tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87722439261190293752024-02-20T11:03:58.300-08:00WritersBlockMJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-23349698585684009842021-07-20T10:14:00.002-07:002021-07-20T10:14:57.879-07:00The Fixers have arrived! <p> It's here. You've probably heard. Kindle Vella, the new serialized fiction service from Amazon. You can read one episode, if you like it, keep on reading. As an author, it's really a lot of fun. Almost like sharing a work in progress with you all. </p><p>So I've jumped in with all my fingers on this one. It's called The Fixers. From a short story I wrote called Imperfectly Brewed. The story continues, as they say.</p><b><i>A woman's newfound peace and solitude is put to the test when she discovers her local cafe is a hub of intrigue and danger, and she's being cast in the starring role.</i></b><div><b><i><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3xSqW9O" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSl8ZBDdesuHsz-2IPRDjxnVMCLg0vWrocg6ns1BCW3Nf-7rTa5RdFyp0lyuVAoCsUUEt6Mo_JF6zpTzs5C-PCgLgScDhCwKp6Sg0y6dpQvYOKxvFAV15yX8cUu7611hl9jIlb0BYKugQ/w445-h445/Fixers.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-style: italic;">The Fixers</b></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></i></b><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You'll find it <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">online</a> or using the Kindle Vella app.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-21546985941939627122021-03-30T15:18:00.000-07:002021-03-30T15:18:36.487-07:00In the news...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.phantomofexecutionrocks.com" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3yEP_x4nyyKtUJC5q0Pk-pOIKij5n13OgT-KguhO7CLuuK4Y7k_h2y5UgNqTh8sLI0VNWN5t1S2fSeK03AjkzJJWXrkUarq7F8JZuNel6HuiScaEU8P-ZbivDDtJCYqCzKOZimcGG8E/s320/50175-111.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">It's been hectic and exciting these past few months! Ups and downs and sideways twists.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Good news. Hubby and I are vaccinated and beginning to venture out into the world. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">And here's more good news.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I wanted to share this wonderful article featuring the backstory of Phantom of Execution Rocks with many t</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">hanks to Peggy Spellman Hoey at The Patch for this thoroughly intriguing write-up. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Click here to read the fascinating story behind the story: </span></p><div><a href="https://patch.com/new-york/portwashington/former-port-washington-author-s-novel-has-local-twist"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Port Washington Patch</span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">What else is happening? Well, the first book in my new series, Luckland Ladies Mysteries, is getting polished and primed and ready to launch. Mystery, Mayhem, Romance and a generally fun time will be had by all when the legendary ladies take to the shelves.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">There's more to come, and I promise to share it all as it happens!</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-68142104870628912232020-12-20T07:16:00.000-08:002020-12-20T07:16:58.589-08:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCEX0Lwc5Z0YuujwVdl06Ox1gsbytST2bIJ0ACNUC6CXcjFr4h8Egirdfbhygm5k1q-HFGoovNUwi89bnCLeXmOFBp-Lfbq4wC-MfotpD2Bo55xo47yTT-T3laQTQv_cxXJhcnpxIylg/s940/CE2939F0-8FE2-450F-9AA9-5EFCB9D78C1E.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCEX0Lwc5Z0YuujwVdl06Ox1gsbytST2bIJ0ACNUC6CXcjFr4h8Egirdfbhygm5k1q-HFGoovNUwi89bnCLeXmOFBp-Lfbq4wC-MfotpD2Bo55xo47yTT-T3laQTQv_cxXJhcnpxIylg/s320/CE2939F0-8FE2-450F-9AA9-5EFCB9D78C1E.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Warmest of holiday wishes to all my readers! Thanks for being there during this chaotic and challenging time. Here’s hoping 2021 brings good news, good cheer and lots more stories to share.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don’t forget, sign up for my newsletter and stay tuned for some truly wonderful news!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://Authormjmiller.com">Authormjmiller.com</a></div><br /> <p></p>MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-36981016803469098662020-12-09T10:44:00.001-08:002020-12-09T10:44:08.404-08:00A little mayhem for the holidays!<span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Every year, I give myself the gift of writing a short holiday story. Last year, it was <a href="https://amzn.to/39WuqPl" target="_blank">Holiday Homecoming</a>. A sweet mystery with a happy ending. This year? Well, I've got a treat for you. <a href="https://amzn.to/3m0jMcH" target="_blank">Mistletoe and Mayhem</a>. A fun and cozy mystery you can read over your lunch hour. Or over breakfast. As you doze off. </span><div><div><div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">If you've got #KindleUnlimited, it's a double treat, as you can read for free. If not, well, it's only 99¢. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Enjoy a sneak preview!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="418" src="https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?asin=B08PS6GJRT&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_AIq0Fb80VCAAG&tag=wheisgoitobem-20" style="max-width: 100%;" type="text/html" width="250"></iframe></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Want more? Just <a href="https://amzn.to/3m0jMcH" target="_blank">click</a> to get the full version! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><i>Happy Holidays and Happy Reading.</i><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-30622560634204180902020-11-14T12:22:00.000-08:002020-11-14T12:32:28.790-08:00New Book Release!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWT_X1sOfOXqaNXI_-pTEhy-sHHy7muRspF8BOptp6TYvwKq8s8u3W5A_NkwIOZ-j-8jKKm1zuElARXN1ymwWGs5K6X8oHGue2Qbyv3VlQHtNpjSKcPg7UHAbisl7uvmNjg_yfVFPX-wk/s940/4-1.jpg" style="font-size: 18.72px; font-weight: 700; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Phantom of Execution Rocks promo" border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWT_X1sOfOXqaNXI_-pTEhy-sHHy7muRspF8BOptp6TYvwKq8s8u3W5A_NkwIOZ-j-8jKKm1zuElARXN1ymwWGs5K6X8oHGue2Qbyv3VlQHtNpjSKcPg7UHAbisl7uvmNjg_yfVFPX-wk/w200-h168/4-1.jpg" title="Phantom of Execution Rocks" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span>Phantom of Execution Rocks is available now! And readers are chiming in. I'm grateful for the feedback and thankful for the kind words! <br /><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator"><i>"An excellent read. A solid story, well written and completely engaging. A delightful mix of historical mystery and love story that draws the reader in." Maggie M.<br /><br /></i></div><div class="separator"><i>"The writing is smooth and it is easy to stay with twists and turns of the mystery as it unfolds. Once you pick it up, you will not put it down." Amazon Reviewer<br /></i><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">This is a fictionalized narrative of what may have happened centuries ago on the North Shore of Long Island. Between slave-traders and abolitionists. Between the patriots and traitors. And how it all circles back to a 21st century couple grappling with the horrors of the past, family secrets and their own scars of the past.</span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Enjoy!</span></div>MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-15910182847420391922020-11-06T15:51:00.000-08:002020-11-06T15:51:55.806-08:00The Porter Sisters Return<div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLf4ZjKmO0X8IZpqFDeozDbC3dhuLm5nTwyq8WscJQkze9VZQfbQ-zBUVyKg0lE_fchl-2PGrKuPug_SWtIEDGhdSAJAjgXSJwM1eEY1b6pLNYxrIVorMl3-UcwIrIuRH6qqosNhfmNUs/s2048/Phantom-of-Execution-Rocks-Generic.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Phantom of Execution Rocks Book Cover" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1280" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLf4ZjKmO0X8IZpqFDeozDbC3dhuLm5nTwyq8WscJQkze9VZQfbQ-zBUVyKg0lE_fchl-2PGrKuPug_SWtIEDGhdSAJAjgXSJwM1eEY1b6pLNYxrIVorMl3-UcwIrIuRH6qqosNhfmNUs/w185-h296/Phantom-of-Execution-Rocks-Generic.jpg" title="Phantom of Execution Rocks" width="185" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Luce is back. And on a mission...</span></h2><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Get ready for an adventurous little tale featuring the little house of horrors lighthouse at execution rocks. <br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">On the North Shore of Long Island among the estates and plantations of the eighteenth century, there were secrets. Centuries later, those secrets are coming to light. Visions of ghostly ships and tales of evil offer a mystery just waiting to be solved. But only by those who truly need the answers.<br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Luce Porter needs those answers. Detective Andy Holman wants to help her find them. <br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Neither of them may be ready for the truth. Will it drive them apart or bond them forever?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Available everywhere Friday the 13th (of November, 2020)</span></span></p><p></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-44867592199897061322020-08-29T11:22:00.001-07:002020-10-29T09:29:30.921-07:00<p><span style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: x-large;">The Ladies of Luckland have found their home! </span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcJCRpqweCvGKfhq6o68PZZUhKeX8OIluQEFz8lotT3-l2mBckOWJ4B6hJi99_wztuxEm4Z_C1d6n2QH6lNQj9VNWdSY3qIuh1Ld_nFyK-1SjGQpgla0GNuD54VmUph-0QRkbw9U4rCU/s820/author+facebook+cover.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="820" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcJCRpqweCvGKfhq6o68PZZUhKeX8OIluQEFz8lotT3-l2mBckOWJ4B6hJi99_wztuxEm4Z_C1d6n2QH6lNQj9VNWdSY3qIuh1Ld_nFyK-1SjGQpgla0GNuD54VmUph-0QRkbw9U4rCU/w479-h182/author+facebook+cover.png" width="479" /></a></p><p>I started this blog as a journal for an aspiring author diving into the world of self-publishing.</p><p>Without a doubt I am thrilled and awed at how far I've travelled on that road. </p><p>But life is full of curve-balls. And it's with incredible joy that I share the news that my journey as an author is taking an enormous leap. The Luckland Ladies Mystery Series is going to be published by <a href="www.scarsdalepublishing.com" target="_blank">Scarsdale Publishing.</a> </p><p>Stay tuned for all the news that's fit to print about our favorite rabble-rousers as they reveal their decades of secrets and lies. <br /><br /></p><p>Their life of Mystery and Mayhem. Their tales of lost love and second chances.</p><p>In the town where nothing is sacred and everything is everyone else's business.</p><p>And while you wait, don't forget <a href="bit.ly/Annie20">All About Annie </a>and <a href="bit.ly/TheChristophCurse">The Christoph Curse</a> are now on Kindle Unlimited! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-85243718256545307592020-07-18T08:31:00.001-07:002020-07-26T08:40:40.263-07:00Dealing with ghostsI grew up in a wonderful neighborhood. The kind where kids fled into the street after school to play. We lived on the water. And exploring the rocky jetties and shell hunting on the beach passed the time and and fueled our imagination.