A Priceless Gift
Today my new book, TRUE TO ME, is out for the world to read. This book was two years in the making, starting from the first chapter I wrote while in Maui helping my daughter set up a new life. It was an exciting and scary time for her, and traumatic for me considering she was only 22 and I wasn’t yet ready to let her go. But we got through it and in the meantime, I decided to set a series on the island of Maui so that I had somewhere to use all the wonderful memories we were making. As I began developing Quinn and her story, I knew I wanted to use the ever-growing popular subject of DNA testing. My husband had recently dug into it for himself and he talked me into doing it as well. So, for research purposes, I gave my DNA and mailed it in.
No, I didn’t find out I was adopted or any other juicy plot twists. However, I’ll never forget the day I told my father that I was looking at a list of all his relatives. We were on the phone and he asked me under what names. When I told him, and explained to him what it meant, he got very quiet.
“If their names are on there, is it completely accurate that they are my blood relatives?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said. “DNA doesn’t lie. Why?”
Then he replied, “You’ve just told me the answer to a question I’ve secretly had for sixty years.”
I was confused, but he explained to me that though he knew and loved his own father until his death, he didn’t carry his name and the man’s family (for the most part) denied that my dad was their blood. They never accepted him and treated him like family. I never knew this and it hurt me to know that my dad carried that burden his entire life, always wondering if maybe they were right, and that he belonged to another man. To give my dad the knowledge that the father he knew and loved was indeed his biological dad was the best gift I could ever give.
In TRUE TO ME, Quinn’s story isn’t so simple. I hope you’ll read it and immerse yourself in the beauty of Maui and the complicated strands of building a family.
My best to you,
Kay
I’m reading this now……so glad to hear that it will be a series! That must require more research trips to Hawaii ❤
Great story Kay!
I’m loving this story. We are moving this week and I am still squeezing in time to read. Maui is one of my favorite spots to vacation. I love genealogy and have found some family members myself through DNA testing. Nothing as dramatic as your dad’s story. Very happy for him!
I’m reading it now. I love it! I could really blow your mind right about now Kay…..
Beautiful story. Can’t wait till your book is on the top of my TBR list
We/I are in awe on how much of your life you share with us. I am adopted and always wondered who my biological family was. I learned I have a sister and found my birth father’s name through Ancestry. He never knew I existed. Unfortunately, he passed passed away before I was able to locate him.
I ALWAYS claimed Tony, that warped sense of humor came from the Bateson side. 😂
Yes, Gary. Dad said you’ve been good to him. Thank you for that.
Well now that we know where the tennis ball was hiding…. I wonder if you might help me start my KB journey with some tips on whether I start with your first… or jump right in anywhere????
Mahalo 🌴☀️🌴
This book does not disappoint. I throughly enjoyed the reading. I love a book that makes me think beyond it’s points of view well after.
Wow
Loved this book so much! Will you be continuing Quinn’s story in a second book? If so, When!? 🙂
Quinn will be highlighted in the next book, along with her best friend, Maggie. 🙂