Sunday Poetry

Dreaming...

How does it feel

to know you're not real.

Just an image, a face

trying to learn your place.

Do you know that

you fade in and out.

Afraid to stay too long

afraid to belong.

Like ice on the ground

you crack when you're down.

But you melt my heart

setting you apart.

Real or dreaming

I can never tell.

Would you be there

if I fell?

- K. Pettit

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If you re-post or share, please credit me.

MELODY BOOK ONE - COMING SOON!

Photo by Kaylene Pettit courtesy Sunshine Adore

QUESTION

So many times I've stumbled and fallen through my days,

having to hide my thoughts and cast them away.

The thought of you tears at me, my heart always aches.

Only to remember we are strangers and longing turns to self hate.

I want to cry, I want to smile,

to believe there was a reason,

for my thoughts of you to change with the seasons.

Is this fate, the universe, telling me to wake up?

- K.P. from my upcoming novel Melody.

MELODY BOOK ONE - OUT JUNE 2016

'Eloise makes some big life decisions, moving away from everything she's ever known to the small town of Rockferry. She meets James and discovers a hidden world lurking in the woods. James reluctantly shows her his enchanted world is not so enchanting under the surface. But Eloise has fallen hard for James with little regard for the danger she is putting herself in. Will she survive the fall?'

Head on over to www.darkdaisyhandmade.com and join our mailing list and be the first to know when Melody is open for pre-orders.

Be sure to open your thankyou for subscribing email, you can download your free sample chapter from 'The Night Room' out July/August 2016.

For more come and find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twiiter, Pinterest.

xx Kaylene

Suite Francaise - Irene Nemirovsky - Review

Suite Francaise - Irene Nemirovsky.

I have only just read Suite Francaise and I loved it.  I already had the book in my to be read pile when I happened across the Major Motion Picture adaptation.  I was at first a little skeptical of Michelle Williams playing the lead role, as I’d watched her for years on Dawson’s Creek and wasn’t sure she could pull of the part.  But she surprised me and her acting far surpassed what I had anticipated.  The chemistry between Michelle Williams and Matthias Schoenaerts was spot on, they portrayed their characters with feeling and believability. 

I couldn’t wait to read the written version, if it was half as good as the movie, I knew I wouldn’t be able to put it down.  I was right.  Suite Francaise was originally written in French by a talented writer - Irene Nemirovsky.  The English version of the book was translated by Sandra Smith, who has before worked with Nemirovsky’s work from French to English.  Sandra has done a fabulous job.

So onto the story…

War has broken out between Germany and France in 1940, the Germans are taking over any country they can.  Defeating France’s soldiers and occupying Paris, the cities, the towns, the villages.  One of the villages (Bussy) is where we meet Lucile Angellier.  A young woman, who married too young and not for love now spends her days rattling around in a village manor house with her cold and stern mother-in-law.  Her husband has been taken and is a prisoner of war, like so many other men from her village.  Though sadly she felt pity for him but nothing else, he wasn’t a good husband. 

It is not long before France admits defeat and the German soldiers roll into town.  The invading Nazi force fill the streets and the officers are sent to reside with the residents.  Lieutenant Bruno von Falk lands on the Angellier’s doorstep and they women of the house are forced to coexist under the same roof.

What Lucile did not expect was to feel something for this invader, this conqueror.  Underneath the green uniform, the soldier façade, was a man, a gentleman.  Bruno wasn’t at all the brutish, cold blooded killer she had envisioned stepping through into her hallway.  For three months Bruno and Lucile struggle with their emerging feelings and they too will feel the keen sting and tragedy of war.

Suite Francaise is as gripping as it is poignant.  Irene sets up the plot with first the invasion, the division of rich and poor at war time and the very unfair way the world worked in the 1940’s.  Irene Nemirovsky began writing Suite Francaise in secret in 1940, but her death in the concentration camp of Auschwitz saw the novel never finished.  The manuscript was discovered sixty-five years later by her daughter, in a suitcase, in the attic.  Suite Francaise became a masterpiece and is loved worldwide.  As it should be.

I highly recommend Suite Francaise, I couldn’t put it down even after I had seen the movie.  That doesn’t happen very often with adaptations.

Xx Kaylene

For more, find me at www.darkdaishandmade.com

Not a morning person.

