Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Life in High Def
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://kimberlycoopergriffin.com/
CITY: Denver
STATE: CO
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
RESEARCHER NOTES:
Unable to access LOC entry
PERSONAL
Born in San Diego, CA; married; children: three daughters.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Novelist, technical program manager. GTE Government Systems, lead satellite controller, 1989-93; Qwest, director of operations, 1993-2001; Adicio Inc., senior account manager, 2004-12; ServiceNow, service manager, operations, 2012-14.
MIILITARY:Air Force.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Born in San Diego, California, Kimberly Cooper Griffin is a technical program manager who has worked at GTE Government Systems, Qwest, and Adicio Inc. She also writes lesbian romance fiction. A former member of the Air Force, Griffin settled down in Denver, Colorado, with her wife and children. On her love of writing romance novels, Griffin said on her Kimberly Cooper Griffin Website that women are powerful and can surmount any obstacles if they are determined, and “Nothing is more attractive than a woman taking control of her situation and opening her heart to a little romance in the process.”
Life in High Def
In 2016, Griffin’s award-winning Life in High Def was published. It follows glamorous Academy Award-winning actress Reilly Ransome who should have everything she wants, but finds something lacking in her life. She engages in dangerous behavior, and with an open relationship with her girlfriend Sylvie, Reilly has many empty sexual encounters. In addition, Hollywood is full of alcohol and drug abuse, and Reilly’s mother Melissa is her manager. One day Reilly wakes up on a deserted beach at the Santa Monica pier learning that she has killed a man with her car. She quickly finds herself in prison. Learning a lesson in what’s important in life, Reilly withdraws from her famous life to search for meaning. She finds romance with yoga instructor Drew and friendship with a man named Hank.
According to a reviewer online at Blue Ink Review, some scenes drag on, such as when Reilly holds a television interview to tell her tragic story to the public; Melissa’s acceptance of Reilly’s sexual orientation is too abrupt; and short, choppy chapters in the beginning reveal disconnected events in Reilly’s life. Nevertheless, the reviewer concluded: “With skilled pacing, believable dialogue and tasteful love scenes, Life in High Def ultimately delivers a compelling tale. Satisfied readers are sure to eagerly await Griffin’s next book.” In Clarion Reviews, Vernieda Vergara called the book a powerful debut that examines how people achieve fulfillment in their lives. Vergara said: “Even though her actions may not always be admirable, Reilly remains sympathetic throughout due to her flaws and vulnerabilities. More importantly, Life in High Def highlights the significance of self-forgiveness and self-love.”
Chasing Mercury
Griffin followed up the book with the 2017 Chasing Mercury. Retired software developer Nora Kavendash is in a plane that crash lands in the Alaskan wilderness. She must care for a fellow survivor, a woman who is suffering from amnesia and whom Nora names 4B, after her seat number. As they huddle around a fire and wait for rescue, their attraction for each other grows and a romance is ignited. However, after rescue, the two women learn that romance during adversity is very different than romance conducted in the safe world of normal lives. Nora worries about 4B regaining her memory, which leads to a deeper mystery of her identity. Will she remember Nora? Will she acknowledge if she is gay? Will she want to establish a lasting relationship with Nora?
Claire Foster declared in Clarion Reviews: “Griffin has a savvy, deft touch as she weaves in rich, vivid details that range from sexy to startling.” Foster added that the book “gives both well-written characters ample opportunity to grow. Griffin has a savvy, deft touch with fiction. She weaves in rich, vivid details.” Foster also noted that, set in the Alaskan wilderness, Chasing Mercury is at its best when it focuses on the core characters of Nora and 4B, who are sharply drawn, interesting, realistic, and their improbably romance is believable.
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Clarion Reviews, November 17, 2016, Vernieda Vergara, review of Life in High Def; December 5, 2017, Claire Foster, review of Chasing Mercury.
ONLINE
Blue Ink Review, https://www.blueinkreview.com/ (November, 2016), review of Life in High Def.
Kimberly Cooper Griffin Website, https://kimberlycoopergriffin.com (April 1, 2018), author profile.
HELLO, MY FRIEND!
Kimberly Cooper Griffin, Author
Thanks for visiting my official website!
