December 2025 Book Reviews #bookreview #books #amreading #readingcommunity #dragons #Christmas #paranormal #fantasy @PTLPerrin @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! I've had a wonderful month of reading! I also finally kept my promise to release my latest novel, The One Redeemed, this month. I've got a few story ideas floating in my head. I'm just waiting for one of them to connect with my muse. My son is home again for the holidays, and I am thoroughly enjoying my time with him. I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays and has a wonderful New Year celebration tonight. Here are my reviews for this month:

Dominion: Dragon Guild Book 3

by PTL Perrin

Genre: Teen & Young Adult Magical Realism

Pages: 440

Book Blurb:

While the Dragon Guild battles dark forces obsessed with utter dominion, Gabri and Makani must first protect Gabri’s younger brother, in danger of becoming a primary target. Alex and his dragon, Tito, have a plan. Those around him believe he is a defenseless little boy, but Alex and Tito disagree.

As tensions rise, and Gabri, Elio, and their dragons prepare for battle, Alex and Tito embark on a daring mission to rescue Phoenix, a dragon caught in the crossfire of a sinister plot.

Treacherous challenges await the Dragon Guild as they harness their unique abilities and forge alliances to secure the safety of their loved ones and the future of their planet. Will courage and determination be enough to overcome the darkness threatening to engulf them? Will Gabri lose her little brother in their fight to regain dominion over their world?

My Review:

I absolutely love this series! This final book of the trilogy was awesome! I loved how the characters bonded with their dragons and their Aracai. The pace of the book was great and allowed for new characters to be developed before the final battle. 

The author's creativity really shines in this book. Ozul, Katzir, and Kierra are excellent antagonist, each creating their own form of chaos to satisfy their greedy needs. The solutions created to protect the dragons and riders were brilliant. The emotions run strong in this book, and I teared up many times throughout the story, especially toward the end. I also loved how Gabri's premonition from book one took on a whole new meaning at the end of this story.

And while all battles have death and destruction, the author poured love and grace into her battles as well. I absolutely recommend this book (and the whole series) to everyone!

The Christmas Dress

by Courtney Cole

Genre: Holiday Fiction

Pages: 347

Book Blurb:

An enchanted Christmas dress brings two generations of women together for the magic of the season in this delightful holiday story from New York Times bestselling author Courtney Cole.

One Dress. Two Women. The Magic of the Holiday Season.

When hopeful fashionista Meg Julliard must return to her hometown of Chicago to manage her late father’s apartment building, she thinks her dreams of making it in the fashion business are over. Add in her father’s eclectic roster of tenants who all need Meg’s attention (ASAP!), a host of building related disasters, and a handsome handyman she keeps embarrassing herself in front of, and this has all the makings for the worst Christmas she’s ever had.

Ellie Wade, one of the building’s longtime residents, is also not feeling the Christmas Joy this year. She is preparing to move into a nursing home (reluctantly), and is in the process of sorting through her belongings to downsize. Every corner of her apartment holds memories, some good, some bad. But there’s one dress she hesitates to pack up as it represents both the best and worst night of her life.

Ellie and Meg strike up an unlikely friendship and the story of Ellie’s dress comes out. Ellie gifts the gorgeous dress to Meg, hoping that it will bring her more luck, on the condition that she wear it to the building’s Christmas party.

The dress magically fits, and while it eventually leads to the best night of Meg’s life, it also acts as inspiration for Meg to follow a life-long dream of her own, a dream that will help save the crumbling Parkview West, and restore it to its former glory, and keep it as a safe home for all of the current tenants.

The dress and the magic of the holiday season helps both Meg and Ellie find their own happy endings.

My Review:

When my book club chose this book as our next read and I read the blurb, I wasn't so sure I'd like it. The idea of one of the residents leaving to a nursing home just didn't sound very cheerful. It had great ratings, so I held my judgment, and I'm so glad I did. This was such a cute story.

