Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Kaylin's Autumn 2013 Newsletter
A Note From Kaylin...
When I first established my goals as a self-published author, creating a trilogy was at the top of the list. Two years ago, I completed the first book in the Threads series with Severed Threads and was excited to receive exposure through a virtual tour, which lead to favorable reviews, numerous blogs and personal interviews. Although it's been a long time coming, I'm excited to officially announce that Buried Threads will soon be following...according to my team of diligent editors. As they say, we all learn from our mistakes and rather than expose my readers to annoying errors overlooked by a single editor, I've taken a little extra time with this book to ensure its accuracy. So I ask all of you to please be patient. I've been told that before the month is over, you'll be able to pick up a copy at Amazon.com as well as other book outlets. In the meantime, I have some free autographed copies to offer to the first six subscribers who contact me and are willing to post their reviews. Want one? Let me know, as I'd love to sign a book for you!
I also owe you an apology for not sending out a Summer newsletter. The last four months have been very busy and included trips to San Diego, Istanbul, the Greek Islands, Hawaii and Kyoto, Japan, which is the city where Buried Threads takes place. We took lots of photos, so keep an eye out for them on my blog in the next two weeks. Also, be sure to visit my website to read an excerpt and see a video "teaser" for this latest release. I always welcome feedback and would love to hear what you think.
As I'm sure you're aware, time is flying by and October is nearly half over. Surprisingly, we're experiencing some late summer weather on the west coast, which I'm sure delights fellow Oregonians. I hope you have a fabulous month as well and that your plans for the upcoming holidays include visits from family members and dear friends.
On the Lighter Side:
I recently purchased an iPhone 5 and have heard all kinds of funny stories about responses to inquiries from its personal assistant. People have used it as much to provoke witticisms as they have to find out the population of China or the location of the nearest Thai restaurant. In other words, Siri may not always be all that helpful, but she's become an amusing party trick.
Some of the most common questions are based on classic science-fiction movie lines from 2001: A Space Odyssey. "HAL, open the pod bay doors" is a favorite and others rely on ancient philosophical queries. As a result, websites have sprung up around Siri's crazy remarks. There's a Tumblr site called "Shit That Siri Says" and a collection of Siri posts called sirifunny.com you might enjoy checking out in your free time.
As you might imagine, Siri doesn't always understand what I say. Like E.T. or WOPR, she's sometimes at a loss when the question has nuance. But one of the funniest I've experienced while using this silly feature on my phone is the answer you receive when you say, "Talk dirty." She comes back with, “Humus. Compost. Pumice. Silt. Gravel." I have to chuckle because what else would you expect from molded plastic, wires and a microchip??
Kaylin's Favorite Recipe:
Loaded Potato Soup
As in all my newsletters, I thoroughly enjoy sharing some of my best recipes...so here's a tasty, heartwarming soup - a perfect solution for those chilly fall nights.
INGREDIENTS:
4 (6-ounce) red potatoes
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 1/4 cups fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups 1% low-fat milk, divided
1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 bacon slices, halved
1.5 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1/3 cup)
4 teaspoons thinly sliced green onions
PREPARATION:
1. Pierce potatoes with a fork. Microwave on HIGH 13 minutes or until tender. Cut in half; cool slightly.
2. While potatoes cook, heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; saute 3 minutes. Add broth. Combine flour and 1/2 cup milk; add to pan with 1 1/2 cups milk. Bring to a boil; stir often. Cook 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream, salt, and pepper.
3. Arrange bacon on a paper towel on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a paper towel; microwave on HIGH for 4 minutes. Crumble bacon.
4. Discard potato skins. Coarsely mash potatoes into soup. Top with cheese, green onions, and bacon.4-6.
Great Seasonal Tip:
It is a popular bird feeding myth that leaving bird feeders up during all migration will stop birds from migrating, condemning them to a cold death as winter sets in. In reality, feeders give migrating birds an easy and convenient spot to refuel on their long journey, and offering foods high in fat and oil will help tired birds replenish their energy reserves in a nutritious way. Suet, black oil sunflower seed and Nyjer are some of the most popular fall bird foods, and leaving leaf litter on the ground will give birds the opportunity to forage for nuts and insects as well. Trees and shrubs with berries or fruits are another vital source of food that will attract autumn birds and keep them coming back.
Well, that's it for now. Enjoy the gorgeous colors of autumn, continue to read great books, and keep the sunshine forever in your heart!
All my best wishes,
Kaylin
Monday, November 19, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Friday, October 5, 2012
Romance Reviews Long and Short Reviews: Severed Threads by Kaylin McFarren
Romance Reviews Long and Short Reviews: Severed Threads by Kaylin McFarren: Severed Threads by Kaylin McFarren Publisher: Self-Published Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery Length: Full Length (349 pgs) ...
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Kaylin's Spring 2012 Newsletter
Spring is when life's alive in everything. —Christina Rossetti
Greetings Readers and Good Friends:
Months have slipped away in the blink of an eye and left me with so much to catch up on, and since this is the third year anniversary of my first newsletter, I felt it appropriate to begin my new quarterly updates with a Spring edition. Keeping this in mind, I’m excited to announce some wonderful, new developments. After a two-year pregnancy and excruciating labor, I’m proud to announce the delivery of my latest novel, Severed Threads. The last typed words in this novel were met with a box of Turtle chocolates and my favorite bottle of Merlot, which has become my routine after writing projects cross the finish line. This first attempt at romantic suspense has already been met with several first place awards, including the Utah RWA 2009 Great Beginnings Contest and Music City Romance Writers Melody of Love Contest. (Egad! That’s how long this one’s been in the mixer!!) In any event, it’s time to turn this baby loose (July 1st, to be exact) and move on to Book Two in my new adventure series…hopefully, at a much quicker pace.
The second bit of good news is the fact that my only unwed daughter is exchanging vows with her best friend and fiancée, Sam Watson, on Cinco de Mayo. I couldn’t be happier for Erika and, as her non-conformist beliefs remain consistent in all manners of her existent, we will be traveling to a remote town at the most southern tip of Mexico to witness her nuptials. Such fun! Especially when it comes to transporting loved ones and my 86-year-old mother to four airports before arriving at our final destination.
Lastly, I now have a second home in beautiful San Diego where I love to write and have opportunities to squeeze out my raincoat from rainy Portland weather on a regular basis. Located above Mission Bay, I’m blest with the ability to enjoy all the activity in the harbor and the amazing skylines in the evening. This location originally inspired me to write Severed Threads and is definitely keeping me sane…and considerably drier.
Now it’s time to take notes, as I’m about to recommend some great Spring reading – all of which I’ve personally enjoyed.
The Long Song by Andrea Levy - This novel was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and long listed for the Orange Prize – and for good reason. Set in Jamaica during the last turbulent years of slavery and the early years of freedom that followed, The Long Song is breathtaking, hauntingly beautiful, heartbreaking and totally absorbing. You will not be able to put this book down!
In the Place of Justice by Wilbert Rideau - In 1961, at the age of nineteen, young, black, eighth-grade dropout, Wilbert Rideau, despaired of the dead-end and small-town future his life held for him. He set out to rob the local bank and in an ill-conceived out and bungled robbery he killed the bank teller - a young, white female. He was arrested and gave a full confession at the local police station while angry mobs chanted 'kill that nigger' outside. From this beginning, where we meet Rideau, newly sentenced to death row, he starts on an extraordinary journey. One that begins in the most violent prison in America, where brutality, years spent in solitary confinement, sexual slavery and local politics govern and confine many in ways that bars alone cannot. The ending to this compelling book is like nothing you will have read before, full of breathtaking suspense and gripping, gritty realism, a heartbreaking, emotionally wrought and magical ending to Rideau's prison life is skillfully and vigorously evoked. This is a powerful and inspirational memoir unlike any other, one that is sure to question our expectations of prisoners and the role of jails in rehabilitating them.
Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth - Jennifer Worth came from a sheltered background when she became a midwife in the Docklands in the1950s.The conditions in which many women gave birth just half a century ago were horrifying, not only because of their grimly impoverished surroundings, but also because of what they were expected to endure. But while Jennifer witnessed brutality and tragedy, she also met with amazing kindness and understanding, tempered by a great deal of Cockney humor. She also earned the confidences of some whose lives were truly stranger, more poignant and more terrifying than could ever be recounted in fiction. Attached to an order of nuns who had been working in the slums since the 1870s, Jennifer tells the story not only of the women she treated, but also of the community of nuns (including one who was accused of stealing jewels from Hatton Garden) and the camaraderie of the midwives with whom she trained. Funny, disturbing and incredibly moving, Jennifer's stories bring to life the colorful world of the East End in the 1950s.
LOST IN TRANSLATION?
The Dairy Association’s huge success with the campaign “Got Milk?” prompted them to expand advertising to Mexico. It was soon brought to their attention that the Spanish translation read “Are you lactating?”
Coors translated its slogan “Turn it Loose” into Spanish, where it read “Suffer from Diarrhea.”
Scandinavian vacuum manufacturer Electrolux used the following wordage in an American campaign: “Nothing sucks like an Electrolux.”
Clairol introduced the “Mist Stick” – a curling iron, into Germany only to find out that “Mist” is slang for manure.
