Poetry and Ponderings by Diamante Lavendar

 A review by Toni:


My book reviews tend to be simple, this I know is true.   I will do my best to describe my journey in reading this collection.    I did not read it in one sitting.  I believe it was about four or five settings.   I found all sorts of nuggets of truth, pain and beauty in the collection.  My journey with the collection/story was filled and rewarded with morsels of wisdom and bits to ponder upon later.   I feel I traveled a road of pain, recovery, faith and spiritual healing with this collection.   Many parts were very "familiar" to me and it rang true to my soul.  It is sweet prose grounded with a gentle straightforward way of "speaking."

The Mother's Day piece:  It really socked me in the gut.... for what I may have lost with my own mother and for what I DO  have with my own daughter / grand daughter.  The reminder of  the blessing and gift of having a daughter, and grand daughter brought tears to my eyes.   I have every intention of sharing this piece with my girls.

As a former runner struggling to get back my faith and strength back, I completely connected to the piece called Don't Give Up. My motto is #nevergiveup.  I feel empowered by the words; "The sun always shines after it has been gone awhile."

Although I shudder at the thought of giving any attention to a molester, I was drawn to read the piece Portrait of a Molester.  I won't say too much about that, but I thought differently about it after reading.  I think of survivors needing a voice and  of victims that need words.  This is a piece that will help the ones lost for words find some words, or  structure. Or perhaps it is a place for people to gather and let go and  slay our demons collectively.   And in turn, perhaps help one another on the journey to healing and spirituality.

The affirmations throughout the book are wonderfully inspiring.   There is much to be shared, gained and experienced with this collection.  My thanks to Diamante Lavendar  for writing this lovely nurturing book of truth, pain, inspiration and God.

Thank you Serena and Poetic Book Tours for allowing me to be a part of the tour.

Tour Schedule:
July 11: Impressions in Ink, and here and here. (Review)
July 13: Wall-to-Wall Books (Review)
July 13: Reading Writings (Book Spotlight)
July 19: Reading Writings (Review)
July 20: Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf (Review)
July 25: Mia Sutton (Review)
July 26: Readers Handbook (Book Spotlight)
July 27: Soapy Violinist (Review)
July 31: Katherine & Books (Interview)
Aug. 2: Diary of an Eccentric (Guest Post)
Aug. 9: The Book Connection (Review)
Aug. 15: the bookworm (Guest Post)

Book information and praise:

From Award-winning author of Breaking the Silence, Poetry and Ponderings: A Journey of Abuse and Healing Through Poetry by Diamante Lavendar
A Journey of Abuse and Healing Through Poetry
A raw collection of religious poetry and prose based on one Christian woman’s experiences of being abused, and how she healed herself with God’s love in order to move past the assaults.
In this rare collection of nonfiction Christian poetry and prose based on real life experiences, Diamante Lavendar, a victim of abuse, shows the reader the raw emotions of pain, hate, and denial that occur before a victim of abuse can find a way to heal from the pains of assault. Knowing herself the very difficult journey of being a victim, Diamante was abused as a child, and turned to alcohol and drugs to numb the pain. Many years later, she started to heal under God’s watchful eyes and was able to find love in her life again. She shares these truly inspiring, religious poems in the hopes that it may help other victims heal their hurts, as she did while writing the poetry collection.

Advance Praise:
“Poetry and Ponderings is the most loving and beautiful dedication to Diamante Lavendar’s daughter. Anybody who has gone through a grieving time needs to read this classic expression of love and devotion. I tip my hat to the author for this marvelous collection of wisdom, insight and truth.”
-Mel Novak, Actor, Best known for his role in Bruce Lee’s Game Of Death.
“Tragedy turned triumph. Poetry and Ponderings beautifully leads the reader from gut wrenching pain to glorious freedom and healing. A must read for survivors and those who love them.”
-Sarah Boes, Founder of More Precious Than Rubies, reaching victims of commercial sexual exploitation.
“Diamante’s Poetry and Ponderings are an affirmation, and flow to the close of her book with the summation of her awakening. She has, in each poem, walked us through to her understanding and acceptance; we are the creation of God’s breath, as souls to live life to the fullest, and with forgiveness … ‘Writing is her way of leaving her mark: one poem, one story at a time.’ This book achieves this endeavor.”
-Sam Eastwood, International Poet
About the Poet:
Diamante Lavendar has been in love with reading since she was a child. Diamante believes that everyone should try to leave their own positive mark on the world, and to make it a better place for all. Writing is her way of leaving her mark—one story at a time. She began writing in college and has published poetry in anthologies over the years. Most of her writing is very personal and stems from her own experiences, and those of her family and friends. She writes to encourage hope and possibility to those who read her stories. To learn more about Diamante Lavendar and her books, please visit her website.