Interview with Linda Lael Miller Big Sky Summer
Editorial reviews for Linda’s work:
"Miller's down-home, easy-to-read style keeps the plot moving, and she includes . . . likable characters, picturesque descriptions and some very sweet pets." -Publishers Weekly on Big Sky Country
"Miller's name is synonymous with the finest in western romance." -RT Book Reviews
"Linda Lael Miller creates vibrant characters and stories I defy you to forget."--#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber
"A passionate love too long denied drives the action in this multifaceted, emotionally rich reunion story that overflows with breathtaking sexual chemistry." -Library Journal on McKettricks of Texas: Tate
"Miller once again tells a memorable tale." -RT Book Reviews on A Creed in Stone Creek
"Miller's down-home, easy-to-read style keeps the plot moving, and she includes . . . likable characters, picturesque descriptions and some very sweet pets." -Publishers Weekly on Big Sky Country
"Miller's name is synonymous with the finest in western romance." -RT Book Reviews
"Linda Lael Miller creates vibrant characters and stories I defy you to forget."--#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber
"A passionate love too long denied drives the action in this multifaceted, emotionally rich reunion story that overflows with breathtaking sexual chemistry." -Library Journal on McKettricks of Texas: Tate
"Miller once again tells a memorable tale." -RT Book Reviews on A Creed in Stone Creek
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Overview
The "First Lady of the West," #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller, welcomes you home to Parable, Montana—where love awaits.
With his father's rodeo legacy to continue and a prosperous spread to run, Walker Parrish has no time to dwell on wrecked relationships.
But country-western sweetheart Casey Elder is out of the spotlight and back in Parable, Montana. And Walker can't ignore that his "act now, think later"
Please welcome #1NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author
and a personal favorite Linda Lael Miller
Linda welcome back!!
Tell us about your newest release in your Parable Montana
series Big Sky Summer.
“Big Sky Summer” is the fourth book in the Parable/Three Trees series I’ve been writing for my fantastic publisher, Harlequin, and their HQN imprint. Although the story is a continuation, each book stands alone, so you needn’t have read the preceding stories to be on track. “Big Sky Country” introduced Slade Barlow and Joslyn Kirk, “Big Sky Mountain”, Hutch Carmody and Kendra Shepherd, “Big Sky River”, Boone Taylor and Tara Kendall. “Big Sky Summer” includes some of these same characters, plus our hero, Walker Parrish, and heroine, Casey Elder. (Both Walker and Casey have appeared briefly in previous stories.) They have an old and deep connection, one they’ve been trying to ignore, but that’s getting more and more difficult as time goes on and certain people begin to demand some answers…
“Big Sky Summer” is the fourth book in the Parable/Three Trees series I’ve been writing for my fantastic publisher, Harlequin, and their HQN imprint. Although the story is a continuation, each book stands alone, so you needn’t have read the preceding stories to be on track. “Big Sky Country” introduced Slade Barlow and Joslyn Kirk, “Big Sky Mountain”, Hutch Carmody and Kendra Shepherd, “Big Sky River”, Boone Taylor and Tara Kendall. “Big Sky Summer” includes some of these same characters, plus our hero, Walker Parrish, and heroine, Casey Elder. (Both Walker and Casey have appeared briefly in previous stories.) They have an old and deep connection, one they’ve been trying to ignore, but that’s getting more and more difficult as time goes on and certain people begin to demand some answers…
Do you have a set number in this series?
At this point, there are 6 books in the Big Sky series.
At this point, there are 6 books in the Big Sky series.
Linda, you grew up the daughter of a town marshal and
traveled and lived all around the world before finally coming home and starting
your prolific career.
Was there a catalyst that brought you home to start your life as an author?
Well, I was already an established writer when I started my travels, and I lived in (and loved) London, Florence, and Venice for periods of time. I was writing about lords and ladies, knights and pirates, and the books were good, but I didn’t feel that soul connection I wanted to feel. Then one fine day, in Paris of all places, I met Johnny Cash and his lovely wife, June Carter Cash, through a friend. There was never a time when I didn’t know the sound of those voices and meeting those living legends, especially John, was a watershed moment for me, creatively and in a lot of other ways, too. Country music had always resonated with me, and I knew most of John’s songs word for word, because my cowboy-dad played them often. That was when I thought, “Heck, girl, you’re from cowboy country! Go home and write about what you know and love!” I did, and ever since then, I’ve been picking up speed.
