Poetry

Release Date: June 23, 2025

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Featuring the following authors: Lee Clark Zumpe, Nick Armbrister, Anna Ross, Toastingfork, K.J. Watson, LindaAnn LoSchiavo, David J. Vowell, Roxana Negut, Vanessa Bane, Cassandra Jones, Andrea Tillmanns, Mathew Anderson, Fariel Shafee, Davion Moore, Afshan Q, Korede Badmus, Cara Hartley, Tanya Fillbrook, and J.E. Feldman.

I am not a symphony

My brain is complete cacophony.

Don’t come into my head

If you know what’s good for you.

You’ll wind up both deaf and mad.

I could be a figurine

As long as the figurine you mean

Is the Venus of Willendorf.

She’s only 4.4 inches tall,

But just like Rosie, she’s got it all.

I am not a ballet.

If I even tried to play

At spinning pretty pirouettes

I’d wind up face-down on the floor;

Trust me, you don’t want to see more.

I am not a sonnet

About an Easter bonnet.

I could be a country song

About a love that’s gone all wrong.

That’s what romance has been for me.

I’m not what anyone wants me to be,

But I must accept being just me

Before the sun goes down on my life

And it’s too late for affirmation

Of the fine qualities I possessed.

Ornery Owl is a wise old bird who seeks the truth behind the lies. She uses her observations to heal the wounded soul. In essence, she is the spirit of an odd little bird whose wings were clipped at a young age. She is at once a whimsical manifestation of poetic expression and a fierce protector of those targeted for derision by an angry and unsympathetic world. Depending on how you perceive her, she can be either a goddamned delight or your worst nightmare.

Cara H and Ornery Owl Amazon Author Page

C. L. Hart Newsletter

(C. L. Hart is my fantasy, horror, and sweet romance author pen name.)

Naughty Netherworld Press Start Page

Romantic Comedy

Date Published: June 23, 2025

The last place Fern wants to be his back home as the Maid of Honor in her cousin's wedding. She's at a cabin by herself for a few days getting ready for the bachelor/bachelorette weekend, when rough and tough Gabe bursts through the door in the middle of the night. Thinking he's an intruder she starts throwing punches resulting in a brawl in the kitchen. She then learns he's a NHL hockey player and teammate of her brother's.

Fern doubts every Instinct she has due to her terrible past life choices. With an undeniable spark between the two, they hatch up a " weekend pass" option allowing her a few days with the wild one while keeping her heart intact. But after the crazy wedding party weekend including a high-speed chase, Fern overhears a shocking conversation and bolts. Gabe persuades her for another chance at the same time her brother finds out and all hell breaks loose.

After an unexpected twist and a decision that ends with her bringing a fake date to the wedding, her cousin disappears. Fern has no option but to turn to Gabe to help her locate the missing bride.

Mary Lee loves Minnesota Wild Hockey, hanging with family, and Dove chocolate.

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Children's Book

Date Published: May 28, 2025

Publisher: ‎MindStir Media

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📘 Book Description for Grandma’s Bucket of Mercy by Robin Carole

You are never too old or too young to learn life’s lessons.

From multiple award-winning author Robin Carole comes a heartwarming true story that celebrates the power of love, forgiveness, and generational wisdom. Grandma’s Bucket of Mercy is a touching tale of one young girl’s summer with her grandmother in 1960s California—and the quiet but profound lesson that would change two lives forever.

Ten-year-old Carole is sent on a mysterious errand involving her grandmother’s elderly neighbor, not knowing her grandmother is teaching her about the gift of mercy. Years later, Carole finally understands the full impact of that experience when a stranger shares how her small, anonymous acts of kindness transformed a life.

Beautifully written and deeply personal, this story is a tribute to the grit and grace of the women who survived the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression and to the enduring strength of intergenerational bonds. Grandma’s Bucket of Mercy is perfect for readers aged 9–12—and for the childlike spirit in every adult who believes in the quiet power of compassion.

🪣 Sometimes the smallest gesture can change everything.

About the Author

Robin Carole is a multiple award-winning author and lifelong storyteller dedicated to preserving the legacy of the strong women in her family. A native Californian who grew up in the scenic wine country, Robin spent over 40 years in Deaf Education as a Certified Sign Language Interpreter, working with students from kindergarten through adult education. 

Now retired and living in Spokane, Washington, Robin draws from real-life experiences and the stories passed down from her grandmother, mother, and aunts to write books that speak to the hearts of readers young and old. Her passion for storytelling began as a child, sitting at the feet of her family matriarchs, listening to tales of resilience, faith, and enduring love. 

Her latest book, Grandma’s Bucket of Mercy, is a heartfelt tribute to the power of quiet acts of compassion—and a reminder that even children can change the world through kindness. Through her writing, Robin invites readers to revisit a time when life was simple, values were taught through action, and lessons of mercy could last a lifetime.