Renee Crosse
“WOW! What a beautifully written book of poetry. Kayla Fioravanti has such a genuine and honest way with words. Kayla writes, “In the Arms of the Shepherd, is the story of the redefinition of my life. The significance of the transformation that poem recounts is so important to who I am now that I wanted to break down the poem for my readers. In this way, I am sharing the most important facet of my life.”
Throughout each poem the reader is able to get a glimpse into moments that shaped Kayla into the person she is today. Pure and simple childhood memories build poems that create vivid landscapes in the reader’s imagination. Dark and lonely moments on pages cause the reader to pause and realize the pain that has occurred in the life of this poet.
Well done, Kayla Fioravanti. We all have been given a story to tell. A testimony of how we began, where we have been, and ultimately where we are headed. I am glad that you have found peace in ‘The Arms of the Shepherd.’ You accomplished storytelling through the gift of poetry that has been given to you by the Giver of all good gifts.” Renee Crosse, author, speaker, Holy Homes
David Sanford
“My wife and I love “When I Was Young, I Flew the Sun Like a Kite.” The title and cover art are delightful poetry. And what a joy to read what’s inside! Kayla’s story in the back about the cover artist, Mark Lucero, definitely brought smiles to our faces given how much we enjoy getting to know talented artists and spending time on Whidbey Island (we grew up nearby in Seattle). Even better is Kayla’s own story. As her previous books prove, she has a brilliant scientific mind. This new volume proves she has the heart of a poet. I only wish Kayla and Mark would sell signed/numbered prints of this book’s cover.” David Sanford, author
Donna Maria Coles Johnson
“‘When I Was Young, I Flew The Sun As A Kite,’ is a journey through the heart of a woman. Beginning with the carefree joy of childhood, this book of stunning poetry takes you to places of unimaginable grief and hopelessness. Kayla invites you to take her hand, and as you read each installment, you are escorted from light into darkness, and then into light again. All the while, Kayla’s vivid writing style, painfully real and studded with passion, reassures you that you will soon enjoy the light at the end of the tunnel. And when you get there, you will rejoice with the Savior of Kayla’s life, and be encouraged by the Savior of your own.” – Donna Maria Coles Johnson
Carol Wilson
“When I was Young I Flew the Sun as a Kite eloquently carries you through a journey that is intensely personal, but also magnificently relatable. You’ll engage with the curious, spunky little girl who lives in full-color with others who live just as vividly. Then, you’ll wander with her through experiences that elicit palpable pain, fear, sadness, grief, and shame. You’ll soar when you read of the current she caught that took her from being a pain-gripped wanderer to a hope-filled adventurer again. Tomorrow is alive for Kayla and she certainly reflects a beautiful landscape! Enjoy the journey as you read the words that bumped into each other in this beautiful collection.” – Carol Wilson
Darcy Hickey
“Just got this amazing book by Kayla Fioravanti. I’ve read it again and again through my tears of remembrance: remembrance of carefree childhood days, the loss of loved ones, and the joy and hope that each new day brings. I highly recommend this book! Thank you Kayla for bearing your soul with each poem!” Darcy Hickey
Lois Lynn Flores
“To read this collection of poetry, is to be invited into the pages of Kayla’s life and to catch a glimpse of your own life while strolling through hers. If you did not find yourself within these pages, then go back and look again. Kayla brings us through our own realities while reading her words, with the light of hope showing us the way to the next page.” –Lois Flores
Ginger Moore
“I recently had the priviledge and honor to read a book of poetry written by my sister in Christ, online friend and collegue, Kayla Fioravanti.
First and foremost, I must say WOW! Kayla’s words in “When I Was Young, I Flew the Sun Like A Kite” take you on a journey through a life….her life. I can honestly say they are unlike any other words I’ve seen in print.
We go with her from childhood innocence filled with hope, adventure and a few dark clouds to youthfully exuberant exploration of her identity outside of her childhood.
Kayla then takes us along with her down a dim roadway of desperation for hope, light and restoration where adulthood and motherhood are waiting in the midst of fear and uncertainty. She soon finds herself on a path that takes her straight to the source of the restoration, hope and light that she had sought after and longed for.
We get to see glimpses of her growth and maturing as Kayla opens up her heart and receives all the love, hope and joy that rises out of the miles she’s traveled, the world she has seen, the bumps and potholes she’s hit and the detours that took her the long way around.
Surrender and Truth brings Kayla to her true identity and destiny as she finds love and gives it away freely and fully only to discover that the more she gives it away, the more she has to give. And the more she has to give, the more joy unfolds within her spirit and soul. It’s evident that Kayla wants to share this bottomless source of love, hope and joy with others everywhere and she offers it to the reader before they close the cover jacket.