<div><br /></div><div>We lived on the Long Island Sound, on a peninsula. If you looked out across the water, you could see the coastline of the New York Connecticut border area. And smack in the middle of the water was a lighthouse. There were many stories about the lighthouse and it's origins. As kids we made up a few more. </div><div><br /></div><div>We knew they referred to the little island with the lighthouse as execution rocks. In our innocence, we thought they executed pirates there. They didn't.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKxoT20Tx7H_AuhwzgTbX_U8jazRV8B1Cx0g8S4Iq4fxtIhr-NXuHJv3PPwci3evslvpEuXfNIxofZMyL130P5aKRezH5G9cDWYgUXgLa68nt5_LbPIN1HbUCPqE2LSidGj7-6ecaiU0/s481/execution-rocks-lighthouse.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKxoT20Tx7H_AuhwzgTbX_U8jazRV8B1Cx0g8S4Iq4fxtIhr-NXuHJv3PPwci3evslvpEuXfNIxofZMyL130P5aKRezH5G9cDWYgUXgLa68nt5_LbPIN1HbUCPqE2LSidGj7-6ecaiU0/s320/execution-rocks-lighthouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Execution Rocks Courtesy US Coast Guard<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Growing up is never easy. Growing up and discovering the things you took so much pleasure in were evil to their very core? That's tough. Reconciling joy and despair takes a maturity personally I may never achieve. And once I learned the true history of the horrors of the picturesque beacon, it haunted me. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've wanted to write about it for a long time. But I'm not a historian, I'm a storyteller.</div><div><br /></div><div>And my next book will allow me to weave a tale featuring several variations of the the little house of horrors lighthouse at execution rocks. I need to tell them in a way that you, the reader, can accept, own and reconcile. That's my task. Help you understand that while evil comes and goes, our better selves must rise above it. Even today, google Execution Rocks and you'll find different versions of the horrors that occurred there. Some have been "purified" to remove any stain on the settlers of Long Island. Others make heroes out of enemies. Ultimately, there may be a grain of truth in every version.</div><div><br /></div><div>So stay tuned for the story of two people haunted by a shared childhood vision, while a third tries to erase the past. </div><div><br /></div><div>What About Luce: Coming Fall 2020.</div>MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-77985768279937047392020-06-25T15:19:00.000-07:002020-06-25T15:19:07.505-07:00Introducing the Ladies of Luckland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I know, I know. I should be teasing about my new series, not giving too much away but I just can't help it. I am in love with my new cast of characters and know you will be as well. <div><br /></div><div>In the small Colorado mining town of Luckland, nothing is ever as it seems. And that includes the residents. Join me as we go behind closed doors and travel into the past to visit the lives of the Ladies of Luckland.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kate, Matilda, Hope and Prudence have known each other forever. They grew up together. Shared all their secrets, their dreams, their first loves and their first heartbreaks. They were there for each other in every way possible. And when they grew up and had children of their own, they made a pact. To give them the best possible life they could, together. To guard and protect the next generation. It was their sacred vow.</div><div><br /></div><div>A vow that would be tested when their outrageous secrets catch up with them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Secrets & Lies, a Luckland Ladies Mystery. Coming soon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Subscribe to my newsletter and be the first to know when they arrive!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxoa-8VJTd1BjpNUozt4mrthx82aVejgKGc1N2TF8hs3i4IVr-O-6c0q_aWsSYGkXpkj1sK-jks-KwZj3VVJA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-41985230297132007922020-05-06T09:16:00.000-07:002020-05-06T09:16:47.465-07:00The Luckland Ladies are on the way!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2JtgZsbp2-WtfsjIsQg8ZQfiY00TjOSrRx7OyhYwaqHoo_LiMUfh0qWXXsYO4QRAo_zx88CsDgPuziE0YKFWeVWodREtvRwXdQFy68TzBvcMHHY40gENSaB0rXn4i4z01lI3yKI1xus/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Luckland Ladies coming soon" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2JtgZsbp2-WtfsjIsQg8ZQfiY00TjOSrRx7OyhYwaqHoo_LiMUfh0qWXXsYO4QRAo_zx88CsDgPuziE0YKFWeVWodREtvRwXdQFy68TzBvcMHHY40gENSaB0rXn4i4z01lI3yKI1xus/d/G2Wait+for+it....png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"><font face="trebuchet" size="4"><blockquote>"Devon Marks, the excruciatingly annoying, intensely good-looking bane of my existence, had just announced he’s staying at my place. For a few days. All this while I’m being terrorized by a Vegas stalker with atrocious penmanship, and my mom’s relatives are scattered all over Luckland."</blockquote></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"><font face="trebuchet" size="4">Pippa O'Leary is having a very bad week. I</font></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">n a matter of days </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">her life has gone from unremarkable to unbelievable.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">All thanks to the Ladies of Luckland, and their secrets and lies.