Kaylin McFarren's Blog - Posts Tagged "fiction"
Treasure Hunt Leads to Healing and Romance in New Novel
Rachel has never forgiven Chase for deserting her after her father died during a deep sea dive with him. But Chase desperately needs Rachel’s help if he is to find an ancient Chinese treasure ship in Kaylin McFarren’s new novel “Severed Threads.”
An intriguing tale of mystery, deception and murder. - Rebecca's Reads
Portland, OR (PRWEB) August 13, 2012 - Four hundred years ago, the Chinese ship, Wanli II, sunk with a treasure that included the Heart of the Dragon, a relic rumored to be protected by the ghost of a woman who lost her lover. Now troubled lovers Chase and Rachel search for both the treasure and a way to salvage their own relationship in Kaylin McFarren’s new novel “Severed Threads” (ISBN 9781475186529, Creative Edge Publishing, 2012).
After her father’s death in a fatal diving accident, Rachel Lyons withdraws from the world, taking a safe position at a foundation office. So when the museum director wants Rachel to assist her former love interest, Chase Cohen, in recovering a cursed relic from a sunken Chinese ship, she is resistant to help. Rachel holds a grudge against Chase, who was with her father when he died, for disappearing soon after and breaking her heart.
Despite Rachel’s feelings, Chase needs her help and the foundation’s funds to find the sunken Chinese ship Wanli II. He is especially determined to recover the ancient ship’s treasure, including the Heart of the Dragon, a relic rumored to be protected by the four-hundred-year-old ghost of a woman who killed herself when she lost her lover, for whom the Heart was intended. Thrust together, Chase and Rachel find they still have feelings for one another, but they are also withholding secrets. Then Rachel’s brother is kidnapped by a drug-dealing gangster and she find she must set aside old grudges and relive the circumstances of her father’s death with Chase’s help if she is to save her brother.
Kaylin McFarren began writing novels after the death of her own father as a means of personal therapy. In a recent interview with Reader Views, McFarren stated, “By creating damaged fictional characters that are forced to resolve their problems, I’ve been able to work through my personal issues and now feel like I can cope with virtually anything.” The results have led to McFarren winning numerous awards for her first novel “Flaherty’s Crossing” and receiving many accolades for her new novel “Severed Threads.”
Readers are finding the characters and situations in “Severed Threads” both entertaining and poignant. Paige Lovitt of Reader Views states, “I totally enjoyed being held captive on the edge of my seat while the characters’ drama plays out....I highly recommend this story for people who enjoy romance and suspense. The author Kaylin McFarren will not let you down!”
Rebecca’s Reads declares “Severed Threads” is “an intriguing tale of mystery, deception and murder.” And Mark Garber, President of the “Portland Tribune,” says “Severed Threads” is “a fast-paced mixture of romance, mystery and adventure, with more than a dash of the paranormal tossed in for good measure....Crisp writing and sparkling dialogue.” Readers will be thrilled to know a sequel “Buried Threads” is in the works.
About the Author:
Kaylin McFarren was born in California and today lives in Oregon with her husband. She has raised three daughters and now spends time with her two young grandsons. She received her AA in Literature at Highline Community College. McFarren has earned more than a dozen literary awards and was a 2008 finalist in the prestigious RWA® Golden Heart contest. McFarren is a member of RWA, Rose City Romance Writers, and Willamette Writers. She is the author of “Flaherty’s Crossing” and the newly published “Severed Threads.”
“Severed Threads” (ISBN 9781475186529, Creative Edge Publishing, 2012) can be purchased through local and online bookstores. For more information, visit http://www.KaylinMcFarren.com. Publicity contact: http://www.ReaderViews.com. Review copies available upon request.
