Jay Trisolino Poetry Contest

Put on by the Utica Writers Club.

Deadline: March 4, 2011

1) Seasoned Poets (18 years and older)/$5/poem
2) Student Poets (17 years and under)/$2/poem
(No more than 2 entries per person in either category)

Poems are to be 1000 words or less

First Prize Winners: $100 plus free membership to UWC for 2011-2012
Second Prize Winners: $75 plus free membership to UWC for 2011-2012
Most Original Poem Topic: $25 plus 50% off 2011-2012 UWC membership
Two Honorable Mentions per category plus 50% off 2011-2012 UWC mem bership

Mail Entries and Fees to:
Jay Trisolino Poetry Contest
9562 Roberts Rd.
Sauquoit, NY 13456

An open public reception will be held May 18, 2011 to celebrate all writers and winners at the Kirkland Town Library.

CURIOSITIES OF THE CIVIL WAR

I received a copy of CURIOSITIES OF THE CIVIL WAR: STRANGE STORIES, INFAMOLUS CHARACTERS, AND BIZARRE EVENTS by Webb Garrison from Thomas Nelson. The book has been reprinted as a combination of two Webb Garrison texts, CIVIL WAR CURIOSITIES and MORE CIVIL WAR CURIOSITIES, in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. I was sad to read on the back flap of the book that Webb Garrison passed away in 2000.

The book does include strange stories – such as what medical ailments inflicted whom; infamous characters – women joining their husbands on the battlefield; bizarre events – discovering secret messages. I enjoyed reading through the facts. I am the type of person who sprouts random tidbits at odd moments, so this is great fuel. My mom also looked at the book. Her opinion varied. She thought the tidbits were ridiculous and random. I am definitely going to keep this book in case I need to do research. I will also keep it on my coffee table for guests to browse. Each little tidbit is only one page to half a page in length, so it makes for a quick, intellectual read. The book is also broken into parts, in case you want to read for a longer amount of time, but still want a designated stopping point.

THE PROMISES SHE KEEPS

I received a copy of THE PROMISES SHE KEEPS by Erin Healy, from Thomas Nelson. In one word, I can describe the novel as “weird.” Nonetheless, I enjoyed it, as I usually enjoy “weird” books. The story involves Promise, a young woman who is dying of cystic fibrosis. She dreams of becoming a singer so that people will remember her long after she is gone. Promise meets Zack at college and he asks her if he can take pictures to draw from. At first Promise is weary, but eventually agrees. Her wrap blows away and when she dives for it, she crashes into a fence and falls down a cliff. Miraculously she is unharmed. Zack shows the picture of her going over to his mother. His mother, Porta, is a sorceress searching for immortality. When she heard about Promise, Porta believes she can use the young woman for her gain. She begins stalking Promise, and wants Zack to try to kill her to prove Porta’s theory. A young man named Chase, who has autism, gets in Porta’s way. He draws pictures of trees that are “meant” for people and can see Porta means Promise harm. The book was very interesting and I could not put it down until I was done, but I did not feel the “love” that the back of novel boasted.

THE QUOTABLE CHESTERTON

I received a copy of THE QUOTABLE CHESTERTON: THE WIT AND WISDOM OF G. K. CHESTERTON by Kevin Belmonte from Thomas Nelson. I was really excited to see this book offered, because before I knew virtually nothing about G. K. Chesterton. On page IX, Kevin Belmonte says he hopes the book works as an introduction and anthology. It certainly does, for both. I now know many facts about G. K. Chesterton, such as when he lived and how he worked. It also works as an amazing anthology, for the book consists of an A-Z layout of his work.

I really enjoyed reading this book and learning about a new historical figure. G. K. Chesterton lived a fascinating, intellectual career. It’s a pity he is not still alive, for I am sure he would have made great conversation in today’s media. I can imagine him as a talk show host.

