Title: In Love with a Stranger: Testimony of the Heart
Author: Marija Matic
Publisher: XlibrisAU
ISBN: 978198500601
Pages: 94
Genre: Poetry
Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert
Pacific Book Review
Often poetry that comes from the heart and soul of the writer forms an unflappable bond between reader and writer, one that not only enlightens but lifts the spirit. In Marija Matic’s In Love with a Stranger: Testimony of the Heart, that connection is well established with her fluidly expressive odes to love.
Posed in a poignant dedication to a dear friend and important influence in her life, immediately Author and poet Marija Matic gives readers insight into this prominent figure (though they never met) which influenced her greater understanding of love and sparked within her a desire to express her soul-deep and unbaiting love through this book. Encompassed within this appealing work is not only a collection of love inspired poems espousing a deep connection, but also an overall symphony of varying expressions dedicated to love; all of which bear deep insight into the author’s heart and the many moods and expressions of her love.
Within this memorable and intensely stimulating collection, author Marija Matic ably expresses her poetic voice with lucid literacy. Each poetic musing adeptly offers memorable imagery, as well as, orchestrated stanzas of soul-stirring rhetoric. Albeit, while all of her proffered poems make an intriguing emotional impact, there are some that stand out to me as particularly engaging because of the emotional responses they elicit, such as the deep longing expressed in the title work, In Love with a Stranger and If I See You. Also, particularly stirring is her articulation of her desire in works like I Miss You and Longing for You. She visits with Hope in I Can See You and Inspired By You and my particular overall favorite is the divinely inspiring, Love is All.
Moreover, another intriguing aspect of this book turned out to be a section dedicated to poetic “notes” between author Marija Matic, and the focus of her loving sentiments, G.H. Eagle Spirit. Not only were these notes soul-stirring, but the included sentiments were easy to resonate with. Additionally, the poems included beautiful, beguiling color pictures that did well to add to the atmosphere of the read.
Entirely inspiring and emotionally rending, In Love with a Stranger made for a notable read, that I found wholly engaging and enjoyable. Overall, it was the eloquence and intensity of emotion brought forth through each poetic work that I found the most engaging. Altogether, this was definitely a worthwhile read that I do recommend to fans of poetic works or fans of expressions of love.