Hi everyone,
I wanted to share my Amazon Review about Joni’s book and encourage those of you who have not bought a copy yet, to do so.
The picture above was taken in my living room the day it arrived! I was so excited, I got comfy and read it for hours…until I finished it.
I will share with you what I said on Amazon and hope you find it inspiring to pick up a copy and if you already have one, I hope you will enjoy it.
Customer Review
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2024
I bought Joni Karen Caggiano’s very impressive book,” One Petal at a Time” and when it arrived, found myself devouring it all, from cover to cover in one sitting.
I couldn’t put it down.
I am going to use Joni’s own words here to describe the over-all feelings I first felt when I began to dive into her real life horror story of a small child surviving alone in a household where chronic alcoholism changed her parents into drunken incoherent robots, right before her eyes,
In her poem, “Where Are You God?” she says,
“mom and dad swapped for robots
years of terror melding together
like a warm plastic puzzle
mom’s time spent cooking gone
morning’s breath was blood drippings
instead of bacon fat cooking
I can feel God
yet I also feel my anger and wonder why
must you leave me here, JUST let me die”
This wish to die in a small child can only hint at what her daily life had been, and she says in the beginning of the book,
“Brick House is frightening with monsters and notes of the dead who skulk. Like an embracing vine covering my tiny body, I am the voice of fear enclosed in nature’s dress.”
As it turned out, this daily-abused child was never abandoned by God. God showed her, her protection and her escape through the amazing awareness of all the Nature around her.
In every poem, I was struck with how this child was so joined to Nature, she wore it as her shield. It saved her sanity. She saw the angels watching over her and she created tea parties with the fairies who joined her in the woods, She built a cathedral in her mind of the blooms, the birds, even counting the dots of the ladybugs.
Her suffering opened her senses and Nature was her soothing balm, it was her curing ointment for every welt and scar.
“March Day
lady bugs let
two twin crickets
play connect the dots
on their beauty spots “
Under the Khaki Tent
“survived the agony of living this boozy ballet
in that house of crazy
I spent every moment I could to fly away
in the woods till the line of
right and wrong grew hazy
Something Missing
“robots drink and often stink
one day my parents will be back
love, food and caring I will no longer lack.”
It is journey from abuse and horror to compassion and forgiveness and I will let her tell her own story, like she told it to me, in every page I read of “One Petal at a Time.
Pick up a copy and get comfortable. Through poetry and prose Joni has a very worthwhile and ultimately uplifting real life tale to tell.
Sit and read and listen to her.
The black & white paintings” of the renowned artist, Francisco Bravo Cabrera, that adorn her cover and begin each new part of her book, are beautiful.
I highly recommend, “One Petal At a Time” It is a roller coaster of emotions, tears to joy, but it is an amazing testimony to survival of the human spirit and the curative powers of her belief in God and Nature.
PS. My credit card lives in the USA (hehe) but I live in Costa Rica:)
Digital Rabbit Hole 
wonderful review! thanks for tantalizing me with a worthwhile good new book✨🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼✨
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Thank you so much soulkin and take it from me, it’s a very “worthwhile good new book” Hugs hope you will get it. I’m glad you enjoyed my review. 🤗❤️🙏
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❤️😘❤️
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A todas luces una historia de un terror que cala en los huesos al ser la protagonista una niña abusada. No se puede entender hasta donde puede llegar la maldad al tratarse de sus padres los causantes de este terror. Los poemas reflejan el dolor que le embargaba en todo momentos y la creación de su mundo para poder sobrevivir al terror. Saludos Karima
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Sii Manuel, así es…en su poesía podemos viajar al lado de ella, los momentos y periodos de tu vida de abuso y abandono, y su camino al conocer el amor, su desarollo, en un adulto, y últimamemte perdonar y seguir adelante como una sobreviviente de una niñez horriífica. Muchas gracias por tus palabras muy bién expresadas y ciertas.
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Even though I do not understand words beyond english, I have a feeling the replies back & forth are lovely. We all love Joni!
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Ohhh yes they and we do…..very much!!! Joni is a very special soul ❤️
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Dearest Karima,
Your beautifully written and heartfelt review means so much to me. You are a kind soul and I know it was not all an easy read but hopefully it helps many people who need to know that there is help even after the extreme abuse I suffered as a child, that there is always hope. I am so blessed that I was able to get my hands on Dr. Claudia Black’s book when I was in my very early twenties and I wondered why I was so afraid all the time, waiting for the roof to cave in on me or that someone I loved would die. However, stopping the cycle with my life and with my child was a life saver. I will always be grateful to anyone who helps to get my book out there as many therapist see young people that have been damaged and are struggling to fight their way back from all the fears that Adult Children of Alcoholics can and often suffer.
Your review was so touching and meant so much to both Scott and I. We know that every review is a gift. I loved the quotes you made and the way you both began and ending your bestowal of such a thoughtful message about my book. So grateful for your words about the world known painter Francisco Bravo Cabrera whose gorgeous works add to the offerings of this book and the cover was just so perfect for the words within. The fact that he donated the beautiful artwork was such a blessing as well.
