Welcome to the first of the cafe and bookstore updates this week, with recent reviews for authors on the shelves..
The first author is Frank Prem with a review for his poetry collection – Walk away silver heart: Poetry inspired by the Amy Lowell poem ‘Madonna of the Evening Flowers’ (A Love Poetry Trilogy Book 1)
About the collection
All day long I have been working
Now I am tired.
I call: “Where are you?”
But there is only the oak tree rustling in the wind . . .
from Madonna of the Evening Flowers
Drawing on the phrasing of the early 20th Century Amy Lowell poem Madonna of the Evening Flowers (above) Frank Prem has produced a collection of personal and interpersonal love poems written, as always, in the unique style that allows every reader to relate.
Prem’s interpretations breathe new life into contemporary love poetry and utilise Lowell’s original phrases to inspire a tender immediacy and warmth of response as in the eponymous poem:
silver heart
I look at you
see myself the way
I should have been
but something pure
was lost
along the way
from walk away (silver heart)
Walk Away Silver Heart is the first of three collections that together comprise A Love Poetry Trilogy, with each revisiting outstanding work by stellar poets of the past to produce vibrant new collections. The second collection, a kiss for the worthy, draws on Walt Whitman’s classic work Leaves of Grass, while the third, rescue and redemption, derives from T.S Eliot’s The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.
This is a new kind of poetry that tells stories, draws pictures and elicits emotional responses from readers. Just as the best poetry should.
A recent review for the collection
Walk Away Silver Heart is a romantic, whimsical journey from the mind of a lover. The character in the book watches his lover doing the most average, every day things, and yet, those tasks don’t seem so ordinary. As someone who is recently married, but peen with their partner for over 8 years, I find this book to be very realistic and true. There are days where I look at my husband and find whatever he’s doing to be so wholesome and so just “i love you.” Have you ever had that feeling? If you know what I’m talking about, that’s the feeling this book emanates.
Read the reviews and buy the collection: Amazon US
And: Amazon UK
Also by Frank Prem
Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US
And Amazon UK: Amazon UK
Read more reviews and follow Frank on Goodreads: Goodreads
Connect to Frank via his blog: Frank Prem WordPress
Now for a recent review for Toni Pike for The Magus Covenant The secret that will change the world (The Jotham Fletcher Mystery Thriller Series Book 1)
About the book
THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT IS IN PERIL – UNLESS ONE MAN CAN UNCOVER THE TRUTH…
A long-forgotten sect, a deadly brotherhood, a billionaire who trades in relics and a race across Europe in pursuit of a killer.
Jotham Fletcher is in Rome to give a lecture about Simon Magus at the church where he fell to his death beside the Roman Forum. Magus was a cult leader mentioned in the Bible and his libertine sect disappeared by 400 AD.
But did it really die out?
A robed man is pushed from the bell tower of the church at midnight and Jotham becomes the prime suspect. His lover Antonella, an expert on ancient documents, has a shocking secret. Rumours fly about a papyrus scroll. A ruthless Catholic Brotherhood will stop at nothing in their hunt for a hidden sect. And a reclusive billionaire has the chance of a lifetime to get his revenge.
Jotham is kidnapped, tortured and on the run. He races from Italy to England to Sweden. But the body count continues to rise and so does the heat in this non-stop thriller that will leave you breathless.
FEATURING: a fast-paced and gripping plot, chase sequences, Italian police, mysterious historical events and an ending that you won’t see coming.
Don’t miss this action-packed thriller! Discover the secret that will change the world.
There are three other books in this series – enjoy Jotham Fletcher’s continuing story.
Book 2: THE ROCK OF MAGUS – Code Red in the Vatican
Book 3: THE MAGUS EPIPHANY – Ancient treasures and a new revelation
Book 4: HOLY SPEAR OF MAGUS – The covenant will be fulfilled
One of the recent reviews for the book
I mention Dan Brown because I like his books. I only recently got on to Toni Pike. This is the first in the Jotham Fletcher series; I will read more. He is a rector in an Australian parish working on research into Simon Magus (could not help but recall the Silver Chalice–where Jack Palance portraying Magus, believes he can fly, saw it as a child). Like Brown’s Logdon, Pike’s Fletcher gets embroiled in controversial sectarian elements within the Catholic Church. Unlike Logdon, Fletcher faces much more serious danger personally. So, this story is really stronger in that respect.
Pike’s book follows the mystery/thriller precepts of plot/suspense progression well and builds to a climax with heightened tension and twists. If you like the genre, you will like this book–it’s well written.
Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US
And: Amazon UK
Also by Toni Pike
Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US
And : Amazon UK
Read more reviews and follow Toni on: Goodreads
Connect to Toni via her website: Toni Pike
And the final author today is Harmony Kent with a recent review for her author guide Creative Solutions for the Modern Writer
About the book
Creative Solutions for the Modern Writer is the perfect gift for the writer in your life.
Do you want to be an author? Are you struggling to find inspiration? Do you ever find it difficult to put words on the page? Or are you simply looking for novel ideas? If so, then this book is for you.
This little guide will help you unlock your story ideas and fire your imagination. The text covers things such as writing from various prompts, to using Chess, Tarot, and even nursing Triage (and much more) for developing your characters, story, and plot.
From the award-winning author of Polish Your Prose: Essential Self-Editing Tips for Authors—an excellent companion text—Creative Solutions focuses on the creative side of writing rather than the technical.
This book gives you the tools you need to make writing fun, as well as tips and techniques on creating characters and stories that will stay with you and your readers forever.
Crammed with easy-to understand examples, this guide is for writers of every genre—both fiction and non-fiction, literary, and commercial. But most of all, it’s about having fun and making friends with your muse.
One of the recent reviews
I read and enjoyed one of Harmony Kent’s fictional works and I was sufficiently impressed by her writing to pick up this non-fiction book about writing techniques and inspirational tools when it launched last year. I was not disappointed and learned a lot a developing good writing habits and ways of discovering inspiration for this book.
I have always edited as I write, this is largely due to the fact that I am a perfectionist and leaving something half done is difficult for me. This book encourages writers to not edit as they write but rather to ride the wave of your creativity and go back and edit later. I have tried this over the past week and have added double the words to my WIP. I didn’t not edit completely, but I did a lot less and felt I got a lot more words on paper this way. It is difficult to pick up on an incomplete idea so this advice makes perfect sense so that you get a piece of writing written down while it is fresh in your mind.
This books sets out lots of ideas for writing prompts which I find a great way of sharpening my writing skills. The author’s prompts have given me a lot of food for thought and I certainly won’t be running out of ideas in the foreseeable future. There are also great tips on using Tarot cards, horoscopes, chess boards and other items to generate ideas or to move your story along if you become bogged down or stale with your writing.
I thought this was a valuable writing tool and I will certainly be referring back to it going forward.
Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US
And: Amazon UK
A selection of other books by Harmony Kent.
Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon UK
And on: Amazon US
Read more reviews and follow Harmony: Goodreads
Connect to Harmony via her website: Harmony Kent
Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will head over to explore the books of these authors in more detail.. and perhaps add some books to your TBRs.. thanks Sally.
Dear Sally, Thank you so much for sharing John Maberry’s superb review of The Magus Covenant. I’m honoured to be among such wonderful company with these other great writers. Have a wonderful week. Toni x
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My pleasure Toni and enjoy your week too..hugs
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Reblogged this on Toni Pike and commented:
Thank you so much to Sally Cronin for generously sharing the latest 5-Star review for The Magus Covenant.
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Thanks for sharing Toni..hugsx
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Cheers, Toni. Nice review.
Lovely to be in such great company.
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Thanks Frank – congratulations on your awesome review. Toni
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Thanks for sharing, Toni 🙂
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Great reviews. Sharing on Twitter. 🙂
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Thank you so much. Toni x
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My pleasure. 🙂
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Thanks Meeks..hugsx
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Thanks, Toni 🙂
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Thanks, Meeks 🙂
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Thanks so much, Andrea!
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-grin- My pleasure. Soon I’ll be able to say ‘I knew Frank Prem when…’ 😀 😀 😀
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Ha! Well, I’ve got broad shoulders. I’ll try to carry the weight of expectation, shall I? LOL
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lmao – please do! Seriously though, every Indie who becomes successful lifts all of us. 🙂
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I just had another big thing happen in the free-promo department. A big interview (by my standards, anyway) Woot!
Details will follow in a few days
!
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Oh well done, you! lol Anyone would think you’d been at this Indie thing for years. Just kidding. My back handed way of complimenting your marketing skills.
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Always entertaining… Thanks, Sally. xx
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Thanks Joy, have a good week..hugsx
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Pingback: Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Author Updates -#Reviews – #Poetry Frank Prem, #Thriller Toni Pike, #Writers Harmony Kent | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine | Welcome to Harmony Kent Online
Thank you so much for sharing this awesome review of my book, Sally 🙂
I have Frank’s book on my TBR and look forward to reading it. I’ll have to check out the others you’ve showcased here too.
