Day 3: Interview with Dianne Miley

Two days down and two to go. I'm loving being able to spend the time with this series because it has a special place in my heart. Today we are concentrating on Violets for Vanessa. Although I love all the books, this one is my favorite. I don't know if it's because I started the books all out of order and read Vanessa's story first, if it's because Violets were my grandmothers favorite flower or because Dianne held a contest for this particular book and this is the one I won. What a great contest that was. We had to guess what Toby Keith song would go along with the book. I took me forever to guess that one. lol. OK, on to the interview.

Val: If you had the chance and could meet one of the hero's from your books who would it be and why?

Dianne: That’s tough because I love them all, but I do have a soft spot for Chad because he makes me laugh – and his personality is modeled after my son.

Val: Hey peeps, guess who is in Violets for Vanessa? Oh yes, the oh so yummy Chad.

Val: Myrtle, the gossiping old cranky woman, is a character that intrigues me.  I can't wait until she gets what's coming to her.  Is there a reason why karma hasn't kicked her in the butt yet?

Dianne: In Violets for Vanessa, Myrtle learns a difficult lesson. Her manipulating ways bite her in the butt, although maybe not as hard as we’d like! Her self-inflicted misery and loneliness made her a bitter old woman, but as last she learns her lesson. In Sunflowers for Sarita, we will find that Myrtle really has turned over a new leaf. Both God and the town have mercy on her, just as God forgives us when we turn from our sins and trust in Him.

Val: Wow, you were very nice to Myrtle. That's one character I would have had a lot more fun with. lol

Struggling to be free of her abusive father, Vanessa Gallagher cannot resist handsome contractor Chad James. Although she fears being controlled by another man, his kind encouragement comforts her and his kisses leave her wanting more. When Mr. Gallagher meets his doom at the bottom of a cliff, police suspect Vanessa’s mother. Will Chad help absolve her? Who will uncover the truth in an unexpected turn of events? And will Vanessa ever choose love over independence?

Dianne, thanks for taking the time out to hang out with me again. OK, readers, here is your chance to win a copy of Violets for Vanessa. Just follow through GFC and leave a comment or question for Dianne and you're entered. Don't forget to tell your friends! Here is the link to Dianne's site where you can catch up on all the books in the series and get a little inside information on what's to come. www.diannemiley.com

Update on Dianne Miley Contest

In order to gain more participants in the Dianne Miley posts, I am extending the giveaway until June 30. Each comment on each Dianne Miley post will get you another entry to win that posts book. The fourth day, there will be a surprise giveaway. Hint, it's NOT a book. ;) Just keep scrolling down until you see Dianne's pretty little picture and be sure to tell your friends to enter. Good Luck!

Day 2: Interview and Giveaway with Dianne Miley

Welcome to day 2 of our interview with Dianne Miley. So are you loving this series yet? I know right? It's one of my faves too! Yesterday we got to know a bit about Ms. Miley's background and Book 1 in the Crystal Falls series, Lilacs for Laura. Today is on to book 2, Roses for Rachel. But first let's throw a few questions at Ms. Miley.

Val: Every author is different and I know this question is asked of authors all the time but I am dying to know, do you plan your books out or do you just go with whatever comes to mind?

Dianne: I have a basic outline, but once I begin writing, the story takes on a life of its own and I go with it.

Val: It must be nice to be able to live a whole story line in your mind. You are very talented in the character and plot development of the your stories.

Val: I love all of your characters but the one that most intrigued me was Elliot in book 2, Roses for Rachel. Why did you make him so different?

Dianne: After creating Brett, I wanted a completely different hero just to keep the series fresh and interesting.

Val: Readers, wait until you meet Elliot. It will make you look at certain men in a very different light.

Val: Tell us what you were thinking when you wrote Roses for Rachel.

Dianne: Who should the stalker be that the reader would never guess? How can I fool the reader to think this other person is the stalker? What reaction in Elliot will melt Rachel’s heart and dissolve her hesitancy toward him?