Ever had those mornings when its raining, it's cold and you just don't want to leave your bed? Thats me this morning. I know I have to get up, breakfast and lunches won't make themselves but I just want to lay here and wake up slowly.  But instead I can hear the shrill sounds of Elmo and Miss 3 just jumped on me and demanded breakfast...I guess that means its time to get up... head straight for the espresso....make breakfast...etc etc.

xx Kaylene

For more little snippets, find me at www.darkdaisyhandmade.com

Weekend Ponderings

I often sit and random little thoughts pop into my head, and somehow I manage to make sense of them - this poem is one such pondering...

Question

So many times I've stumbled and fallen through my days,

having to hide my thoughts,

to cast them away.

The thought of you tears at me,

my heart always aches,

only to remember we are strangers,

longing turns to self hate.

I want to cry, I want to smile,

to believe there was a reason,

for my thoughts of you,

to change with the season's.

- KaylenePettit2016

Please give credit if reposting :-)  You can find other random pondering's on my website www.darkdaisyhandmade.com

Killing time writing poetry

Rockstars & Photographs

I'm ashamed of myself, my hate, your lies.
I'm gonna take down the wall that hides whats inside.
I hate for you to see the truth, but I'm not what you think.
Can you see my heart.

You've seen inside my head, a picture, a song, you and me,
We're worlds apart.
You say we are friends, but you are a liar.
Do you think I can't feel, that I'm not real.
Can you hear my heart.

I'd fall at your feet.
Just say the word.
I'm listening.

- Zach McCloud, frontman of Sinners, taken from my novel Rockstars & Photographs.
Get it here

xx Kaylene

Rockstars & Photographs

Rockstars & Photographs is my very first published novel and was inspired by my love for music, England & photography.

'Sarah has the music world at her feet.  An up and coming photographic journalist revered in the touring world.  By the age of twenty-four, she had traveled and seen so much of the world through her camera lens, then she ever thought she would.  She'd scored the ultimate job with one of London's biggest bands - Sinners.  Tension and tempers run high as she clashes with the arrogant, self-involved lead singer.  Three more months and the threat of potential disaster loomed, Sarah wonders if Zach will derail her life, or could he just be, her saving grace?'

Grab the perfect Mother's Day gift for mum and
Pre- order your copy here



Not sure you want to take a chance on an unknown writer? I get it, head on over to our website and download the first chapter from my new novel The Night Room coming out June 2016 and judge for yourself.  Read the reviews for Rockstars & Photographs here. Check out my short story Crash here.

xx Kaylene

Tonight Alive - Limitless

Tonight Alive

Tonight Alive's new album Limitless really does live up to its name.

 I'm a massive Tonight Alive fan, I have all their albums, I know all the songs, the drum beats, the bass lines, the lyrics.  Their punk style has always been something I loved, and related too.  So I was a little unsure when I first heard the new tracks from Limitless.  They had stepped away from their style in a big way.  

What Are You So Scared Of, Revenge & It's Thrills and The Other Side are all epic Tonight Alive albums.  Each with its own story but in essence I could pick a Tonight Alive song from a mile away just by the beefy drum beat, or guitar riff. And that's not to say that the albums are repetitive, because they aren't - they all have that tone of sometimes angry words, self doubt and of course love but from a different perspective of life.  

I think sometimes fans forget that bands like Tonight Alive started out young, it's natural to have progression in sound and lyrics and Limitless is a far cry from hearing Jenna sing about hurtful people and disappointment as was the tone of The Other Side.

Limitless has this sound that blends the best of Tonight Alive killer musical instincts, a slightly electric feel, and just a downright happy record.

The opening track To Be Free, has and independence undertone and really showcases Jenna's voice and the musical change the band as a whole have made.  It's progressive and up beat.

The whole album does have that make you want to dance feel, especially Drive.  At first this was the one song on the album that I thought was the most different from Tonight Alive of old.  But as I listened to it on repeat, I realised that this is Tonight Alive growing into themselves and their own style.  They can no longer be pegged as that token Australian Punk/Emo band.  And Drive is a track that makes you want to dance, there is nothing wrong with that.

Tonight Alive & Limitless is a step up and out.  The album is progressive, fresh, and has a sense of self belief without losing their sound. I feel like this bands potential is limitless...

