Review
"I've read a lot of books. But I've never read a book quite like this one. And you haven't either. I've also written a bunch of books. But none like this. However, a unique book is just a novelty if it's not also a meaningful book. And Kelly Collins has written a profoundly meaningful book. Honest, raw, and deep, Collins has woven her story in with the interviews and stories of fellow pilgrims, and together the textures and rich colors of these deeply personal narratives make an extraordinary tapestry.
Renowned spiritual writer, Frederick Buechner, said that the reason he had written and published his memoir was because "I'm convinced that the story of any one of us is to some degree the story of us all." One of the treasures of this book is how many of the experiences and emotions will feel familiar because pain, resilience, and recovery are recurring themes in your story also.
And ultimately that's why this book matters--because it's really about your story, especially the chapters yet to be written, chapters you'll be writing with a new perspective, chapters about a painful but redeemed past, a presently transformed life, and a future waiting to be kissed square on the lips."
---Ramon Presson, PhD; licensed therapist and author of When Will My Life Not Suck? Authentic Hope for the Disillusioned
"Reading "The Swipe Right Effect" will likely encourage self-examination and growth. While the following words may sound trite, they are sure to resonate with readers, when Collins writes, "You can always find a lesson to learn from. What is also true is that if you don't put yourself out there, you might not learn, you might not grow and you might not find what you need. It's hard to fail, but it is harder to get to what you truly want without these lessons or without trying."
After completing the book, one understands why the back cover describes it as "the moon reflecting the love light of others."
-Lucie-Anne Dionne-Thomas, Newport This Week Book Review
"Through her openness in sharing the universal emotion of pain, Kelly captures real life examples and solutions which are transferrable to every human being. Each personal story gives a spark of hope that there is a path through pain. As you read each chapter, you gain the awareness that you are not alone in your story. The exercises at the end of each chapter provide insight on how to move through as well as into your next chapter in life with greater peace and grace."
-Allison Morgan, MA, OTR, E-RYT, CEO of Zensational Kids
"If this book has found its way to you, take a moment and look around. Remember who you are and what your outlook on life, love and loss is. Then start reading. You will not be the same person after reading this book that you are now.
You are about to meet your new best friend, Kelly, and she is going to introduce you to some amazing women. Strong, Soft and Smart women who will never leave you. Your story and their stories will weave in and out of each other until wisdom, mercy, self-acceptance and gratitude are more real to you than ever before.
It would take three or four lifetimes to experience all the wisdom these stories contain. Yet, here it is. In one book- through one woman's adventures into living life wholeheartedly."
-Reverend Caren Teichmann, M.Div, Lead Pastor
From the Author
This book is for people feeling stuck.
I'm writing this for all of you who are divorced, never married, lost a partner or feel lost within your own life, your relationship or marriage and you are in search of a new way of life.
You will hear stories about my life and stories from other people who shared life lessons with me. I am eternally grateful to those who invested one of life's most precious commodities in me — TIME. This shared wisdom guided me on the path to healing and thriving. So, in gratitude, I share their stories with you.
It's important to say up front that I am no therapist, no doctor, no minister and no healer. I'm a woman who took time to meet the new me after I was divorced. I am still learning and know now that I want to always be learning, always be open to what life can show me.
Within each chapter I will tell you some of my story, how and when I accepted the wisdom shared with me and then you will hear directly from the giver of the lesson. These interviews are precious to me because I am revisiting the sad time, marveling at the beauty of the gifts and seeing with gratitude how the gift has helped shape the new me. I feel like a butterfly having come out of the cocoon.
The term 'swipe right' became part of our culture through a dating app where swiping someone's picture to the right meant you are choosing them. This book is about swiping right for yourself, your new life, your hopes and your dreams. I wish for you the excitement, peace and contentment that you will come to know as these parts of your life open up.
You might be in a cold dark place right now. After my divorce, I felt unwanted, lonely and used. My children were grown, my husband was gone and my business needed to be sold due to the divorce. My entire life was changing and I felt I had no choice. But then, I did choose — to take one day at a time, one step at a time.
At the end of each chapter, you will find an Empowerment Practice and I'm asking you to do it. I have done all of these, in one form or another, in therapy, workshops or book studies and they have helped me. I put my own twist on them relating them to the lessons from my friends. I won't say it's fun exactly -- but I believe in the power of healing and these can help you get there.
So, there I was, feeling like a seed in the cold, dark ground - alone. It was a safe place of rest where I could gather my strength but this is not a place I wanted to stay. The miracle of joy and happiness was waiting for me.
Picture this for you. It is spring all around you and the sun is beginning to warm the earth. You, my friend, are your own sun. You make the decision to start a new life and your world begins anew. Yes, other people will come into your life and shine light. But it is your own divine light that will heal from within I know this from experience.
This book is like the moon in that it is simply and magically reflecting the light and love of others so that it can be shared with you.
From the Back Cover
Feeling stuck? So was C.K. Collins, aka Kelly.
After experiencing a significant loss over five years ago, Kelly was searching for her new life, her new joy and a new love. She chose to do the hard work to heal and found a new path to empowerment. She chose to swipe right for herself (and she did some dating too).
The Swipe Right Effect was born out of gratitude for all the support and wisdom shared with Kelly in her own recovery from divorce. She shares stories from her personal journey and, importantly, she also interviews ten special friends who shared their hearts and time.
Collectively, they hope to give the reader ideas for a way back to their own happiness. Kelly describes this book as the moon reflecting the love light of others.
About the Author
C.K. Collins, aka Kelly, was the award-winning publisher and owner of a hyperlocal news publishing company in the Nashville, TN area. She sold her company and retired from the industry in 2021.Believing that travel feeds the soul and grows the heart and mind, Kelly embarked on a two-year travel sabbatical which has included trips to Utah, Grand Canyon in Arizona, Buenos Aires, Patagonia, Portugal, Spain, Italy and a 30-day sailing rally from Los Angeles to La Paz, Mexico. In 2018, Kelly hiked the 500-mile Camino de Santiago in France and Spain, hiked a portion of the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire in 2019 and hiked her second Camino (or spiritual hike) in 2022 in Portugal.Kelly grew up in Nashville, TN and is currently residing in Newport, Rhode Island while writing her first book in a four-part series, The Swipe Right Effect. Kelly raised her three girls while moving around the country for work. She lived in Mississippi, Alabama, Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Texas and moved back to Tennessee in 2001. Kelly is very proud of her three grown daughters and their partners and travels to spend time with them as often as possible. --This text refers to the hardcover edition. 
