The Keeper by @lynniemont Book Blitz! #LynnMontagano #TheKeeper #XpressoTours @XpressoTours⁣

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The Keeper
Lynn Montagano

Publication date: May 23rd 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

It started in the English countryside when he stopped to see if I was having car trouble.
It should have ended there.

But it turned into three of the most intense days of my life. And guess what? It didn’t end there either.
His name is Xavier Maddox. Sexy, talented, athletic. A British soccer star. The enticing bad boy.
He should be off limits for me.

My name is Victoria Chase. Ambitious, successful, broken. I’m the media relations director for the most successful football team in the United States. I have this policy about getting involved with athletes…or as I call them, the product.

Xavier was only supposed to be a one night stand. A distraction for me while I dealt with a long ignored family situation.
But he had other plans…
If he finds out what I’ve done, what I’ve destroyed, he’ll leave. Broken people like me don’t deserve a happy ending.

Goodreads / Amazon

“Victoria,” a sultry, baritone voice revealed my name.

I stilled. Its tone washed over me, quickening my pulse. Taking a deep breath, I glanced to my left. Getting caught up in Xavier’s heated blue stare was not something I thought would happen tonight, or ever again for that matter.

Dressed in gray pants and a white button down shirt, he stood with his arms crossed. The sleeves were rolled up to expose his defined forearms. And more tattoos, just like he’d hinted at. He was motionless except for the subtle way his ring-clad thumb stroked his lower lip.

He didn’t wear a tie and the shirt remained unbuttoned at the top, but my assumption that he’d look hot in a suit, or some variation of it, was correct. I finished the rest of my bourbon in one swallow and put the empty glass down.

“Nice to see you again,” Xavier said with a sly grin.

“Alright, wait a bleeding second,” Cade interjected. “How do you—” His eyes widened. “This is the one from the pub, isn’t it? The one that got you all hot and bothered.”

Bennet draped his arm over Cade’s shoulders. “How about you and me go downstairs for a drink.” Without waiting for a reply, Bennet guided him to the stairs, where they disappeared down into the crowd.

“You seemed pretty involved in your conversation with those two.” He lifted an eyebrow. “Did I miss anything good?”

“Not as good as what just walked into the room.” The words tumbled out before I could stop them. Hitting on him wasn’t an option.

Or maybe it was.

Yep. It definitely was.

I’d blame it on the bourbon but that was a lame ass cop-out. He was hot and I felt more than a little frisky.

“I see.” He slid his hands into his pockets and before I knew it, stood inches away from me.

He smelled so good. Not of cologne or body spray or any of the manufactured crap some men seem to think they need. Just soap, shampoo and him. His scent reminded me of the outdoors. Fresh and earthy, like vetiver.

“Shouldn’t you be doing the rounds with your friends?” I asked.

“Not necessary.”

“Are you a soccer player too?”

“Soccer,” he mimicked with a grin. “Yes. I play football.”

I bit my lip to stifle a laugh at his correction.

He leaned toward me, invading my personal space the way a five star general crosses enemy lines, with precision and a healthy serving of arrogance. I was essentially caged between him and the railing.

It took quite a bit of effort not to slide my fingers up his chest and unbutton the rest this shirt. Or tear it open and watch all the buttons scatter.

“Did you come here with someone tonight?” he asked.

“Like a date?”

“Yes, like a date.”

“No.”

“Lucky me.” A mischievous smile pulled at his lips. “Guess that means we’re on a date now. Or at least picking up where our last date left off.”

“Hardly. I’m not so sure you’re my type.”

“I’m everyone’s type.”

“I’m not everyone.”

Lynn Montagano is a contemporary romance author, writing coach, podcaster and unapologetic football fan. When Lynn isn't writing or recording her weekly podcast, you can find her cheering loudly for her beloved New England Patriots or traveling somewhere new in this great big world.

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Curses & Chaos by @annieande Book Blitz! @XpressoTours #CursesandChaos ⁣⁣#ArcaneSoulsWorld #TheLostWitch #ParanormalRomance #PNR

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Curses and Chaos
Annie Anderson

(Arcane Souls World: The Lost Witch, #1)
Publication date: May 23rd 2023
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

If the ABI finds me, I’m dead.

