Kim Iverson Headlee's Blog: Book Musings from the Maze of Twisty Passages, page 69
May 21, 2013
DAWNFLIGHT in the spotlight on USA Today!
In an exciting example of Facebook at its very best, I am delighted to report that DAWNFLIGHT was spotlighted by USA Today staff reviewer Jessie Potts on the site's Happy Ever After blog today as being what she is currently reading!
The blog post's link is HERE, though you need to scroll down past her list of recommended books to get to the DAWNFLIGHT mention. The highlight of Ms. Potts' report is that DAWNFLIGHT is "...a book filled with legends, enemies and a bunch of intrigue. So far it's intense, very in-depth and will be a favorite for Arthurian lovers."
And what does this have to do with Facebook? Glad you asked! One of my pre-Facebook associates and fellow member of the Washington (D.C.) Romance Writers, Kathy Altman, also reviews for USA Today and commended DAWNFLIGHT to Ms. Potts' attention, a few days after its publication earlier this year. The ultimate irony? Until this happy incident occurred (okay, yes, I have been living in the boondocks awhile; please forgive me), I had no idea Kathy was a USA Today reviewer!
Memo to Self: Pay more attention to the Facebook profiles of my friends!! :)
The blog post's link is HERE, though you need to scroll down past her list of recommended books to get to the DAWNFLIGHT mention. The highlight of Ms. Potts' report is that DAWNFLIGHT is "...a book filled with legends, enemies and a bunch of intrigue. So far it's intense, very in-depth and will be a favorite for Arthurian lovers."
And what does this have to do with Facebook? Glad you asked! One of my pre-Facebook associates and fellow member of the Washington (D.C.) Romance Writers, Kathy Altman, also reviews for USA Today and commended DAWNFLIGHT to Ms. Potts' attention, a few days after its publication earlier this year. The ultimate irony? Until this happy incident occurred (okay, yes, I have been living in the boondocks awhile; please forgive me), I had no idea Kathy was a USA Today reviewer!
Memo to Self: Pay more attention to the Facebook profiles of my friends!! :)
Julie Ann Gardner and Robin Allen like Kim Headlee's Maze of Twisty Passages's status: ""A journey is like marriage. The..."
Julie Ann Gardner and Robin Allen like Kim Headlee's Maze of Twisty Passages's status: ""A journey is like marriage. The..."
Kathy Altman and Robin Allen like Kim Headlee's Maze of Twisty Passages's link: "As promised! Ms. Potts' "currently..."
Kathy Altman and Robin Allen like Kim Headlee's Maze of Twisty Passages's link: "As promised! Ms. Potts' "currently..."
May 20, 2013
My latest interview and contests!
I have a new interview, with Deanna Jewel of Deanna's Tidbits blog, posted HERE.
And don't forget to enter my contests for print and ebook editions of Dawnflight! But hurry; the Goodreads contest ends June 6 and the Release Day Diva contest ends May 28. On both pages, if you scroll down a bit, you'll see the contest entry buttons.
Thanks for visiting!
And don't forget to enter my contests for print and ebook editions of Dawnflight! But hurry; the Goodreads contest ends June 6 and the Release Day Diva contest ends May 28. On both pages, if you scroll down a bit, you'll see the contest entry buttons.
Thanks for visiting!
May 19, 2013
On being exceptional
The following quote popped up in my Goodreads feed as having been "liked" by one of my friends:
“The thing that makes you exceptional, if you are at all, is inevitably that which must also make you lonely.” — Lorraine Hansberry
Initially I was going to agree, but upon reflection I cannot.
I have been a writer for more than four-fifths of my life, and I have always preferred solitude. Those times, when I could immerse myself in worlds and situations of my own creation, began as a blessed refuge from the harsh realities of my childhood. Now, decades later, periods of solitude allow me to pour forth my best written work. Many have dubbed my novels exceptional, and for those endorsements I am truly grateful.
Do I feel "lonely?" Most certainly not. I am not devoid of the need for human interaction, nor do I shun it--just ask my family!
But I never feel lonely in solitude, because that is when my characters emerge to their fullest extent to share their joys and triumphs, their fears and follies with me.
In solitude I can give their stories the scope and quality they deserve.
“The thing that makes you exceptional, if you are at all, is inevitably that which must also make you lonely.” — Lorraine Hansberry
Initially I was going to agree, but upon reflection I cannot.
I have been a writer for more than four-fifths of my life, and I have always preferred solitude. Those times, when I could immerse myself in worlds and situations of my own creation, began as a blessed refuge from the harsh realities of my childhood. Now, decades later, periods of solitude allow me to pour forth my best written work. Many have dubbed my novels exceptional, and for those endorsements I am truly grateful.
Do I feel "lonely?" Most certainly not. I am not devoid of the need for human interaction, nor do I shun it--just ask my family!
