I want to welcome Rebel
Miller. First I’d love you to introduce yourself.
Hi! I’m a romance author with two books under my belt, Awakening and Promising, both part of my New Adult romance trilogy. I was born in
Jamaica, but have lived in Canada for most of my life. I reside in the
outskirts of Toronto with my two boys and hubby, and am enjoying an
unexpectedly warm winter up here in the North!
Tell us about your
latest release.
Promising is the
second novel in my futuristic New Adult romance trilogy, which tells the story
of Kira Metallurgist, a young woman starting out on her own at the age of
twenty-one. This novel places Kira in even more complex and so challenging
situations, in particular, the love triangle she finds herself in with Gannon
and Tai, navigating the politics around her career ambitions and coming to
terms with her family’s many secrets. Promising
is an angst-filled romance set against a dramatic backdrop that resonates
with readers – whether lovers of stories in contemporary or futuristic settings.
Now I have a few
questions for you – I have found readers do like to know fun things about us
writers.
1.) Who is your
favorite villain – it can be from a book (even one of yours), movie or TV show.
And why?
Ooh. Good question! I love movies as much as I love books,
so let’s start with my movie choice. I adore Joan Crawford played by Faye
Dunaway in the movie Mommie Dearest.
It’s becoming a tradition for my mother and I to watch it with a glass of wine
and a good laugh on Mother’s Day.
As for books, I love Layla Sovereign, one of Kira’s
adversaries in my books Awakening
and Promising. She’s enigmatic,
complicated and unpredictable. I enjoy a villain or adversary who’s unexpected in
every way!
2.) Who is your
favorite character out of your books? Why?
I’m pretty keen on Kira Metallurgist. I guess I would have
to be to write three books focused on her and the challenges she faces! Kira’s
dauntless in her efforts to protect those she loves. Despite her young age,
she’s ambitious, very strong and confident. Growing up, I was always drawn to
girls who thumbed their noses at authority and what others thought about them.
Kira is that type of girlfriend but who still shows those moments of
vulnerability that are expected for someone starting out in a new career and
falling in love.
3.) What do genre do
you write? What made you pick that one?
I write romance, currently in the futuristic setting, but I
plan on writing contemporary as well. I chose romance because that’s what I
have loved reading ever since I was a little girl. (Shh! I stole my mother’s
romance novels and read them in the closet. Don’t tell her!)
I decided to write a futuristic
romance for my first novel and series because I wanted to develop a whole new
world and culture where I could really push the boundaries of a lot of belief
systems and create high-stakes political drama between the main characters and
those around them.
4.) What are you
working on now?
I’m working on the final book in the trilogy. It’s going to
be one where Kira faces all her demons and has to make decisions on what type
of path she wants to take – not only in terms of her love interest, but her
career as well. After that, I’ll head right into writing a standalone
contemporary romance.
5.) What got you to
start writing?
Hmm. I have to say, I always knew that I would write a novel,
but I had assumed that writing would be a career I took on maybe in another ten
years or so. When I considered whether to become a writer in 2014, I had two
kids under the age of seven and was well-underway establishing myself as a
corporate communicator. I couldn’t really envision starting a writing career.
Then it occurred to me that I had always been a writer. As a
communications professional, that’s what you do – write! It’s a different sort
of writing, but the profession flexes your creative skills all the same. I had
an idea for this story bouncing around in my head for months and said to
myself, Why not? Why wait any longer? Write that darn book, Rebel!
I’m so glad I did. I’ve enjoyed every moment of it – even
those moments of panic when I wonder how in the world I’m going to get that
scene out the right way!
6.) Where do you get your
ideas from?
I love the idea of
going against the status quo. The truth is, despite my name, I’m probably one
of the most diplomatic, practical and orderly people you would ever meet, so
the chance to challenge systems and beliefs is very appealing to me, and is a
recurring theme in my writing. In my trilogy, I take on the idea of being able
to love more than one person and the idea of pre-determined social position. I
simply think of what’s considered the mainstream and challenge myself to create
a story that goes against it, but will still resonate with readers today.
7.) What would people
who read your work be surprised to find out about you?
I was a beauty queen contestant in my former life *bashful face*. I won one cultural
competition representing Jamaica and entered another to win Most Photogenic and
Best Talent.
8.) Do you have any
special talents?
I studied modern languages for my undergraduate degree, so I
speak a little (very little!) Japanese, reasonable Spanish and a dash of
French. I can cook a mean Jamaican jerk chicken and will challenge any
do-it-yourself home decorator to
a mosaic tile competition any day of the week ;).
9.) What was the one
piece of advice you received when you were an aspiring author that has stuck
with you? Why?
