|
KAYLIN'S BACKGROUND:
For the past twenty years, Kaylin has worked in PR and marketing for her family-owned conglomerate, the Yoshida Group, which consists of eighteen diverse corporations. She was appointed as one of nine commissioners to the Oregon Arts Commission by Governor Kitzhaber while working as the director of a nationally-acclaimed art gallery in Portland, Oregon. Under her guidance, numerous visual artists gained recognition through exhibitions and exposure in national publications. Eager to spread her own creative wings, she has since steered her energy toward writing novels. As a result, she has earned more than a dozen literary awards and was a 2008 finalist in the prestigious RWA® Golden Heart contest.
Kaylin is a member of RWA, Rose City Romance Writers, and Willamette Writers. She received her AA in Literature at Highline Community College, which originally sparked her passion for writing. In her free time, she also enjoys giving back to the community through participation and support of various charitable and educational organizations in the Pacific Northwest.
THE STORY BEHIND FLAHERTY'S CROSSING
Kaylin sat before her computer writing Flaherty's Crossing as a source of personal therapy after losing her beloved father to colon cancer. You might say she was angry at him, at God, at the world in general. However, after writing this story, she had the opportunity to really look into her soul and consider the fact that so many other sons and daughters have had to deal with similar and even worse situations. Rather than a memoir, her novel evolved into a fictional journey which brought about the resolution she needed to find. She never expected this exercise in writing to go to press, touch lives, or win literary awards. But as a result of her good fortune, she has arranged for all proceeds from the sale of this book to go directly to the Providence Medical Foundation's colon cancer research department in her father's name. She's now convinced and proudly shares her belief that good things can grow out of the worst times in our lives if you just take the time to open your heart.
PROFESSIONAL BOOK REVIEW by AuthorsDen:
Flaherty's Crossing
by Kaylin McFarren
Champagne Books
ISBN: 978-1-926681-19-1
February 2010
Taut Romantic Thriller!
For as long as she can remember Kate Flaherty's felt abandoned and unloved. First by her mother, then her often-absent trucker father and finally by her mother's cold sister who came to raise her. Emotionally shut down, yet living on hair trigger reactions, Kate now stands at her father's deathbed in his cabin on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state.
While the hospice nurse bustles about offering practiced comfort, Kate's dad, in a morphine haze, murmurs fragments of memories and then clearly utters his regret at causing her mother's death so long ago.
Hounded by feelings she's been stifling ever since, Kate flees for her home and her over-worked lawyer husband. Driving too fast through the forest, she's leaving a message on Drew's cellphone when she crashes off the road. Awakening in the dark, she stumbles on in search of a phone at a half-remembered diner across the bridge and over the rail tracks where the lone, strangely familiar cook's intrusive conversation forces her to realize that her marriage has been falling apart almost from the beginning.
Now this safe haven and the creepy cook begin to feel threatening and, as she's always done, Kate flees again, back to her life which while materially successful is empty of faith, love & trust.
When Drew follows Kate's directions left on his phone he finds her stunned beside her wrecked car. The tension between husband and wife is palpable. Neither able to articulate what's troubling them, their needs nor how they can help each other.
Most of us haven't a clue what our parents' lives were like before we came along, and so it is when Kate and Drew go through her father's papers while taking care of his funeral arrangements. They uncover far-flung friends he never mentioned and stories that bring Kate's parents to life, and in doing these necessary tasks together they find a measure of forgiveness & reconciliation.
Kaylin McFarren has written a well thought out taut internal romantic thriller with something to say about how unresolved childhood trauma will come out sideways, thwarting any chance of a healthy present. All the way through Flaherty's Crossing I kept muttering "Get thee to a therapist!" Except had Kate done so there wouldn't be this page-turner, right?
-Rebecca J. Brown
ADDITIONAL REVIEWS:
0
0
1
604
3446
Yoshida Group
28
8
4042
14.0
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
JA
X-NONE
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
SEVERED THREADS:
“Kaylin McFarren's latest novel is a fast-paced mixture of romance, mystery and adventure, with more than a dash of the paranormal tossed in for good measure. It's also provides the reader an exciting introduction into the worlds of deep sea diving, treasure hunting and Far Eastern vs. Western culture. Readers will quickly be drawn in by multiple plot lines that intertwine and ultimately lead to a very satisfying conclusion. Crisp writing and sparkling dialogue that will hold the interest of any reader who enjoys a good mystery story that's well told.” • MARK GARBER, President, Portland Tribune
"An intriguing tale of mystery, deception and murder." • REBECCA READS, Austin, Texas
"Sizzling adventure awaits in this wonderfully fresh story from Kaylin McFarren." • RHONDA POLLERO, USA Today bestselling author
“I found this book to be chock full of suspense, twist and turns – with the reader never quite knowing who was the good guy, and who was the bad. Highly recommended!” • CHRISTINE WATSON, Reader Views
“Severed Threads” takes the reader on a great adventure – one I would personally rather read about than experience in real life! I totally enjoyed being held captive on the edge of my seat while the characters’ drama plays out. The additional touch of having an ancient legend and a ghost be involved in the story made it even more compelling to read. I highly recommend this story for people who enjoy romance and suspense. The author Kaylin McFarren will not let you down! I look forward to future stories in this series. • PAIGE LOVITT, Reader Views
