Thursdays with Authors with Ann Lee Miller

Please welcome Ann Lee Miller back to my blog so you can get to know her more and her about her latest book.

1.      Can you tell us a something interesting that readers may not know about you?

 

My father built a sailboat in the back yard that my family lived on for a few years. So far, all my books have sailboats in them. (that would be so cool)

 

2.      Do you get to read many books and if so do you have a favourite Genre?

 

I have always got a couple of books going. My favorite genres are romance, coming of age, and women’s fiction. In a perfect world, I’d like a blend of all three. Lately, I’ve been reading a lot of Southern fiction.

 

3.      How do you come up with ideas for books?

 

Usually, some little nugget sticks in my head for years—like meeting a ranger and his dog in a pick-up truck when my husband and I were out hiking in the desert. Listening to my favorite musician, I wondered what it would be like if a guy fell in love with a woman’s voice. These were the first pieces of two of my novels. Avra’s God’s impetus was my longing to see a couple in my life reconcile and heal.

 

4.      In your latest book did you learn any interesting titbits in your research?

 

I didn’t do a lot of research for this book because it is set in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where I attended high school. I did have to visit and take lots of pictures. It really made me homesick. I live across the country in the desert now—Phoenix, Arizona.

 

5.      What does a typical writing day look like?

 

I usually spend time reading the Bible and praying, eat breakfast, exercise. I have to get my writing for the day done before I turn on the internet, so usually I write 2-4 hours depending what else is going on in my life. Then, I work on administrative tasks the rest of the day.

 

6.      If you had one tip for aspiring writers what would it be?

 

Always work on improving. Try to write every day. Read craft books, swap critiques, attend conferences. Never give up. My favorite craft book is Scene And Structure by Jack Bickham. A close second is Donald Maass’ The Fire in Fiction.

 

7.      What do you hope readers take out of your latest book?

 

When one person has a strong relationship with God, it affects everyone around them in a positive way. Avra’s God is about walking the long road to reconciliation. I hope that my readers will value their relationships enough to work at preserving them.

 

8.      A couple of fun questions to end if you were to come to Australia what would you most like to see?

 

I’d like to see the Outback. (There is a lot to see and it is pretty)

 

9. Do you have a favourite Ice cream flavour (this interview was composed on a day where it was over 100 in Australia)?

 

Our summers are hot, too, 105-115 degrees. But we have lovely winters, usually around 70 degrees. I like raspberry with chocolate chunks or most nutty flavors.

 

10. Finally can you tell us about your current books and/or any that will

be coming out soon. Also where we can find you on the web.

 

Here’s the back cover to Avra’s God:

 

In the tradition of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, four friends navigate college and the drama churned up by their Florida beach band to cement friendship and more.

Avra wants love, but drummer Cisco—self-medicating from his parents’ divorce with sex and intoxicants—is a poor choice. Cisco hungers for fresh-baked cookies and the scent of family he finds at Avra’s.

Kallie shares her classically trained singing voice only with lead vocalist Jesse and fights to keep her heart safe. Jesse feeds on fame and hides more than insecurity beneath his guitar.

The friends surf ego, betrayal, and ambition and head for wipe-out. But somehow, when they’re not looking, Avra’s God changes them all.

 

AnnLeeMiller.com

http://www.facebook.com/AnnLeeMillerAuthor

Twitter: @AnnLeeMiller

 

Author Bio: Ann Lee Miller earned a BA in creative writing from Ashland (OH) University and writes full-time in Phoenix, but left her heart in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where she grew up. She loves speaking to young adults and guest lectures on writing at several Arizona colleges. When she isn't writing or muddling through some crisis--real or imagined--you'll find her hiking in the Superstition Mountains with her husband or meddling in her kids' lives.

 

Book Review Kicking Eternity by Ann Lee Miller

Book Description

Stuck in sleepy New Smyrna Beach one last summer, Raine socks away her camp pay checks, worries about her druggy brother, and ignores trouble: Cal Koomer. She’s a plane ticket away from teaching orphans in Africa, and not even Cal’s surfer six-pack and the chinks she spies in his rebel armor will derail her.

The artist in Cal begs to paint Raine’s ivory skin, high cheek bones, and internal sparklers behind her eyes, but falling for her would caterwaul him into his parents’ life. No thanks. The girl was self-righteous waiting to happen. Mom served sanctimony like vegetables, three servings a day, and he had a gut full.

Rec Director Drew taunts her with “Rainey” and calls her an enabler. He is so infernally there like a horsefly—till he buzzes back to his ex.

Raine’s brother tweaks. Her dream of Africa dies small deaths. Will she figure out what to fight for and what to free before it’s too late?

For anyone who’s ever wrestled with her dreams.

My Review:

Firstly thanks Ann for my review copy.

This is an interesting book. I would class it as YA but in saying this I did enjoy it. Raine is out of college and wanting to work in Africa with children. She is at a summer camp working as a councillor. Here she encounters Cal the directors brother who has her pegged as being home schooled and sheltered Drew another councillor annoys her as he insists on calling her Rainey which she hates and the more she objects the more he does it like that annoying friend of her brothers. She also has a brother who has issues that she is dealing with. There are others in the book also who play important parts. We learn why Raine wants to go to African and what drives her. The book deals with making choices, discovering how these choices then affect different relationships and situations. Ann had shown the issues young people face these days and how hard it can be to know what is right. She also allows her characters to experience these situations to help them grow. This is a book that is well suited for the YA audience and I believe others will gain insight from this book.

