With a Joyful Noise Giveaway

Amanda, who writes on her blog called, With a Joyful Noise, took me up on the offer of a free copy of In Paths of Righteousness in exchange for posting her honest review of it. She is also offering a giveaway of my book, so go ahead and enter the drawing! I will be mailing the book directly to the winner, so it will be signed by me.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and check out Amanda's blog: www.withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com

Author of My Hope // Review and Giveaway

Several weeks ago I was contacted by a young lady offering to post a review of In Paths of Righteousness on her blog in exchange for a free copy of the book. I am so honored by the sweet comments she posted, and the pictures she took are gorgeous! Please check out Abigail's blog and enter her giveaway.

Also, for any of you who have a blog and would be willing to do something like this, I would love to send you a copy of my book in exchange for your honest review. Please use the contact form on the right to let me know if you are interested!

Have a great weekend!

Keri

And the Winner is...

Alicia Ruggieri!!

Congratulations on winning a free copy of my book! I hope you enjoy it :)

I do have something for the rest of you who entered this drawing and would still like to read In Paths of Righteousness. If you contact me by the end of next week you can get your own copy for only $10, shipping included! Please use the "Contact" form to the right in order to do that. Or you can email me at: 4everwrittenonmyheart@gmail.com

Giveaway // The Beginnings of Book #2

Hello! 

Many people have asked me if I am going to write another book, and as some of you know I am in the process of writing one--a sequel to In Paths of Righteousness.  It has yet to be titled, and is only 50 pages long at the moment, but that's 10 pages longer than it was a week ago :) This time of year it is hard for me to sit down and focus on anything if I know there's work that needs to be done, and it seems like the work never ends. But last week I was able to do some writing, which gets me excited for what this next book holds. A sneak peak anybody?

Isaiah Riley stood looking over the sprawling wheat field that stretched out lush and green in front of him. That familiar feeling of pride swelled up in his chest. It was more than satisfying to see the fruit of his labors and know that it would provide food, clothing and shelter for his family. There was no other feeling like it in the world.

            He looked towards the western sky; a dark blue with heavy rain clouds. “Just in time,” he thought, turning towards the house to go in for supper.

***

            It was just beginning to rain about the time David reached home that evening. As he mounted the porch steps to go inside, Clyde sat in front of the door, whining mournfully with an unusually timid look on his face.

            “What’s the matter, boy?” David questioned the animal, patting him gently on the head. “You want to come inside?”

            David opened the door and Clyde went slinking into the cabin with his tail tucked between his legs. The typically ferocious looking wolf curled up on the rug like a little puppy and continued to whimper with his ears perked at attention.

            “What’s the problem with him?” Levi asked, turning away from the table where he was preparing their supper.

            “I don’t know.” David replied. “He doesn’t act like he’s hurt. Must be afraid of the storm.”

            Distant sounds of thunder rumbled through the forest as the rain began falling harder on the roof.

            “This will be good for our garden,” David said as he walked over to a window and looked out at the downpour, “and everybody’s crops too.” He added.

            A blaze of lightening flashed through the sky, followed by a clap of thunder several seconds later.

            “Papa?” David turned from the window. “Do storms like this make you feel really small?”

            The old man chuckled. “A lot of things make me feel small, David. I used to feel alone and unnoticed at the same time though.” Levi assumed a thoughtful expression that David saw often on his wrinkled face. “But now the things that make me feel so small and helpless remind me more of God’s greatness, and I marvel that He would take notice of little me.”

            “Hmm,” David mused, “I never thought about it quite like that before.”

            Levi and David bowed several moments later to thank God for His provisions for them prior to eating their evening meal. Just as David spoke the word, “Amen,” the pitter-patter of rain on the roof changed to the tinkling sound of ice against the window panes.

100 people have liked Stories by Keri Nicole's facebook page, and since that seems like a big number to me, I'm going to do a giveaway of my book. If you do not yet have a copy of In Paths of Righteousness, or if you know someone you would like to give a copy to, please enter the drawing! Either leave a comment below or on the facebook page to have your name put in! The winner will be announced Saturday morning (July 18th).

Also, you are invited to a book signing this week at Cabin Fever Coffee in Defiance, Ohio. I went in there for the first time recently and it's an adorable little coffee shop. The perfect place to read a book and drink a cup of coffee--or hot chocolate if you're like me. :) I will be there on Wednesday, July 15th, from 9am - 11:30am. I would love to see you there! My book is currently available for purchase there as well. 

Don't forget to enter the drawing! And if you get a chance, come on out to my book signing this week!

May Happenings

Now that May is half over, here's a little overview of what all the goings on are:

~Free shipping seems to be a hit, so that's the name of the game for May! The option for free shipping through my website has been extended through the end of the month.

~I had a book signing at Sauder Village this past Saturday, which was a lot of fun! It was good to see all of my former co-workers on an exciting festival day!