Agent or not, when your dad is the head of the most notorious arcane crime family in the country, no one believes you when you say you didn’t open that gate to Hell on purpose.

Now, I’m practically glued under enough null wards to hide a god and stuck with a stupidly sexy shifter of a jailer who hates my guts.

When my former employer comes sniffing around, not only does my captor keep me alive, but we find out that our pasts are far more connected than either of us realize.

And the lies we’ve been told could kill us both.

Goodreads / Amazon

“What the f*ck do you think you’re doing?” a rumble came from the dark recess of the doorway at my right, a familiar voice that should in no way be here. The athame in my hand was at Theo Acosta’s gut before I ever really gave my hand the command to move.

Theo Acosta was the biggest pain in my a$$, but unfortunately, I couldn’t get rid of him. As second in command of the Acosta pack, Theo had been in my business since the day we’d met. I’d managed to avoid him while in the middle of my little murder spree, but if he was here, the jig was up.

“I’m looking for a job,” I quipped, tilting my head to the side like I was a little soft in the head. I mean, we were in a strip club, after all. “The ABI can’t pay all the bills, you know.” That was a bald-faced lie, but given my glamour and outfit, it sure as sh*t looked like the truth. How he could see through said glamour was a little concerning, but I couldn’t think about that right then.

He gripped my wrist as he plucked the blade from my fingers like he was taking it away from a toddler, moving into the harsh illumination of the club’s neon mood lighting. He’d gotten a haircut since the time I’d seen him last. His usual shoulder-length locks were cropped close to his head in the back and left a little longer in the front highlighting his strong jaw and fabulous cheekbones.

It suited him, the b*stard.

I’d never met someone so pretty and so shitty all at the same time.

“Bullsh*t, Jacobs. You’re up to something.” The green of his wolf lit in his eyes, showing me just how pissed off he was. “You’re always up to something.”

In two and a half years, Theo hadn’t trusted me one bit—not that I’d given him a reason not to. He had some beef with all witches—Wren excluded—so him warming up to me just wasn’t going to happen. The rest of the Acostas loved me. Mari and I painted our nails together. Dayana and I shared dessert recipes. And his mama? She adored me.

But Theo? No such luck.

“Of course, I’m up to something, you dope. I’m trying to get enough power to break the Fae in your dungeon, or did you forget about him while you were being so judgy? So why don’t you go home, mind your business, and I’ll get the answer to all our problems, mm-kay Pumpkin?”

Those green eyes narrowed to slits as his jaw solidified. “Eleven witches are missing, Jacobs. No one has found the bodies, but I know they’re dead. You planning a takeover? Expanding the coven for dear, old daddy?”

I ripped my wrist out of his hold as well as the blade. “No, you moron. I’m getting enough power to make that Fae do what we need him to do before Nico decides to get himself killed. How many packs would love to take over Savannah, hmm? Five? Ten? And how well will your pack fare without a true Alpha when they come? How long do you think Nico will hold on without Wren?”

“Bull—”

The tip of my athame was at his throat in a blink. “No coven will help me—help us,” I hissed. “And no, I didn’t ask my daddy for help because the last thing we need is Josiah Jacobs in Savannah.”

Annie Anderson is a military wife and United States Air Force veteran. Originally from Dallas, Texas, she is a southern girl at heart, but has lived all over the US and abroad. As soon as the military stops moving her family around, she'll settle on a state, but for now she enjoys being a nomad with her husband, two daughters, an old man of a dog, and a young pup that makes life... interesting.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Pinterest

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Handfast by Tricia T. LaRochelle Release Tour! @IndiePenPR @TriciaLaRochelle @larochelletricia

#Handfast #Revive #FlickeringHeart #SaraBrowneSeries #NewAdultRomance #ContemporaryRomance #RomanticSuspense #ReluctantHero #Soulmates #Trapped #DarkSecret #Redemption

 

Three years after their freshman year from hell, Sara not only graduates from college, but her relationship with Scott is stronger than ever. Just when she thinks the craziness from her past is over, a mysterious stranger shows up, knocking her world off its axis. Will this man prove to be another devastating blow to her already complicated life? Readers who love Tattered Stars by Catherine Cowles will enjoy Revive by Tricia T. LaRochelle, a new adult romantic suspense. "LaRochelle writes like a pro and delivers a profoundly entertaining romance story with genuinely flawed characters and a deftly handled plot with explosive moments." —The Book Commentary

Read Now!

