Natural Beauty - #TankaTuesday #bussokuseki #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity #nationalparks @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! I'm back from my hiking road trip. It was absolutely amazing! My son and I visited seven states [Nevada, California, Arizona (driving through), Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana (driving through)], went to six national parks (Yosemite, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone), and hiked over 85 miles! Yes, you read that correctly! LOL! 

We completed many easy and moderate hikes, but we also conquered some strenuous (and even dangerous) hikes. We completed Angel's Landing, which is considered one of the deadliest hikes in America (of course, I didn't find this out until after we hiked it). We also completed the Narrows, which took us ten hours to do since it was mostly in shallow water with slippery rocks. 

The different landscapes were gorgeous, and the peace that surrounded us was incredible! Temperatures ranged from 37 degrees (during a sunrise hike where I froze my butt off) to 110 degrees of dry heat in Vegas. My favorite park was probably Grand Teton because the smell of evergreen was so strong, the sounds of the streams and birds were relaxing, and the beautiful sights were mesmerizing. I took hundreds of pictures and will post more on my IG/FB pages later, but here are a few pictures from our trip:

Vernal Fall at Yosemite National Park

Crooks Meadow with Yosemite Falls at Yosemite National Park

On top of Angel's Landing at Zion National Park

View from above Angel's Landing at Zion National Park

The Narrows at Zion National Park

Big Springs in the Narrows at Zion National Park

Bryce Point at Bryce Canyon National Park

Natural Bridge at Bryce Canyon National Park

Thor's Hammer at Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Delicate Arch at Arches National Park

Double Arch at Arches National Park

Grand Teton/Jenny Lake at Grand Teton National Park

Hidden Falls at Grand Teton National Park

Cascade Canyon Trail at Grand Teton National Park (my son)

Sunrise at Schwabacher Landing at Grand Teton National Park

Leigh Lake at Grand Teton National Park

Geothermal Pool at Yellowstone National Park

River at Yellowstone National Park

I missed a lot of poetry challenges while I was gone. I detached from social media and technology as much as I could during this trip, so this is my first poetry challenge in a while. Colleen invites us at #TankaTuesday to write a bussokuseki, which is a tanka poem with an extra line of seven syllables at the end. I've chosen to write about my experiences in the national parks.

Natural Beauty

rich evergreen smells

permeate the summer breeze

thunderous falls roar

still lakes mirror grand mountains

huge rock forms create wonder

our world is so beautiful

Would you like to write a poem for this prompt? Join us here.

June 2026 Book Reviews #bookreview #books #amreading #readingcommunity #magic #werewolves #romance @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! It's been another great month of reading! While I am currently hiking somewhere in Bryce Canyon National Park, I scheduled this to be released today for the month of June. I'll share my hiking adventures when I return. In the meantime, enjoy these book reviews. :-)

The Magician's Diary (Glass and Steele Book Four)

by C.J. Archer

Genre: Historical Fantasy

Pages: 338 pages

Book Blurb:

India and Matt thought all their problems would come to an end once they found Chronos. But the watch magician brings with him as many questions as answers, and a load of trouble. To fix Matt's magic watch, they must find an old diary that once belonged to a doctor magician murdered decades ago. The hunt drags them into a sordid mystery involving two of London's craft guilds. With old and new enemies determined to stop them, and long-held secrets unearthed, Matt and India must work together better than ever.

But as the reason for India's strangely strong magic is revealed, she wants to draw other magicians into the open, while Matt wants to hide magic to keep her safe.

Her plan backfires. His plan shatters. And danger comes to their door.

My Review:

This was another great addition to the series. India finally meets her grandfather and learns a bit more about her magic. Meanwhile, Matt and India try to solve the murder of a magical doctor, which puts their lives in danger again. Through it all, India continues to try to resist her attraction toward Matt while Matt makes it clear he has no plans of letting her go.