But I never feel lonely in solitude, because that is when my characters emerge to their fullest extent to share their joys and triumphs, their fears and follies with me.
In solitude I can give their stories the scope and quality they deserve.
May 18, 2013
Review: RACE THE WIND by Chris Platt
Willow King: Race the Wind If Chris Platt had been publishing when I was a kid, I never would have let my parents talk me out of taking jumping lessons, the next step I yearned to pursue in my equestrian training. Adolescents can use all the encouragement and inspiration they can get, and Race the Wind! provides plenty.
Thanks to the faith and hard work of Katie Durham, the racehorse named Willow King no longer suffers badly twisted legs. After painstaking training, mostly depicted in the award-winning prequel (Willow King), the Thoroughbred from an unknown Oregon stable finally gains the strength and heart he needs to compete in major races. Katie determinedly sets out to prove to the world that Willow King possesses the stuff of champions.
Katie, too, wants to prove herself. Born with one leg shorter than the other, she always felt as if people doubted her physical abilities. Already granted permission to gallop Thoroughbreds in workouts, she seeks to become a licensed jockey in time for the Kentucky Derby. She knows the dangers of the profession but believes she can master the tricks of the trade. But can she master her own doubts and fears, and guide her beloved Willow King into the winner's circle?
The answer may surprise you.
Solid storytelling, a clean prose style and well-rounded characters make Race the Wind! enjoyable for adults and youths alike. Even Katie's nemesis, the stable owner's bratty daughter, demonstrates a heart in the latter half of the book. I knocked off a quarter-point because I wanted to see a tad more development in their relationship at the end. Another quarter-point came off because some of the jargon, such as "hotwalker," did not come with sufficient explanation for the non-insider. If Platt covered this turf in the prequel, then it constitutes the only point at which my reading experience suffered for not reading Willow King first.
I wish my daughter were old enough to read Race the Wind! for herself, and I definitely plan to keep it for her. Platt touches upon many teen issues with deft sensitivity, including self-image, boy-girl and parent-child relations, and helping others to overcome their own handicaps -- emotional as well as physical. I dub this book a prime candidate for mother-daughter book clubs for, whether we realize it or not, we all live with some form of handicap.
The author, who pursued her passion for horses to become one of the first female jockeys, counts among her literary heroes Marguerite Henry and Walter Farley. As a horse- and book-loving young girl, I shared her idols -- and consider Platt worthy to join their ranks.
(Reprinted from Crescent Blues e-zine. Used with permission.)
Thanks to the faith and hard work of Katie Durham, the racehorse named Willow King no longer suffers badly twisted legs. After painstaking training, mostly depicted in the award-winning prequel (Willow King), the Thoroughbred from an unknown Oregon stable finally gains the strength and heart he needs to compete in major races. Katie determinedly sets out to prove to the world that Willow King possesses the stuff of champions.
Katie, too, wants to prove herself. Born with one leg shorter than the other, she always felt as if people doubted her physical abilities. Already granted permission to gallop Thoroughbreds in workouts, she seeks to become a licensed jockey in time for the Kentucky Derby. She knows the dangers of the profession but believes she can master the tricks of the trade. But can she master her own doubts and fears, and guide her beloved Willow King into the winner's circle?
The answer may surprise you.
Solid storytelling, a clean prose style and well-rounded characters make Race the Wind! enjoyable for adults and youths alike. Even Katie's nemesis, the stable owner's bratty daughter, demonstrates a heart in the latter half of the book. I knocked off a quarter-point because I wanted to see a tad more development in their relationship at the end. Another quarter-point came off because some of the jargon, such as "hotwalker," did not come with sufficient explanation for the non-insider. If Platt covered this turf in the prequel, then it constitutes the only point at which my reading experience suffered for not reading Willow King first.
I wish my daughter were old enough to read Race the Wind! for herself, and I definitely plan to keep it for her. Platt touches upon many teen issues with deft sensitivity, including self-image, boy-girl and parent-child relations, and helping others to overcome their own handicaps -- emotional as well as physical. I dub this book a prime candidate for mother-daughter book clubs for, whether we realize it or not, we all live with some form of handicap.
The author, who pursued her passion for horses to become one of the first female jockeys, counts among her literary heroes Marguerite Henry and Walter Farley. As a horse- and book-loving young girl, I shared her idols -- and consider Platt worthy to join their ranks.
(Reprinted from Crescent Blues e-zine. Used with permission.)
Book Musings from the Maze of Twisty Passages
Welcome to my Maze of Twisty Passages, Goodreads edition! Here I share reviews of books old and new, information about my own critically acclaimed, award-winning books, and whatever else winds its way
...more
- Kim Iverson Headlee's profile
- 339 followers
