Author: Auroras & Blossoms Page 18 of 36

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Submit Your Work to the Warm Mug of Cozy Anthology!

Image credit: 珍 温 (rainkiz) via Pixabay

Hello everyone!

Do you like writing short cozy mysteries? If so, we would love to invite you to submit your work for potential inclusion in our first Warm Mug of Cozy Anthology.

This submission call is open to anyone at least 17 years of age, including emerging authors and never-published writers.

Language: English only.

Theme: No restriction, as long as your story follows the classic rules of Cozy Mystery.

Fee: $5 per story, up to 5 stories per participant.

Maximum length per story: 5,000 words.

Payment to selected contributors: PDF copy of anthology + ongoing royalties (2% per published story).

Click here to read our complete guidelines and submit to us.

Book Review: ‘Death Before Dessert: A Vanessa Harrington Cozy Mystery’ by A.E. Radley

Image courtesy of Smashwords

Synopsis

When Clara Harrington finds herself between jobs and out of rented accommodation, she opts for a change of scenery. So, she heads to the quiet village of Picklemarsh, England, where her aunt Vanessa, a famous crime novelist, lives. Unfortunately, on her first night there, the local town councillor is murdered. Vanessa wants in on the sleuthing action — and drags Clara along with her…

What We Liked

Many things! All the classic elements that make a good cozy mystery are there. The story moves at a good pace and is supported by a great cast of quirky characters. Vanessa’s piquant sense of humor offers a great counterpoint to Clara’s often too timid demeanor. While dialogues are good and flow naturally throughout the story, they are at their best between the two protagonists, helping to make their relationship endearing and relatable.

What We Disliked

The police procedure is not very convincing, due to an officer in charge who seems inexperienced. Or maybe he does not take his job seriously enough. His presence is not strong enough in the book to be able to figure that out.

What Could Be Improved

Two things.

First, the character of Clara. Despite being in her mid-20s, her behavior is often reminiscent of a teenager’s. At times, it feels as if she was written into the story as an afterthought…

I also believe that the last chapter could have worked better with a little extra “padding” material. After the murderer is revealed, the book ends quite abruptly, leaving the reader unsure about the future of Clara’ and Vanessa’s investigative adventures. Maybe author A.E. Radley was just testing the waters? Only time will tell, of course.

Our Favorite Quote from the Book

“I hope you’re not here to speak with Mr and Mrs Vos?” Will asked, looking at her.

“No, we’re here for eggs. If we’re allowed?” Vanessa queried. “I’d like to make my niece an omelette for dinner. As you can see, she is wasting away.” (Chapter 13, Vos Farm)

Final Verdict

Death Before Dessert: A Vanessa Harrington Cozy Mystery is a quick read and an entertaining book. Overall, lovers of the cozy mystery genre will find something to enjoy among its pages.

Rating: ☕️ ☕️ ☕️

About the Book

  • Title: Death Before Dessert: A Vanessa Harrington Cozy Mystery
  • Author: A.E. Radley
  • ISBN: 9781912684328
  • Release date: March 28, 2021
  • Published by Heartsome Publishing
  • Purchase link: https://books2read.com/deathbeforedessert

Are you an author of cozy mysteries? We would love to hear from you!

At A Warm Mug of Cozy, we promote authors via interviews, book reviews, and book release announcements. Click here to find out more.

Contributors Pick Their Favorite Pieces from ‘The PoArtMo Anthology: Volume 3’ (4)

Hello everyone!

Welcome to our mini-series, in which contributors to The PoArtMo Anthology: Volume 3 tell us about their favorite pieces from the book.

Today, we focus on Cendrine Marrouat’s picks.

Cendrine’s Favorite Picks from Other Contributors

“Sleep” (Azelle Elric)

I have been a fan of Azelle’s work for many years. Looking at her drawings always puts me in a good mood.

“Sleep” was a ‘love at first sight’ kind of experience for me. Its ethereal, dream-like quality reminds me of my favorite painting by Eugène Carrière — one of the most unique French artists of the 19th century.

If there is one drawing Azelle should be remembered for, it is this one. I consider it a masterpiece.

Drive-Thru Dog” (Meaghan Beatty)

“Drive-Thru Dog” was the first entry I read from Meaghan. I was hooked from the first line.

There is a lot to like about this story, but my favorite elements are its simplicity and minimalism. No long-winded descriptions, just a short series of moments leading to the happy conclusion.

“Drive-Thru Dog” would make a great prologue to a novel.

Cendrine’s Backstory about Her Own Favorite Contribution: “Pareiku: Here and There”

I am one of the slowest writers on the face of the earth. It usually takes me an inordinate amount of time to pen a poem. Once in a while though, something clicks in my brain. The words align on the page without any effort on my part.

“Here and There” wrote itself in a unique way. The second line came first, followed by the first line. I only picked the two images when it was time to work on the last part. I never get tired of reading it!

For those who don’t know what the Pareiku is, here is more information here.

About Cendrine Marrouat

Cendrine Marrouat is a poet, photographer, fiction writer, podcaster, and the co-founder of Auroras & Blossoms and PoArtMo. She has authored and co-authored more than 40 books, including Tree Reflections (2022), In Her Own Words: A Collection of Short Stories & Flashku (2022), After the Fires of Day: Haiku Inspired by Kahlil Gibran & Alphonse de Lamartine (2021), and Songs in Our Paths: Haiku & Photography (2020–2021).

She is the creator of the Sixku, Flashku, Sepigram, and Reminigram; as well as the co-creator of the Kindku, Pareiku, Vardhaku, and Hemingku.

