Michelle Miles Author

Adventure Awaits

reading

An Update From Beyond (with Giveaway!)

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Hello, readers! I’m sure I’m talking to crickets but I wanted to post something this week to say HI! I’m still alive and breathing! And spending most of my time on Facebook. *grins*

Have I been writing? No, not exactly. I’ve been spending a lot of time reading craft books. So far I’ve read Wired for Story by Lisa Cron, Goal Motivation Conflict by Deb Dixon and The Breakout Novelist by Donald Maas. Both are excellent reads for writers. Now I’m reading The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler.

I’ve wanted to sit down and read these books for the longest time but with contract deadlines and only so many hours in the day, it makes it hard to get everything done. However, I have been mulling over a couple of different projects as I’ve been reading these books. I’m moving more toward fantasy with romantic elements than full-blown romance. I’m also still working on that urban fantasy.

What have I learned from my reading?

The key to great fiction is CHARACTER. A great character will make readers never want to stop reading. A good story is not really about the plot – it’s about what happens to the character. If you think about all the books you love, what is the one recurring element in those? A great character? You were invested in them and their journey and you had to see how it turned out, right?

I’m curious. Tell me two of your favorite books – any genre – and why. In a couple of days, depending on the number of comments I get, I’ll pick a winner who will receive their choice of anything on my backlist.

I’ll start. Two of my favorite books:

The Darkest Surrender by Gena Showalter because Strider was my favorite Lord of the Underworld (possessed by Defeat) and he and Kaia really made the pages sizzle!

Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning because Mac is such a terrific character with so many flaws. Plus it’s a kickass series if you haven’t read it.

Now, your turn.

Hello, Lovlies

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I haven’t written a blog post in a while so I thought I would take a moment to do that here today and say HI! How are you beautiful readers today? I’m good. Thanks for asking.

As you can tell, I’ve been a writing machine lately. Lots of activity going on here at the blog and around the Interwebs. Releasing two books within a week of each other was, um, not smart. So things have been hectic and the husband hasn’t seen a lot of me. Poor guy.

Anyway… I’ve aged yet another year and am feeling every day of it. Sucks to get old. BUT if you want to see my aging self, I will be attending RomCon June 20-23. I’ll be at the signing selling my indie books. Most importantly, I will have giveaways! PLUS, I have the very SUPER COOL Ellora’s Cave Bad Girls of Romance 2013 card decks I’ll be giving away. ONE KNIGHT ONLY is the 4 of Hearts. But fear not, that’s now the only time you can get them. Once I get back from RomCon, I’ll be giving more away.

Until June 5, you can get TAKE ME I’M YOURS for free on Kindle. SO hurry over there before the promotion ends. Click here!

AND if that wasn’t enough, I’m participating in The Romance Reviews summer reading party. I’ll be giving away a copy of TEMPTING EDEN on June 13. But you can play all month! There are over 400 authors giving away books. Grand prize winner receives a $100 gift certificate. Entrants must be logged in to participate (registration is free). You can get in on all the fun here.

Whew. I’m tired. 😉

That’s it for now. More later. I have a giant TBR pile. What’s on your reading list this summer?

Holiday Reads from the Plotting Princesses

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

The Plotting Princesses have been extra busy the last few months, writing and getting books out for you, our readers. Many of the Princesses have releases throughout the months of November and December and to make things especially easy, we’ve complied all our latest releases in one handy, dandy list for your buying pleasure.

Below are the latest releases by several of the Plotting Princesses (in alphabetical order). We’ve included a very short description, the cover photo, and links to where you can buy the books. Feel free to pass this list along to your family and friends and spread the word about the latest and greatest books by some of your favorite Princesses.

TWINKLE LIGHTS by Vicki Batman

Blurb: A do-gooder joins forces with a reformed delinquent turned lawyer to run a Christmas tree stand benefiting the children’s hospital,but when the money goes missing, fingers are pointed.

