Kerri E. Murray

Kerri E. Murray-Kegley's journey as an author is deeply rooted in the rural landscapes of McCurtain County, Oklahoma. She was born and raised in the close-knit community of Tom, Oklahoma, a place that undoubtedly shaped her early perspectives and storytelling sensibilities. After completing high school, Kerri graduated from Haworth High School in 1999.

Her passion for writing began early, blossoming at age sixteen when she started crafting short stories. This creative outlet has been a consistent thread throughout her life. During her high school years, Kerri met Cecil Kegley, who would become the love of her life and her husband. Together, they built a family and raised two beautiful daughters, Kayla and Casey.

While her personal life was thriving, Kerri also embarked on a demanding professional career in the trucking industry. For years, she dedicated herself to life on the open road. However, her dedication to writing never waned. The long hours and necessary downtime during her professional driving career often saw Kerri retreat to the comfort of her truck cab—specifically her trusty Kenworth—to write. It was in these quiet moments that she continued to develop her stories.

Despite years of consistent writing, Kerri initially kept her work private. The pivotal moment that propelled her from private writer to published author came from an unexpected source: her daughters, Kayla and Casey. After reading her unpublished manuscripts, they were so moved by her work that they became her most powerful advocates. Their enthusiastic encouragement and firm belief in her talent persuaded Kerri to finally share her creative work with the public. They made it clear to their "Mama" that one particular series was something "everyone needed to read."

Their support was the final push she needed, encouraging her to fully embrace her love for storytelling. Kerri hopes readers will derive as much enjoyment from immersing themselves in her stories as she did from bringing them to life.

Remarkably, Kerri manages a dual career. She remains an active and dedicated professional truck driver, skillfully balancing the demands of the road with her writing commitments. The cab of her Kenworth truck continues to serve as her mobile writing studio during her downtime.

Her debut into the public literary sphere is marked by the Kerala Jade Series, a work that holds a special place in her heart. The first installment of this highly anticipated series is titled The Soldier and the Waitress.