Author – Speaker – Poet – Quotist – Podcaster – Blogger – Jewelry Designer – Journalist – Healer – Artist
Links to all blogs featuring my book – ENIGMA
Read Between the Lines – Nov 18
Crystal’s Random Thoughts – Nov 18
Nerdy Dirty and Flirty – Nov 18
Cupcakes and Bookshelves – Nov 19
Nerdy Book Dragon Realm – Nov 20
The Lotus Tea and Reading Room – Nov 21
Between The Pages One Book At A Time – Nov 22
Twisted Sisters Book Club – Nov 23
Watch the video – Grady Harp Review-Enigma
Read his entire review here
Get Enigma here
Stay tuned for “Enigma II”…
Thank you Gemma!…
A Great Tool to Be More Open About Sex
October 23, 2019
Format: Paperback
It is one of the most natural things in the world, but so many of us – myself included – find it so difficult to talk about. It can be so hard to bring up to your partner what you like, what you don’t like, and what you expect from intimate experiences.
The poems within Enigma by Chriselda Barretto takes you through so many different perspectives on the human sexual experience, many of which you will relate with and others that you will contemplate on. The poems are not smutty, but rather more beautiful, which mirrors the beauty in the connection between two people. The poems kind of showed me that there is no real need to feel so awkward about sex, it is a beautiful thing that can inspire some really beautiful poetry.
This is not Fifty Shades of Grey, it is so much more subtle and relatable. Wonderful prose and an amazing concept. I really admire Chriselda Barretto for encouraging people to be more open about sex.
Get ENIGMA here
Read Between The Lines (Oct 12 2019)
****A journey through love, lust and passion!
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I got this. I do enjoy poetry I rather enjoy all different genres of writing. I am definitely a lover of words with that out of the way I will leave you with my thoughts on Enigma: Erotic Soul Poetry.
This book was sometimes more interesting than exciting, but that did nothing to lessen my enjoyment of the collection. These poems are about sex — every strange, beautiful, passionate and awkward aspect of sex. That doesn’t necessarily make them ‘sexy’ though. Some where more passionate than sexy. These poems brought you into the mind of the lovers depicted in each poem and allowed you to envision the love and passion between them.
I loved just how many different niches of the human sexual experience are represented here. Each poem is to be enjoyed and judged individually. Every piece tells it’s own story while keeping within the theme and style of the book overall. It’s too hard to choose one poem which stands out above the rest, I do have a few that I enjoyed while there was a couple I really enjoyed. One of the ones I really enjoyed was Mirage. While some of these poems stood out more than others they where all unique and enjoyable. If you enjoy poetry and the expression written within it’s words you will enjoy this title.
Chriselda Barretto
Independently Published (2019)
ISBN 9789463881104
Reviewed by Susan Violante for Reader Views
“Must Love Poetry,” by Chriselda Barretto is an eclectic collection of topics expressed in well written poetry. Topics range from Nature, Spirituality, the Universe…you name it and it is within these pages in some shape, or form. When I first saw that this poetry collection was 290 pages, I hesitated a little as this collection had only one author and other poetry books I have read of this size were always multi-author anthologies. I decided to read it like I read the anthologies…in different sittings without paying attention to the table of contents. I found that although I could identify the author’s voice in all the poems, each poem felt totally different than the next one. Each one was well written – some free style, some rhyme more than others, all spoke of different topics, and each expressed a distinct feel. Some of my favorites, to name a few, (although I loved the entire repertoire) are: ‘Soar,’ ‘From Mother to Son,’ ‘The Statue and The Tower,’ ‘Mind Me,’ and the one that really stayed with me, ‘Dark Pearl.’
Barretto has mastered multiple forms of poetry, but her talent of expression is what impressed me the most. To be able to share feelings and provoke thoughts about such a range of topics in one collection is remarkable. I liked the fact that she presented her work in no apparent sequence. This always kept me curious, wondering what the next one would be about, and how it would affect my mind and heart. Would it linger in my thoughts? Would it touch a moment within my life? Would it be about something I haven’t even thought about? Below is a short example to show how the author’s work is not only mind and heart stimulating…but also visually.
‘Dishonest
Living in an age
of dishonesty
Surviving a rage
of pre-occupational hazardry
Collect your thoughts
and reinforce your mental imagery
For this world is the biggest asset
of evolution for humanity!’
I loved “Must Love Poetry” by Chriselda Barretto and consider it a five-star book of poetry for this era. Definitely a must-read for all poetry lovers!