Buy it HERE

A BREATH OF SCANDAL by Elizabeth Essex (releases 12/26/12)

Blurb: Shockingly brash and scandalously independent, the Reckless Brides are boldly rewriting the rules of love and marriage—one smitten bachelor at a time

“In the game of kiss and tell, there are no rules…”

Buy it at AMAZON or B & N

SECOND CHANCES by Kathy Ivan

Blurb: An early Christmas gift, an unexpected trip and haunting dreams. Can the love shared between Ryan and Rose overcome grief and guilt and lend a little magic for a second chance at happiness?

Buy it at AMAZON or B & N.

 

ONLY FOR A KNIGHT by Michelle Miles (releases 12/13/12)

Blurb: Derron and Elyne return to the Otherworld to save it from the clutches of the Dark Elf, Lord Kieran. He wants total domination over the Otherworld and the human realm and he’ll kill anyone who gets in his way.

Buy it at ELLORA’S CAVE or AMAZON or B & N.

 

THE RELUCTANT SANTA by Sylvia McDaniel

Blurb: Since his mother abandoned him on Christmas Eve never to return, Colin McDermott has hated Christmas and sworn never to have children. But this year two angels are giving him everything he didn’t want. A Santa suit, a child and a chance at love again. This is his last chance to learn the true meaning of Christmas.

But it at AMAZON or B & N.

 

REINDEER WARS by Liese Sherwood-Fabre

Blurb: Can two coworkers’ budding relationship survive a knock-down-drag-out competition to win the office’s “most outrageous holiday sweater?”

Buy it at AMAZON or B & N.

 

HOLLYWOOD HOLIDAY by Sasha Summers

Blurb: All she wants for Christmas is for Hollywood to love her again. But once she meets him, her Christmas list changes.

Buy it HERE.

 

GALILEO’S HOLIDAY by Sasha Summers (A Galactic Holiday)

Blurb: Loner ice-miner Riley might lose her heart to rakish trader Leo – if raiders, ice storms, and man-eating cryptids don’t get her first.

Buy it HERE.

There you go, the newest releases hot off the presses by the Plotting Princesses. Don’t forget, our Princesses have many other books available, so while you’re checking out the list above, be sure to check out all the books available.

Happy Holidays again and keep reading!

Birthday Bash Final Day

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Hey everyone!

I’m continuing my birthday bash this week!

I’ve given away copies of Phoenix Fire and One Knight Only.

Today’s Offering: Winner’s choice of book from my backlist!

Want to see what books I have out? Click here to go to my home page and then select Bookshelf.
How to enter and win:

Comment on this post by answering this question: Summer Olympics or Winter Olympics? Winner will be chosen at random. All entries should be time marked by midnight CST tonight.

Happy commenting!

Progress

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I got a lot done yesterday. Since the kiddo was at his dad’s and Man was lost in Syracuse, NY, I had a date with my computer for the evening.

Well, most of the evening. I purged more paperbacks off my bookshelves that I don’t want or need. I’ve decided since I don’t get a lot of cash from them at Half Price to donate them to the local library. That way, everybody wins. I get rid of my books and the library gets books. Works for me. I have a stack of about 20 or so. I think they’ll be excited to get them.

I also talked to my good friend on the phone about a partial request she got from an agent. I am SO excited for her! Crossing all my fingers and toes for her! 🙂

Anyway, despite my bleary eyes this morning, I’m up and somewhat conscious. My coffee just finished (YES) so I’ll be sipping on that while I try to string coherent sentences together. That’s what I get for staying up late.

I worked on the revisions until 11:30 last night. But I got chapters 18 and 19 in excellent shape. That’s about 24 pages of revision. Today I’ll print them, read through them, and fix any minor errors I see. I added a new scene or two, cut a bunch of stuff that didn’t make sense, and tightened up the rest. If I can work on it hard and heavy tonight, I should be done by the end of the week. WOO!

