Kerri Nelson's Blog

So, I haven't been doing a very good job of keeping up with my new What's up Wednesday feature.  Basically, what's been up is that I've been on the road for the entire month of July. Well, that and getting bitten by zombies (check out my FB page for details on that).  Seriously.

BUT...fear not!  I'm back and I brought a friend along with me this week. 

Meet friend and sister author Kelly Rey and be entered to win a PRIZE...



Thanks to everyone for stopping by, and especially thanks to Kerri for inviting me to be part of What’s Up Wednesday. I’d love to hear from you, so if you have room on your to-do list for one more thing, leave me a comment! And as always, from my heart, thanks to you for reading the Jamie Winters mysteries.
Now let’s peek behind the curtain.
When and why did you begin writing?
As far back as I can remember, I’ve been an avid reader and a writer. My grandmother was a writer, as well, and I remember she filled composition books with ghost stories. (That probably explains my fear of the basement.)  I don’t have a clear answer for why I began writing other than to say it was just part of me. I always seemed to have characters in my head and they were always doing various things, and I started writing those things down, binding the finished products with ribbon or staples and giving them a title. Sometimes I’d even illustrate the stories, but I don’t want to talk about that.
What book are you reading now?
I usually have at least two books going simultaneously, and right now my two are Mary Kay Andrews’ Spring Fever and Eoin Colfer’s Plugged.  I’d recommend them both!
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I love to read and I also practice qigong, work out, go for walks and to concerts and sporting events and movies, play with Cody and Benny, our dogs, and Max, the Killer Lovebird. Don’t let the Lovebird part fool you. He’s ill-tempered most of the day. Oh, and I spend time with my husband. Probably should’ve put that first.
What was your first reaction when you found out that you were going to be published?
Disbelief. Soaring excitement. And a rush of humility because it’s such an incredible privilege.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? 
A writer! I swear it’s true.  I knew it at such an early age, I was spared the angst of having no answer when someone asked what I wanted to be when I grew up.
If someone wrote a biography about you, what would the title be?
A Work in Progress. The older I get, the more I realize how little I know, and honestly, I’m enjoying the change in perspective.  It takes a lot of weight off your shoulders to realize the world doesn’t revolve around you.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Yes, and I’m looking here at aspiring writers when I say Do Not Quit. If it’s in your heart to write, write. Don’t worry about genre or what people might say. Write what you want to write, and read broadly, because every book teaches you something. I love motivational sayings, so this seems like a good place to share a few. 
Emerson said “Give all that you have, for what you keep inside you lose forever.” Napoleon Hill said “There are no limitations except those you acknowledge.” Steve Jobs said “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition…Everything else is secondary.”   Life is fleeting. You don’t want to reach its end wondering what might have happened if.  Follow your heart.
What pursuit is in your heart? Leave a comment to this post and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win an autographed copy of Motion for Malice!
 
In Motion for Malice, the second book in the Jamie Winters Mysteries, psychic medium Dorcas Beeber is brash, obnoxious...and dead. Unfortunately for Jamie, she arrives at the psychic's studio for a reading only to find the victim apparently killed by a blow from her own crystal ball. And things only get worse when she suddenly finds herself the prime suspect in the murder. Desperate and running out of time, Jamie and with her landlord's eccentric teenaged niece, Maizy, wade through the pool of disgruntled clients, a family with divided loyalties, a creepy ex-boss, and incriminating news reports to find the real killer...before Jamie's future includes a jail cell! 
Visit KellyReyAuthor.com for details. 

