"I sat up last night to finish reading Kaye Barley's WHIMSEY, a beautiful book, with Kaye's personality shining through every page. I can't decide whether she wrote a fairy tale for adults or a Cinderella story for the child in all of us, but I loved it."
So says Pat Browning, a woman I admire who also happens to be a writer I admire.
Her full 5 Star review can be seen here - http://tinyurl.com/kb2yxld
She wrote a book I have recommended here, there and all over the interwebs; ABSINTHE OF MALICE (published originally under the name FULL CIRCLE). And I hear she's writing a sequel . . . (tapping my toe impatiently).
But, being totally honest, I think Pat's greatest gift is her talent for memoir and narrative non-fiction. She has graced Meanderings and Muses as a guest every year since it began, and she's one of the first people I invite back when I start working on the schedule for the next year. She has traveled the world and offers us a peek into places many of us will never have an opportunity to visit. She offers that peek to us with her inimitable voice and viewpoint. We've seen her riding a camel, dining with handsome strangers in magical places. She shares photos I wish I had taken. And she always leaves me wishing for more.
She does a lot of guest blogging, and I follow her wherever I can find her, including her own blog which you can see here - http://browningpat.wordpress.com/
To read words of praise from a woman who has been an inspiration to me for so many years is, indeed, a lovely, lovely thing.
Thank you, Pat!!!
Showing posts with label Whimsey:A Novel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Whimsey:A Novel. Show all posts
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Another Five Star Review
WHIMSEY now has 21 five-star reviews! The latest from thriller author Shane Gericke - "Kaye Barley's words leap off the page and wedge right there in your brain next to the comfort food and hot chocolate. I love her characters, and the fantasy sequences were an unexpected joy. Check out WHIMSEY, but only if you like vibrant writing and Southern-style fun."
Friday, September 13, 2013
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Whimsey #2 - - -
August 7, 2013 - -
Writing the second novel is scarier and harder than writing the first. At least, for me it is.
But, after a false start, making the very tough decision to scrap most of what I had written, I've now got (I think!) a handle on things and Whimsey #2 is coming along swimmingly. At least it is so far . . .
and life is good.
but you know . . . I'm thinking I might need a beach trip for inspiration.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
We Have a Winner!
I have drawn a winning name out of my magic pink Willie Nelson baseball cap.
Margaret Franson is the winner a copy of WHIMSEY: A NOVEL and a Whimsey tote bag.
Congratulations to Margaret and my thanks to everyone who played.
And we'll be doing this again!
Saturday, July 27, 2013
A Whimsey Reading
Reading a paragraph from my WHIMSEY for SIBA's "Parapalooza" - thanks to the brilliant Wanda Jewell and Nicki Leone for this great idea.
For more readings, visit authorsroundthesouth.com/read-this/parapalooza
Friday, July 26, 2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
I'm Having a Give-Away
I'm having a give-away - just 'cause.
If you'd like a copy of my WHIIMSEY: A NOVEL, AND a tote with the cover image of Whimsey on it, just drop me an email with "Whimsey Give-Away" in the subject line with your mailing address. I'll toss all the names into my magic pink Willie Nelson baseball cap and draw one name on Sunday evening and will let the winner know by email that their name was drawn.
Already have one? Doesn't matter! Get a second and give one to a friend.
And all I ask in return (of COURSE, there's payback!), is that you help me spread The Word of Whimsey. Tell your friends, your family, your co-workers, your neighbors, your mail carrier, dentist, vet, baby/dog/cat sitter, etc. etc. etc. to give Whimsey a try.
Send your email to barleykw at appstate dot edu - and Thank You!!!
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
A few words of thanks . . .
I've been having a really tough time with my writing.
I thought writing the second Whimsey would be a snap.
oh ho ho, have I ever been dealt a reality check.
Easy? Pffft.
No.
far from it.
And then I had a little conversation with a friend who said she had moved to a different project because she was having a difficult time writing the sequel to her first novel. I replied that I was having the same issues and for the very first time admitted I was worried I wouldn't be able to maintain the same level of magic I had for Whimsey #1 (as it's come to be called here at home).
And it's actually the first time I've admitted it to myself.
Because, honestly, I didn't even realize I was fighting with those feelings.
An honest chat with a trusted friend is priceless, isn't it?
Once admitted, and shared, another friend popped in to tell me that what I was feeling was normal to probably everyone writing their second novel.
I cannot begin to explain how liberating all this has been.
I feel like the walls around my writing have been knocked to the ground. And yesterday was the first truly decent day of writing I've had since starting Whimsey #2.
HUGE thanks (along with a lot of hugs!) to my friends Dee Phelps (whose first novel will be released in September) and Beth Anderson (a deliciously grand writer of long standing). You gave me what I needed when I didn't even know I needed it.
