The first review is for award winning poetry collection Songs of the Heartstrings: Poems of Gratitude and Beatitude written by Miriam Hurdle.
About Songs of Heartstrings
Songs of Heartstrings: Poems of Gratitude and Beatitude depicts a road traveled with optimism, hope and appreciation amid heartache and unpredictable circumstances. It also celebrates genuine love and fulfilling relationships.
The poetry collection includes nine themes: Songs of Nature, Songs of Dissonance, Songs of Physical Healing, Songs of Marriage, Songs of Parenthood, Songs of Tribute, Songs of Reflections, Songs of Challenge, and Songs of Inspiration. Each of these themes covers various aspects of her life experience.
The poems are inspiring to the mind, heart, and spirit. The readers will resonate with these experiences. Hurdle illustrates the poems with her photograph and watercolor paintings.
A recent review for the collection
What a lovely collection of poetry, photography and paintings. I really enjoyed this poetry collection. Songs of Heartstrings tells the story of the author’s life and the many difficulties she has overcome. It is heartfelt and personal. Miriam Hurdle’s poetry touches upon human frailties: struggling through cancer, learning to love again, rejoicing in the gifts of parenthood, music, exalting in the joy of nature, friendship and the sadness that returns with loss.
There is much that I related to, especially the poems of nature and the sea. Both of which mean a lot to me. It’s clear that Miriam Hurdle takes a great deal of comfort from religion and she shares her faith in her poetry.
The reader is enriched from reading Songs of Heartstrings with a sense of shared reminiscences and a deeper connection. Miriam Hurdle’s poetry is simply that, truthful, personal and real. My recommendation: Highly recommended. 4.5 stars.
Read the reviews and buy the collection also in Spanish and Portuguese: Amazon US
And: Amazon UK
Read reviews and follow Miriam: Goodreads
Connect to Miriam via her website: The Showers of Blessings
The next author is Judith Barrow with a review for her compelling family drama – The Memory.
About the book
Mother and daughter tied together by shame and secrecy, love and hate.
I wait by the bed. I move into her line of vision and it’s as though we’re watching one another, my mother and me; two women – trapped.
Today has been a long time coming. Irene sits at her mother’s side waiting for the right moment, for the point at which she will know she is doing the right thing by Rose.
Rose was Irene’s little sister, an unwanted embarrassment to their mother Lilian but a treasure to Irene. Rose died thirty years ago, when she was eight, and nobody has talked about the circumstances of her death since. But Irene knows what she saw. Over the course of 24 hours their moving and tragic story is revealed – a story of love and duty, betrayal and loss – as Irene rediscovers the past and finds hope for the future.
The new novel from the bestselling author of the Howarth family saga
One of the recent reviews for the book
Having long been a fan of Judith Barrow’s ‘Mary’ sagas, I was looking forward to ‘The Memory’. It did not disappoint.
The story of Irene and her ‘special’ sister Rose grabs you and pulls you in from the start. It’s a brave writer who tackles the themes of a Downs Syndrome child and the agony of caring for a parent with dementia, but Judith Barrow is utterly convincing. With her masterful eye for telling detail, and her understanding of the complexities of family relationships, Judith Barrow brings this story alive. At first glance, it should be depressing. But it is not. It’s certainly no light read, but all the more satisfying for it. And, without giving any spoilers, it is also a journey of self-discovery that is ultimately uplifting.
‘The Memory’ is another triumph of storytelling from Judith Barrow, one that will stay long in my mind. I’m already looking forward with eager anticipation to her next novel!
Read the reviews and buy the book : Amazon UK
And: Amazon US
Also by Judith Barrow
Read all the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US
and: Amazon UK
Read more reviews and follow Judith: Goodreads
Connect to Judith via her blog: Judith Barrow
The final author today is C.S. Boyack with a review Viral Blues
About the book
Someone knows about the hat. The creature from another dimension that helps Lizzie fight against the creatures of darkness.
They are summoned to a cryptic meeting with a secret society, where they meet other people with enhanced skills. It turns out someone, or something, has been tampering with the world’s vaccine supply. The goal doesn’t appear to be political or financial, but biblical pestilence.
Can this group of loners come together in time to make a difference when even the proper authorities are obstacles?
Check out Viral Blues, for your dose of paranormal adventure, with a strong sample of dark humor. And in recent superhero style, don’t miss the secret last chapter after the back material.
A recent review for the book on Goodreads
I wasn’t sure about the premise for Viral Blues, considering the state of the planet right now. I thought it might be just a little too close for comfort, but the cast of characters soon grabbed me by my coat tails and pulled me into the story with wonderful enthusiasm!
Such an interesting idea, bringing all your favourite characters together in one book. They all fit together well, apart from the Hat, who has never been a team player but did his level best to rule the roost!
That extra chapter at the end was worthy of being compared to some of Hollywood’s best (and cringe-making) finales. It is extremely well written but nasty in the extreme, but villains should always get their comeuppance, shouldn’t they? And what happened to Danny O’Malley was wonderfully poetic!
Read other reviews and buy the book: Amazon US
And: Amazon UK
A small selection of other books by C.S. Boyack
Read all the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US
And : Amazon UK
Read more reviews and follow C.S. Boyack: Goodreads
Connect to Craig via his blog: Cold Hand Boyack
Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books under your arm.. thanks Sally.
