Puppy, 12 Months of Rhymes & Smiles by Patricia Furstenberg – Book Review

Book: Puppy, 12 Months of Rhymes and Smiles

Author: Patricia Furstenberg

Independently Published with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

Publication date: 31 October 2017

Target audience: 2 and up

Genre: Children's, Animals, Humour

Synopsis

A puppy's first year is filled with findings, wiggles and laughter.

 

Puppies squirm in all the odd places, sniff all the strange objects, lick everything they can and find something to splash into even when we don't want them to!

This book of poems explores the first year of a puppy's life, going through an adventure after the other, one month at a time.

Puppy's first days, puppy's first weeks in a new home, puppy's encounters with snow and the school bag, puppy's duty to protect... What happens when puppy is full of good intentions, yet his actions go wrong?

Read the rhymes and laugh with your little one.

Book Review by Nadaness In Motion

Puppy, 12 Months of Rhymes and Smiles by Patricia Furstenberg is a fun, exciting, adorable, and a must-read children's book.

Chapters are divided into months, in the form of puppy paws at the beginning, each a phase in the puppy's life until it turns one.

Contents Page from Puppy, 12 Months of Rhymes & Smiles by Patricia Furstenberg 

With lots of colours, lots of love, humour, and puppies, children will want to read this book over and over and over.

Having lived with dogs her whole life, it's no wonder Patricia Furstenberg would choose a puppy to be centrepiece in this book.

I loved how the puppy referred to its human owner/friend as a "human pup".

"My human pup was there

And we spent the day together"

Loved the chapter where the puppy learns that it will get a name but has no idea what a name is. It was funny and innocent like children themselves.

Grown up or not, Puppy, 12 Months of Rhymes and Smiles is a must-read for children that will teach them love and tenderness towards animals.

Overall rating: 5 stars

Note: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of this book from its author in exchange for an honest review.

Note 2: Above images are courtesy from the author, Patricia Furstenberg.

Note 2: The hard copy version has more colours and font-play than the e-version.

Purchase link:

Order Puppy, 12 Months of Rhymes & Smiles by Patricia Furstenberg.

About the Author:

Patricia Furstenberg came to writing through reading. She is known to carry a book or pen and paper everywhere she goes.

Patricia enjoys writing for children because she can take abstract, grown-up concepts and package them in attractive, humorous, child-friendly words and pictures, while adding sensitivity and lots of love. What fuels her is a need to write and… coffee, “None. Plus? Five cups.”

After completing her Medical Degree in Romania, she moved to South Africa where she now lives with her husband, children, and their dogs.

Connect with author Patricia Furstenberg via her Author Website, Amazon UK, Amazon US, Huffington Post SA, Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Romancing Dr. Love by Rebecca Heflin – Book Review

Book: Romancing Dr. Love

(Book 1 in the Sterling University series)

Author: Rebecca Heflin

Publisher: Rebecca Heflin Books, LLC

ISBN: 9780997181203

ASIN: B01NCJL5SZ

"What, or should I say who, Dr. Love, has made you so cynical when it comes to matters of the heart?"

Romancing Dr. Love by Rebecca Heflin is the first novella in the Sterling University series. As with most Heflin books, Romancing Dr. Love is a standalone.

Samantha 'Sam' Love is a psychology professor at Sterling University. From the beginning of the book, we meet the university 'hottie', literature professor Ethan Quinn and learn that he has liked Sam from a distance for some time.

As the daughter of renowned sex therapists, Sam seeks to get out of their shadow, while at the same time preserve her reputation, as men have followed her all her life, thinking that because of her parents' work, she is good in the bedroom. In truth, Sam has never looked at sex as something to be enjoyed. She has also been recently dumped by her ex who had called her 'frigid'.

“Have dinner with me this weekend.” Well, that just popped out.

Her eyes flew open as she shot him a confused look. “What? Why?”

“Why? Why does a man ask a woman out? I like you.”

At Sterling University, Sam is working on a patent that would enable couples to find their matches through science rather than love. Sam is looking to get her work patented through the university to prove to herself.

Sam is quite a flawed character and I like how Helfin drew her, made the reader connect with her and sympathise with her.

I liked the theme of family and relationships in Romancing Dr. Love. Because of her parents' work, Sam has never had roots anywhere, and is accordingly planning to just stay for some time in Sterling for work then move on to advance her career. When she goes to Ethan's home and sees the family photos, she can't help but feel a pang of jealousy that she didn't have that with her parents.

There are other characters in the book such as creative writing professor Delaney Driscoll, whom Heflin is focusing on in the third book in the series.

Heflin often creates perfect men and Ethan tops the list. It's easy to fall in love with him and Sam realises that Ethan's presence is making experience new feelings but also threatening her research; especially, when he signs up as a subject in her study.

Something about his kisses switched off all higher-functioning parts of her brain, leaving only her reptilian instinct in control—a little like leaving a teenager at home without adult supervision. For an entire weekend. With a cabinet full of liquor.