EXCERPT:
Dorcas used to be a cashier at a local Walmart until an unfortunate incident involving a crate of Grape Nuts falling on her head, at which point she apparently saw a vision of dollar signs and began calling herself a psychic.
I glanced down at the crystal ball. For a plain hunk of glass, it wasn’t bad looking. If you stared at it long enough, you could actually see swirls of color and subtle movement deep inside – no, wait. That was Dorcas behind it, impatiently swishing around her flowing robes. That was a relief. 
“I’m not sure -- ” I began.
“I’m getting a vision.” Her gaze drifted to the crystal ball and lingered there, unblinking, for a few seconds. “You have an undesirable in your life. Someone you seek to be rid of. A man.” 
I ran down the list of men in my life. It was a short list, with only Curt Emerson on it, and I definitely didn’t want to be rid of Curt. Curt was a keeper.
“I can’t quite see him clearly…” She frowned at the crystal ball. “He’s dark haired. No, no, he’s a blonde.” 
Good grief.
“His name begins with a D,” she said. “Or perhaps an M.” 
I glanced at Weaver and got another shrug.
“Well.” She looked away, blinking several times. “In time, all will be made clear.” 
“Isn’t she astounding?” Weaver said.
“I’m usually very accurate.” Dorcas shrugged. “But my crystal ball has a crack in it.” 
She could say that again.

So, this week...I went to the beach and I read.  Of course, I also had to keep track of 3 children and 1 hubby but I still managed to get in some quality reading time.  Yay!

And in anticipation of my own summer release a/k/a Killer Beach Reads coming JULY 16th from GH Publishing and featuring no less than 22 stellar reads for your beach reading pleasure...(pauses to catch breath)...I decided to read some of my other fave authors in the meantime.

My Beach Read of the week was the first in a new series by thriller writer Chelsea Cain entitled One Kick.  If you're not familiar with Chelsea, you may want to get caught up on her female serial killer series that will rock your world.  But, if you want to start with her latest series, you will not be disappointed.  I simply fell in love with Kick Lannigan and her damaged soul.  Love this character and was so sad when I reached the last page of this one.  In fact, I sat there staring at the page in the back of the book that states that Book #2 won't be available until January 2016!  What?  #waitingishardtodo

Chelsea has something known to writers as a "fabulous voice".  And for you non-writers, this is basically the way (or style) in which she tells the story.  I really did find myself crawling into her character's mind and taking the journey with her.  I wanted to yell out encouragement for her.  I wanted to jump in there and fight with her.  Most of all, I wanted to give her a big old hug.  Of course, I will advise readers to hug Kick only if you are willing to risk personal injury.  She's tough.

Great plot, lots of action, twists and turns, secrets, love and hate and heartbreak.  This book has it all.  I'm hooked.  #kicktastic

Recommended and two thumbs up.  Or, as my photo above shows...a ten red toenail salute to Chelsea Cain and to Kick.

See you next Wednesday!

So, I come to you this week to tell you... What's up?

Surprise!  I've been honored to have been asked to be the keynote speaker for a library volunteer luncheon later this month.  I am just so humbled to have been asked.  I only hope that I can come up with something interesting to say. 

As a general rule, I have no problem with public speaking.  And, even though there will be the standard butterflies in the stomach situation, I'm not really worried about that aspect.

But I will have to remind myself not to talk too fast and not to go too far off topic.  Do you know that saying, "I asked her what time it was and she told me how they invented the watch"?  Well, that is often true of me. 

And it got me to thinking about the characters in my Working Stiff Mysteries.  How would they handle public speaking if asked to do so? 

Here's what I think would happen:

1.  Mandy Murrin:  She would be fairly comfortable with the prospect.  I think she'd worry about what the audience was thinking of her.  She's not a real fashionista.  So, it would be difficult for her to "dress up" for the event.  She'd be well prepared but she'd be on the lookout for some possible sabotage to come her way.

2.  Ms. Lanier:  She'd wear her Sunday best including a new pair of knee highs and she'd get her hair done at the beauty shop before the appearance.  She'd bring some kind of snack or treat for the event.  Perhaps a nice cobbler?  But she'd much rather be plotting behind the scenes rather than showboating in front of a crowd.

3.  Sundae Giddings:  She'd probably arrive chewing gum and would spend most of her speech popping bubbles or smacking in between awkward wording.  She is definitely not a public speaker, but if you get her to do your hair at Mane Street Styles...she'll tell you everything that is happening in town in two shakes of a lambs tail.

