Kristy McCaffrey's Blog: Author Kristy McCaffrey, page 12

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Haunted by a deadly attack, Tess Carlisle turns to bounty hunter Cale Walker to find her missing padre. But in the land of the Apache, can he free her heart?

2015 Laramie Winner for Best in Western Romance

The Bluebird is now available for pre-order!!

Coming October 31, 2016

Molly Rose Simms departs the Arizona Territory, eager for adventure, and travels to Colorado to visit her brother. Robert left two years ago to make his fortune in the booming silver town of Creede, and now Molly Rose hopes to convince him to accompany her to San Francisco, New York City, or even Europe. But Robert is nowhere to be found. All Molly Rose finds is his partner, a mysterious man known as The Jackal.

Jake McKenna has traveled the bustling streets of Istanbul, exotic ports in China, and the deserts of Morocco. His restless desire to explore has been the only constant in his life. When his search for the elusive and mythical Bluebird mining claim lands him a new partner, he must decide how far he’ll go to protect the stunning young woman who’s clearly in over her head. A home and hearth has never been on The Jackal’s agenda, but Molly Rose Simms is about to change his world in every conceivable way.

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THE BLUEBIRD will also be free in Kindle Unlimited.

The Wings of the West Series

By Kristy McCaffrey

I’d like to share background on the formation of my historical western romance series, the Wings of the West. When I began developing characters and ideas, the titles intuitively came to me—The Wren, The Dove, The Sparrow, The Blackbird, and the forthcoming final installment, The Bluebird. How I would tie the birds into the storylines was a great unknown as I began each tale, but one thing emerged rather quickly—an underlying psychological theme of the journey of the feminine psyche.

In The Wren (Book One), the heroine Molly has been abducted by Comanche when she is nine years old. At nineteen, she finally finds the means to return home to Texas, to search for the life she’d lost so abruptly. We must all leave the safety of ‘home’ at some point in our lives to grow, whether physically or metaphorically, and the lesson is always that home isn’t a place outside of us but an internal sanctuary that we must nurture within ourselves. Molly’s journey comes full circle when she makes a home with the hero, Matt.

In The Dove (Book Two), Claire lives in a saloon run by her mama. While Claire herself isn't a soiled dove, she still faces the decisions many women face—does she live a life for herself or for others? How many times do women prostitute themselves because they don't feel they're worthy, or they perceive they have no choice? How do we 'use' others to gain our own ends? Claire also yearns to become a doctor, and this addresses the idea of healing through outside, external means. These can be effective, but only to a point. This leads to the next book.



In The Sparrow (Book Three), the heroine Emma undergoes a shamanic journey of initiation while traversing the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. During this process, she is helped by her power animal, Sparrow. Life causes wounds—we all have them—and while mending these are often sought through medicine, at some point an internal journey will be required. It’s the only way to truly heal the soul. While today we might seek the counsel of a trained psychologist, many indigenous people used the medicine man or shaman. The techniques of both are strikingly similar.

In The Blackbird (Book Four), Tess is a storyteller, A Keeper of the Old Ways; this is, and always has been, connected with imparting wisdom and magic to listeners through the telling of tales. She meets a hero who nurtures and protects this side of her, as any true life-partner should. Stories have the power to heal. It is yet the next step in mending the heart and the soul.

In The Bluebird (Book Five ~ coming October 31st), the heroine Molly Rose (niece to the Molly in the first book) yearns to travel and see the world. She connects with a man who can help her achieve these goals. The final step in the psychological journey—once healing has been undertaken and a new, better version of oneself is achieved—is to take all that’s been learned and go forth in the world. Life is an adventure and is meant to be experienced as such.

To learn more about Kristy’s work, visit her website at www.kristymccaffrey.com or sign up for her newsletter at http://www.kristymccaffrey.com/Newsle...

Humane Societies

By Kristy McCaffrey

The first humane society in North America—the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)—was founded by Henry Bergh in New York in 1866. Its purpose was, according to Bergh, “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.” He established the ASPCA three days after the first legislation against animal cruelty was passed by the New York State Legislature. He had prepared these laws himself.


Henry Bergh

In 1873, Bergh made a lecture tour of the western U.S. which resulted in the formation of several similar societies. The American Humane Association was created in 1877 as a network of local organizations to prevent cruelty to children and animals.

