Talk About My Favorite Authors: Thursday Thirteen

Today's Thursday Thirteen edition I will be writing 13 things about my favorite author Linda Lael Miller. I've been reading Linda Lael Miller's McKettrick series all week so I felt that I should make my Thursday Thirteen for this week about her. All of this information is quoted from her website, Linda Lael Miller.

Thirteen Things about Linda Lael Miller

1. Twenty-four years after she sold her first novel, Linda Lael Miller is having what anyone would call a stellar year.

2. The self-proclaimed barn goddess and author of novels set in the West of today and yesterday is celebrating exciting career milestones.

3. With 70-some books to her credit, Linda is watching her modern-day McKettrick Men trilogy soar to the top of all the national bestseller lists, and the Romance Writers of America have announced Linda as the recipient of their prestigious 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award. And the year is still young.

4. But what makes these successes all the more enjoyable is that Linda has come home, home to Spokane, Washington, home to writing the stories of her heart, stories set in the Western culture of her childhood, and home to living where she can pull on her boots and ride her beloved horses.

5. Inside, there's the clatter of little paws, her dogs, Sadie and Bernice, and the elegant treading of two cats that Linda claims rule the roost.

6. The daughter of a town marshal, Linda grew up in Northport, WA, a community of 500 on the Columbia River, 120 miles north of her birthplace, Spokane. Her childhood remembrances include riding horses and playing cowgirl on her grandparents' nearby farm. So rustic was her grandparents' spread that in the early days it lacked the conveniences of electricity and running water.

7. As delightful as this childhood was, though, Linda longed to see the world. After graduating as valedictorian of her high school class, she left to pursue her dream. Because of the success of her author career, Linda was able to live part-time in London for several years, spend time in Italy and travel to such far-off destinations as Russia, Hong Kong and Israel. Now, Linda says, the wanderlust is (mostly) out of her blood, and she's come full circle, back to the people and the places she knows and loves.

8. Before Linda begins her writing day, she takes her first cup of coffee while enjoying the scenic view of the wooded draw behind her new home. Inspired by the view, which occasionally includes a wandering moose, she focuses on her work-in-progress. It might be another contemporary Western romance, like McKettrick's Luck, McKettrick's Pride or McKettrick's Heart, or it might be a new Western historical, such as July's hardcover, A Wanted Man. It also might be a romantic thriller, such as Deadly Gamble, which launched another winning Linda Lael Miller series for her enthusiastic publisher, HQN Books.

9. Devoted to helping others pursue their dreams, Miller is excited about another endeavor. Each year she sponsors a round of competition for her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women. The stipends, which she funds from her writing and speaking earnings, enable women 25 years and older to improve their lot in life through education. Unlike traditional scholarships, Linda's may be used for childcare, transportation, or any other expense that stands between a woman's dreams and their fulfillment.

10. It's no wonder the protagonists in Miller's novels are women her readers admire for their honor, courage, trustworthiness, valor and determination to succeed, despite overwhelming odds. "These timelessly admirable qualities make them excellent role models for young women," Miller explains. "The male leads possess equally noble traits that today's woman would be delighted to find in her life's mate."

11. And speaking of finding, Linda is excited about her association with The Humane Society of the United States, for whom she has become an advocate for the group's Pets for Life program. Once someone finds a furry friend to bring into their home, Linda and The HSUS want to help them learn how to keep the critter for life.

12. Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she made her first sale in 1983.

13. Linda has come a long way since leaving her sheltered life in Northport at age 18 to experience the world. "But growing up in that time and place, in a family grounded in Western values, served me well," she allows. "And I'm happy to be back home."

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

16 comments:

AnonymousThursday, July 17, 2008 at 9:43:00 AM EDT
I loved Linda Lael Miller's vampire romances from the 90s. *wg* She and Nancy Gideon were the ones who got me into that subgenre of romance. Hehehe!
Cinnamon Girl Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 10:06:00 AM EDT
She is new to me I will have to check her out. Happy TT!
AnonymousThursday, July 17, 2008 at 10:27:00 AM EDT
I love some of Linda's old writing, esp. her old vamp novels.
Cheryel HuttonThursday, July 17, 2008 at 11:37:00 AM EDT
Oh, I love Linda Lael Miller!

Good luck with your writing! It takes lots of hard work and plain stubbornness in this crazy business!

Cheryel
Paige TylerThursday, July 17, 2008 at 11:37:00 AM EDT
I've never read her books but I'll have to check them out!

*hugs*
Paige

My TT is at http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com/
Bellezza Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 11:39:00 AM EDT
I'm such a huge reader, but I've not heard of this author. Thanks for sharing!
Savannah ChaseThursday, July 17, 2008 at 11:45:00 AM EDT
wow, now thats a career, great T13...
AnonymousThursday, July 17, 2008 at 11:59:00 AM EDT
I've been reading her for years.

I didn't realize she was a big animal lover, though I should have.
AnonymousThursday, July 17, 2008 at 12:20:00 PM EDT
Boy, I can't believe I've never read her - 70 book! wow! Thanks for sharing her life with us!

happy TT!
R.G. ALEXANDERThursday, July 17, 2008 at 12:27:00 PM EDT
Thanks for sharing that-very interesting!
Alexia ReedThursday, July 17, 2008 at 2:30:00 PM EDT
Wow... 70 books. And I think that this one I'm writing now is daunting. LOL. She's new to me... I'll have to check her out!
Jennifer McKenzieThursday, July 17, 2008 at 2:36:00 PM EDT
This is an awesome interview!! What a great writer. My mom gave me one of her books and I loved it.
Phoebe JordanThursday, July 17, 2008 at 2:40:00 PM EDT
It's not an interview, Jennifer, just some info I got from her bio on her website.

I wish I could get an interview with her one day though.
HeatherThursday, July 17, 2008 at 4:36:00 PM EDT
I read a few of her books in the late 90s, but had no idea she'd written so many.
Shelley MunroThursday, July 17, 2008 at 4:52:00 PM EDT
I know Linda's name but have never read one of your books. I'll have to check them out. :)
Susan Helene GottfriedThursday, July 17, 2008 at 9:31:00 PM EDT
How cool that she gives so much back! It's people like that who truly make the world a better place.

Thank you for visiting my Talk About My Favorite Authors blog. Comments written here are much appreciated and I hope that you enjoyed your visit and will be coming back soon.