Author Patricia Kiyono is a guest today. So glad you're all here to visit with her. She'd like to share with us about when she visited Ireland, but first, let's meet her...
During her first career, Patricia Kiyono taught elementary music, computer classes, elementary classrooms, and junior high social studies. She now teaches part time at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI. She lives near Grand Rapids with her husband, not far from her children and grandchildren. Current interests, aside from writing, include sewing, crocheting, scrapbooking, and music. A love of travel and an interest in faraway people inspires her to create stories about different cultures.
You can find Patricia online here:
Patricia's Website
Patricia's Blog
Find Patricia on Facebook
Find Patricia on Twitter
You can find Patricia online here:
Patricia's Website
Patricia's Blog
Find Patricia on Facebook
Find Patricia on Twitter
The summer before my senior year in high school, I traveled to Europe with the American Youth Symphony and Chorus. The first three days of our tour were spent in Galway, Ireland. I loved the green hills, and the cheerful friendliness of the people there. I also loved the food. Galway was a beautiful place, restful and perfect for our introduction to Europe. After playing our first European concert in Galway, we traveled to Dublin. Here, the streets were busier, but the people were no less friendly. I've always wanted to return, but my visits have been through the books I read.
There are so many things I remember about my four days in Ireland. I turned seventeen while we were in Galway and the chorus sang "Happy Birthday" to me - in four-part harmony! I also met several people who became lifelong friends. And I learned that music is indeed an international language.
I remember talking to a nice gentleman who asked my name. "It's Patty," I replied. "Paddy?" His expression was comical. Paddy is a popular name in Ireland - for a boy. And I was definitely not a boy. "It's actually Patricia," I explained, "but my friends call me Patty." I made sure to enunciate the t's, and his frown relaxed. "Well Patty," he said. "Welcome to Ireland."
I don't have many souvenirs of my time in Ireland. It was almost forty years ago, and the pictures I took on my little Kodak Instamatic camera are grainy and don't do justice to the colorful beauty of the countryside. But I remember clearly the warm welcomes, the genuine smiles of the many strangers we met, and the pride in their heritage. It made me wonder what people from other countries see when they come to America. Do we make them feel welcome? Do we keep our cities clean and neat so that they feel comfortable here? Do we celebrate our differences, rather than shun them?
From Ireland, our tour went on to England, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. It was a whirlwind month for my fellow musicians and me. We would see many other fascinating sights and meet lots of other hospitable people. But I'll always remember Ireland for giving me my first taste of Europe, and for making that experience such a happy one.
There are so many things I remember about my four days in Ireland. I turned seventeen while we were in Galway and the chorus sang "Happy Birthday" to me - in four-part harmony! I also met several people who became lifelong friends. And I learned that music is indeed an international language.
I remember talking to a nice gentleman who asked my name. "It's Patty," I replied. "Paddy?" His expression was comical. Paddy is a popular name in Ireland - for a boy. And I was definitely not a boy. "It's actually Patricia," I explained, "but my friends call me Patty." I made sure to enunciate the t's, and his frown relaxed. "Well Patty," he said. "Welcome to Ireland."
I don't have many souvenirs of my time in Ireland. It was almost forty years ago, and the pictures I took on my little Kodak Instamatic camera are grainy and don't do justice to the colorful beauty of the countryside. But I remember clearly the warm welcomes, the genuine smiles of the many strangers we met, and the pride in their heritage. It made me wonder what people from other countries see when they come to America. Do we make them feel welcome? Do we keep our cities clean and neat so that they feel comfortable here? Do we celebrate our differences, rather than shun them?
From Ireland, our tour went on to England, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. It was a whirlwind month for my fellow musicians and me. We would see many other fascinating sights and meet lots of other hospitable people. But I'll always remember Ireland for giving me my first taste of Europe, and for making that experience such a happy one.
Patricia, so what are the top five random facts about yourself?
a. I always read the first third of a book, then the last third, and then the middle.
b. I always write the first third of a book, then the last third, and then the middle.
c. My favorite TV shows are "Who Do You Think You Are?" and "Jeopardy."
d. I believe the basic food groups are chocolate, bread, pasta, and coffee.
e. I am a "no holds barred" player at Words With Friends!
I'm not a coffee drinker, but definitely agree with your other three choices. Why do you like being an author?
I think one reason is that I'm not particularly quick thinker, so many times I wish I could have a "do over". Writing stories about strong, intelligent women allows me to have them say and do what I wish I had in similar situations.
