Enter a world where anything can happen..........

"Spliced" Reviewers Top Pick

2012-01-16T20:05:00.000-08:00

A review from Night Owl Reviews hit today. A Top Pick! Here's a snippet of the review, for the rest visit Night Owl Reviews

"Wow. I'm speechless—literally speechless. Spliced was, quite simply, one hell of a roller-coaster—and easily my favorite book of 2012. Maybe of all time—ever! Within the first few pages, I was hooked, and I couldn't walk away even if I had wanted to. And believe me: I didn't want to.

Spliced is pure perfection: steamy, emotional and gripping!

5 STARS! Robin Leigh Miller, you have yourself a new fan for life! I'm still reeling from the emotional and passionate battle that Spliced waged on me, and yet at the same time I can't wait to pick up more of your novels! I loved this book so much it's going on my favorites list for good, and I plan on re-reading it as soon as I come down from this virtual high that it has left me in. I hope that Officer Stone gets his own story, as I was sad to see him all alone (though I knew Ridge was the only one for Avary). There are not enough words in the dictionary to accurately capture my feelings on Spliced, but I will say this: I've enjoyed countless books over the years. I've loved quite a few. But Spliced may be the only one I have ever fallen for so hard, with my heart, soul, and body all tied up in the gut-wrenching story that is Avary and Ridge. Do yourself a favor and buy this book. Now! You won't regret it. But be prepared—grab a box of tissues, a pitcher of ice water, and a quiet corner. Then settle yourself in, because this is going to be one hell of a ride—and one that you won't want to take a rest from until the very end!"

Spliced can be purchased at Ellora's Cave or Amazon

Less Talk, More Action

2012-01-11T10:45:00.000-08:00

Yay! The new Men's Line at Ellora's Cave launched today. As I said before, these stories are written for men from a man's Point of view, but ladies are welcome to dive in with both feet and get the heart pumping. Here's a peek at what hit the cyber shelves today. Check out these sizzling excerpts!

Less Talk, More Action by Robin Leigh Miller

Rylee Shotts strolled into his house as the clock ticked to one a.m. Normally he wouldn’t be home this early on a Friday night but his friends had other plans, mostly dates, and that left him rolling solo for the evening. It had happened before, but most times he could find a soft, warm body to keep him company. Tonight, no such luck. Maybe the midsummer heat kept people in. He didn’t know and didn’t really give a damn.

After grabbing an ice-cold beer from the fridge, he made his way out to his back deck. The air felt heavy, thick and wet. Humidity hung like a heavy blanket over the area and he had to admit it dampened his partying mood. Looking out over his backyard, he decided an early morning lawn mowing would be a good idea. He could have it finished by mid-morning and then camp out in the air conditioning the rest of the day.

A sound caught his attention and had him turning toward the house next door. A dim light flicked on, barely illuminating the small cement patio. Rylee took a sip of beer and turned his attention back to his property. If the weather wasn’t going to be so stifling this weekend he’d consider starting that backyard barbeque pit he’d always wanted.

Another sound came from next door. Rylee turned his head and glanced down to find a chaise longue sitting in the dim light with a large bottle of water and a frosty glass of some kind of brightly colored drink sitting next to it. Since when did the old man who lived there drink, much less fumble around at this hour?

The door opened and a long-legged brunette stepped out wearing a short, strapless sundress that hugged her body tightly and accentuated her curvaceous hips and, hello, round popping ass. Fuck, he loved full-loaded asses. Damn, old man Foust either had a granddaughter visiting or the old bastard still had it up and working.

Rylee stepped into the shadows near the end of his deck so he could get a better look without being seen. The last thing he needed was the old man charging over with a rifle, ready to blow his balls off for peeping on his granddaughter or piece of ass, whichever the case may be. Tipping back his longneck bottle and taking a draw, Rylee settled in to see just what Legs was up to.

Hard Days Reward by Cara Carnes

There weren’t many things better than a cold beer after a shitty day. Only one came to Chad Barlow’s mind immediately—one of Shelly’s surprises.

He knocked on the apartment door and edged closer to the entrance. She’d driven him crazy most of the afternoon. The hands-off-at-work bullshit was getting old, but she made up for it when they did get together, so he couldn’t bitch too hard.

The door creaked open and a curvy brunette answered with a smirk on her full red lips. Her blue eyes scanned him in silent appreciation and his cock hardened instantly at the perusal. Her I’d-fuck-you-hard-any-day look almost made him forget why he was here.

A red, thin-strapped shirt hugged her palm-sized tits and stopped short of nice, full hips. Snug shorts stopped mid-thigh, offering him a bountiful feast of tanned skin, which ended at dainty red-polished toenails. But her lush lips and long, curled hair drew his gaze back to her bemused grin. His hands itched to run through the thick mass and press her to the floor. Maybe then he could sample exactly what that hot little mouth could do.

“You must be Chad.” She stepped aside. “Come in and join the party. Shelly’s told me all about you.”

Crap. He’d fucked up already and hadn’t even gotten in the door. His cock throbbed, aching for relief from the tension his thoughts had stirred. Shelly never went for drama, but getting a hard-on for whoever this was probably wasn’t the best way to start the surprise.

“Hey, baby.” Shelly wandered in, her long blonde hair swishing around her shoulders as she flip-flopped her way to him and stood on tiptoes to kiss him. Her hand ran down his chest and dipped lower to cup his balls. He groaned into her floral-scented hair. “I knew he’d find you hot, Marcy.”

The appreciative lilt in her voice revved his libido into overdrive. He’d make sure she purred good and hard tonight.

The white lace bra and panty set he’d gotten her for her birthday taunted him from beneath a white lace kimono. He never cared much what she wore. Her sexy-as-hell molten lips and the sensuous swish of her hips always captured his attention first.

The wicked grin he recognized lit up her face. She’d planned something naughty. “I’ve put out a beer for you.”

That’s one thing he always enjoyed about Shelly. The no-frills décor of her house made him welcome—from her eclectic black-and-white scenery photographs to an endless assortment of shot glasses. Nothing in the place matched and he loved every inch of it.

Marcy angled toward the loveseat and perched on the edge. “I was worried he wouldn’t since you’re so gorgeous.”

He’d lost track of the conversation somewhere between the gorgeous tits and sultry lips, but he didn’t much care. Shelly’s soft laughter tumbled through his jumbled mixture of shock and excitement. Fucking woman loved to shake things up—and damn if he wasn’t ready for whatever she was about to dish out tonight.

Nailing the Boss by Katie Blu

Billy Galan collected the papers and clips his assistant had just dropped all over the floor. Again. Poor kid was something of a mess. He shook his head while she continued to babble apologies. Thinly carpeted concrete bit into his kneecap through tailored slacks.

He reached for a paper that had fallen toward the aisle when his gaze snagged on an approaching pair of legs. Long, slim and toned, he could tell they were smooth and silky by the muted gleam of polished skin. She probably took long moisturizing baths with gentle cream rubdowns. Dear God, it made his cock twitch.

Billy’s gaze traveled down, not missing an inch of high-arched, delicate foot wrapped in candy-apple-red leather. A thin strap across her instep served no other purpose than to tease the flesh as it skimmed across, kissing her translucent skin and mocking him by doing so. Three inches lifted her heel, forcing her ankle to flex and delineating every rise and dip of the small bones and pushing her lean calf into a tight swell.

He’d know those long legs anywhere. He grinned as he sat back on his heels and blindly handed the wayward paper to his waiting assistant.

The red shoes pivoted and long fluid strides brought the sensual stems to Billy. He barely kept from cupping one slim ankle and dragging his palm up her calf.

“Morning, boss,” Billy drawled.

His gaze rose slowly, taking in the full effect of short, straight skirt at mid-thigh. She stood with her legs slightly parted, drawing the black fabric tightly against her firm, round thighs and making him think about the folds hidden in the shadow between them, just out of sight.

Would it be too much to hope for commando? Maybe a lacy thong he could hook his finger on, and draw aside for a leisurely lick. He nearly groaned.

Tanya squatted expertly, keeping her lovely knees together and letting her tight black skirt define the sweet curve of her ass. “Enjoying the view from down here?”

It was difficult, but he managed to drag his eyes away from her open neckline and exposed cleavage to ruby-colored lips and sexy bedroom eyes of soft green. She lifted one artful arch.

Take Me at the Ball Game by Cassandra Carr

JT Lovejoy looked out over the baseball field, still lit from the game tonight, with its crosscut grass and cleat marks forged in the dirt around the bases. The home team he covered for the local newspaper had just squeaked out an 11th-inning win and he’d been lucky to make his deadline—working so late he was now alone in the press box. His fingers were cramped and he could use a beer.

Too bad they don’t let us drink in the press box. Would make for some interesting stories for the paper.

JT was about to pack up his computer when he heard a noise behind him. He turned to see the team’s public relations intern, Sydney, standing just inside the door. His cock began to harden as he took in the tight team polo shirt stretched across tits he’d dreamed about more than once and a flippy little black skirt that made him wish for one of those under-the-skirt cameras so he could see what was hidden underneath. She tucked a strand of her long brown hair behind her ear and smiled. It was anything but innocent.

“Hi, JT. I saw the lights on but wasn’t sure anyone was up here.”

Sure you weren’t, honey.

They’d been flirting for weeks now and JT decided then and there to do something about it. “Yep, still here. Just turned in my assignment.”

“You, um, got everything you need?”

He raised an eyebrow.

What an opening…

“As a matter of fact, no.”

“Oh? Can I get you something else? Wait, you sent in your story already, though, right? You must have.”

“My story isn’t what I was talking about…”

What I need is you. Your tits, your pussy…

Sydney’s brow furrowed. Was she really this obtuse? JT would bet not. “Another feature?”

“Sort of.” He motioned her closer. “Come here and I’ll tell you.”

Her gaze darted to the closed door just behind her. “All right.”

She approached and he gripped the arms of the chair to keep himself from reaching for her. Sydney sat in one of the adjacent chairs and leaned forward a little, almost as if she were offering herself to him.

Hopefully she will before long.

He took a deep breath and went for it, staring out the window at the now darkened field.

“You’re what I need.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. Under me, on top of me, hell, side by side is fine…” He checked to see if she looked repulsed or about to slap him, but all she did was lick her lips. Images of those lips tightened around his cock flooded his sex-deprived mind.

“That’s pretty forward.”

“I’m a forward kinda guy,” he lied and held his breath.

Her eyes darted down to his lap and when she looked back up he could see the heat in them. “Well, we can’t have you needing something and not getting it, now, can we?”

JT tried to speak but a sound that could barely be classified as a croak was all he could force out as she slid off the chair and fell to her knees.

Erotic Tales for Men Will it work?

2012-01-07T15:17:00.000-08:00

On January 11, 2012 Ellora's Cave will be launching the new men's line. These stories are written from the male POV and basically feature no romance, or very little. Not like you'd find in most traditional erotic stories. It concentrates mostly on the physical relationship.

I have a short story releasing in that line on that day. Less Talk, More Action

Here's the question. Do you think men will buy erotic stories?

Today I participated in a chat at Whip Cream Reviews with two other authors debuting stories in that line on the 11th. Two very talented authors. Cassandra Carr and Cara Carnes. You should check out some of their books. AWESOME!

A lot of curiosity about this line. The thing is, I'm just as curious because I don't know where it will go either. Now, I'm sure Ellora's Cave has done sufficient research before launching it, so they must believe it will work. Some very valid points were brought up during the chat. Men will buy Playboy and similar magazines and watch porn, but will they read an erotic story?

What do you think?

I'm going with yes, some will. I'm thinking there are some closet readers out there who will enjoy a well written story without all the heavy relationship scenarios. I also believe there are women who will buy the stories for their men. Why not? It could turn into a nice little game of foreplay, right? I mean, read him a hot story from the male point of view and, well, grab the fire extinguisher cause things are gonna start smoking.

I'd like to hear your opinion. Would your man read an erotic story targeted toward him?

We'll give it a few weeks, see how the releases go and what kind of feedback we get and then we'll chat about this again. How's that sound?

Angel Flight

2011-12-26T15:37:00.000-08:00

This holiday season, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, and you live in the United States, take a moment, a quiet reflective moment, and say a prayer for the families of those who have given us the most precious gift of all.

Freedom. A simple word, yet its meaning is deep and important. Remember how we got that freedom, who makes sure we maintain it. No, not politicians, but the everyday men and women, the average Joe, who do their job, put their lives on the line and leave behind loved ones. Remember them, please. Remember the service men and women. Remember their families.

For those of you who have read Spliced and it touched you deeply, please, watch this video, feel its meaning and then say that prayer for those Hero's and their families.

Click on link below

Angel Flight

Wonderful Reviews Coming in for Spliced

2011-12-15T07:58:00.000-08:00

Please, forgive my excitement, but I have some wonderful reviews coming in for Spliced from readers I'd like to share.

I absolutely LOVE this book. It is a well-written, heart-wrenching romance with deep, believable characters. Ms. Miller weaves together descriptive, emotional scenes of war, loss, and grieving with scorching hot bedroom scenes between a protective, heroic alpha male and a strong, courageous heroine. Ms. Miller captured my attention and stole my heart by thoroughly grounding the characters in a wartime back-story and following Ridge and Avery through the military's honorific funeral ceremonies. As these characters suffered the loss of their friend and brother, I found myself emotionally invested in the story, crying at the thought of losing a loved one and appreciating the sacrifice that men and women in uniform so willingly give. As both stubborn, misguided, three-dimensional characters come to terms with their relationship, Ms. Miller gives the reader a hard-bodied, war-battered soldier with hidden sensitivities, a hot cop who incites jealousy in our soldier boy (hope this isn't the last we see of Stone), and a curvy leading lady who keeps her man coming back for more...and more! I'll definitely be reading this one again and looking forward to Ms. Miller's next romance. Now, if I could only find myself a soldier... :)

The fact that the reader took the time to leave this review means so much to me. Sometimes, you aren't sure how your work is being received and in this economy you want to give a reader a story they won't regret spending their hard earned money on.

Put it this way, by page 25 I am bawling like a baby. By page 33 I have a smile on my face because you know its about to HOT. And bam! Next thing I know I'm on here giving the book 5 stars and I am still in the process of reading it! Its just that good. Ok I'm back! I just finished the book. Could not put it away. Thank you Robin for a very long night. This book is worth of the 5 star rating. The emotion and realism captured within these pages are worth every penny. Just make sure you have a box of tissue next to you! You will need them. That or my pms is just making me very emotional lol

Seeing comments like these made all the research and time spent writting this story worth it. The two reviews above gave me 5 star ratings. You can read more reviews at here

The next reviewer gave a 3 1/2 star rating at GoodReads, but I understand her opinion and respect it.

This has been another really hard review for me.

I am a fan of Robin Leigh Millers writing style. Her writing is sexy as hell and even dirty in enjoyable doses.

In Spliced, I was completely gobsmacked by the first half of the book. It starts off with Avery loosing her twin brother while fighting in Afghanistan. But the pain doesn't stop there - you are taken on the extremely emotional journey of her brothers final trip home. Every single little detail had my heart bleeding for Avery.

"It was our honor to bring your brother home, Miss Easton."

It was heart wrenching, absolutely, undeniably, upsetting and to explain just how emotional it was - I cried. I gawd damn cried! I far-king CRIED!!! I do not cry in books people. And let me tell you another thing, if my husband wasn't in the same room as me for the majority of the first half of the book I would have bawled like a baby.

Not only did Avery loose her brother, but his best friend was there when he died. Which brings in the love interest - Ridge.

I felt like their reunion was going to be all kinds or sweet and romantic and it sure as hell was sexy. Their first sexual encounter had me smiling. They played a little bit of 'hard to get' which I really enjoyed.

"I guess you don't want to come - that's okay. I'll just lick all that cream away on your thighs while I jerk off and then I'll leave. That's what you want, isn't it, for me to get the hell out of here?"

The playful fighting was enjoyable....at the start. But it continued throughout the book and made the love between them a little less convincing by the end IMO.

Even now I am still wondering if it would have been better for her to go for the second love interest - Stone. Now Stone was a sweetie. He was so damn kind, hung like a horse too - which always comes in handy (no pun intended.

So as a quick round up of my thoughts - I lOVED the first half, 4 out of 5 stars, but the ending didn't hit me as hard as the start and I would give it a 3 out of 5.

Still a great book, well written and damn saucy

After exchanging a few emails with the reviewer, she explained to me that the tension filled relationship between Ridge and Avery wasn't something she was accustomed to. I get that. Sincerely, I do. Not all relationships are smooth and easy going. Those of us who are fortunate to have a partner that makes us laugh and is easy to communicate with are lucky.

Ridge and Avery's romantic relationship blooms from tragidy, throw in a lot of self doubt on Ridge's part and Avery's unwavering commitment to the man she loves and tension builds. Sometimes we have to travel down extremely rocky roads to reach the prize at the end, and in this story, that is what I wanted them to do.

I greatly appreciate the reviewers opinion, but as any writer will tell you, you can't please everybody.

So, I hope you will give Spliced a chance and experience Ridge and Avery's budding romance for yourself.

Below are links where Spliced can be purchased.

Ellora's Cave (Prefered Link to buy from)

All Romance eBooks

Amazon

Remember, leaving a detailed or even brief comment for an author's work never goes unappreciated.

Stay tuned.....I have a release coming in January for the new Men's Line at Ellora's Cave.

.99 Books

2011-12-11T12:47:00.001-08:00

Great news! Six of my books are on sale for .99 at Ellora's Cave.

Black Smoke
Boomer's Fall
Ricochets Rogue
Force of Nature
Running Blind
Soulless

If you haven't read any of my work, this is a great chance to try it. Treat yourself to a holiday gift.
Ellora's Cave Robin Leigh Miller

Don't forget Spliced is now available.

When Cale Easton is struck down on the battlefield, his twin connection to his sister Avery is severed. Avery desperately reaches out mentally to find her brother only to have her dangling bond spliced together with Cale's best friend Ridge Gates. Being privy to his inner thoughts and feelings leaves Avery confused, yet still in love with the man whose held her heart for ten years.

Available Today! Spliced

2011-12-09T11:20:00.001-08:00

I'm so excited. Today is the release of my first full length novel in a few years. I would be ever so appreciative if you would check it out.

Here's a sneak peek.

“I was so scared,” she said, pushing away from him.

Ridge kept his arms clamped around her, refusing to let her go. Eventually the fight drained away and she sagged against him.

“You were both hurt. I couldn’t talk to either one of you. I’ve never felt so alone in my life.”

Why hadn’t he thought of this? He’d always seen her as so strong and independent. He hadn’t realized how much she needed her brother. Could he have been a bigger ass?

“I was so scared I would lose both of you,” she said, lifting her head and looking into his eyes. “If I’d lost you both, I don’t how I’d have survive.”

“Avery.” Her name was all he could manage. There was a pleading in her eyes that he didn’t understand, but he wanted so badly to do whatever it was she needed.

She smoothed her palms up his chest. “I’ve drifted through the last few days detached and empty.”

That he understood, along with the heat that spread throughout his system from her touch. He wanted to groan from her caress, a pleasure he didn’t deserve.

“I don’t want to feel empty anymore.” Her fingers slipped the top button of his shirt free. “I need to feel alive.” The next two buttons were quickly released.

“Avery,” he whispered, shaking his head and helpless to stop her. He couldn’t allow this. It wouldn’t be right. He didn’t have anything to offer her.

“No more talking. No more hurt right now.”

Ridge sucked in a deep breath as her warm hands pressed against his bare chest and pushed his shirt off his shoulders. He needed to stop this before it got out of hand. She didn’t really want him. She just wanted solace and he was the only one available to give it to her.

“Stop thinking,” she told him softly as she unlatched his belt.

This was what he’d dreamed of for so many years, what got him through those nights in Afghanistan. Thinking about Avery’s soft body and how mind-blowing it would be having her under him, and she was offering up that dream. Everything he’d ever wanted was right here in front of him and he’d be a bastard for taking it, or a bastard for refusing.

Avery looked at him. “Pretend I’m someone else if you have to. Just give me this.”

A single tear trickled from her eye, spilled down her cheek and erased every doubt he had about taking what she offered. Pretend? Dear God. He’d never have to pretend she was someone else.

Grasping the back of her neck, he let his gaze settle on her plump lips and lowered his head. All those years of wondering what she’d taste like, how sensuous her silky lips would be against his, and he was about to find out.

“No pretending.” He whispered the promise and then touched her lips with his.

Just a brush. He didn’t want to scare her, or push her any faster than she was willing to go in her fragile state. With featherlight kisses he touched each corner of her mouth, lingered over her lips and tried to commit her softness to memory. If she changed her mind he wanted her to think she could pull back. God help him, he hoped like hell she didn’t change her mind.

If your interested in purchasing my little story you can find it here

Feel free to leave a comment or contact me personally at robinleigh@chilitech.net

Thank you for all your support.

New Release Spliced

2011-11-18T17:38:00.001-08:00

Coming December 9, 2011

For ten years Avery Easton has quietly lusted after her twin brother’s best friend, Ridge Gates. When the cruel, cold hand of fate takes her brother’s life, Avery and Ridge turn to each other in grief and share a night of ecstasy. But mind-blowing sex with the man of her dreams can’t push away the reality of her life.

Violent and terrifying events have followed her brother’s body home and introduced Avery to another man who is willing to give her everything she needs. And then there’s the secret she harbors that could tear her and Ridge apart, yet keep them permanently connected for the rest of their lives.

A promise on the battlefield leads Ridge straight into the arms of the woman he knows he has no business being with, but can’t stay away from. If Ridge fails to come to terms with his broken body and Avery’s revelations, he could lose her forever—if not to another man, then to the violence that brought them together.

As soon as I have a buy link I'll post it so you can pop right on over on release day.

For now you can read an excerpt here http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9783-spliced.aspx

New stories coming your way!

2011-10-28T21:31:00.000-07:00

Great news!!! I'm so excited! After some changes that left me terrified for a while, I have a new editor and she offered me two, count them TWO contracts. One for the Ellora's Cave Moderne line and one for a new line they are preparing to put out!

I'll admit, I lost a few nights sleep over the changes. Self doubt crept in, took root and bloomed. But, things worked out and I have two stories that are contracted.

At this point the titles are Spliced and Less talk, More Action. Not sure if they'll be changed or not.

I'll be posting publish dates and all important details when I can.

Stay tuned.......

Tempest's Gift in Audio

2011-10-10T20:10:00.000-07:00

I finished proofing Tempest's Gift in audio. I have to admit, I've never listened to an audio book before. I prefer reading rather than listening, so this was a new experience for me. It was strange hearing my words read back to me. Hearing someone else's interpretation of my story. The small inflections in sentences, words and of course how the reader creates the character's voices.

Yes, it was strange and I'm not sure I'll be buying any audio books for a while. I much prefer reading and letting the story take life in my imagination. Don't get me wrong, the reader did a wonderful job and maybe if I'd listened to someone else's book first, I might have a different opinion. It took some time to work up the courage to begin listening, but after I got past the first chapter, it went smoothly. Still, nothing beats reading a book for yourself.

When I find out the release date, I'll post it along with the link.

WHere has my muse gone?

2011-10-01T12:29:00.000-07:00

I've been struggling to write lately. It seems my muse has taken a vacation or gone on strike. Don't get me wrong, words come, but not with the passion that usually accompanies it. The other day I wrote just over 4000 words. The next day I read them and hit the delete button. Frustrating, you bet your sweet little butt.

