My Space Woes - Winter Returns - Dangerous Money

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

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

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

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!!

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!

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.

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