Meg inherits a dilapidated apartment building when her father passes, so she gives up her job and her dreams of becoming a fashion designer to take over the building. Once she gets there, she realizes everything is falling apart and there's no money to fix anything. Luckily, the people living there are wonderful and help lift her spirits, especially Ellie and Logan...and eventually Sylvie. With the help of her newfound friends, Meg comes up with a way to save the building and perhaps keep her dream alive to become a fashion designer. With a little bit of luck (or magic), she might just find a way to enjoy Christmas.

I really enjoyed this story and its ending. It does need a bit more editing. There were a lot of sentences that could have been combined to make paragraphs to help the reading go a bit more smoothly. And there were some formatting issues with the text messages. For a regular reader, that may not even be noticeable, but since I help authors edit their stories, those things stick out to me. Still, it's a heartwarming story that definitely should be enjoyed during this season.

Miracles & Ghosts Past: A Christmas Collection Two

by D.L. Finn

Genre: Holiday Fiction

Pages: 128

Book Blurb:

Miracles saturate the sweet-scented Christmas season-a reminder we aren't alone.

Miracles & Ghosts Past: A Christmas Collection brings eight stories from past holidays. Rita buys train tickets for her and Morris's 30th anniversary in the novelette, "The Christmas Train Mystery."She's convinced this trip will bring her and Morris closer-if he can find the time. A murder mystery excursion will change Rita's life in more ways than one, but will she go with her workaholic husband or by herself? In the first short story, "Christmas Rescue," Opal trusts the wrong man and loses her mother in the same year, leaving her feeling lost. On a mission to get candles for the dinner table, she makes an unexpected find. "Is There a Santa?" goes back to the 1920s, where a widower is desperate to hold on to his farm and children. He doesn't want charity, just a bit of luck or a miracle. In the final stories, you'll meet an eleven-year-old who's home alone, a family living in the aftermath of war, a girl who gets some shocking news, a widow with a warning from beyond, and a woman trapped on an elevator with Santa. Hope underlies these stories; it endures even in the direst of circumstances. Whether help comes from a ghost, Santa, or an angel, miracles are just within reach.

My Review:

This was such a wonderful collection of holiday short stories. D.L. Finn never disappoints with her ability to weave heartbreak with holiday miracles. I read her first collection of holiday short stories and loved them, and this collection was just as great. I don't tend to enjoy historical fiction, but this author finds a way to make me love every story no matter which decade they take place in. From ghosts saving their loved ones from tragedy to heartfelt kindness of strangers, these stories tugged at my heart strings. If you enjoy holiday stories with a paranormal twist, you will love each of these! :-)

Sunflower Tanka: A 2025 Anthology of Tanka, Tanka Prose, & Experimental Tanka

by Colleen M Chesebro and Robbie Cheadle

Genre: Motivational and Inspirational Poetry

Pages: 172

Book Blurb:

Sunflower Tanka, edited by Robbie Cheadle and Colleen M. Chesebro, is an annual anthology showcasing contemporary tanka, tanka prose, and experimental tanka. Each volume brings together a vibrant tapestry of voices—both emerging and established—from across the globe.

For 2025, our theme “Dreams” invites poets to explore the symbolic language of dreaming, where metaphors blur the line between reality and imagination. Dreams often serve as gateways to layered meaning, offering fertile ground for syllabic poetry.

This year’s contributors journeyed deep into their dreamscapes, opening portals to boundless creativity. Through the timeless form of syllabic verse, they captured visions that transcend waking life, weaving poetry that resonates with mystery, wonder, and the infinite possibilities of the human imagination.