I love the slow pace of these books because it allows everything to develop sweetly. Their crime-solving adventures are always fun to read. The author's ability to weave in clues to solve the mystery is fantastic. I've already downloaded the next book! I'm loving this series! :-)

Thirty Day Boyfriend

by Whitney G.

Genre: Erotic Romance

Pages: 154

Book Blurb:

I should've never agreed to this arrangement...

Thirty days ago, my boss--Mr. Wolf of Wall Street--came to me with an offer I couldn't refuse: Sign my name on the dotted line and pretend to be his fiancée for one month. If I agreed, he would let me out of my employment contract with a "very generous" severance package.

The rules were pretty simple: No intimate kissing, no actual sex. Just pretend to love each other for the press, even though I've secretly wanted to knock that sexy smirk off his face since the first day we met.

I definitely didn't need to think twice about this. I signed my name and started counting down the seconds to when I would never have to deal with his special brand of a**-holery again.

I only made it to one minute...

We argued the entire four-hour flight to his hometown, failed to make a convincing impression with the welcoming press, and right when I was about to knock that arrogant look off his face in real life? He purposely dropped his bath towel in front of me, distracting me with his nine-inch cock to "show me who the bigger person was" in our relationship. Then he gave me his trademark smirk once again and asked if I wanted to consummate our marriage.

Tragically, this is only day one.

We still have 29 more days to go...

My Review:

This was a great story! Although it's listed as erotica, it didn't fit into that category for me. Yes, there was sex, but it wasn't graphic. Emily and Nicholas had a professional relationship - he as her boss and she as his executive assistant. Emily did everything she could to fight her attraction, but when Nicholas bribes her into a fake engagement, her resolve is tested. 

As always, this author is queen of banter. I loved the characters' interactions and the sarcasm they threw at each other. I loved that they were both strong characters and still had moments of awkwardness. And the ending was awesome! I definitely recommend this short story.

The Moonblood Empire (Book One: The Alpha's Secret)

by Elena Hart

Genre: Romantic Fantasy

Pages: 316

Book Blurb:

She was never meant to survive. He was never meant to trust her. Together, they may destroy the world that tried to control them.

Selena Vale has spent her life hiding from a past written in blood, secrets, and buried power. But when the truth about her family resurfaces, she discovers she is more than a lost heir — she is an Alpha of a forgotten bloodline.

Adrian Blackwood is dangerous, powerful, and everything Selena should hate. A ruthless Alpha, a billionaire, and the leader of the enemy pack, he has built his life on control. But the moment Selena enters his world, ancient forces awaken, and the line between enemy and ally begins to break.

As the Silver Council hunts them, old betrayals rise from the shadows, and forbidden magic binds Selena and Adrian together in a way neither of them can deny. Their connection could save both their packs — or become the weapon that destroys them.

To uncover the secret of her blood, Selena must claim her power, face the truth about her family, and decide whether trusting Adrian is her greatest mistake… or her only chance to survive.

The Moonblood Empire: Book One — The Alpha’s Secret is a dark paranormal romance filled with werewolf packs, forbidden attraction, ancient secrets, betrayal, powerful Alphas, and a slow-burn bond that could change everything.

My Review:

This was a new author for me, but the story sounded interesting, so I gave it a chance. The story was great! It starts with a prologue that immediately draws you in and helps you understand why Selena wants revenge against those who made her lose her parents and her pack. Ten years later, she is set to enact that revenge until she realizes what she believes to be true was built on lies and secrets. When Selena and Adrian realize that they are just tools toward releasing an ancient weapon, they choose to put aside their own issues to fight together.

The plot moves easily from one problem to the next. The author does a great job with character development and drawing the reader in. The only real issue I had was that the author does not use quotation marks for dialogue, which was really annoying at the beginning. I eventually got used to it, but it was sometimes difficult to tell who was saying what. Still, the story kept me enthralled and I loved the bond that grew between Adrian and Selena. This is book one in a series, but it also could be read as a standalone story.

My Totally Unfair Deal

by Whitney G.