Last night I was sitting starring blindly at the television waiting for my son to call and pick him up from the football game, and it hit me why I've been struggling so fiercely. I'm not being stimulated, or should I say my brain isn't being stimulated. I always let my husband pick what we watch in the evenings because I don't much care for most of the shows these days.

So, we watch Pawn Stars, American Pickers, some restoration show and anything else on History. Don't get me wrong, those are great shows, but day after day they become, well, boring. I need action, fear, thriller, something to get the juices flowing. Nothing has stirred the imagination in a while.

Well, I'm taking care of all that. I have a nice action movie lined up for tonight and October is prime television for me with all the horror and paranormal shows on. Hopefully, this will stimulate and charge the muse for a while.

In the mean time I'm planning a combination birthday and Halloween party for my daughter. I don't do parties well, but I'm trying my best to make it a memorable one for her. Can't wait to see all the little one's dressed up!

Okay, I'm off to overload the brain with gore, fright and hopefully ideas.

Flood of 2011

2011-09-10T17:49:00.000-07:00

First off I'd like to say thank you to those who reached out and gave good thought vibes for me and my family this past week. My appreciation is undying.

My community suffered the worst flooding it's seen since 1972 and this years fall flooding was worse. Central Pennsylvania was hit by the tropical storm Lee and received 10 inches of rain in three days. The rivers, creeks and saturated ground from an extremely wet summer simply couldn't handle the amount of water. Our rivers and creeks overflowed and wreaked havoc on roads, bridges and homes.

Thankfully, my family and I escaped with no damage, simply lost our phones, cell phones and Internet, a minor inconvenience compared to the people only a few miles away from us. So many homes lost, and when I say lost I mean gone, nothing left. Roads were demolished. A 40+ stretch of main road vital to our community has been wiped out. People are stranded, isolated, unable to get help. A few fires broke out, unfortunately, fire departments couldn't get to them. People had to be air lifted out by the National Guard.

I ask that you keep these families in your thoughts, prayers or whatever it is you do to ask for help. The restaurant my son worked at, and yes I say worked, is a pile of worthless rubbish. Needless to say, he needs another job.

Again, I say thank you to those who reached out to us. To know people worried is heart warming.

Hopefully, over the weeks and months to come peoples lives will settle and come together again and I will be donating and volunteering to do all I can to help those who weren't as fortunate as I.

Erotic VS Soft Porn

2011-09-01T08:33:00.000-07:00

Recently many people I know, mostly men, have been inquiring about exactly what it is I write. I explain it to them very simply. I write paranormal, contemporary and thriller romance stories. It seems simple enough to me, and when I tell women this, they get it. But, here's the difference between men and women. Women know what romance involves, a serious plot, two main characters (male and female) an antagonist and of course, some hot, sweaty, down and dirty romance. Yes, SEX! Very simple.

Well, its come to my attention that men see this a different way. They hear romance, or the word erotic and their minds directly divert to "soft porn". They don't seem to realize that between page one and oh, let's say page three-hundred, there is a story. An actual story and mixed in is some conflict between the main characters and yes, sexual tension as well. Building that sexual tension is key. Having two people get down and dirty together that have just met, well, okay, you could maybe, a little bit see that as soft porn. But, that isn't what I call romance.

Nay, nay. Romance takes a relationship, getting to know one another and hell, surviving a lunatic that has his sights set on one of them. Two people who never met can be thrown together in the midst of crisis, fight, hate and then learn about each other and end up in the horizontal, boot knocking position, but it takes events and a real imagination grabbing story to get them there. This is my definition of romance.

A friend of mine recently told me he described my books to another friend of his as soft porn. I shrug it off because, well, they're men. Yes, the male mind deciphers things differently than a woman's. Fact of life, suck it and deal with it. The funny part about it is, using the term soft porn seems to generate more interest for them than romance. Go figure. If it results in sales, they can call it anything they like. And, if they enjoy it, YIPEE! A win - win for me.

And that's where my hypocritical side comes in. If a woman describes my book as porn, I take offense. Mostly because they haven't read any of my books yet. They see erotic or romance mixed in and without turning one page or reading one word they have labeled it as something dirty and disgusting. Women should know better. Am I right? I mean, come on. As mothers we teach our kids not to judge something before we find out for ourselves what it is, is it harmful or are people jealous therefor talking smack.

My opinion, women who berate and slam something either are hiding their closet love of erotic romance novels, or have been taught that their bodies are dirty and sinful. If that's the case, I feel for them because they are missing out on a great gift given the human race. Sorry, didn't mean to go on a rant there.

In short, words mean different things to the different genders. Yes, I have had men read some of my books and they don't seem to get hung up on the sex scenes, they devour the action in it. It it takes using the word "porn" to get them to open the book, so be it. If the books good enough, they quickly realize there isn't as much sex in it as they thought and get lost in the actual story.

That's my take on the two different definitions of what I write.
What's yours?

A Little Pirate Action on the Way!

2011-08-28T18:44:00.000-07:00

A brand spanking new print book is now available at Ellora's Cave.
Two, count them TWO modern day pirate stories in one book.
Landlocked by the talented Cindy Jacks and my humble story Marauder.

I read Landlocked and let me tell you it is one hot story.A woman's heart knows what it wants and in this story, it wants the hot, sexy pirate Brett Logan. Get ready ladies, he's one scrumptious morsel.

Grab a copy and get ready for some steamy action.

Did You Feel That?

2011-08-23T13:50:00.000-07:00

What an interesting day. I felt my very first earthquake this afternoon. A very freaky sensation to say the least. Since I've never experienced an earthquake before I had no idea what it was. My husband at first thought it was the gas companies doing mapping in our area. They have large trucks that pound the ground to find the natural gas pockets beneath the earth. Que the news! Earthquake hits Virgina and is felt all the way into Toronto.

After absorbing the information, I found it rather exciting. I do like to experience new things. Don't care to do it again, but still, it was kinda cool. I do hope everyone in Virginia is well. I'm sure those on the West Coast are laughing at our reaction, but since we don't have building codes for earthquakes, because we don't get them, I believe we have the right to be anxious. I know in my area buildings are old and wouldn't stand a more powerful quake.

Anyway, It was interesting.

A side note, I have exciting news but don't know when I'll be able to share it, so stay tuned.

Proud Mom Post

2011-08-13T10:33:00.001-07:00

As our racing season begins to come to the end, our kid is stepping up his game. Over the last month he's been improving at a rapid pace. Last night he was two laps shy of winning his first feature win. With the drop of the green flag, Nathan jumped into the lead and held his position for 18 laps. As each lap ticked off, the dust got thicker in the air and with that comes visibility issues. Two laps to go he came out of the second turn and couldn't see where he was. Unfortunately, he was too high on the track and went off the back stretch cutting a tire and finishing his night.

Was he upset? Not really. He made a statement last night and showed his fellow drivers he's serious about his racing. The kid opened a lot of eyes and received cheers from the crowd. He's still learning and with each race comes a new lesson. Last night was one of them. His win will come and it will taste so much sweeter when it does.

On a another note, our second car driven by a good friend of ours did WIN! The 02 started in the rear of the field and came up to second as the two lap signal was given. It looked like we'd have a one - two finish, but things happen and the 02 brought home the win.

All in all a great night for the Miller Racing crew. We all had fun and that's why we're in the sport.

Interesting New Blog

2011-07-27T12:56:00.001-07:00

Hey, hey everyone. I found an interesting new blog some of you may like to give a try. www.deliciapleasure.blogspot.com

Only two posts so far, but wow! If you're interested in some free erotic reading pop on over and check it out. It is very adult and very explicit language so if you're not into that, move along. Nothing for you to see here.

If you are into erotic writing, this may be for you. I see to, that if you have an interest in some of the "gadgets" featured in the stories there is a link you can go to and find them.

Just found this interesting and wanted to share. Gotta help out a fellow writer and blogger right?!

Borders to liquidate and close down.

2011-07-20T19:10:00.000-07:00

A sad time. I hate to hear about any book stores closing. Technology is wonderful, but in my opinion books, real paper, ink and glorious covers will never go out of style. Don't get me wrong, I own a reader and download books all the time, but I do have some fav author's that I like to purchase in paperback.

So, when I heard the only book store in thirty miles of my home was going to go out of business, it broke my heart. I love that store. My mother and I go from time to time to have coffee and then browse through the shelves. My kids love to go with me to see what they can find and I always thought of it as a haven. Some place I could go and lose myself for a while. I love standing in front of the metaphysical section and drinking in all the titles.

I have to say, this is kind of like having an old friend move across the country. I understand some of the stores did little business, but our Borders was always busy. Like I said, the only book store for thirty miles. On weekends they had six cashiers working non-stop. Sighhhh, I hope another chain sees fit to take pity on our community and bring our beloved books back to the shelves.

I had always hoped to have signing in that store one day, some dreams are never meant to be realized I suppose.

As for the employee's, I wish them luck in finding another job. Our store had great people who knew what they carried and if they weren't sure didn't hesitate to get help or find what I wanted.

The debate over digital and print will rage for a while to come I suppose. In my world there is room for both. Sadly, my children's school isn't on the ebook bandwagon yet. They have a program called accelerated reading, where the kids are required to read and take a test on so many books a year, on their own time. Teachers don't allow them to read ebooks. So, the piddly library is now their only means to finding a book.

I know, order one you say. Keep in mind not everyone will read whatever you put in front of them. My kids have particular tastes and will not read unless it completely interests them. I have visions of hours spent on the computer hoping to find a book that will keep their attention. Again, sighhhhhhh.

How do you feel about the loss of book stores? Do you prefer digital reading, print, or both?

Great Deals on Books!

2011-07-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

Spread the word! All Romance eBooks has some outstanding deals on my books. Never read my work before? Here's your chance. Go to:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Robin+Leigh+Miller (Sorry, I tried to link it, but for some reason it didn't want to work) Get some hot summer reads and tell your friends.

Back to it!

2011-07-05T10:14:00.000-07:00

I hope all my American friends had a Great and Safe Independence Day! I spent the day with family and friends and we had a wonderful picnic. Today though is back to work. I need to knock out another chapter on my latest WIP. Not much writing happening with the kids home from school and I've developed chronic headaches. I believe because my story keeps rattling around inside my head and can't get out. Or, it could be the hundred other things going on in my life. I don't know.

Anyway, today I NEED to write at least one chapter to keep myself on schedule. So, I hope you all have a great rest of the week and find a yummy summer read to keep you steamy.

Later All!

Cover Contest Results and Mini Review of Return to Delight

2011-06-27T18:18:00.000-07:00

Okay, so last month I was pushing everyone over to cover cafe to vote for 2010 book covers. Tempest's Gift was a finalist. Today the results were posted and Tempest came in 7. Am I disappointed. Yep, but more so for the awesome cover designer Reese Dante. She had two covers up. Fallen came in 5 and Tempest 7. I was really hoping she picked up first for one of them. What talent. Not to worry. Reese has won many contests with her designs and will continue to with her unique eye. I love ya Reese.

Today I was starving for a quick read and Black Raven reviews posted a recommended read for fellow author Regina Carlysle. The book. Return to Delight. So, I popped on over to Ellora's Cave and downloaded it for a piddly 4.95.

Here's what I thought about this story.

YUMMY!HOT!AWESOME!GIVE ME MORE!

This scrumptious Texan tale is loaded with scorching sex scenes and love that never died over time. Cooper loved Harely so completely that he was willing to put his heart on the line and risk breaking it into a zillion pieces to try to win her love. And, when all hope looked lost he gave it one last ditch effort. What woman could walk away from a sexy rancher willing to risk it all for her? I sure as hell couldn't.

If you want a great quick read that will curl your toes check out Regina Carlysle's Return to Delight here Regina assures me we'll be hearing more from the men of Delight, Texas. And boy, I can't wait.

Interview at Riverina Romances

2011-06-24T09:54:00.000-07:00

Check out my interview up at Riverina Romances . This a great blog run by some fun ladies. Check it out. They have give aways, do reviews, interviews and guest blogs.

Buy Marauder here

New project and tiny review of Larissa Ione's Eternal Rider

2011-06-22T20:28:00.000-07:00

Hey all! Hope your summer is going well. My kids have been out of school for two weeks now and today I got to sit down and write a new chapter in my newest project. I've struggling to come up with strong characters and strong plot lately. Nothing I jot down seems to do if for me and then last night it hit me. I'm doing it backwards. What I mean is, I was trying to center my story around a male alpha when what I do best is write about a strong female alpha.

Everyone has their own way of writing, their own voice and style. Mine seems to work best when I center the plot around my female character and not the male. Sure, I like alpha males, but I NEED my female to just as strong. Once I got my head wrapped around that simple fact, the story came together. I plotted it out last night, spent most of my morning working the story in my head and then this afternoon sat down and wrote the first chapter.

I'm liking it so far. Tasha, that's my alpha female, is strong, not afraid of who she is and doesn't take crap off anyone. She doesn't apologize to anyone for who she is. If you like her, great. If you don't, your loss. Tasha likes riding her father's old motorcycle and loves leather. Her job, she's a body guard.

There, I gave you a taste of my latest WIP. I'm eager to get it written because I'm loving my characters and where they're headed in the story. I do so love it when a plot comes together.

I have some other projects in the works for this summer, but I'll keep those to myself for now. I'm superstitious and speaking of them first before I get them underway is a jinx. It'll probably take a while to get them underway.

So, the other day I read the first book in Larissa Ione's new series Lords of Deliverance. Eternal Rider. I loved it. Ten stars all the way. I love this woman and wish I had the talent she has in her pinky. If you want a good read that's different, loaded with hot characters and different story line, check out Eternal Rider. I promise, you won't be disappointed.

How could you not want to read about the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Action, hot romance and characters that return for a visit from her past books. I can't wait for the next story. Larissa is quickly becoming my favorite author.

Okay, that's about it for me tonight. My brain's fried and needs a rest so I can hit the new WIP hard tomorrow. That is if my kid's don't have me running like a mad woman around the country side.

Have a great rest of the week everyone and enjoy your weekend.

Happy reading..........

Riverina Romantics: REVIEW: Marauder by Robin Leigh Miller

2011-06-15T12:22:00.000-07:00

Riverina Romantics: REVIEW: Marauder by Robin Leigh Miller

This review rocks!

On the heels of a rejection I found this review. Needless to say it buffered the quick, stabbing, temporary pain of having a story turned down by a publisher.

Never fear! I will be overhauling the story that has been rejected and sending it out once again.

New Print Book Available!

2011-06-13T20:15:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited!!! I have yet another book in print and it has an awesome, brand spanking new cover! It's sexy, hot and intriguing. (in my humble opinion) At the moment is only available at Amazon. Amazon.com: Force of Nature (9781419964626): Robin Leigh Miller: Books

That makes 3 print books in my library. I know, maybe I'll hold a contest to celebrate! Keep checking back for details.

Here are some reviews for Force of Nature that may help you decide if you'd like to spend your hard earned money on one of my stories!

Force of Nature is a suspenseful story.....The plot line is exciting and a real page turner. Ms. Miller does a wonderful job keeping her readers involved in the plot............. Coffee Time Romance

Ms. Miller has done a wonderful job of bringing hope, love and sensual romance to life through the contagious characters of Markey and Trip. Force of Nature is a story that encompassed certain aspects and feelings of real life leaving this reviewer captivated with its magic. This is definitely one you won't want to miss!...Love Romaces and More

I enjoyed reading Robin Leigh Miller's Force of Nature. The plot was unique, the characters were strong, and their romance was sweet yet very sensual at times...............Romance Reader at Heart

Force of Nature is an emotion-packed and somewhat heart wrenching tale...Ms. Miller pens a story rife with enotiona and originality.......Romance Junkies

I can't recommend this story enough for those who enjoy a well thought out tale that is written in a way that stimulates your imagination but also captures your soul. I hope this is only the beginning for Ms.Miller because she is definitely a force to be reckoned with in the paranormal genre.....Fallen Angel Reveiws

Force of Nature was a thrilling read that had me wanting to know what would happen next..........Night Owl Romance

Force of Nature is a story that will leave readers feeling like they have been on a journey with the characters and gained a great insight into humanity and the power of love.........REVEIWERS CHOICE AWARD for October...Two Lips Reviews

Cyber Launch Party! Today Only! Free Book up for grabs.

2011-05-23T13:34:00.000-07:00

Hey All. Got a cyber launch party going on today at www.cyberlaunchparty.blogspot.com Head on over and see how you could win a free paperback of Elemental Challenges.

Friendly Reminder about the Cover Art Contest!

2011-05-17T08:34:00.001-07:00

Don't forget to visit Cover Cafe and cast your vote for your favorite romance covers of 2010. Tempest's Gift is a finalist in the Alternate Reality catagory. Show some love for Reese Dante, the amazing cover artist who created this work of art.

The contest ends May 31 so don't delay! Vote today!

Terror Strikes!!

2011-05-15T12:02:00.000-07:00

Ever been so scared, so out of your mind terrified that you swear your heart will explode inside your chest and it takes days for the fear to subside?

Yeah, that happened to me recently.

As a mother, your children's safety is always foremost in your mind. You live, breathe and sleep their safety. And when they go to sleep you finally take an easy breath knowing all is well for at least eight hours. That is unless you're the parent of a sleepwalker.

I have three children and all are or have been sleepwalkers to some degree. My oldest seems to have outgrown it, my middle child as well. That leaves my youngest. She is constantly getting up during the night and doing something. Mostly it's all harmless. She gets a spoon or fork and takes it back to her room, or even grabs something out of the pantry and squirrels it away in her room. Sometimes she simply comes out and chatters to us, or we find her bedding laying around the house in the morning. All fairly harmless and things that don't cause me much panic.

That is until last night.

We had a late night at the race track Friday where my oldest son races and then had to be up early in the morning for my daughters soccer game Saturday. Needless to say she was exhausted come Saturday night. So, she fell asleep on the couch at 8:30 in the evening and let her lay there.

At 11:00 pm, my husband went to pick up my oldest from his job. He wasn't gone 15 min. when my daughter sat up on the couch, shouted, jumped up and ran to the door. Now, the door was locked but she managed to open it in seconds, jerked it open and went running out into the night screaming at the top of her lungs.

I couldn't seem to move fast enough and as I'm running out the door all these horrible thoughts are racing through my head. What if she runs into the road? What if she makes it across the road? It was so dark would I be able to see her, find her?

She did head for the road, but made a quick turn and ran into our driveway where our car stopped her and she screamed so loud and looked so scared. All I could do is wrap my arms around her and hold her as she fought me.

If you've never dealt with a sleepwalker, let me fill you in on a few things. They are stronger and quicker than when they are awake. At least my kids are. She fought me for a while so I tightened my hold and murmured to her until suddenly stopped, looked up at me and asked what was going on?

Well, I got her back in the house, sat her down and held her a while longer until I was sure I wouldn't fall apart. Minutes later my son and husband came home. Again, thoughts started running through my head. What if they'd pulled into our driveway while she was running around? She could have been hit. So, I start shaking harder.

Sleep didn't come easily for me that night. And today, we went and bought deadbolts for our doors to make it harder for her to get out. I'm not sure this will solve much because sleepwalkers don't have a problem maneuvering as if they're awake. We'll see though.

Anyway, I'm still experiencing some anxiety over it today. I've had a lot of things happen to me through my life, but this, this was plain terror seeing my child out of control in such a way. I'm not one to wish my life by, but I will be relieved when she out grows this and maybe I'll be able to sleep through the night once again.

So, that was my stark terror episode that I don't care to ever repeat.

What about you? What was your terrifying experience?

Vote in Cover Cafe contest. Tempest's Gift a finalist!

2011-05-08T18:30:00.000-07:00

All month in May the Cover Cafe is having their annual cover art contest. There are 5 categories to vote in. You must cast 3 votes in 3 different categories for your vote to count.

In the Alternate Reality category my book cover Tempest's Gift is a finalist. I would greatly appreciate if you would pop on over there and place a vote for it. My cover artist Reese Dante is a miracle. An awesome designer who seems to nail it every time. This contest is for the cover designers, not the authors and I would really like to see her win this.

They say never judge a book by it's cover, but let's be honest. How many of us do it? If a cover catches our attention we pick it up and read the blurb. If the cover is blah, well, it's a 50/50 chance if you'll pick it up.

These designers have my respect because they are given a quick, short version of the story and characters and they have to come up with a cover that will be tasteful yet eye catching. You only have so much space to create this work of art and time and again Reese Dante pulls it off.

Don't forget, I have a new print book out at Silver Publishing, the first two books before Tempest's Gift. Eternal Flame and Earth's Demon.

Keep watching my blog. May 23, 2011 I will be having a launch party and possibly giving away a copy. (or two)

Elemental Challenges in Print!!

2011-05-06T08:57:00.000-07:00

This month is becoming busy with all these great things happening.

Saturday May 7 the first two short stories in my Elemental Challenges series are available in print. The two stories are combined in one book, which I think is great!

https://silverpublishing.info/product_book_info/paperbacks-c-83/elemental-challenges-print-p-321

This is my second book in print and I can't tell you how excited I am about it. Nothing like holding your work in your hand.

Marauder Top Pick at Night Owl Reviews

2011-05-03T18:28:00.000-07:00

Reviews are hard to come by these days, for me anyway. With thousands and thousands of writers looking for reviews, the reviews sites are over loaded. So when I get one I take the reviewers words to heart.

Yesterday I received a review for Marauder, my latest release, from Night Owl Reviews. One of the more respected review sites. They gave me a glowing review 4.75 stars and a TOP PICK! Needles to say I'm thrilled beyond belief.

"Wow. This was an awesome read that I couldn’t put down."
For the entire review you can go to Night Owl Reviews

I also like to hear from my readers so if you've read any of my humble stories and would like to give some feedback, please by all means send me an email or leave a comment here.

In other news my last post about the fellow author who was attacked for the type of stories she's written has received loads of support from all over the world. The woman who launched the attack is now back peddling as fast as she can, in public anyway. Word is she's still spouting we all follow Satan for supporting the author on her private facebook page. What are ya gonna do? Some people are simply idiots.

Speaking of facebook you can find me on there http://www.facebook.com/#!/robin.l.miller1
The more friends the better I always say!

Okay my lovely readers....Time to move on and do some writing.

Till next time.........Happy Reading

Fellow Author Attacked for Writing "Racy" Novels

2011-04-28T18:27:00.000-07:00

It's been an interesting few days folks. Tuesday night I was helping my daughter with her homework when I hear a teacher in the next county is coming under attack for writing racy novels on the news. Well, of course that caught my attention and I start listening more closely and what do you know. I know the author. She writes for one of the same publishers I do. Low and behold, one of her covers pops up on the screen with Ellora's Cave blazing on the top.

So this is the short version of the story. A small group of women, 5 at the most, has recently discovered that this teacher in their school district writes adult books and they are now worried that this teacher is looking at their kids in a sexual way. Here was my response to the TV. "WHAT THE FUCK!"

These women think adult romance books are disgusting and filthy and they think the teacher should choose between writing or teaching. "SAY WHAT?"

Okay, so they label the teacher a pedophile and think people shouldn't read adult romance novels because they find them disgusting and are afraid their children are going to be influenced by this.

Excuse me. Do you honestly think high school kids don't already think about sex, or see it in movies, HBO, Internet? How many teenage boys have seen porn on the Internet that would make adult romance novels seem boring? 99% of them for heaven's sake.

Now, this author has been writing under a pen name for about 20 years. She has never discussed her writing with her students and if asked about it her response is I don't know what you're talking about. It turns out students have known she's a writer for YEARS and are thrilled they have an English teacher who is so good at her profession that she's been published.