An American t-shirt maker in Miami printed shirts for the Spanish market, promoting the Pope’s visit. Instead of “I saw the Pope (El Papa), the shirts read “I saw the Potato (La Papa).
Pepsi’s “Come alive with the Pepsi Generation” translated into “Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave” in Chinese.
Frank Perdue’s chicken slogan “It takes a strong man to make a tender chicken” was translated into Spanish and read “It takes an aroused man to make a chicken affectionate.”
When American Airlines wanted to advertise its new leather first class seats in Mexico, their slogan “Fly in leather” campaign literally meant “Fly naked (vuela en cuero)” in Spanish.
Hunt-Wesson introduced Big John products in French Canada as “Gros Jos” and later found out that in slang it means “Big Breasts.”
The Coca-Cola name in China was first read as “Kekoukela” meaning “Bite the Wax Tadpole” or “Female Horse Stuffed with Wax” depending on the dialect. Coke then researched 40,000 characters to arrive at “Koku Kole” which translate into “Happiness in the Mouth.”
And last, but not least, Parker Pen marketed a ballpoint pen in Mexico and its ads were supposed to read, “It won’t leak in your pocket and embarrass you.” The advertising company thought that the word “embarazar” (to impregnate) meant to embarrass, so the ad actually read “It won’t leak in your pocket and make you pregnant.”
How bout a little research folks?!?
KAYLIN’S SPRING RECIPE:
CARROT SOUFFLE
1 lb. carrots, peeled and sliced
½ cup melted butter or margarine
3 eggs, beaten
¾ cup sugar
3 Tbsp. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Cook Carrots in a little boiling water and drain after checking for tenderness with a fork. Combine carrots and butter in an electric blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Add remaining ingredients. Blend well. Spoon mixture into a lightly greased (or Pam-sprayed) 9” x 13” casserole or soufflé dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until firm.
Okay, folks...here’s hoping your Spring brings wonderful memories and makes way for a toasty, prosperous year!
Best wishes and remember…keep reading!
Kaylin
Greetings Readers and Good Friends:
Months have slipped away in the blink of an eye and left me with so much to catch up on, and since this is the third year anniversary of my first newsletter, I felt it appropriate to begin my new quarterly updates with a Spring edition. Keeping this in mind, I’m excited to announce some wonderful, new developments. After a two-year pregnancy and excruciating labor, I’m proud to announce the delivery of my latest novel, Severed Threads. The last typed words in this novel were met with a box of Turtle chocolates and my favorite bottle of Merlot, which has become my routine after writing projects cross the finish line. This first attempt at romantic suspense has already been met with several first place awards, including the Utah RWA 2009 Great Beginnings Contest and Music City Romance Writers Melody of Love Contest. (Egad! That’s how long this one’s been in the mixer!!) In any event, it’s time to turn this baby loose (July 1st, to be exact) and move on to Book Two in my new adventure series…hopefully, at a much quicker pace.
The second bit of good news is the fact that my only unwed daughter is exchanging vows with her best friend and fiancée, Sam Watson, on Cinco de Mayo. I couldn’t be happier for Erika and, as her non-conformist beliefs remain consistent in all manners of her existent, we will be traveling to a remote town at the most southern tip of Mexico to witness her nuptials. Such fun! Especially when it comes to transporting loved ones and my 86-year-old mother to four airports before arriving at our final destination.
Lastly, I now have a second home in beautiful San Diego where I love to write and have opportunities to squeeze out my raincoat from rainy Portland weather on a regular basis. Located above Mission Bay, I’m blest with the ability to enjoy all the activity in the harbor and the amazing skylines in the evening. This location originally inspired me to write Severed Threads and is definitely keeping me sane…and considerably drier.
Now it’s time to take notes, as I’m about to recommend some great Spring reading – all of which I’ve personally enjoyed.
The Long Song by Andrea Levy - This novel was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and long listed for the Orange Prize – and for good reason. Set in Jamaica during the last turbulent years of slavery and the early years of freedom that followed, The Long Song is breathtaking, hauntingly beautiful, heartbreaking and totally absorbing. You will not be able to put this book down!
In the Place of Justice by Wilbert Rideau - In 1961, at the age of nineteen, young, black, eighth-grade dropout, Wilbert Rideau, despaired of the dead-end and small-town future his life held for him. He set out to rob the local bank and in an ill-conceived out and bungled robbery he killed the bank teller - a young, white female. He was arrested and gave a full confession at the local police station while angry mobs chanted 'kill that nigger' outside. From this beginning, where we meet Rideau, newly sentenced to death row, he starts on an extraordinary journey. One that begins in the most violent prison in America, where brutality, years spent in solitary confinement, sexual slavery and local politics govern and confine many in ways that bars alone cannot. The ending to this compelling book is like nothing you will have read before, full of breathtaking suspense and gripping, gritty realism, a heartbreaking, emotionally wrought and magical ending to Rideau's prison life is skillfully and vigorously evoked. This is a powerful and inspirational memoir unlike any other, one that is sure to question our expectations of prisoners and the role of jails in rehabilitating them.
Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth - Jennifer Worth came from a sheltered background when she became a midwife in the Docklands in the1950s.The conditions in which many women gave birth just half a century ago were horrifying, not only because of their grimly impoverished surroundings, but also because of what they were expected to endure. But while Jennifer witnessed brutality and tragedy, she also met with amazing kindness and understanding, tempered by a great deal of Cockney humor. She also earned the confidences of some whose lives were truly stranger, more poignant and more terrifying than could ever be recounted in fiction. Attached to an order of nuns who had been working in the slums since the 1870s, Jennifer tells the story not only of the women she treated, but also of the community of nuns (including one who was accused of stealing jewels from Hatton Garden) and the camaraderie of the midwives with whom she trained. Funny, disturbing and incredibly moving, Jennifer's stories bring to life the colorful world of the East End in the 1950s.
LOST IN TRANSLATION?
The Dairy Association’s huge success with the campaign “Got Milk?” prompted them to expand advertising to Mexico. It was soon brought to their attention that the Spanish translation read “Are you lactating?”
Coors translated its slogan “Turn it Loose” into Spanish, where it read “Suffer from Diarrhea.”
Scandinavian vacuum manufacturer Electrolux used the following wordage in an American campaign: “Nothing sucks like an Electrolux.”
Clairol introduced the “Mist Stick” – a curling iron, into Germany only to find out that “Mist” is slang for manure.
An American t-shirt maker in Miami printed shirts for the Spanish market, promoting the Pope’s visit. Instead of “I saw the Pope (El Papa), the shirts read “I saw the Potato (La Papa).
Pepsi’s “Come alive with the Pepsi Generation” translated into “Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave” in Chinese.
Frank Perdue’s chicken slogan “It takes a strong man to make a tender chicken” was translated into Spanish and read “It takes an aroused man to make a chicken affectionate.”
When American Airlines wanted to advertise its new leather first class seats in Mexico, their slogan “Fly in leather” campaign literally meant “Fly naked (vuela en cuero)” in Spanish.
Hunt-Wesson introduced Big John products in French Canada as “Gros Jos” and later found out that in slang it means “Big Breasts.”
The Coca-Cola name in China was first read as “Kekoukela” meaning “Bite the Wax Tadpole” or “Female Horse Stuffed with Wax” depending on the dialect. Coke then researched 40,000 characters to arrive at “Koku Kole” which translate into “Happiness in the Mouth.”
And last, but not least, Parker Pen marketed a ballpoint pen in Mexico and its ads were supposed to read, “It won’t leak in your pocket and embarrass you.” The advertising company thought that the word “embarazar” (to impregnate) meant to embarrass, so the ad actually read “It won’t leak in your pocket and make you pregnant.”
How bout a little research folks?!?
KAYLIN’S SPRING RECIPE:
CARROT SOUFFLE
1 lb. carrots, peeled and sliced
½ cup melted butter or margarine
3 eggs, beaten
¾ cup sugar
3 Tbsp. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Cook Carrots in a little boiling water and drain after checking for tenderness with a fork. Combine carrots and butter in an electric blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Add remaining ingredients. Blend well. Spoon mixture into a lightly greased (or Pam-sprayed) 9” x 13” casserole or soufflé dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until firm.
Okay, folks...here’s hoping your Spring brings wonderful memories and makes way for a toasty, prosperous year!
Best wishes and remember…keep reading!
Kaylin
Friday, July 29, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Kaylin's May 2011 Newsletter
"Optimism is a cheerful frame of mind that enables a tea kettle
to sing though it's in hot water up to its nose."
Dear Friends and Avid Readers:
After experiencing the loss of family members, friends and business associates to cancer over the past few years, my husband and I recognized the need for preventative medicine rather than focusing on aftercare. Together, with Governor Kitzhaber, Senator Merkley, Senator Wyden, State Treasurer Ted Wheeler, Lynn and Dave Frohnmayer and many like-minded individuals in our community, we're seeking ways to raise awareness and to direct our fund-raising efforts toward expanded research and the care and treatment of cancer patients and their families.
