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

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

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

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

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 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.

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!!

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!

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.

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.

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.