If you’re here, you probably followed a link so you know who I am. But for those of you who may have just stumbled into my dungeon, I’m Kimberly Cooper Griffin, award-winning author of lesbian romance novels. I only mention the award-winning thing because it gives me a little credibility so, hopefully, you’ll buy my books. Also, I’m pretty excited to have won an award for my debut novel, Life in High Def! I’m still doing a happy dance over here!
I like to write books about strong women who overcome challenging personal hurdles. It doesn’t matter if you’re an Academy Award-winning actress, a software developer living in Alaska, or a new attorney who just passed the bar exam, life can be pretty tough. But women are powerful, and they can surmount any obstacle when they put their mind to it. Nothing is more attractive than a woman taking control of her situation and opening her heart to a little romance in the process.
These days, I’m finishing up my third novel, Without a Net, and sketching out the framework of the one that will come after that. I’m kicking around throwing in a little paranormal into my work, so I hope you look forward to seeing something a little different.
Drop me a line if you are so inclined. I love to hear from my readers!
Love,
Kimberly
Kimberly Cooper Griffin is a technical program manager by day and a romance novelist by night. Born in San Diego, California, Kimberly joined the Air Force, travelled the world, and eventually settled down in Denver Colorado, where she lives with her wife, the youngest of her three daughters, and a menagerie of dogs and cats. When Kimberly isn’t working or writing, she enjoys a variety of interests, but at the core of all of it all, she has an insatiable desire to connect with people and experience life to its fullest. Every moment is collected and archived into memory, a candidate for being woven into the fabric of the tales she tells.
Kimberly Cooper Griffin
3rd degree connection3rd
Senior Problem Manager at ServiceNow - The Enterprise IT Cloud Company
ServiceNow - The Enterprise IT Cloud Company Denver, Colorado 500+ 500+ connections
Connect Connect with Kimberly Cooper Griffin More actions
Experience
ServiceNow - The Enterprise IT Cloud Company
Senior Problem Manager
Company NameServiceNow - The Enterprise IT Cloud Company
Dates EmployedJan 2014 – Present Employment Duration4 yrs 3 mos
LocationGreater Denver Area
Fresno Fire & Metal
Board Member
Company NameFresno Fire & Metal
Dates EmployedMar 2010 – Present Employment Duration8 yrs 1 mo
Fresno Fire and Metal is a start-up non-profit educational facility that seeks to offer both fine and industrial arts instruction to youth and adults with an emphasis on eco-friendly practices and providing scholarships to under-privileged youth.
ServiceNow
Service Manager - Operations
Company NameServiceNow
Dates EmployedDec 2012 – Jan 2014 Employment Duration1 yr 2 mos
LocationGreater San Diego Area
Focused on Cloud Operations Problem Management for Continuous Service Improvement.
Service-now.com
Customer Success Manager
Company NameService-now.com
Dates EmployedApr 2011 – Dec 2012 Employment Duration1 yr 9 mos
Adicio Inc.
Senior Account Manager
Company NameAdicio Inc.
Dates Employed2004 – Nov 2009 Employment Duration5 yrs
Qwest
Director Operations
Company NameQwest
Dates Employed1993 – 2001 Employment Duration8 yrs
GTE Government Systems
Lead Satellite Controller
Company NameGTE Government Systems
Dates Employed1989 – 1993 Employment Duration4 yrs
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Print Marked Items
Life in High Def
Vernieda Vergara
Clarion Reviews.
(Nov. 17, 2016):
COPYRIGHT 2016 ForeWord
https://www.forewordmagazine.net/clarion/reviews.aspx
Full Text:
Kimberly Cooper Griffin; LIFE IN HIGH DEF; Skeetie B's (Fiction: LGBT) 15.95 ISBN: 9780997219012
Byline: Vernieda Vergara
This perceptive and sensitive novel is an inspirational reminder that the approval that matters most comes
from within.
Kimberly Cooper Griffin examines how people struggle to find fulfillment in her powerful debut, Life in
High Def.
When a shocking event sends a Hollywood actress's glamorous existence off course, she is forced to
reevaluate her choices and priorities in order to make amends. The heroine's inspirational transformation
demonstrates how anyone can change for the better -- and that success ultimately hinges upon assuming
control and taking responsibility.
Reilly Ransome enjoys a life many people would kill for. Not only does she have her pick of coveted movie
roles, but her acting efforts have received award recognition. A carefully cultivated public persona keeps
her in the spotlight, and an open relationship with her girlfriend means countless people seek to share her
bed.