This year, ticket sales and profits from our upcoming Artful Giving Blanket Concert will benefit Portland’s Providence Cancer Center. The official site for this event will be held on the grounds of our 15-acre estate in Troutdale, Oregon on Saturday, July 16th 11am – 6pm. With KATU Anchor - Steve Dunn as our presiding MC, musical entertainment will be highlighted by Aaron Meyer, Linda Hornbuckle, Sonny Hess and Northwest Women Rhythm and Blues, Patrick Lamb, and Curtis Salgado. Nearly two dozen local artists will display their artwork for purchase, and complimentary food and beverages will be provided by Duck Pond Winery and ten of Portland's finest restaurants, including Morton's, El Gaucho and Portland City Grill.
Together, we can make a difference by improving the quality of life for families affected by this indiscriminate disease. Visit www.artfulgiving.net and be sure to make plans to attend this exciting event!
Quote of the Month:
"It is not intelligence alone that brings success, but also the drive to succeed, the commitment to work hard, and the courage to believe in yourself. Know that your dreams must come from your heart's deepest desires. Only then will the barriers come down before you. To know your heart, you must know yourself. You are who you decide to be, not who other people decide for you to be. Be noble. Stand on the higher ground. Create your life and then go out and live it." --- Unknown
Recommended Reads:
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters. Set in the 1940′s, on the eve of the NHS in rural England, a Doctor visits an old stately manor to see a maid who was complaining of stomach pains. When Dr Farrady dug a little further it turned out that the maid wasn’t ill at all but trying to get sent home as she was afraid of things “going bump in the night” (and day!) in the house. Farrady strikes up a friendship with the house members (of whom there are only 3 left) and becomes embroiled in some very strange goings on. The real taking point is at the end of the book. It appears that Waters has left her readers to make up their own minds about what was really going on in the house but there are some great theories flying around that makes this a good read for debate.
Blindness by Jose Saramago. This book is amazing, incredible and breathtaking. The story starts with a man in his car at traffic lights who goes suddenly blind. He is helped home by a stranger, who a few hours later also goes blind. Within a few days the blindness has spread round half the city and also those afflicted are herded up by the government into a disused mental asylum and left alone. The wards quickly become overrun with filth and chaos ensues. In the middle of this, though, we get to know a handful of characters very well and it is really their story that we follow through the never-ending days, lack of food and riots. The whole story is told through long paragraphs of unbroken text. There are no quotation marks, hardly any punctuation and none of the characters are given names. But it works!
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind. This is one of the weirdest books I have ever read but also one of the best. Survivor, genius, perfumer, killer: this is Jean-Baptiste Grenouille. He is abandoned on the filthy streets of 17th century Paris as a child, but grows up to discover he has an extraordinary gift: a sense of smell more powerful than any other human’s. Soon, he is creating the most sublime fragrances in all the city. Yet there is one odor he cannot capture. It is exquisite, magical: the scent of a young virgin. And to get it he must kill. And kill. And kill.
Kaylin's Favorite May Recipe: Corn Bread Cobb Salad (Yummy!)
Corn bread croutons add a kid-friendly, Southern spin to this classic salad. This recipe will yield enough for a picnic potluck or a light family dinner and lunch the next day.
Ingredients:
* FOR THE CROUTONS:
* 2 cups cubed corn bread, preferably day-old
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* Coarse salt and pepper
* FOR THE DRESSING:
* 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
* 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
* Salt and pepper
* 3 tablespoons olive oil
* FOR THE SALAD:
* 3 hearts romaine lettuce, shredded
* 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
* 4 large eggs, hard-boiled and chopped
* 8 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
* 1 ripe avocado, halved, pitted, peeled, and diced
* 1-1/2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
* 1/2 cup diced red onion (optional)
* 1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) Monterrey Jack or Cheddar, shredded
Directions:
1) Heat the oven to 400 degrees. In a medium-size bowl, toss the corn bread with the oil, and salt and pepper to taste, until the cubes are well coated. Spread the cubes on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, turning once with a spatula, about 8 minutes. Set the croutons aside.
Tip: Croutons can be made the day before and stored in a ziplock bag until ready to use.
2) In a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, and salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle in the oil and continue whisking until the dressing has thickened. Add the lettuce to the bowl and toss to coat it with the dressing. Transfer the lettuce to a serving platter.
3) Arrange the chicken, eggs, bacon, avocado, tomatoes, red onion (if using), and cheese over the lettuce. Season the salad with more salt and pepper, if you like. Serves 6 to 8.
Here's a little something to make your smile:
An Irishman had been drinking at a pub all night. The bartender finally said that the bar is closing. So the Irishman stood up to leave and fell flat on his face. He tried to stand one more time; same result. He figured he'll crawl outside and get some fresh air and maybe that will sober him up.
Once outside he stood up and fell flat on his face. So he decided to crawl the 4 blocks to his home. When he arrived at the door he stood up and again fell flat on his face. He crawled through the door and into his bedroom. When he reached his bed he tried one more time to stand up. This time he managed to pull himself upright, but he quickly fell right into bed and is sound asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. He was awakened the next morning to his wife standing over him, shouting, "So, you've been out drinking again!!"
"What makes you say that?" he asked, putting on an innocent look.
"The pub called -- you left your wheelchair there again."
So remember ... Stay positive, give happiness away, and be sure to recommend Flaherty's Crossing to everyone you know!
Have a great month!
Kaylin
www.kaylinmcfarren.com
to sing though it's in hot water up to its nose."
Dear Friends and Avid Readers:
After experiencing the loss of family members, friends and business associates to cancer over the past few years, my husband and I recognized the need for preventative medicine rather than focusing on aftercare. Together, with Governor Kitzhaber, Senator Merkley, Senator Wyden, State Treasurer Ted Wheeler, Lynn and Dave Frohnmayer and many like-minded individuals in our community, we're seeking ways to raise awareness and to direct our fund-raising efforts toward expanded research and the care and treatment of cancer patients and their families.
This year, ticket sales and profits from our upcoming Artful Giving Blanket Concert will benefit Portland’s Providence Cancer Center. The official site for this event will be held on the grounds of our 15-acre estate in Troutdale, Oregon on Saturday, July 16th 11am – 6pm. With KATU Anchor - Steve Dunn as our presiding MC, musical entertainment will be highlighted by Aaron Meyer, Linda Hornbuckle, Sonny Hess and Northwest Women Rhythm and Blues, Patrick Lamb, and Curtis Salgado. Nearly two dozen local artists will display their artwork for purchase, and complimentary food and beverages will be provided by Duck Pond Winery and ten of Portland's finest restaurants, including Morton's, El Gaucho and Portland City Grill.
Together, we can make a difference by improving the quality of life for families affected by this indiscriminate disease. Visit www.artfulgiving.net and be sure to make plans to attend this exciting event!
Quote of the Month:
"It is not intelligence alone that brings success, but also the drive to succeed, the commitment to work hard, and the courage to believe in yourself. Know that your dreams must come from your heart's deepest desires. Only then will the barriers come down before you. To know your heart, you must know yourself. You are who you decide to be, not who other people decide for you to be. Be noble. Stand on the higher ground. Create your life and then go out and live it." --- Unknown
Recommended Reads:
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters. Set in the 1940′s, on the eve of the NHS in rural England, a Doctor visits an old stately manor to see a maid who was complaining of stomach pains. When Dr Farrady dug a little further it turned out that the maid wasn’t ill at all but trying to get sent home as she was afraid of things “going bump in the night” (and day!) in the house. Farrady strikes up a friendship with the house members (of whom there are only 3 left) and becomes embroiled in some very strange goings on. The real taking point is at the end of the book. It appears that Waters has left her readers to make up their own minds about what was really going on in the house but there are some great theories flying around that makes this a good read for debate.
Blindness by Jose Saramago. This book is amazing, incredible and breathtaking. The story starts with a man in his car at traffic lights who goes suddenly blind. He is helped home by a stranger, who a few hours later also goes blind. Within a few days the blindness has spread round half the city and also those afflicted are herded up by the government into a disused mental asylum and left alone. The wards quickly become overrun with filth and chaos ensues. In the middle of this, though, we get to know a handful of characters very well and it is really their story that we follow through the never-ending days, lack of food and riots. The whole story is told through long paragraphs of unbroken text. There are no quotation marks, hardly any punctuation and none of the characters are given names. But it works!
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind. This is one of the weirdest books I have ever read but also one of the best. Survivor, genius, perfumer, killer: this is Jean-Baptiste Grenouille. He is abandoned on the filthy streets of 17th century Paris as a child, but grows up to discover he has an extraordinary gift: a sense of smell more powerful than any other human’s. Soon, he is creating the most sublime fragrances in all the city. Yet there is one odor he cannot capture. It is exquisite, magical: the scent of a young virgin. And to get it he must kill. And kill. And kill.
Kaylin's Favorite May Recipe: Corn Bread Cobb Salad (Yummy!)
Corn bread croutons add a kid-friendly, Southern spin to this classic salad. This recipe will yield enough for a picnic potluck or a light family dinner and lunch the next day.
Ingredients:
* FOR THE CROUTONS:
* 2 cups cubed corn bread, preferably day-old
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* Coarse salt and pepper
* FOR THE DRESSING:
* 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
* 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
* Salt and pepper
* 3 tablespoons olive oil
* FOR THE SALAD:
* 3 hearts romaine lettuce, shredded
* 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
* 4 large eggs, hard-boiled and chopped
* 8 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
* 1 ripe avocado, halved, pitted, peeled, and diced
* 1-1/2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
* 1/2 cup diced red onion (optional)
* 1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) Monterrey Jack or Cheddar, shredded
Directions:
1) Heat the oven to 400 degrees. In a medium-size bowl, toss the corn bread with the oil, and salt and pepper to taste, until the cubes are well coated. Spread the cubes on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, turning once with a spatula, about 8 minutes. Set the croutons aside.