4.  Colin Brooks:  Well, he's a spy for a living so he wouldn't be allowed to give out any information.  So, he'd be there but you'd never know it.

5.  Pickles the dog:  He'd only arrive for food (preferably of the bacon variety) and he'd drool so much on the microphone that it would cause an electrical short in the wiring.  So, he's probably not a great choice.

I'll be back in a couple weeks to tell you how it all went.  Wish me luck!

Have you read Worked to Death?  Book #2 is now available.

Click to Read More!

I'm trying to get back into blogging.  And since I'm so busy with so many projects, I'm only going to commit to Wednesdays for now.  And basically, I'm going to use this time to answer you "What's Up?"  I hope you'll join me on Wednesdays.  At least for the summer months, I'm going to try and keep this going.  I'll have guest visitors and probably a prize or two.  Although, I'm headed to the U.S. Post Office today with no less than 15 prizes that I'm shipping to various month of May winners already!  Whew!

That being said, I'd like to chat about "the tide over" or this is what it's known as in our house anyway.  When I married my hubby, he had a fourteen year old son and he was always hungry.  Always.  He was always asking "when's dinner?" And then, when told that he'd have to wait a ridiculous amount of time (like 20 minutes or so), he'd beg for a "tide over".

This meaning...a snack right before dinner that helps you withstand the long wait so that you don't keel over from pure hunger.

His favorite tide over?  Usually something in the chips and salsa department.

The problem for me is that if I eat chips and salsa before a meal, they will become my meal.  Snacking is dangerous for me in that I'd often rather snack than sit down for full meal.  But my husband would always give him a snack and it never ruined the meal.  He'd always come back for more.  Ah, the metabolism of youth.  Sigh.

These days, we have three more children at home and they often go into the clutching of stomach routine where they swear that they can't possibly make it another minute until dinner is on the table.

And, I wonder, do readers ever feel this way about waiting for the next book in a series?  When it comes to reading, do we sometimes need a tide over?

Well, just in case you feel this way about my Working Stiff Mystery series (I can only hope and dream that you are writhing around in the floor in the hopes that Book #3 won't be too far around the bend), I've written my novella (#2.5) to fill in the gap.  It is entitled "Backyard Bar-be-feud" and features Mandy and the crew from Millbrook back at it again!

You can find this little tide over in the Killer Beach Reads collection available on JULY 16th wherever e-books are sold!

Now, my step son is full grown and out on his own.  He graduated from college back in the spring and he's working a real job (or "the beginning of the end of his life" as he calls it).  He still visits us and almost always asks for a "tide over" before dinner.  Some things never change.

Happy reading,
Kerri 

As some of you know, my daughter Brooke has suffered with Juvenile Diabetes since the age of 2.  And each year, I do all I can to support efforts in finding a cure.  For the last ten years, I've supported the Brenda Novak auction to raise funds for research.

This year, Brenda has pushed the pause button on the auction and instead has set about publishing three amazing anthologies to raise funds for the cause.

Sweet Talk
Contemporary Box Set

Sweet Dreams
Thriller Box Set

Sweet Seduction
Erotic Box Set

Click links above to pick up your copy today and know that you simply cannot lose with this purchase.
Thank you!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  
Wow, I'm really excited about what 2015 will have in store for me and my family.  I'm looking forward to the release of Book #2 in my Working Stiff Mystery series (entitled Worked to Death) and all the new things that I have planned for my cast of characters.

Here are some things going on in January:

I'll be giving away a post-holiday recovery and relaxation kit via my newsletter.  So, if you're not already subscribed, be sure to get on this list before about January 10th or so.  Cause I'll be drawing the winner and posting it in my January newsletter shortly thereafter.  Subscribe here.Don't forget that the Cozy Christmas Capers anthology (a collection of almost 900 pages of mystery, humor, and fun by 19 bestselling authors) will be coming off the e-book shelves for good.  Be sure you pick up your copy no later than January 31st.  Available here.And if you are a writer or know someone who could benefit from a time management workshop, be sure to join me for my upcoming workshop here:
The Book Factory: Producing Multiple Novels in One Year.  Presenter: Kerri Nelson.  Jan 5-31, 2015. Outreach International Romance Writers.Deadline to register: January 5, 2015 Fee: OIRW Member $20 Fee: Non-Member $25
In February, my novel Remote Consequences will be featured in the Gemma Halliday Book Club.  Be sure to follow this page so you can see what we will chat about and I'm sure there will be prizes up for grabs.

