Reviews

Abandoned in Search of Rainbows

A.K. Driggs
Book Publishers Network (2016)
ISBN 9781940598772
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer for Reader Views (8/16)

There are very few books this reviewer has come across that have a “wow” factor and leave you with such emotion as was the case after reading, “Abandoned in Search of Rainbows.” As a Psychologist by trade, I have heard many journeys of life, some good, and some not so much, but I have to say A.K. Driggs’ journey tops them all. “Abandoned in Search of Rainbows” grabs readers from the very beginning and will have you so involved you won’t be able to put it down. Each chapter details the author’s thoughts, emotions, and memories while she continues her path to find herself.

Abandoned as an infant, left in a brown paper bag on a toilet seat, Driggs made headlines from the very beginning of her life. Adopted by a wonderful family, she had a life that was full of excitement and wonder. Her jobs ranged from an animal communicator, to a phone sex operator, to being an author.

The author tells of her confusion of having love for both men and women, while seemingly more attracted to women. She dated men, but those relationships just didn’t click with her. She also shows in her writing how dependent she is on her parents. When things went wrong they would drop their own wishes to help her. Eventually her parents decide, as parents often do, that it was time for them to live their own lives, as Driggs became an adult.

After her father dies, Driggs feels somewhat peaceful in that her parents had come to terms with her lifestyle. Losing her mother later to lung cancer, she handles her grief by getting back into drugs, and loses touch with her brother and friends, as her life once again spirals downward. It is not until she finds Janet that she feels she is starting to make positive changes in her life; this only to find out she has breast cancer. Yet Janet is there with her throughout it all until the end.

A riveting story, full of hope and love that will keep readers totally in awe that one person can have so much happen in their lives, and that, even as there seems no way out, it all turns out like it should. The author has included photos throughout the book that enables readers to put names to faces. Her descriptions of people and events make one feel like they are right there with her.

“Abandoned in Search of Rainbows” by A.K. Driggs is a must-read book for fans of memoirs and inspirational stories. You will not be sorry you picked it up and started this journey with the author.

I just finished reading your book. Amazing! It is really riveting. I could not put it down. I had started it a few times and read the first couple of chapters but on a flight today from Nashville back to LaGuardia, I read most of the rest and could not stop so I read the final 80-90 pages tonight.  I could not put it down. What a life story!! It is a story you HAD to write. No doubt it will inspire anyone who reads it, as it will inspire me – to enjoy life to the fullest while being thankful for all of life’s blessings. I write this as my best buddy – Mookie (mini Golden Doodle who is 10 pounds heavier than they told me he’d be) lies asleep at the foot of my bed.

Thank you for writing this story. I’m so glad you have found such happiness after all the tough times in your life. I simply had to share my feelings briefly with you about the book. I so loved it. I think I cried about 15 different times. But I’m glad you told your story. It’s one of those stories that had to be told and it’s simply amazing!   D.R. Long Island, NY

Wow! You read about people having extraordinary lives and here’s the opportunity to get to know one in her own words. AK Driggs was abandoned as an infant and adopted by a loving couple who obviously allowed Driggs to find her own unique gifts and flourish. Driggs’s memoir here recounts many of the memories and experiences she had growing up, and it is a remarkable story.

It really brought the story to life that she included photos to show herself and the other people in the story. For a memoir to work, you really have to care about the person and what they are telling you. In this case I did. Driggs brings in vivid memories of growing up, quitting college, falling in love with a woman with a child, changing careers, moving. Sometimes the memories went on a little too long, but overall I enjoyed the book.

4-Star Amazon Review

I admit it, this was an emotional read for me. There are so many moments where I found my heart breaking, to healing, to finding laughter, inspiration and more. I could never even fathom what the heck anyone is thinking even in just dropping a child somewhere unsafe, let alone growing up to understand what brought you to where you are. I love that she had the ability to not only express what her background story is about, but to share it with the world at large. That right there takes an immense amount of strength and ability.