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Pages: 217 

Book Blurb:

Eliza Hart doesn't do heels, small talk, or sitting still—especially not for some uptight finance bro in a three-piece suit.

But when her brother ropes her into a crash course in “ladylike behavior” to help land the deals that could save their crumbling family business, she finds herself stuck in Manhattan with the cockiest bastard on earth: Harrison Jones.

Polished, smug, and irritatingly hot, Harrison owes her brother a favor—and apparently, that favor includes turning Eliza into Manhattan's newest social darling.

But in between champagne toasts, disastrous dinner parties, and one very memorable wardrobe malfunction, their love-hate banter turns into heat neither of them can ignore.

And in Harrison's sleek Manhattan penthouse, the only thing more dangerous than the high heels… is the sexual tension.

Eight weeks. One uptight gentleman. One hot mess.
What could possibly go wrong?

My Review:

I loved this story. Eliza and Harrison's characters are so well-developed. Their banter and the way try to deny their attraction was fantastic. I loved Eliza's transformation and how she still stayed true to herself throughout the whole story. And I really loved the slow revelation of Harrison's story and his coming undone at the end. This author is becoming a favorite of mine because of her ability to create sexy stories that tug at the heartstrings in such a fun way. :-)

Crescent Kingdom (Wolves of Crescent Creek, Book 1)

by Tessa Hale

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Pages: 242

Book Blurb:

Never stop running. And no matter what, never let the world know who you really are.

I’ve spent my whole life hiding. Training. Preparing. Hoping that no one will discover my secrets. What I can do. Who I am. And I’ve gotten so good at it, sometimes even I forget.

Until them.

The wolf pack with a ruthless reputation and a penchant for revenge. The protective fighter. The charming Brit. The shy hacker. The silent mercenary. The cruel assassin.

They see more than anyone ever has before. And even with demons of their own, they give me sanctuary. A place to hide, to rest, and maybe even a place to belong.

Only it turns into so much more. Because when they touch me, everything around me ignites, and nothing matters but them.
But these wolves have secrets. And those secrets bring enemies. And when they find out who I really am?

It’s not their enemies I need to fear. It’s them.

My Review:

I loved this book! I was drawn in from the very beginning. The chapters are told from different characters' points of view, which really helped to solidify their distinct personalities, and I loved every one of them. I loved that Wren is scarred and scared but still a total badass, independent woman who is resilient and strong. That is, until she meets the five werewolves who turn her life upside down and make her want a pack again.

The author's writing is fantastic, and she easily sets a pace that keeps the plot going without revealing too much too soon. And I loved the cliffhanger at the end! Not only will I keep reading this series, but I have a feeling I'll be reading more books from this author as well. I definitely recommend it!

The Convent's Secret (Glass and Steele, Book 5)

by C.J.Archer

Genre: Historical Fantasy

Pages: 270

Book Blurb:

To find the one man who can fix the magic in Matt’s watch, he and India are led to a convent where the nuns will do anything to keep their secrets private. Including murder? Matt and India must uncover the truth behind the disappearance of the mother superior and two babies given to her care many years ago. But sometimes, the truth is painful and its exposure can have deadly consequences.

With his magic watch slowing down, Matt needs all the help India and his friends can offer before time runs out. But his nemesis will do anything to bring about his downfall, including rock Matt’s family with a scandal that can ruin them, and Matt and India’s chance of happiness.

My Review:

This was another great addition to the series. Matt and India continued to follow the only lead they had to find a doctor magician. Meanwhile, Payne is following their every move, intent on destroying Matt. As if that isn't enough to deal with, Matt's family is intent on forcing him to marry one of his cousins. Each move forward creates another obstacle.

I love Matt and India and am frustrated that everyone else will not just leave them alone. Lol! This author does a great job of weaving an entertaining story and keeping the reader on the edge of his/her seat. I'm already looking forward to reading the next one. :-)

The Ink Master's Silence (Glass and Steele, Book 6)

by C.J. Archer

Genre: Historical Fantasy

Pages: 272

Book Blurb:

It should be a happy time for India and Matt, but forces beyond their control conspire to ruin their future. A distraction from their troubles comes in the form of murder.