Speaking of prizes, I have one more left over from the holiday season.  I'm clearing out my huge book collection and have one more bundle for you. 

Here's how to enter:

Simply comment here on the blog and tell me about your resolutions for the new year and whether or not you think you'll really stick to them (be honest!).  Nothing else is required to enter.  Oh yeah, if you don't leave your e-mail address...I can't contact you if you win.

Naturally, it goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway), I'd love for you to follow this blog, follow me on FB, like my Working Stiff Mysteries page; follow me on Twitter, and share the news of this giveaway.  But none of those things are required to enter.

Here are the previous winners of my Book Bundle Giveaways:

Prior winners:
Week #1: 12/6 through12/12  WINNER:  PAMELA P.!  CONGRATS!
Week #2: 12/13 through 12/19  WINNER:  VERA Z.!  CONGRATS!
Week #3: 12/23 through 12/29 WINNER:  KATHLEEN B.! CONGRATS!

You could be next!  Last week to enter!

Happy Safe and Healthy 2015 to all!


What books are up for grabs this week?

Poisoned Web by Crista McHugh (AUTOGRAPHED COPY)

Hunter's Heart by J.D. Tyler (AUTOGRAPHED COPY)

Whisper in the Wind by Ashley Kath-Bilsky

Deception's Web by Crista McHugh (AUTOGRAPHED COPY)

Half Moon Bay by Helene Young

Dancing With Paris by Juliette Sobanet

Season of the Witch by Silver James (AUTOGRAPHED COPY)

The Witch on Twisted Oak by Susan C. Muller

***UPDATED***:  Winner of Week #3:  CONGRATS KATHLEEN B.***
I've been wrapped up in holiday madness and mayhem, ya'll.  I was supposed to blog Saturday (I think) and post the Book Bundle Week #2 Winner and list the Week #3 books.  But, alas, I'm just as sad as this little boy over his broken candy cane that I didn't get it done.

BUT...  Never fear.  I'm back today and I've extended the contest to allow for 2 more full weeks to enter.  And remember...on every week that you post, you get an additional entry.  But, you only have to comment once to be entered into all four weeks.  Got it?  Good.

I mentioned on FB last night that I've somehow lost the last 3 days.  I've literally been away from home or on the road or at some event or another since Thursday night.  It hasn't slowed down until tonight.  This very moment.  I'm finally catching my breath.  Tomorrow is supposed to be less hectic.  But I'm not letting my guard down.

Anyway, hope you all are having a festive and healthy season.  Here are the rules for entering this week's bundle.  And then I'll list what is up for grabs (unbroken candy cane, not included). :-)

And I'm assuming, of course, that you've already bought and enjoyed Cozy Christmas Capers!  (Insert shameless plug here: Available wherever e-books are sold like here or here for a limited time only!  $1.99 buys you almost 900 pages of holiday humor, mystery, adventure, love and good times.)


Week #1: 12/6 through12/12  WINNER:  PAMELA P.!  CONGRATS!
Week #2: 12/13 through 12/19  WINNER:  VERA Z.!  CONGRATS!
Week #3: 12/23 through 12/29 WINNER:  KATHLEEN B.! CONGRATS!
Week #4: 12/31 through 01/05

To enter:  simply comment here on the blog and tell me something holiday-related.  A holiday joke; your plans for the holidays; how the weather is behaving or misbehaving where you live; or anything you'd like to say about the holidays really.  Just stop by to chat.  Nothing else is required to enter!  Oh yeah, if you don't leave your e-mail address...I can't contact you if you win!

