Spencer Hill Press Summer Blog Run--Kimberly Ann Miller

As I said, I apologize for the break in the Spencer Hill Summer Blog Run, but we're up again and going strong. 

The next author of the Spencer Hill Press Summer Blog Run is writer of awesomeness, Kimberly Ann Miller. 

Kimberly’s debut YA, TRIANGLES, is set for release June 2013 (a whole month after mine). The cover is unique and beautiful, and the book sounds like an absolute must-read, contemporary with a touch of magic. I've provided the goodreads link, so you can add it to your 'to-read' list. I've already added it. Yeah, no ARC for me to read, as of yet. Hint! Hint!

As always, I'm going to provide you a bunch of links so that you can go stalk Ms. Miller. If you get all weird on the stalking aspect, though, don't tell her I sent you. 

You can stalk her here: Twitter

and here: facebook

and here: website

and here: blog

By the way, Kim's blog is an absolute follow, so be sure to do so.

Now to KIM!!!!

*drum roll*

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog, Kim. 

My pleasure!

If a zombie apocalypse happened, and you were all alone, share with us three things that you couldn't live without, and what book is a must-have for you to read to help keep your insanity intact?

Wow, just three things? I would need a place to hide; a laptop; and unlimited internet access. That way, I could ride out the storm, see what was happening on the outside, and emerge when the good guys won! There is no way I could choose just one book, but could I count my nook as one book and have everything stored on it available? That would work for me!

Tell us a little about your blog.

My blog, Writers by the Shore, was started in May as a joint effort by three of my crit partners and myself. We each post once every two weeks on Mondays and Thursdays so that the blog has regular content but doesn’t eat up too much of our individual time. We try to offer varied content to appeal to everyone – author interviews, contests, successful queries, writing advice, and cover reveals.

What inspired you to write?

Believe it or not, my sister forced me to read Twilight in 2008. I had never read YA before, and fought her on it, but in the end, I loved the series and read all four books in a week. When I finished, I realized I would love to write a story that others would like to read as much as I liked Twilight. By the next month, I had already outlined my first book and started writing!

Where is your favorite place to write?

My back porch with my laptop on my lap and my cats keeping me company.

Writing is not an easy endeavor, not to mention extremely competitive, is there a supportive person that helped you realize your goal?

I am lucky to say that everyone in my life has been supportive. My husband has no problem allowing me the hours I spend on my computer in the hopes that one day, we can quit our day jobs and buy a nice little cabin on a lake! As long as high speed internet and take out are available, we’ll be fine!

My sister was my first critique partner and was brutally honest, which helped me more than she will ever know. She taught me to take criticism well and use it to my advantage.

My mom, sister, and husband all listen to me babble on and on about agents, editors, writers, books, and ideas, and they always offer their own ideas and opinions. And the writing community has been amazing. I have great crit partners and three wonderful betas I met on QueryTracker.net. I have to say that there hasn’t been one person I can think of who has been difficult throughout this entire process!

Do you have any other hobbies you would like to share with us?

I love to travel, snorkel, and stargaze. My husband is the easiest travel partner alive. We’ve enjoyed every vacation we’ve taken together and are both avid readers, so we devour books while we relax on the beach, while we eat, and wherever else we can steal some reading time.

What is your favorite food you like to cook for dinner?

I don’t really have a favorite. We tend to order takeout or go out a lot. When I cook, it tends to be simple things that are quick and easy.

Would you like to share the recipe with us?

See above!

Quick and easy is my favorite recipe!

First thing to pop into your head….

Olive Garden or Red Lobster? Olive Garden.

Vamp or werewolves? Wolves.

Thunderstorms or sunny days? Both.

Beaches or mountains? Both.

Cupcakes or ice cream? Cupcakes.

Tequila sunrise or Margarita? Neither – I prefer unsweetened iced tea!

Most embarrassing moment in your life? (Like everyone else, you have to share...mua ha ha)

Just one? Okay, when I was twelve, I was at a picnic with my family and all of our neighbors when my mom announced in front of everyone that it was time for me to get my first bra. I can still feel my face burning up as all eyes landed on my chest!