Now as the story unfolds, it turns out this woman who ran to the news station to bully this teacher is known for stirring up shit to get her name in the news and her face in the papers and TV. In fact, a few months prior this very same news station talked to this very same woman in the very same area about bullying. And here she is bullying a teacher. HEY LADY! Where do you think kids learn to bully? From people like you!

So, it takes half a day for the writing community nation wide to hear about this story and they reacted. The news station was bombarded with emails, calls, comments on their web site so furiously that they started shutting down the ability to comment. Every comment left was in support of the author and basically telling these backwoods, bored women to get a hobby and stop attacking good, solid, professional citizens.

A support page went up for the author on facebook and within 24 hours over 6000 people joined demanding an apology be made by the news station for reporting a bias one sided story without getting all the facts. Well, the news station joined the support group and said they would like to talk to people who live in the area and air their story.

This morning it happened. 20 people showed up and told the news station that this teacher/author was one of the best teachers in the district. She's been teaching for 25 years, writing for nearly 20 and never once sought fame in the community for her writing. She wrote under a pen name for a reason. They aired the story. It wasn't a good story, but it at least showed these handful of women did not speak for the community and they wanted her left alone.

Now, through all this the author's sales spiked tremendously. YaY! People who had no idea she wrote are now buying her books to see what the fuss is about. YaY! The author/teacher has refused to talk to the media and has been dignified and quiet through all of this. She comes out looking like the hero and these bored housewives with nothing better to do with their time than look for reasons to call the news station are being shunned by the community. YAY!

Let this be a lesson to people. If you are going to attack a writer, you better have a damn good reason and have your facts lined up or the writing community is going to come after you. The news station learned this and these women learned this in a very harsh manner.

I mean really, think about this people. What a teacher does off the clock is her business as long as it doesn't break any laws and she doesn't push her work to underage children. None of this happened. These women believe if you're a teacher you shouldn't have a life outside the school. Guess what, ain't gonna happen. What's next, pregnant teachers should be removed from the school because they have sex? Teachers aren't allowed to have sex at all? Um, how did these women get their children in the first place? Did they plop out of the sky?

Freedom of speech people. If you don't like the contents of the book, don't read it. It's very simple. Just like we don't like your ideas so we ignore you. See how easy that is?

Anyway, if you would like to support this teacher you can go to
http://www.facebook.com/#!/SupportJudyMays

We can't let narrow minded, busy bodied, publicity seekers, hypocrites (oh yes, if you knew the woman who started all this you'd understand the hypocrisy) try and destroy a person's life for 15 minutes of fame.

We have your back Judy Mays and this injustice simply couldn't be let go.

Dead eyes starring at you!

2011-04-20T09:30:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I go to my chiropractor this morning to get my overly tight muscles thoroughly worked out. (They say I carry ever bit of tension and stress in my shoulders and neck which leads to jaw clenching which leads to teeth breaking which leads to regular visits to the dentist which leaves Robin even more stressed since I'm one of those dentist phobes. What a mess.) Anyway, he finds every tender sore spot I have, sticks his finger it until the muscle gives and starts to relax and then when he's done torturing me, puts me in another room with this nifty little table that I'd like to have at home.

This table has a roller in it that works its way up and down your spine and feels like a mini massage.

So I'm lying there and I look around the room and it hits me. I'm being watched by 10 dead dear heads and two bear skins. My chiropractor is a big hunter and apparently ran out of room in his home to store his trophies, I don't know. I start feeling a little creeped out. All these empty, vacant eyes are pointed right at me, watching.

(shiver) Now, I'm not against hunting in the least. I grew up in a rural area, currently live in a rural area and know the people who hunt don't do it simply for the sport, they use the meat they kill.My husbands family is big into hunting and I've sampled plenty of the vitals they cook up. Some I love, some not so much. But they use it and what they don't use they give to people who need it.

Oh, and let's not forget population control.Have you ever seen a starving wild animal? It's heart breaking. I just wish they'd make turkey season longer because I'm tired of having to wait for the dumb birds to stop freaking out in the middle of the road and move on. Sheesh! One turkey panics and they all panic running around in circles like nuts.

So, back to the main point here. I simply got a little goose pimply over all these dead, vacant eyes watching me. I couldn't help the beginning of a story conjuring up in my head. What if these stuffed heads started to move? What if those eyes blinked and became hungry for vengeance? The racks on these things, and I do mean horns, are impressive and could do some serious damage if the animal plunged them into soft flesh.

Imagine being skewered through the gut at the doctor's office, flopping around helplessly as your life blood drains away and each deer head takes a turn ramming it's pointy horn into another part of your body. All the while those dead eyes starring at you, laughing. How does it feel? You mind your own business, graze for your daily nourishment and then find yourself cut to pieces, your body consumed and your head hung on a wall.

And what about the bear's? Their heads aren't as big but have you ever seen the teeth on those suckers? (double shiver) Nasty! The furry, lumbering animal is foraging for food and the next thing he knows he's on the floor of some one's home, his fur being walked on by bare human feet. How degrading.

Like I said, I have nothing against hunting at all and I probably wouldn't have noticed if one or maybe even two deer heads were hanging there. But come on!! 10!
10 sets of lifeless eyes all aimed at you, that's unnerving.

So, those are my thoughts for the day.

Oh, and a warm loving HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my son! The big 13. (sigh) Two teenagers in the house now. I feel old age lurking in the shadows ready to dig it's nasty hateful claws into me and drag me down. I'm not going without a fight. Hear me old age? I'm fighting every step of the way.

Don't forget about my contest going on at www.authorisland.com. Last day is May 1. Enter to win a signed copy of my first release, BLACK SMOKE

Have a good one everybody and happy reading........

Crawl into the mind of Strafe from "Marauder"

2011-04-15T19:23:00.000-07:00

Check out this excerpt from Marauder. My latest release.

“Ya know, you aren’t the same man,” Nick said, keeping his back to Strafe. “I get the feeling she isn’t the same woman.”
“I made her want me once, I can do it again.”
“I have no doubt you can.”
Strafe wished he believed that as much as Nick sounded like he believed it. The woman he’d watched defending her clan certainly wasn’t the same women he thought had died five years ago. The Priscilla he knew was meek, mild and timid. This woman, she had grit, tenacity and damn, she really thought she could give her clan the chance to escape by running that dump of a truck into the woods.

Opening the door, he crawled inside the cab, lifted her limp body in his arms and carefully carried her to his tent. A few of the men stopped and watched, knowing better than to say anything. They knew he didn’t show any affection for women. The only time he approached a woman was to sate his need for sex. So he could see their confusion.

Strafe carried her into his tent, settled her down on her bedding and allowed himself a moment to drink her in. He couldn’t believe it. She’d died. He could have sworn she’d died right there in front of him.

His gaze drifted over her shabby clothing. Her shirt hung from her torso, her arms like thin twigs draped in cloth. The jeans she wore bagged around her waist, a piece of rope keeping them from falling down. It twisted his gut that his Priscilla lived like this. She deserved better and he would give her better.

Reaching over her, he grabbed a bowl of water and a rag, moistened the rag and gently cleaned the blood from her head. The cut didn’t seem bad, not deep enough to be stitched anyway. Once he cleaned her face he worked tirelessly at cleaning her hair.

She’d let it grow. Long waves of chestnut-brown hair cascaded down below her shoulders. He liked it. It made her sharp, angular features softer. She’d acquired a few scars that hadn’t been there before. One from the corner of her left eye that ran to her hairline and one that slashed across her right upper lip.

He couldn’t allow himself to think about how she got them. The scenarios he’d conjure in his mind would only drive him to the brink of madness. Forcing himself to push on, he surveyed her clothing and decided he couldn’t stand to see her in these rags any longer. Slipping his finger beneath the collar of her T-shirt, he ripped and was shocked how easily the material shredded down her front.

Glancing at her creamy exposed skin he sucked in a sharp breath and stifled a curse. Pushing the material aside made his insides quiver with both anger and terror. There over her right breast was a puckered, thickly scarred bullet wound that flooded his mind with memories of that night. He quickly pushed them aside, refusing to allow
those memories to take hold. Instead, he allowed his gaze to travel away from the wound and down the rest of her body.

What he saw there didn’t help his sour mood. She looked like a skeleton with flesh stretched tight against it. Dear god. How long had she been starving?

“No more,” he mumbled, untying the rope holding her jeans up. “No more.” With shaking hands, he tugged the thin, dirty denim down her hips and down her thighs, cursing the entire time as each inch of her pencil-thin thighs were exposed.

“Oh baby. What’s happened to you?” After removing her boots he shucked the denim off her body and tossed it aside. Tomorrow he’d burn the filth. He never wanted to see it again.

Pale moonlight filtered through the tent flap and kissed her tender, fragile flesh, giving her an angelic glow that had him reaching out. As thin as she was, she still was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on. Her full breasts were topped with cherry-pink tips that made his mouth water. He remembered sucking them, rolling them on his tongue and getting drunk on her taste.

Fisting his hand to keep from touching her, he let his gaze travel down her ribs, over her sunken belly and across her protruding hips. She’d been thin five years ago, but not painfully thin like this. At least then she’d had curves, lush, delicious curves he liked to stroke. She’d be that way again, he promised her and himself. He’d make sure she ate every day.

Comfortable in his resolve to put meat on her bones, he allowed his gaze to brush over the soft brown curls between her legs. His fingers twitched, eager to be sunk deep in her fine hair and stroke her outer lips. He couldn’t though, not now. Reluctantly, he moved away and rummaged through his bag of clothing. Buried at the bottom he kept a tank top that he never wore. After shaking it out, he tugged it down over her head, careful not to touch her bruising cut.

It took some maneuvering, but he managed to get the shirt shuffled down her back and over her hips. The garment hung nearly to her knees. On him, it was tight and
short. Brushing the backs of his fingers across her cheek, he sighed. What hell had she lived through over the past five years? Regretfully, he reached for the rope looped around the tree trunk and bound her wrists.

Walking to his pile of blankets, Strafe stripped off his shirt, tossed it aside and then removed his jeans. He always slept naked, a habit he chose not to shake after his time at the rebel camp. The rebels liked to keep their new recruits vulnerable, unable to hide weapons. He found it comfortable.

Lying down on top of his blankets, he stretched out and stared at the roof of his tent. What would he dream about tonight? Usually he dreamed of Priscilla, the night she died and how agonizingly lonely he’d become. Glancing over at her, he wondered again, what would he dream about?

Would she accept this new man? The rebels had created a cold, merciless monster. A monster who’d crawled out of his cage and lashed out until every last one of his captors was dead. He didn’t do it alone of course, those men out there, they followed, fought until their bloody, bruised and damn-near-dead bodies collapsed. In the end, they’d won their freedom and now they intended to live the best way they knew how. He’d have to make Priscilla understand that.

Want to read more? Pop on over to http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-marauder-536536-144.html Marauder is also availabel at http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9167-marauder.aspx

A carnal quick read I do so hope you enjoy!

Marauder has pulled into and parked at All Romance eBooks!

2011-04-12T18:39:00.001-07:00

Check. It. Out!
My latest release is now available at All Romance eBooks. at a great price, too!
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-marauder-536536-144.html

Rumble on over and pick up a quick read for a low price.

Blurb for Marauder
Nothing mattered in Evan Duvall’s life as much as his sexy, timid Priscilla. Her touch could destroy and resurrect with one feathery stroke. Pleasure was all they could give each other—and Priscilla gave freely. Her presumed death annihilated Evan and brought to life Strafe, the notorious road pirate.

After years of loneliness, Strafe finds Priscilla alive—and changed. She’s feisty, independent and sensual as hell. She may be wary of the new Strafe but her body responds with a hungry need he finds impossible to ignore. Waiting for her capitulation becomes torture, so he begins a series of inventive, erotic teasing sessions that keep her in a constant state of arousal.

But to properly care for Priscilla, as well as those who’ve come to depend on him, the pirate must strike again.

I'm loving it!

2011-04-11T17:32:00.000-07:00

The new WIP is moving along nicely and I'm excited. I'm into chapter thirteen already. I'm totally giddy about that. My characters are cooperating nicely which makes it all so easy. I do believe this book is going to be the first of a series. So many ideas are developing for the secondary characters.

I'm hoping at least another few weeks and the story will be wrapped up.

Don't forget to enter my contest going on at Author Island. www.authorisland.com under contests. A signed copy of my first ever release Black Smoke.

Okay, getting ready to watch the season finale of Being Human. After six hours of writing today I think I deserve a few hours of entertainment.

So, remember therapy is expensive, poppin' bubble wrap is cheap! You choose.

Until next time..Happy reading...

Great Deals available!

2011-04-07T16:46:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. Looking for some reads at a great price?
Check out All Romance eBooks. They have great prices on some of my available books.

Go to www.allromanceebooks.com and type my name in the search box.

Not all my books are there, but all my releases from Ellora's Cave are available.

Don't forget about my contest going on at Author Island www.authorisland.com (listed under contests) it ends May 1st.

While I sat a my younglings soccer practice tonight I started reading a new book.

Jory Strong's Ride to Ecstasy
I'm only two chapters in, but loving where it's heading. She's developed two interesting worlds. A water world and desert world. I can't wait to find out what transpires between the three of them. Ooops, that's right. !!THREE!!

So, I'm on chapter 12 of my wip. It's flowing along nicely. Not sure where I'm going to submit it yet, but I have time to think about that.

Have you read Marauder yet? Wanna read an excerpt?
http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9167-marauder.aspx

I got two ratings on it from readers. Both recommended reads.

Okay, I'm going back to read Ride to Ecstasy.
It's sick the way people keep having sex without me...(grin)

Till later my fellow readers........

Were's, Vamps, Witches, Dragons..What a wonderful world!!

2011-04-04T08:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I treated myself to an afternoon of reading. My book of choice?
Angela Knight's Master of Smoke from the Mageverse Novels.

If you haven't read any of Angela Knight's Mageverse Novels, you don't know what you're missing. What she's done with ancient legend concerning King Arthur and Knights of the Round table is fantabulous!!!

In Master of Smoke she's taken a woman attacked and changed by a werewolf and paired her with a "man" who is made up of a werecat, a god, and an ancient being. Wow, talk about a man who has it all and good looks and chiseled body to go with it.

Watching Eva and Smoke defeat evil and discover each other is wonderful. Eva is, well, remarkable. Think about it. Could you easily fall for a man who is made up of three different personalities? I mean, that's what it is when you come down to it. Three beings inhabiting one body. And Smoke has to hope she accepts them all.

On top of dealing with a man she wants beyond understanding, Eva has to juggle a multitude of lies she's forced to tell her family about him and herself. I loved the way Angela Knight brought Eva's family into the story. Acceptance and trust is a foundation every relationship should have whether it be from a lover, a husband, wife or mother and father. You feel like you're standing right there with Eva as she struggles to keep her family safe by revealing a horrible secret that could either turn them away or bring them closer.

Master of Smoke is an awesome book for those who love scifi and romance mixed together. I've read all the Mageverse novels and eagerly wait for the next installment. With each story the Mageverse becomes more real filled with beings who can look beyond the physical and see inside where true happiness exists.

Angela Knight's ability to create worlds that exist along side ours is phenomenal. I've read all her works and every time I'm swept away into a universe that wraps me up and holds me a happy hostage until the very last page.

As you can see I'm not a professional reviewer. This is just my humble opinion of an awesome book in an incredible series filled with unbelievable imagination and a fix for my need to be taken away from the strains of everyday life. I bow to your greatness Angela Knight. Keep 'em coming.

Another Contest!!

2011-04-01T19:20:00.000-07:00

In conjunction with Author Island, I'm having another contest.
This time you get the chance to win a signed copy of my very first release
Black Smoke.
Go to http://www.authorisland.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=6&Itemid=510 or www.authorisland.com and click on contests and scroll through until you find the contest for Marauder. Read the directions and the next thing you know you're entered.
Very easy!

Contest ends May 1, 2011.

On a personal note, today was great. My oldest son turned 16, he passed his drivers permit test and the family went out for dinner. We ate, laughed and had a very pleasant meal as a family. Since the birthday cake is tomorrow, we had birthday pie. YUM.

I only got to work a little on the WIP today, but what little I did feels good. Hopefully I get to write some tomorrow.
This chapter I'm writing is a big first step for my characters. It needs to throw them into a whirlwind of confusion about themselves and each other. I hope I nail it.

So, until next time my fellow readers...

Happy reading.

I'm all shivery with excitement...

2011-03-31T16:42:00.001-07:00

Well, today was good, great in fact. I had two winners for the contest at my cyber launch party for Marauder yesterday. I do hope the ladies enjoy Country Loving.
AND I got a fabulous, wonderful, spectacular review for Marauder.

I read through Marauder in record time—for me. I loved Robin Leigh Miller’s crisp, refreshing flow in this modern twist. Road Pirates. Everything about Strafe is different from the lover she once knew, and Priscilla has to decide if she wants the new him. Still the relationship between Strafe and Priscilla is my favorite in a long time, simply because it’s raw, it’s real, and it’s sexy. It’s also new as they have to get acquainted with the other, learn and discover each other in a totally new way. That’s amazing to watch as these tough, headstrong characters give in to their carnal desires. I loved the sex scenes. The pictures Ms. Miller painted of those two were vivid and in great detail from Riva at The Readers Roundtable

Please stop by their site and read the rest of the review.
http://thereadersroundtable.com/erotic/?p=111

Thank you, Riva!!!

There are some other great reviews on this site as well. Oh, and if you're easily offended by pictures of hard bodied, sexy, drop dead gorgeous men, don't look at the top of the page. I'm still trying to cool down. Hey, I'm not dead. I can look.

So, I'm working on new WIP and I'm at a critical point. The first (whispers) sex scene. I had to stop writing it today because I had to take my oldest to the doctor. Hopefully after everyone goes to bed tonight I can hit it hard. Oh my, that could mean two things, anywho, when I write my sex scenes I like to do it in one shot without being interrupted. (snicker) Okay, enough of that.

So, my oldest son turns 16 tomorrow and tonight while he's sleeping I'll decorate his room with streamers and balloons so when he wakes up, booyah, he's met with a celebration. After school my hubby is taking him to take his drivers permit test. (Gulp) My baby's growing up. I'm having a harder time dealing with his birthday than I ever did with any of mine.

Okay, time to get busy and I believe some one's thinking about sex...OK it's me!

Have a good one everyone...

Happy reading...

CONTEST WINNERS!!

2011-03-31T10:53:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who stopped by my cyber launch party for Marauder yesterday! I enjoyed the comments and questions.

So here are the winners of the contest:

Stacie and Tracey D

Country Loving is on it's way to you ladies. I hope you enjoy it.

PARTY TIME!! JOIN IN TODAY ONLY

2011-03-30T07:14:00.000-07:00

Today's the day! Stop by www.cyberlaunchparty.blogspot.com and join in the fun celebrating my new release Marauder.

Leave a comment or question and be entered for a chance to win my short story Country Loving

Mention my blog for a second chance to win!

Cyber Launch Party Tomorrow and a chance to win one of my back list!!!

2011-03-29T18:18:00.000-07:00

Okay everyone. Tomorrow is my cyber launch party for Marauder. (the book cover is over to the right, ain't it cool) Stop by for a chance to win Country Loving, a short story about two childhood friends rediscovering each other. Now, this got some rave reviews at www.allromanceebooks.com (they also released the story)
go to www.cyberlaunchparty.blogspot.com
Come on people. Let's make this a big turn out. Ask questions, I answer.

Want to check out Country Loving? Go to www.allromanceebooks.com search under author, that would Robin Leigh Miller and click. All my books will show up, click on Country Loving and read the blurb and excerpt. And if your so inclined you can check out all the other books as well.

Here's a secret. Leave a comment or question and if you don't win Country Loving from the Launch Party you'll have a second chance. Leave a little message saying you read my blog and I'll toss your name in for a second drawing. Sound good?

Okay, let's get this all straight.
Tomorrow you go to www.cyberlaunchparty.blogspot.com
Leave a comment or question
mention you read my blog
and you have two chances to win Country Loving.
YOU MUST MENTION MY BLOG FOR THE SECOND CHANCE

Happy dance and clapping hands!!!!
Thank you in advance for your support.

Now, on a side note.
Did anyone hear about the self published author who had a melt down yesterday after a reviewer gave her, what she considered an unfair review? Whoa, talk about mental break. She dropped the F bomb twice responding to other's comments. Now, as an author you simply have to accept you will not please everyone all the time. It doesn't happen, ever! But, acting like an insane twit does nothing to help your cause. I checked out her page on Amazon and wow, the world reacted with a deluge of negative responses.

I try to always thank anyone who took the time to read my book even if they didn't like it.

Okay, I had to say that. It just blew me away how this woman reacted.

Have a great one everybody, don't forget the Cyber Launch Party tomorrow and remember a hard on doesn't count as personal growth.

Happy Reading!

Vamps, Were's and Ghosts

2011-03-28T17:11:00.000-07:00

It's MONDAY! My favorite show Being Human is on. A vampire living with a werewolf and ghost. All the scifi elements in one show. The werewolf, in my opinion, needs a good swift kick in the hairy butt though. He's whiny, unstable and it drives me nuts how he tells the other two how to live when he can't seem to do anything right. They need to push him to grow up a little. Other than that, it's a perfect show to me.

I think I like the ghost the most. I really wanna see her torment her ex, the one who killed her, until he's standing in the middle of the street screaming at the top of his lungs, stripping naked and running around in circles. But that's just me. I'm vindictive that way.(grin)

Oh, and Castle's on after that. Love me some Castle. He's got it so bad for Becket and one of these days they are gonna connect and WATCH OUT! The fireworks are gonna be grand. Oh, I love watching a romance bloom.

Funny, I write romance, I'll watch a short episode with romance in it, but I can't watch a chic flick movie to save my soul. My husband on the other hand loves to watch them. If I'm gonna invest two hours in a movie it better have explosions, guns, blood, gore, spooks, monsters or a psychological thriller. Weird, hunh?

What's your favorite type of movie?

Well, I have to run and find out who canceled payment on my reality check.
Until next time.........

Happy Reading......

Have you checked out Marauder yet?

2011-03-24T18:17:00.000-07:00

Okay, today is the second day Marauder is available. Have you checked out Strafe yet? He's hot. Tall, muscled and and a real bad boy. Do you like long hair on men? Strafe has long black hair he wears in a braid and did I mention he knows what to do with his hands? Come on ladies, ya know ya wanna read about a steamy hot guy like this.Just click on Marauder's book cover and you'll go right to the buy site where you can read an excerpt.

Don't forget my cyber launch party on the 30th. Leave a comment for a chance to win my short story Country Loving about a sexy farmer determined to finally win the love of his childhood neighbor. I'll post the web address the day before so you can schedule some time to pop on in.

I'm hoping for a big turn out!

Hey, I'm on facebook too. If you're so inclined look me up!

Okay, I'm countin' on you reading Maruader.

That's all for now and remember a dirty mind is a terrible thing to waste.

Marauder has pulled out onto the highway and is ready to burn up the asphalt.

2011-03-23T18:12:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody. Okay, Okay, I know, I haven't posted to my blog for a while. (blush) but I've been busy. WRITING! And today I have exciting news.
Marauder

My modern day pirate story released today at Ellora's Cave. I love the cover, but then I love all my covers. It's a short novel in Ellora's Cave AHOY!series.

Here's the buy site in case you'd like to pop over and read an excerpt.
http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9167-marauder.aspx

In other news, just a little FYI, most of my books can now be purchased at Barnes & Nobles, Borders, Amazon, All Romance eBooks, and Sony digital ereader store.