Reblogged on: https://harmonykent.co.uk/smorgasbord-cafe-and-bookstore-author-updates-reviews-poetry-frank-prem-thriller-toni-pike-writers-harmony-kent-smorgasbord-blog-magazine/
Have a wonderful week and keep well. Hugs xx
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My pleasure Harmony and thank you for reblogging..hugsx
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Lovely review, Harmony. Congratulations.
Nice to be sharing the spot with you.
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You too, Frank! 🙂
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Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out what’s new at the Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore with author updates from Frank Prem, Toni Pike, and Harmony Kent
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Thank you so much, Don – that is so generous of you. Have a fabulous week and stay safe. Toni
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You’re welcome. You too.
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Thanks for the reblog, Don. Much appreciated 🙂
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You’re welcome.
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Thanks Don..
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You’re welcome.
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Thank you, Don.
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You’re welcome
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A great selection of reviews today, Sally! Lovely to see Harmony here today, too. Thanks for sharing these authors with us. Passing it along! 🙂
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Thanks, Marcia! Hugs x 🙂
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Thanks Marcia and for sharing.. you rock…xx
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Thank you so much, Marcia. Have a fabulous week. Toni x
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Great selection, Sally. I’m only familiar with one of the authors (Harmony) and was happy to see her book here. Thanks for showcasing all three writers and their works.
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Thanks, Staci 🙂
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Thanks Staci, delighted to introduce you to some others..x
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Many thanks, Staci – and lovely to meet you. Toni x
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Likewise, Toni!
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Thanks for sharing my review, Sally. I loved Frank’s poetry book and I have Toni’s new children’s book on my kindle.
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Super, thanks Robbie…and always happy to share your terrific reviews. x
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It’s a terrific review. Thanks, Robbie 😊
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Thank you, Robbie.
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Great selections, Sally. It was also nice to see two of my favorite people, Robbie and Harmony together on Harmony’s book.
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Thanks so much, John 😊
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Thanks John.. hugsxx
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Thank you, John. I agree – an amazing duo. Toni x
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Thanks, Toni.
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Thank you for the reviews, Sally! Appreciate, and have to read the books asap, too. Michael
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Thank you, Michael – and have a wonderful day. Toni
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Thank you Michael.. glad you enjoyed the selection .hugsx
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Thanks, Michael. Have a lovely day 🙂
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Thank you too, Harmony. You too. 🙂
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Fab reviews! Congrats Toni, Frank and Harmony. ❤
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Thank you so much, Debby. I was so thrilled with John’s review. Have a lovely, safe week. Toni x
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As you should be! Stay safe! ❤
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Thanks Debby..♥
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Thanks Debby, and thanks for sharing.
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Pleasure Frank 🙂
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Thanks, Debby! I was so delighted with Robbie’s review 🙂
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As you should be 🙂
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Sally, thank you so much, and to everyone who has shared and re-blogged. Just wonderful.
I’ll re-blog over to my place, as well. 🙂
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Pleasure Frank and thanks for sharing around..x
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Best of luck with everything, Frank. I’m looking forward to getting to your book on my TBR 🙂
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Reblogged this on Frank Prem Poetry and commented:
Thank you to Sally Cronin and the wonderful Smorgasborg Blog Magazine for unearthing and posting some wonderful book reviews by authors Harmony Kent (Creative Solutions for the Modern Writer) and Toni Pike (The Magus Covenant), as well as my own Walk Away Silver Heart.
Well worth having a look at these great reviews, and a peek at the Smorgasbord, while you’re visiting.
Thank you, again, Sally!
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Thanks for the lovely intro Frank and for reblogging..hugsx
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Thanks for the reblog, Frank 🙂
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Thanks for the reblog and fabulous introduction, Frank. Toni
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You’re very welcome, Toni. My pleasure.
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Pingback: Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Author Updates -#Reviews – #Poetry Frank Prem, #Thriller Toni Pike, #Writers Harmony Kent | Frank Prem Poetry
Fabulous selection of books, Sally! Thanks for bringing us the best reads. ❤
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Thank you so much, Colleen. I was thrilled to be in such great company. Stay safe. Toni x
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Thanks, Toni. You, as well. Your books sounds like a good read. I’ve got you on my list. So many books to read. ❤
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How lovely, Colleen. ❤️
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Thanks Colleen, you are a talented bunch in the cafe.. so no hardship lol.. ♥
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LOL! I do love all the new books and authors. So much to read, Sally. ❤
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♥♥
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Thanks so much, Colleen! I’m dellighted to be listed with all these great books and authors 🙂
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Simply brilliant, Harmony. Thanks so much. ❤️
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