Heather M. Miles's Blog

Letting my soul breathe!

I pulled out my flash drive tonight. The holy grail of all I've written. The words you've seen, absorbed, and read, and the words that remain hidden from the world. The painted prose just waiting to be brought to life. I have stared at it for over a year, probably longer. It's housed with the diamonds and gold of my thoughts and dreams, the stories that live in my mind, just waiting to come alive. What's there can never be replaced. Five published novels and six or seven novels waiting to be brought to life. Some contemporary romance, some darker stuff, a young adult novel, book two of Claiming Emerson and Merger 4, and many infant stories yet to be fully formed. Writing is an amazing process. Ask any author, or any artist for that matter. There is madness in the genius. There is insanity in the silence. It's been three years since anyone has seen anything from me. And the last novel I published, Claiming Emerson, I lent to an anthology - Blame It On Fate. Claiming Emerson finally came to life, but she's never been brought to my platform. I need to put the cover on and let her soar for me...for you. She was the beginning of a new series, but everything has changed. I'm not sure if I want to continue with Claiming Emerson. I am not sure I want to continue with the Merger series as planned, or just start something new. I have somewhat reinvented myself. It was necessary to grow. It was necessary to rediscover myself. Maybe it's time to reinvent myself here as well. Do I continue writing as me - Heather M. Miles? Do I take on a pseudonym? I said I'd never do that, but that was before. Before all the craziness and unraveling of my life. Three years and I'm stitched back together by grace, forgiveness, self-love, perseverance, fortitude, and sheer will. I have a new life, in a new place. I am living a corporate life as well as the many other roles. I'm not so sure I can be that Heather Miles and this one too. If I'm going to be authentic to the writing and I'm too afraid to stand up in front of my colleagues and claim this other life, than maybe I write a little differently. Or maybe I stand firm and let the cards fall where they may. This is the million dollar question? And let me make this clear. I am PROUD of this work. I am PROUD of the writing. I am PROUD of the continued sales even three years later. I'm PROUD of me, and proud of YOU. Those who still believe and those who just can't wait to see what happens next. It's time to write! I've missed it. I've missed living my passion. If not now, when? I don't know how many of you still subscribe to my website. I don't know how many of you will read this or just "chunk it" into your trash. If even one of you reads it, THANK YOU. If you have an opinion about me writing under my name or one I create, I'd love to hear it. Share your thoughts. Please!What I'm drinking...Rosemary GreyhoundWhat I'm listening to...Cigarettes After Sex"K"I know life is crazy and unsure right now. I know nothing feels normal. We miss our friends, our colleagues, our family. Isolation is lonely. Stay strong. Stay present. Hold close those you love. Be kind and thoughtful and make a small footprint in others lives, you never know what's happening on the other side of that smile. As always,Stay tuned in and turned on! (I couldn't help but use it! It's been my tagline for years!)Heather M. Miles

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The Countdown Is On...