I've been finding some of my books showing up on pirate sites. Now, these type of pirates aren't sexy at all. They harm the publishing world and the authors they steal from. Our ability to be published is based on sales numbers, and if our books are being given away freely, we don't get contracts. So, if you come across any authors being pirated, please, contact the publisher and supply the url where the book is being given away. Together, we can protect our favorite authors and keep them employed for our enjoyment.

So, that's my public service announcement for today. All kidding aside, this is a real devastating issue that needs to be watched carefully. You'll probably hear me rant about this more over time, but until we eliminate book pirating, I'll be obliged to continue.

Now, on a happier note, how's every one's spring going so far?
Mine pretty much sucks since it hasn't exactly arrived. A week into spring and I'm outside shoveling 7 inches of snow. That's just not right. I'm tired of shoveling. I want to walk with a warm breeze kicking up my hair. I wanna play outside with my kids. I'm getting a serious case of cabin fever. How about you?

Okay, I guess that's all I have to inform you about. Guess I'll get ready for the season premier of Fact of Faked. I love that show, especially when they find something they can't prove is fake. I do so love the unknown and unexplainable.

Have a good one everybody and as always..........

Happy Reading!

EARTH’S DEMON - Coffee Time Romance & More

2011-02-04T19:13:00.001-08:00

EARTH’S DEMON - Coffee Time Romance & More

Check out my new review for the second book in my Elemental Challanges Series available at Silver Publishing.
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/earthsdemonbyrobinleighmiller.html

Earth's Demon can be purchased here:
http://silverpublishing.info/product_book_info/male-female-paranormal-c-82_52_67/earths-demon-p-112

You may also be interested in the other two books in the series that can also be purchased at Silver Publishing.

Book 1 Eternal Flame
Book 2 Earth's Demon
Book 3 Tempest's Gift

EARTH’S DEMON - Coffee Time Romance & More

2011-02-04T19:13:00.000-08:00

EARTH’S DEMON - Coffee Time Romance & More

Elemental Challanges

2010-08-08T19:18:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's been a while since I posted anything. I apologize. Summer life has been rather rushed. Between writing and keeping up with the children and husband, well, something had to be pushed back for a while.

The good news!!! I signed a contract this morning for the second book in the Elemental Challanges series with Silver Publishing. Earths Demon will release in October, I believe on Halloween. I'll keep you posted. This story is about Avani Proctor, her element, earth.

Now, I'm beginning a Christmas story in the series. Fingers crossed this one gets picked up as well. As soon as the cover and release info are available I'll have it up.

Oh, I'd also like to acknowledge the passing of a soilder in our community this past week. He died in Afghanistan, hit by a road side bomb. A very sad time in our area. Please, say a prayer for our soldiers everywhere and their families.

Have a great week everyone and........

Happy Reading..

Eternal Flame Is Now Available

2010-07-04T08:58:00.000-07:00

Great news! Eternal Flame is now available at Silver Publishing. A nice short read for the holiday that will steam you up and create your own fireworks. This will become a short series entitled Elemental Challanges so jump on the first story and learn about Flanna and her sisters, Avani, Tempest and Misty and the men who turn themselves over to the impossible.

Thank you so much to those who have already purchased the book.

For those who haven't, here's a look at the women in Elemental Challanges.

Flanna Proctor....Earths fire burns hot and bright inside her petite body. Flanna, or Lanna as she prefers to go by, commands the flames and needs its warmth to survive.

Avani Proctor....Earth herself dwells inside her. She commands all living vegetation.

Tempest Proctor....Don't make her angry or the winds of hell will sweep you off your feet. She can grant you a soft summer breeze or tear you apart with the force of tornado.

Misty Proctor.....A mermaid that walks on land? She plays with all living creatures who dwell beneath the surface and can smash your boat to pieces if she so desires.

These are the women of Elemental Challanges...step inside their world and see what man can command them as they command the Elements....

Eternal Flame

2010-06-21T12:45:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! I got my cover for my short story Eternal Flame releasing with Silver Publishing on July 3. I do believe this is my favorite cover yet.What do you think? AWESOME hunh? This wonderful work of art is brought to you by Reese Dante. An amazing talent don't you think?

I do hope you will stop by Silver Publishing and check out all the Independence Day short stories. I can't wait to read them. Now, I'm currently working on a few Christmas short stories that I HOPE will be published. For someone who could never write short stories I seem to be pushing them out. I'll let you know what develops.

On the racing front. My son finished 4 in his heat race Friday night. YAY! Then he started on the outside pole in the feature. He doesn't have that much experience yet, so he dropped back to 12 with 5 laps to go and BAM! got caught up in a pile up. So, he didn't finish and we brought home a car that needs repairs. That's racing. Hopefully he'll have better luck next week.

That's all for now.

Have a great week everyone.

Happy reading..........

New Contract

2010-06-13T16:56:00.000-07:00

I signed a contract with Silver Publishing this week for a short story to be released over July Fourth. Eternal Flame. I'm excited. A different publisher for me. I hope it all works out well. I'll post all the info as soon as I have it.

Now, on the personal front, what a BAD week. My hubbies Engine Dyno computer took a dumper this week. The hard drive frying like a piece of bacon. Here's the problem. The computer we were using was an old IBM from, oh, I don't know the early eighties. This program that runs the Dyno works only on, wait for it, it's a blast from the past, MS-DOS. How many computers do you think you can buy today with DOS on it? Exactly none.

Okay, so I pull out an old computer we had stored in the basement that has Windows 98 on it and low and behold, they still used some DOS in the old Windows. So, after much research I figured out how to get into the DOS. Whoopy!!!! Now, I try to load the program and, NOTHING! Turns out our program shriveled up in a fire we had a year ago in the DYNO room.

Next step, call the company and request a replacement, floppy disk. That's right, I said it, a FLOPPY disk. Easy right? NO! This company is run by one man. ONE individual and that man is a genius that for some strange reason believes DOS is the only operating system in the world. That Windows won't be around for long. I don't know. Anyway, this genius apparently was having a bad day and says, No, he won't send a replacement disk. Ughhhhhhh! By the next day, he has a change of heart and decides he'll send us a replacement disk. It arrives, I sit down and YES, I get it loaded. This will work for a while but it won't hold up for long. Engine Dyno's cause a lot of vibration and a regular home PC won't last. Now we have to find someone to build us a computer that will withstand the punishment and has DOS on it. Think we'll find one? Stay tuned....

On the racing front, the son did very well racing Friday night. He finally cracked the top 10 and on a very bad track with huge wholes in it. Very exciting.

Okay, that's all for now.

Have a great week everyone....

Happy Reading......

Welcome June

2010-06-01T18:40:00.000-07:00

Another month passes and in a day and half, the kids are home for the summer. Not sure if that's a good thing or not yet. My writing time will be cut severely. Guess I'll have to send them all out of the house for a few hours a day. I could always grease them up and send them to the pool for about two hours. Not only good exercise but it'll wear them down.

Currently I'm working on a short story for the 4th of July to submit in a few weeks. I need to get it done and out asap. Everyone in the house will have to deal with it. My hubby will give me the time I need, he's great that way. I'm very lucky.

On the racing front, the kid did super well. Each week he gets faster and learns a little bit more. Two laps away from finishing the race, another driver spun him out. Now, there seems to be some question if it was intentional or not. Me, I say let it go the first time. Second time, well, things might get ugly. That's the beauty of racing. Tempers, tempers. Mom or dad might have to climb in the car and take care of the problem if it happens again. I say, strap me in and get out of my way. Mess with my kid, mess with me. Racin's racin' until you're constantly being hit by the same driver and then its a problem that needs dealt with. Okay, I'm done venting about that.

So, if my short story gets accepted, I'll let you know. Fingers crossed for me please.

Have a great rest of the week and......

Happy Reading.......

Honor those who passed, thank those who still serve

2010-05-31T18:23:00.000-07:00

Just a few thoughts about today, Memorial Day. Every day people, your neighbors, family, the farmer's son, the bankers daughter, the bus drivers nephew and the teachers niece, they've all felt the call to serve and protect our country. What calls them? What is it that compels these everyday people to put on a uniform, endure the hell and sometimes derogation of boot camp in some of the worst conditions imaginable? Yes, at one point most had no choice, drafted before they could make the simplest of decisions concerning their lives, while others gladly marched off to war without having to be summoned.

I think of these things often. I wonder what makes a man or woman choose military life over cooperate life. Is there a microscopic speck in our DNA that leads our soldiers on this journey as opposed to wrapping themselves up in a suit and tie and living the so called American dream?

I don't know the answer to this. What I do know is I'm eternally grateful for their service, dedication and sacrifice. Without the many who lay down their lives, we would not have the things we take for granted today. When I think about the disgraceful way our soldiers were treated when they returned from Nam, it sickens me, but when I see the names of the lost so beautifully inscribed on a polished black wall I know we've learned our lesson. Lessons we wouldn't have had the opportunity to learn without our brave soldiers.

So, today, I say a prayer for those who lost their lives defending the very freedoms people even today try to take away and say thank you to those still fighting, still sacrificing and still dying for our safety.

It doesn't matter if you believe in the cause. It doesn't matter what your political beliefs are. It all comes down to our country would not be our country without those who passed and those who still serve.

Thank you serving and retired soldiers. Thank you to their families who live their lives worrying and scraping together the fragments of time they share. Thank you for giving my children safety and security while you watch your children grow up through pictures.

Just one American citizen forever grateful.

Cyber Launch Party

2010-05-19T09:40:00.000-07:00

I'm having a Cyber Launch Party at www.cyberlaunchpart.blogspot.com hosted by Author Island today. Stop on over and leave a comment to win a free autographed copy of Black Smoke. Ask questions if you'd like, I'll be checking in off and on to answer any questions you may have.

It's been a few weeks since my last post and I apologize for that. Life is taking over in a big way this month. School is coming to an end and everything happens in May. Concerts, field trips and now orthodontist appointments. Two in one week. Oyyy! Adding to all the hubbub, I have a rather nasty cold or something settling in my throat and chest making breathing very difficult and sleeping necessary but almost impossible. Hate these late season bugs.

I'm trying to work on my WIP and finish it up before the kids are home full time and begin demanding every second of my attention. Will I finish? Stay tuned....

That's about all the energy I have for blogging today...blogging...that word sounds like me coughing right now, ick. Stop by the Cyber Launch Party, please. You could win a free copy of Black Smoke.

Have a good one everybody and stay healthy.

Happy reading.......

Another month passes

2010-05-01T18:31:00.000-07:00

My virtual book tour for Black Smoke officially ended April 30th. My gratitude to Pump Up your Book for the time and connections she gave me. A truly worthy organization, worth your money if you're looking for help promoting your book. I received outstanding reviews and dipped my foot in the world of guest blogging. Guest blogging turned out to be fun. At first, I thought I wouldn't be very good at it, but with each one, I had more fun.

So, now we're into May and I can't wait to find out if my sales numbers jumped for April. I thank everyone that read by guest blogs, interviews and reviews.

I'm nearly finished with my current WIP, which is great. Down side, I have no where to submit it at the moment. My regular publisher has put a hold on accepting submissions and no one seems to know when they'll lift the hold. I could try and submit this book to another publisher but since it links back to Black Smoke and the Agents of Mercy series, I think I better wait.

I'll hold it for awhile and see what happens. In the mean time I'll begin work on another story to submit elsewhere. I've been wanting to get in with another publisher so I'll give it a shot. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

On the racing front, April 30 was race night at the Clinton County Speedway and my son's third race of the season. It turned out to be a good night. He hit someone after the first lap of his heat race, (the race that determines where you start in the main race) That incident broke the nose of his car.

Now, we're a low budget racing family so we had to use what we had to put it back together, which turned out to be ratchet straps, duct tape and zip ties. It wasn't pretty, down right ugly, but it worked and he made it out for the main race, which he finished!!!!!!! YaY!!!!! He said, "That's a win for me!"

We're very proud of him. He finished 15 out of 18 but he FINISHED and with the troubled we've had with the set up of the car, we'll take it. He still has a lot to learn about driving, how to set the car through the turns and how not to bounce off other cars when he does it, but that will come with lap time. The more he gets his butt in the seat behind the wheel, the better he'll get. Currently, he's 13th in points at the track in the ProStock division. If he continues to finish most races and works his way up in the field, he could finish in the top 10 for the season. Time will tell.

On a side note, I'm meeting an old school friend tomorrow, someone I haven't seen in twenty????? years. I can't wait. Not only has facebook hooked me up with other authors and readers, I've been able to find and catch up with old friends. Its great.

Have a great one, day, night, afternoon, week, month whatever..just make it good.

Happy reading.....

Pump Up Your Book Review for Black Smoke

2010-04-27T08:42:00.000-07:00

As I'm nearing the end of my virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book, the reviews are rolling in. So far the score is 3 for 3. The latest review came from Pump Up Your Book.
www.pumpupyourbook.com/2010/04/27/book-reveiw-black-smoke-by-robin-leigh-miller
This turned out to be a very in depth review and as I read through it a sense of accomplishment surged throughout my body. Now, I love when people like what I wrote and they were entertained and say they couldn't put the book down and they want more. Really, is there anything better? This reviewer, however, got it. Every nuance, every attempt I made to create real, everyday people in a not so everyday world. I actually sighed when I finished. It was like this person was in my head as I wrote the story. Let me tell you, after a fairly crappy morning, this made my day.

I wrote Black Smoke about 3 years ago having no idea what I was doing only wanting to create a tale that I thought would be entertaining. When Cerridwen Press accepted it, I was overjoyed beyond belief. At the same time, I was terrified of how it would be recieved. I'm a worrier by nature, constantly fretting about things I have no control over and it drives my husband nuts. After 21 years, I think he's gotten used to it, that or just ignores me, yeah, thats probably it. Who am I kidding.

When I found the first review for Black Smoke, I couldn't read it. All the what if's in the world crowded my head and made my hands shake. My husband looks at me with confusion and says, "Obviously its good or it wouldn't have been published."

Okay, so that makes me take a step back and think, for a moment. And then the worrying starts again. Well, I broke down and read the review and found out it had been chosen for a reviewers choice award. WOW!
Jump ahead 3 years later and I'm still recieving great reviews for the book. Now, I probably will never be a Nora Roberts, J R Ward or Lora Leigh but I'm completely happy with the fact that I wrote a story that people genuenily seem to love. Right out of the gate I hit a winner.

Worrying mode returns. Can I keep it up? That's what we'll all have to wait and see on. In the mean time, I thank everyone that's read Black Smoke and have let me know they love it. Those encouraging words are what push me to continue writing.

Have an awesome day everyone and as always......

Happy reading!

Friday nights exhausting fun?!

2010-04-24T19:40:00.000-07:00

Wow, ya know in my last post I said I was trying not to let my nerves get to me Friday while I waited to haul my son to the race track and set him lose in his first race of the season, well, IT DIDN'T WORK!!!

I was fine all afternoon, made sure everything was packed in the truck and ready so when the kids got off the school bus, we were ready to go. Then we got in the truck and began the hour drive to the track. Within 15 min. my stomach started a break dance routine that had me doubled over. Eating was out of the question, not just for me but for hubby and the son as well. The other two were quit content to torment and tease and loudly complain that they were hungry. After several attempts to tell them I would feed them when we got there, they calmed a bit, not much but they at least stopped complaining about being hungry.

We get there, pull in, get out of the truck and wham, we're hit with the lovely fresh smell of the surrounding farm fields that have been freshly fertilized with manure. BLAH!!!! Now, I'm a farm girl, I know what manure smells like and it doesn't usually take me long to get used to it. Friday night, however, was different. My nerves were snapping and popping, my stomach was rolling and pinching and this wonderful fresh country air only served to make me nauseous.

I powered on. We unloaded the car, got every thing ready and then I fed my two forever starving children. Ugh, watching them eat was not fun.

After my son goes out and does his warm ups,(laps to just get the car heated and the driver in the zone) I settle a little. We were blessed by the arrival of some good friends which served to further calm my nerves.

Next up, the kid goes out for his heat race. (short race to determine where he starts in the main race) Well, I can now say I think I know what the dust bowl was like. The track sucked. By the second lap thick dust filled the air and obstructed our vision horribly. So now I'm freaking out worrying my kid isn't going to be able to see and he'll drive into someone or someone will drive into him. As the evening lugs on, it gets worse. By the time my kid goes out for his main race, I wanted to throw up, bad!

Two laps into the race we couldn't see where he was or what he was doing. The dust was so damn thick you saw nothing and when I say nothing, I mean absolutely nothing but thick red dust.

With only a few laps to go, son pulls off the track. Apparently we don't have the car dialed in yet and he was struggling to keep the car on the track. Now I can finally breathe, if the freaking dust would let up enough to let me.

Let me tell you, by the time we got home I felt like I'd run a marathon, been up for five days straight and had been worked over by a sumo wrestler and hadn't bathed in a year. My age is showing and that just pisses me off.

Anyway, we survived the night with the car intact, the kid frustrated and mother wondering if she'll live through this summer. My poor husband will be so gray by the end of this season I won't even recognize him.

Here's the stats. Son started 18th and finished 13th. Not a bad night with a car that didn't want to cooperate and a track that you should be planting potatoes in instead of driving on.

Did I have fun? Bet your ass I did. There's nothing like dirt trackin'.

Dirts for racin' asphalts for gettin' there.

So, now I can concentrate on the WIP until next Friday and hope all my other reviews for Black Smoke show up this week. Until then......

Happy reading......

Guest blogging today at The Story Behind the Book

2010-04-23T07:55:00.000-07:00

Today I guest blogged at The Story Behind the Book. As the title suggests, I wrote about how Black Smoke came into existence. Now, I've never done guest blogging before so this was my first experience and you know how first times go with anything. I'm nervous about how people will accept it or if anyone will read it. I guess more waiting is in order. www.thestorybehindthebook.wordpress.com

If you're following my schedule at Pump Up Your Books for my tour, yesterday was posted to have a review at Crazy Book Slut. www.crazybookslut.com I'm guessing due to some personal reasons it isn't there. So, it's not you, or me, it wasn't posted.

On a good note, I accomplished A LOT of writing yesterday on my WIP. If I can do as much today, I'm nearing the completion of the story. Unfortunately, I'm struggling for a title. That will come in time I'm sure. Right now I'd just like to finish, edit and send it off to my editor.

Personally, today is Friday. Friday means racing tonight for my 15 year old son. So far the nerves aren't bothering me. Check in around 5:00 and that may be a different story. He's excited so I'm doing my best not to show him how nervous I can be. I now understand what my mother went through when I crawled behind the wheel of my race car. Although, to be fair, I don't think I can be as nervous as she was. I at least understand what's happening and how safe the car is. Still, that's my boy out there and God help anyone that intentionally goes out of their way to take him out.
Deep breath.....calm.....everything will be okay......(see I can get pumped up just thinking about it) Maybe I miss it a little too much.

Since I have some quiet time, I'm going to hit the WIP and hit it hard. I'd like to have this story wrapped up by the end of next week so I can start outlining the next series I have in mind.

Happy reading everyone!!!!!

Second birthday of the month for my second son!!!

2010-04-20T15:55:00.000-07:00

Personal business first. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my son Ethan! The big 12. How did time get so ahead of me?

Nothing to report on the virtual book tour front today. No reviews and no interviews up. Another interview hits the cyber world tomorrow and another review on Thursday.

Good news, I read over the 19 chapters I have written on my WIP today. Thought I might have to do some changes but after reading so far, I'm not touching it. My gut says leave it alone and finish it, so that's what I'm gonna do. I really want to finish this up. My characters are sick of being on hold and I'm sick of keeping them on hold. It's time to give them their ending. So, I might be putting in some late nights again.

I'd really like to have someone read this over before I turn it in to my editor. I want to see if the sad parts can make someone cry. (I'm so freaking twisted) And, I want to see if there's enough action to keep a readers interest. Guess I'll have to wait and find out.

With that being said, I'm going to hit the WIP and see how far I can get tonight.

Happy reading..........

Chrissy's World of Books Review. Awesome woman!!

2010-04-19T19:05:00.000-07:00

Okay people! Another great review for Black Smoke from Chrissy's World of Books. Again, I wake this morning, try to busy myself waiting for the review to be posted. I got my kids off to school, my hubby off to work and took care of some household chores and then sat down and pulled up the review.

I link into the site, stare at the cover of my book and try to pump myself up to take a look at the review. I had a good review Friday so naturally I expect the cosmos to smack me down. Just the way my life works most of the time.

Carefully I scroll down and begin reading the first line of the review. Sweet, lovely relief flows through my body as I read how she couldn't put the book down. For the entire review, go to www.chrissysworldofbooks.blogspot.com

Yay!!! I got through another one.

I love this woman. I have great respect for any woman that is a mother of 5, that's right, 5 kids and still finds the time to do what she wants and loves to to. Being a mother of 3, I sometimes struggle to keep life in line. For instance, my oldest had a birthday on the first of the month. Tomorrow my second son turns 12. In two weeks my mother has a birthday and 6 days after my husband has a birthday. RESPECT I tell you. Keeping track of 5 children, well, you go Chrissy!

On a side note, my oldest didn't get to race Friday night, (rained out) He handled it fine, probably because he had three friends coming over Saturday to spend the night. Four 15 year olds. What was I thinking? Can we say HYPER? I'm not sure any of them slept all night which kept my other two up most of the night and the dog unnerved. Ugh!!!!

Okay, I need to go now. I still have to prepare the decorations for my son's room. See, I do this thing where I decorate their room the night before their birthday while they sleep so when they wake up they have balloons and streamers hanging around. This time, since my son is so into Lego's, I'm hanging up cut outs of Lego's on his wall. I still have to cut them out, blow up balloons and tie streamers. It'll be a late night.

Take care everyone and as always,

Happy reading...........

The Cajun Book Lady Rocks!!!!

2010-04-16T10:08:00.001-07:00

I'll admit, I'm not an avid blog follower. I pop in and out of blogs to see what's going on but don't faithfully read many. Well, I found one I'm going to follow. The Cajun Book Lady does reviews of all kinds of books and today she reviewed Black Smoke.

I knew it was coming and have spent the last couple of days sweating and worrying about it. All the other reviews of Black Smoke came from romance review sites. The Cajun Book Lady reviews everything.

I get up this morning turn on my computer and begin the pacing and what if routine. Dumb, yes. Pointless, yes, but there you go, that's me. After the kids left for school at 7:30, I pull up the site and of course, she hasn't got it posted yet. I mean, what the heck was I thinking? It's 7:30 in the morning. The woman's a mother as well and has a life. Just because I'm freaking out over this doesn't mean she is. So after smacking myself in the head for being silly, I go run some errands and return about five hours later, pull up the site and quickly look away from the screen.

Agonizing moments pass as I work up the courage to read. I look at the screen and the first word I see is WOWZA! Okaaaay. Is that good or bad. Damn, now I have to read more to find out. As I read through the review tears well in my eyes and an unseen weight lifts from my shoulders. She likes it!!!!!

I won't repost her review because I don't know if I can, but I'll give you the addy to her site so you can read it. AWESOME REVIEW!!!!
www.thecajunbooklady.blogspot.com

Cajun Book Lady, you rule!!

Time Management....Say What?

2010-04-13T19:07:00.000-07:00

Let's see, it's been a few days since I last posted. It's not that I didn't want to, I just wasn't able to squeeze in a few extra moments for a post. By the time I sat down at night, my eyes fought me for control, my eyes won by slamming closed. By the third night, I stopped fighting. Sweet, blissful sleep suddenly became more important than anything last week.