One consequence of Bergh’s work was the establishment of an ambulance corps for removing disabled animals from the street and a derrick for removing them from excavations into which they had fallen. He also invented a substitute for live pigeons with artificial ones as marks for sportsmen’s guns.


George Angell

The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) was founded in Boston in 1868 by George Angell and Emily Appleton. Angell, after reading about two horses that were raced to death by carrying two riders each over 40 miles of rough roads, began a high-profile protest of animal cruelty. He also created a publication—Our Dumb Animals—as a way “to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.” (“Dumb” refers to the fact that animals can’t speak.) The following year, the Massachusetts General Court passed the first anti-animal cruelty act.

By 1886, 39 states had adopted statutes relating to the protection of animals from cruelty, based on the original laws set forth by Henry Bergh in New York.



Today, the ASPCA is one of the largest humane societies in the world.

What Did You Do For Fun As A Child?

By Kristy McCaffrey

What did you do for fun as a child? Chances are you’re still drawn to whatever activity brought you joy. And if you’re not doing it at this point in your life, then you should be.



When I was ten years old I began a habit that I still continue today. Every time I went to the movies, I transcribed it into my Movie Log. It began after I’d seen Star Wars and was mesmerized by the scope and spectacle thrumming through me as I watched such an amazing mythology unfold before my eyes. I soon contrived to see the movie nearly 30 times in the theater and was compelled to start a Movie Log to keep track of each viewing.


My very scientific Movie Log.

I still add every film I’ve ever seen to the list. By now, my kids and husband tease me about it, or as my daughter recently said, “You really ought to put it in a file on the Cloud before you lose it.”

The reason this activity brings me so much joy is related to my vocation as a writer. My Movie Log is my collection of stories. Every writer, in order to have a vast reservoir of material to work from, must amass stories in some form. This is my way of keeping them all close. I can review the list at any time. I can remember how I felt when I experienced that particular tale. I can track how deeply a story made an impression on me by the number of times I engaged in repeat viewings. (Flash Gordon, anyone?)



This activity still brings me satisfaction today, which is why I’ve continued it. (I also suspect I’m a little OCD, but I digress.) What childhood activity did you engage in that made you blissfully happy? And more importantly, are you still doing it?

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THE WREN is on sale this weekend!!
Grab a digital copy today.



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Prairie Rose Publications Celebrates 3 Years!!

By Kristy McCaffrey



I'm considered a hybrid author because although I self-publish (my Wings series and Alice: Bride of Rhode Island), I also work on projects with a small publisher -- Prairie Rose Publications. Three years ago, Prairie Rose was founded by two women -- Cheryl Pierson and Livia Reasoner -- both wonderful writers with years of experience in the industry. They sought to provide a home for writers who were looking for that extra support (editing, formatting, book cover designs, and marketing) while also offering some of the best contract terms available today. It's been a real pleasure for me to be a part of the PRP family.



Prairie Rose is celebrating its 3rd Birthday this week with lots of fun over at the PRP Blog. Although the festivities began on Friday, there's still more to come.

Catch up on what you missed:

Friday, August 12 -- Welcome to PRP's Third Birthday Bash

Saturday, August 13 -- New Quick Reads

Sunday, August 14 -- Boxed Set Bargains For One And All

The partying continues until August 19 with LOTS of book giveaways!! Each day at the blog one lucky commenter will win prizes so be sure to check back each day.

Also, sign up for PRP's newsletter (you can choose your genre -- western, romance, or sci-fi) and be entered for a Grand Prize on August 19.

Cover Reveal -- The Bluebird -- and Kindle Unlimited

By Kristy McCaffrey

I'm so pleased to share the cover for my upcoming book ~ THE BLUEBIRD, Wings of the West Series Book 5 ~ Coming October 31.



Molly Rose Simms arrives in Colorado to meet her brother, but instead finds herself searching for the mythical Bluebird mining claim with a man known as the Jackal.

Subscribe to Kristy's newsletter to stay updated.

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I also wanted to share that my entire backlist (except for ALICE: BRIDE OF RHODE ISLAND) is now available in Kindle Unlimited, Amazon's subscription reading service. Because a requirement of the program is to be Amazon exclusive, the books are no longer available on other platforms (iBooks, Kobo, Nook or Smashwords). This will be a limited run for my Wings series (they will probably come out next spring and be distributed wide once again), so please take advantage of the opportunity to catch up on any books you might've missed. Also, the Wings series will be going into print this fall.