Tip: Croutons can be made the day before and stored in a ziplock bag until ready to use.
2) In a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, and salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle in the oil and continue whisking until the dressing has thickened. Add the lettuce to the bowl and toss to coat it with the dressing. Transfer the lettuce to a serving platter.
3) Arrange the chicken, eggs, bacon, avocado, tomatoes, red onion (if using), and cheese over the lettuce. Season the salad with more salt and pepper, if you like. Serves 6 to 8.
Here's a little something to make your smile:
An Irishman had been drinking at a pub all night. The bartender finally said that the bar is closing. So the Irishman stood up to leave and fell flat on his face. He tried to stand one more time; same result. He figured he'll crawl outside and get some fresh air and maybe that will sober him up.
Once outside he stood up and fell flat on his face. So he decided to crawl the 4 blocks to his home. When he arrived at the door he stood up and again fell flat on his face. He crawled through the door and into his bedroom. When he reached his bed he tried one more time to stand up. This time he managed to pull himself upright, but he quickly fell right into bed and is sound asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. He was awakened the next morning to his wife standing over him, shouting, "So, you've been out drinking again!!"
"What makes you say that?" he asked, putting on an innocent look.
"The pub called -- you left your wheelchair there again."
So remember ... Stay positive, give happiness away, and be sure to recommend Flaherty's Crossing to everyone you know!
Have a great month!
Kaylin
www.kaylinmcfarren.com
Monday, March 28, 2011
Kaylin's April 2011 Newsletter
“April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks go.”
- Christopher Morley, John Mistletoe
Hello Readers and Fellow Authors:
Is it really April? Apparently so! Not entirely sure where February and March went, however, between travel, family obligations, and community functions, I’ve been a bit too busy to notice. And isn’t it amazing how many clocks you find in your home when it’s time to Spring them forward? They seem to be in every room in the household…on every appliance…on every ten foot wall. It usually takes a few days to finally get them in order. But have you ever wondered what actually happens to that precious hour we lost? Could it be floating around in the atmosphere — just waiting for Fall to roll back around? Hovering in another dimension until it’s rediscovered? Now just imagine for a moment if we could accumulate that lost hour on a daily basis and eventually get them all back in one fell swoop. Ah, the extra hours we could sleep in…the blistery Winter days we could forgo…
Quote of the Day:
“Hail in the Spring, a start of new beginnings. Creativity awe-inspiring gives a reason to be living. Plant life showing life anew, a wonder to be found. New born lambs playing in the fields, birds nesting all around. People enjoying the sun and the warmth, feeling good to be alive. Spring gives a purpose to our lives, a touch of Paradise.” - Kay M. Sutton, Bring in the Spring
Congratulations to Chuck E. Otto for winning Kaylin’s “Luck of the Irish” Contest…
…and a free Kindle valued at $189… The perfect wireless reading device to download and enjoy your copy of Flaherty’s Crossing. And here’s his winning entry:
St Peter’s Quiz:
A petty thief, a teacher and a lawyer died in a plane crash and met up at Heaven’s gates. When they got there, they were stopped by St. Peter.
“Sorry, it’s extremely crowded at the moment,” he said. “If you want to get in, you’ll each need to answer one question correctly.”
They all shook their heads in agreement. Then St. Peter looked at the teacher and asked her, “What was the name of the famous ocean-liner that sank after hitting an iceberg?”
“Oh, that’s easy,” the teacher replied. “The Titanic.”
“That’s right! You may enter.” Next he turned to the petty thief and figuring Heaven didn’t REALLY need all the aggravation this guy would bring with him decided to make the question a little harder. “How many people died on the ship?” he asked.
Fortunately for him, the thief had just seen the movie. “One thousand two hundred and twenty-eight,” he answered.
St. Peter stepped aside and allowed him to pass. Then he turned to the lawyer and said, “Name them.”
Kaylin’s Recommended Reads for April:
* Red Azalea by Anchee Min -This powerful memoir, set in China, tells of growing up during the Cultural Revolution, “where the soul was secondary to the state, beauty was mistrusted, and love could be punishable by death.” A New York Times Notable Book.
* When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka – A nameless Japanese-American family is sent to a Utah internment camp during World War II. Their emotional devastation is revealed in spare, haunting prose that draws the reader into the story.
* Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers – Harriet Vane returns to Oxford University just as a rash of unpleasant incidents occur, including poison pen letters, obscene graffiti, and burning effigies. Harriet, along with her paramour and partner Lord Peter Wimsey, try to find the culprit before the odd events turn deadly.
Kaylin’s Recipe of the Month: Caprese-Style Herbed Strata
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Ready in: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Baking Time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted plus more for greasing pan
* 6 large slices of sturdy bread (about 1/2-inch thick)
* 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
* 1 cup sun dried tomatoes, finely chopped
* 1/2 cup basil, finely chopped
* 4 large eggs
* 2 cups milk
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Directions:
1. Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Line the bottom of the dish with about 3 slices of bread. You will need to cut some slices to make sure the bottom is entirely covered. Spread half of the sun dried tomatoes and all of the basil on top of the bread. Sprinkle half of the cheese. Repeat with the remaining pieces of bread, sun dried tomatoes and cheese.
2. In a medium bowl whisk together eggs, milk, melted butter, salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture over the bread layers. Gently press down bread to insure that bread is fully submerged. Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least 5 hours or even better overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake strata until golden and bubbly, about an hour. Allow dish to sit for 5 minutes before serving. For a Provencal twist, use olive tapenade instead of sun-dried tomatoes. Both are equally good!
So remember … Stay positive. Give happiness away and be sure to recommend Flaherty’s Crossing to everyone you know!
Have a great month!
Kaylin
www.kaylinmcfarren.com
- Christopher Morley, John Mistletoe
Hello Readers and Fellow Authors:
Is it really April? Apparently so! Not entirely sure where February and March went, however, between travel, family obligations, and community functions, I’ve been a bit too busy to notice. And isn’t it amazing how many clocks you find in your home when it’s time to Spring them forward? They seem to be in every room in the household…on every appliance…on every ten foot wall. It usually takes a few days to finally get them in order. But have you ever wondered what actually happens to that precious hour we lost? Could it be floating around in the atmosphere — just waiting for Fall to roll back around? Hovering in another dimension until it’s rediscovered? Now just imagine for a moment if we could accumulate that lost hour on a daily basis and eventually get them all back in one fell swoop. Ah, the extra hours we could sleep in…the blistery Winter days we could forgo…
Quote of the Day:
“Hail in the Spring, a start of new beginnings. Creativity awe-inspiring gives a reason to be living. Plant life showing life anew, a wonder to be found. New born lambs playing in the fields, birds nesting all around. People enjoying the sun and the warmth, feeling good to be alive. Spring gives a purpose to our lives, a touch of Paradise.” - Kay M. Sutton, Bring in the Spring
Congratulations to Chuck E. Otto for winning Kaylin’s “Luck of the Irish” Contest…
…and a free Kindle valued at $189… The perfect wireless reading device to download and enjoy your copy of Flaherty’s Crossing. And here’s his winning entry:
St Peter’s Quiz:
A petty thief, a teacher and a lawyer died in a plane crash and met up at Heaven’s gates. When they got there, they were stopped by St. Peter.
“Sorry, it’s extremely crowded at the moment,” he said. “If you want to get in, you’ll each need to answer one question correctly.”
They all shook their heads in agreement. Then St. Peter looked at the teacher and asked her, “What was the name of the famous ocean-liner that sank after hitting an iceberg?”
“Oh, that’s easy,” the teacher replied. “The Titanic.”
“That’s right! You may enter.” Next he turned to the petty thief and figuring Heaven didn’t REALLY need all the aggravation this guy would bring with him decided to make the question a little harder. “How many people died on the ship?” he asked.
Fortunately for him, the thief had just seen the movie. “One thousand two hundred and twenty-eight,” he answered.
St. Peter stepped aside and allowed him to pass. Then he turned to the lawyer and said, “Name them.”
Kaylin’s Recommended Reads for April:
* Red Azalea by Anchee Min -This powerful memoir, set in China, tells of growing up during the Cultural Revolution, “where the soul was secondary to the state, beauty was mistrusted, and love could be punishable by death.” A New York Times Notable Book.
* When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka – A nameless Japanese-American family is sent to a Utah internment camp during World War II. Their emotional devastation is revealed in spare, haunting prose that draws the reader into the story.
* Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers – Harriet Vane returns to Oxford University just as a rash of unpleasant incidents occur, including poison pen letters, obscene graffiti, and burning effigies. Harriet, along with her paramour and partner Lord Peter Wimsey, try to find the culprit before the odd events turn deadly.