Thanks for taking the time out to answer those questions Dianne. Readers, you can find Dianne at www.diannemiley.com



Young widow Rachel Santos raises her daughters alone and tries to get past the pain of losing her cheating husband. Attracted to pretty boys, she goes from one bad relationship to another. When she dumps her cheating boyfriend, someone vandalizes her house. Rachel confides in faithful Elliot Truman, but refuses to trust her heart to another man. Determined to handle her problems alone, she refuses to see him as anything but a friend.

The stalker breaks into her home, and Rachel fears for the safety of her daughters and herself. When her work is sabotaged , she loses her job and cannot pay the rent. Will she be able to support and protect her children? Who can stop this demented stalker? And will Rachel ever be convinced that some men are worth loving?

That's it for today peeps. To enter to win a print copy of Roses for Rachel, just follow through GFC and leave a question for Ms. Miley. Don't forget to go back to day one to enter for a chance to win Lilacs for Laura too. And PLEASE do not forget to leave your email address so that I may contact you if you win. Good luck!

Day 1: Interview and Giveaway with Dianne Miley

I have the honor today of interviewing one of my all time favorite authors who happens to have one of the best series out there in Christian fiction. First, let's get to know Dianne Miley and then we'll get to the giveaway. Let the interview begin!

I grabbed this part from Ms. Miley's site which plays a lot into her books as you will be able to tell after reading this series of interviews with her.

"I grew up in northeastern Ohio as the oldest of four children and lived there most of my life. Recently, my husband and I moved to coastal South Carolina. We love the balmy weather.

Growing up, I always loved to write. I began with poetry in second grade. During high school, I wrote for the year book and school paper. I took creative writing classes because I enjoyed making up stories. Now I flex my imagination through inspiring tales of romance and mystery. Best of all, I’ve found a way to share my faith through fictional characters in a fun romance.

At age 16, I began a romance of my own. I met Chip and we’ve been together for over 25 years now. We’re thankful for a happy marriage – complete with faith, conflict, plot, and all kinds of characters!"

Val: I know you and your husband Chip have been together for 25 years. would you mind sharing how you met?

Dianne: We met on a blind date! No kidding – I was 16 and he was 17. During the summer after 10th grade, a friend fixed me up with her boyfriend’s buddy, Chip. Although we went to different schools, we were high school sweethearts. We’ve been together ever since.

Val: Awwwwww, a real life true love story, I love those and you two are one of the reasons I still believe in love!

Val: In your first book in the Charleston series, Lilacs for Laura, what were your thoughts as you were writing this book?

Dianne: When am I going to get this right? Do I really have to make bad things happen to my lovely characters? How fun would it be I kept Jake’s killer a mystery? And finally… I can’t wait to write Rachel’s story because I written this one fifteen times!

Val: I loved Lilacs for Laura because A) I love Nascar and B) that is one hunky hero you have there in Brett.

Val: Before I get into the blurb and giveaway, can you tell us where to find you online?

Dianne: Right now you can find me at www.diannemiley.com. I hope to become more active with social media in the future.

Val: So there you go my faithful followers, just click that linky to get a hint as to what tomorrows interview will be about. :)


Laura James loves working in her family’s flower shop, but has to ward off advances from her brother-in-law. She distrusts men but cannot deny her attraction when she stumbles into Brett Mitchell. Drawn to one another despite their conflicting goals, Laura longs for a secure future in her Ohio hometown, while Brett yearns for adventure and an escape from his abusive father. When he lands a NASCAR job in North Carolina, Laura fears she will never see him again.

Devastated, she withdraws just when she needs help most. Her brother-in-law is murdered and all evidence points to Laura. Brett knows members of her family, as well as the town gossip share motive and opportunity. Will he return to help clear her? Who will reveal the killer in a shocking twist? And will Laura ever find security in love?