My Review:

This was such a beautiful book of poetry. I read the first edition and loved it. This collection was incredibly wonderful. There were so many different poets, and I loved how each one interpreted the theme of dreams just a bit differently. I also love the variety of formats. I especially loved the tanka prose and the garland tankas, most likely because they weave a story through the poem. I also love the taiga poems within this collection. This anthology includes poets from all over the world, uniting voices through poetry. At the end, the two poets who created the book highlighted their favorites and explained why those poems were chosen. Truly, this is a gorgeous book of poetry, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the beauty of the written word. :-)

Have you read any great books lately? I'd love to hear from you. :-)

Transformational Journey - #newyearsresolution #TankaTuesday #choka #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! As we end the new year, I want to wish you all a happy new year. This week's #TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge focuses on writing a poem about new year's resolutions. I don't really make resolutions. I prefer to create intentions - goals I strive toward. Resolutions are just too rigid, and the pressure to break them doesn't help my anxiety. Intentions allow for progress over perfection, which is more my style. For this week's challenge, I chose to write a choka with a syllabication pattern of 5-7-7-5-7-5-7-7-7.

(courtesy of @Bru-nO on Pixabay)

a new year has come

see past experiences

as important lessons learned

make new intentions

focus on healthy lifestyle

embrace new choices

create special memories

gratitude and grace are key

transformational journey

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

Danger on the Commode - #FFFC #senryu #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! I hope those of you who celebrate had a wonderful Christmas. I enjoyed spending time with my family. My parents came into town, and I treasure the moments I get to spend with them.

Today, I'm participating in Melissa's Fandango Flash Fiction challenge. My mind went toward a bit a dark humor when I saw the photo. I just couldn't help myself. I hope you enjoy my senryu.

(image courtesy of cottonbro studio)

toxic expulsion

last night's meal did not sit well

everyone steer clear

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

Family Christmas - #TankaTuesday #Christmas #bussokusekika #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! And happy holidays to you all! Tonight is Noche Buena for my family. It means the good night in Spanish, and it is our tradition to celebrate Christmas with the whole family on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day is for the immediate family and children. So, tonight, my son and I will join my parents at my sister's house. We celebrate with traditionally Hispanic foods: churrasco (skirt steak), rice, beans, yucca, and plantains. We will play board games and enjoy each other's company throughout the night. However you enjoy your holiday, I wish you a space filled with love and laughter.

Today, I am participating in the #TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge. Robbie invites us to write a poem about how we celebrate the holidays and incorporate the senses into the poem. I chose to write a bussokusekika, which consists of six lines with a syllabication pattern of 5-7-5-7-7-7.

(pictures from last year's Noche Buena)

Family Christmas

uncontrolled laughter

grilled, sizzling churrasco

lit balsam candle

furry Santa hat on head

holiday celebrations

fond memories made with love

Would you like to write a poem about your holiday celebration? Join us here.

The One Redeemed Blog Tour - Stop Five @PTLPerrin #writingcommunity #newrelease #Diasodz #paranormal #fantasy @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! Today is day five of The One Redeemed's blog tour. I started this blog tour with one of my fabulous critique partners and am so grateful to end this tour with my other amazing critique partner, PTL Perrin. Patty is such a talented author, especially in the fantasy realm. I have read every book she's ever written and have loved them all!

Before you check out her post, I'd like to share one of book one of her newest fantasy series with you. Click on the book cover or title for the link.

Link for the blog tour is at the end.

Sanctum: Dragon Guild Book 1

by PTL Perrin

My 5-Star Review:

I loved this story! I first met Gabri, the main character, as a baby in the Tetrasphere series, where she and her mother helped save Terra, their planet, from exploding. This series begins when Gabri is almost sixteen, making this a completely new story. Some of the characters from the Tetrasphere series are in this story, but the focus of the story is Gabri. She begins having nightmarish visions of a shadow that calls her world destroyer. At first, she's transported through her dreams to the Shadow's world, but he then kidnaps her, locks her in a tower, and mutes her powers to communicate with her family.

Luckily, Gabri is rescued by others who live on the planet called Sanctum. While her family desperately searches for a way to locate her, Gabri is introduced to a completely new world, one in which she bonds with a dragon and an Aracai. Sanctum's time runs twice as fast as Terra's, and before she knows it, Gabri is bonding with more than just her bondmates. Unfortunately, the Shadow is not done with her, and danger finds her again.

