Journeys change us. In this captivating collection of tales, Linda shares how her lust for adventure was spawned early in the wilds of southeast Alaska. As we follow her in the footprints of such legendary trailblazers as Jack London and Isabella Bird, we come to understand why being in nature is the cornerstone of her work. She seeks to know the joy and wonder of those who have gone before her on a deep and personal level. In these entertaining and illuminating pages find armchair travel at its finest. It stirs the imagination and awakens a sense of adventure. From safari in Africa, to cringe-worthy rafting in the wilds of Alaska, trekking in far-flung Patagonia, or hiking in mystical New Zealand, Linda leads the way. You know you're in for a wild ride from the opening passages of Linda Ballou's new collection of travel stories titled Lost Angel Unleashed. The book is filled with as riotous tales as the scary plane ride she endures in the first story. As a teenager in Haines, Alaska, she committed the unpardonable sin of falling in love with a boy her father didn't approve of. So he hastily packs her off to a distant relative via a mail plane that apparently still operates to this day in Haines. When the pilot objects to flying Linda anywhere due to rough weather, Linda's father insists he take her. "Give it a go," he says, over the pilot's loud objections. It's easy to see from this where Linda herself developed her fearless nature and penchant for off-the-beaten-path trips, many times on her own. Each story here has its own charm. Each is a little nugget of literary deliciousness. If you've read her other Lost Angel books, this one is a wonderfully rich icing on top of the cake. If you haven't, you'll inevitably want to read more. Because her stories do that. She has a knack for making you feel as though you're right there as she embarks on her numerous adventures. Linda recounts her time as a cub reporter in Kauai in the 1970s. Interviewing Suzanne "Bobo" Bollins, a hippie famous in Hawaii for living at the notorious Taylor Camp commune, you feel as though you are right there with them sipping Bobo's merlot as she airily describes her epic miles-long swims in shark-infested waters--naked--whenever she felt the urge to return to drugs. Remarkable woman! But so is Linda. Whether she's trekking through the Colorado Rockies in the footsteps of Victorian gentlewoman Isabella Bird, or discovering rare white pelicans in Morro Bay, it is a gift and a privilege to read these wonderful tales. Lost Angel Unleashed is divided into two sections. Part One, Thanks for the Memories covers pivotal personal events in her life while Part Two, Destinations to Die For, treats the reader to stories related to Linda's experiences with adventure travel. Both are addictive and you just might find yourself staying up late as you decide you want to make time for "just one more" chapter. As Linda explains in her Introduction, this is a book in which she shares stories of a more personal nature than she has previously felt comfortable publishing. She makes this eminently clear with the first story, Bear Heart , in which she shares how at age 14, her life was forever changed, and how the events that ensued over the next couple of years eventually led her to become an author. Lost Angel Unleashed is a scrumptious read. You may find that it is tempting to rush through it, just for the pleasure of letting you eyes "gulp down" Linda's beautifully descriptive prose. But, I recommend that you don't gorge on this book. It's definitely better to read it at a more sedate pace, so that you can really take in all the delightful details she masterfully crafts into each story. That way, the book lasts longer. Highly recommended. Lost Angel Unleashed is the third in Linda Ballou's Lost Angel Travel Series. The first two are Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler's Tales and Lost Angel in Paradise: Outdoor Days From L.A. to the Lost Coast of California . Walkabout covers Linda's travel writing experiences up until about 2010 and Paradise shares 32 of her favorite day trips from Malibu to Mendocino. I have now been privileged to lose myself in all three books, and am delighted to share why I believe the stories contained in Unleashed are truly a gift from Linda to her readers - and not to be missed. Anne Holmes- CEO - National Association of Baby Boomer Women Adventure travel writer, Linda Ballou, is the author of three novels and numerous travel articles appearing in national publications. Linda's Lost Angel Walkabout-One Traveler's Tales is the first installment in her Lost Angel Adventure trilogy. It is an armchair traveler's delight filled with adventure to whet your wanderlust. Linda loves living on the coast of California and has created a collection of her favorite day trips for you in Lost Angel in Paradise. Lost Angel Unleashed the third book in her travel series is travel memoir takes you on her most meaningful jou