When the editor of The Weekly Gazette is killed, controversial journalist and ink magician Oscar Barratt asks India and Matt to investigate. As the recipient of threatening letters written on magic paper, he believes he was the intended target. With suspects ranging from Oscar’s brother to guild masters and London’s elite, India and Matt have a lot of investigating to do.

But the more they dig, the more dark secrets they uncover. Secrets that involve blackmail and an exclusive club of magic collectors who want to preserve the value of their collections. When one of the secrets can give India and Matt the future they desire, will they give in to blackmail or sacrifice their happiness?

My Review:

India and Matt continue to struggle with Matt's family blackmailing him to marry Patience, his cousin. Matt is determined to find a way out of the marriage or flee the country with India, if necessary. While trying to figure that out, Matt and India are presented with a case from Oscar Barratt, whose boss has just been killed. He thinks he was the intended target and begs Matt and India to find the murderer before he comes after Oscar.

Their discovery unveils a hidden world of collectors of magical objects, all enthralled with India. In fact, India gets attention from a lot of  suitors once Matt's engagement becomes public knowledge. When Matt's family moves up the wedding, India turns to desperate measures to hold on to Matt. While Matt and India solve the murder case, India may have just set herself up for more troubles in the future.

This was another great book in the series. I am fully invested in these characters and can't wait to see what happens next! :-)

Eclipsed Empire (The Wolves of Crescent Creek Book 2)

by Tessa Hale

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Pages: 248

Book Blurb:

One secret tore my life apart. It sent me running from the place I thought I would be safe, right into the path of untold enemies.
But when my life is in danger, the wolves I thought I’d lost for good are the ones who come for me. And they’ll burn down the world to keep me safe—even if none of us trusts each other anymore.

With every moment we’re forced together, every whispered apology and stolen touch, my resolve to keep them at a distance weakens. And when I realize just how much each of these men has come to mean to me, that resolve crumbles to dust.

Only there are more secrets to uncover—all our pasts lurking in the shadows. And when the monsters emerge from the darkness, there’s no escaping them this time…

My Review:

Poor Wren! She has been put through so much torture, but she refuses to die. After being kidnapped and abused for weeks, Wren is finally rescued by her five mates. And while her body began to recover, Wren struggled with accepting her mates back after they had doubted her. Well, Locke and Puck had never wavered and were the first to be embraced again. The others took longer to forgive and accept, but eventually, she did, especially after her father found her and threatened her life. Just when she thinks she might have a chance at a normal life, Wren's life is turned upside down by the person she fears the most.

This was a great book! I love each of the five mates and what they bring into Wren's life. The author has a great way of drawing the reader in and holding on to them through every scene. I'm looking forward to the next book already!

Have you read any great books this month? I'd love to hear from you.

Hiking Road Trip Begins Now! :-)

Hello, beautiful readers! My son and I leave for our 2.5-week hiking road trip today. I will be disconnecting from technology as much as possible, though I may post a few pictures on social media. I'll miss the poetry challenges that I normally partake in, but I will definitely write poetry and my new WIP while on the road. I'm looking forward to immersing myself in nature in our beautiful national parks. I'll share highlights once I return.  

Soar High - #W3 #Monotetra #Renondilla #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! There is a large brush fire to the west of me, and it's covered my car in ash. It looks like a hundred birds lost their meals on top of it. Lol! Hopefully, they extinguish the fire soon.

Today, I'm participating in We'ave Written Weekly (W3) Prompt #216. Nancy invites us to write a poem about a time when you soared, stumbled, or did a little of both. We must use a poem with four-line stanzas with eight syllable per line. I decided to write two poems about times when I've soared to new heights, one very innocent and the other...not so much. ;-) 

She listed several examples for 8x4 poems, and I chose to use the Monotetra for the first poem. This form has four lines with eight syllables, but the fourth line repeats four syllables to make the eight. For the second poem, I went with a renondilla (or serventesios) which uses a rhyme scheme of abab for the 8x4.