Triangles takes place in the Bermuda Triangle. Why there?

I love Bermuda. I’ve been there five times and plan on going back. It’s one of the safest, cleanest, nicest islands I’ve traveled to, and I have both stayed on the island and cruised there. The people are amazing, the sights rock, and the weather is perfect. Plus, they have the Bermuda Triangle!

Is there a specific song that you listened to when you were writing TRIANGLES?

Never. I need quiet when I write. The only sounds I like are the birds at the feeder or the nightly chorus of insects and tree frogs.

Why young adult?

Being a teenager is about finding out who you are and where you fit in the world. It’s a time of massive change, growth, and uncertainty. I don’t remember a time in my life when friendships were more real and honest and open as that time. And emotions are so raw, so strong, and so new. I would never want to go back, but I will never forget it, either.

Your book is about to get published soon, well, kinda soon, before you know it, soon. Tell us one person you would like to thank, and why?

Just one? You keep limiting me here! I would say that Kate Kaynak of Spencer Hill Press deserves a boatload of gratitude for taking on Triangles and adding it to their amazing list of books. Without her and Spencer Hill, I don’t know where Triangles would be right now.

Who do you think has the best abs?  *evil grin*

Again, just one? How about Chris Hemsworth. I loved him in Thor!

 That gets you a *thumbs up*

TRIANGLE's blurb:

A cruise ship. A beautiful island. Two sexy guys. What could possibly go wrong? 

In the Bermuda Triangle—a lot.

Hoping to leave behind the reminders of her crappy life--her father's death years ago, her mother's medical problems, and the loser who’s practically stalking her--seventeen-year-old Autumn Taylor hops on a ship with her sister for a little distraction. When she wakes up in the Bermuda Triangle, she fears she's gone nuts for more than one reason: that loser’s suddenly claiming they're a happy couple... a hot guy is wrapping his arms around her and saying "Happy Anniversary"... and suddenly, she’s full of bruises, losing her hair, and getting IV medication. Autumn visits the ship's doctor, hoping for a pill or a shot to make the craziness go away. Instead, she's warned that these "alternate realities" could become permanent.

She just has to ask herself one question—how the hell is she going to get out of this mess?

Time for the Tantalizing Teaser Temptation: 

*This is still in the editing stage so it might change for the final print*

A low voice whispered in my ear. “Hey there.”

I slowly turned to face a gorgeous guy in a suit so black the stars could have gotten lost in it.

Marcus held a hand out to me. “Ready to make your cruise worthwhile?”

I let my gaze walk all over him. “What’d you have in mind?”

Marcus touched my back with a warm hand. “Anything. You game?”

I nodded but didn’t speak. He was freakin’ hot. He gelled his dark hair into a purposefully messy style, leaving a small chunk veiling his right eye. The light gray rim surrounding his black pupil resembled a hawk’s eye.

Delicious.

He checked me out from head to toe. “Hot tub?”

I’d forgotten I was wearing my dress from dinner until a breeze off the ocean almost lifted it up and exposed my black bikini underwear. I grabbed the hem of the skirt and held it in place.

“By the way, you look fantastic,” he said in a husky voice.

I wondered just how much that breeze had shown him. My cheeks reddened. “Thanks.”

“So, the hot tub? It looks empty,” he said, glancing at the boiling water one level below.

I grinned, imaging Marcus in a Speedo. “I don’t have my bathing suit with me.”

“Neither do I.”

For all the lucky people who stopped by, Kim is kind enough to give away… 

a $25 gift card to Amazon or Barnes and Noble – winner’s choice!

Just two things to enter:

1)      You have to follow my blog.  Need directions---scroll back up closer to the top, right hand side and click follow 

2)      You have to list three things you would absolutely have to have if a zombie apocalypse happened.

Contest ends Saturday, Aug 18^th.

Winners will be announced Sunday, Aug 19^th.

Oh, and don’t forget, everyone who comments is automatically entered to win the grand prize of a Barnes and Noble gift card at the end of whole summer run. 

Thank you all for stopping by and saying hi.  Please leave Kim a comment thanking her for her time and for the ultra-cool prizes.