But that all changes one fateful night, and Reilly must pick up the pieces in the years to follow. The plot that
unfolds doesn't shy away from portraying Hollywood's less than savory aspects.
From rampant drug use to a mother who doubles as her manager, Reilly embodies many familiar concepts.
Sexual escapades, alcohol dependence, and casual cocaine use are stereotypical hallmarks of a former child
star who grew up in extraordinary circumstances and never had a chance to ground herself. The frequency
of scandalous exploits, however, veers into repetitious territory.
By contrast, the time Reilly spends in prison offers a fascinating, if unflinchingly brutal, glimpse into the
experiences of incarcerated women. While her ability to avoid more humiliating encounters with hardened
criminals may stretch believability, her fortune offers a welcome reprieve from an otherwise horrifying
environment.
Although Reilly's empowering journey from Hollywood party girl to yoga-practicing former inmate
reinforces the idea that money and fame cannot deliver true happiness, the paper-thin portrayal of her
3/24/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1521954288731 2/4
romantic partners weakens the message.
Girlfriend Sylvie represents the wilder aspects of celebrity culture but seems one-note and superficial,
which is further bolstered by her role in the evening that changed Reilly's life. Yoga teacher Drew
represents the fulfillment Reilly can achieve if she can succeed in shaking off her former image, but the
speed at which the two proceed from lust to love relies on stale wish-fulfillment tropes to succeed.
On the other hand, Griffin portrays nonromantic relationships with incisive nuance. The unwavering
support that Reilly receives from Hank offers a pleasant contrast from the judgment and betrayal she
receives from other people in her life. The complicated relationship Reilly has with her mother echoes the
struggles many people have with their parents regardless of their place in society. Her struggles to balance
independence with allowing her mother into her life are among the more relatable takes in the novel.
Kimberly Cooper Griffin tackles the glitzy Hollywood lifestyle with perceptive sensitivity through an
actress who discovers meaning and tranquility in the most terrible of circumstances. Even though her
actions may not always be admirable, Reilly remains sympathetic throughout due to her flaws and
vulnerabilities.
More importantly, Life in High Def highlights the significance of self-forgiveness and self-love -- because
even if millions of people adore you, what matters most is that you accept yourself.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Vergara, Vernieda. "Life in High Def." Clarion Reviews, 17 Nov. 2016. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A470902381/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=8a81109e.
Accessed 25 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A470902381
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Chasing Mercury
Claire Foster
Clarion Reviews.
(Dec. 5, 2017):
COPYRIGHT 2017 ForeWord
https://www.forewordmagazine.net/clarion/reviews.aspx
Full Text:
Kimberly Cooper Griffin; CHASING MERCURY; Night River Press (Fiction: Romance) 15.95 ISBN:
9780997219036
Byline: Claire Foster
Kimberly Cooper Griffin has a savvy, deft touch as she weaves in rich, vivid details that range from sexy to
startling.
Love is a hardy flower that can blossom in the midst of adversity, as Kimberly Cooper Griffin shows in
Chasing Mercury, a tense, exciting lesbian romance that takes its characters to the limits of themselves.
After a traumatic airline crash, Nora discovers that she's not the only survivor. She pulls a mysterious,
beautiful woman from the crumpled body of the plane. Although badly battered and suffering from
amnesia, the woman -- who's known for the majority of the novel by her seat number, 4B -- slowly revives.
Her attraction to Nora is undeniable, and the two women bond with an intensity that is hotter than a
campfire. While they wait for rescue, they fall for one another. Returning to the everyday world, however, is
another matter.
Chasing Mercury explores questions of intimacy and identity. The bond between Nora and 4B is
unquestionable, but who is 4B? Will she, as Nora worries, remember who she is and realize that she's not
actually gay? Or that she's in a relationship already? As 4B's memory slowly returns, the tension rises. A
thrilling element is added by the deeper mystery of her identity, what she was doing on the plane, and why
she's so drawn to Nora.
The main characters are wonderful foils for one another. Nora, a human Swiss Army knife, is cool under
pressure, experienced in both the boardroom and the backcountry. 4B, on the other hand, is too hot to
handle. Chasing Mercury gives both well-written characters ample opportunity to grow.
