Blushing Muse: Poems

by Stella Donato

Blushing Muse is a raw and romantic collection of poetry that explores sexual identity and intimacy. Filled with tenderness, understanding, and fiery passion, Stella Donato authentically conveys the slow transition of self-acceptance alongside the ever-present fear that comes with being openly queer, as well as the aftermath of coming out.

The theme throughout is self-discovery, the friction that comes with finding oneself, and the eventual refusal to settle for conditional love.

*** This book also includes art that connects with the poems ***

Genres: Poetry

124 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2022

About the author

Stella Donato is an indie author who debuted in the literary realm with their first poetry collection, Bittersweetness, and then published their second poetry book, Blushing Muse. They will be releasing their third poetry book, Unbridled Damsel: A Poetry Collection of Fragments soon. They graduated with a BA (Hons) in English Education with a Creative Writing emphasis, obtained their teaching credentials, and their MA in English.

Donato loves coffee and matcha; listening to all types of music; writing poetry, short stories, and novels; reading manga, webtoons, and graphic novels; watching K-Dramas, anime, and other foreign films and television shows; and just experiencing life and being able to immerse themselves into other fictional worlds. They are working on several projects, such as an upcoming adult fantasy series, and look forward to publishing them soon.

You can keep up with them here:

Twitter:
@StellaDonato_


Instagram:
@stelladonatowrites


TikTok:
author_stelladonato


Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B0BCYQHFV9


Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...


Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...

Reviews

[Rebecca Crunden]

❧ poetry review

review to come

“You are more poetry than bone—
You are a mosaic
of drunken emotions.
A heartbreaker dressed
in soft pastel & doc martens”

+

They want me to accept
that my love for her is
only cliffside madness.

☆ My Book Reviews | Indie Book Twitter | Indie Book Instagram ☆

[Rachel Bowdler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read this one before release day, and once again Stella Donato immersed me in a world of romance, passion, fear, and self-reflection with their beautiful words. Many of these poems convey the intensity of love versus the fear of being queer in a world that’s still filled with judgement and prejudice. I was taken aback by the sheer heart-warming, stomach-twisting, all-encompassing emotion in each line, each stanza, and Donato is a poet I continue to admire with each new project.

What was most refreshing for me was the romantic and sometimes erotic themes. I’m used to Sad Girl poetry, but in these pages I was given the chance to feel something new, something my own life lacks. In the same breath, I was glad to see that the difficulties of coming out were not glossed over. That along with a journey of self-love and acceptance made for a deeply moving read.

Donato offers new perspectives and approaches to the poetry genre, and I can’t wait to see what they do next.

[Margherita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know much about poetry so I don't think I can write a critical review, but what I do know is that Stella Donato's poems reminded me a lot of Hayley Kiyoko's lyrics.

Actual rating: 4.75 stars

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely poetry collection by this author

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second volume of poetry by Stella Donato and I loved ‘Bittersweetness’ but ‘Blushing Muse’ really hit me harder. It feels like an even stronger voice than her debut, as though Donato has gained defiant confidence in her message and for that I adored this collection.
‘They scramble for the pliers/ start pulling apart ‘girl’ & ‘friend’
Lines like these just stayed in my brain long after I’d finished reading- her themes of sexual identity and the judgement we so after have to face from those closest to us hit home for me. Donato grasps the power of her words and shapes them so beautifully I cannot help but be so excited for her future works, especially when this is only her second collection.
‘You are more poetry than bone-’ is perhaps one of my all time favourite lines and whatsmore Donato elevates her themes with striking artwork that divides and defines her individual works. For me ‘Blushing Muse’ is a bold, fresh take on the art of growing into yourself and I cannot wait to see where Donato goes next.

[☆~Shea~☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the Indie Visible Services book tour and to Stella for the chance to read and review this wonderful book! It was such a raw, impactful, soul-baring look at queerness and all of its aspects, both joyful and hard. Stella's writing was emotionally charged yet beautifully poetic. I adored the creative use of structure to add impact and emphasis to certain pieces and scenes.

The poems definitely felt aided by the vivid artwork scattered throughout. It really helped to highlight the works it was paired with, and I loved how each piece managed to stay minimalistic yet portray themes so clearly. I really enjoy when text and art are together in poetry collections, so this was a lovely addition for me.

I feel like Stella's work is extremely unique and captivating. I look forward to reading more from them in the future!

[Alyssa (Cozy.Soul.Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blushing Muse
By Stella Donato

✨️Sapphic Poetry Collection
📚 Available on Kindle Unlimited

🌸 Favorite Qoutes 🌸
"I hadn't understood before because I kept waiting for love to come at the right moment. But the right moment came with you ready for me."

"She's art and everything that becomes it"

"I'm a dead language thar she learned to love through paper and ink"

Favorite Poems
🌊Siren Is Walking On Land
🩷 Let Me Be
🌥🌻 You, The Sun & The Explanation
💌 & Not A F*ck Was Given
✨️ sea of honey

✨️ Overall Thoughts ✨️
This collection of poems is so beautiful and immersive! I felt pulled in from the very beginning and there were intimate moments then intense moments too.

[Annette Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blushing Muse is the second poetry collection from Stella Donato that I have read and once again I am blown away by the almost searing honesty and powerful emotions that are on display throughout. This is a collection filled with passion and joy but not without heart break and anger , most compellingly described in lines like ' They scramble for the pliers. Start pulling apart "girl" and "friend" so there is no connection'. The inclusion of sketches and artwork scattered throughout the book was a nice touch too, adding a personal touch to an already personal collection.

[Claire O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This very enjoyable collection deals with not only the harsh reality of coming out in a difficult situation, but also the passion that drives it. Love and Lust. The poetry has very vivid imagery and lots of physical metaphors like
ribcaged lavender' 'velvet-rosed veins' 'wildflowered hearts' 'discarded cavity'

[Sophie Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the overall message behind this collection of poems and the imagery each poem brought. The collection really captures all the different angles of love, the good, the bad and the truth.

[H. Everend · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5
*Review to Come*

[Leah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Found this book boring