The family business is chugging along nicely but it's eating up precious writing hours. I can live with that since the business is what pays the bills, but if I go too long without writing, those pesky voices in my head become loud, demanding and even argue with each other. At that point, I'm no good to anyone, not even myself. I try to tell them I'll be back to tell their story, but, my precious voices simply won't accept that. They're like spoiled children demanding attention stomping around in my brain and sneaking their way into awkward moments when I should be focused on something else.

On a good note, my kid had a night of practice at the racetrack. Glad we went to practice since the car couldn't seem to make it around the track without spinning out on every corner. Hubby and son, along with other drivers, figured out the problem and it looks like the car will be worth driving this Friday night. I know I said I'd be posting pics, I have pics, I just haven't gotten around to putting them on the computer yet. They'll be coming.

The virtual book tour is in full swing with interviews up all over the place. I have a review coming out this Friday for Black Smoke. If it's good, I'll post where it can be read. If it makes me cry, you'll never know it and you'll have to go hunting the review for yourself. My ego and emotions are overly sensitive lately so I'm not gonna subject myself to any painful torture. *grin*

Okay, that's all I got tonight. My eyes are snarling at me because I'm making them stay open longer than they want to. Think I'll let them win yet again tonight. Hopefully, things will slow down a bit by next week and I can get back to writing on the WIP.

Have a good one everyone......

Happy reading.........

Third Day of Virtual Tour

2010-04-07T19:27:00.000-07:00

Sooo, my guest blog didn't show up on Literily Speaking today. Don't know what happened but, oh well. You can still stop by Night Owl Romance and read that blog AND, if you subscribe to their newsletter, you could win a copy of Black Smoke. I'm getting great comments from readers and I try to respond to them. If you've left a comment at Night Owl and I haven't reponded, please accept my apology. I can't get into the blog as often as I like.

I was supposed to have an interview up at www.personovelty.com but I just checked and it's there now. Apparently it went up today instead of my guest blog. Okay, maybe I'm not reading my schedual right. I'll have to recheck that.

So, stop by and check out the interview. Please and Thank you!

Have a good evening everyone and as always....

Happy reading.......

Virtual Tour Information and a chance to win a book

2010-04-06T17:27:00.001-07:00

Okay, so yesterday started my Virtual Tour for Black Smoke. Today I guest blog at Night Owl Romance www.nightowlromanceblog.blogspot.com My topic, inside Black Smoke. If you stop by and leave a comment you could win a free copy of Black Smoke. Please stop by and leave a comment.(she says batting her eyelashes with her lower lip sticking out)

Tomorrow I guest blog at Literarily Speaking. Each blog covers a different topic so check them all out. www.literarilyspeaking.net

Can I just say my nerves are crackling over this tour. I had no idea I would be so nervous. It's hard for me to put myself out there like this. It helps that this is our busy season with our business so, I'm helping my husband as much as I can in our machine shop. It takes my mind off the nerves. Still, I want my tour to be sucessful and sell hundreds of books but at the same time I hate being so open. I'm sure over time I'll become more comfortable.

Please keep checking to see my tour information.

Happy reading......

Oodles of things happening

2010-04-03T10:27:00.000-07:00

A very busy week. Kids are home for Easter vacation, my oldest celebrated his 15th birthday Thursday and on Friday I received a letter in the mail saying he's been nominated for the People to People Leadership Summit in 2011. (giddy with pride over this one). Racing starts next weekend for him so we're working our butts off to get his car ready. I'll post pictures before he crinkles it up. Of course Easter is tomorrow and I waited till the last minute to gather the basket stuffer's, but, I got it done. Now all I have to do is wait for them to go to bed tonight so I can fill the baskets. Hope they go to bed early. (right)

Monday starts my virtual book tour. I'm excited but becoming increasingly nervous. I have several reviews waiting to be posted on blogs and that makes my stomach quivery. I received some very nice reviews on Black Smoke in the past, but this is different. I'm not sure the reviewers reading Black Smoke this time are all that into romance. We'll see what happens. I'll post every day when my guest blogs are up.

It's a lovely day out today so I'm going to go out and enjoy it.

Have a great holiday everyone, but as you gorge on candy remember what Easter is all about.

Happy reading......

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder.....

2010-03-28T18:25:00.000-07:00

For some odd reason I was thinking about this statement this weekend. I had a micro-mini vaction over the weekend and was able to listen to what I percieve as the most relaxing and energy giving sound nature can provide. We went to Niagara Falls to celebrate our 21st anniversary. Niagara is my most favorite spot. I love the falls! I could sit for hours just listening to the roar of the water, feeling the light spray of water tickle my face. I become energized, my mind works better, doors open in tiny little compartments that allow my creative juices to flow. Frankly, to me, there just isn't anything better, yet.

I've heard people say "What's the bid deal. It's just water falling off a cliff." Ya know what my first thought is? How sad for them. Is that all they see or feel? Next, I want to shake them, take them to the falls and make them stand at the horseshoe falls, tell them to close their eyes and just listen. Open up your mind.

See, when I sit there and listen with my eyes closed, I swear I can hear echoes of the past that these falls have witnessed. Native American Indians who lived side by side with natures gift to the world. The people who journeid to the falls to witness the original awesome power they possess, sitting with a picnic lunch and making a lazy, lovely day. The men who worked to save the falls when they began to crumble. The people who risked their lives to do the impossible and plunge over the falls in such unbelievably inadequate vessels simply so they could say they did it.

These wonderful falls have such amazing history, how could you not hear the whispers of those who came to witness them before us? I have to say in all honesty, the US side of the falls is much better than the Canadian side. The fact that we, as a nation, have made the falls into a National Park is a fact to be proud of. Don't get me wrong, I love Canada, but as you stand on the US side and look across, there really isn't anything welcoming about the falls. No nice park to wander through up the Niagara River. And, yes. They are continually working to make it better.

How someone can look at the magestic beauty of these falls and see only running water is beyond me. Have you ever heard the story of the little boy that was having a family day up the river on a boat? I don't remember the entire story but their boat capsized, the little boy floated down the river and over the falls. Luckily, the Maid of the Mist was running at that very moment. The Captian, and I wish I could remember this great man's name, took the boat as close to the falls as he could get and fished this little boy from the water. The best news, the boy lived. Can you imagine being beaten and battered floating down the river and then dropping off what must have seemed like the side of the earth.

If you don't beileive in miracles, maybe you should reconsider. No barrel to protect your body, nothing but the soaked clothes on your back to protect you. As a mother, this story makes my heart skip a beat and then sink. The helplessness of the family knowing their boy was headed for certain death and they could do nothing to stop it, it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.

Anyway, my point is, open your mind, think of the stories these falls have been a part of, some good, some tragic. Listen for the whispers and echoes of those people laughing with joy, screaming with fear and the simple gasps of wonder from people viewing this natural beauty for the first time. Allow the power of the falls to fill your being, energize you. Enjoy the spray of water on your face and maybe, just maybe think of this as a kiss from mother nature.

Water falling over a cliff? I don't think so, but then that's just me. Next time you see something or someone you want to dismiss as ordinary, simple or even ugly, take a moment and look again. Sometimes when you know more about people or things, their beauty shines through.

Have a good evening everyone and....

Happy Reading...........

So Excited!

2010-03-24T18:17:00.000-07:00

Some of my interviews hit the world wide web today. www.examiner.com www.literarilyspeaking.net April 5 starts my month long book tour. I've been working on some guest blogs. Ugh! I've never guest blogged before so this is a whole new world to me. I'm having fun though. I guess the key is to just let yourself go and get into them.

I haven't touched the WIP all week and its really bugging me. When I let too much time pass I start questioning what I'm writing. Like now. I'm already thinking have taken the right path with this story? Is it too long? That one might a legit question. I'm already 200 hundred pages in and I haven't gotten to the best parts yet. Maybe I'll try to trim it up a bit and rewrite some scenes.

This weekend the hubby and I are finally going to celebrate our anniversary. Only a few weeks late but hey, I'll take it. This is the last weekend we'll have free until, OH GOD, the fall. Two birthdays in April, racing season starts in April which means Friday nights are GONE! Saturdays and Sundays are used to repair the damage customers inflicted on their engines. It's our life.

Okay, not much else to say tonight. Gonna cruise the web to see if my interviews show up anywhere else.

Happy Reading...

Should an author push their political views?

2010-03-23T17:57:00.000-07:00

This question has been eating away at me for the last few days. Facebook is a wonderful tool for networking and letting your readers know whats going on with you and your publisher. But, seriously, should you push your political views on your readers? Especially if a majority of your readers are the one's you're slamming? Personally, I wouldn't do this. I like my readers. I appreciate my readers and the last thing I want to do is insult them. With all the books out there in the world readers could be purchasing, if they choose mine I will thank them, bow at their feet.
I don't know, maybe if you're a big enough author bringing in loads of money you can get away with it. Example: If you can't afford a basic health care that's your problem. I don't care if you get sick and die. In the mean time I have a new book coming out so please buy it so I can continue to live high on the hog and afford my own health insurance. Does this make sense? I for one, will no longer by buying books from certain authors, certain best selling authors.

I've held my tongue on facebook because the last thing I want to do is get into a bitching war with anyone. I simply can't understand what's happened to this country. When and how did we become a nation of self centered stuck up snobs? Here I am trying to raise my children to treat everyone equally no matter race, creed or financial situation. Am I that far out of the loop that I'm teaching antiquated ideas?

I saw on the new yesterday that a local high school held a fund raiser to help defray the medical costs of a child suffering from brain cancer. I actually pulled up my facebook page and typed. "Just saw a local high school conducting a fund raiser to help raise money for child suffering from brain cancer. Imagine the gull of these people helping a family in need. Who do they think they are? Don't they know we as Americans don't care if you can't afford care for your loved one?" I let it sit there on my page a few minutes and then deleted it.

I have to say it felt good to write it, and it would have felt a hell of lot better to send it, but that's not what I want. I can't allow myself to stoop to the levels these people stoop. It just breaks my heart and embarrasses me to have other countries hear the things that are being said about our people. No wonder we continue to lose respect in the world. If the United States doesn't care about its own people, how are they supposed to believe that we care about them?

This, I believe, will be the real downfall of our country. I wonder, do these people that hate so much treat wounded soldiers with such disrespect? Do they knock the elderly out of their way as they storm through their lives thinking only of themselves? Or maybe, just maybe, its all the result of people not taking the time to learn about what's going on for themselves and only listening to the real haters, the talking heads that make a living off being loud, obnoxious, and thrusting their hatred for others down peoples throats while they stuff their pockets with our money.

I don't have an answer for this. I can only sit back and continue to wonder where it all went wrong. When it became okay to preach assassination and brutality because not everyone believes the same way you do. Think about it. If you don't love the person I think you should love, it's okay if someone beats you to death. If you aren't the nationality that I believe you should be then its okay to kill you. If you don't make enough money to buy yourself health care than hurry up and die so I don't have to be bothered with you. God, it makes me physically ill.

So, no I won't be using my hard earned money to purchase books written by people who think so little of their fellow man. I will, however, use that money to donate to fund raisers that help people get the care they need. See, I'm just one of those stupid dopes that will give someone a few dollars in the grocery store line if they're short. I'm a person that firmly believes that if you help someone in need the good deed will come back around one day. And it has.

Well, now that I have that off my chest, on to my passion for writing fiction. I know, I think I'll write a story about a world where one human life is worth the same as another no matter what your age, status in life, income, or mental capacity. A world where no one is looked down on because they don't believe the same as another and is respected for having the capability of thinking for themselves. I do love fiction.

Have a good evening everyone. I wish you all good health, love and respect.

Something I'd like everyone to check out

2010-03-16T19:18:00.000-07:00

Just found out tonight my niece has a blog. Not surprising news, doesn't everyone have a blog? But, this one is different. See, my niece is 23, has been married for a year, is pregnant and has Cerebral Palsy. Her blog is about her journey through this pregnancy, her concerns, her trials and her hurdles. Anyone who's been pregnant can sympathize with the normal morning sickness, hormonal swings, etc. Now, add to that, that she isn't steady on her feet, doesn't walk well and is a tiny little thing. She weighs 94lbs and is 4'9" tall.

Really, I'm not just pushing this because she's my niece, I'm pushing this because it's interesting and humbling. I've had three children and not one of those pregnancies was FUN! Hers is going to be difficult but her attitude is remarkable. Anyway, check it out and keep your fingers crossed for her, her husband and their little "peanut". www.pregnantwithcp.blogspot.com

stop by and offer her encouragement, please.

Okay, got some work done on my WIP today. A pivotal chapter in the book. Tomorrow I plan on going back over that chapter and making sure the emotion rolls off the screen with such ferocity that my readers will be sobbing. That's the idea anyway. I need to do some writers research to make sure I'm getting those emotions across the way I want, need, too. I so want my characters to reach out grab people around the throat, shake them and make them believe these people could be your friends or neighbors. So, that being said..........I'm off....

Happy Reading..

Chaos has come to an end.....for now

2010-03-14T19:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, after months of running from school to school, hundreds of rehearsals (Okay, it seemed like hundreds) it all came to an end this weekend.

My son's school play, Alice in Wonderland, was Friday night and I have to say, I was completely, totally, wonderfully impressed. Big talent from 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Their costumes and scenery were fantastic but the singing and acting, out of this world. My son played a card, the only boy in all the cards. It was his first shot at a school play and he really liked it so I'm hoping it gives it a shot next year.

My daughter's Odyssey of the Mind competition was Saturday. For those of you who don't know what Odyssey of the Mind is, the kids are put into groups, given a problem to solve through a skit. Another part of the competition is they are given a spontaneous question. They walk into a room with judges, are given a question and have two minutes to think and three minutes to fire off as many answers as they can. Ex. If you had a secret garden what would be in it and why would it be there.
Keep in mind, my daughters group is made up of 7 and 8 year olds.

Her group was given a "problem" of having a surprise party for something unusual they had to have an unusual noise maker, make up a song, create a party game, make their own props, costumes, everything had to be done by the girls, no assistance from parents, adults, older children, no one could do this but them. They had to set up their props put on their skit all under 8 minutes.

Out of 200 possible points, they rec'd 166.66 points. I still don't know how many points they rec'd for spontaneous, but from their score for their skit, if they were eligible for states, groups that young can't move on in competition, we would be preparing for state. So proud of the girls and their hard work.

Saturday was a long day for me and my husband, but we were so proud. Our group only had one coach so my husband and I helped keep and eye on the girls while other parents went to watch their other children's skits. Let me tell you, watching my husband deal with these 6 girls was hysterical. He was like a nervous hen. When we finally got home around 9 at night, he crashed hard. Poor guy, little girls kicked his butt. Still, I'm proud of him for going the extra mile.

So, maybe now I can get serious about my WIP. I'd really like to get it finished so I can do my edits. Wonder if I can finish it by the end of the week? Racing season starts in a couple of weeks and my oldest son is going to have our Friday nights used up. Well, Thursdays too because we need to have everything loaded and ready to go for when he gets home from school Friday afternoon.

Okay, enough rambling. I'm tired, my brain's used up for the day and losing an hour out of my day is going to create havoc for me in the morning. Kids won't want to get up and get moving for school.

Happy Reading..............

Virtual Book Tour

2010-03-05T13:20:00.000-08:00

I'm getting ready to do a virtual book tour in Aril. So, today I filled out 3 interviews. Ugh, I hate those things. I make them harder than they have to be, I know it, but I can't help it. I freeze. I look at the question and just BLANK! I can write scenes with blood and gore, sex scenes, write an arguement between two people but I can't answer a question about myself or my writing. Stupid hunh? But there you have it. I just like to write, not about myself, about other people, fictional people. People I have control over. Does that mean I don't have control over myself? No. I just can't answer questions about myself.

Okay, I didn't get any writing done today on the WIP and that makes me feel all frazzled. Maybe later tonight I'll get some writing done and I'll feel better.

Next week, I'm not sure how much writing I'll get done. Next week is the week from hell. Every night of the week two of my three have practice after school for 1, school play, 2, oddessy of the mind. Friday night is the school play, Saturday is oddessy of the mind. The whole day. Away from home. Away from my laptop. Will I survive, tune in to find out. My nerves will be shot for both of them. I'll be nervous and proud and excited and will need a good stiff drink by the end of each day.
Oh, and my anniversery is next week. 21 years to the hubby. Where did the time go? We won't be doing anything to celebrate, but hey, that's okay. Busy time.
He told me he wanted to take me on a cruise for our 20th, but that never happened. I heard him tell one of his friends he just said that so I'd stick around for 20 years. He said he'd promise me a cruise for our 25th so I'd hang around for another five years. (Shaking my head) How stupid does he think I am?

Well, since I don't have anything to report on the WIP today, I'll sign off. Maybe I'll have something tomorrow.

Happy reading.......

Another great day.........

2010-03-02T19:11:00.000-08:00

Another great day of writing. This story is coming together nicely. Fawn, Shane and Luke are cooperating so far. They haven't thrown a tantrum and sent me into a tail spin. I just hope it continues this way until the very end.

Read a book yesterday, In Deep, my mother bought me. I'll just say holly s*&t! It was like a train wreck. I just couldn't look away until the very end. If you like gory, twisted, and just plain out there stories with sex, this book is for you.

Okay, so what else to say. We're one day closer to spring and I can't wait. I'm tired of the gray skies, dirty snow and cold. Bring on the green grass, colorful flowers and fresh smell of cut grass. Where I live, I'm surrounded by mountains and I can't get enough of looking at them during the summer, trying to burn their wonderful, deep green leaves into my brain so come winter time I can remember it won't always be this drab.

I like having my house open during the summer and keeping it closed up all winter makes me feel clostrophobic, which I am. So I'm counting the days until I can open up the windows and let the fresh, warm air drift around me.

That's all for tonight kiddos. Enjoy you weak and...

Happy Reading....

And the end is here....

2010-02-28T19:07:00.000-08:00

After two weeks of watching the winter Olympics, I must say I'm olympiced out, but... they were great games. My favorite thing about the Olympics, the stories behind the athletes. If you aren't moved by some of the stories, well, maybe you aren't moved by much of anything. These amazing people show that will and hard work can accomplish anything. We could all take lessons from some of these people. Oh, and by the way, did anyone but me notice that some of the ages of these medal winners was over the age of twenty? YEAH! I think this was the best Olympics ever. Not sure what it holds in four years but let's hope Russia can pull it off.

Okay, today was a good day, even though the U.S. lost the hockey game. I spent about three hours alone today, no one home but me and I wrote. I knocked out a good chapter in the current WIP. It was a hard chapter to write and I'll go back over it to make sure my readers will feel every bit of emotion I intend. Fawn, my heroin, had a bad day, very bad and it isn't over yet. Things are coming to a head for her. The stress of military life and this unique relationship she's so desperately trying to convince herself doesn't exist is breaking her. The question is, will she make it through the next thirteen days of her tour sane, or will she break?
Tune in to find out more.......

Things are really rolling with this story, better than I expected. I do wish I had someone to look it over as I write, You know, just to make sure its making sense in written word as it makes sense in my head. Going back and reading it doesn't always work for me. I know what its supposed to say so I read it the way I know it should be even though it isn't. Does that make sense? Oh well, it does to me.

Okay, that does it for me for a while.

Fawn is calling to get her through the rest of her hellish day and I might have to do it or dream about it all night. Kid's don't like a grumpy, didn't get any sleep last night mom, on a school morning.

Happy Reading!!!!!!!!

Whoopee!!!!!!

2010-02-23T19:23:00.000-08:00

Three chapters down today on the new WIP! ( Still don't have a title yet but have something in the back of my mind ) Up to chapter 11 and cruising. I have to set the timer on my oven so I don't forget to do things that need done. I get so caught up in my make believe world that time slips away and before I know it, every one's looking at me going "Where's dinner?" Yikes. That doesn't look good when you forget to feed you family.

Right now is a good time. The story is flowing, the characters are cooperating and the writing is coming easily. I love when it all comes together. I hope it continues to the end, but I'm a realist. Things will slow, as they always do and I'll have to take a break to gather some steam.

So, I have a virtual book tour coming up in April for my book Black Smoke and the local bookstore wants me to schedule a book signing. All this makes me VERY nervous. I'm not the kind of person that likes to push myself out in front of people, but, I suppose you have to if you want people to read your work. I'll post info when things are solid about dates and all.

Only five more days left in the All Romance eBooks 28 Days of Heart. Jump in, look around and check out my short story Country Loving. Your purchase benefits a great cause. If you like the story, please, drop me a line and let me know.It's nice to hear someone like your hard work once in a while.

Okay, time to pack it in for the night.

Happy Reading..........

Happily Ever Afters

2010-02-18T19:10:00.000-08:00

I read an article today that basically stated there are no happily ever afters in relationships. Well, I beg to differ. This is just my opinion mind you, but there seem to be plenty of happily ever afters happening around the world. Maybe they don't fit into the mold that this particular person has for an HEA, I don't know but I for one found my Happy. Was it easy getting here, hell no, but then nothing worth having is easy, right? The struggle just makes the end result that much more sweet.

Anyway, Fawn, Shane and Luke are beginning to discover their complex relationship and as happens with any relationship its getting rocky. Will Fawn straighten everybody out or will she rethink their situation? So many possiblities.

I'd like to be further along in the story but life tends to step in and say "Hey, get your nose out of that laptop and do something with your family." Not a hardship. I adore my family. They have all been so supportive and excited for me since Black Smoke hit print. I'm proud to say we're a tight unit, celebrating each others accomplishments and being there when something doesn't work out the way we'd like. Even with all the fighting the kids do when it comes down to it they stand for each other and nothing could make me more proud.

Well, off to enjoy my happily ever after and rub it in the face of the sour person that claims they don't exist.

Happy Reading!!!

Writing, Writing, Writing

2010-02-16T16:52:00.000-08:00

Okay, so we didn't get the snow they called for last night. That's cool. Just a dustying compared to what we expected. I can live with that.

I spent a few hours today working on my WIP. I had to go back and rewrite some of the last chapter. This crucial moment for my three characters took a wrong turn and I had to put them back on track. It happens. Sometimes they get a little pushy and I have to push back, but, I have them headed on the right track now and we're all good.

Writing tonight isn't going to happen. Two of the three children aren't getting along tonight, which is pretty much normal, but tonight is really bad. They have my head pounding and I don't do well when my head hurts this bad. So, a little Olympics and then off to bed.

Don't forget to stop by All Romance eBooks and purchase Country Loving, my short, steamy story of two old friends that reconnect and rediscover each other. All proceeds go to the American Heart Assoc.

www.allromanceebooks.com click on the banner at the top of the page.

You can get my very first book Black Smoke in print now.

Have a good evening everyone.

Happy Reading!

Getting geared up for more snow

2010-02-15T13:31:00.000-08:00

They're calling for more snow in our area tonight, not much, about 3 - 6 inches. Just a little annoying, nothing more.
I've been enjoying the Olympics since Friday. I do love to watch the Olympics, mostly for the personal stories behind the athletes. You never fail to find a story that touches the heart or makes you step back and say, wow, what the hell am I complaining about. I was impressed with the opening cermonies. I loved the poet, and right now his name escapes me, but Wow, blew me away.

I'd like to remind everyone of my book Black Smoke now in print and available at www.jasminejade.com ( if you go to my website, www.robinleighmiller.com you can click on the direct link ) also available at Amazon along with other ebooks of mine. I don't like to beg, but PLEASE take a look at Black Smoke and see if it isn't a book you'd enjoy.