An intriguing tale of mystery, deception and murder. - Rebecca's Reads
Portland, OR (PRWEB) August 13, 2012 - Four hundred years ago, the Chinese ship, Wanli II, sunk with a treasure that included the Heart of the Dragon, a relic rumored to be protected by the ghost of a woman who lost her lover. Now troubled lovers Chase and Rachel search for both the treasure and a way to salvage their own relationship in Kaylin McFarren’s new novel “Severed Threads” (ISBN 9781475186529, Creative Edge Publishing, 2012).
After her father’s death in a fatal diving accident, Rachel Lyons withdraws from the world, taking a safe position at a foundation office. So when the museum director wants Rachel to assist her former love interest, Chase Cohen, in recovering a cursed relic from a sunken Chinese ship, she is resistant to help. Rachel holds a grudge against Chase, who was with her father when he died, for disappearing soon after and breaking her heart.
Despite Rachel’s feelings, Chase needs her help and the foundation’s funds to find the sunken Chinese ship Wanli II. He is especially determined to recover the ancient ship’s treasure, including the Heart of the Dragon, a relic rumored to be protected by the four-hundred-year-old ghost of a woman who killed herself when she lost her lover, for whom the Heart was intended. Thrust together, Chase and Rachel find they still have feelings for one another, but they are also withholding secrets. Then Rachel’s brother is kidnapped by a drug-dealing gangster and she find she must set aside old grudges and relive the circumstances of her father’s death with Chase’s help if she is to save her brother.
Kaylin McFarren began writing novels after the death of her own father as a means of personal therapy. In a recent interview with Reader Views, McFarren stated, “By creating damaged fictional characters that are forced to resolve their problems, I’ve been able to work through my personal issues and now feel like I can cope with virtually anything.” The results have led to McFarren winning numerous awards for her first novel “Flaherty’s Crossing” and receiving many accolades for her new novel “Severed Threads.”
Readers are finding the characters and situations in “Severed Threads” both entertaining and poignant. Paige Lovitt of Reader Views states, “I totally enjoyed being held captive on the edge of my seat while the characters’ drama plays out....I highly recommend this story for people who enjoy romance and suspense. The author Kaylin McFarren will not let you down!”
Rebecca’s Reads declares “Severed Threads” is “an intriguing tale of mystery, deception and murder.” And Mark Garber, President of the “Portland Tribune,” says “Severed Threads” is “a fast-paced mixture of romance, mystery and adventure, with more than a dash of the paranormal tossed in for good measure....Crisp writing and sparkling dialogue.” Readers will be thrilled to know a sequel “Buried Threads” is in the works.
About the Author:
Kaylin McFarren was born in California and today lives in Oregon with her husband. She has raised three daughters and now spends time with her two young grandsons. She received her AA in Literature at Highline Community College. McFarren has earned more than a dozen literary awards and was a 2008 finalist in the prestigious RWA® Golden Heart contest. McFarren is a member of RWA, Rose City Romance Writers, and Willamette Writers. She is the author of “Flaherty’s Crossing” and the newly published “Severed Threads.”
“Severed Threads” (ISBN 9781475186529, Creative Edge Publishing, 2012) can be purchased through local and online bookstores. For more information, visit http://www.KaylinMcFarren.com. Publicity contact: http://www.ReaderViews.com. Review copies available upon request.
Linda Yoshida writes the book on giving
Front Page - Portland Tribune, Clackamas Review, Oregon City News
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Written by Ellen Spitaleri
Although Linda Yoshida may not call herself a Renaissance woman, it is easy to think of her that way. She used to own a large art gallery and is still a major supporter of the arts, and she is an author, who has published three books, with another one on the way.
But more importantly, Yoshida, along with her husband, businessman Junki Yoshida, supports communities throughout the metro area with several charities, especially the Soulful Giving Foundation.
Linda Yoshida’s father died from colon cancer, and during the process of his death, she kept a journal, which provided the basis for her first book, “Flaherty’s Crossing.” She donated 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of that book to colon cancer research.
Then she visited Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and found out about the Cancer Center for Children. The visit made her realize she needed “to spread out and do more for cancer research. I would love to see treatment start with children. So I sat down with my husband and we came up with the Soulful Giving Foundation; after all, giving comes from the heart and soul.”