Now on to the giveaway. To enter to win a print copy of Lilacs for Laura, please follow this blog, ask Dianne a question or leave a comment on her post and don't forget to leave your email address so I have a way to contact you should you be the lucky winner. Remember this is just Day one of a 4 day interview with the entire series. Good luck and I'd like to thank Dianne for giving my readers a chance to win Lilacs for Laura. I will have the winner on June 22.

Lilacs for Laura by Dianne Miley

Blurb:
Laura James loves working in her family's flower shop, but has to ward off advances from her brother-in-law. She distrusts men but cannot deny her attraction when she stumbles into Brett Mitchell. Drawn to one another despite their conflicting goals, Laura longs for a secure future in her Ohio hometown, while Brett yearns for adventure and an escape from his abusive father. When he lands a NASCAR job in North Carolina, Laura fears she will never see him again. Devastated, she withdraws just when she needs help most. Her brother-in-law is murdered and all evidence points to Laura.
 
Brett knows members of her family, as well as the town gossip share motive and opportunity. Will he return to help clear her?
 
Who will reveal the killer in a shocking twist? And will Laura ever find security in love?

Review:
Laura James is a strong woman who is determined to do everything on her own. She feels that God hasn't been there for her so she'll just handle everything herself. Brett is at a crossroads. He needs to get out of Crystal Falls and show his father he wants nothing to do with him. The one thing making him doubt himself is Laura. He wants her, she wants to stay in Crystal Falls. Brett also feels as though God is not listening but both have deep seeded faith that helps them through.

Laura's character has to deal with some overwhelming circumstances and events that unfold in her life. Jake Santos, being one of the more prevalent. How does one go about telling their sibling that their spouse is constantly making passes at them? By trusting in God that's how. But remember, Laura is doing this all on her own so Laura decides to not tell Rachel because it would hurt her so badly. I could actually feel Laura's pain as she had to keep the secret and ultimately the separation she felt from her sister.

Being a Nascar fan, Brett's character was exciting. He's my kind of guy and I instantly fell in love with him. I laughed so hard at the gazebo scene. Laura and Brett made me so frustrated and then they turned around and made me laugh so hard I cried! The tension (both good and bad) between Laura and Brett was outstanding. I never knew what would happen next but loved that he was there for her whenever she really needed him. There is one scene that I really didn't see coming. I can't tell you what it is but will tell you that it is when he takes his job with Nascar. I thought that was PERFECT!

I am in love with this entire series. Lilacs for Laura was an action packed read that I just could not put down. Crystal Falls now feels like my home away from home and I know everyone in the little town. Some really irk me (Myrtle), some disgust me (Jake) and some just make me sigh that dreamy sigh (Brett). Ms. Miley is a favorite author and I can't wait to read Sunflowers for Sarita, book four in the series. After that, look for the Charleston series that focuses on the daughters of those in the Crystal Falls Series.

Click on the books below to take you to the page to purchase.

Lilacs for Laura Book 1
Roses for Rachel Book 2
Violets for Vanessa Book 3
Sunflowers for Sarita Book 4 (coming soon)

Roses for Rachel by Dianne Miley

Blurb:
Young widow Rachel Santos raises her daughters alone and tries to get past the pain of losing her cheating husband. Attracted to pretty boys, she goes from one bad relationship to another. When she dumps her cheating boyfriend, someone vandalizes her home and sabotages her job. Faithful Elliot Truman catches this demented stalker... and convinces her some men are worth loving.


Review:
I believe Roses for Rachel is my favorite of the series and mostly because of Elliot Truman. A geeky architect, Elliot's character brings to mind the old adage "let's just be friends". He's the dependable guy that Rachel turns to in a best friend but she never looks beyond friendship. He's the source of her strength and she doesn't even realize it. Meanwhile, all Elliot can think of is Rachel. It was so funny when she would ask him a question and he would try to do whatever made Rachel happy, while snapping out of a Rachel fantasy. My heart simply melted during the scenes Elliot deals with Rachel's children. To me, the way a man deals with children is what really makes him a hero.