We're half way through 28 Days of Heart at All Romance eBooks. Outstanding short stories that benefit the American Heart Assoc. Truly stories for everyone. A great collection of awesome short stories. Take a look and entertain yourself while helping out a great cause. www.allromanceebooks.com click on the banner at the top of the page.

Snow Day

2010-02-10T19:03:00.000-08:00

Well, we finally got our snow storm and that means the kids were home from school today so no writing happened. I can usually go a day without writing but if I don't get to do any two day's in a row, the voices in my head get really loud and annoying.

I did go out and sled ride with the kids. My butt was numb, my legs stung they were so cold, the wind blew the sleds around if we weren't holding on good and tight, oh, and our big baby German Shepard thought it was fun to attack us as we slid down the hill. I HAD A BLAST! My kids made me laugh so hard I thought the tears would freeze on my face. And, since we're a racing family we couldn't just slide down the hill like normal people, NOOOOOO, we RACED! One of those days you remember forever.

They already have a two hour delay in the morning so that means my day will be thrown off a bit but hopefully I'll get to write a few thousand words after they're safely off to school. Of course Valentine's day is Friday and that means going into the elementary school to help with the class party. So, no writing Friday.

Don't forget the Twenty-Eight Days of Heart at All Romance eBooks. Grab some really great short stories to get your romance fix for the holiday. www.allromanceebooks.com.
Proceeds go to the American Heart Assoc to help stop the number one killer of women, heart disease. Take a gander at my very first short story Country Loving.

OH, OH, I almost forgot. I got my copy of my first print book Black Smoke. The thrill of holding your work in the palm of your hands is unbelievable. I do hope there will be more to come.
Black Smoke can be purchased at www.jasminejade.com or Amazon.

Country Loving Releases

2010-02-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

Today's the Day!! Country Loving, a short steamy story about a farmer and a city girl, releases today at All Romance eBooks Twenty-Eight Days of Heart.

Every day of the month ARe releases on short story with all proceeds being donated to the American Heart Assoc. to battle the number one killer of women, heart disease. Pop in at ARe, browse through the stories and know when you make a purchase not only are you getting a great read, but your helping prolong our lives.

There is a story for EVERYONE!
www.allromanceebooks.com

2010-02-06T18:23:00.000-08:00

YaY! We missed the worst of the snow storm. Only ended up with a few inches when just down the road they over nine. That's okay, they can keep it. Still, I went out and shoveled our driveway and nearly froze my finger off. These freezing cold temps can go away any time now.

Anyway, let's see. I have a new WIP going. No title for it yet, but I don't get hung up on titles until I finish the script. Would you like some insight on the story?

First we have Fawn Corson, a kick ass, power house woman that is a Lt. in the Army. Her daily life in Afghanistan consists of defusing I.E.D's. I know, your saying women don't do that kind of job. DEAL WITH IT! That's why they call it fiction. Okay, back to the story. Along with being a "Blaster" she's also a sniper. Something she doesn't tell her teammates until the need to take down a terroist arises.

Her team. Hawes, controlled, reserved, a mass of tension in a solidly packed body of muslce.

Burg, quick tempered, full of energy, always on the move and built like brick wall.

Fawn tries not to become attached to her two protective soldiers but they draw her in. Becoming attached isn't smart, not for a person in her field, and for Fawn being with two incredibly handsome, sexy men is dangerous. The control she's successfully kept on her carnal, lusty desires since arriving in Afghanistan is slipping.

Fawn discovered early in life that her desires ran hotter than most and couldn't be satisfied emotionally or physically by one lover. Finding two men to fulfill her needs has become a challange that frustrates her.

She wonders if Burg and Hawes could fulfill her in ways no others could. The question is, are the two best friends willing to share something so intimate together?

Okay, that's the jist of the story. The outline could change as it often does and the characters decide they want to take different paths.

This story will be packed with action, hot sex and some intrigue, a basic contemporary as where all my other stories have been paranormal. I go with my gut when the idea's hit and so far things have gone well.

I'll try to keep the storyline updated as I write in case Fawn, Burg and Hawes decided to change things.

2010-02-03T16:51:00.000-08:00

Wow! I can't believe it took me so long to get back to my blog. Life has gotten so hectic I just can't seem to find time to squeeze it in.

So here's what's happened latelty.
My first erotic book released from Ellora's Cave entitled Soulless.

All Romance eBooks accepted a short story of mine for their Twenty-Eight Days of Heart. They chose twenty-eight stories, one to release every day of the month. All proceeds go the American Heart ASsoc. Not only is it my first short story but I'm in the company of some awesome authors. I don't feel worthy.
The story is Country Loving and is also erotic. (I'm having fun writing erotic)

My very first book Black Smoke is now in print! Happy Dance, butt shake, whoop whoop!
Right now its available at Cerridwen Press but will be available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

I'm in print!!!!! My dream!!

4 Star Review from Romantic Times

2008-07-03T07:50:00.000-07:00

Imagine my surprise when I opened my August 2008 issue of Romantic Times mag and found a review for my book Black Smoke. Wooooo Whoooo! 4 stars even! Now comes the test. Will it generate more sale? Fingers crossed on that one.
Here's what it said:

Miller's fast-paced story can best be described as an action-adventure romance. The heroine is a kick-ass gal readers will root for, while the hero is an alpha male who learns a lesson or two. When the action gets going, this story really hits its stride.

Okay, so they didn't say much about it but they gave it 4 STARS which really means something. The rating is 4 stars Compelling - a page turner. That's what I was going for. I don't like to read books I get bored with so I try hard to keep things moving in my stories. And since I love hard core action I try to add as much as possible, as long as it fits the story.
Anyway, I think its cool. To be in a national magazine, well I never thunk it!!

On with more news.

My third book in the Black Smoke series releases August 14, 2008. This is Ricochet's story and boy does he have his hands full. He's a happy bachelor and plans to stay that way. Nothing makes him happier than pulling out his little black book and having a bounty of beauties to call on when he wants a night out. Enter Ronnie Holter. HeHe, boy does she turn him inside out. Only problem is she's on the death list of a very prominent government official. Looks like he and the team are needed to bail her sexy little ass out of the fire.

I've had fun writing about my "team" Sam, Kong, Boomer and Ricochet. They've become family to me. I'm still debating whether or not to write a story about Uncle Walt. I've had some ideas but just need to get them firm in my mind. It would be nice to end this series with a kick ass, blow your mind, SAY WHAT? finally. Who knows, maybe be the end of the summer I'll have it all worked out, outlined and half written. Then again, the kids are home for summer vacation. If you're a parent you know what that means.

Well, that's all for now. Keep your ears and eyes open for Ricochet's Rogue. I'll be posting a chapter teaser for it after it releases. Don't forget to let me know what you think about my stories.

Happy Reading.............

Boomer's Fall Releases Today

2008-05-08T17:11:00.000-07:00

Boomer's Fall Releases Today from Cerridwen Press.
The sequal to Black Smoke, but may be read as a standalone title.

Bizarre dreams haunt Boomer - a.k.a. Ben Campbell. Dreams of explosions, smoldering debris and young faces pleading for help in sign language. When he and his team are called in to rescue children taken hostage at a school for the deaf, the dreams become clear. Unimaginable horrors await these children if the team doesn't move fast.

Stepping out of the mayhem and coming to his rescue after a severe injury are two fiery reheads - Raya and her mother Hannah. In no time they burn their way into Boomer's heart. Raya is a burst of sunshine in his mundane life. Hannah is the other half of himself he didn't know he was looking for. Secrets swirl aroun their relationship, threatening to rip the ready-made family apart. Boomer will have to come to terms with Hannah's past and present quickly or face the rest of his life alone.
www.cerridwenpress.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419916458

Happy Reading............

Chapter Teaser RUNNING BLIND

2008-04-14T16:05:00.000-07:00

This weeks chapter Teaser

Running Blind

Chapter One
Darkness spread across the highway. Oncoming headlights blinked on, signaling impending nightfall. Jess rubbed her raw, tired eyes and lowered her window to allow the cool air to flow across her face. God, she was tired. The last sign she’d read indicated she was nearing Buffalo, or was that an hour ago?

Time was slipping by so fast she couldn’t keep track. It didn’t matter where she was really, just that she was on the move. Forty-eight hours had passed since she left Sioux City and more since she’d slept. Her body was weary and her brain sluggish. Simple tasks such as turning on her headlights had become monumental.

She reached into the passenger seat and rummaged through the empty candy bar wrappers, potato chip and cookie bags, feeling for something left to give her a sugar boost. To her dismay, nothing edible remained. As a cruel reminder of how long it had been since she ate something filling and nutritious, her stomach grumbled and cramped. She stopped only when she needed gas. To kill two birds with one stone, she grabbed whatever junk food the small stores carried and ate while she drove.

The bleak gray concrete stretching out in front of her wavered, dimmed and then returned to normal. She wasn’t foolish. She knew it wasn’t safe to drive for two days straight without sleep or proper meals. But in the grand scheme of things she had no choice but to keep moving around.

A blue sign touted a small diner at the next exit, along with a motel. Jess’ stomach growled again. She decided it was time to fill her belly and rest her brain. A few hours of sleep, a hot shower and she would be good to go and back on the road early in the morning. That was if she could sleep through the night without horrible images chasing her.

“Jess, run!”

The demanding and frightened voice echoed inside her head. Sweat beaded on her forehead while her heart hammered. She knew that voice, would never forget it. The voice saved her life. Officer Storm, the twenty-eight-year old-policewoman assigned to protect and keep her alive. Her friend.

“We’ll keep you safe Jessica, I promise. We’ll put you somewhere he’ll never find you.”

Jess fought back a sob. Tears stung her eyes and began streaming down her cheeks. The car barreled down the road with Jessica’s hands clamped tight around the steering wheel, missing the exit that led her to food and rest.

“Get a hold of yourself.” Jess rubbed the tears from her eyes. “You can’t help them now. You have to look out for yourself.”

Miles passed. “Where the hell is that exit? I was sure it was only a mile up the road.” Desperation was beginning to set in, a side effect of sleep deprivation and hunger. When she saw an exit ramp ahead, she breathed a sigh of relief and flipped on her turn signal.

A blood-curling scream ripped through her head. Jess jumped and screamed aloud as her car veered off the highway and onto the ramp. Blood roared through her ears, deafening her. She slammed on the brake at the bottom of the ramp before pulling out in front of an oncoming car.

Nerves fried, she rested her forehead on the steering wheel and waged a war with herself. She wanted to cry—needed to cry—for her three friends but refused to fall apart now. There would be plenty of time for that once she checked into a motel room.

Steeling herself, she lifted her head and scrubbed her damp face. Her gaze darted up and down the road in front of her. There were no signs indicating which way to civilization. Another car whizzed by so she decided to follow the traffic. Her hands shook as she turned the steering wheel right and eased off the brake.
Darkness fell fast and hard. All she could see was what her headlights illuminated. Trees. There was nothing but trees and road. No houses, no diners and no warm cozy motel. Her body leaned toward the steering wheel and tensed. Maybe she had taken the wrong turn. After thirty minutes of driving, she saw a dirt road disappearing into the thick trees on her left.

Jess steered her small import into the driveway, intending to turn around and head back the other way. As she stared out the windshield, Officer Storm’s young face shimmered in the glass.

Jessica.

Shivers ran down Jess’ spine.

Jessica he can find you.

The beautiful, flawless face framed by wavy black hair morphed into a grotesque, bloody mass. A bullet hole oozed thick red blood from her forehead.
Jess closed her eyes and willed the vision away. When she opened them again, there was nothing but darkness. Pain seized her stomach as it cramped and growled like a dying animal.

The car crept down the dirt road slowly. Five minutes passed as Jess stared blankly ahead, steering the car like a robot while her body shook from hunger. Why was this happening? Wasn’t there some sort of karma law that kept this kind of evil from those that did good?

Another vision wavered through Jessica’s mind. The last body she and Detective Max Dawson stood over.

He’s getting more brutal, Jess. We need to end this now.

She saw herself squat next to the body. She shivered while she relived the horrors the woman suffered. When she stood, she heard herself speak to Max.

He’s not getting the thrill he used to. It’s taking more violence to get him off.
Don’t let him get you, darlin’.

Jess startled, another face appeared in the windshield. She recognized it immediately. Officer Davis, the kind, soft-spoken man who would sit in the safe house and tell her his plans for retirement. He’d been on the force for thirty years and was eager to travel the country with his wife.

His gentle features twisted into half a face with bone and flesh hanging to his shoulder. Bits of gray matter dangled where his eye had once been. Run, the ruined half of his mouth said.

Jess slammed her eyelids closed and screamed. “No!” As before, when she opened them the image was gone.

Her head jolted back when she saw herself sitting in Max’s office, pale and frightened. Max held a piece of paper in his hand and read aloud.

My beautiful Jessica. What fun we’ll have together. I can’t wait to show you what plans I have for your petite body. You will be my final masterpiece before I move on to new hunting ground. Keep your pale, freckled skin supple for me, will you dear?
“That damn reporter will answer for this,” Max bellowed. “If it weren’t for him this bastard would never have found you.”

Jess remembered the day the newspaper article came out. Her blood had run cold as she’d read. There, in black and white for every sicko to see, were the facts. The headline read in bold black letters, “Psychic helping track down Sioux City killer”, followed by her full name.

I won’t get to see my baby.

Jess squinted through her tears. Officer Fenton stared back at her with his own tears falling down his cheeks. The thirty-three-year-old man was a new father. She remembered him bragging about the chubby little bald bundle while they played cards in the small, dingy kitchen and sipped coffee.

“I’m so sorry,” she sobbed. Because of her, the child would grow up without a father. Kill him, Jess, for me. His face distorted and when it cleared, an axe was embedded in the middle of his forehead.

Jess’ stomach muscles clenched hard. Her head spun as if she were on a roller coaster looping around. “Make it stop,” she sobbed.

Her foot pressed hard against the accelerator, propelling the car down the dirt road. Gravel and dust kicked up behind the iron machine, rocks pelted the trunk as it fell back to earth.

“Why is this happening?” Fear and anger consumed her body. Her muscles tensed into tight knots. Bile rose into her throat, gagging her.
Her foot slipped off the accelerator, slowing the car. All three faces of her friends swam in the windshield. Their voices rambled and mixed inside her head, demanding justice for their brutal murders. Their pleas stabbed at her heart like the knife the killer used to inflict torture.

The sound of a car horn blaring jerked Jess’ attention back to the road. She looked ahead into bright headlights that were bearing down on her. She snatched the wheel hard to the right. Her car hopped the bank and took a nosedive down a steep hill. Tree branches scraped and groaned against the car. Thinking she was standing on the brake, she pressed her foot to the floor. To her horror, the car sped through thick brush, plowing over shrubs that grew in the way.

Her body bounced in the seat, kept from flying around the inside of the car by her seatbelt. The wheel yanked hard out of her hands, wrenching pain shot through her fingers and wrists. Hard loud thumps echoed inside the car over the racing motor.

Instinct demanded she scream, but when she opened her mouth, nothing came out but a soft gasp. She saw the thick, gray tree trunk before the front of her car smashed into it. Jess’ head snapped forward and smacked into the steering wheel on impact.

The revving engine gave one last cough before shutting down in a cloud of steam. The soft hissing sound from the radiator filled the air. Jess’ head rested against the wheel. Warm, sticky blood trickled down her face and neck. For an instant, she hoped this would be the end of her nightmare. No more running, no more fear. Nothing but peace.

Like the end of an old black and white cartoon, her vision narrowed and funneled until there was nothing left but a pinhead speck of light. Just before all went black, a bright flash of light filled her sight.
This is it, she thought, it’s all over. She spiraled into a welcome darkness.

* * * * *

Reed yawned as he drove down the long gravel and dirt road. He smiled when he saw a doe peek out of the tree line and take a step out. This is what he loved about living out of town. He slowed the truck to make sure he wouldn’t hit her if she darted out in front of him. Chicken seemed to be a game embedded in their DNA. When he passed her safely, he glanced in his rear view mirror. The big, beautiful creature strutted out into the road, followed by a smaller version speckled with white dots.

He watched until both animals disappeared into the thick trees on the other side. “Safe journey, mama,” he whispered.

Reed focused his attention back in front of him and eased around the upcoming turn. As the truck exited, a pair of headlights came straight for him.

“What the…” He slammed his hand on the horn and jammed his foot on the brake.

The truck slid to a stop. Reed watched through a cloud of dust as the headlights from the other car veered off to the left and disappeared down over the bank. He sat stunned for a few moments as his mind scrambled to catch up with the events that just taken place. His sluggish brain came to an abrupt halt as realization finally hit home.

"Shit.” Reed bailed from his truck and ran to the side of the road in time to see the car collide with a large oak tree.

Fear and panic rocketed through him from his toes to his head. The impact was so hard it echoed through the woods. Reed rushed back to his truck and grabbed a flashlight from his glove box. His legs moved with a mind of their own, pumping like pistons, thrusting him through the thick brush and over stumps of seedlings sheared off by the car. Low hanging branches smacked at his face and arms, stinging his flesh.

Damn, this place was supposed to be his solitude, his safe haven away from the people in town. He wasn’t a people person, never had been, and only a few people knew his cabin in the deepest recess of these woods existed. Why was this person here and for what reason?

As he got closer, he could see steam billowing from the front of the car, hissing like a deadly snake. The beam of his flashlight bounced across the driver’s window, giving him a glimpse of the face behind the wheel.

Just a kid, he thought, a damn kid.

He dropped to his knees and shone the light into the face of a young female. Thick, dark red blood ran from a gash in her forehead. He positioned his index finger under her nose to feel for breath. Relief rushed through him when he felt the slight warm breeze on his skin.

“Hey, can you hear me?” His answer was a faint moan. “Can you open your eyes?”

He saw her eyelashes flutter then still. “Come on, you can do it. Open your eyes.” Reed fought the urge to reach out and shake her back to consciousness. There was no telling how many injuries this waif of a girl had sustained in the impact.

Her lids made one last attempt to open, then stilled again. This wasn’t good. She probably had a severe concussion and needed professional help. “I need to call an ambulance. I’ll be right back.”

Before he could rise from his knees, her eyes flew open. He startled, losing his breath. Her mouth moved slightly.

“What?” he leaned closer inside the car.

“No help.” Her voice was a mere whisper.

She’s so out of it. She doesn’t know what’s happened, he thought. “You’ve been in a bad car accident and you’re hurt real bad. You need help.”

Reed watched her gaze settle and focus on his face. Her brilliant blue eyes looked into his soul, giving him an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach. When she pulled her head away from the steering wheel, more blood gushed forward.

“No.”

“No? Are you crazy? You’re bleeding all over the place. You need help.” He saw her hands start feeling around the door and then yank at the handle. Back off, Baker, he told himself, she’s confused.

“He can’t find me.”

“He’ll find you once we get you to a hospital. Don’t worry.” Instead of calming her, his words seemed to make her frantic. Her eyes went from half lidded and dreamy to wide open. She gave up on the door handle and tried to climb out the window, her seat belt holding her in place.

Reed rubbed his jaw and watched her clamber around until she realized what held her in place. After releasing the seat belt, she lifted her body and angled it through the window.

“What the hell are you doing?” He reached inside and shoved her back in the seat.

“I have to leave, can’t let him find me.” She fought his hands, slapping and pushing them away.

“You don’t want to be found?” She was running away from someone, not to them. “It can’t be that bad. Besides, the police will keep you safe.” To his horror, she became more crazed as she scratched and clawed at the roof, trying to tear her way out.

“They can’t. They can’t help. They already tried,” she whimpered. Her legs kicked and thumped against the inside of the car, trying to kick her way out now. “Dead, they’re all dead.”

Reed could feel all her emotions washing over him like an ocean wave. Her frenzied actions made his heart race as if he were the one running for his life. If he didn’t stop her she’d harm herself further and if he didn’t get hold of himself he wasn’t going to be able to help her.

“Don’t let him find me.”

Her words were desperate pleas, accented by her hysterical movements to free herself from him and the car. Reed’s mind raced. He needed to calm her down and get her help. But how? Whomever she was running from had her scared to death.

Suddenly she stilled, looking at him with imploring eyes. “Please, I have to keep moving,” she panted.

Reed froze, mesmerized by the blue topaz of her eyes. His gut clenched and then released. It was more than the color of her eyes. It was something deep within them that convinced him he needed to believe and trust her. Something that filled a deep empty space inside and made him feel whole for the first time in his life.
He shook off the unwelcome sensation. “I must be out of my mind,” he muttered.
Trusting a woman he’d never seen before five minutes ago. “Okay, I won’t call an ambulance.”

She relaxed back in the seat and closed her eyes. “Thank you.”

“What the hell am I supposed to do with you?” She was bleeding like a stuck pig, more than likely had a concussion and was on the run from someone. His head screamed to take her to the authorities but something inside his chest refused to allow it.

She weakly opened her eyes. “Take me to a hotel.”

Reed grunted and ran his bloodstained hands through his hair. He couldn’t just drop her off at a hotel and wave goodbye. What if she went into a coma, or worse, died? There was only one option. He would take her back to the cabin.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” he stood and looked over the mangled car door and then pulled on it. It was no surprise when it didn’t budge. The only other way to get her out was to pull her through the window.

“Okay, listen, the only way to get you out is to pull you through the window. If I hurt you, let me know and we’ll stop.” She nodded her head and slid toward the door.

He reached inside, hooked his hands under her arms and pulled. It was like pulling a heavy quilt. There was weight, but not much. She was half way out when a painful moan rolled from her mouth.

“I’m sorry,” Reed stopped moving her and stood perfectly still. “Where does it hurt?”

“I’m okay. My head is just pounding,” she reassured him. “Don’t stop, keep going.”

“This is asinine,” he snapped. “You should be in an ambulance. I could be doing more damage.”

“It’s just my head. I don’t really hurt anywhere else. Please, keep going.”

He knew she was lying, he could hear the pain in her voice. No one took a hit like that and walked away without some kind of pain or serious injury. He decided he would finish the job, put her in the truck and drive her to the hospital himself. She would have proper care and he could continue home and go on with his life.

“All right, one last pull and you’ll be out. I’ll be as gentle as I can be.” The words no sooner left his mouth than he gave a quick tug. In one smooth motion, he dropped his left hand from under her arm, cradled her back in his right and scooped her legs up with his left.

He waited for sounds of her misery and braced himself with his eyes closed. When none came, he opened his eyes and looked down into the bloody face staring at him with bright eyes. A small, brief smile worked its way across her mouth and then faded.

“You okay?”

“Yes.”

He jostled her slightly to get a better grip and started trekking up the bank toward his truck. He couldn’t believe how light she was. He had carried sacks of shelled corn heavier than she was. Each step he took was slow and deliberate, careful not to stumble over brush and fall on top of her.

Half way up the embankment, she rested her head on his chest and snuggled closer to his body. Her right hand reached up and grasped his shirt, holding on for dear life. Reed felt waves of warmth pass through his body and involuntarily he pulled her closer to him. For the first time in his life, he felt the need to protect someone—a need he’d never experienced before.

When he stepped onto the road, he took long strides toward his truck and opened the passenger door. As gently as possible, he settled her on the seat. He took a quick glance at her forehead and breathed a sigh of relief. It had finally stopped bleeding. Not wanting her to flop over, he leaned across her body and pulled the seat belt across. Her warm breath flowed across his ear, sending shivers of electricity down his spine.

Reed hesitated briefly and then continued latching her in. Before he could pull his hand away, she reached out and grasped it.

