Haiku Reflections III (now available) ! 😊

Haiku Reflections III

Is now completed and available at all the Amazon sites! 😊

And yes, I DID change the cover photo AGAIN!!! 

The print copy is already available and the Kindle version is available for pre-orders, which will be delivered automatically to tablet,kindle...., on June 1st. 

I decided to go with a pre-order arrangement for the Kindle version this time, while preparing some marketing plans and finishing up my new author website. 

I am so happy with how this book turned out. 

A labour of love, as always. 

How I love all things haiku!!!😁

Here are four sample (spring) poems from Haiku Reflections III (120 poems in total) and one of the interior photos:

Steamer trunk, lavender.

Rereading old love letters.

Break from spring cleaning.

*** 

“Pussy-willows, cattails...”

Humming an old Lightfoot tune.

Tiny silverfish.

*** 

Warm winds and fresh scents.

Sensing the earth awakening.

Planning the garden.

*** 

Bulbs bursting through.

A feast for the senses.

Awaiting jonquils.

*** 

You can read more about the Haiku Reflection series and all my other eBooks/books here.

Wishing You a Wonderful Day and Happy (Haiku) Reading! 😊

Taking a Short Blogging Break and Happy Mother's Day :-)

I am working on a number of projects right now, so have decided to take a short break from blogging and reviewing. 

And yes, I am trying to spend more time outside too! The weather here on Vancouver Island has been so nice lately, hovering around 15C which IMO is just right for long walks. Not too cool but not hot either. Love it!!

One of my priorities right now is to set up an author's website, to share my numerous books, reviews etc...all in one place. That has turned out being harder than expected as I am trying to do it myself. I thought it would be easy but to date, have not found a website builder that checks all my requirements: easy to set up, attractive templates, free domain, good reviews about their service...But I know I'll get there! 😊

I'm also on the last stages of finishing Haiku Reflections III for print and kindle versions. The print version is already finished, now to get the kindle one completed and on Amazon sites. Hopefully this week. I'll be posting about that when it's all complete!

In the meantime, I hope you have a wonderful week and

😀 Happy Mother's Day too! 💓

A Haiku and French Lesson Update :-)

As you may remember from this previous post about the latest book/eBook I am currently working on, I was trying to decide what color and photo to go with for Haiku Reflections III. 

                                                                                         

The pink cover above is what I ended up choosing instead of this one:

What do you think?
                                                                           

The print book is now in review at CreateSpace and I am also working on the Kindle version, which will also have additional interior photos, for each season. 

I'll post a link when available at Amazon! 

It has been such fun creating a new book and I look forward to completing this project in the next few days. 😊

Onto another topic, you might also remember this post about my wish to learn French and my experience to date with Duolingo software.

I'm still motivated to continue with my French language pursuits but not with Duolingo.  It ended falling well short of my expectations, after working with this software for several weeks. Too many errors in translations, silly sentences that didn't make a lot of sense and certainly didn't help with learning....and several other issues. 

But free is free so I won't complain too much. Suffice to say, it was time to move on and find other methods to continue with my French studies.

I'm working through a couple of French learning books right now which I'm quite impressed with so far (see below).



       

I am also checking out Benny Lewis' language site.

His own record of being able to speak over 10 languages fluently and with thousands of happy fans/students worldwide is impressive. 

We shall see! Best of all, my desire to learn French hasn't waned through all this and I think that's the most important thing when it comes to learning anything new.

Hope you have a lovely weekend and week! 😊

Your Opinion Please! :-)

After recently reaching the Number 1 spot  click to read more on the Asian and Haiku poetry paid list at Amazon.ca, (woohoo!) 😉I have now decided to create another book/eBook in the Haiku Reflections series. 

The print cover above (click to enlarge cover) is what I have worked out so far. 

I wanted something with a wintery theme and also, a cover that would be in keeping with the previous two books/eBooks in this series:

What do you think?

 I was going for an icy, cool, wintery look with the new one, so that it would be a good contrast from the two previous volumes.

 I tried several colors for the background and also the text color and overall, this seemed to work best. 

I am open to suggestions though and have not submitted the cover for publication yet.

 I DID try black for the text color and also pure white, but neither of them seemed quite right. The text above is a lighter blue, in keeping with the cover color. 

I look forward to your suggestions and feedback!

The  only thing that I DON'T want to change is the cover photo. I like this one from my files, a lot. 

But I am open to ideas re: the color of the background and also the text. 

It is a template I am working with, so I can only adjust it so much, if I want to stay with this theme.

Thank you in advance for your input! It is appreciated.

When I created the other volumes in this series, I had lots of feedback from readers beforehand and it was really helpful. 😊

Have a Super Week and Happy Creating! 

An Exciting Amazon.ca Screenshot to Share! :-)

                                                                            

❤ This page, at Amazon.ca (this morning) really made me smile!! ❤

                             

                                                                                                

That is one of my eBooks: Haiku Reflections I, in the Number 1 spot for Japanese Poetry and Haiku, on the paid list!

I have had several of my eBooks show up on Top 100 lists over the years, but NEVER in the number one spot, on any paid list.

 I am honored and encouraged by this.

 I've actually been thinking about writing another haiku eBook (I have two in this series to date) and this has given me a gentle push to get started on that book project.

Haiku is one of my favorite poetry forms. I love the simplicity but at the same time, complexity that is part of creating a memorable haiku poem. 

If you are not familiar with this poetry form, you can read more about it at one of most popular  and respected haiku sites :

Haiku Journal
                                                                                           

And, if you'd like to check out my Haiku Reflection series, you can find the two eBooks (with seasonal photos) at these links:

Haiku Reflections I (at Amazon.ca)

Haiku Reflections II (at Amazon.ca)

and

Haiku Reflections I (at Amazon.com)

Haiku Reflections II (at Amazon.com)

I probably won't stay at the top of that list for long (these lists change every hour) but I'm sure glad I happened to check out that particular book today, at the right time! 😁

Have a super week!!!

Haiku Mind by Patricia Donegan

Haiku Mind, 108 Poems to Cultivate Awareness & Open Your Heart by Patricia Donegan is a special book.

The power and appeal of haiku poetry is explored in depth throughout this beautifully presented book.The author's detailed and thought-provoking interpretation of each poem is lovingly and heart-fully offered throughout.

This is also a wonderful book to relax with, at the end of a busy day or week. A source for words and phrases to meditate upon and inspire. And you don't have to be an expert or regular follower of haiku poetry to thoroughly every page.

I was touched by the work of this author. Moved by her thoughts for each haiku poem and what they meant to her on a much larger scale. Timeless, eternal lessons.

Some excerpts from the book:

"As our culture speeds up and our personal lives feel overbooked and busy, haiku can offer an easy way to slow down, appreciate the simple things around us and give us a moment to reflect on our lives."

"Basic Goodness:

first light
everything in the room
was already here"

"Communication:

migrating birds-
fields of pampas grass
show the way"



This book would also make a special and memorable gift.

Overall rating for this book: Excellent. 5 out of 5.