I liked Sam's character development. It was slow, jittery; even Sam was feeling it. However, there wasn't much for Ethan. Felt he was too perfect. I think he'd put Austen's Mr. Darcy to shame.

The imagery, dialogue, description, and overall word choice throughout Romancing Dr. Love were beautifully written. There were sections I wish I could quote whole.

I like how Heflin included scientific bits in the novel. I was worried it wouldn't hold out till the end. Then I realised the problem wasn't with the theory but with Sam herself, whose thinking was a bit flawed because she had never experienced love and therefore doesn't believe in it. Also because of her flawed thinking, Sam believes that Ethan's parents' marriage failed because it was built on respect.

“You’ve taken love, with all its mystery and beauty, and reduced it to something as romantic as a cholesterol test.”

Heflin often also builds stories around writers, or in this case, in this case a psychology and literature professor and the world of academia, where Heflin herself has experience. 

Overall, Romancing Dr. Love is a beautiful and exciting romantic novella. Easily read in a day or two tops. I highly recommend it.

Generally, kissing for her held the same level of interest as vanilla ice cream—she could take it or leave it. But kissing Ethan was like indulging in cookies ’n cream ice cream with extra chocolate sauce on top. And white chocolate sprinkles. Decadent. Sinful.


Overall rating: 5 stars

Note: I received a free copy of Romancing Dr. Love in exchange for an honest review.

Note II: The book contains a couple of bedroom scenes.

Check out Nadaness In Motion's other book reviews for Heflin's books:

Dreams of Perfection (5 stars)

Ship of Dreams

Dreams of Her Own (5 stars)

About the Author:

Rebecca Heflin is an award-winning author who has dreamed of writing romantic fiction since she was fifteen and her older sister snuck a copy of Kathleen Woodiwiss' Shanna to her and told her to read it. Rebecca writes women's fiction and contemporary romance. When not passionately pursuing her dream, Rebecca is busy with her day-job as a practicing attorney.

Rebecca is a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), Florida Romance Writers, RWA Contemporary Romance, and Florida Writers Association. She and her mountain-climbing husband live at sea level in sunny Florida.

Connect with Rebecca Heflin via her Website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Hold Me by Nada Adel Sobhi - Poem

Hold me close,

Pat me on my back,

Kiss my hair,

Let me feel you close

I need you!

Calm my burning nerves,

My tempestuous emotions,

Reign in my held back tears

Or let them flow

And kiss them away

Hold Me

When no else would

Ease my shaking bones

My unknown fear

Hold me!

Let your love wash over me,

Let my burdens fall,

Shatter to the ground.

Let your light warm me,

Your understanding, engulf me,

Your love, hold me tight

Let all the masks fall,

All the hardships fade,

All the tension wither.

Hold me!

Wake me from the darkness

To your light,

Your love

My raging mind,

My shaking bones,

My burning tears

Calm them.

Calm Me.

Hold me!

And let me sleep in your arms

Until my tempest subsides,

Till I can stand on my own feet,

Till all my fears and worries wear away.

Calm Me!

Hold Me!

By: Nada Adel Sobhi

Written Saturday, 10 June at 2:20 am

Photography by Nada Adel Sobhi

Takhayyal prompt #55: Welcome the Love

Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen, Artists, Poets, Writers, Authors, Dreamers, Friends and Family; Welcome EVERYONE to Nadaness In Motion's weekly picture-prompt writing challenge Takhayyal.

Valentine's Day is upon us once more (a few days from the date of publishing this post) and my friend and artist Yomna El-Mahany has a lovely artwork piece for this occasion. 

Of course, if you're an anti-Valentine's Day person, feel free to twist the image as you wish. Won't hold back your creativity!

Arabic for Imagine, Takhayyal is a challenge for writers of all ages and genres; a place to spark creativity and explore new genres.

Your post can be in English or Arabic, prose, poetry, short story, flash fiction; you name it and write it.

General rules:

·        No nudity, violence, and/or abuse.

·    Leave the link to your post in comments below OR post your piece as REPLY to this post

·        Your piece MUST be inspired in some way or other by the above picture

·        Multiple entries allowed

·     It is not required but it is a nice and encouraging gesture to comment on others' pieces.

·        Feel free to add your Twitter handle (@....) so I can tag you in my tweets!

Let's IMAGINE!

Life in Colour by Nada Adel Sobhi - Poem

I could see him

Paint her face

On the canvas

In the heart of the rose

His love in the work,

Emotions flowing

From the soul

To the tip of the brush

His heart beating loud,

Every step brings him closer

To the rose

To her

…to completion.

Inspired by Vincent Keeling's White Rose pic.

Open the Door by Nada Adel Sobhi – Poem

Open the door

Let in the light,

Sing me a song,

Hold me tight.

Whisper softly in my ear,

Read my a tale or two,

Drive away my fear,

As you hold me close to you.