Was there a catalyst that brought you home to start your life as an author?
Well, I was already an established writer when I started my travels, and I lived in (and loved) London, Florence, and Venice for periods of time. I was writing about lords and ladies, knights and pirates, and the books were good, but I didn’t feel that soul connection I wanted to feel. Then one fine day, in Paris of all places, I met Johnny Cash and his lovely wife, June Carter Cash, through a friend. There was never a time when I didn’t know the sound of those voices and meeting those living legends, especially John, was a watershed moment for me, creatively and in a lot of other ways, too. Country music had always resonated with me, and I knew most of John’s songs word for word, because my cowboy-dad played them often. That was when I thought, “Heck, girl, you’re from cowboy country! Go home and write about what you know and love!” I did, and ever since then, I’ve been picking up speed.
You are the author of over 100 novels, contemporary,
historical and even paranormal.
Is there another genre you’d like to give a try?
I’m very happy writing western romance. At some point, I would like to tackle a big Civil War family saga, but so far, I just haven’t had time.
Is there another genre you’d like to give a try?
I’m very happy writing western romance. At some point, I would like to tackle a big Civil War family saga, but so far, I just haven’t had time.
When I think of cowboy/western romance I sometimes think of
the song that Barbara Mandrell made famous, I was country when country wasn’t cool.
What do you attribute to the huge success of western romance competing with so many genres?
I think country music and western romance are popular because they appeal to real, solid, down-to-earth human values, like integrity, and grit, and sticking with a hard task until it’s done, no matter what. The cowboy is an icon, representing those qualities and many others. Cowboys don’t quit, they don’t snivel, and they don’t go looking for trouble. But they won’t run from it, either.
What do you attribute to the huge success of western romance competing with so many genres?
I think country music and western romance are popular because they appeal to real, solid, down-to-earth human values, like integrity, and grit, and sticking with a hard task until it’s done, no matter what. The cowboy is an icon, representing those qualities and many others. Cowboys don’t quit, they don’t snivel, and they don’t go looking for trouble. But they won’t run from it, either.
What do you like to read when you have spare time?
WOW. Just about everything. I love memoirs, like “The Glass Castle”, and histories, as in ALL of David McCullough’s books, my favorite being “Truman.” I love suspense and there are certain authors I always read: Joy Fielding, Patricia MacDonald and Mary Higgins Clark to name just a few. I watch for their books and buy them without even reading the blurb. I loved “Team of Rivals”, on which the film “Lincoln” was based and, because of my interest in the Civil War, I’ve read a lot about key figures in that conflict. I’m a big, big fan of David Sedaris, too. I listen to a lot of audio books on my iPod these days, as by the end of the day, I’m usually tired of looking at words.
WOW. Just about everything. I love memoirs, like “The Glass Castle”, and histories, as in ALL of David McCullough’s books, my favorite being “Truman.” I love suspense and there are certain authors I always read: Joy Fielding, Patricia MacDonald and Mary Higgins Clark to name just a few. I watch for their books and buy them without even reading the blurb. I loved “Team of Rivals”, on which the film “Lincoln” was based and, because of my interest in the Civil War, I’ve read a lot about key figures in that conflict. I’m a big, big fan of David Sedaris, too. I listen to a lot of audio books on my iPod these days, as by the end of the day, I’m usually tired of looking at words.
Let’s talk about your most prolific of families, The
McKettricks.
Are you planning more books about them?
You never know about the McKettricks and the Creeds. They have a tendency to crop up in new stories. I don’t have current plans for more stories about either of these families, but you never know.
Are you planning more books about them?
You never know about the McKettricks and the Creeds. They have a tendency to crop up in new stories. I don’t have current plans for more stories about either of these families, but you never know.
What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?
Playing slot machines at Northern Quest, our local casino. It’s one of my favorite ways to unwind.
Playing slot machines at Northern Quest, our local casino. It’s one of my favorite ways to unwind.
Linda thank you so much for stopping by and filling us in on the new novel and a few personal bits too. Good luck with the new novel and I hope you’ll come back and chat in the future.
You’re so welcome.
You’re so welcome.
I loved the McKettricks and the Creeds and am enjoying the Big Sky series, so excited to hear you have 6 books for this series but sad there are only 2 to go :(
ReplyDeleteHi Kim I too love the McKettricks and Creeds.
Deletethanks for the post