Kaylin’s Recipe of the Month: Caprese-Style Herbed Strata
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Ready in: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Baking Time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted plus more for greasing pan
* 6 large slices of sturdy bread (about 1/2-inch thick)
* 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
* 1 cup sun dried tomatoes, finely chopped
* 1/2 cup basil, finely chopped
* 4 large eggs
* 2 cups milk
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Directions:
1. Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Line the bottom of the dish with about 3 slices of bread. You will need to cut some slices to make sure the bottom is entirely covered. Spread half of the sun dried tomatoes and all of the basil on top of the bread. Sprinkle half of the cheese. Repeat with the remaining pieces of bread, sun dried tomatoes and cheese.
2. In a medium bowl whisk together eggs, milk, melted butter, salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture over the bread layers. Gently press down bread to insure that bread is fully submerged. Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least 5 hours or even better overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake strata until golden and bubbly, about an hour. Allow dish to sit for 5 minutes before serving. For a Provencal twist, use olive tapenade instead of sun-dried tomatoes. Both are equally good!
So remember … Stay positive. Give happiness away and be sure to recommend Flaherty’s Crossing to everyone you know!
Have a great month!
Kaylin
www.kaylinmcfarren.com
Monday, March 7, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Kaylin's February 2011 Newsletter
"The February sunshine steeps your boughs and tints the buds and swells the leaves within." - William C. Bryant
Hello Readers and Fellow Authors:
With the new year officially in full swing, aside from the blistering, knee-rattling cold, what does February hold in store for us? Here are some fun and interesting holiday facts.
February 1st - National Freedom Day: This day commemorates the signing of the 13th Amendment outlawing slavery on February 1, 1865 by President Lincoln.
February 2nd - Groundhog Day: Each year in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, folks gather round to see if the groundhog will see it's shadow and if he does, there will be 42 more days of winter! Brrrr...
February 3rd - Chinese New Year: Red clothing wards away evil spirits and bad fortune. New clothing symbolizes starting the year anew. According to 2011 Year of the Rabbit predictions, many opportunities for communication gaffes are in the offing. Now if we could only understand what this means...
February 14th - Valentine's Day: The U.S. greeting card association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making this day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas. And be sure to note, out of all the valentines sent, women purchase approximately 85 percent. So now we know who the romantics of the world are...
February 21st - President's Day: This day is set aside to observe and honor Washington's Birthday, the first U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln,and other US Presidents. For most, this is just another day off...
Out of all these holidays, Valentine's Day is, of course, the most celebrated. But does anyone know its true history? The holiday of Saint Valentines Day was originally a day to celebrate two Saint Valentines: Valentine of Rome, and Valentine of Terni - both martyred in the early second and third centuries. Distinction between these two saints no longer exists, but many stories exist explaining the original saint. One such story explains that Valentine (no proof as to which one) was arrested and interrogated by Roman Emperor Claudius II, who tried to get Valentine to convert to roman paganism. Valentine refused and tried to convert the emperor to Christianity. He was then executed, but not before healing his captor's blind daughter.
No romantic association originally existed, but according to modern created legends, Roman Emperor Claudius II made a law stating that all men must remain single. Valentine performed marriage ceremonies for couples secretly anyway. He was eventually discovered and arrested. But before he was killed, he wrote the first valentine to his captor's daughter and his true love, who he had healed. It was signed, “From your Valentine.”
In Ancient Rome, a holiday called Lupercalia was celebrated from February 13th- February 15th, promoting fertility. Some believe that Valentine's Day began as a Christianized version of Lupercalia. In 1400, Paris established the “High Court of Love” on February 14th to protect women. This is believed to be when Valentines day began to be celebrated as a loving day. Interesting?!?
Quote of the Day: (One of my favorites)
"The hours I spend with you I look upon as sort of a perfumed garden, a dim twilight, and a fountain singing to it. You and you alone make me feel that I am alive. Other men it is said have seen angels, but I have seen thee and thou art enough." ~ George Moore
Contest Time! So what's Kaylin got up her sleeve this month?
A chance to win a Free Kindle!! Send your favorite Irish joke, limerick or poem to kaylin@kaylinmcfarren.com and on March 17th (St. Paddy's Day), the winning entry will receive a free Kindle valued at $189... the perfect wireless reading device to download and enjoy your copy of Flaherty's Crossing.
Kaylin's Recommended Reads for February:
* A Gathering of Old Men by Ernest Gaines - When a Cajun farmer is murdered outside the home of an elderly black plantation worker, several other aging black men of the plantation and the white woman who owns it rally around, each claiming to be guilty of the murder.
* Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer - A young Jewish American travels to the Ukraine in the hope of finding the woman who saved his grandfather from the Nazis.
* The Good Husband by Gail Godwin - Now in her 60s and dying of ovarian cancer, English professor Magda Danvers and her husband befriend another couple, whose marriage is also beset by adversity. Although the subject sounds depressing, this is an uplifting story.
Kaylin's Recipe of the Month: Fresh Lobster Salad
Ingredients (4 Servings)
* 1 pound cooked lobster meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
* 1/4 cup butter, melted
* 1/4 cup mayonnaise
* 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
1. Place the lobster chunks into a medium bowl, and pour the melted butter over. Toss to coat, then stir in mayonnaise and season with black pepper. Cover and chill for 20 minutes before serving.
2. Serve on toasted rolls or croissants. You won't be disappointed!
Note: A delicious treat anytime! A simple lobster salad with butter and just a hint of mayonnaise so that you can still taste the sweet lobster meat. Yum!
So remember ... Stay positive, give happiness away, and be sure to recommend Flaherty's Crossing to everyone you know!
Have a great month!
Kaylin
Hello Readers and Fellow Authors:
With the new year officially in full swing, aside from the blistering, knee-rattling cold, what does February hold in store for us? Here are some fun and interesting holiday facts.
February 1st - National Freedom Day: This day commemorates the signing of the 13th Amendment outlawing slavery on February 1, 1865 by President Lincoln.
February 2nd - Groundhog Day: Each year in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, folks gather round to see if the groundhog will see it's shadow and if he does, there will be 42 more days of winter! Brrrr...
February 3rd - Chinese New Year: Red clothing wards away evil spirits and bad fortune. New clothing symbolizes starting the year anew. According to 2011 Year of the Rabbit predictions, many opportunities for communication gaffes are in the offing. Now if we could only understand what this means...
February 14th - Valentine's Day: The U.S. greeting card association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making this day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas. And be sure to note, out of all the valentines sent, women purchase approximately 85 percent. So now we know who the romantics of the world are...
February 21st - President's Day: This day is set aside to observe and honor Washington's Birthday, the first U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln,and other US Presidents. For most, this is just another day off...
Out of all these holidays, Valentine's Day is, of course, the most celebrated. But does anyone know its true history? The holiday of Saint Valentines Day was originally a day to celebrate two Saint Valentines: Valentine of Rome, and Valentine of Terni - both martyred in the early second and third centuries. Distinction between these two saints no longer exists, but many stories exist explaining the original saint. One such story explains that Valentine (no proof as to which one) was arrested and interrogated by Roman Emperor Claudius II, who tried to get Valentine to convert to roman paganism. Valentine refused and tried to convert the emperor to Christianity. He was then executed, but not before healing his captor's blind daughter.
No romantic association originally existed, but according to modern created legends, Roman Emperor Claudius II made a law stating that all men must remain single. Valentine performed marriage ceremonies for couples secretly anyway. He was eventually discovered and arrested. But before he was killed, he wrote the first valentine to his captor's daughter and his true love, who he had healed. It was signed, “From your Valentine.”
In Ancient Rome, a holiday called Lupercalia was celebrated from February 13th- February 15th, promoting fertility. Some believe that Valentine's Day began as a Christianized version of Lupercalia. In 1400, Paris established the “High Court of Love” on February 14th to protect women. This is believed to be when Valentines day began to be celebrated as a loving day. Interesting?!?
Quote of the Day: (One of my favorites)
"The hours I spend with you I look upon as sort of a perfumed garden, a dim twilight, and a fountain singing to it. You and you alone make me feel that I am alive. Other men it is said have seen angels, but I have seen thee and thou art enough." ~ George Moore
Contest Time! So what's Kaylin got up her sleeve this month?
A chance to win a Free Kindle!! Send your favorite Irish joke, limerick or poem to kaylin@kaylinmcfarren.com and on March 17th (St. Paddy's Day), the winning entry will receive a free Kindle valued at $189... the perfect wireless reading device to download and enjoy your copy of Flaherty's Crossing.
Kaylin's Recommended Reads for February:
* A Gathering of Old Men by Ernest Gaines - When a Cajun farmer is murdered outside the home of an elderly black plantation worker, several other aging black men of the plantation and the white woman who owns it rally around, each claiming to be guilty of the murder.
* Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer - A young Jewish American travels to the Ukraine in the hope of finding the woman who saved his grandfather from the Nazis.
* The Good Husband by Gail Godwin - Now in her 60s and dying of ovarian cancer, English professor Magda Danvers and her husband befriend another couple, whose marriage is also beset by adversity. Although the subject sounds depressing, this is an uplifting story.
Kaylin's Recipe of the Month: Fresh Lobster Salad
Ingredients (4 Servings)
* 1 pound cooked lobster meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
* 1/4 cup butter, melted
* 1/4 cup mayonnaise
* 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
1. Place the lobster chunks into a medium bowl, and pour the melted butter over. Toss to coat, then stir in mayonnaise and season with black pepper. Cover and chill for 20 minutes before serving.