Naturally, it goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway), I'd love for you to follow this blog, follow me on FB, like my Working Stiff Mysteries page; follow me on Twitter, and share the news of this giveaway.  But none of those things are required to enter.

Have a great holiday season!  Stay stress free!



What books are up for grabs this week?

Immortally Embraced by Angie Fox (AUTOGRAPHED copy)Siren's Secret by Debbie Herbert (AUTOGRAPHED copy)Pieces of You by Loreth Anne White (AUTOGRAPHED copy)Midnight Train to Paris by Juliette Sobanet Heart of Constantine by Barbara Monajem (AUTOGRAPHED copy)Symphony of Light and Winter by Renea Mason (AUTOGRAPHED copy)Once Upon a Dream: Briar Rose by Jana Oliver (AUTOGRAPHED copy)Out of Sight Out of Mind by Evonne Wareham 

Happy Hump Day, ya'll...


I'm here with a virtual cookie exchange blog.  And thanks to my lovely sister in mystery, Ellie Ashe for nominating me to participate.

So, here's how this sucker works:

1.  I post a recipe and you bake up the yummy goodness (if you so desire).
2.  I nominate 4 other victims... I mean bakers and they repeat the same process next week on their blogs or FB page or wherever.
3.  They each nominate 4 more people and then COOKIES take over the world (insert evil laughter here).

Whew!  Complicated stuff.

Now on to business, I'm trying to eat healthier and still find a way to enjoy holiday sweet treats.  So, I'm passing on a recipe (slightly tweaked) from a personal trainer friend of mine.  She used all organic stuff and well, I'm not quite that healthy minded.  I cheated on it--a little.  But feel free to swap out the brand/style of ingredients as you choose.

Here goes:

Hot Chocolate Cookies
Ingredients:

1 cup warmed almond butter (I zapped in microwave for about 15 seconds to soften)
1 egg, large
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup white granulated sugar
1/4 cup chocolate chips 



Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350ºF.

2.  Place all ingredients in a large bowl, mix until combined and doughy. Scoop 2 tablespoons per cookie and roll in palm hand to create a ball, then flatten when placing on cookie sheet. Bake 12-15 minutes. Cool.

Makes 16 cookies (I made mine smaller for little hands and I made 23 with this recipe)

Recipe Notes:

I made these last night to test the recipe.  These come out of the oven as very soft cookies.  You absolutely have to let them cool on the baking sheet.  Otherwise, they start to fall apart.  They smell heavenly while cooking and they have a very "dark chocolate" taste.  Almost that bittersweet flavor.  The almond butter is both a healthy choice and a necessity for me as I'm allergic to peanuts.  But peanut butter may very well work and may be sweeter.  I think the recipe could have stood a little more sugar, but again, trying to cut down on the sugar and these are plenty rich without adding more.

So, there you have it.

Now...

To nominate lovelies for this Cookie Swap, I've chosen four amazing romance authors from my past.  I've lost contact with most of these beautiful women over the past couple of years since my switch to the cozy mystery genre.  But they are truly talented and unbelievably kind and generous.  I'm sure some (if not all) of them will carry on the swap. And if you do, be sure to tag Linda Poitevin so that she can add you to the updated list of recipes.

Love to all and Happy Holidays!

I tag the following ladies:

My Ghosts of Christmas Past (miss ya'll so much)!

Denise Alicea
Miriam Newman
Eliza Knight
Rachel Firasek

***UPDATED***:  Winner of Week #2:  CONGRATS VERA Z.***

Much better mood this week, despite the busy busy busy stressful week.  Hard to believe that we are only like 12 days til Christmas!  Wow!

See me above with Santa from last night.  Yes, I'm wearing a ball gown and yes I'm trying to convince Santa that I've been really really good this year.  Do you think I've convinced him?

Anyhow, I'm back with the winner for Week #1 of my Book Bundle giveaway and I'm posting the books up for grabs for Week #2.