Griffin has a savvy, deft touch with fiction. She weaves in rich, vivid details that range from sexy to
startling: for example, after the plane crash Nora sees "a thin black stream of smoke snaking up from one of
the larger sections of the plane, threading its way upward." Griffin's wonderful characterization and
adventurous storytelling make this the best kind of page-turner. She stays away from familiar butch/femme
roles and instead puts Nora and 4B into "no man's land." Other characters, such as Nora's Aunt Mace, are
lively and fun, and also avoid strong gender stereotypes. Griffin's refreshing take on love, family, and
relationships is excellent.
Although the first two acts of the novel are fast-paced and satisfying, Chasing Mercury falters somewhat
when Griffin overextends the plot. Her characters are sharp, interesting, and realistic; their problems,
though improbable, are believable. The story is at its best when it maintains a tight focus on the core
characters. Less truly is more in this exciting, gripping novel.
Chasing Mercury is a thriller that explores the landscape of the Alaskan wilderness and the human heart.
3/24/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
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Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Foster, Claire. "Chasing Mercury." Clarion Reviews, 5 Dec. 2017. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A518321632/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=cf70aa61.
Accessed 25 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A518321632
LIFE IN HIGH DEF
Kimberly Cooper Griffin
Night River Press (Jun 1, 2016)
Softcover $15.95 (362pp)
978-0-9972190-1-2
2016 INDIES Winner
Gold, Erotica (Adult Fiction)
2016 INDIES Finalist
Finalist, Romance (Adult Fiction)
Clarion Rating: 4 out of 5
This perceptive and sensitive novel is an inspirational reminder that the approval that matters most comes from within.
Kimberly Cooper Griffin examines how people struggle to find fulfillment in her powerful debut, Life in High Def.
When a shocking event sends a Hollywood actress’s glamorous existence off course, she is forced to reevaluate her choices and priorities in order to make amends. The heroine’s inspirational transformation demonstrates how anyone can change for the better—and that success ultimately hinges upon assuming control and taking responsibility.
Reilly Ransome enjoys a life many people would kill for. Not only does she have her pick of coveted movie roles, but her acting efforts have received award recognition. A carefully cultivated public persona keeps her in the spotlight, and an open relationship with her girlfriend means countless people seek to share her bed.
But that all changes one fateful night, and Reilly must pick up the pieces in the years to follow. The plot that unfolds doesn’t shy away from portraying Hollywood’s less than savory aspects.
From rampant drug use to a mother who doubles as her manager, Reilly embodies many familiar concepts. Sexual escapades, alcohol dependence, and casual cocaine use are stereotypical hallmarks of a former child star who grew up in extraordinary circumstances and never had a chance to ground herself. The frequency of scandalous exploits, however, veers into repetitious territory.
By contrast, the time Reilly spends in prison offers a fascinating, if unflinchingly brutal, glimpse into the experiences of incarcerated women. While her ability to avoid more humiliating encounters with hardened criminals may stretch believability, her fortune offers a welcome reprieve from an otherwise horrifying environment.
Although Reilly’s empowering journey from Hollywood party girl to yoga-practicing former inmate reinforces the idea that money and fame cannot deliver true happiness, the paper-thin portrayal of her romantic partners weakens the message.
Girlfriend Sylvie represents the wilder aspects of celebrity culture but seems one-note and superficial, which is further bolstered by her role in the evening that changed Reilly’s life. Yoga teacher Drew represents the fulfillment Reilly can achieve if she can succeed in shaking off her former image, but the speed at which the two proceed from lust to love relies on stale wish-fulfillment tropes to succeed.
On the other hand, Griffin portrays nonromantic relationships with incisive nuance. The unwavering support that Reilly receives from Hank offers a pleasant contrast from the judgment and betrayal she receives from other people in her life. The complicated relationship Reilly has with her mother echoes the struggles many people have with their parents regardless of their place in society. Her struggles to balance independence with allowing her mother into her life are among the more relatable takes in the novel.
Kimberly Cooper Griffin tackles the glitzy Hollywood lifestyle with perceptive sensitivity through an actress who discovers meaning and tranquility in the most terrible of circumstances. Even though her actions may not always be admirable, Reilly remains sympathetic throughout due to her flaws and vulnerabilities.
More importantly, Life in High Def highlights the significance of self-forgiveness and self-love—because even if millions of people adore you, what matters most is that you accept yourself.