2. Serve on toasted rolls or croissants. You won't be disappointed!
Note: A delicious treat anytime! A simple lobster salad with butter and just a hint of mayonnaise so that you can still taste the sweet lobster meat. Yum!
So remember ... Stay positive, give happiness away, and be sure to recommend Flaherty's Crossing to everyone you know!
Have a great month!
Kaylin
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Kaylin's January 2011 Newsletter
"We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential." ~Ellen Goodman
Hello Readers and Fellow Authors:
With the New Year unfolding its fresh virgin leaves, it's time to seriously consider (or in some cases, reconsider) that ambitious resolution you announced to your friends while heavily intoxicated or blinded by hope. Some individuals think choosing a resolution is much easier than attempting to keep it, but actually the goal you set at the beginning of the year has as much to do with your success as anything else in your life. That’s why it's wise to choose a New Year’s resolution you might actually fulfill. Keeping this in mind, here's a simple plan that might come in handy -- if not in 2011, then definitely in the years to come.
The four steps to choosing a successful resolution:
1. Choose a two-word resolution - Quit smoking; lose weight; go green, etc.
2. Include numbers and dates - Save $2,400 by December 31st; lose 25 lbs. by August 1st, etc.
3. Define how you're going to accomplish your resolution - Put $200 in a savings account every month; walk 40 minutes every night with my husband, etc.
4. Add why you want to achieve your goal - So that I can take that Hawaiian vacation; to fit into that cute size 8 dress...and so on.
You don’t want to create your New Year’s resolution in an effort to please someone else (because my boyfriend thinks I will look better; because my dad wants me to buy a house, etc.). Your resolution should be strictly for you, and adding a “because I” statement to your resolution will be the best way for you to articulate your personal motivation. So stay focused and follow through. You'll be amazed by what you can accomplish!
Quote of the Day:
"I do think New Year's resolutions can't technically be expected to begin on New Year's Day, don't you? Since, because it's an extension of New Year's Eve, smokers are already on a smoking roll and cannot be expected to stop abruptly on the stroke of midnight with so much nicotine in the system. Also dieting on New Year's Day isn't a good idea as you can't eat rationally but really need to be free to consume whatever is necessary, moment by moment, in order to ease your hangover. I think it would be much more sensible if resolutions began generally on January the second." ~Helen Fielding, Bridget Jones's Diary
So what's on Kaylin's Horizon?
I'm currently involved with final editing on my latest creation -- an action, adventure romance titled Severed Threads. This fun, engrossing romp takes a group of unusual characters into treacherous waters, searching for a Chinese Emperor's lost merchant ship and the priceless treasure in her hold. Here's the synopsis, which just might perk your interest:
Believing herself responsible for her father's fatal diving accident, Rachel Lyons has withdrawn from the world and assumed a safe position at a foundation office. When called upon by a museum director to assist her former love interest with the recovery of a priceless artifact from a sunken galleon, she has no intention of cooperating - until her brother is kidnapped by a drug-dealing gangster. In order to save him and gain control over her own life, Rachel must not only overcome her greatest fears, but also relive the circumstances that lead to her father's death.
Would you like to read more? Visit my website at www.kaylinmcfarren.com and enjoy a tantalizing excerpt!
Kaylin's Recommended Reads for January:
* Reading in the Dark by Seamus Deane - The political upheavals in Northern Ireland are the backdrop to the life of the young narrator, who tries to puzzle out the nature of love, the effects of violence, and the secrets his family carries.
* Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough - A marvelously readable biography of the young Theodore Roosevelt, from his birth through his marriage to Edith Carow and his unsuccessful run for mayor of New York. Winner of the National Book Award.
* Songs of the Gorilla Nation by Dawn Prince-Hughes - In her memoir, the author describes how her work observing and interacting with gorillas has helped her to cope with her form of autism -- Asperger's Syndrome.
Kaylin's Recipe of the Month: Buffalo Chicken Stromboli
Yield - 4 servings
Ingredients:
* 2 cups cubed or shredded cooked chicken
* 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
* 3 tablespoons Frank's® RedHot® Sauce
* 1/2 (17.3 ounce) package Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets, thawed
Directions:
1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Stir the chicken, cheese and hot sauce in a medium bowl.
2. Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry sheet into a 10x14-inch rectangle.
3. With the short side facing you, spoon the chicken mixture down the center of the pastry. Fold 2 opposite sides of the pastry to the center over the filling and press to seal. Place the pastry, seam-side down, onto a baking sheet. Tuck the ends under to seal.
4. Bake for 30 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. Cut the pastry in quarters to serve and enjoy!
So remember ... Stay positive. Give happiness away and be sure to recommend Flaherty's Crossing to everyone you know!
Have a great month!
Kaylin
Hello Readers and Fellow Authors:
With the New Year unfolding its fresh virgin leaves, it's time to seriously consider (or in some cases, reconsider) that ambitious resolution you announced to your friends while heavily intoxicated or blinded by hope. Some individuals think choosing a resolution is much easier than attempting to keep it, but actually the goal you set at the beginning of the year has as much to do with your success as anything else in your life. That’s why it's wise to choose a New Year’s resolution you might actually fulfill. Keeping this in mind, here's a simple plan that might come in handy -- if not in 2011, then definitely in the years to come.
The four steps to choosing a successful resolution:
1. Choose a two-word resolution - Quit smoking; lose weight; go green, etc.
2. Include numbers and dates - Save $2,400 by December 31st; lose 25 lbs. by August 1st, etc.
3. Define how you're going to accomplish your resolution - Put $200 in a savings account every month; walk 40 minutes every night with my husband, etc.
4. Add why you want to achieve your goal - So that I can take that Hawaiian vacation; to fit into that cute size 8 dress...and so on.
You don’t want to create your New Year’s resolution in an effort to please someone else (because my boyfriend thinks I will look better; because my dad wants me to buy a house, etc.). Your resolution should be strictly for you, and adding a “because I” statement to your resolution will be the best way for you to articulate your personal motivation. So stay focused and follow through. You'll be amazed by what you can accomplish!
Quote of the Day:
"I do think New Year's resolutions can't technically be expected to begin on New Year's Day, don't you? Since, because it's an extension of New Year's Eve, smokers are already on a smoking roll and cannot be expected to stop abruptly on the stroke of midnight with so much nicotine in the system. Also dieting on New Year's Day isn't a good idea as you can't eat rationally but really need to be free to consume whatever is necessary, moment by moment, in order to ease your hangover. I think it would be much more sensible if resolutions began generally on January the second." ~Helen Fielding, Bridget Jones's Diary
So what's on Kaylin's Horizon?
I'm currently involved with final editing on my latest creation -- an action, adventure romance titled Severed Threads. This fun, engrossing romp takes a group of unusual characters into treacherous waters, searching for a Chinese Emperor's lost merchant ship and the priceless treasure in her hold. Here's the synopsis, which just might perk your interest:
Believing herself responsible for her father's fatal diving accident, Rachel Lyons has withdrawn from the world and assumed a safe position at a foundation office. When called upon by a museum director to assist her former love interest with the recovery of a priceless artifact from a sunken galleon, she has no intention of cooperating - until her brother is kidnapped by a drug-dealing gangster. In order to save him and gain control over her own life, Rachel must not only overcome her greatest fears, but also relive the circumstances that lead to her father's death.
Would you like to read more? Visit my website at www.kaylinmcfarren.com and enjoy a tantalizing excerpt!
Kaylin's Recommended Reads for January:
* Reading in the Dark by Seamus Deane - The political upheavals in Northern Ireland are the backdrop to the life of the young narrator, who tries to puzzle out the nature of love, the effects of violence, and the secrets his family carries.
* Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough - A marvelously readable biography of the young Theodore Roosevelt, from his birth through his marriage to Edith Carow and his unsuccessful run for mayor of New York. Winner of the National Book Award.
* Songs of the Gorilla Nation by Dawn Prince-Hughes - In her memoir, the author describes how her work observing and interacting with gorillas has helped her to cope with her form of autism -- Asperger's Syndrome.
Kaylin's Recipe of the Month: Buffalo Chicken Stromboli
Yield - 4 servings
Ingredients:
* 2 cups cubed or shredded cooked chicken
* 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
* 3 tablespoons Frank's® RedHot® Sauce
* 1/2 (17.3 ounce) package Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets, thawed
Directions:
1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Stir the chicken, cheese and hot sauce in a medium bowl.
2. Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry sheet into a 10x14-inch rectangle.
3. With the short side facing you, spoon the chicken mixture down the center of the pastry. Fold 2 opposite sides of the pastry to the center over the filling and press to seal. Place the pastry, seam-side down, onto a baking sheet. Tuck the ends under to seal.
4. Bake for 30 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. Cut the pastry in quarters to serve and enjoy!
So remember ... Stay positive. Give happiness away and be sure to recommend Flaherty's Crossing to everyone you know!
Have a great month!