So, it's almost time. It's almost here. Six stories. Six reasons to get excited. Six reasons to stay up late. Six reasons to get lost in a book. Blame It On Fate is releasing on November 6, 2017. Six stories for $.99! But that price won't last long. After November it's going up to $2.99 and then $4.99 as of January 2018. Get it while it's less than a dollar, but know that at any price, it's worth every penny. (Click the picture for the buy link)As for my faithful followers, Claiming Emerson, will get it's own cover on January 1st and will be released as book one in the Emerson Series. The cover will be revealed in my next newsletter, so stay tuned. But until then...here's a taste of book one. Enjoy!Claiming Emerson-Excerpt-     Pierre was in New York.     I could feel my caged heart rattle behind the steel bars.     You belong to me.     I shut my eyes and let the memories flood back. I’d loved him since – forever.     “Comment va ma belle rousse aujourd’hui?” How’s my beautiful redhead todayPierre asked, standing before me, regal and forthright. The picture of grace and charisma with his perfectly crooked smile, white teeth, and sun-kissed olive skin.     He wasn’t masculine per se, but not feminine either. He was model material with shoulder length brown hair that was pulled back in a ponytail at the base of his neck. The strands around his forehead and face were loose, and hung haphazardly and free like the lazy wisps of a young maple tree. His verdant eyes dazzled like emeralds, and his lips were full and succulent. Pierre Deniau was quite simply – gorgeous.     Back then was the summer between graduating from the perils of high school and starting University. I worked at La Patisserie by morning and volunteered at the Louvre Museum in the afternoons. One paid little, the other paid nothing. One I did to please my mother, the other I did to please myself.      I quickly learned that rich friends, powerful connections, and good looks, could carve a potent dynasty. Even as a child, I knew that people were just stepping stones to obtaining my every desire. I coveted my extremely select friendships with the discriminating enthusiasm of a would-be investor, selecting only those that met my stringent requirements of honesty, integrity, and discretion. I played my life close to the vest, revealing little, and letting very few in. My need for friends paled, as my desire for success and power rose. I was a young woman with an agenda, driven to see my life fulfilled in every possible way – personally and professionally. I aligned myself with greatness – with those whom had it and those who knew how to access it, wielding my beauty like a mystic snake charmer to manipulate my outcome. The art of persuasion was a skill I’d mastered. My mother taught me well.     But those lessons came at a high price. I wasn’t always the user, but the one being used. I couldn’t always persuade, but was often persuaded. The rules of the game were always being changed. But I played to win – then and now.      My beautiful redhead, he’d said. I adoringly looked at Pierre and swallowed the sexual intensity that billowed between us, letting it move like a drug through my veins. Desire warmed me from the inside out. No man ever sparked such emotion from me like Pierre. He’d carved such a path in my life, that it never felt like it was truly mine. It was ours. I wiped my powder sugar laced fingers down the black apron that covered my dress and beamed under his veneration.     “Fabulous!” I stated, untying the string at my back and sliding the apron over my head. “Shy of smelling like a butter infused croissant filled with chocolate, I’m good!”     Pierre grabbed over his heart and swooned. “Don’t tease, Eme. My heart can’t take it. You, croissant and chocolate together are my dream. Oui, and naked.” He winked, letting the unfiltered words roll off his tongue. His English, while masterfully delivered, held the flirtation of his native French accent. Each word stroked something deep within me, musical musings of the best kind.     We weren’t exactly boyfriend and girlfriend. Despite outward appearances, we were somewhere in between. We were best friends, bonded by time, love and understanding.     God, I loved him. He was my everything.     Outside of gazing endlessly at the works of Rembrandt, Monet, and Degas, loving Pierre was my favorite pastime. The thought of his lips devouring me gave me a profound reason in life; it gave more to life than the air I breathed.     My mouth watered, my tongue teased my bottom lip with anticipation.     I was still a virgin, but I didn’t doubt that Pierre had lost his at twelve or thirteen.     He seemed a sexual god, and – well – he was a Frenchman. He didn’t follow the same social conventions as me. American by birth, but French since I was seven, I was somewhat of a prude by European standards, still clinging onto my virginity like a grail of protection for my heart. I wasn’t shy about my sexuality or my body, just the opposite. I was an ever-curious, voyeuristic, purveyor of all things sexual and willing to test the boundaries. Pierre indulged my need to taste, touch and feel, educating me with the skill and finesse of someone twice his age but was ultimately left begging to fully claim me.     He wanted not just my body, but my heart and soul.     My past and my future.     Full Ownership.     What he never understood was that he always had it even without my hymen. It was long gone between his fingers, tongue and my own self-gratification. What was the importance of my virginity when he owned my soul? How much more could I love him? How much power could one person have over another human being?     Every molecule.     Every breath.     Every beat of my heart would belong to him.     I remember asking myself if I could own him, as well.     “Acuna Louvre aujourd’hui veiled mon amour. Joon’s.” No Louvre today, my love. Let’s play. The mischievous glint in his explicit green eyes spelled trouble. The kind that lead to someone losing their clothes. I walked around the counter to meet him, keeping time with the heightened beat of my heart. Pierre quickly wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulled me into his chest and kissed the side of my head.     “I can’t today,” I said, gazing up at temptation. His eyes tightened with the tilt of his head, as disappointment took hold. I shrugged and turned into him, needing his approval as much as I needed his warmth. “I have a school tour I’m leading. How about tonight? Dinner?”      It was a shoddy second to basking in his love for the rest of the afternoon, but it was the best I could offer. I never shied away from my commitments. My word was my bond, and I lived by it. I wouldn’t be influenced by his charm and magnetism. At least not today.      “Oui, mon amour.” His breath was a hair lick away from my mouth. The warm heat of his words sent a shiver down my spine. I could scarcely breathe. “Dinner at my house at six o’clock. I will pick you up at the museum.” He laced his fingers between mine, pulled my hand to his mouth and pressed a tender kiss to the top. The gesture sent a jolt of electricity straight up my arm, wrapping itself around my heart like a gilded promise. This time, it was me who swooned.Here's What I'm Drinking:Manhattan's2 ounces rye whiskey, bourbon, or Canadian whiskey1 ounce sweet vermouth2–3 dashes Angostura BittersCherry for garnishPour the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice cubes.Stir well.Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.Garnish with the cherry.Here's What I'm Listening To: "Winter Song"by The Head and the HeartI can't thank you all enough for the love and support in life, in writing, in reading, in believing. It's an honor and a privilege to be able to do what I love. Life is short and executing dreams is never wasted effort. As always, stay tuned in and turned on. Sincerely,Heather M. Miles

The wait is almost over!