The Yoshidas started the foundation five years ago, and the result was an event called the Artful Giving Blanket Concert, held on the grounds of their home in Troutdale. “It combines all the artistic elements — music, visual arts, food and wine. Since everything I do is about the arts, it seemed like a natural connection,” she said. Guests pay $50 for a ticket to the grounds, set up a blanket and enjoy everything happening around them in a forested, natural setting.
“This is an opportunity for the community to come together, and 100 percent of the proceeds benefit Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and Providence Cancer Research Center,” Yoshida said.
And what does she like best about giving back to her community? “I have received a number of letters from people who appreciate what we do. They see we want to help them. It is easy to just write a check and donate money, but with the foundation, we see people coming together and that is so much grander.” She added that she appreciates the support she gets from board members, all of whom have a connection to cancer in some way, and from more than 100 volunteers. “We welcome volunteers and sponsors. We love to see people affected by cancer find an avenue to help others, and dedicate a contribution to someone they’ve lost,” Yoshida said.
Although she and her husband are Troutdale residents, the board members for the Soulful Giving Foundation come from across the tri-county area, including Angela Fox, publisher of the Clackamas Review and Oregon City News. J. Mark Garber, president of Clackamas-based Pamplin Media Group, Gov. John Kitzhaber, Metro Council President Tom Hughes and U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, who are honorary chairmen of the foundation.
When she sat down to write “Flaherty’s Crossing,” her first book, Yoshida decided to come up with a pseudonym that would honor both her own Irish heritage and her daughter, Happy Valley resident Kristina McMorris, who also is an author. Yoshida chose to write under the name Kaylin McFarren; the Kay is based on the letter K, for Kristina, and Yoshida’s own maiden name, McFarren. “I am 100 percent Irish — both my parents’ families emigrated from Ireland,” she said, noting that the name is also a dedication to her aunt and her great-grandmother, who also were writers.
“Flaherty’s Crossing” is based on Yoshida’s own father’s death; it is a novel about love, loss and the power of forgiveness when a young woman, who is estranged from her father, hears his deathbed confession. “I had a strained relationship with my father, and we tried to connect before his death, but he passed away before we had that opportunity. So I thought about a character whose father comes to see her as a ghost, to complete those issues in life,” she said. As she set about writing her second book, Yoshida made a decision to self-publish her work, noting that she can now be her own boss and write when she feels like writing.
Both her two most current books, “Severed Threads” and “Buried Threads,” fit into the romantic suspense category and have sold so well that she is now working on a third book in the series, “Banished Threads.” In “Severed Threads” we meet deep-sea diver Rachel Lyons, who is called upon by a museum director to assist Chase Cohen, her former love interest, with the recovery of a cursed relic from a sunken Chinese merchant ship. 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 led to her father’s death in a diving accident.
In the most current book, “Buried Threads,” published in October, readers meet the treasure-hunting duo again. “They have been invited to Japan to look for a sunken treasure, but this job is much more complex and dangerous than anything they have done before. Shinzo, a Buddhist monk, tells them if the treasure isn’t found, then the destruction of Japan will happen,” Yoshida said. Other elements that come into play are beautiful, exotic women, some of whom can fight their way out of most situations, Japanese gangsters, hungry sharks and eels, restless spirits, and lots of obstacles that Chase and Rachel must overcome to survive.
Yoshida noted that 20 percent of the proceeds from these two books will be donated to children’s cancer research.
Yoshida’s third book in the series, “Banished Threads,” is going to be more of a mystery-thriller. In this book, her duo will go to England to visit Rachel’s uncle and will become embroiled in an art theft.
The word “threads” ties in to all of her books for a reason, she said, since Asians believe that love and people are connected by threads, and if you lose someone, the thread is severed. But, if you choose to, you can keep the memory alive, or you can move on and develop a new relationship.
Her biggest thrill is to see her books in print: “It is so exciting. I feel accomplished that I started something and finished it.”