This book is fantastic! The author is a queen of imagery and creating characters that are unique and well-developed. And I absolutely LOVE the dragons! I would definitely recommend this story to anyone who enjoys colorful worlds, dragons, magical powers, and great storytelling. :-)

The One Redeemed

Blog Tour Schedule

• 12/10 - D.L. Finn
• 12/11 - Colleen M. Chesebro
• 12/16 - Robbie Cheadle
• 12/18 - Jules Paige
• 12/22 - PTL Perrin

The One Redeemed Blog Tour - Bonus Stop @sgc58 #writingcommunity #newrelease #Diasodz #paranormal #fantasy @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! Although this is technically not a part of my blog tour, Sally Cronin has been kind enough to share The One Redeemed on her site today. I do not know anyone who is more supportive or more dedicated to promoting other authors. She's amazing, and I'm so grateful for her.

Sally is both an author and a poet. She's written nonfiction and fiction. She is also an avid blogger who focuses on promoting authors as well as sharing humor, music, nutrition, and so much more! You can visit her blog here. I highly recommend you subscribe.

Before you check out her post at this link, I'd like to share one of her books with you. She also shares chapters of her older books on her blog, so visit it and enjoy her writing. Click on the book cover or title for the link.

Links for the actual blog tour is at the end.

Life is Like a Mosaic: Random Fragments in Harmony

by Sally Cronin

My 5-Star Review:

I absolutely loved this collection of poems. Not only was each poem accompanied by a stunning picture, it was also written to reach into the soul and permeate slowly. Many of the poems are written in syllabic poetry forms such as the butterfly cinquain and the Etheree. The poet is concise with her words while choosing powerful imagery to stir emotions and connection.

Some of my favorite poems were Our Legacy, Advancing Years, Sunflower Seeds, The Air, The Beacon, Hope, On the Wind, Birthdays, Is it time?, The Sunflower poems, The Future?, Life's Progression... Honestly, I could list them all. Some are layered with humor; others touch upon profound concepts that make one pause and ponder. All of them are beautiful works of art. If you enjoy poetry that makes your soul smile, I definitely recommend this book.

The One Redeemed

Blog Tour Schedule

• 12/10 - D.L. Finn
• 12/11 - Colleen M. Chesebro
• 12/16 - Robbie Cheadle
• 12/18 - Jules Paige
• 12/22 - PTL Perrin

The One Redeemed Blog Tour - Stop Four #JulesPaige #writingcommunity #newrelease #Diasodz #paranormal #fantasy @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! Today is day four of The One Redeemed's blog tour. Jules Paige has honored me with hosting me on her blog today. She is a wonderful poet and a supportive blogger. I met her through our online poetry community and am so happy that I did. 

Before you check out her post, I'd like to share one of the poetry books that contain some of her beautiful poetry. If you haven't read poetry yet, I encourage you to do so! You can visit her blog here to read more of them. Click on the book cover or title for the link.

Link for the blog tour is at the end.

Sunflower Tanka: An Anthology of Tanka, Tanka Prose, & Experimental Tanka

by Colleen M Chesebro, Robbie Cheadle, and multiple contributors (including Jules Paige)

My 5-Star Review:

This anthology of poetry is so beautiful! From the cover to the words within, everything exudes light and hope. The book is comprised of works from poets across the world, bringing together different perspectives from different cultures. It is organized by the poet's name, so you are able to read the poems from one poet at a time. The beginning explains why the two editors, Robbie Cheadle and Colleen Chesebro, chose this theme and the tanka variations for the anthology. They also highlighted one poem from each type of tanka poem, and I was honored to see one of my poems listed there. At the end, there are links for the readers to find more works from the poets, which I found to be a nice touch.

I had SO many favorites. Many poems made my heart feel lighter. I found myself smiling, reflecting, and connecting throughout the entire book. Some of the poets whose words I really connect with are Melissa Davilio, Tamiko Dooley, Chris Hall, Marsha Ingrao, Jules Paige, Brenda Marie, Selma Martin, Michelle Ayon Navajas, D. Wallace Peach, Gwen M. Plano, Jennifer Russo, Reena Saxena, and Nicole Smith. Like I said, I loved all the poetry in this book.