Book Reviews
Grady Harp,
Top Contributor: Children’s Books
5.0 out of 5 stars Brief phrases and thoughts to enlighten our lives
November 29, 2018
Belgian author Chriselda Barretto has mixed roots Anglo-Indian and Goan-Portuguese. In addition to writing she is an Inflight Safety Training Instructor in the Aviation Industry. She is also a professional modern jazz dancer.
In this well designed book – a combination of colorful geometric shapes placed well with the many quotations Chriselda offers – we are privileged to musings by an obviously thoughtful and caring person. The quotes are directed toward helping the reader find a more satisfying life and gain self-confidence.
Profound in their simplicity, these little quotes spark the imagination and support the growth of the human spirit. Some examples follow:
Strive to make today better than yesterday!
Cold war doesn’t only exist among countries
It also exists among people
You can afford to lose everything
But your mind and common sense!
Life is a never-ending growth curve
In the end the only person you will have to answer to
Is yourself!
We all need a bit of solitude to reflect and reinforce
Resilience only builds after pain
Don’t underestimate you
We all have a purpose here
Find it and fulfill it!
This is a fine little bedside book to re-energize thoughts and perceptions before resting for the night.
Grady Harp, November 18
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
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Gemma
5.0 out of 5 stars / A lesson for every day
October 29, 2018
Format: Paperback
A little bit of inspiration and motivation for every day.
“You can afford to lose everything, but your mind and common sense!”
“Love hurts, but experiencing it is such a huge buzz!”
Chriselda Barretto has experienced a lot in her life, and she has used each one of her experiences to learn a lesson. She has collected these lessons and her musings on life and expressed them as inspirational and thought-provoking quotes in ‘She Said’. Through reading these quotes, I was encouraged to learn new things about myself by looking inward and asking myself questions. This is definitely one of those books that can sit on your bookshelf for years, that you can keep coming back to when you need a boost, or want to start your day off in the right way.
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DG Penny
4.0 out of 5 stars / Another good read by Barretto
November 12, 2018 Format: Paperback
Another good read by Barretto but think I preferred The Creep more. This is still an enjoyable read and if it had been my first by the author I may have awarded 5 stars.
There is a lot in here based on the journey Barretto has enjoyed and endured in her life, and I think that absolutely fills her writing with authenticity and feeling. I found myself going back and rereading a few pages that I found to be particularly profound. She is an author I’ll be following from here to see what else is released in the future.
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Grymm
3.0 out of 5 stars / Very creative original quotes
October 15, 2018
Format: Paperback
This is my second time diving into the imagination of Chriselda Barretto. This is a very different kind of book than the other I’ve read (The Creep, for what it’s worth). This is a book of original quotes by Barretto. There is a bit of design on some of the pages, but I’m not entirely sure what the theme is (it feels like they were thrown in there just to take up space, but this is possibly a formatting thing). The quotes: there are some good gems in here, some are creative re-inventions of quotes and sayings that are out there, and some of them are quite creative. Overall, it wasn’t bad. The quotes were mostly inspirational, with the rest really calling for the reader to look inward. The formatting and length could be adjusted, though, considering the large number of pages in relation to actual content. Again, I have to say this author is very creative. I’ll be checking out another book by her.
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Palfrend
3.0 out of 5 stars / Reworded Quotes Offering Inspiration and Guidance
November 3, 2018
Format: Paperback
Honestly, I feel like this book is made up of recycled but reworded quotes that offer its readers inspiration and guidance as they struggle to survive in this difficult modern world we live in. This is the second book by Barretto that I have read and its contents are a refreshing and replenishing plethora of counsel that I feel gives hope and comfort to the soul that is on the verge of a breakdown. I am here to report that the positives of this book is the author’s skill at rewording the same advice that other sources of inspiration e.g. the Holy Bible has been touting for a long time. There are quotes here that examine the self for instance like this one:
“Confidence should be measured by your power of patience, resilience and persistence.”
Then there are quotes that condemn the opinion of others:
“Asking someone for advice means you get what would suit them and not necessarily you or your needs!”
And then there are quotes that instruct you on how to better your life (which this example says but is often an overused one now):
“Strive to make today better than yesterday!”
And of course there are quotes that tells us the readers what Barretto has learned herself:
“Experience has taught me not to judge a book by its cover…” which is a quote that is overused as well.
Like I said, those of us readers who have read a lot of inspirational books and seen a bunch of inspirational movies over our years on this earth have already by now learned of these quotes but the brilliance in them is that the author has redesigned their wording so as to make them her own.
