“Summer is kind of like the ultimate one-night stand:
hot as hell, totally thrilling, and gone before you know it.”

Greetings Readers and Good Friends:

It seems that summer has finally arrived – at least in terms of “predicted” weather on national forecasts. However, as Oregonians might agree, we’ll believe it when we see it. This month, I’ve got lots of fun news to share with everything ranging from pending awards and a new book release to an amazing summer concert benefiting Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel. So let’s get started! First of all, I’m delighted to announce that Severed Threads won first place in the AKRWA 2012 Break-up Contest – with a tense and fairly romantic scene from the book. My thanks to all the judges and Cheri Adair for her awesome critic.

In addition, Severed Threads will officially be available on July 15th on Amazon.com and is already receiving rave reviews! This is the first book in my Threads three-book series with book two – Buried Threads – currently in the works. If you’re an eBook reader, Amazon will have Severed Threads available in this format on July 20th. Here’s a quick link, if you’re interesting in snagging a copy for some fun summer reading: http://tinyurl.com/7xagxzb … and one of the best reviews I’ve received so far!

“BRILLIANT, SUSPENSEFUL, ENTERTAINING!”
By Geraldine Ahearn
Format:Paperback

Rachel Lyons blames herself for her father’s fatal diving accident. She basically withdraws from the outside world as she works at a foundation office, until she was asked by a museum director for her help with the recovery of a cursed relic from a sunken Chinese merchant ship. Rachel had no intentions of getting involved in anything, until she finds out that her brother was kidnapped. Who kidnapped her brother, and what risk must Rachel take to save him? Will Rachel put her life on the line with drug-dealing gangsters, and will she cooperate with them? What is Rachel’s greatest fear, and will she overcome it? How will she handle reliving the nightmare of her father’s tragic death?

Award-Winning Author Kaylin McFarren delivers an intriguing romantic suspense in a tale of mystery, deception, murder, and much more. 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 BODYGUARD, as thrilling as PRESUMED INNOCENT, and as clever as BASIC INSTINCT. Highly Recommended to all romantic suspense lovers!

Now here’s some other suggested reading:

The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson – Part thriller, part love story, part tale of daring impersonation, part wrenching examination of repression and its toll on human nature, the novel is set in North Korea (with a side trip to Texas).

The Expats by Chris Payone – How well do you know your spouse or your best friends? Even if the thought never occurred to you, it will by the time you’re halfway through The Expats, Chris Pavone’s clever debut spy novel that’s suspenseful enough for a man yet introspective enough for a woman.

UPCOMING EVENT

Next, here’s details about the Artful Giving Blanket Concert, scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 28th, 2012.

In 2011 my husband and I created the Soulful Giving Foundation – which was founded after experiencing the increased loss of family members, friends and business associates to cancer over the past few years. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for families affected by cancer in our community. On July 16th, more than 1,000 music lovers rocked to the sounds of the Northwest’s finest musicians and bid on amazing silent auction packages. As a result, the Foundation was able to donate $50,000 to the Providence Cancer Research Center.

The 2012 Artful Giving Blanket Concert will be benefiting the Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel. KATU Channel 2, The Portland Tribune, and twenty-five corporate sponsors are lending their support. The official site for this annual event will be held on the grounds of our 15-acre estate in Troutdale, Oregon on Saturday, July 28th. With an incredibly musical line-up, nearly two dozen local artists displaying their artwork for purchase, complimentary food and beverages provided by Duck Pond Winery and sixteen of Portland’s finest restaurants – including Morton’s, El Gaucho and Portland City Grill, we are hoping to grow this event to new heights! For tickets and more information, be sure to visit http://www.soulfulgiving.org .

CHUCKLE TIME!

Ooops!

Larry was a photographer for the N.Y. Times, and was scheduled to meet a plane on the runway to take him on a job. “Hit it,” said Larry climbing into the first plane he saw on the runway. The pilot took off, and was soon in the air. “OK,” said Larry, “fly low over the trees over there, I want to take a few pictures.” “What do you mean?” asked the pilot. Larry looked at the pilot and answered a little annoyed, “I need to take some pictures for the N.Y. Times, so please…” There was a long pause, before the pilot asked in a shaky voice, “you mean you’re not my pilot instructor?”

An Illinois man left the snow-filled streets of Chicago for a vacation in Florida. His wife was on a business trip and was planning to meet him there the next day. When he reached his hotel he decided to send his wife a quick email. Unfortunately, when typing her address, he missed one letter, and his note was directed instead to an elderly preacher’s wife whose husband had passed away only the day before. When the grieving widow checked her email, she took one look at the monitor, let out a piercing scream, and fell to the floor in a dead faint.At the sound, her family rushed into the room and saw this note on the screen: Dearest Wife, Just got checked in. Everything prepared for your arrival tomorrow. P.S. Sure is hot down here.

Kaylin’s Summer Recipe: Chicken Fajitas with Spice Rub

Ingredients:

1 ripe avocado, cut into chunks and tossed in 1 teaspoon of lime juice
Salsa
Sour cream
4 teaspoons ground cumin
4 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half
1 small red or yellow pepper, sliced
1 onion, sliced
2 teaspoons olive oil
4 8-inch flour tortillas

Directions:

Place your toppings (avocado, salsa, sour cream and cilantro leaves) in separate bowls and set them on your table.
Next, make the rub. Combine the cumin, chili powder, oregano, and salt in a shallow bowl. Lightly rub the spices into the chicken with your fingertips until the meat is coated on all sides. Heat your grill to medium. Grill the chicken on both sides, just until cooked through, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat, slice thinly, and set it on a platter.
While the chicken is cooking, toss the pepper and onion in the olive oil. Set them on the grill, using a vegetable screen, if desired, and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, turning once. Remove from the heat and set on the platter with the chicken.
Place the tortillas on the grill for 5 to 7 seconds on each side, turning with tongs, until hot. Set out the grilled chicken, pepper, and onion with the toppings and tortillas. Let guests assemble and roll their own fajitas. Serves 4 to 6.

Here’s hoping your summer is filled with wonderful memories and and great books!

With all my best wishes,

Kaylin