** The following books are now available in Kindle Unlimited **

To learn more, visit Kristy's Amazon Author Page

Twitter

By Kristy McCaffrey



To tweet or not to tweet—it’s a conundrum, especially for today’s author. Social media is such an awesome way to connect with readers and like-minded individuals that it simply can’t be ignored these days. While Facebook and Instagram offer a more interactive and friendly medium, Twitter can be overwhelming in terms of the flow of information and the necessity of posting in only 140-character bursts of words, links, and images.

The 10-year-old social platform has been likened to a town square in which we’re plugged into our collective hive mind: people share opinions, argue, and gossip, sometimes on a global scale.

“The platform provides a voice and a microphone for everyone, and that’s what’s exciting,” says Twitter’s executive chairman Omid Kordestani.



Twitter has 320 million users, well behind Facebook’s 1.59 billion active users. It’s also been expanding slower than newer apps such as Snapchat. Due to the unrestricted nature of public conversations, some users have left Twitter after being bullied or harassed. But changes are in the works for Twitter.



Because utilizing Twitter can be confusing—especially to newcomers—with the use of hashtags and timelines displayed in reverse-chronological order, the company has been tweaking the site with features such as “While you were away,” which bumps popular tweets to the top of users’ timelines, and “Moments,” which offers users the ability to see at glance what people are saying about a particular news story or cultural event. Earlier this year, Twitter announced that it would expand the 140-character limit to 10,000 characters. Core users voiced their dissent, stating that the limitation is what made it unique, but current CEO Jack Dorsey stated that the strength of Twitter wasn’t in its limited word count but rather the real-time feel of the site. “What makes Twitter, Twitter is its fast, public, live conversational nature,” he said.

If you decide to join Twitter (with either a public or private profile), it’s helpful to learn the basic vernacular.

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Tweet: a 140-character message.

Retweet (RT): Re-sharing or giving credit to someone else’s tweet.

Feed: The stream of tweets you see on your homepage, comprised of updates from users you follow.

Handle: Your username.

Mention (@): A way to reference another user in a tweet by his username. Users are notified when @mentioned. It’s a way to conduct discussions with other users in a public realm.

Direct Message (DM): A private, 140-character message between two people. You can decide whether to accept a Direct Message from any Twitter user, or only from users you are following. You may only DM a user who follows you.

Hashtag (#): A way to denote a topic of conversation or participate in a larger linked discussion. A hashtag is a discovery tool that allows others to find your tweets, based on topics (for example #TheBachelorette). You can also click on a hashtag to see all the tweets that mention it in real time, even from people you don’t follow.

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Another helpful tool in organizing your Twitter feed is the use of lists, allowing you to group accounts of similar interest so that you can better view tweets. This can be done inside Twitter or with programs such as Tweetdeck or Hootsuite. There are many other Twitter-related apps, so it doesn’t hurt to investigate options to help manage the flow of information into something useful.

It’s interesting to note that certain features of Twitter—such as hashtags—weren’t invented by the company but were shaped by the users themselves. Twitter is an interactive and constantly-changing medium, and therefore a reflection of the people who use it.



Follow Kristy on Twitter


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Works Cited
Friedman, Ann. “Social Media’s Megaphone.” Sky Magazine. April 2016.

Smith, Brandon. “The Beginner’s Guide To Twitter.” Mashable. 5 June 2012. .

Deep Learning

By Kristy McCaffrey

How does your email filter out spam? How does Facebook automatically tag a photo you just uploaded? What powers the crystal-clear voice of Apple’s Siri feature?

The answer is deep learning, a branch of machine learning based on a set of algorithms that attempt to model high-level abstractions in data by using a deep graph with multiple processing layers, composed of multiple linear and non-linear transformations. Said another way—deep learning uses multiple layers of “neural networks” to solve problems.



For example, if a deep learning algorithm was used to evaluate a photograph, the artificial neurons—each consisting of constrained mathematical functions that are designed to recognize patterns—might look for a configuration of pixels that resembles an eye, while another would search for the shape of a lip. These neurons would transfer this information to a higher level of neurons, which would evaluate if the image contained a face. An even higher level would determine if the face was that of a human or some other animal.



