Four days away from our due date and counting! We have two exciting events for you to attend! The debut poetry book of poet and author Christine O’Riley will be born on October 19 ! Poems from the Secret Place: Selections to Honor the Wonder of Life’s Times and Seasons is live for preorders for print books, hard cover and paperback at www.barnesandnoble.com and other bookstores accessed through this complete title on google. Ebooks may be preordered now on kdpamazon.com The author poet will be at Alpha & Omega Bookstore in Gates, NY signing books at 12 noon until 2 pm. in the evening, she will have a second book signing event at Awakening Cafe’, housed in Encounter Church at 3355 Union St., north Chili, NY. from 6 pm to 7:30 pm.
Welcome to my website and online home.
Please visit it’s rooms, found by clicking on them in the upper right portion of this “front door.” Among them, I invite you to enjoy my blog page with its new entries from time to time. Please respond by leaving a reply comment at the bottom of the story. I look forward to reading your remarks. And make sure to leave your email so you will be notified whenever I post a new blog story.
Book News
You can now purchase a copy of The Wondrous Story of the Little Shoe or Poems from the Secret Place on Venmo ! Just scan or type in info here, then email me at Chrisoriley1953@gmail.com and we can make arrangements to get a copy to you, locally or by mail!
“The Wondrous Story of the Little Shoe” is now available at four Adirondack locations!
“The Hub” Real Food Market and Eatery in Tupper Lake has it in their gift shop area:
“Hoss’s Country Corner” renowned in Long Lake is pleased to carry it on their shelves:
Available with a fresh supply of books through “Irish Treasures” in Lake Placid on Main St. Tiffany has them in her back room of treasures!
Available in the Children’s Book Room Section of “Old Forge Hardware Store”
Loving the story of the little shoe, the look on this little one’s face says it all!
Library News
A young mom was visiting Gates Public Library recently when she saw this book being featured. She sought me out, introducing herself at a public gathering to tell me about it. :
Another lover of fine books sent this photo to me of himself discovering this book being displayed in Lake Placid Public Library:
And more recently, I visited Lake Placid Library and checked in with a special friend…
An Unexpected Honor at My Highschool Reunion
So there we were, gathering to commemorate our high school graduation that occurred back in 1971 from IHC in Watertown NY. From all walks of life, not all but many came to Clayton NY, overlooking the mighty St. Lawrence River on a warm summer evening to celebrate each other. We shared life stories and caught up with each other’s journeys over the years. Several knew that I had a book out. They had seen it on social media. Some had purchased it. I was asked by one person if I had any copies in my car. I usually do. In the midst of our event, an announcement was made that I could not have seen coming. One of the organizers spoke ” There is a published author among us. Chris Fluno O’Riley has recently released her first book. I am going to ask her to go to her car now and bring us whatever copies she has. You are welcome to purchase one and have her sign it.” And so an impromptu selling and signing happened that I will never forget. For someone who was asked to write poems for our yearbook fifty years ago, this unexpected honor was especially sweet and meaningful. It brought a special kind of full circle closure to my life on this balmy summer evening gathering on The mighty St. Lawrence. Thank-you IHC class of 1971!
Bookstore book-signing celebration and story-telling
Our book-signing and storytelling event at Alpha & Omega Bookstore was a phenomenal success! Many families, children and grandmas came out to participate. I shared the true story and read from The Wondrous Story of the Little Shoe. The original little brown shoe was there as well as official Little Shoe cut-out, decorated cookies made by the book’s wonderful illustrator, Corinne Kelly, which were enjoyed by many. Coloring pages based on the illustrations were given away as well as designer Little Shoe bookmarks. The event was on Facebook live and actually went overtime by a half-hour. Many books were sold and signed. A wondrous celebratory atmosphere was enjoyed by all. We hope to have more events like this at local venues in the future, so stay tuned !
Thank-you for visiting my online home
From here you can continue to find out what I am up to, enjoy my blog stories and respond to them with a comment. My first children’s book, based on an inspirational true story, The Wondrous Story of the Little Shoe, was published by Celtic Cottage Press and launched on Sunday November 22, 2020. It is doing well in bookstores and online in the U.S. and internationally. It is currently available in four public libraries in the Rochester N.Y. area. You may also find it on the shelves at Lift Bridge Book Store on Main Street in Brockport, NY., Spencerport Family Apothecary and Alpha & Omega Bookstore in Greece, NY.
If you are interested in purchasing an author signed copy for yourself, your child or grandchild, private message me on FB, reach out to me per my contact page or comment on a blog here and we can make arrangements to take care of you. This book is also available through bookstores everywhere, on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com. E-books are currently available on Kindle KDP, Smashwords and Bookbub.
About the Book
A mother’s heart longs to find her child’s little shoe that’s lost and alone outside in the dark. How could such a small thing be so important?
The Wondrous Story of The Little Shoe is based on a true story. Walk with your child or grandchild through the miracle of a precious thing wondrously found. Thrill to a father’s tender discovery and to how the timeless tale unfolds once more many years later, when the faith of the one searching encounters wonder yet again.
A treasured journey that crosses generations, The Wondrous Story of the Little Shoe will delight and inspire. Read it to your children and grandchildren, and rekindle the joy of being found once again.
This is a simple, beautiful delightful story full of hope and promise,… a story also of One who always deeply cares and has the power to bring forth a joyful restoration.
—Lina Luz Castaneda, M.D.
An enchanting story meant to be read aloud and enjoyed with loved ones. From the wondrous illustrations to the delightful rhyming cadence, The Wondrous Story of the Little Shoe has a lasting message for all ages.
—Donna Sloan, Author, An Adirondack Grandma
Celtic Cottage Press Lore and Brand
” Publishing stories that restore the wonder to life”
This graphic image was designed for me by my friend and wonderful “Tech Guy,” Andrew Hakes. As I shared my vision for this page, he saw this image and brought it forth.
The center design emerged when my initials, C, A, O were repeated in a circular fashion. The green speaks of life-giving words and my identity as a well-loved daughter. It also alludes to the call of the redeemed Celtic legacy I have inherited as well as the desire to facilitate encounters of wonder in every day life.
The design of my initials is repeated in each corner of the filigreed princess-like tiara design that frames the entire image. This speaks of the Celtic Princess and again the identity of the well-loved daughter.
The simple yet elegant rope surrounding the center image and connecting it to the corners is the “three-fold cord that is not easily broken.” While only two strands of the rope seem to appear, there is a third unseen strand which weaves through and covers them with strength, protection and authority to fulfill destiny.
I have chosen this image as my brand for this site and the imprint for my publishing company, “Celtic Cottage Press,” which features inspirational stories that restore the wonder to life and has very recently released my first book, The Wondrous Story of the Little Shoe.