 

Three years after her freshman year from hell, Sara graduates college a stronger and more well-balanced woman. Her relationship with Scott is strong, their future together bright. If only her parents could be there to join in the celebration. Just when she thinks the craziness of the past is finally over—and for good—a mysterious stranger shows up at her graduation, turning Sara’s world upside down. This man may just be the answer to her prayers or another devastating blow to her already traumatic life.

Add to Goodreads!

Excerpt

Copyright 2022 Tricia T. LaRochelle

I’d never seen Scott so nervous. I’d seen him upset, angry, worried, and shocked—heck, I’d even seen him depressed—but never nervous. Not fun nervous, anyway. He sucked in a breath and began. 

“Before I met you, I had no idea what being in love was like. I thought I knew, but I didn’t have a clue. Being with you has taught me so much these past few years. Not only are you the most gorgeous creature I have ever laid eyes on …” He smirked, his eyes dancing with erotic thoughts, something I saw whenever he was “in the mood,” which was pretty much all the time.

 “And sexy as hell, but you are braver than anyone I’ve ever known.” A shadow fell over his face. “On top of that, and even after all you have been through, you still have the biggest heart. Being with you makes me want to be a better person.” 

He shook his head and exhaled. “I find myself imagining things that I never thought I’d ever want.”

“Like what?” 

The words tumbled out of my mouth like a five-year-old with no self-control. The corners of his luscious lips twitched upward. 

“Well, for starters … a house … with kids … a dog. The thought of you mothering my children someday makes me believe that dreams can come true.”

 He looked down for a moment and shook his head again before pinning my gaze with his vibrant blue eyes.

 “I realize you’re too good for me. And I also know that I don’t deserve you, but f*ck if that’s going to stop me from asking you the most important question of my life.” 

He inched closer, his irises locking me in place, his voice low and imploring.

 “After we graduate next spring, Sara Browne, will you do me the honor of being my wife?” 

My eyes welling with tears, I leaned forward and fell into his big, burly arms, his musky scent welcoming and his lips tapping tiny kisses against my head and cheek.

 “Of course, I will. I can’t imagine anyone else as my husband or the father of my children. So, yes, yes, yes,” I said, giddy and slightly dizzy from the emotions swirling through my head, my heart, and every cell of my body. 

 

  Since she was a little girl, Tricia T. LaRochelle has been obsessed with tragic love stories. No beach reads for her. Bring on the grit with a double side of turmoil. She likes to feel the character’s anguish as they fight to overcome obstacles to be together. Growing up in central Vermont, she has seen her share of tragedy but remains a hopeful romantic. She now lives in Central Virginia where she continues to foster the possibilities of how love can conquer all. Flickering Heart is the first book in the Sara Browne Series. Stay tuned for updates and announcements on Instagram, and Twitter, or sign up for her email list at TriciaLaRochelle.com.

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The Disappearance of Emily by Elizabeth Pantley Blog Tour!

 May 23, 2023 Book Blast

A magic mirror. An enchanted world. A mysterious missing mother. A suspicious package. An unexplained death. A community of strange, quirky people. A sassy cat and a hilarious, perpetually annoyed witch. Come visit Destiny Falls and escape to a great time.

…Hayden’s life was normal until she fell through a mirror and was thrust into an alternate, magical place. Destiny Falls is not on any map and is home to a family she never knew she had. The town is enchanted and charming, and the amazing mansion she lives in changes to meet the needs of the people who live there, including her! Every day she discovers a new enchantment.

But something is amiss. Hayden gets an ominous warning from a strange woman, who promises to tell her the town secrets and give her a package – if she’ll meet her at the mysterious ferry that lacks a published destination. The ferry visit is cancelled, but the package is delivered. Once it arrives, someone turns up dead. Then the suspicious episodes start, too many to call them coincidences. She and her family are targeted and in danger.