As it's an annual anthology, I look forward to reading the next edition. If you enjoy reading poetry and finding moments to sit in reflection and gratitude, I highly recommend this book!

The One Redeemed

Blog Tour Schedule

• 12/10 - D.L. Finn
• 12/11 - Colleen M. Chesebro
• 12/16 - Robbie Cheadle
• 12/18 - Jules Paige
• 12/22 - PTL Perrin

The One Redeemed Blog Tour - Stop Three @robbiecheadle.bsky.social #writingcommunity #newrelease #Diasodz #paranormal #fantasy @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! Today is day three of The One Redeemed's blog tour. Robbie Cheadle has graciously agreed to host me on her wonderful blog today. She is a woman of many talents. She is an author and a poet as well as an artist and an extremely talented baker. 

Before you check out her post, I'd like to share one of her many books with you. If you haven't read her stories or poetry yet, I encourage you to do so! Click on the book cover or title for the link.

Link for the blog tour is at the end.

Something Fancy: A Winter Wonderland and Celebration Book One

by Robbie Cheadle

Here is a 5-Star Review by author Pete Springer:

I have followed multi-talented author Robbie Cheadle's blog for several years now, and she never ceases to amaze me. This short but lovely holiday book is a conglomeration of Cheadle's varied talents. While a large part of the book features many recipes and the author's amazing gingerbread houses, pies, and cake decorations, specializing in her fondant characters, there is a sprinkling of so much more. Embedded links to YouTube videos are included throughout her recipes and descriptions providing step-by-step visual aids.

I already knew that Cheadle had an interest in history, so I wasn't surprised when several of her descriptions gave the historical context of the origins of some of the holiday traditions many of us follow. Her recipes are clear and easy to follow, though like any good cook/baker, she enjoys tweaking the recipes through experimentation. Another talent Cheadle possesses is her creative poetry, which she sporadically includes throughout.

I particularly was fascinated by her creative construction in her edible gingerbread houses. She skillfully uses icing bags to hold many of the parts together which she demonstrates in videos with her son, Michael. Cheadle and her son have created several fondant characters that they include in their sweet Sir Chocolate rhyming book series.

The One Redeemed

Blog Tour Schedule

• 12/10 - D.L. Finn
• 12/11 - Colleen M. Chesebro
• 12/16 - Robbie Cheadle
• 12/18 - Jules Paige
• 12/22 - PTL Perrin

Holiday Stress - #WDYS #tanka #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! For those of you who don't know, my newest release is having a book blog tour. It started last week and will continue next week. If you'd like to check out my newest book, click here.

After returning from the beach today, I took some time to write a poem for Sadje's What Do You See? prompt. I'm quite happy that I don't experience the weather in the photo. I'm not built for cold. Lol! If you've seen my #TankaTuesday post for this week, you know that I am not a fan of gift giving, but this photo just took me in that direction. I decided to write a tanka for this photo.

(Image credit; Deep Doshi @ Unsplash)

stressful holidays

halls decked with winter magic

hustle and bustle

rush to buy last minute gifts

joy on children's face...worth it!

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

The One Redeemed Blog Tour - Stop Two @colleenchesebro.bsky.social #writingcommunity #newrelease #Diasodz #paranormal #fantasy @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! Today is day two of The One Redeemed's blog tour. I am honored that Colleen M. Chesebro, a beautiful author and poet, is sharing her space with me today. Colleen opened a world of syllabic poetry to me. Because of her, I gained an online community of poets.

Before you check out her post, I'd like to share one of her many books with you. If you haven't read her stories or poetry yet, this is a great one to read! Click on the book cover or title for the link.

Link for the blog tour is at the end.