Reviewed by Vernieda Vergara
November 16, 2016
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The author of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the author will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
CHASING MERCURY
Kimberly Cooper Griffin
Night River Press (Jun 1, 2017)
Softcover $15.95 (307pp)
978-0-9972190-3-6
2017 INDIES Finalist
Finalist, Romance (Adult Fiction)
Clarion Rating: 5 out of 5
Kimberly Cooper Griffin has a savvy, deft touch as she weaves in rich, vivid details that range from sexy to startling.
Love is a hardy flower that can blossom in the midst of adversity, as Kimberly Cooper Griffin shows in Chasing Mercury, a tense, exciting lesbian romance that takes its characters to the limits of themselves.
After a traumatic airline crash, Nora discovers that she’s not the only survivor. She pulls a mysterious, beautiful woman from the crumpled body of the plane. Although badly battered and suffering from amnesia, the woman—who’s known for the majority of the novel by her seat number, 4B—slowly revives. Her attraction to Nora is undeniable, and the two women bond with an intensity that is hotter than a campfire. While they wait for rescue, they fall for one another. Returning to the everyday world, however, is another matter.
Chasing Mercury explores questions of intimacy and identity. The bond between Nora and 4B is unquestionable, but who is 4B? Will she, as Nora worries, remember who she is and realize that she’s not actually gay? Or that she’s in a relationship already? As 4B’s memory slowly returns, the tension rises. A thrilling element is added by the deeper mystery of her identity, what she was doing on the plane, and why she’s so drawn to Nora.
The main characters are wonderful foils for one another. Nora, a human Swiss Army knife, is cool under pressure, experienced in both the boardroom and the backcountry. 4B, on the other hand, is too hot to handle. Chasing Mercury gives both well-written characters ample opportunity to grow.
Griffin has a savvy, deft touch with fiction. She weaves in rich, vivid details that range from sexy to startling: for example, after the plane crash Nora sees “a thin black stream of smoke snaking up from one of the larger sections of the plane, threading its way upward.” Griffin’s wonderful characterization and adventurous storytelling make this the best kind of page-turner. She stays away from familiar butch/femme roles and instead puts Nora and 4B into “no man’s land.” Other characters, such as Nora’s Aunt Mace, are lively and fun, and also avoid strong gender stereotypes. Griffin’s refreshing take on love, family, and relationships is excellent.
Although the first two acts of the novel are fast-paced and satisfying, Chasing Mercury falters somewhat when Griffin overextends the plot. Her characters are sharp, interesting, and realistic; their problems, though improbable, are believable. The story is at its best when it maintains a tight focus on the core characters. Less truly is more in this exciting, gripping novel.
Chasing Mercury is a thriller that explores the landscape of the Alaskan wilderness and the human heart.
Reviewed by Claire Foster
December 5, 2017
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The author of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the author will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Life in High Def
Kimberly Cooper Griffin
Publisher: Night River Press Pages: 348 Price: (paperback) $15.95 ISBN: 9780997219012
Reviewed: November, 2016
Author Website: Visit »
In Life in High Def, the first female/female romance by Kimberly Cooper Griffin, young actress Reilly Ransome discovers not only love, but personal responsibility, redemption and forgiveness.
Reilly has a film career that many admire. She started acting very young and quickly rose to celebrity, winning an Academy Award. But in the meantime, she has lost herself in an endless round of parties, drinking, and drugs, encouraged by friends, fans, and even her publicity-hungry mother, Melissa, her manager.
One night, a nightmare begins when Reilly wakes on a bench at the Santa Monica pier surrounded by the flashing lights of police vehicles and a dead man killed by her car lying nearby.
As Reilly struggles to come to terms with the turn her life has taken, she discovers the healing potential of yoga. She meets Drew Tamrin, an exceptional yoga teacher, who helps Reilly understand that people are more than the events of their lives, and that we must forgive ourselves for being less than perfect.
Some of the revelatory passages—as when Drew explains her past to Reilly, or the final television interview where she tells her public about that awful night—drag a bit. And the sudden acceptance by Reilly’s mother of her daughter’s sexuality is a bit too abrupt to ring true. Also, Life in High Def gets off to a bit of a bumpy start. Short, early chapters covering disconnected events in Reilly’s life give the narrative a choppy feel.
But the storytelling soon smoothes out, and readers are irresistibly drawn into Reilly’s efforts to regain control of her life. With skilled pacing, believable dialogue and tasteful love scenes, Life in High Def ultimately delivers a compelling tale. Satisfied readers are sure to eagerly await Griffin’s next book.
Also available in hardcover and ebook.
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