Rachel's character is a strong woman who has her moments of weakness and feels as though God has forsaken her. The heartache of not having Elliot around is palpable but Rachel has to somehow learn her lesson. A single mom dealing with more than her share of stumbling blocks, Rachel's character is as realistic as they come. I've been where Rachel is (minus the whole dead husband thing) and found that Ms. Miley hit the nail on the head with Rachel's reactions.

I enjoyed the way Ms. Miley added other people to the potential relationship between Rachel and Elliot. Wade, the slimy salesman and Brandy, the rich young woman who would do anything Elliot wanted, were attainable but at what cost? I think these relationships were pivotal in Roses for Rachel because without them, neither Rachel or Elliot would have known how strong their love for each other was.

Roses for Rachel is a character driven story with unexpected twists and turns. At times during this book, I was left scratching my head as to whom the stalker could be. I love mystery in the stories I read and this was a phenomenal mystery. I highly recommend the entire Crystal Falls series and look forward to reading Sarita's story in Sunflowers for Sarita. After that, there is a spin off of this series called the Charleston Series which deals with the daughters in the Crystal Falls series. I just can't wait! I will own all of these books in paperback so that I may revisit them whenever I like.


Lilacs for Laura Book 1
Roses for Rachel Book 2
Violets for Vanessa Book 3
Sunflowers for Sarita (coming soon)

Violets for Vanessa by Dianne Miley

Blurb
Struggling to be free of her abusive father, Vanessa Gallagher cannot resist handsome contractor Chad James. Although she fears being controlled by another man, his kind encouragement comforts her and his kisses leave her wanting more. When Mr. Gallagher meets his doom at the bottom of a cliff, police suspect Vanessa’s mother. Will Chad help absolve her? Who will uncover the truth in an unexpected turn of events? And will Vanessa ever choose love over independence?  

Review
Without a doubt, Violets for Vanessa is an exceptional and inspirational read that I simply could not put down. This sweet romance pairs up Vanessa, a woman who feels like she can never trust a man again with Chad, a man who is determined to show Vanessa that not every man is like her father. Vanessa's character is a strong willed woman who struggles for her independence. She questions why God hasn't been there for her when she truly needed him. Chad's character is a strong man of God and is deeply rooted in his faith. The chemistry between Vanessa and Chad was off the charts and I was impressed at how Chad held himself together. Sometimes it's very difficult to stand by your convictions but because Chad loved Vanessa, he was determined to do things the right way. Ms. Miley shows us that although a person may be a Christian, it does not mean that they don't face every day problems with emotions such as anger, hopelessness, doubt and temptation. Because of this, I felt as though I bonded more with these well rounded characters.

Ms. Miley has portrayed very real characters and not shied away from controversial topics. Sexual abuse is a continuing problem in our society and through Vanessa, Ms. Miley is able to show that although it "seems" as though God was not there, he's been there all along. Darla's character dealt with domestic abuse and her reaction after Clyde is found dead was disturbing and very realistic.

Violets for Vanessa is the perfect read for anyone who is a fan of sweet romance. It has good guys, bad guys, gossips, God and an outstanding plot line. A fast paced read, this book is about lessons learned, struggling through the hard times and finding a relationship with God, all the while the story is not "too preachy". I enjoyed this book from the first page to the very last and had a hard time putting it down. I hated to see this story end. Thank goodness this book is part of the Crystal Falls series. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a series nut. The first book in the series is Lilacs for Laura, the second is Roses for Rachel and the third is Violets for Vanessa. Although each story can be read on it's own, I know you will want to read the entire Crystal Falls series. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Miley's work. A talented writer, Ms. Miley is now one of my favorites.

Buy Violets for Vanessa here
Just click here to go to Dianne Miley's website to keep up to date on all of her amazing books!