Totally understand those sentiments. What’s your favorite novel?
Gone With the Wind
What was the happiest moment in your childhood?
Meeting my cousins for the first time. All my aunts, uncles, and cousins live in Japan. When I was twelve years old my dad's brother brought his family to America for a visit. Until then the only family I had ever seen were mom, dad, my brothers, and my grandma. I knew I had relatives, but until then they weren't real, they were just faces in pictures.
I'm sure that must have been very momentous for you. My brother lives in Italy and he has four kids and I've only met his oldest daughter.
a. I always read the first third of a book, then the last third, and then the middle.
b. I always write the first third of a book, then the last third, and then the middle.
c. My favorite TV shows are "Who Do You Think You Are?" and "Jeopardy."
d. I believe the basic food groups are chocolate, bread, pasta, and coffee.
e. I am a "no holds barred" player at Words With Friends!
I'm not a coffee drinker, but definitely agree with your other three choices. Why do you like being an author?
I think one reason is that I'm not particularly quick thinker, so many times I wish I could have a "do over". Writing stories about strong, intelligent women allows me to have them say and do what I wish I had in similar situations.
Totally understand those sentiments. What’s your favorite novel?
Gone With the Wind
What was the happiest moment in your childhood?
Meeting my cousins for the first time. All my aunts, uncles, and cousins live in Japan. When I was twelve years old my dad's brother brought his family to America for a visit. Until then the only family I had ever seen were mom, dad, my brothers, and my grandma. I knew I had relatives, but until then they weren't real, they were just faces in pictures.
I'm sure that must have been very momentous for you. My brother lives in Italy and he has four kids and I've only met his oldest daughter.
Can you tell us about your book, Aegean Intrigue?
Someone has been stealing priceless Greek artifacts and it's Alex Leonidis' job to uncover the thief. His prime suspect is beautiful archaeological graduate student, Francie Vasileiou. His plan is to join in an archaeological dig and catch her in the act. All he has to do is keep his mind on his job, and not on the way his lovely suspect warms his heart. He's learned the hard way not to trust fragile-looking women who seem to need his help.
Francie wants to get her PhD and become an archaeologist, like her famous father. The sudden invitation to participate in a dig on the beautiful Greek island of Paros is a wonderful opportunity. She has no time for distractions like Alex, the handsome Project Director. Experience has taught her to stay clear of handsome, charismatic Greek men.
On the shores of the Aegean Sea, Alex and Francie work together, searching for treasures from Greece's past. While pursuing their goals, they discover some of the truths they had believed to be carved in stone may have been flawed.
Definitely a book going on my TBR list! Where can readers find your book online?
Find Aegean Intrigue at Astraea Press
Find Aegean Intrigue on Amazon
Find Aegean Intrigue on B & N
Find Aegean Intrigue on Smashwords
Patricia, thank you so much for guesting today. I enjoyed chatting with you and hearing about your travels and your book.
One commenter will receive a free digital copy of his/her choice of one of Patricia's novellas. The three titles are listed here: Patricia's Author Page on Amazon
Don't forget to check out Patricia's book trailer below...
Someone has been stealing priceless Greek artifacts and it's Alex Leonidis' job to uncover the thief. His prime suspect is beautiful archaeological graduate student, Francie Vasileiou. His plan is to join in an archaeological dig and catch her in the act. All he has to do is keep his mind on his job, and not on the way his lovely suspect warms his heart. He's learned the hard way not to trust fragile-looking women who seem to need his help.
Francie wants to get her PhD and become an archaeologist, like her famous father. The sudden invitation to participate in a dig on the beautiful Greek island of Paros is a wonderful opportunity. She has no time for distractions like Alex, the handsome Project Director. Experience has taught her to stay clear of handsome, charismatic Greek men.
On the shores of the Aegean Sea, Alex and Francie work together, searching for treasures from Greece's past. While pursuing their goals, they discover some of the truths they had believed to be carved in stone may have been flawed.
Definitely a book going on my TBR list! Where can readers find your book online?
Find Aegean Intrigue at Astraea Press
Find Aegean Intrigue on Amazon
Find Aegean Intrigue on B & N
Find Aegean Intrigue on Smashwords
Patricia, thank you so much for guesting today. I enjoyed chatting with you and hearing about your travels and your book.
One commenter will receive a free digital copy of his/her choice of one of Patricia's novellas. The three titles are listed here: Patricia's Author Page on Amazon
Don't forget to check out Patricia's book trailer below...
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