And then - wow - then this lovely review pops up at amazon from Elaine Drennon Little (who, I hear, has her own book out. Just released - "A Southern Place.") - - -
"Whimsey--Harper Collins /Webster's Dictionary defines it as " a sudden passing fancy." In Whimsey, a novel by Kaye Wilkinson Barley, it refers to a mystical island off the coast of the Carolinas, serving as a nirvana-like home for artists and artisans of the visual, spiritual, and creative arts. My first question, as I began to devour this lovely piece of southern Americana, was of course "does such a place exist?" I wanted to go there, to mingle among the natives, absorb their culture, and then hopefully become one with this magical pseudo-family of the gifted and talented.
I've read about many artists colonies; I've even applied and been rejected from a few, but this one seemed altogether different from the rest. On the positive side, the residents all spoke my language--a sweet, dipthonged drawl served best with sweet tea, shrimp salad sandwiches and desserts that made me drool as I read. They also welcomed stronger drink--from mimosas and mint juleps to wine, bourbon, and punch bowls full of happy liquids that invite all to share the laughter.
On the downside, there were fairies, pixies, spirits of "the other kind" and regular, normal people (who could converse with fairies and shed an effervescent glittery substance wherever they went!) There were also a few family ghosts who favored verandas and porches and told a decent story, when prompted to do so.
Aside from Dickens's A Christmas Carol and a few isolated Stephen King books, I don't naturally cotton to speaking with the dead or with non-human entities, yet I couldn't seem to put this book down. Barley makes these mystical creatures as easy to converse with as my cat on a cold night. The only thing I DIDN'T like was that I can't visit this place--the author was simply too greedy to share the isle of Whimsey's whereabouts, email, or dot com address.
She does, however, share several authentically scrumptious-looking recipes for southern and low country food.
Don't let the ghosts and pixies scare you away. If you're in need of a short vacation for talented, mystical artists like yourself, whisk yourself away to the magic of Whimsey. If we can't really GO there, at least we can pretend... "
Thank You, Elaine!
Friends. I cannot imagine my life without my friends.
And now I have a whole new group of people who I feel as though I need to include in this group. And those are people like Elaine who I've never met and don't know other than through this lovely review she wrote after somehow hearing about WHIMSEY: A NOVEL. And taking a chance on it, and surprisingly enough, enjoying it enough to take the time to review it.
The reviews for Whimsey have knocked me off my feet. I never expected to read such lovely words from people I don't know. I thought Whimsey would get bought and read by friends and family and I hoped they would enjoy it enough to help spread the word. What I've gotten is magic in the purest sense. I'm humbled and grateful and totally gobsmacked.
and all I have to give back are simple words -
Thank you.
but they come from so deep . . . oh, my - so deep.
Friday, June 21, 2013
What People Are Saying About Whimsey
I've been remiss in adding here what people are saying about "Whimsey," but suffice to say the reviews continue to be extraordinary! I hope you'll check amazon.com and Goodreads.com
Here's the latest review - - - "Kaye Wilkinson Barley captures the flavor of the Lowcountry every bit as accurately as a Pat Conroy novel. Whimsey was a delightful read with a bonus of recipes. I really enjoyed Whimsey from start to finish and I look forward to a sequel(s). Very fine premise and Barley's knowledge of the arts is superb. I would recommend this book for anyone liking Anne Rivers Siddons, Dorothea Benton Franks, Mary Alice Monroe or Cassandra King books. Well done Ms. Barley! "
wow
Thank you, Dee Phelps!
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Win a Whimsey Tote
June 6, 2013 - -
New Whimsey Contest happening NOW! See the Whimsey Events Page on how to enter -
http://www.kayewilkinsonbarley.com/p/events.html
New Whimsey Contest happening NOW! See the Whimsey Events Page on how to enter -
http://www.kayewilkinsonbarley.com/p/events.html
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
A Whimsey Give-Away
A give-away coming soon!
Watch for details at my Whimsey Events page -
Monday, June 3, 2013
And today I'm visiting Janet Rudolph's place
I hope you'll drop by my friend Janet's place for a little visit today.
http://mysteryreadersinc.blogspot.com/2013/06/kaye-wilkinson-barley-on-self-publishing.html
Friday, May 24, 2013
Get Whimsey for Free - this weekend only!
I'm having a Memorial Day Weekend Promotion Event for WHIMSEY: A NOVEL.
The Kindle version will be available for free (Kindle Only!) at amazon.com beginning May 25 starting at approximately 12:00 AM Pacific Standard Time, ending at approximately 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time on May 26.
Enjoy!! And Spread the Word!
Happy Memorial Day, everyone. Let's remember to honor those who have served.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Whimsey News!
Today I am a happy girl!
I went to Amazon to see how Whimsey is doing.
I typed "Lowcountry Novels" in the search box and Whimsey is #15!!! Yay!!!! There it is, right behind some of my favorite writers, including Dorothea Benton Frank and Anne Rivers Siddons.
And THEN - to top that - it's #4 in Lowcountry Novels in the Amazon Kindle Store!!! wow.
Y'all - Life is Good.
And I thank each of you for supporting me, and Whimsey, from the beginning. Hugs to you all!
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Monday, April 15, 2013
Interview
My friend, the incredibly delightful, Lesa Holstine, interviews me today at her place - Lesa's Book Critiques ( http://lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com/ ). I hope you'll take a minute to drop by and say "Hey!"
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