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="trebuchet" size="4"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i><font face="trebuchet" size="4">Coming June, 2020. </font></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="trebuchet" size="4"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="trebuchet" size="4"><a href="https://bit.ly/LLCCsignup" target="_blank">Sign up here </a>to be the first to get a sneak preview along with special deals and a surprise cover reveal!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="trebuchet" size="4"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="trebuchet" size="4">Then get ready for a rollicking good time.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-24240666537937815672020-03-29T07:13:00.001-07:002020-03-29T07:13:14.149-07:00Finding Moments of Joy<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbtTQSF4SA2giN0L7ZNiOLUfV5hqm9ADI7YQDHmF5kuURsRK6GM0etGT77srKNPrsei9mf5VoXJLCJIrt9AN9gxsXPNjvXn6AYVIh611eW7xN2A1d83Mb-yYQ-AfAN3hnh_y1rkl5-LE/s1600/cristian-newman-o1PKM7-8AH4-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbtTQSF4SA2giN0L7ZNiOLUfV5hqm9ADI7YQDHmF5kuURsRK6GM0etGT77srKNPrsei9mf5VoXJLCJIrt9AN9gxsXPNjvXn6AYVIh611eW7xN2A1d83Mb-yYQ-AfAN3hnh_y1rkl5-LE/s320/cristian-newman-o1PKM7-8AH4-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start; white-space: nowrap;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@cristian_newman?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #767676; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start; text-decoration-skip-ink: auto; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;">Cristian Newman</a><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start; white-space: nowrap;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/happiness?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #767676; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start; text-decoration-skip-ink: auto; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;">Unsplash</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Fellow word enthusiasts, times are tough. We are all learning a new way to coexist on this planet. I'm isolating, writing and waiting for the dust to clear. But I realize it's up to all of us to create our own moments of joy now. In between the frustration, sadness, and anger is a deep need to break out of the funk. Because all of us need to find those moments of joy right now. It's hard, yes. But perhaps more important than ever before to look beyond the headlines and the fear.<br />
<br />
Click here for a brief reminder that <a href="https://thecreative.cafe/finding-joy-2c4dbc61f71?source=friends_link&sk=26fa2cd20fb37590ec45538658f9e19c" target="_blank">Moments of Joy</a> still exist. If you know where to look.<br />
<br />
#StaySafe #StayHome #ReadBooksMJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-63789097174494620882020-03-14T08:51:00.000-07:002020-03-14T08:51:59.020-07:00Ebooks. Hoard away...Wondering how to survive being at home for extended periods of time? Read. Read. Read. Particularly ebooks. Why? Because there is an infinite supply. Let me explain.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8obajxWYqDgco6zLET1sUpin2UJFw0TnfAHS-E1OgrWtMiZTz5eb8i042CFWEcm-3wkdrz_UOYlH0ls9UcsQgvJGY_qPH8_pxbCpd_d2J-CoRxh5I4apYwxTre7dDZteqGHlTIeYStho/s1600/Canva+-+Person+Using+E-Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8obajxWYqDgco6zLET1sUpin2UJFw0TnfAHS-E1OgrWtMiZTz5eb8i042CFWEcm-3wkdrz_UOYlH0ls9UcsQgvJGY_qPH8_pxbCpd_d2J-CoRxh5I4apYwxTre7dDZteqGHlTIeYStho/s320/Canva+-+Person+Using+E-Book.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Pexels--2286921</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We've all now seen what panic can do. It drives people to hoarding. Fear and anxiety over being cooped up for up to a month or more has Americans hoarding a year's supply of toilet paper. I hesitate to ask why. We all have been wondering. I heard through the rumor mill that someone posted online that you coud transform toilet paper into a face mask. Well, okay then. Not true. NOT true.<br />
<br />
In some cases, individuals have been hoarding beer, wine, vodka, whisky not to drink but in some misguided notion that any kind of alcohol will protect them. Can't find sanitizer? While it's true isopropyl alcohol and aloe vera is a home remedy concoction, I've yet to see the recipe that features aloe and tequila.<br />
<br />
The woman spotted filling her cart with disposable diapers? I get it. Though picking up a supply of cloth diapers might be more prudent if you have a washer and dryer at home. Leave the disposables for those who can't get to a laundromat.<br />
<br />
Back to books. Being cooped up is difficult. So pass the time with something that won't cause harm to anyone. Read a book. Don't have any? Open up that device, and load a good ereader if you don't have one. They are free. Sign up for services like Kindle Unlimited or Scribed. You can read or even listen to audiobooks to your hearts content. Good for kids. Good for adults. Most have free trials by the way that last long enoug to get through your confinement.<br />
<br />
And just because you feel the need to download a hundred books rather than one? No worries, the supply is never ending. Taking every Patterson title you can get your hands on won't affect anyone else's ability to read the same. You can download every book on your kid's wish list.<br />
<br />
The same holds true for other electronic media. Video games. Music. Virtual museums. Movies. TV. There are some truly astounding benefits to the electronic age. And Entertainment is one of them.<br />
<br />