Fairies, Myths, & Magic II: A Winter Celebration

by Colleen M. Chesebro

Here is my review:

I loved the first edition of this book, which focused on the summer solstice, so I was excited about reading this edition that focuses on the winter solstice! It did not disappoint! The author begins by explaining the various yuletide myths through the centuries around the world. Then, she breaks the book into different sections to dive deeper into each of the myths. Each section contains short stories and poetry that reflect upon that myth.

The author shares the research she conducted to make sure her stories were historically founded. It's incredible how many myths were created around Yuletide in cultures around the world. It was also surprising for me to see how many cultures included stories about females within their myths.

I love this author's poetry. She is gifted in capturing the essence of an idea in so few words, especially in her short stories. I loved losing myself in stories about fairies, goddesses, and the fae. While our generation tends to see these as mythical creatures, there was a time when people believed them to be very real.

I also loved that the author included a section at the end about crystals and how to use them (and other Yuletide symbols) to enhance your Yuletide celebrations. If you enjoy poetry and short stories or if you like learning about myths surrounding the holidays, I would definitely recommend this book.

The One Redeemed

Blog Tour Schedule

• 12/10 - D.L. Finn
• 12/11 - Colleen M. Chesebro
• 12/16 - Robbie Cheadle
• 12/18 - Jules Paige
• 12/22 - PTL Perrin

The One Redeemed Blog Tour - Stop One @DLFinnAuthor #writingcommunity #newrelease #Diasodz #paranormal #fantasy @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! Today is the first day of The One Redeemed's blog tour. I am thrilled that my fellow critique partner, D.L. Finn, has kindly offered to start off our tour. She has been so helpful in bringing this story to life, and I appreciate and value her. Before you check out her post, I'd like to share one of her many books with you. If you haven't read her stories yet, this is a great one to read! Click on the book cover or title for the link.

The link for the blog tour is at the end.

Miracles & Ghosts Past: A Christmas Collection Two

by D.L. Finn

My 5-Star Review:

This was such a wonderful collection of holiday short stories. D.L. Finn never disappoints with her ability to weave heartbreak with holiday miracles. I read her first collection of holiday short stories and loved them, and this collection was just as great. I don't tend to enjoy historical fiction, but this author finds a way to make me love every story no matter which decade they take place in. From ghosts saving their loved ones from tragedy to heartfelt kindness of strangers, these stories tugged at my heart strings. If you enjoy holiday stories with a paranormal twist, you will love each of these! :-)

The One Redeemed

Blog Tour Schedule

• 12/10 - D.L. Finn
• 12/11 - Colleen M. Chesebro
• 12/16 - Robbie Cheadle
• 12/18 - Jules Paige
• 12/22 - PTL Perrin

My Most Precious Gift - #TankaTuesday #tanka #poem #gift #poetrycommunity #poetry @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! Today, I am hosting the #TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge. The prompt focuses on the word gift. As you can read over at the #TankaTuesday site, I am not a fan of gift giving or receiving. For most of my adult life, it has caused me anxiety. Instead, I prefer creating an experience where the giver and receiver create memories together. Luckily, my friends and my families love me enough to accept this modification.

The prompt asks for poets to write a poem using either the noun or verb version of gift. I chose to go with the noun version and wrote a tanka.

 

my heart swells with love

from a babe to adulthood

my most precious gift

my caterpillar now flies

sharing his kindness with all

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

The One Redeemed Cover Reveal and Blog Tour #Diasodz #TheOneRedeemed #BlogTour #BookCover #redemption #newrelease @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! I am so happy to share with you all that The One Redeemed has a release date: December 16th! It has taken me eight years to finally finish this story, and I'm really happy with it. Let's start with the book cover. Staying true to the series, the cover focuses on Drake's eye and one of his powers - controlling lava. As this is his redemption story, the new moon felt perfect for this book.

Book Blurb:

Drake had been an agent for chaos, a tyrant who focused only on his desires, even when they hurt those he claimed to love the most. Would dying to protect his daughter redeem him? Or would he spend an eternity reliving his biggest regrets?