The “deep” concept comes from the number of layers; if a higher level determines that the lower levels were wrong, the information is passed back to the lower levels where they learn to better process the data.

Deep learning can be applied to many areas: it can be used on audio files to differentiate between a British accent or a Southern drawl; it can be used to determine whether a review on Amazon is positive or negative; Paypal used it to reduce its fraud rate by 10 percent; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration plans to use it to automate the process of tracking an endangered whale species; medical researchers have developed a tool that might be able to perfectly predict the onset of a seizure in epileptic patients.

According to Dr. Gregory Piatetsky-Shapiro, an expert on deep learning and machine intelligence, “Deep learning is probably the most important technical development since the invention of the Web in the 1990’s.”



Last year, a computer program utilizing deep learning taught itself to play Space Invaders and 48 other video games with no human intervention. The program was designed to track pixels on the screen and was given the goal of aiming for a high score. Then it was left to simply play on its own. When starting a new game, it would repeatedly lose, but within an hour it had made enough connections between cause and effect to devise a strategy to win.

Although neural networks have been popular since the 1960’s, the technology has recently exploded, partly due to the fact that so many people are willing to share their photos on Facebook, thereby offering researchers the opportunity to test and “train” their tools to improve through practice and learning.

And while many worry that this technology will lead to the artificial intelligence takeover so often depicted in apocalyptic films, most experts believe these fears are unfounded. A human toddler can identify an unknown animal after only a few impressions of a photo, but it takes deep learning machines billions of images to recognize the same. And while that computer program did master Space Invaders, it has yet to conquer the complexity of Pac-Man.



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Works Cited
Flaherty, Joseph. “Inside Our Computers’ Brains.” Sky Magazine. April 2016.
Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_le...

Reading Recommendations

All Reviews by Kristy McCaffrey



Fluency
by
Jennifer Foehner Wells

For 60 years, NASA has been watching a derelict alien spacecraft drifting in the asteroid belt near Mars. When a mission is finally ready to make first contact, Dr. Jane Holloway—a linguist—is recruited to join the team of pilots, engineers and a doctor. When they finally reach the ship, labeled the Target, they find it deserted except for an entity that can communicate telepathically. Jane is the only one open to such contact and the crew soon becomes suspicious of her mental health. Dr. Alan Bergen, however, does believe her and attempts to aid her in understanding what happened to the race of beings on the spacecraft that were lost in a catastrophic incident. This is a fast-paced story filled with just enough science to satisfy the diehard sci-fi fans alongside a compelling romance between Jane and Bergen. I couldn’t put it down!

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The Comanchero's Bride
by
Kaye Spencer

Elizabeth White, heiress to a sizable fortune, is living in the wilds of Texas. Her family hopes to make her miserable enough to return home and marry the man they’ve chosen. Instead, Elizabeth finds a life with purpose and also meets the man of her heart, an ex-outlaw named Mingo Valderas. They soon become separated and she finds herself in Denver society with Grayson Beal, the detestable man she was supposed to wed. He won’t let her go—her family ties, social standing, and money will all but ensure his bid for the presidency. When Elizabeth flees Colorado to be with Mingo, they must make their way to Mexico staying as hidden as possible. This requires traversing ancient trails frequented by the Comanchero, men who live on the outside of the law. And Mingo is just such a man.

This tale has a strong heroine with a good heart and a hero determined to redeem himself for the woman he loves. Their love story will leave you longing for a happy ending. Beal is a richly-drawn and despicable villain, the historical details are superb, and the writing flawless. Ms. Spencer has outdone herself once again. If you’re looking for a gritty western with romance and valor, don’t miss this one!

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Tempt Fortune
by
Hebby Roman

In this historical romance, Angelina Herrera has fled Cuba to Key West in the hopes of forging an independent life free of a man’s dictates. Her plan is to build a cigar factory and support herself. Financial circumstances, however, force her into marriage with the enigmatic Alejandro Estava. Carrying scars from a fire that killed his wife and child, he is unrecognizable to Angelina and hides the fact that they had known one another many years prior. That he has long loved her only fuels his efforts to protect her from an alliance with an unscrupulous man. As a counterpoint to their romance, the story also showcases Angelina’s new friend, Destiny, and her courtship with Nathan Rodgers, a Navy captain.

