Katherine Anne Kirby has a problem. In
fact, she has more than one! She doesn't seem to
connect with her family. She is picked on and
bullied every day at school. And if that's not
enough, Kathy is fat. All in all, Kathy is
miserable, but there is one place in the world
where she feels peace and freedom and contentment.
Grumble Bluff, a deep forested ravine with a rushing
stream flowing through, is Kathy's private
sanctuary-- a place that she has never shared with
anyone. Then comes the day
when Kathy feels compelled to intercede for a girl
named Greta, who is being picked on by the same kids
who have made her own life a living nightmare, and
she rescues Greta from her tormentors. From that
day on the girls are inseparable, and Kathy realizes
something-- that she hasn't had it so bad, all
along. For her best friend is coping with a
problem much bigger than anything Kathy has ever had
to confront. Greta's wonderful father is dying.
In the serenity of Grumble Bluff, the
girls discover the power of their friendship; how to
triumph over the tragedies of life, and how to laugh
again.
GRUMBLE
BLUFF ~ A tale of heartbreak, hilarity, and
the awesome power
of friendship.
NOW
AVAILABLE AT
RETAIL AND ONLINE BOOKSTORES!
or order direct from
the publisher!
CLICK
HERE TO ORDER!.
or, for a copy of
Grumble Bluff signed by the author to the
person of your designation, please contact
Karen through her
'email Karen'
link. Signed copies are $22.50 plus postage."
Scheduled
Book Signings:
Karen, along
with her novel, Grumble Bluff, was
featured at her publisher's booth at the Book Expo
America at the J.K. Jarvitts Center in New York City.
Karen will be
reading excerpts from Grumble Bluff at the
Summer Reading Program being held in the New
Portland Community Library on July 29th at 10:00
a.m. She will be speaking about writing and
answering questions from the children, and will be
pleased to sign copies of her novel.
Radio Interview with Karen - Click here
Karen,
Your prose is simply magnificent. It flows so
smoothly, I found myself at the end of chapter
three in no time at all. In these opening
chapters you achieve, with a great deal of
success, many things: you make me like your
narrator; you entice me to feel empathy for
every one of the characters (even those
obnoxious little oinks on the bus and in the
lunch room - peer pressure and paranoia tend to
go hand in hand at that age, and some kids get
swept along); and you make me want more.
Your talents are obvious. In the space of a few
paragraphs, you persuade me to laugh, then
brought me to the verge of tears, without
forcing me into either. That's gifted writing,
and I thank you for the experience and pleasure
of reading your work.
Things that particularly tickled me were -
"Ted or Ned snorted at me..." - so, so funny.
"I should have been a hood ornament." Seven
words, nine syllables...yet so much of Kathy's
story told. Magnificent writing in the context
of what went before (and what followed).
"...a rolling stone...a rolling twelve year
old..." I'll lock that gem away and probably
embarrass myself on the bus next time I give it
an airing :) Priceless humour (sorry...humor)
"...warm bread and even warmer grandmother..."
Imagery perfection.
--Jack Ramsay,
writer, Toowong, Australia
Read more Reviews for Grumble Bluff - Click here