Kaylin
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Kaylin's December 2010 E-Newsletter
"It's never to late to become the person you have always wanted to be." - Anne Sweeney
Hello Readers and Fellow Authors:
As you're all aware, the tradition of giving presents comes from the three wise men who brought gifts to baby Jesus. When I was a kid, gifts were more modest than they are now; but even then, people were complaining about the commercialization of Christmas. Over the years, we've grown accustom to Black Friday sales and preseason decorations that bypass Thanksgiving altogether. Some of us are disheartened by this practice, but we need to recognize, with the sad state of our economy, Christmas sales have become the backbone of many businesses. Without this added revenue, stores would close permanently and many jobs would be lost. So the next time your find yourself grumbling over filled parking lots, harried shoppers, and long department store lines, try to hold onto the true meaning of Christmas in your heart and remember the faces of loved ones who will be opening and relishing your gifts on December 25th.
Quote of the Day:
"Most of our stress and suffering come not from events, but from our thoughts. Refrain from negative thoughts and stress subsides." - Martha Beck
Another review for Flaherty's Crossing:
"Kate Flaherty is at a crossroads in her young life. Her father is on his deathbed and she has many unresolved issues related to the early death of her mother and her father's subsequent emotional distance. When she has a car accident, it stimulates images that both disturb and threaten to stir up those same unresolved issues.
Kate's marriage is, likewise, in a shambles but both she and her husband appear open to reconciliation. When Kate is injured, her husband becomes involved and available - just what Kate was needing in her own hours of soul-searching related to her father's death.
Although the conflict resolutions are, at times, a bit predictable and simplistic, "Flaherty's Crossing" is an easy read that should appeal to many readers of suspense and romance. The main characters are very well developed." - Readers Favorite, Haweville, KY
Upcoming Flaherty's Crossing Book Signing Events:
December 4th, 2010 - 5:30pm - 9pm, Festival of the Trees Gala
Oregon Convention Center, Hall A, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland
December 7th, 2010 ; 7pm - 9pm, Writer's Faire - Book Sale and Signing
The Old Church, 1422 SW 11th Avenue, Portland
Kaylin's Recommended Reads for December:
* Talk Before Sleep by Elizabeth Berg - When Ruth Thomas is diagnosed with rapidly metastasizing breast cancer, her best friend Ann Stanley shares doctor’s visits, funeral plans, and long talks about men, children, sex, the past, and the future. A memorable, absorbing read.
* Walking the Bible by Bruce Feiler - This inspiring journey through the greatest stories ever told will forever change the reader’s view on some of history's most storied events.
* The Long Walk Home by Will North - A lyrical and tender love story of grief and hope set in the mountains of North Wales which leaves the main characters questioning issues of morality and fidelity.
A favorite holiday song:
The Greatest Gift Of All - Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
Dawn is slowly breaking
Our friends have all gone home
You and I are waiting
For Santa Claus to come
There's a present by the tree
Stockings on the wall
Knowing you're in love with me
Is the greatest gift of all
The fire is slowly fading
Chill is in the air
All the gifts are waiting
For children ev'rywhere
Through the window, I can see
Snow begin to fall
Knowing you're in love with me
Is the greatest gift of all
Just before I go to sleep
I hear a church bell ring
Merry Christmas, ev'ryone
Is the song it sings
So I say a silent prayer
For creatures great and small
Peace on earth, goodwill to man
Is the greatest gift of all
Peace on earth, goodwill to man
Is the greatest gift of all
Kaylin's Recipe of the Month: Candy Cane Swirl
Ingredients:
1 oz. SKYY® Infusions Raspberry Vodka
3 oz. Red Cranberry juice
0.5 oz. Grenadine
0.5 oz. Grenadine
Lemon Lime soda
Candy cane garnish
Directions:
Rim martini glass with crushed candy cane. Combine SKYY Vodka, Peppermint Schnapps, Cranberry Juice and Grenadine into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into martini glass. Top with Lemon Lime Soda and garnish with small peppermint candy cane.
The Candy Cane Swirl is designed to add a simple, yet festive element to your larger holiday parties, utilizing familiar ingredients easily mixed in larger quantities. A vibrant red cocktail with a whimsical candy cane garnish, the Candy Cane Swirl is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
So remember ... Stay positive. Give happiness away and be sure to recommend Flaherty's Crossing to everyone you know!
Have a great month!
Kaylin
Hello Readers and Fellow Authors:
As you're all aware, the tradition of giving presents comes from the three wise men who brought gifts to baby Jesus. When I was a kid, gifts were more modest than they are now; but even then, people were complaining about the commercialization of Christmas. Over the years, we've grown accustom to Black Friday sales and preseason decorations that bypass Thanksgiving altogether. Some of us are disheartened by this practice, but we need to recognize, with the sad state of our economy, Christmas sales have become the backbone of many businesses. Without this added revenue, stores would close permanently and many jobs would be lost. So the next time your find yourself grumbling over filled parking lots, harried shoppers, and long department store lines, try to hold onto the true meaning of Christmas in your heart and remember the faces of loved ones who will be opening and relishing your gifts on December 25th.
Quote of the Day:
"Most of our stress and suffering come not from events, but from our thoughts. Refrain from negative thoughts and stress subsides." - Martha Beck
Another review for Flaherty's Crossing:
"Kate Flaherty is at a crossroads in her young life. Her father is on his deathbed and she has many unresolved issues related to the early death of her mother and her father's subsequent emotional distance. When she has a car accident, it stimulates images that both disturb and threaten to stir up those same unresolved issues.
Kate's marriage is, likewise, in a shambles but both she and her husband appear open to reconciliation. When Kate is injured, her husband becomes involved and available - just what Kate was needing in her own hours of soul-searching related to her father's death.
Although the conflict resolutions are, at times, a bit predictable and simplistic, "Flaherty's Crossing" is an easy read that should appeal to many readers of suspense and romance. The main characters are very well developed." - Readers Favorite, Haweville, KY
Upcoming Flaherty's Crossing Book Signing Events:
December 4th, 2010 - 5:30pm - 9pm, Festival of the Trees Gala
Oregon Convention Center, Hall A, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland
December 7th, 2010 ; 7pm - 9pm, Writer's Faire - Book Sale and Signing
The Old Church, 1422 SW 11th Avenue, Portland
Kaylin's Recommended Reads for December:
* Talk Before Sleep by Elizabeth Berg - When Ruth Thomas is diagnosed with rapidly metastasizing breast cancer, her best friend Ann Stanley shares doctor’s visits, funeral plans, and long talks about men, children, sex, the past, and the future. A memorable, absorbing read.
* Walking the Bible by Bruce Feiler - This inspiring journey through the greatest stories ever told will forever change the reader’s view on some of history's most storied events.
* The Long Walk Home by Will North - A lyrical and tender love story of grief and hope set in the mountains of North Wales which leaves the main characters questioning issues of morality and fidelity.
A favorite holiday song:
The Greatest Gift Of All - Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
Dawn is slowly breaking
Our friends have all gone home
You and I are waiting
For Santa Claus to come
There's a present by the tree
Stockings on the wall
Knowing you're in love with me
Is the greatest gift of all
The fire is slowly fading
Chill is in the air
All the gifts are waiting
For children ev'rywhere
Through the window, I can see
Snow begin to fall
Knowing you're in love with me
Is the greatest gift of all
Just before I go to sleep
I hear a church bell ring
Merry Christmas, ev'ryone
Is the song it sings
So I say a silent prayer
For creatures great and small
Peace on earth, goodwill to man
Is the greatest gift of all
Peace on earth, goodwill to man
Is the greatest gift of all
Kaylin's Recipe of the Month: Candy Cane Swirl
Ingredients:
1 oz. SKYY® Infusions Raspberry Vodka
3 oz. Red Cranberry juice
0.5 oz. Grenadine
0.5 oz. Grenadine
Lemon Lime soda
Candy cane garnish
Directions:
Rim martini glass with crushed candy cane. Combine SKYY Vodka, Peppermint Schnapps, Cranberry Juice and Grenadine into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into martini glass. Top with Lemon Lime Soda and garnish with small peppermint candy cane.
The Candy Cane Swirl is designed to add a simple, yet festive element to your larger holiday parties, utilizing familiar ingredients easily mixed in larger quantities. A vibrant red cocktail with a whimsical candy cane garnish, the Candy Cane Swirl is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
So remember ... Stay positive. Give happiness away and be sure to recommend Flaherty's Crossing to everyone you know!
Have a great month!
Kaylin
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Nice Article in the Gresham Outllook Today! :)
Yoshida Pens a Charitable Book
By Mark Garber
The Gresham Outlook, May 1, 2010
Proceeds from Linda Yoshida’s book ‘Flaherty’s Crossing’ will be donated to the fight against colon cancer. She wrote the book while sitting by her father’s bedside while he was dying of colon cancer.
East County seems to offer fertile ground for budding authors. As reported on the front page today, Gresham Police Officer Barry Ozeroff has his third book off the press. He joins a lengthy list of local residents — including the likes of Gresham Planning Director Mike Abbate, “The Shack” author William P. Young and former Mayor Gussie McRobert — who’ve recently ventured into the world of publishing.
And now comes Troutdale resident Linda Yoshida, who not only has a book in hand, but a worthy cause to promote with her words. Writing under the pen name “Kaylin McFarren,” Yoshida has conjured a fictional story based on her own experiences as she watched her 63-year-old father die of colon cancer. The result is “Flaherty’s Crossing,” which is out in trade paperback from Champagne Books — a small press that typically publishes romance novels.