Ms. Roman has written a lush and evocative tale, weaving in Cuban culture and history along with the early days of Key West society. Both heroes are swoon-worthy, the heroines are spunky and stubborn, and the love scenes steamy. It’s everything a romance should be and more. A wonderful read!

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Hot Work in Fry Pan Gulch
by
Jacquie Rogers

If you enjoy westerns and humor, then this is the book for you. Honey Beaulieu is full of grit, determination and sass—I guarantee you’ll fall in love with her. Growing up in a whorehouse owned by her mama, Honey is determined to not pursue the same line of work. Fortunately, her pa makes a living hunting bounties, and Honey shows a particular knack for it. She lands a job as Fry Pan Gulch’s deputy marshal, much to the chagrin of the men around her. You’ll cheer her on as she sets out to prove she has what it takes. When she meets handsome U.S. deputy marshal Sam Lancaster, a stubborn mule and a pickle barrel will have you laughing out loud. Ms. Rogers is one of the best western writers out there today and this book proves her talent once again. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

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Home Fires
by
Kirsten Lynn

With the Civil War ended, Cord Matthews heads to Montana Territory to begin anew. Believing his one and only true love is dead, he starts over but is never free from the heartbreak. Unbeknownst to him, Olivia Bartlett has survived, and through a twist of fate they find one another. While they both are determined to pick up their relationship from where it ended, they experience the usual growing pains of any couple learning to love and live together. When an unresolved issue from their past finds them, they must fight to see it through.

This tale is richly imagined, and Cord and Olivia are both headstrong and desperate for one another. Ms. Lynn has crafted a gripping romance on the western frontier. I highly recommend.

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No Greater Glory
by
Cindy Nord

This wonderful Civil War romance will have you turning the pages deep into the night. Widowed plantation owner Emaline McDaniels must contend with the sudden appearance of a bevy of Union soldiers determined to use her property as a stopover as they move south. Colonel Reece Cutteridge—commanding and resolute—finds himself falling under Emaline’s spell despite every effort otherwise. Against the backdrop of heartbreaking atrocities, they come together in a blaze of passion and need. Ms. Nord handles the details of the time period with ease, but it’s the tension and love between Emaline and Reece that will leave the most lasting impression. I truly enjoyed this book.

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The 5th Wave
by
Rick Yancey

After seeing the movie, I was hooked so I picked up the second book to learn what happens to all these great characters. After one chapter, however, I knew I’d need to read the first book. And I’m so glad I did! The adage is true here—the book is far better than the movie—but I’m stunned at the depth in the novel that was eliminated in translating it to the screen. So do yourself a favor and read this. I found the characters of Cassie, Evan and Ben engaging and compelling as they navigate the world after an alien invasion. With each successive wave, the enemy eliminates more and more humans, and the question, of course, is: What will be the 5th wave? The answer is quite clever and horrifying at the same time. I couldn't put this one down.

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Walking the Gobi: A 1,600-Mile Trek Across A Desert Of Hope And Despair
by
Helen Thayer

Ms. Thayer and her husband walked across the Gobi Desert, which sits on the border of Mongolia and China. This is all the more audacious because they’re both in their 60’s and 70’s. They plan and practice for the trek and are by no means unexperienced at a trip like this. But the unexpected does arise and Thayer shares these incidents with candor. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, feeling as if I’d made the journey with them. I’ll always think of their two camels—Tom and Jerry—with fondness.

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Look What The Wind Blew In
by
Ann Charles

In this romantic mystery, Dr. Angelica Garcia is searching ancient Mayan ruins looking for evidence to vindicate her mother’s reputation, who is deceased. By her side is her eagle-eyed father and a dedicated crew. When photojournalist Quint Parker arrives under the pretense of writing a story about the dig site, Angelica finds herself both suspicious and reluctantly attracted to the handsome reporter. Throw in an ex-husband trying to win her back and a Mayan curse creating paranoia and fear among her workers, and Angelica has her hands full. This story has it all—suspense, steamy romance, and an intriguing mystery involving the Maya culture. I couldn’t put it down! Another winner by Ann Charles.