Website: https://creativeramblings.com

About “The Auroras & Blossoms PoArtMo Anthology: Volume 3”

The Auroras & Blossoms PoArtMo Anthology: Volume 3 features the positive and uplifting works of four artists — Azelle Elric (drawings), Meaghan Beatty (essays), Cendrine Marrouat (poetry), and David Ellis (poetry).

The anthology is available for pre-orders everywhere ebooks are sold (except for Amazon). We are running a special until August 30, 2022 — 50% off!

NB: When you purchase a copy of the anthology, you will not just support Auroras & Blossoms. Every contributor will also be remunerated in the form of royalty payment.

Click HERE to purchase a copy.

Contributors Pick Their Favorite Pieces from ‘The PoArtMo Anthology: Volume 3’ (3)

Hello everybody!

Welcome to our mini-series, in which contributors to The PoArtMo Anthology: Volume 3 tell us about their favorite pieces from the book.

Today, we focus on my own picks from the anthology.

David’s Favorite Picks from Other Contributors

“Coffee & Baseball” (Meaghan Beatty)

I chose this particular piece of Meaghan’s because of the resonance that it has within me. My father had Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease towards the end of his life, coupled with his other disabilities of blindness, partial deafness and mobility issues, which made things very difficult for him on a daily basis when he was diagnosed a few years ago. He finally passed away midway through last year.

When reading Meghan’s story, it evoked memories and feelings about my father in natural ways that allowed me to reminisce of the good old times that we shared together, be it through good food/drink, fondness of music (which would always elevate his mode significantly) and thoughtful conversation with each other. It also helped remind me that there are other people who have had similar experiences and that we are not alone in having to deal with family trauma or having loved ones succumb to the ravages of diseases.

Coffee & Baseball is a sweet, heart-warming tale about making the most of what you have got with the time you have left. It is beautifully poignant, sincere, evocative and very well written.

Sepigram: “From the Sea” (Cendrine Marrouat)

The sepigram is a very unique poetry form invented by Cendrine. In her poem “From the Sea”, she shows how deftly the rhythmic flow of the form can be used to create a passionate piece that visually builds in lyrical intensity to complement the nature of the words themselves.

This poem speaks volumes to me, I can imagine it being sung out loud, each refrain more powerful than the last. There is exuberance, sensual wisdom, explosions of fizzy textures, bold, illustrious magnificence that truly is as captivating as the very sea itself.

Definitely a piece to savour multiple times, it gets better with each passing, another impressive poetic gem that sits like one of the biggest jewels in the crown of this collection.

David’s Backstory about His Own Favorite Contribution: Kindku: “Wonderfully Wild Renewal”

I have several pieces in the anthology but this is the one that really jumps out to me for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, it utilises the Kindku form that Cendrine & I co-invented. You can find out more about our forms here.

Secondly, I wanted to imbue this piece as a celebration of giddy summer warmth, joy, happiness and freedom or liberation from the stresses of our everyday lives.

Its message is simple in nature and stature but one that we should be constantly mindful of, if we are to maintain our own healthy sense of wellbeing.

About David Ellis

David Ellis lives in Tunbridge Wells, Kent in the UK. He is an award-winning poet, author of poetry, marketing workbooks/journals, humorous fiction and music lyrics. He is also the co-founder of Auroras & Blossoms, and the co-creator of PoArtMo (Positive Actions Rally Thoughts & Momentum) and the Kindku.

David’s debut poetry collection (Life, Sex & Death) won an International Award in the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards 2016 for Inspirational Poetry books.

David is extremely fond of tea, classic and contemporary poetry, cats, and dogs but not snakes. Indiana Jones is his spirit animal.

Website: https://toofulltowrite.com

About “The Auroras & Blossoms PoArtMo Anthology: Volume 3”

The Auroras & Blossoms PoArtMo Anthology: Volume 3 features the positive and uplifting works of four artists — Azelle Elric (drawings), Meaghan Beatty (essays), Cendrine Marrouat (poetry), and David Ellis (poetry).

The anthology is available for pre-orders everywhere ebooks are sold (except for Amazon). We are running a special until August 30, 2022 — 50% off!

NB: When you purchase a copy of the anthology, you will not just support Auroras & Blossoms. Every contributor will also be remunerated in the form of royalty payment.

Click HERE to purchase a copy.

‘The PoArtMo Anthology: Volume 3’ Is Out Today!

Hello everyone!

That’s it, folks! The Auroras & Blossoms PoArtMo Anthology: Volume 3 is officially out!

This edition of our yearly anthology features a variety of works by four contributors: Azelle Elric (drawings), Meaghan Beatty (essays), David Ellis (poetry), and Cendrine Marrouat (poetry).

Check out our video trailer below.

The Auroras & Blossoms PoArtMo Anthology: Volume 3 is available for purchase everywhere ebooks are sold (except for Amazon). We cannot wait for you to tell us what you think! Don’t forget to send us your reviews or share them online. Goodreads is a great start!

Click HERE to order your copy!

NB: When you purchase a copy of the anthology, you will not just support Auroras & Blossoms. Every contributor will also be remunerated in the form of royalty payment.

As a reminder, we only publish ebooks. The cost of releasing print books that contain visual content is too high, which would make our anthologies too expensive for most readers to buy.

Do you want to help us spread the word about the anthology? Save the banner below and add it to your blog, website or social media posts. Make sure you link to the book: https://books2read.com/poartmo-anthology-3.

Thank you all for your support! Have a wonderful end of week.

Page 18 of 36

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