Nine years ago, on September 9th, 2013, I created my first blog — namely this one!
It’s true I have another one and also that my posting has been nearly nonexistent on both of them this last year, but I still have a huge soft spot for this li’l original blog of mine! So I love to celebrate when it has another “birthday” and today is no exception.
To celebrate, I’m giving away a hardcover copy of In the Region of the Summer Stars by Stephen R. Lawhead, book one in the Eirlandia trilogy! (US only; sorry INT peeps! Scroll down for the info.)
There are a couple of reasons why I chose this book.
One is that, over on my book blog today, I posted a review for the second and third books in the Eirlandia series. So you can CHECK THAT OUT if you like! (And if you haven’t read my review for the first book, which I’m giving away today, you can do so HERE.)
The other reason is . . . Well . . . This little Road of a Writer blog was my first official “internet home” where I put down roots in the blogging community and started sharing my writing journey. It’s . . . been a long and winding road, and sometimes I need to remind myself that the journey is more than the destination (that elusive destination). But more than that, sometimes, like Bilbo Baggins, I have a hankering for a cozy, homey place when the adventure is a little much. That homey place for Bilbo is his Hobbit hole at Bag End in the Shire with the kettle singing. That homey place of the internet for me is this little blog. And one of the homey places I’ve discovered more recently in literature is Eirlandia. It sings to my heart and makes me long to live there, among the rolling green hills and the noble people and the land of wonder. So . . . it felt fitting to share a little bit of that ancient-Ireland home-on-the-page with some other reader, here on the ninth anniversary of my internet home’s foundations being laid.
(And, of course, giving away presents on one’s birthday — or in this case, one’s blog’s birthday — is a time-honored Hobbit tradition, speaking of Bilbo and giveaways.)
To all my readers . . . Thank you for dropping by my internet home! It’s always an honor. ❤
And happy blogiversary to my li’l ol’ blog!
GIVEAWAY
EDIT: Giveaway closed. Congrats to Sarah P.! Thanks, everyone, for entering!
To enter to win, drop by the Rafflecopter at this link!
a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js(Giveaway is open 9/9/22-9/14/22. US only. Must be 18 or have parental permission. One winner will be chosen at random. Winner will be contacted by email and will have one week to respond before another winner is chosen. This giveaway is for one (1) hardcover copy of the book IN THE REGION OF THE SUMMER STARS by Stephen R. Lawhead, is hosted by Deborah O’Carroll, and is not affiliated with the author, WordPress, or any other entity. Not responsible for packages lost in the mail.)
Deborah O'Carroll (Road of a Writer) 
Pingback: Stephen R. Lawhead’s Eirlandia Trilogy (Review of In the Land of the Everliving + In the Kingdom of All Tomorrows) | The Page Dreamer
Ahh, so exciting!! Congratulations, Deborah! Here’s to several more excellent years in the blogosphere! I’ve loved reading your reviews and thoughts over the past couple years!
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Thank you so much, Amelie! That means a lot!! Thank you for reading and for the encouragement!
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I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this series! Stephen R. Lawhead is one of my favorite authors of all time.
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It’s his latest series and it’s so good! Aahhh, that’s so cool! He’s an incredible author and I love his books so much. 🙂
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We just got library cards in our new hometown and I just started reading this series. I am so in love!
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I love that so much! So glad you are enjoying it!
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Happy blogiversary!!! Wow… 9 years. Congrats! And to think, I’m pretty sure I’ve been reading your posts since very near the beginning! 🙂
I have been very much meaning to get my hands on this series and read it. I love Lawhead so much.
I hear you about having a cozy place. My blog is my cozy haven in the stormy interwebby sea as well… and your blog, and Tracey’s and Christine’s and DJ’s and Madeline’s…. all our original Silmaril Hosts, really, have often provided me such lovely places to come and read and discuss books and nerdy stuff and I truly, truly appreciate all your words. Thank you for penning this blog and being one of those cozy, beautiful spots to rest a while.
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*squeaks happily to see my name on this list* Awwww, Jenelle!!! I feel 100% the same way about YOUR blog. It’s such a warm, welcoming, happy place that just fills me up. I’m so grateful to be in such a wonderful blogging circle! ❤
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AGREE! Love both your cozy/welcoming blogs, Jenelle and Lauri! ❤
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Awww! I may cry! Thank you so much for your super kind words! I’m so grateful to have you in my blogging circle and you’ve been such an encouragement for my li’l ol’ blog for so long! Thank youuuuu! And methinks you’d enjoy this Lawhead series! 😀
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Aaaaahhhhh, Celti! THE HAPPIEST OF HAPPY BLOGIVERSARIES!!!!!!!!! *pulls out giant cake and flings confetti* And your 9th one on 9/9 at that. Extra special and fun!!! 😀
I love that this is your cozy space. I understand that feeling. My blog, too, was my first ever real internet space, and though it’s changed and moved around over time, it has always been my safe little corner to pour out my thoughts. There’s something so therapeutic about that.
It has brought me immeasurable joy to be here at the Road of a Writer from the very beginning. Your posts always make me smile and it’s cozy for ME. Coming here feels like settling in the Shire for a little bit of time for tea, and I’m so grateful to you for always bringing the warm feeling.
And this is the nicest you’re giving away this book. My goodness it sounds like SUCH a good read as well. *heart-eyes*
Another major HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY to one of my favorite blogs in existence and one of my favorite PEOPLE ever. <333333
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YOU’RE THE BEST! Thank youuuuuu! T_T I hadn’t thought about it being 9th on 9/9 — you’re right!
Yesss, there’s just something about a magical first blog that’s the original corner and yeah. 🙂
You’re the absolute nicest bean! I’m SO thankful for you being here from the beginning!! Thank you so much for your kind words about my posts and for being my biggest cheerleader. I know your encouragement has been a big part of me managing to blog at all sometimes, so THANK YOU! Your blog feels like a homey place too, and I’m so glad mine does to you too. ^_^
It’s an amazing read, yes!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
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9 years is a very exciting achievement! Congratulations on your blogoversary!
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Thanks so very much, Hazel!
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Wow, I’ve never heard of this series either… and one of my (already published) lands is named ERlandia… hmm… Mr. Lawhead seems to have chosen a eeirily similar spelling!
Anyway, it’s great to see you post something on here again! 🙂
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It’s his most recent series and it’s so good! The Eirlandia name is based on Eire, for Ireland, but how fun it’s similar to your Erlandia!
Thank you!
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That makes sense, from the Irish inspired perspective!
And I am glad to hear his came later than mine… I had it “first”! 😉
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Happy blogiversary! It’s hard to believe it’s been nine years! I know a lot has changed in that time, and blogs have become less and less of a thing, but it’s still lovely to celebrate. ❤ Here's to all the time we've spent chatting and to many years more in the future!
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Thank you so much! It IS hard to believe… and that’s also true about blogs being less of a thing… but yes, still fun. Thank you SO much for all your support and amazing comments through the years! I love your blog so much and I’m definitely grateful for all our chatting in the blogosphere! To many more, indeed! THANK YOU!!!
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Sounds interesting! I’ll have to check it out!
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Thank you! I certainly think it’s interesting. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by! ❤
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Happy blogaversary! Congrats!
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Thank you so much!
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