The anthology itself covered a range of different topics, such as Jane Austen on page 19. Since the variety is so open, it’s easy to become lost in your own thoughts on the topic. Your thoughts flit from idea to idea. There’s never a dull moment in this book. I hope to be able to use his quotes in conversations. After all, the book is the “Quotable Chesterton.”

REDISCOVERING YOUR HAPPILY EVER AFTER

I received a copy of REDISCOVERING YOUR HAPPILY EVER AFTER: MOVING FROM HOPELESS TO HOPEFUL AS A NEWLY DIVORCED MOTHER by PeggySue Wells, from Kregel Publications and GoodReads. I love self-help books. Not only am I able to use them to help friends, but much of the information provided can be applied to other issues in life. This book is broken into catchy chapter headings playing off fairy tales, such as “Mirror, Mirror,” and “Yellow Brick Road.” If you want to help a friend, or are experiencing divorce as a mother, this is an excellent book to provide stepping-stones along the rocky path. My favorite part was reading the story about her friend’s son, who was born without legs, but lived a normal life with people who loved him deeply.

LOVE ON ASSIGNMENT

I received a copy of LOVE ON ASSIGNMENT by Cara Lynn James, from Thomas Nelson. It is the second novel in the “Ladies of Summerhill” series. I read the first book, LOVE ON A DIME, and absolutely loved it. This second novel did not disappoint. Cara Lynn James is one of my new favorite authors. Her characters are realistic and catchy, as well as endearing. I loved the whole thing, except the last chapter. It left me wanting more, but not in a good way. Rather, it left me feeling like something had been cut.

This story, LOVE ON ASSIGNMENT, involves Charlotte Hale, an aspiring journalist. Her paper’s editor asks her to go undercover and discover the dirty secrets behind Professor Daniel Wilmont, who writes a controversial column for a rivaling newspaper. Charlotte agrees, hoping it will bring her prestige, and becomes the governess for his two children. While in his house, she learns he is a wonderful man who follows his religion strongly. His children, a boy and girl, become close to her, and the girl, Ruthie, wishes Charlotte could become her new mother. Things get rockier when the professor’s mother returns to the home and dislikes Charlotte. She also does not have any evidence of Daniel’s amoral deeds – because there are not any. Her editor decides to take her off the case and replace her with another of his secretaries. Charlotte does not want Daniel, or his family hurt, so she quits the newspaper, even though she is the breadwinner for her sister and aunt. Through Daniel, she has renewed her faith and she knows God will see her through any perils.

AN AMISH LOVE

I received a copy of AN AMISH LOVE, from Thomas Nelson. The book is comprised of three novellas concerning modern-day Amish couples. Each story is heartwarming, and quick, so the book is very fast paced. I read all 387 pages in one afternoon. The end of the book includes Amish recipes and a reading guide for each novella.

The first novella in the book is A MARRIAGE OF THE HEART by Kelly Long. The story involves young Abigail Kauffman, who makes up a story about Joseph Lambert kissing her. He has recently returned from the English world, and she hopes he’ll take her away from her father. Ever since her mother’s death when she was five, Abigail has not enjoyed her home life. Joseph, however, is interested in staying Amish, and putting behind his past, when he suffered drug addictions and lived on city streets. The two manage to make a happy life for themselves with her father. I loved this story, and found it very engaging. I wished it were longer.

The second novella in the book is WHAT THE HEART SEES by Kathleen Fuller. This story involves Ellie Chipp, who lost her eyesight in an automobile accident years before. Her friend, Christopher Miller, was so distraught by the accident because it took his sister’s life, that he left the Amish community, unable to forgive the car’s driver. He returns, hoping to finally set things straight, and strikes up a friendship with Ellie. The friendship blossoms into love, he forgives, and rejoins the community. I also loved this story.

The third novella is HEALING HEARTS by Beth Wiseman. Of the three, I disliked this one the most, although it was still good. Naaman Lapp returns to the community after being away, and hopes to make amends with his family. They have a hard time forgiving him for his absence, and feel as though he had abandoned them. I really could not get into this story the way I could with the others, but it was still enjoyable to read.