To read excerpts from or purchase Linda Yoshida’s books, visit her website at kaylinmcfarren.com. Her books also are available at Amazon.com.
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Written by Ellen Spitaleri
Although Linda Yoshida may not call herself a Renaissance woman, it is easy to think of her that way. She used to own a large art gallery and is still a major supporter of the arts, and she is an author, who has published three books, with another one on the way.
But more importantly, Yoshida, along with her husband, businessman Junki Yoshida, supports communities throughout the metro area with several charities, especially the Soulful Giving Foundation.
Linda Yoshida’s father died from colon cancer, and during the process of his death, she kept a journal, which provided the basis for her first book, “Flaherty’s Crossing.” She donated 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of that book to colon cancer research.
Then she visited Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and found out about the Cancer Center for Children. The visit made her realize she needed “to spread out and do more for cancer research. I would love to see treatment start with children. So I sat down with my husband and we came up with the Soulful Giving Foundation; after all, giving comes from the heart and soul.”
The Yoshidas started the foundation five years ago, and the result was an event called the Artful Giving Blanket Concert, held on the grounds of their home in Troutdale. “It combines all the artistic elements — music, visual arts, food and wine. Since everything I do is about the arts, it seemed like a natural connection,” she said. Guests pay $50 for a ticket to the grounds, set up a blanket and enjoy everything happening around them in a forested, natural setting.
“This is an opportunity for the community to come together, and 100 percent of the proceeds benefit Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and Providence Cancer Research Center,” Yoshida said.
And what does she like best about giving back to her community? “I have received a number of letters from people who appreciate what we do. They see we want to help them. It is easy to just write a check and donate money, but with the foundation, we see people coming together and that is so much grander.” She added that she appreciates the support she gets from board members, all of whom have a connection to cancer in some way, and from more than 100 volunteers. “We welcome volunteers and sponsors. We love to see people affected by cancer find an avenue to help others, and dedicate a contribution to someone they’ve lost,” Yoshida said.
Although she and her husband are Troutdale residents, the board members for the Soulful Giving Foundation come from across the tri-county area, including Angela Fox, publisher of the Clackamas Review and Oregon City News. J. Mark Garber, president of Clackamas-based Pamplin Media Group, Gov. John Kitzhaber, Metro Council President Tom Hughes and U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, who are honorary chairmen of the foundation.
When she sat down to write “Flaherty’s Crossing,” her first book, Yoshida decided to come up with a pseudonym that would honor both her own Irish heritage and her daughter, Happy Valley resident Kristina McMorris, who also is an author. Yoshida chose to write under the name Kaylin McFarren; the Kay is based on the letter K, for Kristina, and Yoshida’s own maiden name, McFarren. “I am 100 percent Irish — both my parents’ families emigrated from Ireland,” she said, noting that the name is also a dedication to her aunt and her great-grandmother, who also were writers.
“Flaherty’s Crossing” is based on Yoshida’s own father’s death; it is a novel about love, loss and the power of forgiveness when a young woman, who is estranged from her father, hears his deathbed confession. “I had a strained relationship with my father, and we tried to connect before his death, but he passed away before we had that opportunity. So I thought about a character whose father comes to see her as a ghost, to complete those issues in life,” she said. As she set about writing her second book, Yoshida made a decision to self-publish her work, noting that she can now be her own boss and write when she feels like writing.
Both her two most current books, “Severed Threads” and “Buried Threads,” fit into the romantic suspense category and have sold so well that she is now working on a third book in the series, “Banished Threads.” In “Severed Threads” we meet deep-sea diver Rachel Lyons, who is called upon by a museum director to assist Chase Cohen, her former love interest, with the recovery of a cursed relic from a sunken Chinese merchant ship. 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 led to her father’s death in a diving accident.