Whether you are a believer or a seeker, this is a great read for anyone who has been or is now on a journey in search of something more and has felt alone on the road. Your heart and soul will fly high and bright just like the sun kite on the cover.” Ginger Moore, CEO of Neos Creations Skin Care and founder of At Home Woman
Samantha Meyer
“I was very pleased to see that I was a first reader of this book, and after reading through it, I am even more happy! This book has very delightful and inspiring poems in it, written by a real women with real life issues. I think they are very delightful poems, but not too over powering for the simple reader. Some of the poems even have subtle humor behind them, which I find to be quite interesting. Thank you so much for allowing me to read your poetry.” Samantha Meyer on Goodreads
Gloria
“I won this book through Good Reads. I thought this book was just so full of life. So just happy to be alive and enjoy what life has to offer. I highly recommend this book. Thanks.” Gloria on Goodreads
Rob Slaven
“Firstly, and as I very frequently note, I received this book via a GoodReads FirstReads giveaway. It’s also worth mentioning that I am not, as a general rule, a reader of poetry books. I have nothing against them but they’re not something I seek out with any regularity whatsoever. I also do not know the author and am providing my absolutely candid feedback on their offering below.
Since I am not one who wanders into the poetry genre very often I can only have one real criterion for judging it and that is, simply, its power to evoke the ineffable. Did the words as laid out by the poet bring to mind some feeling, or concept that wasn’t inherently present in the surface interpretation of the words? Or to put it more simply, did the poet make me feel something?
Fioravanti’s book earns three stars out of five in that regard (it should be noted that GoodReads rating system is irrationally biased towards the positive with three stars indicating not neutrality but a relatively positive result) as many of her poems did leave me with that vague “where did that come from?” sensation. In a few instances she pulled things into my consciousness rather unbidden that I wouldn’t have expected. This is the result of good poetry and should be applauded.
There are a couple of counts in which the author does tend to lose me but they’re not at all surprising and not her fault. She’s obviously a very devout and thankful Christian and since I’m not, I obviously have to give those bits a pass. I respect utterly her journey in that regard but I do not share that so she wanders a bit afield from my standpoint as a reader. Secondly, and even more obviously, she’s sharing her journey through life as a woman/wife/etc and so in some ways I’m not all that qualified (as a man) to relate very strongly to her point of view. Again, I respect it and honor it but can’t say “been there, done that”.
In summary, Fioravanti’s work is a collection of very respectable and well-honed poetry. I congratulate her on her work and think the world of it though since I am so far outside its intended demographic it does tend to fall a bit short of the hoped for 5-stars in my view. I am sure that the majority of other readers will not be so encumbered.(less)” Rob Slaven on Goodreads and Amazon
Julie Miller
“This book evokes memories from my own childhood. It weaves a tapistry of life that each of us can relate to. The human spirit and love of life come out of each story told. This book is an excellent value for the money.” Julie Miller on Amazon
Alex Crow
As a lover of poetry, I was so excited to discover Kayla Fioravanti’s, “When I was Young, I Flew the Sun Like a Kite”. Rarely have I experienced such vivid imagery coupled with such an honest experience of childhood. It was a joy to read and will certainly hold a very special place on my “must have” book shelf. Kayla obviously still loves “the way words [sound] when they [bump] up against each other”. Alex Crow on Amazon and Goodreads
Ron Carlson
“Near the top in my Men’s Book of Rules is “Real men don’t read poetry.” To date I have obeyed that law. Religiously. But yesterday I fell. Picked up Kayla’s new poetry book. At first I scanned. Then read a short snippet. And another. Then re-read what I scanned, absorbing the emotion as I stumbled through the words. WHEN I WAS YOUNG caught me. Gulp. Think I may be hooked on reading the rest. Thanks, Kayla. Please tell no one I have broken my own rule.” Ron Carlson
Jan Leree Whidden
Kayla, I finished reading your book last night … I must tell you … it is captivating, cover to cover… The poetry, each … leaves me at the edge of the story … wanting to know more. I can definitely relate personally to much of what you write … your ways of sharing bring me, the reader into your pain … which gives rise to notice what my own pain story is … You do not leave me there though … you go on to share the unfolding beauty of the landscape of your life … I thoroughly enjoyed your book and felt its pull in my own life. Thank you! Jan Leree Whidden, poet and photographer
Elin Criswell
To read Kayla Fioravanti’s book of poems is to get an intimate look at life. She has a masterful way of writing about the innocence as well as the pain that can be encountered along life’s way. In reading her book you can’t help but almost feel like you have shared in her journey. You know that this is a woman who can relate to life’s pain, but one who has also healed from many wounds and gone on to enjoy life. Kayla is a great example of a woman of grace. –Elin Criswell, author
Ron Carlson says
Near the top in my Men’s Book of Rules is “Real men don’t read poetry.” To date I have obeyed that law. Religiously. But yesterday I fell. Picked up Kayla’s new poetry book. At first I scanned. Then read a short snippet. And another. Then re-read what I scanned, absorbing the emotion as I stumbled through the words. WHEN I WAS YOUNG caught me. Gulp. Think I may be hooked on reading the rest. Thanks, Kayla. Please tell no one I have broken my own rule.
KaylaFioravanti says
Ron it will be our little secret…and anyone else who reads my blog…I’m honored to be the one you broke your “Real men don’t read poetry” rule for.