So bottom line, when it comes to ebooks? Feel free to hoard. We'll all be better off for it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-61407515941990506302020-03-01T06:53:00.000-08:002020-03-01T06:53:18.338-08:00A new home for my books!If you're reading this, I do hope you're enjoying my posts. I think it's a great way to connect! But now with 3 titles published and a new series on the way, I felt it was time to give my books a home.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ta da! <a href="http://www.authormjmiller.com/">www.authormjmiller.com</a> has arrived.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You can stop in, see what's new, sign up for my newsletter and explore my books.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctp-5SLrzYqjO4EOAgALocb9QJ48e5To20Ejs1c-oZU90HNHsDzcSN3hbkJ2ED5Wz5WR1t74kwwg4RypW4q1xxU7hQOJN4LiLQWdKuBhYlosmViszBc6rBjuNRvqI9ZM-WPJGE2WM-2Q/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="1600" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctp-5SLrzYqjO4EOAgALocb9QJ48e5To20Ejs1c-oZU90HNHsDzcSN3hbkJ2ED5Wz5WR1t74kwwg4RypW4q1xxU7hQOJN4LiLQWdKuBhYlosmViszBc6rBjuNRvqI9ZM-WPJGE2WM-2Q/s320/Capture.JPG" width="320" /></a>It's also where I'll be introducing you to my newest series, The Luckland Ladies Mysteries. I'll be sharing tidbits, including recipes from the Blue Sky Cafe, and hints as to where the figurative bodies might be buried.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So come stop by for a visit. The door's always open.</div>
MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-16215030387059077712020-02-28T15:52:00.000-08:002020-02-28T15:52:20.107-08:00Who doesn't like a free book?<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tomorrow is February 29th. It's a special day. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Only happens once every 1460 days or so. </span></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGULwnXKsz8DzeQYD05fmumaCx9aNJUiRYfXjbBuu9fFdtdsna6RoAff_dZqQdkTzTa5K4GMYMdHJQRsucIkRtx02OpRX8SMztWxZCzGXtvUKQh1Mc1hUf_56vsDBvODab302jTKOwX8/s1600/Leap+year+twitter+ad.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGULwnXKsz8DzeQYD05fmumaCx9aNJUiRYfXjbBuu9fFdtdsna6RoAff_dZqQdkTzTa5K4GMYMdHJQRsucIkRtx02OpRX8SMztWxZCzGXtvUKQh1Mc1hUf_56vsDBvODab302jTKOwX8/s640/Leap+year+twitter+ad.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For this reason, you are in for a treat.</span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Christoph Curse will be FREE all day long on Amazon.</span></h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just <a href="http://bit.ly/TheChristophCurse" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> and enjoy a fabulous romantic suspense novel. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's a preview of what you'll find:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw9bsJS5JYH12Kwz2_yPlJxM6QYKQlBzxdv-fd61Zm0x-0vhBN4U-kGfadQ1-6jplCU-6Xd3l5cuNaNiSbUCA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And if you do enjoy it, I'd love to see your review up on Goodreads or Amazon!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Happy Reading.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-20334499617308160352020-02-14T05:34:00.000-08:002020-02-14T05:34:39.643-08:00On Captivating Covers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kF_Sl9g_wa2YeNfJfLR6I-Mzj1QKTgKN6FnZ8guym2wLcUqp6djb4DVSfzWipCK-Jr861Hk5mLZ3L3qjPTz35AhPz9yYl2BMh84cEJgm7oS97zyBB9tHyA8zIDLxjiesd0AK8rjq7-w/s1600/TCC+new+cover2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kF_Sl9g_wa2YeNfJfLR6I-Mzj1QKTgKN6FnZ8guym2wLcUqp6djb4DVSfzWipCK-Jr861Hk5mLZ3L3qjPTz35AhPz9yYl2BMh84cEJgm7oS97zyBB9tHyA8zIDLxjiesd0AK8rjq7-w/s320/TCC+new+cover2.png" width="211" /></a>You'd think people would read books because they are well written, interesting, topical, historical, romantic... and so on. But no, it's all about the cover. Do I want to read it? I don't know, let me see the cover. OK. I get it. I redesigned the cover of my first book and boom! Suddenly it's uber popular.<br />
<br />
So I've redesigned another cover. It's a cover-eat-cover world apparently.<br />
<br />
So what do you think, oh loyal readers?<br />
<br />
Let me know! Your opinion matters.MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-43497767544514050932020-02-09T07:05:00.001-08:002020-02-09T07:05:58.984-08:00Judging a book by it coverFrom the time we are small, we are told never judge a book by its cover. You don't know what you'll find inside. You might miss out on all kinds of opportunity. Be it a book, literally, or a person or situation or experience, metaphorically.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBIw82-aVWeDTFgRqb9Ymns6JoeKMvkPOXuUvzGCAy3OrrJ0mcIG34zlCj99F4XFyysGyPJgAJx4Ss1_0-qc-CmsR9TRj6UN5RRQcg-g6V9fDrRH7Vwk35MCHBz5xEsn2DZ5pMFmhgIc/s1600/mystery+cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBIw82-aVWeDTFgRqb9Ymns6JoeKMvkPOXuUvzGCAy3OrrJ0mcIG34zlCj99F4XFyysGyPJgAJx4Ss1_0-qc-CmsR9TRj6UN5RRQcg-g6V9fDrRH7Vwk35MCHBz5xEsn2DZ5pMFmhgIc/s320/mystery+cover.png" width="211" /></a>So here I am now, faced with a momentous decision. The cover for the first in my upcoming new series... drum roll... Luckland Ladies Mysteries. I so want to share my ideas with you, and am considering it, believe me. I have a whole bunch of ideas for the cover but none have quite hit the mark yet.<br />
<br />
Do I choose a plot element? The shoebox urns? The scrapbook of secrets? The gold?<br />
<br />
Do I highlight the characters? The rabble-rousing ladies? The heroine? The love interest? (He's pretty hot!)<br />
<br />
Do I go abstract? Maybe a scenic shot from Luckland itself?<br />
<br />