She Said!: A Book of Quotes here is a great read for the millennials in my honest opinion especially for those who are not spiritual or religious. It may very well be inspiring and helpful to them as I have delineated above that these quotes are great counsel that provides a soothing backbone to those who feel like the world is against them and are seeking a way to snap out of it and get back on the right path in life. I wish Barretto much success and more happiness to her and her book here as someone who grew up amongst theological books and religious media therefore having learned of these quotes beforehand.
Still I guess it’s wonderful to own a book of quotes that are spread in good nature and is a book centered on goodness and a peace of mind. It may very well rejuvenate the sad life of someone who has not discovered the wisdom in these quotes after all. Good luck and God bless.
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V.E.
4.0 out of 5 stars / Great Collection of Inspiring Quotes
October 11, 2018
Format: Paperback
She Said!: The Book of Quotes by Chriselda Barretto is a vast collection of inspirational quotes written by the author. Conveyed in an abstract and whimsical format, these quotes may be just what you need to get your day started. Barretto has lived thus far an interesting life, working for the past couple decades as an In flight Training Instructor, and also being a professional jazz dancer. Her passion for writing and being creative however, shines in this collection of uplifting quotes. As she says, Complacency is a dangerous trait; you will find no complacency here, just imaginative and fun quotes that you can read again and again to reinvigorate yourself and inspire yourself to be your best self from one day to the next. A fun collection from a very interesting and enthusiastic author. Highly recommend, and look forward to more from Barretto.
Buy She Said! here:
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The Ultimate Collection Of Millennial Quotes (follow-up quotes)
Book Reviews
Grady Harp,
Top Contributor: Children’s Books,HALL OF FAME TOP 50 REVIEWER
5.0 out of 5 stars ‘Unimaginable it seems To count the number Of mere shades all over’
November 29, 2018
Born in Bombay, India author Chriselda Barretto now lives in Belgium and has mixed roots Anglo-Indian and Goan-Portuguese. In addition to writing she is an Inflight Safety Training Instructor in the Aviation Industry. She is also a professional modern jazz dancer.
In this well designed book – a combination of images and shapes placed well with the many poems and prose Chriselda offers – we are privileged to musings by an obviously thoughtful and caring person. The thoughts are clear, well written and musical
This book is divided into sections – Intrigue, Romantic, Joy, Dreamer, Inspire, Thoughts, Philosophical, Trust, Broken, and Love each with little moments spark the imagination and support the growth of the visual and the emotional spirit. Some examples follow:
Pill
Awaken me like you do
Every morning be t rain, shine or hue
Build in me thoughts so free
Cause it helps me foresee
This enhancing feel of love and cheer
Heartfelt, warm, full of all the is dear
Allow me the will
To clear for you a place, quiet and still
To feed me with you love-spliced pill!
Crazy Painting
Squares of pearls
Blotching out the swirls
Made by this magical brush
Strokes of molten gold
Beneath the soft lead
Shading the brown summer bread
Silvery lines whinnying over
All the flurry of the cover
Turn over the page
Dipping in the red
Splash the colours
Lava on the run
Heat up the crazy burn!
Take the plunge
Scrape off the tar
As soft as black butter
Get on with the next spar!
This is yet another fine book by Chriselda to stimulate thoughts and perceptions and to encourage each of our emotions.Grady Harp, November 18
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
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Palfrend
4.0 out of 5 stars / This Read Was an Enjoyable, Learning Experience for Me
November 9, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
This is the third Chriselda Barretto book that I have finished in less than a week and I am pleased to tell you that it was an enjoyable, learning experience for me with its poems and their storylines and all. I truly found this book entertaining and suitable for my reading tastes I am so happy to recommend it to you to go ahead and order it for your Kindle collection right now. The poems here are multi-themed, with elements ranging from romance to thriller to inspirational. In all honesty, I have found a poetry book (here) that mirrors my own books that I have written and published. Just to give a preview of what I liked from this book, here are a few quotes or lines that I am sure will help you make your ultimate decision on buying it for yourself or your loved one for this upcoming gift-giving holiday season this year!
“Raindrops falling from eyes/ teardrops falling from the skies/…Pain to bring joy/ Happiness to lead to suffering…” I found the subjects in these lines to be opposite of each other, yet they are so true which shows Barretto’s amazing wisdom and insight.