Then I climbed into bed and since my brain refused to shut off, I decided to re-read Darkfever, the first book in the Fever series. I want to see how much foreshadowing the author does to the fourth book. So far, the prologue showed me lots of that. And I can’t help but wonder how she managed to keep it all together. I heard she has a giant spreadsheet (I loves spreadsheets). I also heard she has two related series planned after this one is finished. Can’t wait to read those!

I should be good and tired today since I stayed up so late. Don’t know if I’ll be doing that again tonight but I do know I’ll be working on the book one way or another. 🙂

Time to shower! Happy Tuesday, ya’ll.

So…um…now what?

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I’m really behind on emails and reading blogs and all my “social” internet-ing. I’m missing my online world and my online friends. Isn’t that strange? After being virtually unplugged for two days, I feel totally out of touch! I came home yesterday and today to about 100 emails. Most I could ignore completely. Some I had to answer. Others can wait. And still others can go to the trash bin.

My work computer decided to explode last Friday with a major Trojan. Man thought he’d fixed everything. But it’s still sick. Major problems abound. Today, it undergoes major surgery. A total wipe out and system reload.

R.I.P. Trojan.

One thing that little scare had me do, though, was immediately come home and scan the home computer, the Mini, the thumb drive. All are clean, thank goodness. And then I backed everything up. EVERYTHING. The hard drive, the thumb drive. I can’t afford to lose any data. Especially when I’ve been working so diligently on the revisions. I think I’d weep if anything happened.

I did have a wonderful surprise in the mailbox when I got home, though. Karen Marie Moning’s Dreamfever has arrived! And yes, I’m salivating to read it. After I cooked dinner, did the dishes and got the kid settled into bed, I settled down to read. I’ve been waiting for this book for a LOOOOOONG time.

This weekend is about running errands, cleaning house, church, soccer practice, and getting the kiddo ready for the first day of school. Plus I need to work on the OTFS contest and those revisions. I’m this close to being finished and I don’t want to come to a complete halt.

And that’s about it for me. I can’t believe it’s Friday already! This week totally flew.

Happy weekend, ya’ll!

So. Um. Wow.

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It’s Friday already? And the first week of August is already gone? How did this happen? Where was I for the last seven days?

I realized,with some horror, I had contest entries due. Today. And I still had three to judge before I could turn them in. Egads! Guess what I did last night? Yup. Read contest entries. I have one more to read today and then I’m done! I did agree to be a discrepancy judge for another contest but I should have to read any more than one.

Now the contest I’m coordinating is in full swing. And the most awesome WebDiva has figured out a way to automate just about everything making my life a heckuva lot easier. I love her. I do. I’m sending her chocolate. 😀

Tomorrow is my chapter meeting. I think I’m ready. I have all my paperwork printed and ready to go and I’ve got a whole bunch of new stuff I want to present to the group. I’m excited! I’m pumped! I’m ready to rock ‘n roll, baybe!

And – in other cool news – I was contacted by a columnist for an online newspaper in Houston. She’s doing romance author spotlights and asked if I’d like to be interviewed. I said yes, of course! I’ll let you know when the interview is up.

On September 5, I’ll be doing a book-a-day giveaway at The Romance Studio. I’m giving away a signed copy of A BEND IN TIME so if you don’t have a copy, now’s your big change get in on the fun. I’ll remind you the day of, though. Don’t worry.

I’m off to Big D for the day so – TGIF, ya’ll!

Man Doesn’t Know Own Strength

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So this weekend went by FAST! Saturday was blustery cold and just downright miserable to be outside – especially for a kid’s soccer game. But I did it. And we hurried home afterward. Poor kid had frozen hands. I got all caught up on my laundry and the contest stuff on Saturday becuase Man was coming over Sunday and I wanted to clear my schedule to spend some stress-free time with him.