“Thank you.”

He met her eyes. “No thanks needed.” He tried to keep his voice stern and curt but it came out soft and gentle.

“Yes, it is. You’ve saved my life in more ways than one.”

“Are you really in danger?”

She didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

Reed held her gaze for a few seconds and then looked away. “I’ll be right back.” He slammed the truck door and stormed off behind the truck.

“Fuck.” He snarled, kicking at the gravel with his foot. There went his plan to take her to the hospital himself. What was he supposed to do now? He paced back and forth behind the truck as he ran his fingers through his hair.

He needed time to think. If she was in real danger then he shouldn’t leave anything behind in her car. He gave one last kick at the rocks on the road and then made his way back down the bank to her car.

He leaned in and saw a pile of garbage on the passenger side floor. He grabbed a handful of bags and paper, looked at it and then tossed it aside. He fished around more until he found her purse, pulled it out of the car and dropped it on the ground. Next, he opened the glove compartment, pulled out all the contents and crammed them into her small purse. Then he rummaged around in the back seat but found nothing of importance.

“She must have her suitcase in the trunk.” He slid the car key from the ignition and moved to the back of the car. Surprisingly, the lid popped open without any trouble. One small, bright blue duffle bag sat in the center of the small trunk. He removed it and then squatted down in front of the license plate.

Luckily, two wing nuts were the only things holding it on. He made quick work of removing it and then slid it behind his back and into the waistline of his jeans. Once he had her purse and bag in hand he made his way back up to the road.

He dropped the two bags between him and his mystery girl, yanked the license plate from his pants and tossed it on the floor and started the truck. He glanced at her sleeping form before turning the vehicle around to head back to the cabin. She seemed to be sleeping. At least he hoped she was sleeping. She could be in a coma for all he knew.

“Hey, you still with me?” When her eyes fluttered and she gave a little groan, he took it as a good sign. “I’ll drive slowly so you won’t get jostled around. We’ll be at my place in few minutes.”

“You don’t need to do that. Just take me to a hotel.”

God, she sounded weak. “I should just drop you off at the hospital doors and honk the horn so someone finds you.”

His sarcasm was lost on her. Her hands began flailing at the door handle. When it popped open, he leaned across her and pulled it shut.

“What the hell are you doing now?” he barked in irritation.

“I can’t go to a hospital.” She panted as she shoved his hands away. “He’ll find me.”

“Calm down.” He grabbed her wrists to restrain her. “I won’t take you. Just calm down.”

“Promise me.”

Damn it, she was doing it again, looking at him with those desperate, soul-searching eyes. His stomach fluttered like it did when he was an adolescent and a pretty girl smiled at him. Reed silently cursed himself for letting her get to him.

He looked away and mumbled. “I promise.”

“Look at me and say it,” she demanded.

God help him, he tried not to look at her but he couldn’t stop. She was captivating. He looked her straight in the eyes. “I promise.”

She relaxed and reached out her hand, resting it on his thigh. “Thank you.”
It was just a brief touch, lasting only a second or two, but it sent shock waves through his body. What the hell’s wrong with you? She’s just a kid. He dropped the truck into drive and headed back to the cabin.

His mystery girl laid her head back on the seat and closed her eyes. He put a death grip on the steering wheel and clenched his jaw. This felt like he was in a bad B-movie and there was no way out.

He reached over and shoved his hand into her purse, searching for her wallet. When he felt something small and rectangular, he pulled it out and flicked on the cab light. With his thumb, he flipped the snap and shook the wallet open. There in the center was her driver’s license.

He squinted in the dim light at the picture. Staring back at him was a cleaner version of the woman next to him. Her hair was a deep red, cropped short to her head. Her remarkable eyes were the same, but the smile was as sexy as sin. Her nose was the same, short and pointed. The only thing he hadn’t seen yet were the freckles across the bridge of her nose.

Reed forced his gaze away from the picture and read her vital statistics. Jessica Crist, Sioux City, Iowa. Five foot tall and, wait, this couldn’t be right. He shoved the wallet up under the light for a better look. Thirty years old? No way was she thirty years old. He looked at the picture once more and then over at her.
Possible, maybe. Suddenly he didn’t feel like such a dirt bag for reacting to her the way he was. She was a grown woman, not some teen running away from home. That helped the situation. At least he couldn’t be arrested for harboring a minor.

Slightly relieved, he dropped the wallet back in her purse. The B-movie just got a little better. There was hope of escaping it after all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Chapter Teaser - Free Read

2008-04-01T11:00:00.000-07:00

I'm going to try something new. To help people decide if they would like to read my books, I'm going to post the first chapter of each book. After the chapter I'll have the buy link, ya know, in case you want to take a chance and read the entire story. Please keep in mind these are ebooks. Downloads. I have three books released at this time, so I'll post one chapter a week for each book. I hope you enjoy your free read!

Black Smoke

Chapter One

Samantha Wells lay buried in the mud, a small tube protruding from her lips just barely reaching the surface of her makeshift grave. This small piece of plastic was her only way of drawing air into her lungs. Her entire body was covered with earth, dead leaves and twigs. No one would know she was there, even if they walked over her. She sucked the air through her tube in slow, long breaths. It had taken her years to perfect this method without jumping from the ground and hyperventilating, but it was worth it. She could hide for hours, even days if necessary. The small collapsible shovel she carried served her well for digging into the soft earth. With experienced movements, she dug a hole wide and deep enough for her to slip into. Starting at her feet she carefully covered herself with fresh earth until she couldn’t be seen.

Today she only needed to hide for the next two hours until darkness fell. Her quarry lay just five hundred feet away from her, inside a small cabin. It would only take her seven minutes to cross the distance, enter the cabin, incapacitate the captors and leave with the target.

Seven minutes. She’d run the scenario over and over in her mind, carefully planning every step she would take. The layout of the cabin was ingrained in her brain. All she had to do was close her eyes and she could see it.

Young Peter had taken a great risk showing her around the cabin when he was sure the captors were out. Peter was also the one that gave her the proof she needed that her target was in the possession of this foul man. The woman’s wallet had been tossed into a dumpster where the boy was looking for cans to recycle.

Sam lived for this kind of work. It was what kept her sane, knowing she was doing something worthwhile. Unfortunately, she had to deal with the scum of the earth, like these evil excuses for men who held this young woman captive.
Sam was sure she knew what he had planned for the young woman, but dwelling on that wouldn’t help the situation. She needed to keep her mind wrapped around the plan. Once she had the woman free, she would call the police and let them deal with him. It wasn’t her job to act as judge and jury. She was just the black smoke that swirled into a building and freed all those who needed to be free. Black Smoke. That’s what she’d been named by the others in her profession. It was a name she bore proudly.

No one knew who Black Smoke was. She was extremely careful not to let anyone know her real name, or even that she was a female. Her Uncle Walt dealt with those that contracted for her services. He simply filled her in on what needed to be done. So far it had worked out well for both of them. Not only did she do retrievals for the private sector, she also worked for the government—but only on those rare occasions when it needed to be kept quiet.

Sam pressed deeper into her grave when she heard a car drive up to the cabin. Even with her eyes closed, she could picture in her mind what was taking place. The sound of two car doors slamming told her that her hunch was right. There were two of them, two men to torture this poor woman. The contents of the cabin clearly had shown two people.

The muffled cries of a female in distress caused the hairs on her arms to prickle, even under the thick layer of dirt that covered her. Her heartbeat began to quicken. Had she been wrong to wait until nightfall? Would it be too late? Would this poor woman be brutalized before she moved? Sweat seeped into the rich, dark soil that surrounded her.

You must be patient.

Sam’s heartbeat began to slow. That soft whisper she’d relied on her entire life was never wrong. The woman cried out again, this time a painful, heart-wrenching scream. Sam nearly bolted from her self-made grave. Every muscle in her body tensed, ready to do battle.

Not yet, she will not be seriously harmed before nightfall.

Again, the whisper inside her head calmed her. As a child the soothing voice had saved her life and as she grew older it had helped her work through the turmoil of adolescence. When she began her career, she relied on it to keep her safe. It had never let her down before. It wouldn’t let her down this time. By her calculations, she had ninety minutes before all hell would break loose. Concentrating on her breathing and relaxing her muscles, Sam said a quick prayer to her spirit guide to wake her when the time came.

As she sank within herself, she could only hear the sound of her own breathing. All other sounds were pushed away. Sam concentrated on the sound of the air being sucked through, then pushed out of the small tube. As it happened over and over again it became a hypnotic rhythm that soon had her resting comfortably beneath the earth.

A peaceful scene unfolded in her mind’s eye. A cozy, whimsical room with colorful fairies decorating the walls filled her head. A wind chime near an open window tinkled in the light breeze of the evening. It too was adorned with fairies. A large doll’s house stood in the corner, fairy dolls placed in each room. As Sam’s eyes searched the room, she saw a beautiful bed with a frilly pink comforter. Large overstuffed pillows covered the bed. Nestled amongst the pillows was a big stuffed dog.

A sense of warmth and happiness washed through Sam’s body. She recognized this place, that dog, the tinkling sounds of the wind chime. It was all so familiar and comforting.

Sam’s peaceful feeling was shattered by the sound of wood splintering and heavy footsteps coming upstairs. Her heart began to race as she heard shouting from across the hall. Was that her father’s voice she heard pleading?

The beautiful serenity of the room became a violent swirl of color as the shouting became more intense, more violent. She could hear flesh being slapped and a woman’s voice cried out in pain. The room began to spin. Sam’s stomach clenched. That was her mother. Her mother was screaming. Sam tried to move toward the door, but with every step she took, the spinning became worse. Her stomach began to heave with nausea, but she swallowed hard to fight it back. This was no time to be sick. She needed to help her parents. Dear God, what was happening to them? She could still hear shouting, loud thuds, more shouting. She stepped carefully toward the door, then fell with a hard crash. Unwilling to be defeated, she started crawling, but for every inch she gained, the door seemed to move away three inches.

Sam opened her mouth to call out, but she became mute. No matter how hard she tried to call to her parents to tell them she was coming nothing but air came from her throat. Her mother’s screams became fierce. She could hear her father pleading for the intruders to stop, begging them to take him and leave her alone, but the screaming continued. Then suddenly, her door burst open.

Samantha, you must wake. It is time. Wake child.

Sam gasped through her small tube, sucking dirt down into her throat. Her heart was racing, pounding so loudly in her ears that it deafened her. Her arms and legs ached from being clenched and still for so long. She felt heaviness grow in her chest, a feeling she hadn’t felt in eighteen years.

She needs you. It is time.

Sam bolted from her shallow grave as she heard the woman inside the cabin scream—a scream much like the one in her dream. Her upper body stiffened as she pushed against the weight of the earth and sat up. She spit the small tube from her mouth and kicked her legs, dislodging them from the earth. Discipline and focus made her push past the stiffness in her limbs and jump to her feet. Adrenaline poured through her veins as she inched her way toward the cabin. Her vision became a tunnel. She saw nothing except the small cabin that held her target. Red began to blur the edges of her vision. Pure anger and hatred was driving her now.

As she approached the small window that she had left cracked open on her earlier visit with Peter, another scream ripped through the night air. Sam sucked air between her teeth as she peeked in the window. Anger engulfed her as she watched one of the men rip the woman’s blouse open. Sam reached down into her boot and pulled out a small pistol. She placed the barrel in the gap between the window and the wall and fired.

A loud curse let her know she had struck the intended victim. She watched as he dropped to the floor. The second man looked down at him, his sickening smile turning to a look of confusion and fear. Sam took aim again and fired. The drunken man jerked as the dart skimmed by his thigh.

“What the hell!” he slurred as he staggered about the room.

Sam cursed herself for missing. She never missed. This meant she’d have to take him out with her hands. Oh well, she thought, then jumped straight into the air and grabbed the tree limb that hung out above the window. As the man continued to stumble around the room, Sam crashed through the window and landed in a crouched position. Her eyes made a quick survey of the room. The first man was already out cold on the floor. The target was tied with her hands above her to a beam.

Baring her teeth like a hungry wolf, Sam sprang toward her prey. With one quick strike of her foot the man’s head spun to the side and blood spewed from his mouth. He dropped to the floor. Sam pulled her pistol out again and shot a dart into the back of his neck. She stood staring at him, trying desperately to rein in the pure hatred and anger she felt toward this man.

The soft whimper from the corner of the room pulled her from the dark recesses in her mind.

As she turned her head slowly, she saw the young woman sobbing quietly. The sight of the woman ripped at Sam’s heart. There were red handprints on her face, her arms were bruised and blood trickled down her stomach. Sam slid her pistol back into her boot and walked slowly toward her.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m here to get you out,” she said softly.

The woman’s eyes met Sam’s. Tears spilled down over her cheeks. Her body shook from her sobbing. Then her face took on a look of new fear. “There’s another one.” She said breathlessly. “There’s another one. He’s not here yet.”

Sam pulled a knife from her utility belt and cut the woman loose from the beam. “It’s okay, calm down. It’s okay.”

“No, you don’t understand,” she said with a shaky voice. “Another man.”

Sam stilled, “What do you mean, another man?”

“There are three. He’s not here yet. We have to go. Now!” the woman said as she headed toward the door.

“Wait, we need to go through the window. If there’s another one coming, we don’t want to go out the front door.” Sam pulled the woman toward the window and shoved her through. As she was about to climb through herself she heard a car stop out front of the house.

“Run into the woods, find a place to hide and I’ll find you,” she whispered to the woman.

Without needing to be told twice the woman took off into the darkness. Sam looked around the room and found a place to hide. She wouldn’t leave here until all those responsible were taken down.

Just as Sam crouched behind the small island bench in the kitchen the door swung open. Heavy footsteps crossed the floor. Sam held her breath as she closed her eyes and pictured what the man was doing at that precise moment.

She could see him looking at the two men lying on the floor, then his eyes moved to the spot where the woman had been tied. She could see the anger in his face. She could feel the turmoil swelling in his guts. His plans had been sabotaged, his night of so-called fun spoiled. Sam stood slowly as she raised her pistol taking deadly aim. Before she could pull the trigger the man spun to face her.

Her finger pulled the trigger. She watched as the dart shot toward him. With amazing speed he moved just enough to let the dart shoot by him. Using the same speed he hurled himself toward Sam. Years of reflexes took over. Sam ducked behind the island bench again then scooted to where he had been standing. He was standing on top of the counter looking over it. Stepping quietly forward and reaching out with her right hand she pulled his foot out from under him causing him to land on his head on the opposite side of the island.

A bitter curse made her smile. He was hurt and this gave her satisfaction. She pulled her canister of mace from her utility belt and leaned over the counter. Once she had him disoriented she could tranquilize him as well.

“Who the hell are you?” the man grumbled.

“Your worst nightmare,” she snarled at him as she unloaded her mace in his face.

He never screamed like most do when the burn becomes too painful, he just lay very still.

Sam pointed her pistol at him to fire its final dart and once again, with amazing reflexes the man jumped up, his shoulder knocking the pistol from her hands. Without a thought Sam countered with a jab to his face. Blood rolled from his lip and down his chin. Before she realized what had happened he had grabbed her wrists wrapping them in a vice-like grip. He kicked her feet out from underneath her, knocking them both to the floor with a bone-jarring thud.

His weight had her pinned to the floor, unable to move. Sam bucked and kicked trying to throw him off balance to get her hands free. But he was a skilled fighter. He knew how to subdue a person. Somehow he had managed to remove the black mask she always wore during a mission.

“Well, well. Look what I have here.” He laughed, blood spraying all over her face. “Just a little girl.”

Sam continued to kick, trying desperately to get her knee between his legs. His hold on her wrists was much too strong. Never before had she encountered a man she couldn’t outmaneuver, or outsmart.

Stay still Samantha. Stay still.

Sam instinctively obeyed the whisper in her head. Relaxing all her muscles she became a rag doll. It only took a few moments for his harsh grip to relax on her wrists.

“Since you found it necessary to let my entertainment for the evening go free, I’ll just have to use you.” The man laughed, continuing to spray blood over her face.

When Sam moved her head to the side to avoid the blood, she spotted the pistol on the floor.

All she had to do was reach out and grab it. But she had to wait for the right moment. If he tightened his grip on her wrists again she would lose her chance.

“You’ll have to pay for what you’ve done.” He said reaching for the zipper on his jeans.

Sam took that moment when his hands were the furthest away from her arms and reached for the pistol. Turning swiftly, with her other hand she grabbed a handful of his crotch, squeezing with every ounce of strength she had. The man’s face turned white as she dug her fingers into his soft flesh. His hands instinctively reached down between his legs, frantically trying to release her vice-like grip.

“Sounds to me like your mouth’s writing a check your dick can’t cash,” she hissed through her teeth.

The sounds he was making made her smile, so just for the sheer fun of it, she dug in deeper.

“You bitch!” He screeched digging at her hand.

Sam pointed the pistol directly at his crotch. “Oh, that isn’t me being a bitch,” she said with a smile. “This is.” She pulled the trigger launching the dart directly into his so-called manhood.

The man screamed like a little girl would in a haunted house. His body stiffened like a board then rolled to the side, freeing her from his weight. Sam dragged herself to her feet and watched as his frenzied hands tried to remove the dart. Pulling her cell phone from her pocket, she called her uncle.

“It’s done. Three down.” She said simply then hung up the phone. She watched as the man succumbed to the tranquilizer. Satisfied that all three would rest quietly until the authorities could arrive, she retrieved her mask and slid it over her head then climbed out the window and began her search for the woman.

It didn’t take her long. The woman was hiding behind the biggest tree in the area. Sam walked to where she had stashed her bag, retrieved it and made her way to the woman. As she neared, the woman stiffened and held her breath.

“It’s over. The police are on their way.” She said as she pulled a jacket from her bag.

“You’ll have to wait until they get here. You need to be on the premises when they arrive.” Sam made a quick survey of the woman’s wounds. Nothing serious. A knife slash where they cut her bra and some bruising.

The woman shook her head as she stared at Sam. “Thank you. I thought I was going to die tonight.”

“I know. We’ll wait here until we hear sirens, then you can walk back to the cabin.”

“Are they dead?” She asked with a shaky voice.

“No, just sleeping.” Sam replied. “Listen, I know you’ve had a traumatic experience, but you have to look at this with a positive attitude.” The woman’s eyes reflected her confusion at Sam’s words. “You were lucky. There were at least two other women that weren’t. Your bruising, your cuts, they’ll all heal. It’s up you whether or not your mind heals. If you let this affect you, affect the way you live your life, then they have won. Be strong. When it comes time for a trial, stand up and tell people what sick, twisted, little cowards they are. Tell them how they dealt with someone weaker than they are. Show them that you’re a survivor.”

Understanding grew within the woman’s eyes. Even as her body shook from her trauma, her chin jutted out. “I will.”

Sam wrapped her arm around her and the woman lay her head on Sam’s shoulder. A prayer was sent to give the woman strength to overcome her ordeal and defeat the personal demons that were sure to haunt her.

It was eleven o’clock when Sam finally reached the waiting helicopter that would take her home. She crawled inside, mask in place and relaxed for the first time in what seemed like hours. She watched as the ground grew further and further away from her and when she felt satisfied that she was on her way, she closed her eyes.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

No need for thanks Samantha. You did well. Rest now. You will need it.

Sam grunted. What was that supposed to mean? she thought to herself. When no answer came she drifted off into a light sleep. It always amazed her that she could sleep so soon after a mission was completed, but then she was sure she had help.

She found herself back in the pretty little bedroom. The tinkling of the wind chimes made her feel warm and cozy. Then the shouting started again, her mother’s scream, her father’s pleas.

Sam reached for her knife but it wasn’t there. She looked down at herself and saw she was wearing a pink, frilly nightgown. She ran for the door but the room started spinning. The nausea welled up inside her. She opened her mouth to scream, but just like the last time, nothing would come.

No, she thought to herself, not again. I won’t lose them again. But try as she might she couldn’t make it to the door. Without warning her door burst open. A man dressed in blue jeans and a button up shirt stood in front of her. She watched as he reached out for her, her eyes drawn to a symbol on his hand.

She felt his hand reach into her hair and pull hard. His mouth was moving but she couldn’t hear any words. He tied her to a chair, smiled at her, then headed for the door. Sam could see across the hall into her parents’ bedroom. Her father was tied to a chair. Her mother lay naked on their bed. Two men stood over her arguing. She could still hear her father begging them to leave his family alone, but her mother lay still and quiet.

Her bedroom door slammed shut leaving her all alone and scared. She could hear herself praying for help, praying for her parents. Then she heard it for the first time, the whisper inside her head. It told her how to move her hands to get them free from the bindings. She heard it tell her how to get out of the house. Use the window, slide down the spouting. She found herself obeying every word.

Then the gunshot came. Her blood turned to ice as she screamed and fell. The sickening crunch of the bones snapping in her ankles echoed in her ears. Pain jolted through her legs making it impossible for her to walk, so she crawled through the yard. She knew they were coming. She could sense it. Her skin prickled and her stomach clenched. Then he was there, standing over her. He said something into a walkie-talkie, his voice sounding like an old forty-five record put on slow speed. She tried to crawl away, her fingers digging into the earth, pulling her wounded body across the grass, but she felt a sharp pain in her back, then came another gunshot.

Sam sat straight up, sweat running down her face. Her heart thundered in her ears. As she looked around she saw the helicopter was making its landing. A dream, she thought to herself, just a dream.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you would like to read more please click on the link below to purchase Black Smoke from Cerridwen Press
www.cerridwenpress.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419908422

Check in at my website www.robinleighmiller.com for more info on me and my books and join me at www.myspace.com/authorrobin
www.authorsden.com/robinleighmiller

Where is Spring?

2008-03-22T12:10:00.000-07:00

Well, spring arrived, but someone forgot to tell mother nature. Blustery and cold are the norms for now. I can't wait for the day I can walk outside without a coat and feel the warm air brush against my cheeks. Cabin Fever is a downer, especially when you have 3 kids that think just because the calender says spring they should be able to go out and romp in short sleeves.

Racing season has started in our area and I've discovered this a true testament to my age. See, when I drove I never seemed to mind the frigid weather. All that mattered was getting in the car and doing my thing. Completely lost in the moment your body becomes numb to the cold air. The only thing you think about is passing the car in front of you and finishing the race with your equipment in one piece. Now a days, I don't want to think about going to the track until it's in the sixties when the sun goes down. Age is so unkind.
Speaking of age, my oldest son will become a teen in just a little over a weak. Me, with a teenager, who'd a thunk! My second son will be 10 just 19 days later. My 6 year old daughter can still kick their butts when she needs to. That's my girl. She got her mom's attitude.

My newest release Running Blind is doing well. I've gotten some super feedback about it, and some great reviews. You can check out the reviews on my web site www.robinleighmiller.com

I thought maybe I'd post an excerpt for ya'll to read. If ya like it and think you'd like to read the entire book. click here www.cerridwenpress.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419914232
I also have a contest running on my web site until April. Everyone's welcome to enter.

Have a good one and Happy reading!!!