I fear the day more than the night

I fear the world when it says

I'm wrong and it's right.

Hold me close,

Don’t let go.

The world is changing,

Don't let me go.

Confusion, anger, lying and defeat

Slowly eat my shell, my sanity,

I cannot stand these cheats;

I fear an upcoming calamity.

Open the door

Let in the light,

Sing me a song,

Hold me tight.

Raise me high above the ground

Away from the world, away from it all.

Hold me close, so I don't hear a sound

Hold me tight and don't let me fall.

Wrap me in your light,

Teach me what is right.

Tell me what I need to do,

To be a better person, a better you.

Awaken my soul, my heart,

My body and mind;

Awaken my senses, give them a start,

Teach me how to be human again.

Open the door

Let in the light,

Sing me a song,

And hold me tight.

Written 8 February 2016 at 00:09

This poem was inspired by the above picture for Takhayyal writing prompt no. 28.

Metamorphosis comes in several forms - Book Review

Book: Metamorphosis

Book II of the Lalassu

Author: Jennifer Carole Lewis

Genres: Romance, Adult, Paranormal

Publication date: 14 February, 2016

Metamorphosis by Jennifer Carole Lewis is the second instalment in the Lalassu series. While the beginning doesn't seem to start where the other left off, it is a fair continuation of the events of the novel.

While I feel that most of the book can be read as a standalone, I think reading the first part – Revelations - will make the reader guess the identity of certain characters, some events, connections (some of which will be right, others not) and connect the dots better than someone starting with this book.

The book is divided into five parts named after stages of healing a wound. I liked that, especially when moving forward with the book, the reader realises that there is a lot of progress and healing required by many of the characters.

"Living in the past doesn't change it. It only destroys the present."

Metamorphosis opens with former army corporal Ron McBride escaping from his captors and freezing in the Canadian wilderness. He carries the ashes of Nada, whom he was unable to save in the last book and hopes to give them to her family in a place called "Ekurru".

Almost frozen in the cold, Ron wakes up in Doc's cabin, where he meets his rescuers. Ron worries that his former captors would catch up with him or worse harm those who have come to slightly welcome him in this place, which he later discovers is home to highly intelligent massive-sized bears.

"The warmth hit him like truck, sparking an irrational temptation to crawl directly into the tiny fire to thaw his frozen body."

The book focuses on both Ron and Lily, whom Ron immediately falls in love with, and the metamorphosis of each of them; a psychological and emotional transformation for one and literal and physical for the other.

The theme of the hero remerges in Metamorphosis, where the former corporal has always wanted to be a hero; however, in one of his tours, he believes he failed his friends, who died, while he lived. The novel portrays Ron's constant struggle to be a better – advanced - human being as well as his attempts to be worthy of Lily.

While I understand the need to stress on Ron's problems and inward struggle, I still felt that it was too much at times, or becoming a bit repetitive.

The Lalassu are people born with supernatural powers. In Metamorphosis, we are given additional information and background on them. Lily and her family are Lalassu but also called skinwalkers, since they have the ability to transform into bears.

I enjoyed the use of psychology with the characters of Ron and Vincent, especially since the two characters are similar in several aspects, particularly being controlled by A.D., whose touch renders his victims his slaves.

We also see how Lily's brother and grandfather try to break A.D.'s hold on both Ron and Vincent, a hold that makes it impossible for them to speak or even hear their captor's name.

Several characters from Revelations make a reappearance in Metamorphosis with backgrounds on many of them, including Karan, who is best described here:

"Most people were too lazy to look past what they wanted to see and Karan had no problem with taking advantage of that."

"Karan never lost, no matter how long it took to achieve his victory."

I felt the chapters were too long, and thought they'd be quicker if they were shorter, since each chapter already covers several places or sides in the novel.

Ron's interactions – as well as those of the other characters later on - with the bears were rather cute. Ron's – and the reader's – first encounter with a bear in the book goes like this:

'"Good bear. Nice bear," he croacked.

The bear's ears went flat against its skull, exactly like an annoyed cat. It snorted and shook its head.'

Artful humour is prevalent in the novel to break the tension. An important aspect often forgotten or overlooked by writers.

"Your head is spinning fast enough to qualify for Exorcist Frequent Flier miles."

One of the most important aspects in the novel for me is character development. I was glad to see the development of several characters not just the protagonists. *applause for the author*

Metamorphosis is a novel of romance and journey of maturity and self-discovery, and it's full of beautiful quotes and imagery. I look forward to reading more in the series.

"It's easier to believe you are broken than to try and heal yourself."

Note: I got an advanced readers' copy (ARC) of Metamorphosis from author Jennifer Carole Lewis in exchange for an honest review.

Check out my review of the first instalment of the series, Revelations.  

Also, take a peek at an excerpt from chapter one in Metamorphosis here.

Metamorphosis is currently available for pre-order via Amazon.