Good read.

Getting to Know you Thursday with Ann Lee Miller with a free e-book.

Please help me welcome author Ann Lee Miller to my blog today. Tomorrow 1 June Kicking Eternity will be released.  I have had the opportunity to read this book and I hopefully will get a review up tomorrow.

Note: Anyone who leaves a comment with an e-mail address (JaneReader[at]msn[dot]com) will receive a free e-book copy of Kicking Eternity. Those who don’t want to leave an e-mail may contact Ann for their free book at AnnLeeMiller.com.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I write full-time in Phoenix, but left my heart in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where I grew up. I love speaking to young adults and guest lecture on writing at several Arizona colleges. When I’m not writing or muddling through some crisis—real or imagined—you’ll find me hiking in the Superstition Mountains with my husband or meddling in my kids’ lives.

2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?

I loved all books about girls who went to boarding school. I was certain their lives were happier than mine. My first trip to summer camp was like heaven. The library was always a happy place for me, a place of peace and escape.

3. Do you have a favourite Genre to both read and right write?

Romance and coming of age.

4. Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?

I was a fan of Anya Seton, and Jane Austen before her popularity skyrocketed. Catherine Marshall’s Christy and Francine Rivers’ The Atonement Child have lived in me for years.

5. When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I always say I became a writer the year I discovered Sister Sheila had hair. I was in fifth grade at St. Hugh’s Catholic School in Miami, knee deep in nouns and verbs, when Sister Sheila walked through the door in a new habit that showed two inches of mouse brown hair threaded with silver. Thanks to Sister’s encouragement, I went on to earn a BA in creative writing from Ashland (OH) University.

And growing up on a sailboat, an aquaculture for mold and dysfunction, shoved me—in lieu of therapy—into writing.

6. How did you go about becoming an author?

When I earned my BA in creative writing in 1980 only six universities in the United States offered the degree, and my program did not offer a single novel-writing class. I had to read a stack of writing craft books, participate in critique groups, and attend writing conferences to learn the skills I needed to write a book.

7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be?

Dead! There is nothing else I’ve ever wanted to do.

8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do?

I hike in the mountains with my husband, do Zumba, and go garage saling every Saturday morning with a friend. This year I mentored three teens from my youth group. I don’t know if it counts as a hobby, but I’ve been guest lecturing on plotting in Phoenix colleges for the past few years. Great fun! I’ve worked at teen church camp for more years than I care to reveal—thus the camp setting for Kicking Eternity.

9. Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit?

I’d love to visit Europe again and set a book there.

10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why?

I’d like to eat with my closest friends who all live in different parts of the United States.

Finally can you tell us about your current books and/or any that will
be coming out soon. Also where we can find you on the web.

Atlantic spray and the grit of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, texture my coming of age stories that are littered with romance, regrets, and renewal. Kicking Eternity debuts June 1, The Art of My Life on September 1, Avra’s God on December 1, and Tattered Innocence on March 1, 2013.

AnnLeeMiller.com

Twitter: @AnnLeeMiller

Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ann-Lee-Miller/356653761022022

Back cover copy for Kicking Eternity:

Stuck in sleepy New Smyrna Beach one last summer, Raine socks away her camp pay checks, worries about her druggy brother, and ignores trouble: Cal Koomer. She’s a plane ticket away from teaching orphans in Africa, and not even Cal’s surfer six-pack and the chinks she spies in his rebel armor will derail her.

            The artist in Cal begs to paint Raine’s ivory skin, high cheek bones, and internal sparklers behind her eyes, but falling for her would caterwaul him into his parents’ live. No thanks. The girl was self-righteous waiting to happen. Mom served sanctimony like vegetables, three servings a day, and he had a gut full.

            Rec Director Drew taunts her with “Rainey” and calls her an enabler. He is so infernally there like a horsefly—till he buzzes back to his ex.

            Raine’s brother tweaks. Her dream of Africa dies small deaths. Will she figure out what to fight for and what to free before it’s too late?

Book Blurb:

Fresh from college, Raine scores a teaching job at New Smyrna Beach Surf and Sailing Camp. A crush on the camp rebel/art teacher threatens to derail her plans to teach orphans in Africa. The broody recreation director spots her brothers meth addiction and Raine's enabling. Raine believes she is helping her brother--until lives are threatened. 

Endorsements for Kicking Eternity:

Kicking Eternity won First Place Long Contemporary in the 2009 Romance Writers of America Faith, Hope, and Love Contest.

“In Kicking Eternity, Ann Lee Miller masterfully weaves the delicate web of emotions experienced in that turbulent ‘twenty-something’ stage of life. Powerful family dynamics, intense loyalty challenges, and tender new loves find their niche in your heart as this story unfolds layer by lovely layer.”

Mesu Andrews, Author of  Revell titles Love’s Sacred Song, and Love Amid the Ashes, which won the 2012 CBA Book of the Year, New Author Category

“Ann Lee Miller writes stories straight from the heart with characters who'll become friends, remaining with you long after you turn that final page. You won't want to miss Kicking Eternity!”

Jenny B. Jones, Author of the Katie Parker Production Series from Think and The Charmed Life Series, and other single titles from Thomas Nelson

"I've lost hours of sleep reading Ann Lee Miller's work due to her uncanny ability to yank me into a story with authentic, lovable, yet challenging characters."

            Lynn Rush, author of Wasteland, Awaited, and Prelude to Darkness from Crescent Moon Press