(image courtesy of @Bessi on Pixabay)

heat expands within the trapped dome

balloon rises higher, higher

basket soars in the clear, blue sky

then drifts back down, then drifts back down

(image created with Gemini)

his sexy banter drew me in

his sensual lips weakened knees

his steady thrusts melted within

he knows exactly how to please

Would you like to write a poem for this prompt? Join us here.

Escape from Reality - #dVerse #Quadrille #TankaTuesday #tankaprose #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! I'm sitting in my home office with the window blinds open and just noticed it getting dark. Looking outside, I see the rain clouds have moved in and covered the sun. As I write this, rain drops are decorating my driveway like splattered art. Fortunately, I'm staying indoors today, so I can enjoy this little rain shower. 

I'm making progress on my WIP (work in progress). I'm still in the planning phase. I've sketched out the first few chapters. I'll be taking my draft journal with me on my road trip. I'm hoping to begin typing the chapters when I return.

Today, I'm participating in two poetry challenges. The first comes from dVerse's Quadrille #250 - Mything Poems. De Jackson invites us to write a quadrille (a poem with exactly 44 words) using a form of the word myth. I chose to write an experimental tanka prose.

The second challenge comes from #TankaTuesday where Robbie invites us to write a poem that features a tree. She gives bonus props from including personification, metaphors, or other figurative language in the poem. I was recently watching my author readings on YouTube, so the main character, Sofia, is on my mind. I decided to write about the willow tree in the Diasodz series since it was such a significant part in several of the books. Plus, it's my favorite tree. :-)

(image created with Gemini)

Escape from Reality

Sofia raced to her willow tree. Clutching her newest book, she looked forward to the tranquility. Leaning against the trunk, she opened to page one.

mythical portal

willow branches open arms

perfect hiding place

whistling leaves encourage nap

dreams transport to a new world

Would you like to write a poem for either of these prompts? Click the links below:

dVerse's Quadrille #250 - Mything Poems

#TankaTuesday

The Breakup - #W3 #haibun #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! It's a beautiful day in sunny South Florida, and I am thoroughly enjoying my summer vacation. Waking up without an alarm makes every morning a beautiful start to the day. Lol! 

Today, I am participating in Wea've Written Weekly (W3) Prompt #215. Artie invites us to use one of the following lines as a starting point for our poem. We don't necessarily need to use the quote, but it should guide us in writing our poem. Here are his two inspirations:

• "my delicious walk in the rain"
• "what is it that music is trying to say" 

I chose to write a fictional haibun for this prompt, using the first quote as inspiration.

(image created with Google AI Mode)

The Breakup

As I walked away from my five-year toxic relationship, I felt my heart crack in two as the first drop of rain hit my face. Thunder grumbled overhead as the first lightning sizzled through the sky. I had not the energy nor the desire to seek shelter. My world was shattering along with the sky, and I let the rain soak me to my core. I knew I had made the right choice in breaking up, but it did not ease the pain of losing what had become my normal or the fear of starting over. Still, I had finally found the strength to leave, and I would not go back. I stopped walking and raised my face to the sky, closing my eyes and feeling each rain drop soak me to my core. It washed over me, through me, cleansing me of the hurt, pain, anger, anxiety, and insecurity that had consumed my life for too long. My tears joined with the rain, first slowly, then like a waterfall, as if the damn that had been holding it all in finally fell away. I screamed as the next thunder clapped above me, screamed until I began to laugh through my sobs. It was over. I was free. I. Was. Free. I raised my hands to the threatening sky and twirled, smiling and embracing the rain. I had overcome my worst storm, and it had not destroyed me. Nothing ever would.

a torrential storm

a cleansing of settled grime

beauty shines again

Would you like to write a poem for this prompt? Join us here.