While you're entering to win these books by some of my fave authors (some autographed), don't forget to pick up my book Remote Consequences (on sale for $.99 today only as part of the 12 Days of Christmas Sale.)

And I'm assuming, of course, that you've already bought and enjoyed Cozy Christmas Capers!  (Insert shameless plug here: Available wherever e-books are sold like here or here for a limited time only!  $1.99 buys you almost 900 pages of holiday humor, mystery, adventure, love and good times.)

Back to the giveaway, I've divided books into FOUR bundles and the contest will run for 4 weeks.  Each week, I'll draw a winner at random from all the entries.  You only have to enter on one of the weeks to be eligible for one of the bundles, but if you post on all four weeks--you'll naturally have four entries.  See where I'm going with this?  Good, cause I like keeping it simple.

Week #1: 12/6 through12/12  WINNER:  PAMELA P.!  CONGRATS!
Week #2: 12/13 through 12/19
Week #3: 12/20 through 12/26
Week #4: 12/27 through 01/02

To enter:  simply comment here on the blog and tell me something holiday-related.  A holiday joke; your plans for the holidays; how the weather is behaving or misbehaving where you live; or anything you'd like to say about the holidays really.  Just stop by to chat.  Nothing else is required to enter!  Oh yeah, if you don't leave your e-mail address...I can't contact you if you win!

Naturally, it goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway), I'd love for you to follow this blog, follow me on FB, like my Working Stiff Mysteries page; follow me on Twitter, and share the news of this giveaway.  But none of those things are required to enter.

Have a great holiday season!  Stay stress free!


What books are up for grabs this week? Bitter Disenchantment by Shawntelle MadisonThe Mound Dwellers by Minta MonroeMurder in Thrall by Anne Cleeland (Hardcover edition)Resolutions by Teri RiggsFalling for Frederick by Cheryl Bolen (AUTOGRAPHED)A Soul for Vengeance by Crista McHugh (AUTOGRAPHED)Hot Water by Maggie Toussaint The Five Deaths of Roxanne Love by Erin QuinnImmortally Ever After by Angie Fox (AUTOGRAPHED)Fiery Edge of Steel by Jill Archer (AUTOGRAPHED)

***UPDATED:  More Winners Announced***
It just occurred to me today that I'm a part of so many giveaways this season that I can barely keep up.  The clock is ticking down to Christmas and I have so many things to do.  I don't want to lose track of all the stuff I've promised to others.

So, I want to be sure that everyone signs up for the things they'd like to win and help remind me if I've forgotten something.

Contests of Christmas Past (well, not really Christmas past but they've already ended):

Fall for Me Giant Bag of Fun  Winner:  Amanda B. (already shipped out)!

Laffeinated Ink Blog Kindle HDX Giveaway  Winner: Cecelia Kelsey (already shipped out)!


Kerri Nelson November Newsletter 3 Gift Cards Giveaway:  Deadline to Enter 12/10/14 (winners announced in my December newsletter approx 12/15/14).  Winners:  Annette T., Leslie G, and Susan C. (all prizes delivered!)


Kerri's Laffeinated Ink Mistletoe Ornament Giveaway: Deadline to Enter 12/14/14.  Winner:  Cindy Rodgers (already shipped out!)

Gemma Halliday's 12 Days of Christmas Sale!  And Crystal Charm Bracelet Giveaway!
Winner:  Elaine Weston


Contests of Christmas Present (the deadlines loom!):

Kerri's Blog 4 Weeks of Book Bundles: Runs 12/6 through 1/02!  Win books each week!
Details here.

Week #1 Winner:  Pamela P.
Week #2 Winner:  Vera Z.
Week #3 Winner:  Kathleen B.
Week #4 Winner:  Sally C.


Contests of Christmas Future:

Subscribe to my Newsletter and be entered to win a Post-Holiday Stress Relief Goodie Bundle.

Sign up here:
http://www.kerrinelson.com/newsletter.html

Check back to find out what's next!  Subscribe to the blog and follow me on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on more FREE stuff!

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Twitter: @kerribookwriter