are you?  Raeanne?  Please come to me
I need more than this old picture…
Only you can set me free

Last night I took a glance… About to store this away…
Picked it up in a hurry, in a rush like every day
As my eyes fell to your face.. sad and full of pain,
My feet froze to that spot.. as I whispered your name

Sobs overcame me.. a need so strong and clear
To wrap my arms around you.. and take away your fear
I fell to the bed… your loss again so real
Begging for it to be a dream.. agony all I could feel

Tears choking me… Robbing me of breath
No this isn’t right!  I didn’t lose you to death!
Trembling I closed my eyes, touched your picture to my face
Hugged you oh so tight, My Raeanne.. so full of grace

I remembered you perfectly, raw grief had struck once more
That ugly monster was back with a mighty roar
My head became hazy, I just wanted you
My heart filled with sorrow, for there was nothing I could do

I stared at your broken body, you so innocent and sweet
Shaking all over, as I caressed your tiny feet
Two days of suffering was all you ever knew
Mixed with intense love.. from mommy for you

In your final moments, when we spoke to you
Your sweet trusting gaze broke our hearts in two
We lovingly held open your beautiful brown eyes
Desperate parents… saying their last goodbyes

Dear God I pray, that in my arms you felt our love
That it carried with you, as you were lifted above

You should not be in the ground.. My heart screamed at me
How could they do that… to my little baby?
I started to thinking… would they even know
If I just walked down that hill… I could get ready and go

Cause I bet she is cold, her soft and tender skin
Mommas shouldn’t put their babies in the ground, that’s just a sin
Maybe I’d carry a little blanket down for her
Tuck her in all warm and snug, make sure she’s warm for the winter

My head began to ache, my heart heavy and sad
It sure tires a soul out to wish her baby back that bad
I think I fell asleep that way, weary from crying for her
Tears dried on my face, arms still wrapped around her picture.

You can find information regarding my poetry and other writing, such as who they were written for and other back stories here.

book review · Historical Romance

Book Review ~ Dreams of a Highlander, Arch Through Time Book 1 by Katy Baker

Well my friends, as I used to be an avid historical romance reader in my 20s and I have had a recent fascination with Scotland (hello, Outlander and Jamie Fraser!  I’ve been binge watching since Christmas), I decided to go with Dreams of a Highlander in early January.  It is part of a series and this is book 1.  It’s about a young veterinarian from America visiting Scotland who suddenly finds herself catapulted back in time to Sixteenth century Scotland in the middle of a clan war.

First of all, as you can imagine, the ensuing events are at times comical as Darcy at first doesn’t realize what has happened and confuses and astounds those she meets with her funny way of talking, speaking of cell phones and cars and such.  This definitely brought a chuckle.  The slowly building tension and eventual romance with Quinn was lovely and I enjoyed the sparks between them.  It was a cute little romance and I don’t have any complaints really.

I have to say though, I didn’t have the urge to keep turning the pages and it took me some time to finish.  Maybe this is because I burned myself out on historical romances years ago and now all the plots look the same to me, but with different characters?  I don’t know but I hope I’m wrong and I will be reading more of this genre for sure!

Overall, this one was definitely a pretty good read and I enjoyed it.  I may pick up the second book in the series if I see it on sale but otherwise I’ll probably leave this one as is.  If you love historical romance, time travel and Scotland, give this one a read!  4 STARS! 🙂

book review · Contemporary Fiction · Mystery

Book Review ~ Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Hey!  So I’ve had the most lovely, relaxing weekend, for a change!  Normally I’m rushing around catching up on things I didn’t have time for during the work week but somehow this weekend, I had very little to do and so you know what I did?  I finished a book, then started a new book and finished that too!  How good for the soul it has been!  And so without any further ado, let’s get to the first review!

For someone like me who has been out of the reading game for a fair bit, Big Little Lies was the perfect pick for jumping back in!  I wanted a book that would make me feel something, delight, shock, sadness, it didn’t matter, just as long as it was impacting me in some way and this book did not disappoint.  

Its a fictional story about 3 very different women, who find friendship with each other while dealing with extremely difficult issues.  The character development is very well done and as I read, I found I could relate to certain aspects of their personalities, their lives, and empathize with what they were feeling in certain situations.  Not only that, I liked them!  They were believable, they felt real, and I was rooting for them throughout the book.

Right away, we know there is a murder and so this book is filled with intrigue, mystery, tension building and we are left to wonder and speculate on “who done it” until the end.  I wasn’t able to figure it out ahead of time and I’ll admit my jaw dropped more than once as parts of the plot were revealed.  THAT is when I know a book is reallyyy good!

Overall, this book was a true page turner for me (I read it in less than 2 days), I enjoyed the writing style and as a side note, it had short chapters which made me feel like I was really progressing through the book (I enjoy that for some reason lol).   I’ve never read any of Liane’s Moriarty’s books until now and I’m excited to read more of her work!  Definitely pick this one up and give it a read.  Highly recommend!  5 STARS 🙂

Poetry · Writing

Out of the Darkness

May 2006

Out of the Darkness

Out of the darkness comes a familiar old friend

An ache tearing me apart, afraid there will be no end.

To this grief, it is coming, it hovers close by.

I sense its presence, it enters with a sigh.

I sit up in bed, I’m covered with sweat.

Fear grips my heart, my face it is wet.

With tears overflowing, I can’t hold them in,

I knew this was coming, this game I can’t win.

I stumble out of bed, find my own private space,

Quietly sobbing, I trip in my haste.