“Under the bright moonlight/ cometh she out her mound/ skin glistening like/ little shimmering diamonds/ yearning for love and affection/ always facing rejection…” This has dual meanings for me. There is the mermaid from Andersen’s fairy tale and then there is the man/woman who faces rejection when they just want love and affection therefore it is forbidden love…
Other poems and prose in this fascinating and magical book of Barretto’s are obviously influenced by her ethnic heritage’s Hinduism where she mentions names of deities of that religion throughout the book and it’s all so beautiful to my reading tastes. (I like it when someone has vast knowledge of his or her multicultural background.)
There are also poems that tell stories of romance and love that I am happy to inform you to have inspired me in my own plans for my third poetry collection. I tell you if there is a poet out there that has a fresh voice and point of view right now for me it would be Barretto here. I love how she manipulates the structure of her poetic lines to make them rhyme with each other, that to me, is talent and yes, Barretto has incredible talent. Her English vocabulary level is vast and she knows a lot to give her poems here that professionalism that great poets and writers possess.
I really enjoyed this third book of hers and I wholeheartedly urge you to give her a chance, order a copy of this beauty for yourself to experience her gift for yourself. I recommend this book to all those who love skillful poetry and prose, because you will be amazed by her unique and fresh voice. One final note: I truly enjoyed this work of hers from the other two I previously reviewed because this is art at its best and it has inspired me to write poems that will follow her technique. Good stuff, way to go Barretto!
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DG Penny
4.0 out of 5 stars / A solid read
November 12, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
Another good read from Barretto. The majority of Dreams and Dew I found particularly enveloping and tender, although at times I did feel it got a little Hallmark-y, overall a positive experience. This is the third of Barretto’s books I’ve read, and continue to class her as one of my recent favorite author discoveries.
Barretto’s proclaimed mission of bringing poetry back to its glory is am ambitious one, and although I’m not sure Dreams and Dew will do this, I can definitely see it resonating strongly with the romantic fiction crowd.
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Grymm
4.0 out of 5 stars / Creative Poetry from a passionate author!
October 15, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
This is the third piece I’ve read from Barretto. This is a poetry/prose book, broken down into sections (outlined in the Table of Contents…which, as an aside, was kind of hard to read due to the first letter of each title being a fancy font). The poems are good for a new, enthusiastic and emerging author. Most of the rhymes felt natural, the pacing is sound in the majority of the poems (and the others are likely the fault of my interpretation, not the author). At the end, she includes a bit from “The Creep” (which I’ve read and enjoyed). This really shows her word creativity (see the poem entitled “B i/e tterness for example”). Despite this being a book of poetry and prose, I found there to be very little prose (none, actually, unless you count the theory on resonance bit).
Overall this collection is very creative and has some really good poems in here. The author is passionate, creative, and full of emotion and it’s all proven as she bleeds ink on the page.
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Gemma
5.0 out of 5 stars / Emotional Poetry
October 29, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
I have read poetry from Chriselda Barretto before an really enjoyed her unique form of storytelling, so decided to try ‘Dreams & Dew’ too, which is so different to her previous work ‘The Creep’, but was still great to read. Whilst ‘The Creep’ was malevolent and eerie, ‘Dreams & Dew’ was poetry with real emotion. It is full of heart and soul, and there were so many poems that touched my heart. I have to say that my favourite was probably ‘Lost and Found’. It was short and sweet, but has a powerful message, when you have a broken heart, there is still love to give and receive all around you.
If you enjoy poetry, this will be a great addition to your collection.
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V.E.
4.0 out of 5 stars / Wonderful Collection
October 12, 2018
Format: Paperback
Dreams & Dew: Poems & Prose by Chriselda Barretto is a great collection that showcases Barretto’s talents and emotions. From the poem I Dare You to the poem Passing, and everything in between, these poems and prose exhibit an awareness of oneself, an immersion into the author’s psyche, and a bit of the macabre. This is quite a mix, and there is plenty here to choose from. With about 240 pages, you get a real sense for what Barretto is trying to convey in all of her incarnations. Once you have read all the poems, go back and read them again to fully absorb their meaning. With subtle touches of soft illustrations, this collection is the complete package, well put together, and a great addition to your library. Highly recommend for an interesting reading adventure.
Buy Dreams & Dew here:
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Book Reviews
Valery ****
The Creep: A first of its kind narrative poetry in the thriller genre by Chriselda Barretto is such a unique book, it’s kind of hard to pin it down to just one thing. A collection of poems that highlight the most evil things and happenings, the author writes in an almost wistful way, capturing some of Edgar Allen Poe’s essence, in that the poems are grisly while getting under your skin in a subtle way. There seems to be a running theme of horrible things happening to ordinary people, from The Secret Amulet to Deepak, the Full Moon and more. The Creep is a presence that pervades people’s lives, takes over and exerts an extreme evil influence. This is an interesting take on putting together a collection of poetry, highly unique and innovative. You will enjoy this evil and creepy collection of scary poetry. Looking forward to more from this author. Highly recommend.