Such a dilemma! I'm certain eventually it will happen. Like on Say Yes to the Dress... MJ? Are you saying yes to the Cover? But first I have to go through the agonizing process of creating it. I do have some help in the form of highly opinionated expert readers, authors, and editors who are gladly offering their assistance. Thankfully! But it is for me almost more difficult than writing the book itself. I sit down and let my fingers fly on the keyboard. The cover? It's more of a staring contest between me and the screen. And it can go on for hours. Agonizing hours. Eventually, it'll come to me. And we'll be off and publishing.<br />
<br />
So for now, you'll have to just close your eyes and imagine what Book 1 will bring. Inside, and outside.MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-40067358223068373442020-01-22T07:13:00.000-08:002020-01-22T07:13:08.008-08:00Words Words WordsJust a quick peek at <a href="https://medium.com/@MJMiller20/words-are-my-oxygen-954a605c9a2e?source=friends_link&sk=9d0a0bb4cfd79f5184a576a87d2df92a" target="_blank">My latest on Medium. </a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjGiAC9QTiIwQR54hyphenhyphenbO9E2uj-DRxt4g2MimAZ2Ctz_lCB2v0ugSqu_idm0oRJB5VB60pd7bW0jH0pOpS0750jBVYEmPq5hcEHBw2Mj4MFtJZDWH9hKYhjDSTkGlnoSVnHoiVtQ2PXyo/s1600/breathe+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjGiAC9QTiIwQR54hyphenhyphenbO9E2uj-DRxt4g2MimAZ2Ctz_lCB2v0ugSqu_idm0oRJB5VB60pd7bW0jH0pOpS0750jBVYEmPq5hcEHBw2Mj4MFtJZDWH9hKYhjDSTkGlnoSVnHoiVtQ2PXyo/s400/breathe+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.84); font-family: medium-content-serif-font, Georgia, Cambria, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 21px; letter-spacing: -0.084px;">"There’s only one prerequisite for writing that’s universal. You must read as well. The best writers are often born of voracious readers. I don’t claim to be one of the best writers, yet, after all there’s always hope, but reading? It’s been my salvation. Anything is possible in a book. I don’t read for technique. I don’t read for style. I don’t read for self-improvement. I read to fill my soul with possibility. The rest is a byproduct."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.84); font-family: medium-content-serif-font, Georgia, Cambria, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 21px; letter-spacing: -0.084px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.84); font-family: medium-content-serif-font, Georgia, Cambria, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 21px; letter-spacing: -0.084px;"><a href="https://medium.com/@MJMiller20/words-are-my-oxygen-954a605c9a2e?source=friends_link&sk=9d0a0bb4cfd79f5184a576a87d2df92a" target="_blank">Read More</a></span><br />
<br /><br />
<br />MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-59125453445173346482020-01-20T04:24:00.002-08:002020-01-20T04:24:35.776-08:00New Year New Cover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1003" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdSfATjcSBQnZRY6xZRU3bYvIyRUFOcPFHld8N0C7dmtIZipTJmew-A03SIizjeLDCngJj5Zv82DYGOCJDhy1cyFUIa9clAV44bOvjsqblnouGnUcbxQvskKBPRz3SZSAOlydgARY3OY/s320/AAB+cover+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Yes. Annie has evolved. My debut novel, <a href="https://amzn.to/2TGpc2b" target="_blank">All About Annie</a>, needed a lift. Some cosmetic surgery if you will. While some readers loved the cover, it seems too many thought the book was, shall we say, for the young adult market. Certainly it can be, but it's not my target audience. And I made the classic mistake every author makes their first time out self-publishing. And I thought well, what's done is done.<br />
<br />
Nope. I rethought that. I have several copies of certain novels I love, each looks entirely different. What's inside remains the same. Wonderful stories. It's only the cover that changes.<br />
I know, never judge a book by it's cover. Well, that's all fine and dandy, except readers most certainly do judge by the cover. I know this because I do it. I admit it. How shallow of me. To be clear, I don't judge people this way. The metaphor for me only applies to things.<br />
<br />
So I am of course much happier with the new design. It speaks to me. It reflects the book in a unique way. And if you pay close attention to detail, you'll notice a little surprise on the cover for readers to smile knowingly and nod their head.<br />
<br />
Haven't read it yet? Now's a good time to get your copy, and cozy up to a really fun read.MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-20708583614856570962020-01-10T08:01:00.000-08:002020-01-10T09:16:07.273-08:00When I'm not working or writing or sleeping...I've been quite busy lately. Never enough hours in the day. There's work... there's novels and stories to write... and then I've got websites I'm building and groups I'm organizing and politics I'm debating and well, there's always more.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQS00XNY1VCoRrMRJUcT6GES8bDGFD6uwfwfOWs9aS28EF82dwhDxBuxHw5gSzTkfj1fuNAfDZ7GqFH3_aXd36N_jTXyce4XFlR6eSH9CCcf9BDuBvCmNP2ZYFQyikU10NemZ-fFs09uE/s1600/storyblocks-little-schoolgirl-dreaming-in-classroom_SbxLGRTv5G.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQS00XNY1VCoRrMRJUcT6GES8bDGFD6uwfwfOWs9aS28EF82dwhDxBuxHw5gSzTkfj1fuNAfDZ7GqFH3_aXd36N_jTXyce4XFlR6eSH9CCcf9BDuBvCmNP2ZYFQyikU10NemZ-fFs09uE/s320/storyblocks-little-schoolgirl-dreaming-in-classroom_SbxLGRTv5G.jpg" width="320" /></a>I decided to try my hand at Medium. A website for those who simply love words. Reading. Writing. Educating. Sharing. Finding an audience to share all those crazy whirlwinds traveling through my mind.<br />
So I started with a bit of a mind share. About daydreaming.<br />
<a href="https://medium.com/@MJMiller20/of-daydreams-untold-stories-b49f05243b1f?source=friends_link&sk=877c2710c64f92124f439c7cdf5f16f4" target="_blank"><b>Click here </b></a>to read <b><a href="https://medium.com/@MJMiller20/of-daydreams-untold-stories-b49f05243b1f?source=friends_link&sk=877c2710c64f92124f439c7cdf5f16f4" target="_blank">my very first post on Medium</a>.</b><br />