Who or what is causing the chaos? All signs point to the mysterious disappearance of her mother - way back when Hayden was just two days old. Can she identify and eliminate the threat before another person in her life is stolen away? Can she learn more about the secrets kept for her lifetime? With the help of her sassy sidekick cat, and a host of new family and friends, Hayden finds herself surrounded with support as she solves the mystery of the death and learns secrets about herself.

Praise for The Disappearance of Emily:

'Intriguing and totally unput-downable, it draws you in from the word go, and you will not want to leave until it chucks you at "The End."'
~ Carol, Goodreads

"Will blow you away!"
~ Cozy Mystery Book Reviews

Book Details:

Genre: Cozy Mystery
Published by: Better Beginnings, Inc.
Publication Date: March 2021
Number of Pages: 208
ASIN: B08MDZDQY7
Series: Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Series, Book 2
Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

1

The mountain trail was tricky. I was moving slowly through the deep snow. I knew the lake had to be nearby. It was important to find it, but I could barely see ten feet in front of me due to the storm. The trail was steep and slippery, and I was making my way using trekking poles to assess where I should step next. My hands and feet were cold. I heard Latifa calling out to me. Where was she? What was she saying?

“Good morning, Sunshine!” Her lilting voice woke me from my dream. “Happy one-month-a-versary!”

It’s amazing how accustomed I’d grown to my cat’s telepathic voice in my head. I squinted at my fluffy Himalayan sidekick. She was sitting beside me on the bed. I stretched out my arms and gave an extra-loud yawn in her direction, hoping she’d get the hint that she had woken me up.

“Message received. Woke you up. So sorry. Got it.” She squinted at me and whispered, “Not sorry.”

I yawned at her again.

“Bet you forgot today is one month from the earth-shattering day we arrived in Destiny Falls.” Her big, baby blues were focused on me, and her whiskers were twitching. “I have appointed myself Keeper of Your Calendar. You can be so forgetful about celebratory dates.” She shook her furry head as if it were impossible to believe.

I gave another exaggerated stretch and reached over to the bedside table. With a flourish, I presented her with a small, gift-wrapped package.

“Squeeee! You remembered!” She head-butted my face and spun a little circle on the bed, then turned to tear open the package. There was more squealing as she discovered her new, feathered cat toy.

I patted my sidekick’s head and tossed my legs over the side of the bed. A glance at my phone confirmed that Latifa-the-alarm-clock was right on time. I needed to get changed and meet Axel downstairs for a morning jog into town. He was often too busy with work to join me in the morning, so it was a wonderful treat to have some extra time with my newfound brother.

My brother. How I loved the sound of that. After a lifetime as an only child in a tiny three-person family, finding out that I had siblings and a large hidden family was monumental. Add to that a mysterious, magical new world, and I was floating on cloud nine.

The only dark spot was missing my family and my best friend, Luna. I was still trying to figure out how to tell them about Destiny Falls. I’d have to sort this out soon, since my cover story of a working trip to Denmark was nearing its expiration. A month overseas was feasible, but as the timeline continued, I’d need to address my disappearance.

My Nana and Granana would be happy that I was happy. They’d been my biggest cheerleaders my entire life. They always said my happiness mattered most to them. Both my parents disappeared the week I was born, so my grandmother and great-grandmother jumped into raising me. They were dedicated to the job, with an enthusiasm that was a complete contrast to their tiny, delicate appearances. Luna and I referred to them as the Mighty Minis, which was an apt description.

Figuring out how to explain that I wasn’t really in Denmark, but in a magical, hidden town in an unknown location was a whole new ball of wax. Especially since the town was finicky about who it revealed itself to. Any e-mails or texts I attempted to send explaining my location, disappeared into the ether in a wisp of bounces— undeliverable, message not sent, connection lost. Even phone calls suddenly lost the signal. Maybe Axel, my brother—deep sigh of joy—could help me solve this problem.