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Race To Tibet
by
Sophie Schiller

In 1889, French explorer Gabriel Bonvalot set out to reach Tibet. At that time, no European had ever set foot in Lhasa. He was determined to enter the well-guarded city and meet the Dalai Lama himself. To gain the funds to go, he’s forced to bring along Prince Henri d’Orléans, a pretender to the French throne and a scandalous playboy. Joining them in a large caravan is Camille Dancourt, a young French woman searching for her husband who disappeared in Tibet and was never heard from again.

Ms. Schiller has taken historical fact and woven an exciting adventure story around it. Traversing through Russia and the Tian Shan and Atlyn Tagh Mountains, the expedition is plagued by harsh weather, altitude sickness, hostile Tibetans, and Chinese Mandarins who control all travel within the region. While Bonvalot’s ideals are lofty, he’s forced into thievery and violence to survive. It’s a harrowing journey, and there’s no doubt these early explorers were hardy souls. Prince Henri and Camille are not, but watching them grow and adapt throughout the trek adds a counterpoint to Bonvalot. There is also a side story involving a Buddhist princess that offers insight into the culture of Tibet. Today, we take for granted that westerners may enter the Himalaya region easily, but without men like Bonvalot this might never have come to be. It’s a fascinating tale of determination chasing after mythology. I won’t spoil the story by telling you whether Bonvalot reaches his destination or not, but rather I encourage you to immerse yourself in this thrilling adventure into another land and time.

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Father of the Bride
by
Marcy Waldenville

A wonderfully romantic read about wedding planner Kate Whitney and her ex-husband’s lawyer, Alex Blessing. When Kate must plan Amanda Blessing’s wedding—Alex’s daughter—she’s thrown together with a man she had learned to despise for taking everything from her in her divorce. To Alex’s confusion, he can’t remember Kate although he’s certain they’ve met. Their growing attraction will have you turning the pages until the end. A heartwarming love story with just the right amount of sexy.

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My Mozart
by
Juliet Waldron

This is the first book I’ve read about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and it held me captivated from the start. Told from the perspective of Nanina Gottlieb, who first meets Mozart as a young girl, the story follows her childhood adoration of the musical genius to her passionate love for a man who will forever break her heart. Mozart is 18 years her senior, married, a womanizer and an alcoholic. But all these facts fall to the wayside to Gottlieb’s worship of the man. Rich with historic detail of 18th century Vienna and intricate aspects of Mozart’s famous compositions, it’s easy to fall under the same spell as Gottlieb. She knows loving Mozart will ultimately ruin her but she can’t stop her feelings. An accomplished singer, dancer and actress, she makes a living often reserved for unreputable women. Mozart dies when she is 17 and soon after she discovers she is pregnant. She comes to learn of at least two other illegitimate children Mozart had left behind. That the famous maestro didn’t love her exclusively causes deep pain, but until the end of her life she cannot hate him. It’s a heartbreaking tale. While certain parts of the story are no doubt fiction, it’s a testament to Waldron that there are no stumbling blocks in the presentation. An amazing book by a talented author.

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Alaina Claiborne: A British Agent Novel
by
MK McClintock

Alaina Claiborne is a strong-willed and likeable heroine, growing up in the English countryside with her aunt and uncle after witnessing the murder of her parents and a family friend when she was young. The details of that event, however, have been buried in her mind. When she meets her new neighbor, Tristan Sheffield, the attraction is immediate. Tristan is the British Agent of the title and is in search of the man who not only killed his father but also possibly Alaina’s parents as well. As the mystery unfolds in London and Virginia, Alaina’s memory slowly surfaces. She and Tristan marry under the pretense of protecting her but it soon becomes a true relationship.

Alaina Claiborne is filled with rich historical detail, a handsome and dashing hero, additional dashing fellow agents who will no doubt appear in future books, and a heroine with a sense of humor (she’s kidnapped no less than three times). An engaging tale filled with romance and intrigue!

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A Dip In The Ocean: Rowing Solo Across The Indian
by
Sarah Outen

A wonderful account of Sarah’s solo trek to row the Indian Ocean. She succeeded, becoming the first woman to do so, along with being the youngest. Her prose is immediate and invites you to be right along with her, from the decision to do it in the first place to the deep grief over the sudden loss of her father before the journey begins. You’ll feel as if you rowed the entire thing with her. I appreciated her focus on details—what her daily routine was like, how much she loved seeing the albatrosses that passed by, and her inability to ration her chocolate. You can’t help but admire her tenacity.