And if you enjoy it, share it. If you enjoy the site, join. It's ad-free. Now stay tuned as there is so much more to come.<br />
<br />
Happy reading, happy writing and Happy New Year.<br />
<br />MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-34021832358451151422019-12-31T12:46:00.000-08:002019-12-31T12:46:48.917-08:00Ring in a Happy New Year with Free Books!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyf5iB8j8zd_yDYCwQNXusgaNkr6BXOLcHeBW6TRzYKMdcxj6vS2tyZv9HWSpFVFFyBmv8pZ3TQYElzq545-R8XF849_V4lzl1NmAzGmIGwWCkkO42jmyo5wrCaeqhKhk08R7jm9KEzq4/s1600/new+years.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1080" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyf5iB8j8zd_yDYCwQNXusgaNkr6BXOLcHeBW6TRzYKMdcxj6vS2tyZv9HWSpFVFFyBmv8pZ3TQYElzq545-R8XF849_V4lzl1NmAzGmIGwWCkkO42jmyo5wrCaeqhKhk08R7jm9KEzq4/s320/new+years.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2020 is going to be an awesome year filled with surprises, not the least of which is a whole new book series.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And to say thanks for making my inaugural year as an author so amazing, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">for one day only,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">New Year's Eve 2019, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">all my books are free. </span><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yes. Free.</span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So that means </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2FbzDCa" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;" target="_blank">All About Annie</a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, </span><br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/TheChristophCurse" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;" target="_blank">The Christoph Curse</a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and </span><a href="http://bit.ly/HHMJMiller" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;" target="_blank">Holiday Homecoming</a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">are all available for free. It's only for today, so make sure to grab all three. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Find them all here and </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">download on December 31, 2019: </span><a href="http://bit.ly/AuthorMJMiller" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Click for free books!</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-23604913752073633742019-12-07T07:36:00.001-08:002019-12-07T07:36:48.535-08:00Twists and turns and the unexpectedSometimes the story takes over and as a writer you lose control over the entire situation. They were supposed to turn right but now they are turning left. The hotel was on the right, nothing but an abandoned sand pit on the left. They were on their honeymoon now they are headed for gloom and doom.<br />
As a writer this happens all the time. You intend for the story to go one way, and it just takes on a life of its own. The romcom on the beach becomes terror in the topiary. We all remember Gilligan's Island and the 3 hour tour. <br />
But isn't that what makes any novel worth reading? The unexpected. I read a story just the other day. It was well written as far as the use of language. The characters well developed. The idea good. But the story had nothing unexpected at all. Not a thing. When it ended I thought, well, that was disappointing because really, nothing happened that I didn't expect. I don't like knowing what's going to happen, for me it takes all the fun out of it. For me, predictably is the kiss of death.<br />
Which brings me to my current acute case of writer's block. My characters did something totally unexpected. Good for the story, bad for me, the writer. I have no idea what happens next. It wasn't in the plan. Even though I am the one creating the storyline, sometimes the characters themselves take over. I have no choice but to follow their lead.<br />
Imagine if Juliet would rather run away with Romeo's cousin. Or what if Sherlock fired Watson?<br />
Which tells me that it's going to be a great story when it's done. If it's ever done. Possibly over dramatic but really, if I don't figure out what they should next, I'll have to write an entirely different story while I wait for that tiny stroke of brilliance to occur.<br />
<br />MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-31911229686836465332019-11-30T10:07:00.005-08:002020-10-29T08:29:42.690-07:00Indie Book Browser has its own site!Big news! My Browser for books page is overflowing. So we're moving it to a separate site.<br />
Just in time for the holidays, you'll find yourself in a virtual library of fabulous indie titles.<br />
All genres, including adult, so parents monitor your kids!<br />
<br />
No reviews, no judgements, no recommendations. It's like browsing an indie book store looking for that hidden gem. And believe we have some! I've read a few, and while I won't tell you which ones, every one was worth my time.<br />
<br />
Do you have a published book? Want to include yours? Just submit it at <a href="http://www.indiebookbrowser.com/" target="_blank">indiebookbrowser.com </a>and let the holiday magic begin.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz-C2MfupnxI03_REXETCOxiK_hzFYKnr7v9nukD2yNclVlTMKqqzEdFFMz8WHUk3dbqT8j7TXRE7CJtAWmIQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-25752009423419105062019-11-16T06:17:00.000-08:002019-11-16T06:46:41.231-08:00Big huge extraordinary news!I'm so lucky to live where I do. We have amazing weather, true, but we have amazing events as well. We have internationally acclaimed marathons and cycling events. We have light festivals and mimosa festivals. Just about any week of the year there's a foodie event. We have the largest gem show in the world.<br />