 

I turned on the movie channel for Latifa, my furry little movie buff, tucked my ponytail through the back of my baseball cap, and headed out. I strolled slowly down the hallway, so I could absorb the beauty of this amazing home.

Hmm. That was odd. Where was the window seat? It was usually somewhere in my hallway, but it was oddly absent. There was a glorious swatch of sunlight, which is where it normally would be lounging. I snickered. Imagine that. A window seat that can lounge in the sun. Magic touched the Caldwell Crest home in the most interesting ways.

Caldwell Crest is a masterpiece of design. It could be described as a cozy, mansion-sized mountain cabin. I felt embraced by the sweeping staircase made of polished wood. I loved the plank wood floors and ceilings and the gorgeous but understated chandeliers. I adored the stone fireplaces that soared all the way up to the tall ceilings. The earthy colors of the décor were soothing. Even after a month, I was still adjusting to the fact that it was now where I lived.

The home was enchanting. I could almost believe the rumors that it was originally built as a castle back in the 1800s and magically remodeled many times. It’s difficult to understand Caldwell Crest and the mysterious place that was Destiny Falls, especially since the definition seemed to always be changing.

It had been a wild ride of a month since I’d been thrown through a portal and landed here.

Destiny Falls is different from any place I’ve ever known before. I had to let go of my preconceived notions of what defines a town. I still can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that the town isn’t on any map and isn’t accessible by normal means.

You must be called here by either the home or the town. Then you whoosh through time and space, to the accompaniment of a flash of brilliant light, as you tumble through a mirror. It’s a one-way trip. Once you’re here, you are, well . . . “trapped” is a harsh word for such a lovely place. However, it’s accurate. I cannot choose to leave. Destiny Falls controls the comings and goings.

I feel a bit like Alice falling through the mirror into wonderland. Albeit a much nicer wonderland than Alice had to deal with.

I’ve figured out that’s it’s easier if I just go with the flow and don’t try to understand all the nuances of this place.

***

Excerpt from The Disappearance of Emily by Elizabeth Pantley. Copyright 2023 by Elizabeth Pantley. Reproduced with permission from Elizabeth Pantley. All rights reserved.

Elizabeth Pantley is the international bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents, published in over twenty languages.

She simultaneously writes the well-loved Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic book series and the new Magical Mystery Book Club series.

Elizabeth lives in the Pacific Northwest, the gorgeous inspiration for the setting in many of her books.

Catch Up With Elizabeth Pantley:
www.nocrysolution.com/books
Goodreads
BookBub - @DestinyFalls
Instagram - @destinyfallsmystery
Facebook - @DestinyFallsMysteryandMagic

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She Calls Her Mom by @kanawuauthor Book Reveal! #kanawu #SheCallsHerMom #XpressoTours @XpressoTours

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She Calls Her Mom
Kana Wu

Publication date: June 1st 2023
Genres: Adult, Mystery, Romance, Women’s Fiction

Zoey Matthews is excited to celebrate her upcoming 21st birthday and begin building the life she’s always wanted. However, her dreams are shattered when her sister and brother-in-law die in a hit-and-run accident, leaving their baby, Ella, in her care. Suddenly she has to learn how to take care of an infant and juggle her new career while grieving the loss of her sister, who had been like a mom to her after their own mother abandoned them. And losing her dad at a young age right before her mom left without a word has Zoey feeling lost and less than adequate for the job of becoming a mother to Ella.

Encountering frequent challenges, Zoey gives up her career to care for her niece and throws in the towel on ever having a love life since she believes no man will be interested in her—a woman with a baby. Feeling alone and vulnerable, she finds hope and joy in the presence of new friends: a kind-hearted Claudia and a charming-baby whisperer, Derek.

Zoey realizes that her life can never truly be at peace until her sister’s murderer is brought to justice and she finds out who is behind the mysterious weekly grocery deliveries. Will she uncover the truth and find closure, or will the disclosures shatter her world even further?

Add to Goodreads

Kana Wu is a bilingual author who writes her novels in English as her second language. She also enjoys traveling and incorporates the places she visits into her books.

