Globerovers Magazine, July 2019

BOOK REVIEW
Now available at
Amazon.com and Goodreads.com
Lost Angel in Paradise
by Linda Ballou
Subscribe to Linda‛s blog www.LindaBallouTalkingtoyou.com to
receive updates on her books, travel destinations and events
Globerovers Magazine talks with Linda Ballou about her
newly-released book: Lost Angel in Paradise.
Linda is an adventure travel writer with a host of travel
articles on her site www.LostAngelAdventures.com.
You will also find information about her travel memoir,
Lost Angel Walkabout—One Traveler’s Tales.
GlobeRovers Magazine (GM): What inspired you to write this
book?
Linda Ballou (LB): I love to hike and wander alone. I am fully engaged
when I am in a state of exploration. However, I do love to share
my adventures with friends and this is a way that I can. It is my gift to
all who have asked me to take them with me.
GM: I read your first travel collection “Lost Angel Walkabout” and
loved it, however this book is very different. You provide historical
details, poetic descriptions, and a good place to dine at the end of
beautiful day. It seems to be a cross between a trail guide and nonfiction
travel essays.
LB: Yes, I have been exploring the coast of California for that last
couple of decades. It gives me pleasure to share a well-rounded experience
with a tasty treat at the end of day. Some of these pieces are
remnants of an article I have written about a region, and others are
personal essays reflecting upon the inner journey. Most are a combination
of both genres. I am experimenting with delivering my stories
in a way that works with mobile aps. People are living off their phones
because it is handy for them. The chapters in this booklet are short
and sweet, yet capture the essence of a given outing. I don’t attempt
to give specifics, rather I provide links to sites where readers can get
maps and detailed directions. All the information they need is at their
fingertips. Plus, the table of contents is “live” which allows people to
jump to the chapter that holds interest for them with a click.
GM: Did you learn anything from writing your book? What was
it?”
LB: I learned a great deal about how to create a book that works with
a mobile AP. I am not that techy myself, but it is exciting to make use
of different mediums. There are 33 images in this book. I am very
pleased to have the kindle option with a free AP, and Itunes- Applebooks
that takes readers to their phones available. I found a fabulous
person online who helped me with the formatting and navigating the
process. The book is also available in print format with images.
GM: How did you come up with the title?
LB: Like 17 million other angels, I am lost to the metropolis of Los
Angeles. I have talked for years about leaving L.A., but it doesn’t look
like that will happen. Instead, I have become an adventure travel
writer and L.A. works as a very good base for that occupation. In
addition, my travels have taught me that L.A. is not so bad. I live ten
miles from Malibu with long strands of sandy beach and water warm
enough to swim from April to October. My home is located in the
heart of the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area, the largest urban
preserve in the U.S. with miles and miles of trails
for me to wander. Traffic, floods, fires and mudslides
aside it’s a great place to live!
GM: Is there a message in your book you would like
readers to grasp.
LB: Yes, I want them get the idea that nature can be
our salvation. Urban life is hectic with long commutes
that don’t leave a lot of time for reflection at the end of
the day. We need to balance our lives with “unplugged
time” that allows our minds to relax. We need time
to digest all the stimuli we receive. This quiet time
enables the creative process which decodes and helps
152 Globerovers · July 2019