To Carry a Knife – Kristiana Reed

My daughter will learn how to hone the blades on the tip of her tongue; and she will cut and sculpt words which move the world to tears and action. She will use her mother’s weapons to leave this world a better place; carrying a knife in her wit and not her pocket, wielding strength …

Damsel – Kristiana Reed

You are not a damsel in distress nor a princess to be saved you are a warrior and you woke up like this; beautiful in your fury, stunning in your victory. And if the tide flows red and friend or foe tries to treat you as less; you show them the scars of lightning - …

Review of For You, Rowena (Kindra M. Austin) – Kristiana Reed

Whisper and the Roar

Austin made a gorgeous debut with Magpie in August so when asked to read and review For You, Rowena I was filled with excitement and trepidation. I imagine Austin is too, as her second novel releases, a dark departure from her first.

There is little I can say which won’t spoil the narrative of this 194-page thriller and that is what makes it such a glorious read. It is the kind of book I want to watch somebody else read. I want to watch another experience goosebumps like I did and fall down Austin’s rabbit hole of deadly love and lust.

Despite being her second novel, Austin continues to prove she is a master of her craft. She twists characters and narratives like locks of hair and runs them like ribbon through her hands; her writer’s hands which know exactly when to make you smile or when to drop your…

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Helen – Kristiana Reed

I wonder if in the arms of Paris, Helen missed Menelaus.   In truth, both men were a menace of the heart, the body and blonde locks ships sailed for, bones splintered for, skulls cracked for, Hector died for, Andromache cried for, Achilles bent the knee for, Patroclus sacrificed himself for, but no one prayed …

I See You – Kristiana Reed

I see you with your nightmares and crown of thorns because you've decided silence is better kept yours.   I see you with your balled fists, bruised lips, battle hardened stare and the red lip gloss you wear in the hope it tastes like poison.   I see you at midnight curled up, fetal hoping …

A Recovery Letter

My Screaming Twenties

Dear You,

I am writing this for the both of us. Not because I am not yet on the other side of the darkness but because there is no other side or quick fix. Your recovery is a journey. The light we look for; for clarity, purpose and lost motivation is not switch operated. Think of it more as a candle to maintain. Sometimes the wick is just smoking, burnt out. Sometimes it gutters in the wind and sometimes it burns full bodied and strong, for hours and days. In whatever state, the hard work does not end. Nor should it, we are worth it. It is the easiest and hardest choice to stay in bed all day or isolated in some way. It is just as easy and hard to say the words ‘I will be okay.’ Just as easy and hard as taking deep breaths or being honest…

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Christine E Ray’s Composition of a Woman, out now!

Composition of a Woman is currently available on Amazon.com, Amazon.ca (Canada) and Amazon Europe ( Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr,Amazon.it, and Amazon.es.) It should be available of Book Depository and Barnes & Noble soon. Signed copies of Composition of a Woman are also available on the Sudden Denouement Etsy site. Watch this incredible video by Dena Daigle for taste of Christine E Ray's gorgeous work and unmatched talent: …

Christine E Ray’s Composition of a Woman

Composition of a Woman releases tomorrow, July 31st! ❤  

Hands – Kristiana Reed

I run my petal soft fingertips along the contours of your hands; counting each line, stroking each knuckle, tracing the inside of your palm and the indents around your nails. This is the first time I’ve held hands like yours - gentle like a stream, hands which wash over my feet, my hips, chest and …

An Evening Bath – Kristiana Reed

She’s been sinking for days, the ground a swallowing mud she’s lost all of her shoes in. On Monday she was waist deep in regret, now it’s Sunday and the shame is creeping up around her throat, flecks of distance, good enough and you should have known better. In her need to be clean she …