Her debut novel, No Romance Allowed, won the Romance category for the 2020 TCK Publishing Readers’ Choice Awards Contest.

Her second novel, No Secrets Allowed, earned a 1st Place Blue Ribbon for the Chatelaine Book Awards for Romantic Fiction, a division of the 2021 Chanticleer International Book Awards.

Her third book, A Warm Rainy Day In Tokyo, was published in 2022, and she had the idea when she was stranded in a Japanese café in Tokyo because of the rain.

Currently, she resides in beautiful Southern California with her husband, surrounded by her books and the occasional hummingbird or wild bird visitors.

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Portraits of Red and Gray and Canvas by James C. Morehead Spotlight and Guest Post!

 

In this collection of memoir poems, James C. Morehead (Poet Laureate of Dublin, California) brings universal themes to life through journeys to the USSR and the mountains of Tuscany, the concert halls in San Francisco and a tiny town in Wyoming, the cables of Yosemite’s Half Dome and the beaches of Normandy.

Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2022

Praise for "portraits of red and gray: memoir poems"
"In this second collection of poems, James Morehead's imagery is vivid, spare and elemental, and it is consistently chosen and arranged to achieve intensely poetic effects. The rhythmic control is impeccable. The centerpiece of this collection, a long series of poems that chronicle a trip through the former Soviet Union, is a fast moving, impressionistic feast of imagery. Sunglasses, denim shirts, vodka debauches, dollars, rubles, steely-eyed Russian authorities ever on the lookout for forbidden deals - all of it is transparent and engaging." - Carmine Di Biase, Distinguished Professor of English, Emeritus, Jacksonville State University

In his debut collection, James Morehead paints powerful images of life, love, and loss through the thoughtful selection and careful placement of words. "canvas" features the extraordinary art of Kari Byron and Alla Tsank. The year 2020 and its pandemic-induced solitude inspired the poems that lead this collection. Most are autobiographical, in particular the title poem "canvas," and collectively form a fragmented memoir of memories and melancholy. Some are fanciful, like "tethered," inspired by a fleeting image seen while hiking the Pacific coastline. All strive to paint images in the reader's mind through the power of poetry.

124 pages, Paperback

Published June 15, 2021

Praise for "canvas: poems"
“These are poems to be savored, re-read, kept handy for those times when only poetry will do.” - W. J. T. Mitchell, Senior Editor of Critical Inquiry and Gaylord Donnelley Distinguished Service Professor, English and Art History, University of Chicago

Nine Tips for Writing Memoir Poems that Capture the Human Condition

by James Morehead, Poet Laureate - Dublin, California

Memoir poetry draws on the writer's personal experiences and memories to tell a story or convey emotions. It often includes elements of autobiography, as the poet reflects on their own life and relationships, but it is not limited to literal truth. Memoir poetry can include symbolic or metaphorical language, as well as creative interpretations of events and emotions. The focus is on capturing the essence of a particular experience or moment in time, and conveying it in a way that resonates with the reader.

Writing memoir poetry is a powerful way to explore and understand your past, and unlock memories long buried. Poetry is also a powerful tool for sharing personal stories with others, and to connect with them on a deeper level. When I was a teenager in 1983 I took a life-changing 18-day trip to the U.S.S.R. with a group of teenagers from my high school. We traveled from Moscow to Leningrad (as Saint Petersburg was known during the Soviet era), and many places in between, never spending more than two days in any one place. Years later I wrote a series of poems about that experience which became the core of my most recent book, a collection of memoir poems, “portraits of red and gray”.

When writing the series of U.S.S.R. poems I had only my memories to draw from. I was amazed at how the act of writing poetry, the necessary immersion into every human sense to capture images and experiences in poetic phrases, unlocked memories. In poetry readings and open mics, people connected with my experiences in Soviet Russia and it taught me a valuable lesson that personal experience can be universal.

