Loss, Limbo, Life and Love: A Poetic Journal by Derek Haines

Deciding which is more powerful, the Forward, or the verses of the journal, is subjective. The poems expose the deepest of inner pain suffered by the author over a specific period. The Forward is preparation for the emotional ride.

Relating to ninety percent of Derek’s personal hell may be the reason his words hit home.  The poems are moving and evocative. After reading each one, and choosing a favorite, I would change my mind as I read the next entry.

‘The Clown’ is an outstanding piece of writing. A poem that will linger in your heart, as it will forever in mine. I have substituted the word ‘woman’ for ‘man’ and the matching pronouns for personalization. Including the poem in this review, I urge you to do the same to appreciate.  After reading ‘The Clown’, there’s no doubt you will crave Loss, Limbo, Life and Love: A Poetic Journal by Derek Haines.

The Clown

Everybody’s happy, I’m everybody’s clown,

 I always wear my smiling face, even when I’m feeling down.

 No one sees the tears I shed, every single day,

 “Make me smile, I’m feeling sad”, all the world does say.

 

And so I make them laugh, and warm them from within,

 They all think they love the clown, but I let no one in.

 My grease paint smile, always there, for that is all they see,

 Everybody loves the clown, but no one will love me.

 

It’s not because some haven’t tried, but they have tried in vain.

 I am so unsure that I can love, without causing pain.

 The gift of love is the power to hurt, and so hurt, I must be,

 That now I flinch in fear almost, when love approaches me

 

I crave the warmth a woman brings, as any man would do,

 But lying deep within me, is the fear I will hurt you.

 So if you want the man that lies beneath the wide smile charm,

 Be prepared to bring with you, a very soothing balm.

 

For it will take a woman, with patience, warmth and care,

 To wipe away the grease paint smile, and find me under there.

 And when she finds the man I am, and sees the wounds I bear,

 Will she have the courage, to take me in her care?

 

And will I have the strength I need, and trueness to the core?

 To return her love and care, and make her all I’ll live for.

 I live in hope that just maybe, this special woman lives,

 And we can share the happiness, that true love always gives.

 

Alas, I fear I’ll never find the happiness I seek,

I lick my wounds but always find a reason to be weak.

So anytime I hear the words, “Oh My Clown, I love you.”

I cringe and find my hiding place, then run to somewhere new.

 

Written by Derek Haines

Francis: Man of Prayer by Mario Escobar

A brief history of the papal office is the content of Francis: Man of Prayer. While the information was educational, it lacked the personal component expected.

Written in haste, a sequel seems appropriate by Escobar. Allowing sufficient time to pass would help gather the personal neglected material needed to compliment the business of being pope, in Francis: Man of Prayer.

The Catholic Church is at a crucial time in history. Catholics, and non-Catholics alike, are hungry for guidance and change. Pope Francis seems to provide hope and optimism.

The most powerful man on earth, Pope Francis uses social media to communicate. Escobar includes the pope’s first tweet and ten quotes by him, which reveal what he believes. Here is Pope Francis’s first tweet: ‘Dear friends, I thank you from my heart and I ask you to continue to pray for me. Pope Francis.’

Here are a couple of quotes:

‘Prayer is a mixture of ‘courage, humility, and worship.’

‘Let us not forget that hatred, envy and pride defile our lives.’

Escobar is most likely looking forward to expounding his knowledge on this influential man, and write a sequel to Francis: Man of Prayer.

CINCO DE MAYO by Phillip Lee Edwards

In CINCO DE MAYO, Edwards provides his readers with a mini history lesson about the victory at the first battle of Puebla, by the Mexican Army. Emilio Escobar, of the Army of Mexico, tells the dire war stories through his own eyes.

President Juarez promotes Emilio from Captain to Major, because of his success driving back the French invaders. He considers Emilio a hero.

Studying to become a lawyer, Emilio befriends a Lieutenant Xavier Carrillo, who shares the same goal. Their friendship continues with the decision to leave the Army and become partners in their own law firm.

 Readers who enjoy historical novels will enjoy Edwards fifty-two page mini story, CINCO DE MAYO.