Excerpt for Running Blind

Kill him, Jess, for me. His face distorted and when it cleared, an axe was embedded in the middle of his forehead.
Jess’ stomach muscles clenched hard. Her head spun as if she were on a roller coaster looping around. “Make it stop,” she sobbed.
Her foot pressed hard against the accelerator, propelling the car down the dirt road. Gravel and dust kicked up behind the iron machine, rocks pelted the trunk as it fell back to earth.
“Why is this happening?” Fear and anger consumed her body. Her muscles tensed into tight knots. Bile rose into her throat, gagging her.
Her foot slipped off the accelerator, slowing the car. All three faces of her friends swam in the windshield. Their voices rambled and mixed inside her head, demanding justice for their brutal murders. Their pleas stabbed at her heart like the knife the killer used to inflict torture.
The sound of a car horn blaring jerked Jess’ attention back to the road. She looked ahead into bright headlights that were bearing down on her. She snatched the wheel hard to the right. Her car hopped the bank and took a nosedive down a steep hill. Tree branches scraped and groaned against the car. Thinking she was standing on the brake, she pressed her foot to the floor. To her horror, the car sped through thick brush, plowing over shrubs that grew in the way.
Her body bounced in the seat, kept from flying around the inside of the car by her seatbelt. The wheel yanked hard out of her hands, wrenching pain shot through her fingers and wrists. Hard loud thumps echoed inside the car over the racing motor.
Instinct demanded she scream, but when she opened her mouth, nothing came out but a soft gasp. She saw the thick, gray tree trunk before the front of her car smashed into it. Jess’ head snapped forward and smacked into the steering wheel on impact.
The revving engine gave one last cough before shutting down in a cloud of steam. The soft hissing sound from the radiator filled the air. Jess’ head rested against the wheel. Warm, sticky blood trickled down her face and neck. For an instant, she hoped this would be the end of her nightmare. No more running, no more fear. Nothing but peace.
Like the end of an old black and white cartoon, her vision narrowed and funneled until there was nothing left but a pinhead speck of light. Just before all went black, a bright flash of light filled her sight.
This is it, she thought, it’s all over. She spiraled into a welcome darkness.

Excerpt 2 for Running Blind
Jess tripped and fell to the ground. Not one to give up easily, she scrambled forward on her hands and knees in the dirt. She was so wiry and fast Reed had a hard time grabbing hold of her. One foot caught him in the chest, knocking him backward. Jess took advantage and sprang to her feet, taking off on a dead run again.
He bared his teeth like a wild animal and took off after her again. This time when he caught up with her, he pushed her forward, knocking her to the ground and then fell on top of her. He could hear the air rush out of her lungs.
“Damn it, Jess, look what you made me do.”
He crawled off her back and turned her over into his arms. Her face was pale, her eyes were wide and watery and she gasped for breath.
“Calm down and breathe, babe. Slow and steady.”
She finally relaxed and regained her composure enough to start fighting again. He stood, lifted her to her feet and tossed her over his shoulder. The entire walk back to the house she beat on his back and cursed him.
Relief and pride swelled inside his chest. She was one tough cookie. Pride vanished when she bit him on the side. Now he was just pissed. He reached up and swatted her hard on the ass.
“Ooww! That hurt.”
“So did that bite.”
“Put me down or I’ll do it again,” she warned.
“So will I. Only harder.”
He figured he’d made his point. She didn’t try biting him again but she did continue to beat on his back. By the time he made it back to the house, he was sore, tired and in a foul mood.

Running Blind Contest

2008-02-21T16:52:00.000-08:00

My book Running Blind Released today from Cerridwen Press. www.cerridwenpress.com
I'm running a contest on my web site www.robinleighmiller.com to celebrate the release.
Answer the question, email me the answer and take a chance at winning a pretty little jewlery box with a gold heart necklace and 7" gold rope bracelet.

While you're there, check out my other books available through Cerridwen Press.

My Space Woes - Winter Returns - Dangerous Money

2008-01-17T16:43:00.000-08:00

I am so frustrated I could pull my hair out! Not being computer savvy I struggle my way through setting up sites for myself. My latest struggle is with my space. All I wanted to do was get a premade layout loaded so my page didn't look so generic. I go to several different sites that have layouts, spend an hour perusing for a layout that fits my personality and follow the directions to a T! What happens, half of it shows up. No background, my personal info disappears and the contact me box REFUSES to make itself visible. WHY!!!! So, I go back, read the directions once more, retry everything and still. NOTHING!!!!! Okay, I'll just ask for help. Where do I ask for help. A forum, ack! Needless to say, my page is a disaster! But I will figure it out, I swear it will not conquer me.

Winter made its return. The cold weather slithered back in and brought with it SNOW!! Ugh, I guess I know what I'll be doing tomorrow morning, that's right shoveling. How many more days until spring? So, while it snowed I sat at my desk searching the web for ways to advertise my books and get my name out so people might take a look at what I write and possibly read it.
If anyone has any suggestions for a low budget advertising seeker, please feel free to contact me. I'm open to new ideas, really.

Okay, the second installment of Dangerous Money is ready. Enjoy it, let me know what you think and please, pop on over to my web site. www.robinleighmiller.com
Happy Reading.......................

DANGEROUS MONEY

Twenty-six year old Marley waited anxiously for Kevin to come home. Setting businesses up with new computer systems and software sometimes required waiting for after hours. To pass the time she popped in her favorite disk of all time, the day she won two million dollars on her favorite game show Push Your Luck.
When she and Kevin were dating, they would sit and watch, Marley shouting out answers, screaming at the contestants when they screwed up. Kevin would laugh, reminding her that it’s different when millions of people were watching you and the pressure was on.
Then one day, only months after their nuptials, the local news station reported the game show would be holding auditions only seventy miles away from their small town. Kevin, her family and friends all urged her to try out.
“Why not? Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” She agreed.
Taking a day off at the hospital she worked at as a surgical assistant, she shanghaied her best friend Tori and made the drive.
“Oh my God Tori. Look at that line. I don’t have a chance in hell. We might as well go home now. It’ll be ten o’clock tonight before I get in there.”
The line wrapped around the old brick building, now used as a theater, and nearly made it back to the front door. Hundreds of people chattered to people they didn’t know claiming they were the best at the game and would set a new winning record when they got on. Marley sighed to herself, flipped open her phone and called Kevin.
“Honey, I don’t think this is going to work. You should see the people here. I think I’m just going to come home.”
“Babe, this is a once in a life time chance. Wait it out, give it a chance and who knows, you might get lucky.”
His encouragement strengthened her will. “But I might not get home until midnight.”
“I’ll warm dinner for you. Now get your sexy little ass in that line and make me proud.”
Wanting to succeed more for Kevin than for herself, she trudge up to the line and took her place. Tori kept her occupied with mindless talk about the happenings in the world, who was dating whom, and then resorted to observing people in line and figuring out what celebrity they looked like. Marley kept reminding herself she was doing this for Kevin, it was the only way she kept herself in a mile long line that moved every half hour.
“I’m getting cold. You want some coffee?” Tori wrapped her arms around herself and shivered.
“No and you shouldn’t drink any either. God knows when we’ll get near a bathroom. I have to go as it is.”
Tori gave an exasperated sigh. “I’m gonna go for a walk. If I find a place with a public restroom I’ll come back, hold your place in line and you can go.”
Marley couldn’t find any fault with that plan. “Okay, just hurry. The line might move three inches and you won’t be able to find me.”
Tori didn’t take the time to comment, she simply stepped out of line and disappeared. Fifteen minutes later, she returned with a steaming cup of coffee.
“Two blocks down there’s a diner called Emilio’s. Buy a cup of coffee, use the restroom and you’ll be back in fifteen.”
“I don’t want any coffee.” Marley didn’t like whining, but this was seriously ridiculous.
“So, bring it back for me. I’m mostly using it to keep my hands warm.”
The urge to use the bathroom had grown in the last few minutes. “Okay. Keep your eye out for me in case I can’t find you.”
Like her friend, she returned shortly after with a cup of coffee and opted to hold it herself to keep her hands warm. Four hours later they were at the front door and could feel the warm air escaping from inside.
“Almost there honey.” Tori said patting her on the back.
“I don’t even care about auditioning anymore. I just want inside. It looks like it’s going to snow.”
A scrawny, dark haired young man stepped out the door, shivered, and yelled, “I need the next four people in line.”
“That’s you Mar. Good luck. I’ll be waiting for you over there on the corner.” She shoved Marley through the door and took off.
For half an hour Marley filled out paperwork, read a release, signed more papers and then sat. At least she was inside and sitting, not freezing her limbs off.
“Marley Donavan.” The same gangly kid bellowed.
Marley stood and followed him into a room where four people seated behind a long table sat with glazed eyes, stone faces and don’t care attitudes. Without even glancing up, they hurled questions at her like baseballs. She stammered, stuttered and fought like hell to keep up with them. When they were finished, Marley covered her face with her hands, shook her head and prayed her torture session was over.
“Okay Ms. Donovan, you’re finished.”
Like a lamb being led to slaughter, she was taken by the arm and dragged out of the room, told to stay put until someone came for her and then left alone. Two minutes later a paper was shoved in hand.
“This is the date you’ll be on the show. You make your own arrangements. Hotel, transportation to the studio, oh and bring a few different outfits so wardrobe can make sure you look good on camera. You’ll need to arrive two hours before air time so make-up can get you ready. It’s all there.”
Before she could look up from the paper in her hand, she was alone again. A bright red exit sign hung over the only door around so, assuming this was the way out, she wandered over, opened it and stepped out onto a side street. Dumbfounded, shocked and still not sure what just happened, she shuffled her way to the main street. Tori stood with her back to her puffing on a cigarette.
“Tori?” Her voice sounded like a frightened child.
“Hey Mar, how’d it go?”
She handed her the paper and looked around. “It’s dark. How long was I in there?”
“Holy crap Marley, you did it. You’re on the show.”
Barely feeling her best friend wrap her arms around her she stood staring straight ahead.
“You have to call Kevin and let him know.”
“I guess.” On automatic now, she pulled her phone from her pocked, dialed the number and watched as Tori danced around in the street.
“Hello.”
Hearing Kevin’s voice helped bring her back to the fringes of reality. “Kevin, honey I made it.”

Dangerous Money

2008-01-16T17:21:00.000-08:00

It's been a few days since my last post. Currently I'm trying to complete the third book in my Black Smoke series. I'm so close to the end, yet so far. I can see the ending in my head, but the journey there seems to be taking side trips. (Sigh) That frustrates me to no end. But I'm confident that I'll complete the script soon. Sometimes it simply takes a few days away mulling different scenarios around in my head, then WHAM! it happens. The words flow like water spilling over a fall.

I'm eagerly awaiting the release of my book Running Blind, remember, it releases February 21.

Sadly, my first book Black Smoke was passed up for print this winter. Keep your fingers crossed that it will make it on the summer print schedule. When it does I'll scream it from the tree tops.

In the mean time I've begun a story for my blog. Today is the first installment. Feel free to leave a comment about it. My goal is to post an installment every day, but life tends to get in the way of my writing from time to time. Those of you that have children, or a husband, understand what I mean. Well, here it is. Enjoy and Happy Reading.

Dangerous Money

Two bright white globes accelerated down the shiny macadam road. The late hour left

the usually busy stretch baron except for one lone traveler. A heavy mist hung in the air

as if nature couldn’t decide to let it rain of not. The man in the darkened car allowed a

slow, lazy smile spread across his lips. Tonight’s weather was a welcome addition to his

plan.

He’d spent two weeks following his target to and from work, studying his driving

habits, keeping logs of the nights the other man worked late. Tirelessly he reviewed fatal

car accident reports available on the web, scanning ghoulish victim photos and

committing to memory the classic signs police looked for in foul play. The results of his

hard work were about to pay off without any questions being asked.

The high beams grew larger as the car neared his hiding spot. A spot he chose as

carefully as he did his rental car. Midnight blue, simple two-door car allowed him to sit

unnoticed behind a clump of trees, yet afforded him the best position to activate his plan

and watch.

As his target rounded a curve, the stranger reached out, grasped the dial that would

turn on his high beams and pressed the palm of his other hand to the center of the steering

wheel. Waiting for the precise moment as the cars headlights peeked around the bend he

simultaneously blared his horn and blinded the driver with his lights.

Tires squealed as the on coming car jerked across the road, skidded in the lose gravel

on the shoulder as its driver fought for control. Catching the soft mud it pulled hard to

the left, the driver gunned the engine in hopes of pulling back to the safety of the road.

Instead, the sporty two- door dug in, tipped and tumbled down the steep bank leading to

a deep ravine. The sound of saplings snapping and crushing, metal scraping against rock sent

chills up the stranger’s spine.

He’d wait a few moments of course, let the whole scene settle a bit before putting on

the face of a concerned citizen and checking to make sure the driver was all right. He

wouldn’t be, there was no way a person would survive such a brutal crash as that. If he

did though, well, he had a back up plan.

BABY ITS COLD OUTSIDE

2008-01-02T16:29:00.000-08:00

Old man winter has welcomed 2008 with his icy fingers and chilling breath. It was one of those days where you just want to huddle under a blanket with that special someone and never venture farther than the fridge for a snack.

The wind whipped and howled sending my two dogs into a frenzy thinking there was someone at the door all day long. Boy I hope they sleep good tonight. I know I will.

The good news is they are calling for temps in the 50's beginning next week, at least for a few days. Hold onto your shorts, that's a heat wave this time of year in my little corner of the world.

Well, now to the writing part of my life.
I've been thinking about writing a short story and posting bits and pieces of it on my blog. Not sure what I'll write, but I'll give it some thought. Since I've never written a short story before this will be new territory for me. Hopefully this will filter some new readers to my books.

I'm still reeling from the holiday madness and having a hard time getting my mind back where it belongs. Therefor my writing has been put on the back burner. Bummer.......cause ole Ricochet is stomping his foot and sneering at me waiting for his story to be finished. I think Ricochet is my favorite character from the Black Smoke series. He's funny, intelligent, brave and not afraid to admit when he's wrong.. The street wise man can make a woman laugh or want to smack him..what more can you ask from in a guy??

I better get his story finished soon or he'll haunt my dreams. He's already talking to me inside my head. "Come on girl, what's the hold up?"
"Can't wait around forever. Gotta life to live ya know."
"Ya gonna hook me up with that Rogue woman or leave me danglin'?"
Ah yes, he never shuts up lately. But that's good, he'll push me until I get my ice cold bottom on the move again.

For now, I'm going to go crawl under a pile of blankets and try to stay warm while the wind whistles around the house making me colder just listening to it. Yuk I hate wind.

Until next time.................

Happy Reading................

www.robinleighmiller.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2008-01-01T11:36:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all! May everyone have a safe, prosperous, healthy new year.

I look forward to this new year and the possibilities that are ahead.

Make the most of what you have and strive for something a little more!

Best Wishes,

Until next time......

Happy Reading............

Robin Leigh Miller
www.robinleighmiller.com

Exicting News!!

2007-12-27T17:04:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a great holiday! I did. One more to get through and things should return to normal. Well, normal for me which is Kaos!!

Okay, I have some exciting news! My book Force of Nature has been nominated for an ARI Award at The Romance Studio. This award is for the book cover, not the content, but that's okay. I'm a newbie in this industry and I'll take what I can get. By the way, Force of Nature also recieved a reviewers choice award for the month of October from Two Lips reviews. If you'd like to read it pop in http://www.twolipsreviews.com/ and click on reviewers choice.

Voting begins in January at http://www.theromancestudio.com/ so if you'd be so kind, please place a vote.

Just a reminder, my third book Running Blind is coming in February. Blurb coming soon so watch for it. Don't ya just love the cover at the top? Cerridwen Press has the BEST art dept.

Okay, now I'm going to give you a few more authors to check out. They are fabulous and worthy of your time.

www.lizjasper.com

www.amarindajones.com

www.freewebs.com/kriseton

I like to push people their way cause self promotion is a bear in this industry.

The way I see it, print pubs dictate what we read and who we read. Now, don't get me wrong, I'd love to be in print, but if you knew the hoops you have to jump through to get printed it would blow your mind. There are so many outstanding authors out there that have awesome stories to tell. Thanks to the wonderful world of epub, they can tell them.

For those of you that poopoo the epubs, how many of you have print books stacked in boxes in your basement or attic? You know, just sitting there taking up space. How many trees sacrificed their lives so those books could sit there? Think about it? Epubs let you read them on your computer or these nifty little things called e readers.

I bought my mother one for Christmas and she's thrilled. Now she can read anything she wants and doesn't have to worry about what she's going to do with the book when she's done. She downloads it into her ereader and when she's done, she can blow it away if she wants to. No more stuffing a book into a bag and hoping someone will take it off her hands and NO TREES DIE! WHoooooo! How cool is that?

My mom is nearly senventy and she's finding books out there she can't wait to read. Mostly from Ellora's Cave and Cerridwen Press.

So, think about giving epubs a try and open up your reading world. You'll be glad you did.

Until next time..........

Happy Reading..........

Robin Leigh Miller

www.robinleighmiller.com

Ooops! missed a few days!

2007-12-17T15:31:00.000-08:00

The holiday season has me running around like an insane woman. Pulling my hair out, biting my nails and grasping for those pesky little pieces of scrap paper that I've made notes on so I don't forget something.

In the midst of all the confusion my wonderful husband threw me a surprise birthday party to celebrate a mile stone in my life. Him and his sister pulled together old friends from my days of racing and dragged them out on a cold wintry night. It was wonderful to see them again.

Even in the bedlam I thought about something I'd like to do on my blog.
There are some wonderful authors out there in the e-pub world that I feel everyone should know about.

I'd like to list some of them in each post. Be so kind as to check them out.

Fiona Jayde www.fionajayde.com
Cyan Bell www.freewebs.com/cyanbell
Taylor Voltaire www.taylorvoltaire.com
Sheri Livingston www.sherilivingston.com

These four ladies put together a wonderful book. Behind the Masque. All proceeds of this HOT book go to breast cancer research. SEE! You get a great read and donate to a life saving cause. Could it get any better?

Four different stories that take place at the same ball, let me tell you this is worth the time to read.

Check out their web sites and take a peek at other works they have to offer.

Okay, with the week before Christmas rush happening I'm not sure how much I'll be able to get posted on a daily basis. Bare with me.
I would like to introduce you to some new authors every time I post so look for them.

Until the insanity ends... Happy reading......

www.robinleighmiller.com

Day Two and I'm still here.

2007-12-06T15:42:00.000-08:00

Okay, it's day two and here I sit ready to ramble away.

What miserable weather we woke up to in our little corner of the world. At 6:30 this morning it was an icy 9 degrees and warmed up to a balmy 27. YUK! The doors on the car were frozen shut. After commencing battle with them they opened only to dump a nice little pile of snow on my seat. Yeah!! It didn't matter how much brushing off I did, my butt still got wet and cold.

So off I went to take my mother for her daily walk around our local mall. See, two months ago she had surgery on her spine. The lumbar region was fused together and she needs to walk ever day to regain strength in her back. I enjoy our walks and have managed to complete most of my Christmas shopping while doing it. Then we sit in the Border's book store and have sinfully delicious coffee and sometimes a snack. Today it was a blueberry muffin. And of course, we peruse the book shelves. I really shouldn't do that. I could put myself in debt fast with all the books I want to read.

After a few hours working in our shop this afternoon I rushed off to pick my daughter up at school to take her to a doctors appointment.
Let's see, I stood in the freezing cold waiting for her, pushed, shoved and plowed into by a gaggle of elementary school students and she never came out. Now, if you're a mother and you've waited for your child and that child never shows up you can understand my quickly elevating anxiety. So I go in looking for her.
Well, she comes walking toward me, face all swelled, eyes all red from crying. Turns out she had a substitute teacher today and said teacher sent her out the wrong door. Poor kid, she was so scared. Not to mention ME!
I hurry her a block away to the car, bundle her in and her first question for me is "Am I going to get a shot?"
Oh boy, I try to be honest with her and say. "I'm not sure honey but if you do, be brave."
The next thing I know the water works start in a hysterical fashion. I spend the ten minute drive trying to calm her down and I'm proud to say, successful at it.
So we arrive at the building her doctor is in, walk across the parking lot and step onto the side walk and she does a nose dive on the curb.
Can this get any better? More tears, more hysteria and I'm about to join her.
Once again I succeed in calming her. We get into the office and she begins her exam.
Eyes first. They stand her a mile away from an eye chart and ask her to name the shapes. She's in kindergarten by the way.
Out of five shapes she gets confused on one. It's the shape of a tea cup, so the nurse asks her what kind of shape do you think it is?
My darling, cute little girl says. "It's a trapezoid."
How many kindergartners know that? She was right.
Well, guess what, she did get a shot. The nurse was great. She had her turn her head and start counting to five. Before my little girl got the word one out the needle was in and out and by the time she made five the bandage was on. WHoopie! NO TEARS! She looks at me and says, that didn't hurt a bit! God Bless nurses!!

So some good news came today. I got my third book cover. It is so awesome! I can't wait to post it but it needs to have a small change. Once that's made I'll put it up for all to see!!

As the release date grows closer I'll even post some excerpts from it.

That's all I have to say for not

Until tomorrow...................

www.robinleighmiller.com sign my guest book

My first blog post

2007-12-05T15:23:00.000-08:00

After asking advice from fellow authors about promoting myself, they all said the same thing.

Start a blog. So, here it is. Will I be able to keep up with it? Maybe. Will I run out of things to say? Nah, I have plenty to say, it's just a matter of getting people to listen.

So let me start by telling you a little about myself.

My name is Robin Leigh Miller and I'm an author. Wow, can't get used to putting my name along side the word author. It's a dream come true. I've always like telling stories, I just didn't think anyone would want to read them. Lucky for me Cerridwen Press thought differently. They gave me a shot and my first book Black Smoke released in March of 2007. Then my second book Force of Nature was released in June. Both have done well.

For those that read my first book, here's a news flash. The second book in the Black Smoke series, Boomer's Fall, is coming in 2008. The contract is all buttoned up, I'm simply waiting for the release date and ISBN #.

The third book is under construction now and tells Ricochet's story.

In February of 2008 my third book Running Blind will be released from Cerridwen Press.

I like kick ass people and love writing about them. But that isn't enough for me. I need a bit of a twist in my stories. So, mix in a little paranormal activity and I'm happy!

Do you like kick ass people? Ya know the type. The ones that push themselves to the next level sucking in life like there's no tomorrow.

Me, I got my first taste of adrenoline when I was 16 and ran my first race in a stock car at our local dirt track. One race and I was hooked. The competition, the thrill of competition, I loved every delicious, painful moment.

Yes, there was pain. I suffered third and fourth degree burns from a radiatior hose malfunction, and flipped my car down the front stretch of the track eight times. But ya know what? I wouldn't trade one single moment for anything. Racing led me to my husband of the last 18 years. We raced against each other in the same division. For nearly five years we barely spoke 10 words to each other every Saturday night. Then one day he asked me out. Three months later we were ingaged and seven months later we were married and it has been a rock your world, crazy life ever since.

Now we build motors for drivers. That's how we make our living. Yes, I said we. I can be found up to my neck in grease, pistons, cranks, cams, valves, heads, you name it I can put it where it belongs. I'm pretty darn good at taking them apart as well. Machine work is my specialty. There are a few machines my hubby would rather me work than himself, simply because he thinks I have more patients then him. Patients, that's a good one. I've never been patient a day in my life. But, what he doesn't know won't hurt him right?

So that's a little about my life. Business, three kids and my writing. It's one big party.

Now that racing season is over for the winter, yes it's winter here in my little cornor of the world, things have slowed a bit. Hopefully I'll be able to keep up with my blog during those cold, windy, snowy days and nights. Can't promise anything when it's nice out, I'd rather be outside in the warmth than sitting inside.

I have lots of ideas about my blog, and hope I can remember them.

Stay tunned for more ramblings....

Until tomorrow...............................

Hey, if you get a chance visit my web site. http://www.robinleighmiller.com/ leave a message in the guest book.

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