Great author choices, Sally. Terrific reviewers as well
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Thank you John… have a good weekend..hugsx
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What a wonderful selection of writers! Thank you, Sally. A few more books to add to my kindle! 🙂
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Thanks Gwen always like to hear that..hugsx
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Thank you, Gwen.
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Oh, what an awesome trifecta of authors. I’ve read Craig’s Viral Blues and positively loved it. Talk about a fun adventure with a great cast of characters!
I also enjoyed Miriam’s wonderful collection of poetry and life snippets, and Judith is on my reading radar. An excellent round up, Sally!
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Thank you, Mae.
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Thanks Mae and with you on Viral Blues. I am sure you will enjoy Judith’s books too.. hugsx
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Thanks, Mae. I know how you’r TBR pile is toppling!! x
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Honored to be hanging out with these outstanding authors today. Thanks for including me.
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Always happy to have you over Craig.. have a good weekend. x
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Congratulations to the authors on these reviews, Sally.
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Thanks Robbie…hugsxx
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Thanks, Robbie. x
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Fabulous authors, Sally – and what stunning reviews. Thanks for sharing this. Toni x
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Thanks Toni.. and for spreading the word via Twitter.. very much appreciated..hugsx
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Thanks, Toni. Reviews always give such a buzz and encourage me to keep writing
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Great books, reviews, and authors! I’ve read Viral Blues and loved it. Thanks so much for sharing, Sally. Hugs x 🙂
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Me too Harmony.. and thanks for all the support with these posts and sharing on Twitter.. it does make a difference to me and to the authors..hugsx
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Aww, thanks, Sally! Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs x 🙂
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Thanks for saying so here, Harmony.
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Thank you, Harmony. Appreciate how you spread the word on our books.
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So nice to see these authors and their works here. I’ve only read Viral Blues (which I loved; Craig never disappoints), but I wish all the authors well.
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Appreciate the testimonial here. Thanks.
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Thanks Staci.. and I enjoyed Viral Hat.. do love those crime fighters..
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Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out what’s happening today at the Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore with author updates from Miriam Hurdle, Judith Barrow and C.S. Boyack
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Thank you, Don. Much appreciated.
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You’re welcome.
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Another great roundup, Sally. Viral Blues was so much fun to read – loved seeing all those characters together.
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Thanks for the nod. So glad you enjoyed it.
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I agree with you Teri…loved it..xx
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Thank you to Marjorie for the wonderful review on Mirjams great poetry book. What a lifeline painted in fine words. The books of the other authors i have to get coser with soon. Thank you Sally!
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Great thanks Michael.. happy reading hugsxx
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Nice to see all three of these familiar faces here, Sally. And I’m happy to say, I have all three of the books reviewed on my Kindle, already. Now that I’ve finished my sojourn through sixteen Dresden Files books, I’m ready to get back to my normal reading process, and will be getting to each of them as time allows. I’ve already read The Hat, and loved it, so Viral Blues just might be next up! Great reviews, you guys, and great post, Sally! 🙂
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Thanks Marcia and that is a marathon…great to read all together.. I enjoyed The Hat and Viral Blues and I am sure you will enjoy the latter.. Have a good weekend.. hugsx ♥
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Have fun with Viral Blues.
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Pretty sure I will, Craig. I know what your imagination is like. 😀
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Thanks, Marcia – it’s always a thrill to be mentioned by Sally here.xx
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♥
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You’re welcome, Judith, and I agree! Sally still (and always) ROCKS! 🙂
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Thanks Marcia..and you continue to motivate me.. hugs ♥
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Excellent shares today, Sally! I’ve read two of these three books and now the other one is on my radar! Thank you!
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Great to hear thanks Jan.. happy reading.. hugsxx
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I’ve read Craig’s The Hat, and Judith’s The Memory and can wholeheartedly recommend them both. I’m now giving serious thought to Miriam’s book.
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Thanks Alex for adding your recommendation for Judith and Craig.. agree with you.. and I am sure you will enjoy Miriam’s collection..hugsx
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Appreciate your kind words today.
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Thank you, Alex. Your brilliant support is always appreciated. xx
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Thank you for including my review along with the fabulous company of Craig and Judith, Sally. I appreciated all the wonderful reviews.
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Pleasure Miriam.. delighted to share.. have a lovely weekend.xx
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Thank you, Sally. 🙂
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Aw, thank you, Miriam – what a lovely think to say.
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Fantastic reviews! Congrats to Miriam, Craig and Judith ❤
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Thanks Debby ♥
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Thanks, Debby – you’re a great friend to all authors – as well as being a brilliant writer yourself. xx
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And you are too lovely. ❤
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How can I have missed this, Sally? Trying to keep up and still get caught out! There are some very tempting books here with such good reviews. Hmm, read or write….Many, many thanks. xx
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Pleasure Judith and glad you are tempted.. happy to hear it.. Have a lovely weekend..hugs XX
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Reblogged this on Archer's Aim and commented:
C. S. Boyack and Viral Blues are featured in this post.
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Thanks very much for sharing.
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My pleasure.
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Thank you for sharing.
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You’re welcome.
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Reblogged this on Judith Barrow.
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Thanks for sharing the post Judith..hugsx
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