And then, we have the books. Oh the books. <a href="http://tucsonfestivalofbooks.org/" target="_blank">The annual Tucson Festival of Books</a> to be precise. Sure it's fabulous. Authors and Booklovers join together in the beautiful city of Tucson... with one purpose. To spread the joy of literacy.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixES5-iBwZPyPgW4UkF8P9B-Uc2a3Jzsb2WYnOf_oT9GKjgYiqZ87zbvqcKXGuoVPhxNogZQVTdQcoed6y6kpc1Dj40G0kauuFA4STlQmamSYjbwyCIww0LHk8VONRCXd5nRPiw-Bz5U/s1600/Anniebanner2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixES5-iBwZPyPgW4UkF8P9B-Uc2a3Jzsb2WYnOf_oT9GKjgYiqZ87zbvqcKXGuoVPhxNogZQVTdQcoed6y6kpc1Dj40G0kauuFA4STlQmamSYjbwyCIww0LHk8VONRCXd5nRPiw-Bz5U/s320/Anniebanner2.jpg" width="320" /></a>And this year, yours truly will be there. Annie too. Oh of course I'll be wandering around exploring every nook and cranny. But I'll also have a few minutes to spare inside the Indie Author Pavilion!<br />
I'll bring some books, sign some books, and talk to anyone who will listen about my love for books.<br />
So mark your calendars, Saturday and Sunday March 14-15, 2020 and join over 100,000 other booklovers and head to the most awesome festival of all. the Tucson Festival of Books.<br />
<br />MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-80076401511740511472019-11-13T07:42:00.000-08:002019-11-13T10:47:34.172-08:00Browsing for Books<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today I'm launching a new feature on my site. </span><br />
<a href="https://www.mjmillerbooks.com/p/browse-for-books.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Browse for Books!</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's a virtual library of indie book previews. A place to take a look for something different and support all the amazing writers out there who haven't yet hit the lottery.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In publishing terms? We self publish. We do our own thing. We don't wait for magic to come to us, we create our own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I can't include every title, so I will feature as many as I can, and rotate a few here and there, like your local library, to give everyone a voice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's a work in progress. So as I get things put together I'll be categorizing by genre but for now, be patient. I won't be including anything I find I wouldn't read myself. What wouldn't I read? I'll know it when I read it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Enjoy the new feature and support your local indie author!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.mjmillerbooks.com/p/browse-for-books.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Click to Browse for Books!</span></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Full disclosure: I do not charge any fees for Authors and books appearing on my blog. However, I may receive compensation for any books purchased through Amazon through their affiliate program. After several months, this may in fact add up to the cost of a cup of coffee. Just putting it out there.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8772243926119029375.post-21404218983644050672019-11-09T11:27:00.000-08:002019-11-09T11:36:39.761-08:00Need a Holiday Gift?What's the gift that keeps on giving for the holidays?<br />
A book.<br />
Seriously. Books have no shelf life, though they live on shelves.<br />
Books are timeless gifts.<br />
Books are for everyone.<br />
Books are fun to buy!<br />
<br />
So this year, start a holiday tradition. Take the family shopping at the local bookstore. Spend an hour or two browsing for everyone on your list. I guarantee you will not regret a minute of time spent this way. I still remember the sounds or our girls' voices piping up from different aisles with a shout of glee at whatever they've discovered. Or finding them curled up and reading their treasure before we even had a chance to get to the checkout line.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqGJVvaf4qOSGPOBHbIhBxZHvQWd9-8VkS1ORXaZ-M8TEyHVQl-8DZBrbw5eoyM5N-XT2W_fLWi-0yBJucIUvk3DgsL1vbKvJlyUUdPTIdeUOlud76DRpbwDPgFipfV4f222AVdV41jA/s1600/bookstore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqGJVvaf4qOSGPOBHbIhBxZHvQWd9-8VkS1ORXaZ-M8TEyHVQl-8DZBrbw5eoyM5N-XT2W_fLWi-0yBJucIUvk3DgsL1vbKvJlyUUdPTIdeUOlud76DRpbwDPgFipfV4f222AVdV41jA/s320/bookstore.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireside Book Shop in Chagrin Falls has plenty to choose from!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now my personal preference is a printed book for those in the room with you and ebooks are great for those who are far away. Audiobooks for those unable to read.<br />
<br />
When you #giveabook, you are giving them something extraordinary. Maybe it's Adventure. Or Romance. Or History. You can give them a trip around the world or a trip to another solar system. You can give them Poetry. Or Science Fiction. Or a little Magic. Not just Holiday Magic, but Magic that lasts all year.<br />
<br />
Books are keepers. As far as gits go, most people don't return them, they read them and pass them on. The gift that keeps on giving.<br />
<br />
So give them all exactly what they want this year. In a book.<br />
<br />
#readmore<br />
#givebooks<br />
#indiebooks<br />
#readabook<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />MJ Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13648470316694858238noreply@blogger.com0