We have all at some point found ourselves questioning what has happened in our lives to put us on the path we are at. I felt like A.K. was able to capture her path in words that should be used as inspiration and viewed as triumph. At a young age she faced the challenges that no child should have to. The feeling of loss, abandonment, heartache and frustration with life. However, she takes that later on in her life and spins it around to creating a better portion of who she is. It wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows of course. She dealt with even more heartache and obstacles stood in her way. I love that she is so relatable and that her journey mirrors many of ours. The way she told her story made her more “real” and honest. It wasn’t as if someone is preaching to you or pumping you up in a seminar. No, she was able to put feelings into a book that can and probably have, helped others.

When you look back at the time frame as well and the era she grew up in, there is a dramatic difference. Think about how different things were really then. So much was taboo and not talked about. Even something like her being abandoned by her birth mother was something to be hushed up and not talked about in certain circles. I feel like for the time she went through all of this and to still come out of it “okay” if you will, shows a lot about who she is and the family who nurtured her. It’s a wonderful read and one that will have you feeling the rollercoaster of life moments with her.

5-Star Amazon Review

A.K Driggs “Abandoned in Search of Rainbows” is a beautifully written journey about a newborn baby girl found in a paper bag to a women who found her voice, her love and an understanding of her unique life.
I liked how the book is set up like a play with ACT I, ACT II and ACT III. In. ACT I the story begins with an older A.K. Driggs who is on a relocating trip with her mom. Her mom wants to reminisce about how A. K was adopted into the family. How,at 2 days old, she was left in a paper bag in a ladies room and walked away from. My heart went awe when Betty and Bob were sitting at the table and she turns the newspaper and sees the picture of the baby and says “We should adopt her, why not her” and when they finally meet 15 months later and they look into each other’s eyes and it’s like they are both saying “I chose you”. From there on the chapters are different parts of her young life in different stages. You can read how the fear of abandonment is visible even in her young life. Like being left behind at birthday parties and even the early days of school and having to face being there all day!. “Kimmy” went through your usual trials and tribulations of being a pre-teen.
In ACT II, A.K tells us about her years as a teenager and the beginning of mixed feelings between men and women. And as she goes through high school and her family moves on she develops her own sense of independence. She starts using her love of music to push her past her grief and understanding. While with her family in London she meets many characteristic women that she forms great friendships and business partners in. She goes from many jobs like phone sex operator and a business broker to trying to find a job that suits her. In this sections she comes to turns with her sexuality and the choices she has made. She forms a bond of acceptance from her dad before he passes on.
In ACT III, it’s later years in Kim’s life and her dad has been gone for a few years and now she loses her mom to lung cancer. She is in such grief, that she loses her partner and loses touch with her brother and life just spirals downhill. Then she meets Janet who turns out to be the love of her life. Who is there when she too gets breast cancer, who is there when they start a new life in Hawaii, when she takes up guitar playing again and makes a new family of dogs, neighbors and other couples. While chasing those rainbows.
I really enjoyed this story. It is a story of hope and how hard life starts out for some folks and they turn it into a lifeline of happiness. On how our choices make who we are and not what people think we are. I only regret for this story is that I hope that Kim and her brother reconcile. He was there for the beginning of her life and should be there until the end.

4-Star Amazon Review

Abandoned in Search of Rainbows is the multifaceted story of author A.K. Driggs, young woman abandoned at birth, adopted by loving parents, and dedicated to sharing her many talents, from singing to communicating with animals.  Driggs also speaks candidly of the importance of a healthy love and sex life, and tells of her work as a phone-sex operator, her search for love and passion as a bisexual, and the joy of sharing her life and creativity with a partner.  It should be noted for personal reading lists that Abandoned in Search of Rainbows is also in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

Clint Travis-Reviewer

 

 

This autobiography was a great read. It was very interesting to “ride along” with the author throughout many of her life’s journeys. The beginning of this book was more detailed and I felt that towards the end of the book she seemed rushed, and a lot of her ‘years’ weren’t talked about in as much detail. In addition, I had a hard time keeping all the people’s names she talked about straight.
Overall, it provided great insight into what it takes for some people to get into the music industry and also the struggle that some face to be and find themselves in this crazy world! She seemed to be very open and honest about all the things/jobs she has done, and I appreciated that. It made her book much more interesting to read.
Her life certainly has not been dull, and I think anyone would enjoy reading her book!

