Jane Kohut-Bartels

A chance encounter with a charismatic and dangerous Hungarian man plunges Elizabeth Kovacs into a dark world of extremes. Attracted and repelled in equal measure, Elizabeth wonders why she stays with him. Her situation is further complicated when she becomes embroiled in a conflict that threatens to culminate in violent retribution.

"The Kimono" tells the story of Mari, a 21st century woman in an unhappy marriage who is mysteriously transported to 17th century Japan where she meets the powerful daimyo, Lord Tetsu Hakuto. As her adventure unfolds, Mari struggles to reconcile the conflict between her modern sensibilities, the ancient culture in which she finds herself and her attraction to the charismatic Lord Tetsu. Rich in historic detail, "The Kimono" will take the reader on an exhilarating journey to another world and another time, replete with political intrigue, fierce battles, a pilgrimage, haiku and magical birds.

If there is a singular theme that informs and underlies the diverse poems in this book, it is "compassion". An expansive emotive range is traversed here, from heart-rending tragedy and despair to the sunny light of humour and optimism, and through it all there flows a deep river of compassion for humanity, the world, nature and its wondrous creatures. There is an abiding empathy in these poems and an insightful understanding of the connectedness of all things. If we but open our eyes and hearts sufficiently, we too will share the poet's vision of the world, "as if a million stars were brought to earth".

Jane Kohut-Bartels, writer and bellydancer, has woven a magic carpet of poetry, short story and other delightful forms of literary erotica. Japanese forms of poetry, tanka and haiku, free verse, sonnets and other works create a mosaic that will keep you up at nights reading through this book. If not, your dreams will be invaded by particular visions of erotica. As a Turkish/Egyptian trained belly dancer, Jane Kohut-Bartels brings her exotic experiences in dance to her transcendent stories, weaving a particular magic that only well crafted stories can do. She rounds the world with her writings from ancient Japan, to Venice and France in the 18th century and back to the present, entertaining readers with her fertile imagination. How appropriate this book was released to the public February 14th, 2009, Valentine's Day. It is a gift that will stir the senses and gladden the heart.