~This coming Saturday, I am thrilled to be going to the Fort Wayne Area Home Schools annual resource expo! I'm sure it will bring back memories of all the years that I went out there with mom to help her pick out curriculum, and I'm excited to be going back with her this year to have a booth of my own! Details about the expo can be found at the FWAHS website: www.fwahs.org

~The Bryan Library offered to host a book signing for me this month. It will be held next Thursday, May 21st, from 5-6pm. More info about the book signing can be found on the Williams County Public Library website. 

If you are from the Northwest Ohio area and looking for a copy of my book, here is a list of local businesses where you can find it:

- Ace Hardware
1495 N. Shoop Ave.
Wauseon, OH 43567
www.acehardware.com
www.facebook.com/wauseonace

- All About Health
1244 N. Shoop Ave.
Wauseon, OH 43567
www.essentialoilshoppe.com
www.facebook.com/all.about.health.store

- Candy Cane Christmas Shoppe
22897 US 20 ALT
Archbold, OH 43502
www.candycanechristmas.com
www.facebook.com/candycanechristmasshoppe

- Sauder Village (gift shop)
22611 St. Rt. 2
Archbold, OH 43502
www.saudervillage.org
https://www.facebook.com/saudervillage?ref=nf

- Current Office Solutions
211 W. High Street
Bryan, OH 43506
www.currentofficesolutions.com
www.facebook.com/CurrentOfficeSolutions

Stories by Keri Nicole has almost reached 100 likes on Facebook! Once we hit that number, I'm going to do a giveaway, so if you have not yet liked the page, be sure to do that and then enter to win a free book!

And for those of you who are curious about another book, it is in the works. It's slow in coming, but what little I have written is better than nothing, right?! I'm praying for the time and focus to be able to make some serious progress on it this summer. I don't want this one to take 4 years like the first one did! :) 

Thoughts from the Tractor Seat // Words

Spring was long in coming this year, but thankfully it has decided to stay this time. The blue skies, sunshine and vibrant colors are enough to make a person smile. :) We've been busy in the fields for about a week, doing tillage and planting corn. A light rain this morning brought things to a bit of a halt, but hopefully just long enough for me to write this blog post. I've been concocting this one in my head for almost a week now, but haven't had the time to post it. So, welcome to the spring edition of "Thoughts from the Tractor Seat", for that is where our story comes from today!

I've been thinking a lot lately about words. I know that may seem like an obvious thing for a writer to say, but it's more than just words themselves--it's the way that words are used and the impact they have on people.

Last Tuesday evening I was field cultivating (and having quite a nice time of it) when I looked back and, much to my dismay, saw hydraulic oil spraying everywhere. Of course I immediately stopped the tractor, got out to assess the damages, and then called Dad to tell him that I had blown a hydraulic line. The hose got fixed first thing the next morning and it was back to the tractor seat for me, but that picture stuck in my mind--a blown hydraulic hose spewing an oily mess all over the place.

It's so easy to let words come gushing out of our mouths when we're frustrated, without thinking what effect those words will have on whoever they are being spoken to or about. I think when I called Dad to tell him what happened, my exact words were something like, "Hey, it's raining over here". But as a friend pointed out, it wasn't a very refreshing rain. :)

Are our words like a cool rain in the heat of summer, bringing life and refreshment? Or are they more like hydraulic oil--black, hot, greasy, and making a mess? Do I use my words to encourage, compliment, and build up those around me? Or do I use them in a way that only tears people down?

My challenge recently has been to speak positively, whether it's to someone, about someone, or just concerning anything in general. Life's problems are much easier to deal with when at least one person can point out the bright side, and I want to be that person.

I guess that's all for now. Dad just called and needs me back out in the field. 

Free shipping on books this week at my website: www.storiesbykerinicole.com

I have several exciting events coming up in May, so I hope to post again to share all of that with you!

Enjoy a beautiful week :)

Keri

   

All Sorts of Things...

Life has been quite random and exciting lately; not to mention extremely busy, which would explain my lack of writing on the blog. The cold, snowy days have brought all sorts of adventures...mostly good ones, but then there's, well, we'll just say I haven't had a dull moment for quite some time! A dull headache maybe, but it's all good, and definitely keeps life interesting. :) 

I was excited to have my first book signing at the Stryker Library early last week. I sold several books, and was pleasantly surprised by the number of people that came. 

Connie even made cookies for the occasion!

 I was interviewed by the religion editor for the Crescent News yesterday, and he is going to put a story in the paper next week about my book! That phone call was quite a surprise!

Besides working on selling books, I've been having a whole lot of fun with Bible Quiz and a new puppy!

Of course there are always a gazillion things to keep me busy around home, as well as the excitement of learning new things, having new adventures and hanging out with friends--both from near and far. Good times...

Oh, and for my readers, you may be interested to know that I've started playing around with a sequel...and it's going to be a good one! 

My next book signing is scheduled for March 26th at the Wauseon Public Library from 5:30 - 8:00 pm. So for anyone who is from around here, you should come! There's going to be food. ;)

Hope y'all are having an awesome weekend! Oh, and please tell me that I'm not the only praying for spring to come...tomorrow would be good. Don't you think?

~Keri