They don’t know of this pain, the ache that tears me apart.

Don’t want them to worry though its breaking my heart.

And so in the darkness, I sit here and cry,

As shattered dreams whisper on by.

It happened again, crept up on me,

Yet through blinding tears, its your face that I see.

I’m humbled and proud to have called you mine,

My sweet little son who was here such a short time.

During these days, grief forces its hand

And takes me close to the business at hand.

It carries me back, breaks that invisible seal,

Until the brush of your hair on my cheek I can feel.

I’m holding you close, you’re gasping for breath,

Then they whisk you from me, for I’m suddenly near death.

Yes, I’m there once again in that hospital bed,

Crying and shaking, then, “he’s gone”, they said.

A black cloud engulfs me, I’m screaming inside.

You weren’t in my arms when your time came to die.

Regrets are for naught but grief brings them back,

And my shattered heart sobs, you didn’t deserve to die like that.

Mommy’s so sorry, we needed more time,

Should’ve been cradled in my arms, then I could have said goodbye.

Oh Josh, no one knows what’s here in my heart,

How every year grief takes me back to our start.

Doesn’t matter at all how many years it has been,

Every year grief does send me back there again.

And so as I find myself sitting here alone once again,

I’m finally accepting that my heart will never mend.

The hole left by you is a permanent ache.

It means you are mine, something no one can take.

The smell of your hair, the touch of your baby soft skin,

In the air floats around me, I take it all in.

And suddenly darling, I’m thankful for grief, that familiar old friend,

For with it I know our bond with never end.

For this pain that I feel means I love you so much,

And now when grief takes me back till I almost feel your touch,

I’ll accept the pain fully, till my heart breaks anew,

If it means just a moment of again being near you.

I love you sweet boy

And this tide of grief I will ride,

For I love you so much

And that I won’t hide.

You can find information regarding my poetry and other writing, such as who they were written for and other back stories, here

 

Poetry · Writing

About My Writing… Specifically About Who

Hi!  This post is to answer any questions you might have about my past poetry, who it is about, as well as other writing you may see here.  

I’m planning to add a lot of my previous work in this blog.  I want this to be a place where these special ones in my life are remembered and live on in that way.  Of course, not all my writing was or will be about these loved ones, but the majority of my past poetry surely was.

Some of my writing was about someone who I loved very much and who hurt me in the past when I was very young and still learning what love was.  I poured my feelings out onto the page and kept the poetry all these years.  Looking back on this relationship as I read this poetry, I don’t know that girl anymore and I feel sad that she thought she needed to tolerate such hurt in order to be loved.  

Some of my writing is about other special people in my life and in particular recently, my father, who passed away unexpectedly in 2015 of cancer.  That loss has been tremendous and life changing and I have found writing about him and my grief has helped in many ways.  

The majority of my past writing will be about my sweet angels who passed away many years ago, Raeanne Ethelyn at 2 days old, Joshua Darcy at 1 hour old and another little one who I lost in early pregnancy.  They passed away of severe heart defects and other complications, the cause of which we have never discovered.  Each of them have their own story which I may share here eventually but much of my poetry I wrote after their deaths when I trying to cope with the devastating grief.  Even now when I read that poetry, the tears flow and I remember the darkness of those days.  Those sweet babies are never far from my heart and I am so happy to share a piece of them and my love for them here.


There are some sad themes in much of my past work as I had some heartbreaking experiences but there is also beauty and remembrance in it too that I am so thankful I was able to express.   

My future writing posts will be random with many different emotions conveyed!  There will be daily life blog entries, poems, short stories, random little write-ups, writing exercises (I’m taking creative writing courses!) and more!  Excited to begin 🙂

 

book review · Historical Romance

Book Review ~ A Kingdom of Dreams – Spun magic

A Kingdom of Dreams (Westmoreland, #1)A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught

Publisher:  Pocket Books
Release Date:  July 1, 2003 (First published 1989)
Genre(s):  Historical Romance
Page count:  438 pages (soft cover)
Series:  Westmorland Saga #1

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

Abducted from her convent school, headstrong Scottish beauty Jennifer Merrick does not easily surrender to Royce Westmoreland, Duke of Claymore. Known as “The Wolf”; his very name strikes terror in the hearts of his enemies. But proud Jennifer will have nothing to do with the fierce English warrior who holds her captive, this handsome rogue who taunts her with his blazing arrogance. Boldly she challenges his will… until the night he takes her in his powerful embrace, awakening in her an irresistible hunger. And suddenly Jennifer finds herself ensnared in a bewildering web… a seductive, dangerous trap of pride, passion, loyalty, and overwhelming love.

Review:

This was the first Judith McNaught book I read and WOW is all I have to say. I love it! This book moved me to tears. Seriously I was sobbing at parts and then Judith would spin her magic and I’d be laughing hysterically at the pure comical genius she has woven into this book! Royce truly made me swoon, still does, as I can’t stop thinking about him yet. He’s such a softie with an extremely tough exterior. Jennifer is strong and courageous and watching these two fall deeply in love was breathtaking! The last battle scene took my breath away. What amazing writing. The love scenes were lusty, yet oh so tender. I can’t wait to read another of Judith’s books, and another and another (you get the idea). Don’t miss this book. You’ll still be thinking about it long after you’ve finished it.

About the author:

Judith McNaught is a #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author, with more than forty million copies of her novels in print, in over eighty countries and more than thirty languages. She was also the first female executive producer at a CBS radio station. McNaught is credited with inventing the modern Regency Historical romance subgenre.

 

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