If you're interested in writing memoir poetry, there are a few things you can do to get started. First, think about what you want to write about. What are some of the most important moments in your life? What have you learned from your experiences? Once you have a topic, start writing. Don't worry about the form of the poem, just capture raw images, emotions, sounds, sensations. Just get your thoughts down on paper, you’ll mold that raw material into poetry later. Below is an excerpt from “portraits of red and gray” where I tried to capture a simple experience in a tea house in Samarkand (a city in Uzbekistan):

#15

sipping tea in samarkand

a nestled perch

on concrete stilts

an eerie cove

in shadows glow

from sunlight seeping

patterned walls

open air a warmer breeze

so strangely whispers

this hidden space

on kneeling mats and

wooden slats

a simple teacup held in place

Memoir poems don’t need to be momentous, they can focus on small, personal moments. Ideally a memoir poem will tap into and express a moment that has a strong emotional or sensory connection to the writer; have faith that the experience will resonate with readers.

Another example from “portraits of red and gray”, an excerpt from the poem “That Summer in Savery, Wyoming”. I spent a memorable summer in rural Wyoming as a young child, visiting my cousins, and found creative ways to fill each day. Memoir poetry was the perfect tool for capturing snapshots from that summer in the tightest way possible. A series of images that transport the reader into an experience:

I’m awoken by a rooster to

collect eggs each morning,

reaching under the soft of hens.

I explore every corner of the dusty, manure-scented barns.

I watch a family of foxes pop up, then scurry

when I’m hiking near their den.

I build a spaceship from discarded wood.

Memoir poems can range from free verse to prose poetry to formal verse (e.g., sonnets, villanelles, and other poems with rhyme and/or meter). The form of a poem may be evident from the first word but more typically emerges from the raw material of images, phrases, and lines. I’m obsessed with live music and the Shakespearean sonnet form was perfect for capturing my love of live music. I didn’t know during early drafts that “At the barricade” would become a sonnet.

At the barricade

Packed in the Fillmore, hordes of t-shirts, no

signs of color just shades of ebony. 

Crushed bodies at the barricade below, 

my refuge above in the balcony

where I wait for blackout and tell-tale beams 

guiding shadows to the stage. Guitars are

slung on shoulders, a pair of drumsticks seem

to float on fog from hidden reservoirs. 

The crowd erupts, flash pots trigger war cries

and from the first, deep, subwoofer rumble

we are one. Speaker towers amplify

each beat, chord, strum, and lead singer mumble.

I lose myself in the torrent of sound, 

flashing color, seething masses—spellbound.

(first appeared on the San Francisco Chronicle TotalSF Podcast, 2023)

Enough of my poetry, it’s time for you to try writing a memoir poem. Here are a nine tips to help you get started: 

1. Choose a specific moment or event from your life that holds significance to you. Trust that your experience will resonate with others, no matter how personal or small.

2. Reflect on the emotions and thoughts you experienced during that time, be brave and vulnerable.

3. Write down sensory details that bring the moment to life, such as sights, sounds, smells, and textures.

4. Use figurative language, such as metaphors and similes, to add depth and meaning to your words.

5. Put the poem first: invent if it serves the poem, the poem doesn’t need to be a documentary or fact-checkable.

6. Experiment with different forms and structures, such as free verse, rhyming couplets, or a sonnet.

7. Consider using symbols or objects that hold personal significance in your poem.

8. Revise and refine your work, paying attention to your word choice and the overall tone of the poem.

9. Share your poem with others, recite out loud, and be open to constructive criticism to improve your work

I’ll close with a video of me reciting one of my favorite poems, “crush”, from my first book "canvas”, where I capture an experience everyone can relate, having a crush, through an experience as a teenager:

https://youtu.be/aS5DAi0gg3Q]

James Morehead is Poet Laureate of Dublin, California. James has published two collections of poetry: "canvas” and "portraits of red and gray". James' poem "tethered" was transformed into an award-winning hand drawn animated short film, "gallery" was set to music for baritone and piano, and his poems have appeared in the Ignatian Literary Magazine, Beyond Words Literary Magazine, 2nd Place - Oprelle Oxbow Poetry Contest 2022, Wingless Dreamer, Prometheus Dreaming, Cathexis Northwest Press, and other publications. He also hosts the Viewless Wings Poetry Podcast which features interviews with poets and artists.

https://www.goodreads.com/dublinranch

https://jamesmorehead.com