I love what you said her Karima, “In every poem, I was struck with how this child was so joined to Nature, she wore it as her shield. It saved her sanity. She saw the angels watching over her and she created tea parties with the fairies who joined her in the woods, She built a cathedral in her mind of the blooms, the birds, even counting the dots of the ladybugs.
Her suffering opened her senses and Nature was her soothing balm, it was her curing ointment for every welt and scar.”
So very true my friend. Thank you so much for your most beautiful review and the effort and time that goes into doing this for another is a gift. I feel so fortunate that I have had so many reach out and do reviews. Much love and thank you so much. Praise God that I have met so many beautiful people which made me want to share this very personal message through my poetic words, Love you Joni
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Oh Joni as you know, I was nervous about writing this review…I am not very accustomed to doing them (reviews), and I had read other reviews that impressed me so much with their style and all the information, but these are my sincere words and impressions and I am so happy we could talk after I finished reading it.
Thank you too for adding information here in your reply, that I know was so important to your healing, like reading Dr. Claudia Black’s book that helped you on the road to your own recovery and to know that you were not alone.
The fact she has endorsed this book is very telling and powerful in that it brings it around full circle…It is her way of saying, she believes in this book. Your unselfish wish that it may reach the eyes of people who have suffered in similar ways, is partly due to the great strenth you drew from Dr. Claudia Black, many years ago, when you read her book.
I felt totally uplifted when I closed your book after reading it all. I have always admired you as a writer and a loving, caring part of the WordPress community, but after this, I admire your great inner strength, survival skills at such a young age, the hardships you endured and your unshakable faith and love of Nature.
I am overjoyed you liked my review and that Scott did too. It was my honor, my privilege and I hope your dream comes true, to get this into the hands of people who are suffering or have suffered what you describe so vividly in your always moving verses and prose.
Blessings to you always
Love you Joni
Kari🤗❤️🙏🌹
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Ooh, a wonderful review of a very interesting read. You have done a great job of showing what would await readers on its pages.
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it Joyce and it piqued your interest in reading the book. Thank you so much for commenting:)
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It sure did. Thank you for sharing!
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impressive tribute … nature and books were my saving grace!
Sadly my folks had nothing so obvious as alcohol abuse to blame her bad behaviour on … he was war damaged and tried to protect me …
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Thank you so much Kate and after I lost my father, at 11, books were my refuge. I am sorry you too suffered as a child. Children are resilient, but their childhood traumas run deep…and many times will haunt and emotionally cripple them when they are older. I am glad the review touched you.
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but if they deal with those traumas effectively, find the positives, it builds such a strong character … they become the victors, not woeful pathetic victims.
It can and is often turned around so don’t let anyone tell you any different!
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Such inspiring words of truth Kate!!
You are so correct and Joni is a living example of this strength and compassion forged in the trauma of her youth!! I just love your message !!
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Beautiful review, Karima. Joni’s poetry definitely deserves such recognition.
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Thank you so much for leaving your comment here on my blog. I whole-heartedly agree with you. Joni’s poetry deserves to be read by everyone. She is truly exceptional…writer and soul!
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Sounds like a rich and moving work! And well reviewed. I’ll get a copy myself!
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Thank you for your kind words Dale…I’m so happy you will get it and read it.
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A beautiful review, Karima! Your touching words about this touching tale are enough to go for this unique book. I know Joni, she is a gentle soul, and her poems about human values and relationships are captivating. Congratulations to you and Joni:)
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Thank you so much Kaushal for commenting. As you say, I found her book captivating and many times tugged at my deepest emtions. I am glad you enjoyed the review. I hope you will read it, if you haven’t already.
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Sure, Karima!
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A wonderful review Karima. Thank you for sharing
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Hi Sadge,
Thank you very much for reading my review and enjoying it. It is a great responsibility to do a review of a book that one has already found impressiv. I was a bit nervous to write it, but I believe in this book,so I am glad you felt it well-done.
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It has convinced me to read this book. 🙏🏼👍🏼🙏🏼
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Oh…I am so glad!! 🙏
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😍😍😍
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Lovely review, Karima!
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Thank you so much Dawn….much appreciated.
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A lovely review, Karima..the book was such an intense, yet humbling read..I was left in awe of her inner strength, and her faith. 💜
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Yes so intense, but in the end so inspiring! Me too Nigel!!
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Such a stunning review, Karima, poignantly full of the emotions evoked by the poems!
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Thank you so much Layal..Joni’s book deserves this and more. I appreciate your positive words on my review:)
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Excellent review. Good spoilers.
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It’s great when a book draws you in like that.
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Agreed!!😃
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Sounds like a wonderful book and great job with the review.
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Thanks so much Pooja! Sorry, I just saw your comment now. Yes, it is very worth reading and I thank you so much for your kind words on my review too:):)
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That’s okay and you’re very welcome ☺️
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This was a very tantalizing review. I’ll have to check this out! Thank you. 😊
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Thank you so much for reading this
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