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The Gift

9/15/2023

 
Hello, dear blog friends.

In just a few hours, I head north to Alaska with my three sisters. The four of us have talked about this journey for months, and finally, we're packed, ready, and super excited. The weather forecast is for rain every day and temps in the 40s. For this desert gal, that's a bit chilly--and wet. BUT we're equipped with hooded coats and sweaters, so we'll be fine. 

The purpose of our trip is to get to know each other better as adults. We've lived in different parts of the country, and though we've visited each other at funerals and weddings, we've not spent quality time together since we were kids. This is a reunion of the heart.  

Before I say goodbye, I've something to share. 

Earlier this year, the eight women writers in Story Empire embarked on a journey together. We decided to write a series in which each novella included three common threads: (1) the small fictional town of Harbor Pointe in northern California, (2) its prominent lighthouse, and (3) one or more members of the Hawthorne family. We chose our genre and the timeframe. As a consequence, each story is unique and a standalone. 

The first book of the series, The Price of Atonement by Mae Clair, takes place in the 1880s. It will be released on September 26th, and it is available for presale now.

My book, The Gift, is the second in the series, and it staggers the 1940s and 50s. It, too, is available for preorder and will be released on October 17th.
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BLURB for The Gift 

In an innocent 1958 American suburb, Shelly doesn’t know the power of a kiss. Or how it will change her entire life.

At sixteen years old, she falls in love with a young man. One night—just one night—they go too far. Months later, pregnant and shamed, Shelly’s parents banish her. Alone and heavily pregnant, circumstances force Shelly to cross the country in an old pickup. A mistaken turn leaves her lost in a forest amidst a severe snow storm and in labor.

In the dark of night. Shelly must get help for her new-born baby before they both perish. A light in the distance gives her the slimmest glimmer of hope. After Shelly wraps the infant in her father’s old jacket, she trudges through the snow to a lighthouse keeper’s cottage. Snow half buries the squat stone building.

Will Shelly find shelter, or is it the beginning of the end? 
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The Gift is a Christmas story involving three families. Because of this fact, I've hidden gifts under the tree for three readers who can identify the inspiration behind my story. When I return, I'll post some hints. Let's make it fun.❤️
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Stay warm, stay safe, and we'll meet again in two weeks!

Drift with the currents . . .

9/12/2023

33 Comments

 
Hello dear blog friends,

On this beautiful early fall day, writer Colleen Chesebro presents us with another great poetry prompt. She invites us to use the photo below (taken by Terri Webster Schrandt) as our inspiration. Terri explains:
​“I took this photo two summers ago. My neighbor invited me to go kayaking with her and her daughter and granddaughter. I took the pic of Sarah and Melia as they paddled in front of me along the Little Spokane River. I used a filter to give it an idyllic look.”
My response is a simple Tanka (5-7-5-7-7 syllables). I hope you enjoy it. 
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Have a wonderful week, and let's all drift with the currents -- at least in our dreams. ❤️
33 Comments

Deep In The Forest . . .

9/11/2023

51 Comments

 
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Hello blog friends,

Today I'm delighted to welcome author D. L. Finn to help celebrate her New Release:
Deep in the Forest Where Poetry Blooms.

Most of you know Denise well. Through her imaginative stories, we've traveled with her - into the forest and the ocean. She lives in the Sierra foothills of Northern California with her husband, dogs, and cats. Surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedar trees, it's no wonder Denise's books often include forest magic. When I asked her about this, she explained that, "Nature is where I feel most at peace. It’s why it shows up often in my poetry and fiction."

One of Denise's favorite expressions is embrace your inner child, and she takes this directive seriously. Besides hikes into the woods or dives into the sea, Denise often travels through the mountains and the countryside on her Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Her husband is always nearby on his cycle. Denise claims that the wind through her hair gives her life. Beautiful image, right?


Deep in the Forest Where Poetry Blooms, Book Two of Just Her Poetry, takes readers into Denise's magical world. My copy arrives today, and I'm looking forward to savoring each poem in the collection. Maybe you'd like to join me?