Our Summer Vacation - #TankaTuesday #tankaprose #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! I am hosting this week at #TankaTuesday, and with the beginning of summer, I decided we should focus on vacations. I've decided to write a tanka prose for this prompt.

(image created with Google AI)

Our Summer Vacation

Every year, my son and I take a summer vacation. Sometimes, it's a cruise. Other times, it's a road trip. With him now in college, these trips are even more special to me. This year, I let my son decide what he wanted to do for our summer experience, and he chose a hiking road trip. He selected five national parks to explore: Yosemite, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, and Grand Teton. We will spend two to three days hiking the various terrains of each park. As a nature lover, this made my heart soar! Two and a half weeks of just nature, my son, and me! I can't wait! (Now, let's hope I come back in one piece!😁)

summer wanderer

seeking peace and joy in parks

avid explorer

deserts, mountains, waterfalls

making special memories

Would you like to write a poem about your favorite type of vacation? Join us here.

Nature Survives - #FFFC #haiku #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! It's a beautiful day here in South Florida. Unfortunately, I cannot take advantage of it at the beach because it is overrun with smelly seaweed. I've started planning my next novel. I am going to try to write a little bit every day this summer. The story is clear in my head. Now, it's time to get it on paper (screen...lol!).

Today, I'm participating in Melissa's Fandango Flash Fiction Challenge #376. She shares the image below and asks us to let it inspire us. My eyes were drawn to the lichen (or what I think is lichen) growing on the stop sign. For some weird reason, that reminded me of the COVID year when we were all stuck inside. So, I wrote the haiku below.

(image courtesy of Jonathan Cooper on Unsplash)

when the world stands still

nature makes a resurgence

life rejuvenates

Would you like to write a poem for this image? Join us here.

Sunflowers - #TankaTuesday #haiku #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! School's out for summer! My alarms are turned off, and I am ready to enjoy the next two months. I have a road trip planned for a little later this month, and I will begin writing my next novel next week. Other than that, I will be resting, relaxing, spending time with friends, and writing poetry. At least, those are the plans. :-)

Today, I am participating in this week's #TankaTuesday poetry challenge where Colleen invites us to use at least two yellow things in our poem without using the word yellow. I chose to write a haiku. I've bolded and italicized my words.

(image courtesy of @niki_emmert on Pixabay)

sun rises in east

sunflowers rotate with light

darkness has no strength

Would you like to write a poem for this prompt? Join us here.

Odd Companions - #W3 #TankaTuesday #FFFC #poem #cinquain #haiku #poetry #poetrycommunity @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! It's been another busy but fun week. Last night, I went with a friend to listen to Tristan McIntosh, a 2015 American Idol finalist, in her show called the Linda Ronstadt experience. She's also the sister of one of the Cosmic Chili Peppers. We had met her last weekend in Nashville, so it was great watching her in her element. Afterward, we went to a 70/80s bar and danced the night away with her. Great night! 

Today, I am combining three prompts. The first comes from Wea've Written Weekly (W3) Prompt #213. Reena invites us to combine one Western poetic form with one Japanese poetic form. I've chosen to combine a cinquain with a haiku. A cinquain has a syllabic pattern of 2-4-6-8-2, and a haiku has a syllabic pattern of 5-7-5.

The other poetry challenge comes from #TankaTuesday, where Melissa invites us to write a haiku. She asks us to be a little edgy or offbeat and have fun with the haiku.

The last prompt came from Melissa's Fandango Flash Fiction Challenge #374. Melissa provided us with the photo below and asked us to let it inspire us.

(image courtesy of @PhilipVeater)

Odd Companions

free ride

easy living

odd travel companions

a locust and bearded dragon

best friends

camouflaged partner

hoping to not be eaten

by his hungry ride

Would you like to write about any of these prompts? Click the links below:

Wea've Written Weekly (W3) Prompt #213

#TankaTuesday

Melissa's Fandango Flash Fiction Challenge #374