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Ryan McKinley is first a husband and second a father. Let's just get that out of the way. There is no better job, occupation, or hobby than husband and father.
The good fortune of publishing a book came about through the process of being a dad. Ryan has written numerous stories for his two children, Kyle and Anna, but it wasn't until he heard his daughter's idea for a story that he took action.
"The Pirate Bride" was co-written by Ryan and Anna and published in May 2010, and is beautifully illustrated by Jerry Bennett (artistjerrybennett@gmail.com).
Passions of his include writing, acting, woodworking, charity work with JediOKC, prop building, and film. And stained glass window making, catapults, and travel. And making music with his band, Corn Beef Justice.
Reviewed by Lisa Miller for Readers' Favorite
The Pirate Bride is an intriguing story about Rachel, a 13-year-old who expresses disappointment in going on vacation with her family until her Mom and Dad surprise of her with a surf instructor to help her learn to surf. Rachel is very excited because surfing is her favorite sport, and she has wanted to surf for quite a while. When the family arrives at their vacation spot, Rachel is anxious to begin her surfing lessons. While she is on her surfboard, Rachel really shows the instructor how good she is until distracted, she falls off the surfboard. Rachel goes underwater and then is helped by men she thinks are rescuers. The plot thickens as she thinks this is a dream, but then she asks one of the men what year is it, and his response is 1717.
This story is an adventure on top of more adventure. I enjoyed reading about Rachel and the men who rescue her from the ocean. Rachel expresses the emotions of being lost at sea as a mature thinking adult. The actions of the men run between being just plain mean to opening and accepting of this young girl whom they have named a Sea Witch. Rachel had to earn the trust of one of the men and had to be firm in tone and gesture to get him to allow her to be the person the men needed to help them continue on their journey. She decides that being without her family is the only concern she has until she can get back with them.
I really enjoyed this adventure book. I was able to imagine myself being in the story, giving me the feeling of being on the boat, actually lost at sea. In the end, this is a story about family. When Rachel came back from her adventure she realized there is nothing or no one who can replace the feeling of being with your family.