In the most current book, “Buried Threads,” published in October, readers meet the treasure-hunting duo again. “They have been invited to Japan to look for a sunken treasure, but this job is much more complex and dangerous than anything they have done before. Shinzo, a Buddhist monk, tells them if the treasure isn’t found, then the destruction of Japan will happen,” Yoshida said. Other elements that come into play are beautiful, exotic women, some of whom can fight their way out of most situations, Japanese gangsters, hungry sharks and eels, restless spirits, and lots of obstacles that Chase and Rachel must overcome to survive.
Yoshida noted that 20 percent of the proceeds from these two books will be donated to children’s cancer research.
Yoshida’s third book in the series, “Banished Threads,” is going to be more of a mystery-thriller. In this book, her duo will go to England to visit Rachel’s uncle and will become embroiled in an art theft.
The word “threads” ties in to all of her books for a reason, she said, since Asians believe that love and people are connected by threads, and if you lose someone, the thread is severed. But, if you choose to, you can keep the memory alive, or you can move on and develop a new relationship.
Her biggest thrill is to see her books in print: “It is so exciting. I feel accomplished that I started something and finished it.”
To read excerpts from or purchase Linda Yoshida’s books, visit her website at kaylinmcfarren.com. Her books also are available at Amazon.com.
Look what Chanticleer has to say about BURIED THREADS!
Rating:4 stars
Title: Buried Threads
Author: Kaylin McFarren
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Creative Edge Publishing LLC
From the alluring book cover depicting a Japanese woman holding a beautiful sword, to the twisty, explosive ending, Kaylin McFarren’s second novel in the Threads series, Buried Threads, takes you on an wild ride that will having you reading long into the night.
Treasure hunters Rachel Lyons and Chase Cohen, first introduced in Severed Threads, return in this Steamy-Action novel, racing against time and overwhelming odds to recover a long-lost Japanese treasure. The Buddhist monk Satoru Yamada, or Shinzo, has hired them to locate a valuable Templar stone embedded in the scabbard of a sword at the bottom of the ocean. The sword is one of three, robbed from the tomb of a prince. Rachel’s employer believes that its return will save the soul of the woman who originally robbed the tomb, and also prevent a catastrophic natural disaster that could kill millions.
Fearlessly combining the influence of Japanese Manga with elements of romance, suspense, paranormal, and action-adventure, McFarren provides a fast-paced, scary, yet addictive reading experience. The author doesn’t mind bending the rules of craft or genre to present a complex, multi-layered story about fascinating characters—the beautiful yet numb geisha, the obsessed, vengeful Yakuza killer, the Buddhist monk who claims to see into both the future and the past, and of course, the intelligent and talented heroine, troubled by personal insecurities yet strong enough to expertly brandish a sword. As McFarren introduces you to each of these people against the backdrop of modern and ancient Japanese culture, you become hooked, soon kept in thrall of their unfolding stories and fearful of who will still be alive at the end.
Buried Threads interweaves cross-genre these plot elements in a tale that nevertheless accurately depicts Japanese subcultures. McFarren obviously has done her research on this exotic setting, enriching each page with details of Japanese urban nightlife, modern feminist attitudes, as well as the mindset of a centuries-old warrior culture. Readers who love to learn about foreign locales will enjoy this aspect of the book.
Because the author takes you so deeply inside the minds of multiple characters that are central to the plot, the back-and-forth among their points of view can at first be distracting. Typically, this would make it harder to connect with the characters. But McFarren draws intricate pictures of multi-faceted people, revealing their strengths as well as their fears and anxieties, so that you feel you know them instantly. The plot complications come fast and furiously, and you meet the large cast of characters quickly enough that you must pay close attention. This reviewer’s advice, though, is to be patient. Before you realize it, you’ll be well and truly immersed in this complex, edge-of-the-seat thriller.
Buried Threads was awarded a CLUE Award for Steamy/Action Thriller, a division of the Chanticleer Reviews Internationals Novel Writing Competitions.
