Laura Stamps

The poems in Laura's book are so peaceful and relaxing. It was almost like meditating as I was reading. And the addition of Laura's cats in almost every poem was sheer delight. This is a book I will cherish and go back to again and again. I especially liked how there were poems for every season. This is a must read for people who love poetry...and cats.

My favorite poem from the book:

CAT PAUSE

"A lone bubble escapes
a soapy pond in the sink,
captivating my youngest
cat, as if it were some
alien insect sailing above
the plateau of his nose,
and I know at any moment
I could choose to look
away from dirty dishes
and this cat to the world's
sadness, to the sorrowful
way humans abuse one
another, the grim realities
of depression, anger, fear.
There are critics who wish
I would, condemning the
buoyant water-tumble
of my words, this affinity
for joy, the sweetness.
But then three wrens gather
at the window to discuss
the cornflower jacket
of the sky, the cat bites
the bubble, and I laugh,
thinking it's not so terrible
to choose happiness,
to chase after that which
blesses, whether it's the
wild tangerine of a spotted
lily or blue jays cackling
on the porch. Did Roethke,
Whitman, or Thoreau
every regret the cartwheels
of bird-whistle etching the
hours? For some the quest
for simplicity is enough,
a golden chance to harvest
the tasseled fields of the
moment. To simply notice
the sky sketching cloud-
castles today, to breathe
the gardenia's intoxicating
smile, to marvel at soap
bubbles whirling in the
kitchen with the cat, to
dance, to dance, to dance."
… (mere)

Normally my reviews list what I loved, what I liked, what I thought was OK, and what I didn't like. This series lends itself to a different type of review! I have read the first 4 that have been released so this review encompasses all of them (so this same review will appear in all 4--have avoided spoilers the best I can)!

What is worthy of 5 wine glasses (Yummy Goodness): Sara does and says everything that we all wish we would be like if we ever met the man of our fantasies. She is out-spoken, straight forward, and goes for what she wants. She is fun to read and I dare any PNR reader to not identify with her on some level. I mean she references Ash *YUM* (though I am more a Dev girl LOL)! Dray is just the yummy goodness fantasies are made from and yet the thing I think that really wins me over about him is his sweetness (don't laugh-something about a southern gent opening car doors, walking you home is enough to make me go all girly)!

What is worthy of 4 wine glasses (Teasing Goodness): The moments between these two are H-O-T! I mean fan yourself off hot and there is very little left lacking. I like the humor and the flirtation between these two, it adds a fun sensuality to the mix. That really starts to blossom for me between them in 3 and 4.

What is worthy of 3 wine glasses (Good but want more): I think the friends in this book are fantastic. I want more of them but since this is Sara/Dray's story, I will survive. They really do add a great layer to the story and just saying the brother, hubba hubba and fun!

Why did I give it a 4: I would recommend this to any PNR reader who can handle the steam (though honestly most can). This is an ADULT novel and highly enjoyable. Great read with a good glass of wine. It is steamy, hot, and raunchy but oh so good at all 3!

Author Website: http://laurastamps.blogspot.com/… (mere)