The genesis for the book came, Yoshida says, when colon cancer was taking her father’s life.
“I started writing originally when I sat at my dad’s bedside while he was dying,” she says.
Her intent was to record the story of his life and death, “but it evolved into a fictional account.” That account still includes elements of biography, but also mystery, romance, family relationships and just plain human emotion. But beyond plot twists, there’s another element to this book that makes it noteworthy — Yoshida is donating the proceeds from its sale toward research being done to cure the disease that claimed her father’s life.
The book, with an initial press run of 2,000 copies, is being sold online now and will be available at all Fred Meyer stores come June. The money raised will go to the cancer research institute at Portland’s Providence Medical Center. Researchers there — 60 in total — are investigating how the body’s immune system can be used to treat and prevent cancer. For more information, visit www.flahertyscrossing.com, a website that includes a link to the cancer research center.
Once the first 2,000 copies of her book are sold, Yoshida says, the publisher will proceed with a hardback version whose sales also will be dedicated to cancer research.
“I wrote it as a labor of love,” Yoshida says, “and to create attention for a cause.”
By Mark Garber
The Gresham Outlook, May 1, 2010
Proceeds from Linda Yoshida’s book ‘Flaherty’s Crossing’ will be donated to the fight against colon cancer. She wrote the book while sitting by her father’s bedside while he was dying of colon cancer.
East County seems to offer fertile ground for budding authors. As reported on the front page today, Gresham Police Officer Barry Ozeroff has his third book off the press. He joins a lengthy list of local residents — including the likes of Gresham Planning Director Mike Abbate, “The Shack” author William P. Young and former Mayor Gussie McRobert — who’ve recently ventured into the world of publishing.
And now comes Troutdale resident Linda Yoshida, who not only has a book in hand, but a worthy cause to promote with her words. Writing under the pen name “Kaylin McFarren,” Yoshida has conjured a fictional story based on her own experiences as she watched her 63-year-old father die of colon cancer. The result is “Flaherty’s Crossing,” which is out in trade paperback from Champagne Books — a small press that typically publishes romance novels.
The genesis for the book came, Yoshida says, when colon cancer was taking her father’s life.
“I started writing originally when I sat at my dad’s bedside while he was dying,” she says.
Her intent was to record the story of his life and death, “but it evolved into a fictional account.” That account still includes elements of biography, but also mystery, romance, family relationships and just plain human emotion. But beyond plot twists, there’s another element to this book that makes it noteworthy — Yoshida is donating the proceeds from its sale toward research being done to cure the disease that claimed her father’s life.
The book, with an initial press run of 2,000 copies, is being sold online now and will be available at all Fred Meyer stores come June. The money raised will go to the cancer research institute at Portland’s Providence Medical Center. Researchers there — 60 in total — are investigating how the body’s immune system can be used to treat and prevent cancer. For more information, visit www.flahertyscrossing.com, a website that includes a link to the cancer research center.
Once the first 2,000 copies of her book are sold, Yoshida says, the publisher will proceed with a hardback version whose sales also will be dedicated to cancer research.
“I wrote it as a labor of love,” Yoshida says, “and to create attention for a cause.”
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Chicago Sun Times review
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
Chicago sun times review
View more documents from Kaylin McFarren.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Kaylin's Virtual Book Tour
April 22, 2010, 10:04 am
Eight months ago, I went to a friend’s book signing event. I looked around in this large chain store and was amazed by the small turn out. In fact, had this USA Today best-selling author not been stationed near the coffee bar, there would have been eight people to welcome her release. Even though she performed a reading and answered questions, she sold only five books. Now I’ve been told this isn’t typical. Should authors send out invitations in their communities, they might sell as many as two hundred books. Yet as I considered the possibility of sitting at a table for hours on end, hoping someone would notice me, I came to the conclusion there had to be a better way.
I contacted Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours to connect my book with interested readers through the medium of weblogs and personal websites. In a nutshell, this three-month tour consisted of visiting a given number of websites in a given about of time, the same as I would do at stores during a real book tour. At these stops, I was interviewed on line, participated in radio podcasts, took over sites for the day, answered questions from readers, and had my book reviewed many, many times
Is it true that word-of-mouth is the best means of advertising? I would venture to say yes - there's no doubt about it. And this is definitely a way to get a jump start on it. If you're looking for immediate gratification, exposure, books sales and fun without sitting behind a wheel or in an airport, consider virtual book tours. My travel arrangements were made for me, I had no luggage to pack, and there were no empty book stores or filled boxes to content with. :D
Eight months ago, I went to a friend’s book signing event. I looked around in this large chain store and was amazed by the small turn out. In fact, had this USA Today best-selling author not been stationed near the coffee bar, there would have been eight people to welcome her release. Even though she performed a reading and answered questions, she sold only five books. Now I’ve been told this isn’t typical. Should authors send out invitations in their communities, they might sell as many as two hundred books. Yet as I considered the possibility of sitting at a table for hours on end, hoping someone would notice me, I came to the conclusion there had to be a better way.
I contacted Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours to connect my book with interested readers through the medium of weblogs and personal websites. In a nutshell, this three-month tour consisted of visiting a given number of websites in a given about of time, the same as I would do at stores during a real book tour. At these stops, I was interviewed on line, participated in radio podcasts, took over sites for the day, answered questions from readers, and had my book reviewed many, many times
Is it true that word-of-mouth is the best means of advertising? I would venture to say yes - there's no doubt about it. And this is definitely a way to get a jump start on it. If you're looking for immediate gratification, exposure, books sales and fun without sitting behind a wheel or in an airport, consider virtual book tours. My travel arrangements were made for me, I had no luggage to pack, and there were no empty book stores or filled boxes to content with. :D
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Incredible Cocktail Party Planned!
Besides the sun and fun of summer, June brings with it an incredible cocktail party at my home which was orchestrated by talented author, Krisitna McMorris and Doernbecher's Children's Hospital board members. Lucky bid winners will have an opportunity to rub elbows with an amazing group of authors - many of whom I'm sure you know. Here's my attendance list:
WHITNEY OTTO—New York Times bestselling women's fiction author most recognized for her novel How to Make an American Quilt, of which the movie adaptation starred Winona Ryder, Anne Bancroft, and Ellen Burnstyn.
WILLIAM P. YOUNG—International bestselling Christian author of The Shack , a #1 New York Times bestseller for 45 straight weeks!
PHILLIP MARGOLIN—Legal thriller author whose thirteen novels have all hit the New York Times bestseller list, including Gone, But Not Forgotten (TV mini-series) and The Last Innocent Man (HBO movie).
CHELSEA CAIN—Thriller author of the Heartsick series, all New York Times bestselling novels; she is also a weekly columnist for The Oregonian and regular reviewer for the New York Times Book Review.
SUSAN WIGGS—#1 New York Times bestselling author of romance and women's fiction novels, including the RITA-award winning Lakeside Cottage, Lord of the Night, and The Mistress.
LISA JACKSON—Romantic suspense author of more than twenty novels, including the #1 New York Times bestselling novel Fatal Burn, as well as fifteen other bestsellers.
NANCY BUSH—In addition to coauthoring the Wicked Game series with her sister, Lisa Jackson, Nancy is the New York Times bestselling author of the thriller Unseen; a former writer for "All My Children," she has published more than thirty books.
ROBERT DUGONI—Author of several legal thrillers including the New York Times bestseller The Jury Master, as well as the Cyanide Canary, a nonfiction expose named Best Book of the Year by the Washington Post .
COURTENAY HAMEISTER—Head writer, associate producer, and host of Live Wire! broadcasted on NPR; also, the author of What Was I Thinking?: 58 Bad Boyfriend Stories.
JIM LYNCH—Award-winning journalist and international bestselling author of Border Songs, as well as the highly acclaimed novel The Highest Tide.
So I guess it's time to get busy reading and adding books to my library! If you have any special questions you'd like addressed by any of these attending authors, be sure to let me know. I'll post your questions and the author's remarks in a future blog. :D
Amazing Review!! :D
Flaherty's Crossing by Kaylin McFarren is a deeply moving novel of not only love, but also of forgiveness. Kate, a fiercely independent married artist with a longing to be loved, receives a call she has been dreading, her father, Collin Flaherty, has passed away. Kate is already struggling with her marriage and is now faced with doubts about who her father truly was and if he stopped loving her when her mother passed away. Kate's husband Drew, a high-powered attorney rapidly moving up the corporate ladder yet still overshadowed by the achievements of his now deceased father, is striving to make their marriage work and to convince Kate that he can indeed be there for her, believes in her, and loves her. Flaherty's Crossing is a rollercoaster ride of events and emotions as McFarren delivers a delightful cast of characters, which include friends, family, hospice workers, and Kate's gossipy neighbour Wanda, each delivering a special message to the narrative. The diner scene is a stroke of literary brilliance as Flaherty's Crossing reminds the reader it is never too late to change, apologise, and forgive; a narrative that reminds one that love transcends time and place and can never die. To anyone looking for an insightful and uplifting novel, I highly recommend Flaherty's Crossing.
Reviewed by Jennifer, Rundpinne
Reviewed by Jennifer, Rundpinne
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