Bluebirds and Faith


Poetry - Inspirational
150 Pages
Reviewed on 05/18/2021
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

Melinda Grant received her M.A. in Professional Writing, concentration in Composition and Rhetoric, and a Graduate Certificate in Professional Writing for International Audiences from Kennesaw State University. She also earned a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. She is a collegiate instructor of English Composition and Analytical Writing.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

Bluebirds and Faith by M. Gail Grant is a heartwarming collection of poetry that reminds us of God's love for us all and His never-ending guidance. Throughout our lives, we can fall victim to all manner of dark emotions such as losing a loved one, painful experiences, grief and depression. The compilation highlights the importance of placing your trust in God and, in doing so, He will steer you on the path that only serves your highest good. Grant shares her innermost feelings throughout the grieving process of her beloved father. We are made aware of the natural cycle of life, the miracles that surround us throughout nature, and the visual messages of guidance we receive from God. Grant also shines a comforting light on Heaven and Earth and why our loved ones are never far away even when their physical bodies are no longer with us. Why are we led into temptation and indulge in sinful behaviour and how does God view us when we fall off the path of righteousness? Grant's inspiring poetry will bring comfort and peace during your most challenging times and offer hope that you are not alone. God's love is always there; you simply need to accept it.

Bluebirds and Faith by M. Gail Grant is such an uplifting collection that will warm your heart and give you the courage to continue in times of grief, confusion and challenges. Many of the poems reminded me of inspirational, spiritual affirmations that you could refer to each day, especially when you are facing a form of difficulty in your life. I found the references to sinful behaviour and how God is always willing to offer forgiveness and loving guidance really encouraging. In Devil's Game, we are warned of the pleasure Satan gains from our misery and sadness; 'Numbness and pain are part of his game. Enjoyment he seeks for the misery he reaps.' I found each poem delivered such a powerful message that will heighten your self-awareness and bring you clarity when you have to face a painful obstacle. In Oneness, we are shown the importance of taking time to quieten the mind because in doing so, God will give you the answers you seek. My absolute favourite poem and the one that most resonated with me was Merciful God; the interaction between God and the tormented woman brought a tear to my eye. In a world filled with pain, chaos and uncertainty, Bluebirds and Faith will bring you a daily dose of positive assurance that God's love is eternal.

Emily-Jane Hills Orford

There is so much beauty and peace around us, all we have to do is soak it in and reflect on God’s wonderful gifts of life and love. But even amongst the beauty, there is insecurity, sin, greed, despair. To touch the wonder of God’s everlasting love, all we need to do is look around us. Like the stained-glass windows in a church: “Sunlit shapes dancing/ through hand-carved stained glass windows./ God of light – here.” I have often marveled at the play of God’s light as the multi-colored glass filters the light that shines through.

M. Gail Grant’s chapbook, Bluebirds and Faith, is a collection of compassionate and emotional poems in free verse and Haiku, which trace her personal life’s journey through faith from grief at the loss of a loved one to healing and so much more. Her poems are filled with telling metaphors that reflect on the wonder of God’s creation. She uses a lot of imagery of birds, particularly bluebirds (one of my favorite birds, too), and nature to reflect on her feelings. “Slow down and embrace,/ letting go of the earthly race,/ for the harmonious/ musings of the/ bluebird’s song/ will gently lead you away/ from heartache and dismay.” Her words are like music that captures the true light of living. Her poems speak from her soul to ours in a powerful tribute to God’s everlasting love. This collection of beautiful poems evokes the simple message that the poet learned from her father: “He taught me the most precious treasures in life are free; we simply just need to look around us for glimpses of God’s grace.”

Jacob R LaMar

A 150-page collection of poetry, Bluebirds and Faith by M. Gail Grant is an inspirational compilation of verses celebrating God’s gift of eternal grace. At the beginning of the book, Grant offers us insight into her motivations behind the writing she puts on display. Inspired by the passing of her father who she lovingly calls Daddy, Bluebirds and Faith is her attempt at expressing some of the lessons he taught her, namely the importance of looking about to see glimpses of that grace all around us. Her writing spans multiple different styles with some pieces exhibiting a routine rhythmic meter or a regular rhyme scheme, while others have no noticeable form and would be defined more as free verse. Like her poetry as a whole, each stanza is greatly varied as well, though a noticeable portion of the poems were written as tercets which are stanzas of poetry that include three lines.

As written, I found Bluebirds and Faith to be extremely inspiring to myself as a writer and a believer. Many of the things written resonate from deep within Grant’s soul and make it abundantly apparent that this is a very real and raw belief for her. While I enjoyed some of the poems more than others, I have a great appreciation for writers that can bear their souls on the page the way Grant does in this book. This is probably a book that will interest readers with a similar belief in God and it may also attract those that love poetry in general, as there are some great metaphors and other figures of speech on display. Thank you to M. Gail Grant for providing me with the opportunity to read this wonderful book.