The Glothic Tales . . . of primates of apes, dates and fates, need and greed, evolution and revolution . . . and ends to ends. A trilogy of totally tall tales by Derek Haines

Over time, I’ve had the great pleasure of reading separately, the three Glothic tales by Derek Haines. The tales included, February The Fifth, The Adventures of Hal, and Septimity and the Blood Brotherhood.  Derek Haines currently provides his readers with these three entertaining stories, bound together in a select paperback titled, The Glothic Tales.

 After reading each book, I had written a timely review. The following are excerpts from each review:

 February The Fifth is the first book I have read by Derek Haines. It was an easy read with slight touches of science fiction and comedy throughout. There was no shortage of characters, some of whom the reader would most definitely relate to, thereby making the book more enjoyable.

 It’s a mad world on Gloth, as experienced through the eyes of Halbert Hoop - Hal to the reader. Hal is a well-developed character who gets himself into unusual and kooky situations. It’s great fun for the reader to share Hal’s strategies in unraveling and solving these situations.

 Ending my review of Septimity, I wrote - After reading Derek Haines books, I think I have come to realize he expresses his own personal views on life through his apropos vocabulary in his characters, and excellent writing skills. Reading between the lines and having a good laugh is a treat.

Owning a print version of The Glothic Tales is a welcoming edition to my bookshelf. E-books are convenient, but there’s nothing like reading a good book in print from your own personal library.

Relic (The Dean Curse Chronicles) by Steven Whibley

The secret Society began more than a thousand years ago, during a time when kings took war seriously, while disregarding human life. The Society evolved out of necessity to preserve life.

Dean Curse continues to be the youngest member of the secret Society, being only fourteen. He wonders why he was never given the chance to accept or reject membership. In Relic, he learns why everyone in the world isn’t a member - People are different, and some would use the gift for their own benefit, others would go insane having to deal with the visions and possible failures resulting in death.

Accepting his life’s fate as a member in the Society, Dean’s visions of people in danger of losing their life, is all-consuming. He shares his visions with a few of his best friends, which certainly helps Dean deal with his vision to vision occurrences, especially since he only has twenty-four stressful hours to save a life.

Relic is about Dean’s vision of a museum robbery, where he believes a monk will be killed. Brainstorming strategies, he and his friends involve breaking the law and the police.

I recommend Relic, because it is packed full of adventure for kids, and may spark an interest to put down the video games and start a fun secret society of their own. Family and friendship values are sprinkled throughout the book, which is a secret bonus in itself.

Planet Willie by Josh Shoemake

A Heavenly Detective

 

Being dead and hanging out in heaven isn’t Willie Lee’s cup of tea. After being murdered as a mortal, his ‘future’ becomes rather boring, until he is given a task to change from his angelic state to incarnate and become a detective back on earth.

 

Sporting a no-holds-barred attitude, Willie provides plenty of humor (at times, off-color) throughout the story. He wastes no time enjoying a politically incorrect life, which includes plenty of booze and women.

 

This is not your typical book; the characters are exaggerated and a bit outrageous. Watching Willie balance his angelic thoughts and actions with earth’s many temptations, is amusing.

 

Trying to complete his original task, Willie would also like to solve his own murder mystery.  Is he a successful detective?  Find out by reading Planet Willie by Josh Shoemake. It’s an unusual story, demonstrating a change of pace to be entertaining.

Magic Bridge by Thomasina Burke

A trip around the world!

 

Browsing for a good novel, I was fortunate to locate this treasure, Magic Bridge. The pitch for the book described the setting in Arizona, and having lived in Phoenix, I was excited to take the trip. It was nostalgic visiting Phoenix and other memorable places in the great state of Arizona.

 

There’s more to the story than beautiful landscape, however. We share the lives of Bridgette and Matt, who meet in Crown King, Arizona. Not only do they fall in love and marry, but they travel the world, and as lucky readers, we get to hike right alongside the couple.

 

As with any relationship, there are ups and downs, and Bridgette and Matt live through adversities most relationships hope to escape. Promises are made and Bridgette is put to the test in keeping her word.

 

What balances the heartbreak of the story is being able to travel the world with two characters that relish life, and are intelligent, interesting, and very real. The true meaning of friendship is a major theme in Magic Bridge, and Bridgette and Matt’s friends are the cream of the crop.

 

Booklovers, who appreciate history, and stories about genuine relationships, will be captivated taking a trip around the world with Bridgette and Matt.