Check them out on Youtube here and decide for yourself.

Limitless is out now,  go and get it!

xx Kaylene

For more follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or sign up at www.darkdaisyhandmade.com

Epiphany Coffee & Joe Mungovan

Joe Mungovan - Way Down South Tour

The scent of organic coffee lingered in the air while the mellow sounds of Joe Mungovan's voice drifted through his microphone...

Sounds awesome right? It is! 

Epiphany Coffee have carved out this great space for themselves in our little town of Gympie. An atmosphere of chilled and stress-free feels envelopes me the moment I stepped through the doorway. I was greeted with a cafe offering mouth- watering Raw, Vegan & Paleo food, excellent coffee and of course awesome customer service.  But it's not all food and coffee and chilled out vibes that make Epiphany Coffee an inspiring place to visit.  Lee & Steve offer loads of classes, acoustic sets and live music free of the "pub scene" that's normally associated with live music.

Epiphany Coffee

Yesterday was my second time going to see a live set at Epiphany Coffee and was treated with three hours of mellow tunes, upbeat riffs and great lyrics - I could have sat there all day. There is something so intimate about a small venue show, it creates this closeness with the musicians, performing barely 2 meters from where we lounged in comfy armchairs.  With a bare bones approach to the set it made the music and lyrics come alive and seem more real.  
A kind of awed, peaceful silence fell over the room, a feeling of real appreciation was apparent on everyone's faces.
Gympie produces some talented musicians and yesterday was no exception.  Opening the set was Sam and his bluesy style, lyrics and melodies and some great covers.

The handful of people had turned into a small crowd as Sam came to a close and it was time for Joe to step up to the mic.  Joe's voice had enchanted his listeners the second he opened his mouth.  With a style that is distinctively indie and soulful and his honest lyrics and catchy beats, Joe had a captivated audience. Song after song he performed with such energy and belief in his music that I couldn't help but love every second!

xx Kaylene

Check out Joe performing at Epiphany Coffee here

So do your self a favour and check out Joe Mungovan on Youtube here.

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or sign up to our newsletter at www.darkdaisyhandmade.com for more...

Weekend reading

Holidays are the perfect excuse for reading!

 It's the weekend here in Australia and you know what that means, well to most people, it's public holiday's, lazing around and taking a break from the rat race.

As much as I would like to join you all in relaxing and chillin' out - that's not how my brain works. Being a writer means I'm always in work mode.   I never know what will inspire me to write, but writing everyday is something that's a given.  I do try to work it in around my sewing, house, custom order work but sometimes the need to write takes over and words start tumbling out & the washing sits unfolded in the corner, my family are left to hunt for their food themselves.

But if you aren't a writer but love to read then you can read to your hearts content this long weekend.

Whether it be a paperback or a kindle, a phone or a tablet, what matters is the story you are delving into, the characters you are bringing to life.

So grab that coffee or wine, or that Easter egg you've been trying not to eat - and read.

If you love a quick read Crash is the book for you - get the e-book here from Lulu.com

"Is love at first sight real? Abbey knew she had met the love of her life the second she saw him, everything just fell into place until the universe steps in. Fate will decide who lives, who loves and who dies in this modern day Romeo & Juliet."

If you are more of a novel kind of person the Rockstars & Photographs is a music inspired story set against the London city scene & an Australian summer - you can get the e-book here from Lulu.com 

"Sarah has the music world at her feet. An up and coming photographic journalist revered in the touring world. By the age of twenty-four, she had traveled and seen so much of the world through her camera lens, then she ever thought she would. She'd scored the ultimate job with one of London's biggest bands - Sinners. Tension and tempers run high as she clashes with the arrogant, self-involved lead singer. Three more months and the threat of potential disaster loomed, Sarah wonders if Zach will derail her life, or could he just be, her saving grace?"

You can also get a free chapter from my upcoming novel The Night Room here.

"Aidan has lost everything she ever cared about - her family, her friends, her music, her life.  With nothing left to live for, each day gets harder and harder.  Until she meets Riley.  He forces her to live, to deal with her new life and even maybe to love.

She wonders if maybe she can salvage something good from her ruined life, after all.  But death isn't done with her yet."

I hope you all have a fabulous long weekend, read lots & take a well earned break.

xx Kaylene

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