“This sizzling romantic adventure is not only made for the Big Screen, but will have romantic lovers craving for more! This First book in a series is a gem in itself as the author creates a suspenseful love story that's packed with action, genuine characters, and is rich in history. Kaylin McFarren's expertise in traveling the world to exotic places, combined with her interest in treasure seekers, and her fascination with the under-sea world shines through in her unique writing style. "SEVERED THREADS" is as entertaining as THE BODY GUARD, as thrilling as PRESUMED INNOCENT, and as clever as BASIC INSTINCT. Highly recommended to all romantic suspense lovers!” • GERI AHEARNS, Book Reviews
“This book had me hooked from the first page, with the descriptive texts of each individual along with why they want to find the treasure for their own needs but how this is affected by outside factors and their reactions to this, really gets the reader involved. The writing is first class and very clever and along with the short chapters makes this book very enjoyable and easy to follow, although you may find it very difficult to put down so be warned.” – 5 Birds • SHARON MARTIN BECK VALLEY BOOKS
(Four Stars) "A very enjoyable read for a lazy afternoon or a long hot bubble bath. This book will wrap you up and not let you go. Even after reading the last paragraph on the last page you are begging for the story to continue. You'll want to pick up your copy today because you don't want to miss this story!" • Story of a Girl Reviews
“SEVERED THREADS is a page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat and diving for more.” • Faery Book Reviews
“When you start reading a book and you immediately start picturing actors as the characters, you know it's probably going to be a decent read (hint: Matthew McConaughey, Amy Adams, Pierce Brosnan)! Like the ocean, the story ebbs and flows, between high action and slower back story. This equals a satisfying read, the included sailing history will have you running to your smart phone to check facts, and leave you wanting to go to your local maritime museum! The book is fast-paced (I read it in 2 sittings!) and the perfect mixture of history, mystery and romance, with enough twists and turns to keep you fascinated to the end. Which by the way screams for a sequel! I hope the book does get picked up for a movie, as I think it would be very enjoyable too!” • Bless Their Hearts Mom - Book Reviews
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
BURIED THREADS:
0
0
1
564
3218
Yoshida Group
26
7
3775
14.0
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
JA
X-NONE
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
“Buried Threads captivates you from the first page and doesn’t stop until the end of the story. Transported to a different world with customs that have endured for centuries, you are taken on a journey ‘Indiana Jones style’ as the search for three precious swords, worth millions of dollars, are needed to stop the destruction of Japan from forces of Mother Nature. Gangs (Mafia style), geishas, foreign languages, kidnapping, murder, human trafficking and evil beings are some of the obstacles encountered while searching for the swords. Everyone has a motive and some are not of the best intentions. Who can you trust? Can Cohen and Lyons survive this assignment of finding the swords? Can their relationship survive if they do find the swords? You will not be disappointed by this book.” KAT HALL, Champagne Book Group
“This is a wonderful read, and I cannot wait to crack into Severed Threads!” Must Read Faster
“Exciting, dangerous and sexy!” - JAMIE LEIGH HANSEN, author of Betrayed
"Buckle your seat belt, hold on tight and don't forget the ice! Another fantastic story by Kaylin McFarren." - B.K. WALKER, author of B.K. Walker Books
“Kaylin McFarren delivers an extraordinary, sizzling romantic adventure in Buried Threads that is compelling, suspenseful, and intense! – GERI AHEARN, Geri Ahearn's Book Reviews
"If you happen to see Lara Croft, Indiana Jones, and Robert Langdon in line with food stamps, you can thank Kaylin McFarren's Buried Threads for putting them out of work. Instead meet Rachel and Chase, treasure hunting partners and lovers who are vastly unprepared for what awaits them in the perilous streets of Japan. There is no misdirection and no lucid confusion at all throughout the story as to who is good, and who is bad. Instead Kaylin McFarren brazenly lays out all her cards - but the brilliance of Buried Threads lies in the cards Ms. McFarren has hidden up her sleeve.
Although the novel is told through rotating points of view, giving you a perfect 360 of what is going on, Rachel stood out as the true protagonist as she arrives in Japan to join her boyfriend and fellow treasure hunter, Chase, in a search for a select set of swords. The yakuza set the story on fire, tracing every step and making their presence known with every single page as they watch Rachel and Chase in their quest. Guided by Shinzo, a psychic Buddhist monk, and swordswoman Yuki they embark on a mission that would make even hardest of tomb raiders reach for a pair of Huggies. Add in the complications of organized crime and the inexplicable, and you'll soon learn their task is for only the bravest of souls.
Ms. McFarren has handed you a front row seat to Japanese culture and an introduction to the dangerous world of the yazuka; adorned with the vibrant addition of geishas and revenge schemes, peppered with spirits and close calls underwater, then finally sprinkled with a dash of toe-curling romance. There isn't a frivolous moment to be found in over 300 pages, and neither are you given the opportunity to breathe. Just as soon as it's been figured out, everything changes and you're whisked away even deeper into this eccentric world. There is more than just treasure at stake as Rachel and Chase race to find the swords. Instead the entire fate of Japan rests in their hands.
Ms. McFarren comes off as intelligent and knowledgeable in her quest to share this story. She also manages to take a foreign world and paint a visual picture for even the most unacquainted of paper-and-ink travelers. As I understand Buried Threads follows the events of Severed Threads, but easily stands on its own without needing to read the other installment - except after reading this, I just might have to. After I read Buried Threads again." – ARMADA WEST, author of Undefeated
|
Share
Save
[