4-STARS by N.Klein

Driggs’ autobiography made the perfect after work, winding down before bed read. I am amazed at the level of recall she has about her childhood; it speaks volumes regarding the influence her experiences had through her development. I was captivated throughout the entire read. She delivers more than mere facts; she ties in her thought processes and how it helped to construct her belief system and self. While she struggled with typical pre-pubescent and pubescent trials, I appreciate how much character development she brought to the table in her delivery. I couldn’t help but think “I wish one of my late relatives wrote something similar so I could get to know them in the same fashion.” I resonate and truly appreciate Driggs’ sharing her story; I resonated with her finding peace over time and think that many folks can learn a thing or two from what she shared.

5-STARS by J.Baker

Driggs provides a thought provoking journey into her world and the obstacles she had to overcome to achieve a sense of fulfillment and peace of mind. I instantly related to the feelings of abandonment and despair at a young age. So many events of her life are too strange to be fiction and it is this level of honesty and transparency that make for such a great story. Although the specific details of her past differ from most readers, it is the emotional connection that drives this book home with the themes of belonging and discovery. I love how her journey helped not only find her identity but also her voice, literally! The ability to use natural talent in her music and turn that into assets that she can pass along to others is a miracle and Drigg’s exemplifies this beautifully in her book.
If anything, Abandoned In Search of Rainbows is a tale about hope. It is inspiring to read about a person who had to overcome so much and to do it with such courage and persistence. It is motivational without taking itself too seriously. Driggs has capitalized on a harmonic balance of trial and error, wit, and clever writing style. If you want to continue feeling sorry for yourself and not do anything about it, this book is not for you. This is for those who want to live life to the fullest, give back to others, and look back without resentment.

4 STARS-Satisfied Amazon Customer.  Dotrazn,

Railroadkid5 reviewed Abandoned In Search Of Rainbows — Such a touching story!

June 15, 2016

What an emotional roller coaster. The life of an abandoned little girl and her struggles through life. She is left on a toilet seat in a diner where she is quickly found and becomes headlines. This is the story of her life and struggles from the beginning. I had no idea this was a true story. I didn’t read the intro very well I guess. I probably wouldn’t have bought this if I had. I’m sure glad I misread. This is such a touching story! A little girl who only wants to please her loving family. How can she choose what really makes her happy if it doesn’t make them happy. There were a few times I wanted to cry reading this story, the author really brings you into her life. She makes you feel like you’re right there with her. I think you will be cheering her on and crying with her too when you purchase this story.

It was a good read, definitely worth the ten bucks.

5-STARS

What a life! That was my exact thought when I finished reading Abandoned in Search of Rainbows by author A.K. Driggs. Found as an infant in a brown paper bag on a toilet seat, the story of her arrival in the world made the news from the very beginning. She was adopted by a loving family, and her journey went from abandonment to the life she was meant to lead. Living an incredible life, experiencing incredible vocations, from animal communicator to phone sex operator, from recording artist to author, A.K. Driggs seems to have done it all. This fascinating autobiography delves into the idea that even those with the saddest of beginnings can end up with the most fulfilling of lives.

I so enjoyed Abandoned in Search of Rainbows. There are some stories that just grab a person from the get-go, and this was definitely one for me. Author A.K. Driggs has certainly written her autobiography in such a way that readers will be completed engrossed in her story, but will also get a lot of personal meaning and thought provoking moments along the way. The idea that an innocent newborn could be left in such dire straits, but that the same person could evolve into such a unique, talented and multi-dimensional person is a wonder. I recommend Abandoned in Search of Rainbows to any reader who loves autobiographies or just a great story. Author A.K. Driggs is certainly an author to watch. While this book is autobiographical in nature, I can certainly see her using her talents and interesting life experiences to write a great work of fiction as well. If she does, I will certainly be in line to read it!

I had the opportunity to meet Ms. Driggs in person and we connected. After reading this book about her ongoing journey through life I feel I know her and maybe even understand her. She connects with animals and people on several levels, including the spiritual and the book reflects this. A gritty memoir of an unusual life.