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Novel Addiction ***** It was amazing
Narrative poetry in the thriller genre, I have to admit I wasn’t sure at all what to expect, but I am keen to explore different avenues of literature that I previously haven’t tried. I’m a fan of horror movies and horror books, although mainly the ones from years ago, and I have to say I thought this was pretty exceptional.
With anything unfamiliar it’s difficult to quantify so took me a while to gather my thoughts, but after consideration, and that the lines resonated with me long after, I have to give this a solid 5 stars. Applaudable vision and ambition to even attempt this, a big favorite with me.
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Nose In A Book ***** It was amazing
Fans of the thriller genre of fiction, looking for something different, should definitely check out ‘Creep’ by Chriselda Barretto. It is a complete story, but told in narrative poetry, which gives an ethereal feel and almost a sinister rhythm, which was really enthralling and will draw you into its darkness. The poems read like chapters that tell the unsettling, disturbing, and sometimes grisly tales or people affected by ‘The Creep’, a malevolent force that invades the lives of its unsuspecting victims, bringing with it evil and malice. This is poetry that will keep you up at night, keep your doors locked, and sleep with the light on. ‘The Creep’ may just have an impact of your lives after reading this unique piece of thriller fiction.
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This was very different from what I use to read and review. It is a unique telling written in poems.
It is about a Monster which is named The Creep. Only one person can save the world from this Creep and that is a young boy.
I like that the poem follows a pattern. That made it more calming. It has a nice rhythm in it. In spite of this is a poem it often feels real. The book is short but still giving the reader a sort of adventure.
I can only recommend it to lovers of the poetry and poems.
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The Creep by Chriselda Barretto is an interesting and original idea of its kind epic poem featuring a horrific monster dubbed by Barretto as the “Creep” that resembles the Greek monster, Medusa that comes to people through their dreams. It does not have a given name just that it is a creepy demon that only a certain little boy is destined to send back to wherever diabolical place it originated from. This is a new form of poetry book that is labeled as a thriller on Amazon’s website. It is similar to the Greek greats The Odyssey and The Iliad in that it tells a story through a narrator and this book is inspired by the Christian story of the villainous satan that was banished from heaven and is said to be on earth to wreak havoc only to be destroyed by the Lord Almighty’s son Jesus Christ. So I guess it’s safe to say that this book has a universal appeal to all those who are aware of Christ and His enemy satan.
This book is short and concise, the poetic lines are not lengthy but are rightfully brief and simple. It is written in a sort of way by Barretto to probably let each line rhyme and go smoothly with each other as a whole in order to be read poetically by avid readers of poetry books. I found no faults within this book except that to the amateur poetry reader, he or she may find the rhythm to be off-putting but as a poet myself, I can say that it is for the words’ syllables and consonants to flow rhythmically. I finished this book in two days but could have been shorter if I wasn’t too tired from the Halloween craze of two days ago.
I suggest this book to those die-hard fans of poetry who may love a new poetic theme, in this case, the horror genre because in all my years on this earth the only horrific kind of poetry book I’ve read was Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven and Other Poems and that’s about it. Barretto has sparked an interest in me for scary-themed poems and for epic poetry as well. Good luck to the author and her writing career and to everyone reading this book, try it out and see if it fancies you. I think a collector of poetry books should add this rare gem to his or her library. I think Barretto’s work here has made me feel like I should search for more book-length epic poems with all sorts of themes ranging from horror to suspense to romance of course to entertain me during this upcoming magical season of winter. God bless!
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8th Day Reads ****
This is a unique piece as in it tells a story, but it’s a narrative poem. It is broken up into chapters, and typically follows a rhyme pattern (though not always–there are some points where creative slant rhyming plays a part). The piece starts off describing the “creep”, and progresses throughout each chapter. Though each chapter can be a piece on its own, it all follows the general theme surrounding the creep and the characters impacted by it.
The story behind the poetry is pretty interesting. I could see it, the writing was visual. The characters throughout were neat, and fleshed out well as far as poetry goes. The writing had a few errors, and the rhyme seemed forced at a few points, but overall the author did a good job. I’d definitely read more from this author, she is very creative and can weave a good story!
Just keep in mind before buying that this is a poetic narrative and not a novel. It does tell a complete story, though!
Buy The Creep Here:
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Chriselda Barretto 