Sarah Northwood

I was invited to join the ARC/beta reader group for Poetry of The Heart and Soul.

These are my true and unbiased thoughts:

I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful collection of poetry - personal to the author in many ways and shared in a thoughtful, generous way.

There are considerate touches in this collection - the asterisked explanations of some of the poems enabling the reader to get a deeper insight into the author's thought processes whilst writing Heart and Soul. For instance, in Fears, she explains that the poem was written at a time when she was fed up of giving life to her fears.

There are three lined poems like Minor Key, touching upon the subject of melancholy and Fly which manages to be magical in its brevity. Longer story type poems grace this collection too - such as Lost.

I loved all the poems but especially:
Falling (inspired by a visual cue)
Blue (which was originally a lyrical piece to put to music)
Cease and Desist - that made me smile - our British obsession with the weather!
Reach Out (suicide prevention)
Imagination
Everybody
Presently (about holding back the years
More than Once (on the subject of life and marriage.)
My Kind of Romance
A Mother's Love

My recommendation: 5 stars. Highly recommended for all poetry enthusiasts.… (mais)

First impression? Quotable Quotes.

I am a lover of nature so, naturally, I felt connected to each of these simple moments of inspiration. The words, precisely arranged on each page, unlocked feelings of solace and motivation. Through Sarah’s soul, I felt tension release as waves of calm gently blanketed my being.

I also love the accompanying photos. The rich images add fuel to the poems. A flower bud is shown. As you imagine the petals unfolding, your inner beauty releases. Steps taken, little or large, can lead you to your future. Look back if the urge overwhelms you but remain steady towards your true destination. Wind in the sails, cotton specks far away in the night sky, a paint brush to inspire a new day…
… (mais)

This seldom told, but too often experienced story delves into the emotional tragedy leading to accepted abuse. There is an interesting twist bringing a unique form of justice into the mix, but the primary focus is understanding the inner turmoil of Katie Hawcroft.

This is a story all must read to catch a glimpse of understanding. Why would a battered woman choose to continue living with her abuser? What would make a person believe the apologies and regret tinged with honied words? And the most perplexing, what would lead a person to believe she doesn’t deserve a life better than her meager existence?

This is a story of a woman coming to terms. Life or death. Does it even matter anymore? Fate leads her on a journey of soul-searching, truth-discovering, and decision-making.

Daryl truly loves her. Everything he does is to ensure she has a roof over her head, food to eat, and clothes to wear. If she would just stop lying he wouldn’t become so angry. If she would simply take care of the simple things the monster within him wouldn’t release his punishment. Daryl needs Katie to understand she is his world. She belongs to him.… (mais)