We actually got up early Sunday morning and had a fantastic lunch at Chili’s before hitting Lowe’s. I had a list, you see, and wanted to get some things for the lawn and yard this year. I’ve decided to demolish the bushes because they’re holly bushes and I DETEST them with all my soul. I hate trimming them with their prickly little leaves so BE GONE. I bought the turf builder stuff for the lawn so hopefully no more dandelions, a shovel, weed-eater string, a sprinkler, dust masks, a Critter Ridder (for the durn squirrel that has taken up residence in the attic). Why is going to Lowe’s so much fun? Anyhow, we ran a few more errands (I got yoga blocks! YAY!) and then headed home to work in the yard. He mowed and edged while I started chopping down the first bush.

So…I killed it. Happily. He decided to help. Well, Man didn’t know his own strength I suppose because after trying to dig up the offending bush the shovel…snapped. In half. Like a twig. I busted out laughing. He looked mortified. I had just spent $15 on a shovel not four hours before and it was now trash. At least he was a good sport about it.

I still have that stump left there and I need heavier-duty loppers to get rid of the thick branches. And soon. I’m worried someone will get hurt on those limbs that stick up. I tried to cut them off as close to the ground as possible but they’re too thick to cut through for the loppers I have. Thank goodness I need to get by Lowe’s for another shovel. 😉

Anyway, I raked up the leaves that were under there. I swear there had to be leaves from 1992. Ick. Plus, the neighborhood cats use that area as their own personal litter box. I’m tired of the front of the house smelling like cat urine. So BUH-BYE bushes. I plan to plant rosebushes there – antique ones. My mother has some and as soon as I have a spot ready, she’s going to pot one for me. I can’t wait. I also want some other low-maintenance flowers. So eventually I’ll buy landscaping blocks. And I already know how I want it to look.

Not much else done this weekend, other than a trip to the bookstore to browse. I didn’t buy anything but I added a bunch more books to my wish list (and Shelfari). I discovered a new author I really want to try – Kim Harrison. Her books look fun.

I’m hoping to wrap up the contest this week and announce finalists by Friday. If no more problems crop up, I should be able to meet that goal. And then I can FINALLY get back to revising Phoenix and give it my full attention. Although, I still have those nine entries to judge for another contest looming over my head. Egad. I best get busy on those.

Okay, that’s it for me. Time for work! How was your weekend?

Reading and Writing

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I watched some of the debate last night and I have to say it was…interesting. I’m really not one to tout my political beliefs in public and I only discuss those things with folks I’m comfortable with… but I have to say I’m rather fightened of what will happen in November. Take that as you will. 😉

Last night, I finish reading Rosemary Clement-Moore’s book, Hell Week. It was great. I had about a fourth of the book left and sat up reading until midnight to finish it. Maggie does more demon hunting, but this time at her friendly local sorority house. I’m really looking forward to the third book, Highway To Hell, to see what more trouble Maggie gets into. This time with her friend Lisa in tow. hehe

Next on the list: Faefever by Karen Marie Moning. THIS is the one book I’ve been salivating to read for the last few months. When I finished Bloodfever I was disappointed I couldn’t get the next one in the series. I can’t wait to start this one and see what happens to Mac. There are only two more books in the series and I will be very sad when it’s all over. It’s a great story.

Third on the list: The Miracle Girls by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt. I’ve been reading their blog (and a lot of YA lately, too) so I’m really looking forward to this one. I read a snippet on their website (which you should check out) and my interest was piqued.

And Fourth: Operation Sheba by Misty Evans. A Romantic Suspense that I’ve heard lots of good things about. It sounds like a really fun read (the heroine uses an iPod to stop a hostage situation hehe) and I’m looking forward to it.

And of course, these are not necessarily in that order. Mostly likely I’ll be reading Operation Sheba and Faefever at the same time (an ebook and hardback, respectively).

I did write some yesterday. Got chapter 10 all drafted and ready to go and no I’m on to the next section. For me, this is the hardest part of the book. Eirhan is learning all sorts of things about her mother she never knew and…well…it’s shocking. 🙂

Happy Saturday!

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