Author: karenklyne

Nothing Compares…

Time flies by so quickly, and as far as flying’s concerned, I’ve been doing a lot of that recently. I’ve had some terrific experiences visiting new parts of the world, but nothing compares to the excitement of publishing one’s very own book!

Parallel Lives, book one in An Opening in Time trilogy, was released in September 2018, and you can get that in eBook or paperback by following those links. Never in my life did I dream I’d see the day when I was finally a published author!

And now it’s time for lift off for the next instalment, Crossing Over. It’s available now, and you can get your copy from Amazon sites all over the world.

I’d like to give my sincere thanks to everyone out there who read my first book, and I also want to give a huge shout out to Kitty Author and LESBIReviewed videographer, Carol Hutchinson, who both do an amazing job of reading so many lesfic books and sharing their unique viewpoints on them: thank you.

I hope Crossing Over parallels (see what I did there?!) your first experience…or even surpasses it! I look forward to reading your thoughts on it.

Apr 1, 2019
Time for a spot of cruising…of the boat variety

Yes, it’s that time of year when my friend, Christine, drags me off to discover yet another part of the world. The things I do for friends, eh? This time we’re off to see some Inca treasures and Mayan temples. We begin in Chile before moving on to Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Mexico, and we complete the journey in Los Angeles. It’s going to be a gruelling twenty-eight days coping with all that champagne, cocktails, and wine, not to mention all that lovely rich scrumptious food and the arduous touristy-type trips we’ve got planned.

Joking aside, I know how damn lucky I am to be able to have these experiences. I was speaking just the other day with an impossibly young twenty-year-old who’s only just starting out on her own journey in life. She’s in the process of joining the army, making changes to build herself a whole new life and break away from her frankly, harrowing past. She was wide-eyed as Christine and I showed her our trip on the map, going to places she’d never even heard of.

“Wow, that’s amazing,” she said when we’d finished showing her photos of Mayan temples. “You’re so lucky.”

Christine and I looked at each other and wondered what impression this young lesbian had of us two, old enough to be her grandparents.

“It’s not luck,” Christine said. “It’s the result of damned hard work. And you can have the same thing if you give it everything.”

She nodded, looking contemplative. Both Christine and I worked hard to get to where we are, but by God, we’re making sure we enjoy it now! I hope you’re all doing the same.

But I digress. We’re looking forward to linking up with old acquaintances and no doubt, to make new ones to add to our ever-increasing circle of connections, which is probably my favourite part. Meeting new people, hearing their stories, finding things in common with people I might otherwise have never met. I love that!

Whoopee…here we come!

Feb 12, 2019
Christmas spirit?

It’s the time of year when I start reflecting on the festive season in general.

I always loved Christmas: the songs, the excitement, the shoppers, the smell of the Christmas tree, and even those bloody pine needles that get everywhere! It’s a magical time.

Looking back though, there was always something forced. Was all that joy and happiness for real? When I was younger, I’d turn up for the family gathering and put on my false smiley face before ringing the bell. The door would open, and I’d say, “Merry Christmas, everyone!” If we were lucky, we’d get through the day without an explosive argument.

And how come “the season of goodwill” feels like it’s limited to one day? Why can’t we be nice to each other all year round? Perhaps I’m a cynic or an idealist. You choose.

Give me my friends any day of the week: we’re natural, spontaneous, we’ve bonded by choice, and we take the good with the bad. Chosen not born.

Merry Christmas to all my friends and everyone else out there in cyberspace and beyond.

Dec 11, 2018
Time to say goodbye…

Christine and I recently returned from Spain. After thirty years, she said a fond farewell to her place on the coast. After reminiscing…here are some photos of her favourite spots.

Happy memories…

We’re lucky to have our memories. It’s something we take for granted…and a subject very close to my heart. Photographs and music can be incredibly valuable later on in life to stimulate the parts of the brain that have lost the capacity to recall. I’m sure you’ll all know someone, a close family member or friend, who has suffered/is suffering from some kind of dementia that causes memory loss.

I’ve found from my past experience that creating a personal life story with the aid of these tools can help the person to recapture their past and reminisce. In turn, it restores their self-esteem, confidence, and above all it gives them a feel-good factor…a temporary boost of happiness.

Yay to that!

Nov 15, 2018
Books, Books, Lovely Books

I like reading as much as I like red wine (hint…that’s a lot!). Take my book away, and I wouldn’t be able to sleep. Today, instead of banging on about my book, I’d like to share some of my favourite reads. I have very eclectic tastes.

I’m currently reading Chosen by Brey Willows—and enjoying it immensely.

When Women Were Warriors trilogy by Catherine M. Wilson. Absolutely magical.

Crime thrillers: Angela Marsons. I’ve read every one of the Detective Kim Stone books. Hooked.

When I want to smile and laugh, I pick up one of T. B Markinson’s books, particularly A Woman Lost series.

Spec fic: Robyn Nyx. Her Extractor Trilogy takes me on an adventure, hopping from the past to the future and back.

I can’t not mention the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. An all-time favourite, OR Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel.

With writing, I get lost in my fantasy world.

With reading, it’s the same without all the hard work! What do you think?

Sep 27, 2018