Praise for The Gift of Mercy "Annette Kalandros' poetry fiercely speaks to those intimate moments in her life, forcibly piercing us in the tender bits of our minds and hearts. She does what we always hope good poetry will do-she manages to bring all our emotions bubbling to the surface. Yet, we are better for going through her journey with her, coming out the other side with so much more perspective, and ultimately loving the importance of thoroughly existing in one's life even after enduring so much. Reading her thoughts pushes us, in turn, to recognize our strengths as well. Annette's words reflect the wisdom acquired, gained only because of a deep introspection of all that life has thrown her way. Brava!" -Susi Bocks, author of "Feeling Human" and "Every Day I Pause..." "Annette has presented a fascinating collection of intriguing poems, full of emotional highs and lows, her exquisitely crafted stories had me smiling, and then at times, I had tears in my eyes. Her superb myriad of poems, take us through her years of 'Motherhood' and her daughter, which is brilliantly expressed in her poem of discovery and enlightenment 'The Vernacular of Motherhood.' And in her epic verse 'The Definition of a Wife' her words touched me deeply and resonated with me strongly, as a long-term carer for my wife, I knew about the importance of being there to love and support her through her courageous journey." -Ivor Steven, member of Geelong Writers Inc. and "Go Dog Go Café." and writer for Coffee House Writers magazine "I am familiar with Annette's work through her WordPress blog. After having read Annette's book I felt less lonely and more connected. Suffering, loss, and survival are the themes presented in stunningly beautiful poesy. The work is relatable on a level that only a woman can appreciate and interpret the mosaic of human struggle. As a woman I take these words: 'my skin felt the ripping slice/of stone shards flying/tearing through all/flesh and bone of me/until/there was you, /sculpted better than the total of me', to be the anthem of my existence. Annette, through her journey offers us an alternative path back into our higher truer selves. Bravo!" -M. Brazfield, Author