Electrifying pain coursed through Drake’s veins as he sacrificed his life to save his daughter. When he becomes conscious again, reality sets in. He is dead. While he is overcome with grief, his mortal enemy, Goddess, offers him a path to redemption. In order to find his way back to his children, he must first revisit his past and atone for his choices. The journey will be brutal, and his outcome is not guaranteed.

Failure is not an option for Drake. He will do anything to get back to his children to make amends for his actions, even if it means sacrificing himself all over again.

To celebrate the release of this book, some of my favorite bloggers have agreed to participate in my blog tour. I hope you will join us on this tour! More details to come soon! :-)

Façade- #FFFC #Abhanga #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! Another busy week for me. I've been working on my book tour that will begin this week (I think...lol!). I'm still putting the final touches on it. So, this is my first time to sit and look at the awesome writing prompts this week. 

I've chosen to go with Melissa's Fandango Flash Fiction Challenge. She provided the beautiful picture below as inspiration. While the vines are gorgeous, the dark indoors pulled my attention. I wrote an Abhanga, which is a poem of four lines with a syllabication package of 6-6-6-4.

(image courtesy of Jon Tyson)

Façade

surrounded by beauty

to hide the hurt within

survival is the goal

do it in style

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

November 2025 Book Reviews #bookreview #books #amreading #readingcommunity #shortstories @KarensStories @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! The sun sets earlier, making the days seem shorter, and my days are so busy that I definitely feel that time has been robbed from my days. Still, I do my best to find time to read. I only made it through one book this month. I thought I'd finish the book I'm currently reading, but I'm not done just yet. I'll review that one next month.

Five Stories Short: A Supernatural Quintet

by Karen Black

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy

Pages: 250

Book Blurb:

Take a supernatural tour with this collection of contemporary fantasy stories. Read with an open mind and you just might begin to wonder if all things could be possible.

Are spirits hovering around us? Do ghosts watch over us? Are your pets communicating telepathically? Can card readers predict the future? Is it possible to see the little people? Do artifacts or fetishes have power? In this collection, the answer to all those questions is yes. But the real question is whether the stories are pure fiction or based on fact.

The Legacy: Lydia is a psychic. When her grandson becomes the catalyst for a spirit's plot to kill his mother, she joins forces with a natural witch to defeat the entity. As a battle rages, Lydia learns she has more power than she'd realized.

Laughing Hills: The little people of Laughing Hills call on centuries of magic to stay safely hidden after their guardian is killed and their entire community is placed in jeopardy.

Mommy, Look: With her husband in a coma, finances tight, and a toddler to raise, Bianca needs help. But when it comes, it's in disguise and is provided by someone she didn't believe existed.

The Ancient Ones: After Brian and Tammy visit an antique shop, their lives are changed by a lion and a raven.

The Last Act: While renovating an old theatre, Carolyn is befriended by Jolene, an actress who haunts the building and who takes their friendship quite seriously.

My Review:

Every single one of these stories were fabulous! They all focus on some kind of paranormal entity, which I loved. Not all of them end with a happy ending. Well, I guess it depends on which character you are rooting for. Lol! Each story is captivating. The characters are well created, even though these stories are short. The plot moved smoothly and kept me wanting to turn the pages. This author is a master storyteller, and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys paranormal stories! :-)

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

Giving Thanks - #TankaTuesday #DoubleEnnead #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity #gratitude #thanksgiving @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! I have had a wonderful week off from work. My son came down from college, and I enjoyed every minute with him. This week, Melissa at #TankaTuesday invited us to write a Double Ennead about what we are grateful for. A Double Ennead consists of three stanzas. Each stanza has five lines with a syllabication pattern of 6-5-11-6-5. 

(courtesy of @Ennaej at Pixabay)

Giving Thanks

open your soul fully

get a glimpse of grace

fluttering butterflies to flowering buds

beauty is all around

waiting to be seen

take a walk through nature

embrace time to ground

feel the sweet serenity surrounding you

absorb Gaia's goodness

such peaceful moments

joyous family time

rambunctious laughter

board games, camping trips, movie nights, bike riding

never a dull moment

always full of love

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