Testimonials

I won Abandoned in Search of Rainbows through a Goodreads Giveaway and this is my review of A.K. Driggs Memoir. A few days after Kim was born in 1954, she was left in a paper sack on a toilet seat at a local Grill in Rochester, NY. She was soon adopted by Bob and Betty Driggs. They were an affectionate couple and very loving parents. Kim has written an uplifting Memoir of triumph! Whatever she set her mind on; she was able to be successful. She never complained about life’s misfortunes. Kim would just pick herself up and find another path. A.K. had a scare with breast cancer and had to go through surgery and chemotherapy. She realized that life is too short. A.K. had a dream that she wanted to follow and didn’t want to wait five years, as planned, to find it. She and her partner Janet decided they would move to Hawaii in one year instead of five. Through hard work they accomplished their goal! Kim’s Memoir made me think about what I want to do in my life that I haven’t done. She’s an admirable woman who’s been through her share of adversities. Yet, she was still able to find the rainbows in her life!

Debbi DuBose

Reliable, honest, a fast read.

Diane Barcheski

This is a truly inspirational book that is extremely well written. Kim is the epitome of a strong woman who has risen above all that life has thrown at he.

Sandihi

I couldn’t put this memoir down! One night I read it until 3am and finished it in two days!. It touched my heart so deeply and Kim expressed her experiences so authentically that I felt I was there in the moment. She is a remarkable woman with a touching yet gripping story of a life so jam packed with twists and turns that keep you anxious to turn the page yet never wanting it to end. The book is so filled with emotion and love, wit and charm….what rings out loud and clear is the truth and clarity of Kim’s life. She is a gift, to all of animal kind, whether they be two legged or four, furry or feathered. From her beginnings as an adopted child to talented musician to successful business woman you will enjoy each and every step it took for her to get to where she is now. I surely hope she continues to write!

E. Hoffmann Mahar

After reading your book, I came away with many thoughts and feelings I wanted to share. I was able to relate to so many of the things you went through and felt.

•I love the respect you had for your parents, always wanting to make them proud.  I too still feel that way and I’m a man in my thirties.

•I love your sense of respect and integrity you maintained throughout  your life no matter what you were going through.

•I love how you still sing to the animals, especially at the Humane Society in the dog kennels.

•I cried throughout the chapter about when you had to do phone sex to survive and pay your bills, especially the story of Ricky the slave.  I felt you saved his life.

•I loved your early age awareness of your connection to Divine Spirit and the blue star.

•I loved how you wanted to wait to have sex till the right one came along. That touched home with me too. This was authentic to me as you were waiting for true love, real love. I

•I felt elated when you listened to that inner voice and didn’t sign those two contracts when you were in show business. Human spirit doesn’t want to be enslaved.

•I feel you have been blessed to have such a supportive and full life.  Lots of happy times as well as some very real hard times.

•The character development of yourself made it so much more touching when your parents passed away.

•Abandoned in Search of Rainbows touched me in so many ways that it has given me a new sense of hope in my life.  Mahalo for putting yourself out there like you did to help so many others.

B. Parker

Wendy‘s review

Jan 20, 2016

Abandoned In Search Of Rainbows by A.K. Driggs is a fascinating read about a woman who was abandoned at birth. It is a window into her life as told through her eyes as she grew up with her adoptive family.

Reading this book is like sitting down for a series of personal chats with the author. Each chapter is like a story told by the fireside with a glass of wine and a friend. I found that I really enjoyed this style of writing as Ms. Driggs detailed her experiences with her family, her peers, her schooling, her love of music and her own sexuality as she was growing up. The unconditional love and support of her adoptive family, the privileges she enjoyed as her father’s career advanced, and her experiences as she began to explore herself as an adult in her personal life and musical career were all told in such a fashion that I often felt like I was inside her head, looking out through her eyes and experiencing it all with her, or at the very least reading a very personal diary. The personal photos strewn throughout the narrative added to this feeling as it gave a visual image of the author at different ages during her life and participating in events described.

I definitely came away from reading this book with a new perspective on how one might explore themselves from within to find their place in this world. I also found myself a little more open to the struggle that many people find as they try to be themselves and find acceptance from those around them, which was a concept that perhaps I hadn’t thought of much.

This book literally took over my world as I was pulled into your out of the ordinary life story.  I loved it! I felt like I was reliving the years with you because your story is so genuine and your memory is so factual.  It brought back so many of my memories, all good and cherished.  I loved your parents like they were my family. They were so kind and loving and when I lived with you in London and treated me like a daughter.  While I had the pleasure of living some of the memories with you and your family and I had heard the stories over the years, Abandoned in Search of Rainbows, put the wonderful stories all in sequence. While Betty and Bob may have chosen you, I always had the feeling that there was a higher power at work in your placement in the Driggs family.  I always knew that you were special in your love for family and friends but also your zest for life, which I can say, I have never experienced in another person. When I met you on the high school steps my life changed in that very moment for the better.  Your love of life and your loving spirit shine through to this day.  Your remarkable survival skills and ability to think quickly and make good decisions I am sure you learned from your Dad.  Bob was well known for his business prowess.  Betty was a wonderful cook and entertainer and you learned well!  She was very wise and knowing. While she may have had to follow your Dad around the world and back, she was an avid reader and observer and could read people and their motives.  We all do what we must do to survive but in the end you came out on top. There is never a dull moment with you.  While other people may have had an easier road in life, they did not have the experiences that you have had or the insight you now have. I can say this with all honesty, you are the person I want to sit on the lanai with when I am 75 and have a glass of wine!  Hopefully you will sing some of your great songs for me. You are above all fascinating and beautiful!  Love you to the Rainbow and back!  Congratulations on your book and much continued success.   S. VanDerBeck

While this book is autobiographical, it proves once again that life is more bizarre than fiction. I applaud the author for having the fortitude to make her story available for the world to view. I found the book well written, tender and quite touching. This book is highly recommended as an enjoyable read, and once you get into it ,you will find that it is hard to put down.

Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy

If you’re looking for an easy read that’ll suck you in and take you on a rollercoaster, look no further! While I know the protagonist of these stories personally, I have a new appreciation for her and everything she’s been through. You will laugh, you will cry, you’ll get angry and you’ll get the warm fuzzies; but regardless of what you feel, you will love this book!

Abandoned in Search of Rainbows is a wonderful testament to what is possible even when everything is stacked against you from the very beginning. A.K. Driggs went from abandoned and unadoptable to a radiant beacon of love and joy to all. And what a great story!

Abandoned in Search of Rainbows by A.K. Driggs is a most touching metaphysical autobiography that I hoped would never end. Kim has an incredible inspirational way of telling her story, which is very personal, but relates to the reader’s true heart, soul and life challenges. This beautifully written book recalls the innocence and strength in all of us.

I have just finished a book Abandoned in Search of Rainbows by AK Driggs. What an inspirational book about getting through what life throws at you. She definitely puts herself out there for all types of criticism and comes shining through. The book is an easy read, but once you start the life journey with AK you can’t put it down until the end. It matters not whether you know her or not you want to see what the next stage of her life will drop on her and watch her climb over the hurtle.

This is a book for anyone. We all struggle with life and need to learn how to overcome.

A. K. Driggs book takes you on a roller coaster from beginning to end. Her story weaves it’s way into your soul. This refreshing and honest portrayal of her life from her abandonment, her adoption to her success as a businesswoman will leave you crying, laughing and every emotion in between. Bravo!!

Finished Kim’s book. What a Wonderful Amazing Journey Kim has had.

Your book is breath-taking! I know you and I have discussed that every time I’m in Rochester and go up 96 and past Rand Place, I think of you. I have a memory of a play date at your house. If I remember correctly your room was in the front of the house, overlooking the street. I seem to remember Chip stopping by very briefly to tease you some. I’m sure we spent some time together at the Klehammers, in their attic playroom.

You are really quite remarkable. You took so many challenges and turned them into learning experiences but also positively touched the lives of so many. I have always admired you and this brings that admiration up even higher.

I’m so glad that you and Janet found each other. I cheered her on when you had reached inside yourself during your cancer treatment and felt you had no more to give. Hurray for Janet who wouldn’t let you give up! The world is a better place with you in it.

The book was great. I had my mother read it….she finished it before I did! You had such a wonderful relationship with your parents, especially with your mother. Aren’t we lucky that our mothers were there for us growing up…and beyond.

Kim, thank you for sharing your story. You may tell yourself you are not an writer/author but there are many of us who disagree. Your style is beautiful.

Thanks for the memories!

A must read!

What an amazing story about an amazing woman. I laughed, I cried, I was angry – this story hit home with so many wonderful life lessons. It’s a true testament to the resiliency of the human spirit. I just bought some for Christmas parents! My only problem with the book was that it ended too soon. Lets so hope that Ms. Driggs comes out with a sequel!

From traumatic abandonment as a baby, Driggs struggled as a child who always felt different. With the loving support of her adoptive parents she envisioned a life in which she could flourish as herself. Despite great obstacles she pursued her musical gifts, learned to rely on her deep spiritual, intuitive connection to animals and all of nature, ultimately discovering and connecting with her true self. The courage and honesty with which she examined and embraced her own life led her to a deep understanding of others who have also suffered abandonment in one of its many forms. Abandoned — In Search of Rainbows is authentic and inspiring.

Kim Driggs’ memoir is a tour-de-force of overcoming the odds, from despair to triumph she gives us hope that we too can find and achieve our dreams against most certain odds. She takes the reader on a most personal, spiritual and vivid journey amidst the backdrop of the 1950’s thru today with fascinating characters, humor and pathos. It is a slice of an especially poetic life that will leave the reader hungry for more.

As a health care provider I was profoundly moved by this story and impressed by the candor and authenticity! It touched me as a human for many reasons. I appreciated the depth of emotion Driggs shared regarding conversations between herself and her mom, her physical manifestations of emotion resulting in bowel disturbances and the liberated way in which her ‘coming of age’ story is real and down to earth appealing to feelings that I know I have personally experienced. I love the way she explored her sexuality and captivated the struggles and triumphs of that through her writing. I also value her quest for answers about life, its meaning and its worth. In Hawaii, we use a word pono for describing what is right, true and good. I would like to describe Driggs book as Pono.

A.K. Driggs is a real-life protagonist in a riveting true story that demonstrates an authentic life, experienced in full-spectrum, delicious color. By virtue of her ongoing childlike sense of wonder, her natural musical gift, and her unbridled exuberance for what she loves, she journeyed resiliently over turbulent terrain and the result is this treasure map to Joy. Her story is, in itself, a love song for the ages. A love song for one, and for all.

From traumatic abandonment as a baby, Driggs struggled as a child who always felt different. With the loving support of her adoptive parents she envisioned a life in which she could flourish as herself. Despite great obstacles she pursued her musical gifts, learned to rely on her deep spiritual, intuitive connection to animals and all of nature, ultimately discovering and connecting with her true self. The courage and honesty with which she examined and embraced her own life led her to a deep understanding of others who have also suffered abandonment in one of its many forms. Abandoned — In Search of Rainbows is authentic and inspiring.