Local author pens 12th novel

Filled with an adventurous spirit, Ohio farm girl Jennifer Kileen sets out on a cross-country journey in search of her twin brother in Alaska during the Gold Rush.

Local author Pinkie Paranya tells Jenny's tale in her latest and 12th novel, "Saga of Sourdough Red."

The title of the book reflects the nickname given to the title character for her fiery, long red hair and her skill for making sourdough bread, a staple in pioneers' diets during that time.

Paranya said the bread was so important to the pioneers, and such a versatile food source, that many even slept with the dough to make sure it stayed out of harm's way.

Paranya, one of this area's most successful commercial authors, lives near Winterhaven, Calif.

Publishing houses around the country, including such big names as Harlequin and Silhouette, have bought and published Paranya's books. She does not self-publish. Her very first book, "The Secrets of Sebastian Beaumont," was published by Harlequin under the pseudonym Carrie Peterson and translated into Italian and French.  

Paranya lived in Alaska for several years, a life experience that she said provided the inspiration for "Saga of Sourdough Red."

"There wasn't anything I didn't like about the place," Paranya said of her time in Alaska.

The setting and her characters are her favorite things about the book. "I love the location of it. And of course, I fell in love with one of my heroes."

She said that while living in Alaska, she met a lot of "sourdough prospectors" and "old-timers" who shared their stories with her.

"I just kind of gleaned it all from all of them and put it all together."

Paranya said both men and women will enjoy the book, which offers up a lot of adventure, history, mystery and some romance.

"I just think it's a good adventure," she said.

Paranya, who came to Yuma 34 years ago, is no stranger to adventure and cross-country trips herself.

Born in Phoenix and a graduate of Northern Arizona University, Paranya lived everywhere from Miami to Alaska before moving to Yuma. She said they made the move to the desert Southwest when her husband craved a warmer climate.

She recalled her husband saying: "'I just need to thaw out. I want to go to the warmest place I can think of.'"

"So, we came to Yuma - and we thawed," the author said.

Paranya will host a book signing for "Saga of Sourdough Red" at the Barnes & Noble, 819 W. 32nd St., on Aug. 8. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"Saga of Sourdough Red" is published by The Wild Rose Press.