Don’t over think it. As an author, you delve deep into the
world of your characters and sometimes, for me at least, it’s hard to pull yourself
out and see the bigger picture. I love sub-plot and adding conflict at every
turn. When I get panicky over the tangled web I’m weaving, I tell myself not to overthink
it. That usually means focusing the scene on one particular goal or plot point.
Works like a charm ever time!
10.) If you could talk
to any famous figure (present, past or fictional) who would it be and what
would you talk about?
I have to say, I have a thing for TV writer and producer,
Shonda Rhimes. I would be over the moon if I could sit down to talk to her
about her creative process, her journey to success and advice on next steps in
my writing career.
11.) What song would
you say describes your life?
There are too many to list here! The song totally depends on
the mood I’m in and what’s going on in my life at the moment. I’m feeling
pretty darned good at the moment, so the song that comes to mind is “Happy” by
Pharell.
12.) If you could come
back as any animal – what would it be?
Goodness! Hmm. How about a fox. They’re so stealth, smart
and unexpected!
Promising: Book Two
of Kira’s Story
PROMISING,
the riveting follow-up to AWAKENING by Rebel Miller.
Faced with diverging loyalties —
between those she loves and her responsibility to the Realm — Kira has to make
heartrending and strategic decisions that threaten to jeopardize her future.
As her connection to Tai deepens and
turmoil in the Realm builds, so does Gannon’s frustration at being unable to
call Kira his own.
Worlds at War ... A Heart in Conflict
While the Realm stands defiant amidst
rising unrest, Kira is thrust
into a role that puts her at the forefront
of her system’s governance and law, supporting a landmark position. Following a devastating turn of
events, she turns to
Tai for a shoulder to lean on after making a painful choice to ensure Gannon
fulfils the role he was meant for.
As she becomes
a reluctant - yet inspiring - voice for her caste, Kira learns about one of the
Realm’s most well-kept secrets and how far leadership will go to prevent it
from being revealed. What she doesn’t know is how much the decisions of her past have the power to bring
enemies into her path, threatening to destroy everyone she holds close to her heart.
This novel is for mature audiences (18+) and includes
committed relationships with multiple partners.
Available Now
Giveaway
Enter to win an eBook version of Promising: Book Two of
Kira’s Story, a Rebel Miller Books tote and magnet, and a signed poster.
Tweets
Worlds at War… A Heart in Conflict. Kira’s Story continues.
#romance #newadult #TheRealmSeries http://bit.ly/rebelmiller
The Hunger Games meets the Crossfire Series in Promising.
#romance #newadult #TheRealmSeries http://bit.ly/rebelmiller
Excerpt
I snorted, but my lips tilted up at the corners nevertheless. “I’m sure the Protectorate has some sort of virtual reality device that could be refashioned just for that purpose,” I offered, rearranging the wool blanket on my lap.
I was curled up in bed, facing my monitor and resting against a pile of pillows. It had become a familiar position over the last few weeks, one from which I would relay the day’s activities during my nightly call with Gannon. Well, it was a nightly call for me. The sun had already risen where Gannon lived, on Dignitas One.
Suddenly, Gannon seemed to be deep in concentration. “No, on second thought, there’s no technology that could ever measure up to the real thing.” He grinned.
I smiled, heat rising to my cheeks.
“There’s the smile I was looking for,” Gannon said, leaning closer to his monitor, and so closer to me.
He was sitting in his office. He had been holding our calls from there more frequently over the last month. From what I could see, his office was a large, well-lit space. A wall of floor-to-ceiling glass ran its expanse directly behind him. Through it, I could see citizens of every caste striding by in obvious haste to get things done, more than likely at Gannon’s bidding. During these nighttime conversations with Gannon, and within the intimate surroundings of my bedroom, it was easy to forget who he was and his status. As chancellor, he surely had, every day, a checklist as long as my arm, filled with tasks.
I frowned as I noted the time. “I should let you go,” I said, sitting up.
“Why?”
I glanced pointedly behind him, fiddling with the thin strap of my top. “Your office looks incredibly busy.”
He blinked then swiveled in his chair to look at the steady stream of people behind him.
“Oh, my support always look like that,” he said, mischief glittering in his clear blue eyes as he turned back to me. “They think it’ll prevent me asking them to do anything else.” He winked, and I laughed, loving his cheekiness.
About Rebel Miller
Rebel Miller is an author who overindulges in Pinot Grigio,
caramel popcorn and an eclectic mix of movies, music and angst-filled romance
novels.
Rebel earned a graduate degree in Communications and Culture
from Ryerson University and an undergraduate degree from the University of the
West Indies.
Rebel lives in the outskirts of Toronto, Canada with her
husband and two sons.
Connect with Rebel
Website: http://rebelmillerbooks.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebel.miller/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rebelmillerboox
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebelMillerBoox
No comments:
Post a Comment