As a special treat,
Denise offers a Giveaway. She writes, "To celebrate my latest release, I will randomly choose a winner from the comment section for one $5 Amazon Gift Card." 😊

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BLURB:

Embark on a captivating journey with D. L. Finn as she guides you through the intricate
landscapes of free verse and symbolic poetry. Hike with her through the magical forest, feel the
wind on your face riding on the back of a Harley, or bask on the warm Hawaiian shores. Her
search for life’s magic invites the reader to traverse through the four seasons in part one.
Emotions, observations, and stories weave through part two’s texture. Whether the words explore a sunset, healing, or magic, each poem flows through moments where poetry blooms.


​EXCERPTS:
From Fall

I feel moon's soft pull
the loving beams beckon me
to dance under stars
guided by the autumn gleam
on a carpet of red & gold

From Musings from the Back of a Harley

Memories

Clustered in the granite wall
Yellow and purple flowers thrived,
Tugging at my childhood memories,
Of a room so once decorated.
When purple gently soothed.
And yellow's cheerful brilliance.
Both offered hopeful innocence.
Wind caressed those sweet times,
Until happiness is released.

A rumble through my past.
Accented in a sparkling green comfort
Beneath the always watchful azure sky.
My inner child soars on the back of a Harley.

From Poetry Stories and Some Truth: Told through haibuns

Magic Pages

The magical gift sits next to my bed. Dressed in black leather, it holds the ideas of generations. I
gently open the promise of endless entertainment in the two hundred and thirty pages. I can
barely contain my joy with so many words that offer knowledge, insight, thrills, adventure,
heartbreak, or laughter. It may take more than one lifetime to explore. Yet, it's never full and always welcomes new editions onto its electronic shelves—even the bad ones. It is my paradise.

add to my Kindle
with the best of intentions…
to read every word


BOOK TRAILER: 

D.L. Finn Links:

Twitter/X      Bookbub      Facebook      Instagram      Pinterest     

D.L. Finn blog      Amazon Page      YouTube

BOOKS

In the Tree's Shadow: Short Stories
A Voice in the Silence: Paranormal Romantic Thriller
Just Her Poetry: Free Verse Poems
The Destination: Historical Fiction

Angel & Evildwel Series
This Last Chance
The Button
This Second Chance
CHILDREN BOOKS
Tree Fairies
Elizabeth's War
Things on a Tree
An Unusual Island
Dolphin's Cave
AMAZON UNIVERSAL ORDER LINK
51 Comments

Travelers with Good Intent

9/5/2023

44 Comments

 
Hello, blog friends!

Today poet Colleen Chesebro provides a new challenge. We are invited to create a syllabic poem using synonyms for quiet and seek. Provocative, right?  

I've chosen to write two tanka. My words include peace, reverence, journey, travelers, pursue, guide, shepherd . . . hmm, it looks like I connect with seek. But don't we all? 

I hope you enjoy the poem, but more importantly, I hope your journey is especially kind to you today. Have a wonderful week! 😊
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44 Comments

Basking In Sunlight

9/1/2023

30 Comments

 
Hello, blog friends! 

I hope you've had a grand week. It's been a busy one for me, a bit of a blur. But today I pause and share a photo prompt from poet Colleen Chesebro. She invites all interested writers to create a syllabic Ekphrastic poem inspired by French artist Berthe Morisot. The oil painting is entitled, Eugene Manet on the Isle of Wight, and it is featured below.

My poem is a simple Tanka (syllables 5-7-5-7-7). I hope you enjoy it. 
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Have a fantastic weekend, dear friends. In my area, we're expecting more storms, laced with hot gusts of desert winds. The monsoon often surprises us in August and September. Seeing today's prompt brought me back into Spring. It seems so long ago, doesn't it? 

Be well, and let's enjoy the surprises. 😊
30 Comments
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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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