Title: Buried Threads
Author: Kaylin McFarren
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Creative Edge Publishing LLC
From the alluring book cover depicting a Japanese woman holding a beautiful sword, to the twisty, explosive ending, Kaylin McFarren’s second novel in the Threads series, Buried Threads, takes you on an wild ride that will having you reading long into the night.
Treasure hunters Rachel Lyons and Chase Cohen, first introduced in Severed Threads, return in this Steamy-Action novel, racing against time and overwhelming odds to recover a long-lost Japanese treasure. The Buddhist monk Satoru Yamada, or Shinzo, has hired them to locate a valuable Templar stone embedded in the scabbard of a sword at the bottom of the ocean. The sword is one of three, robbed from the tomb of a prince. Rachel’s employer believes that its return will save the soul of the woman who originally robbed the tomb, and also prevent a catastrophic natural disaster that could kill millions.
Fearlessly combining the influence of Japanese Manga with elements of romance, suspense, paranormal, and action-adventure, McFarren provides a fast-paced, scary, yet addictive reading experience. The author doesn’t mind bending the rules of craft or genre to present a complex, multi-layered story about fascinating characters—the beautiful yet numb geisha, the obsessed, vengeful Yakuza killer, the Buddhist monk who claims to see into both the future and the past, and of course, the intelligent and talented heroine, troubled by personal insecurities yet strong enough to expertly brandish a sword. As McFarren introduces you to each of these people against the backdrop of modern and ancient Japanese culture, you become hooked, soon kept in thrall of their unfolding stories and fearful of who will still be alive at the end.
Buried Threads interweaves cross-genre these plot elements in a tale that nevertheless accurately depicts Japanese subcultures. McFarren obviously has done her research on this exotic setting, enriching each page with details of Japanese urban nightlife, modern feminist attitudes, as well as the mindset of a centuries-old warrior culture. Readers who love to learn about foreign locales will enjoy this aspect of the book.
Because the author takes you so deeply inside the minds of multiple characters that are central to the plot, the back-and-forth among their points of view can at first be distracting. Typically, this would make it harder to connect with the characters. But McFarren draws intricate pictures of multi-faceted people, revealing their strengths as well as their fears and anxieties, so that you feel you know them instantly. The plot complications come fast and furiously, and you meet the large cast of characters quickly enough that you must pay close attention. This reviewer’s advice, though, is to be patient. Before you realize it, you’ll be well and truly immersed in this complex, edge-of-the-seat thriller.
Buried Threads was awarded a CLUE Award for Steamy/Action Thriller, a division of the Chanticleer Reviews Internationals Novel Writing Competitions.
A fresh new look!!
Excited to announce that all the books in the Kaylin McFarren Threads series have a fresh new look due to the artistic skills and remarkable imagination of Amanda Tomo Yoshida, graduate of the Gnomon School of Visual Effects. You will discover that each book has also undergone additional editing and is now included in my revised, simple to navigate website thanks to Michael Volnychev, my masterful webmeister. Please take a moment to visit this site and consider signing up for my quarterly newsletter, which will provide you with information about book signings, new releases, free giveaways, contests, and fun promotional events.
In the meantime, mark your calendar for March 20th – when Banished Threads is officially released on Amazon.com. This is an action-packed suspense thriller, guaranteed to keep you turning pages and reading until late at night, guessing the identities of the true villains.
With all this in mind, let me extend my best wishes for the upcoming holidays and for a memorable, creative and extremely productive new year! – Kaylin
(www.kaylinmcfarren.com)
In the meantime, mark your calendar for March 20th – when Banished Threads is officially released on Amazon.com. This is an action-packed suspense thriller, guaranteed to keep you turning pages and reading until late at night, guessing the identities of the true villains.
With all this in mind, let me extend my best wishes for the upcoming holidays and for a memorable, creative and extremely productive new year! – Kaylin
(www.kaylinmcfarren.com)
Great News!!
YAY!!! Buzzfeed picked Banished Threads as one of the top seven books to read in 2016! Check out this list by visiting: http://www.buzzfeed.com/rebecas486c54...