I've talked about it, forgot about it, reacquainted myself with it, and finally started putting the polishing touches on it. Claiming Emerson is almost out. Book one will be a novella and the beginning of the series. It's fitting that it's and introduction to Emerson, my new heroine, but it's also a reintroduction to me. I love the title "author" and now that my life is starting to find traction and meaning again, it's time to embrace that title, or find a new one. I decided to wrap my arms around my dream and live up to my potential. I wrote four novels in a year and a half, let's see what I can accomplish in the next year and a half. Claiming Emerson is part of an anthology. Six authors. Six stories. Six reasons to bury yourself in a book. It's going to be out November 6th, 2017, but you can pre-order your copy today for $0.99!How great is the price of Fate?Six stories about love, passion, and the role Fate plays in the lives of lovers. Have your soul touched and your heart set afire. You won't be able to put this anthology down.Highland Oath (Highland Treasure Book 1) by C.A. Szarek: Saving a life in the 17th century is hard enough for a time-traveling doctor, until Fate hands her heart to a Highlander.Claiming Emerson by Heather Miles: My double life was a shell game I'd mastered long ago, a chosen fate. The art of illusion wasn't just something I'd become proficient at, I lived it.On A Whim by JM Walker: B. Vesper is hiding. As a bestselling BDSM indie author, he knows all too well the dangers of letting people get close. But when his new cover designer Kiki Smith starts breaking down his walls and letting him in her life, will his secret rebuild those barriers?A Twist On Fate by Jillian Stone: “They say that you don’t meet people by accident, that you cross paths with strangers for a reason. But then memes about fate are for morons, right? Thing is—after what just happened—I’m not so sure anymore.”  —Skylar FenstermakerTemptations of Christmas Future (A Christmas Carol Book 3) by Lexi Post: When Joy, the Spirit of Christmas Future, is paired with a problem Spirit Guide, her positive outlook is tested beyond its limits. Will she persevere, or will the Guide, a young widow and her own outlook be the casualties of her weakness?Undeniable Fate (Undeniable Series Book 1) by Mia London: Shocking is putting it mildly. When the stranger she’d met only twelve hours earlier suddenly walks into her hotel room, Lily can think of only one thing.BUY LINKS:  KindleNookKOBOiBookClaiming Emerson     At age six, I learned what it meant to bleed tears over a man. One year later, I was thrust into a new existence on the wings of hopes and dreams that weren’t my own. I embraced a new country, and it’s amorous dialect like water to a sponge, absorbing the richness of its people and culture with a fervent need to belong. At age eighteen, I lost my virginity to the only man I ever loved, but it was a man twenty years my senior who taught me the true art of seduction, sensuality, and femininity. By age twenty-eight, I had a Ph.D. in art history and romance languages, siphoning more than knowledge from my mentor, and the greatest museum in the world, The Louvre. At age twenty-nine, I traded that continent for another. Already skilled in the ways of metamorphosis, I was instated as the youngest curator ever to grace the floors of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. At that same age, I’d become one of the most exclusive, high-class escorts in New York City.      A modern day courtesan, bathed in worldly abundance and secrecy. A coveted relic of times past.     By day, I charmed wealthy benefactors into gifting the art world with their money and time. It was my first passion, my dream, and my quest. By night, I was the gift, and my time didn’t come cheap. I lived a double life, conservative in one world, daring and risky in the other. It was a shell game I’d mastered long ago. The art of illusion wasn’t just something I’d become proficient at, I lived it.   - Emerson AneeWhat I'm Drinking:Tequila Sangria2 to 3 pineapple slices2 to 3 orange slices2 to 3 blackberries2 to 3 lime wedges2 ounce or 1/4 cup tequila1 ounce or 2 tablespoons elderflower-flavored liqueur* 1 ounce or 2 tablespoons simple syrup* 2 ounces or 1/4 cup pineapple juiceSplash orange juiceIce, as neededRed wine, as needed (recommended: rioja)What I'm Listening To:Wildest Moment by Jessie WareA warm thank you to everyone who's ever read my books, followed my social media platforms, read my blog and newsletters. You're continued support means the world. As always, stay tuned in and turned on.Sincerely,Heather M. Miles

The beginning of Merger Reignited!

And so it begins...Come find me, baby…I BELONG TO YOU!It was a mantra that echoed like hope, over and over.One I’d prayed for…begged for.Fate brought us together. Jealousy tore us apart. But love was something no one could take from us. We were each others in business, in friendship, and in life.I wanted to kiss her, hold her and taste every inch of her. I didn’t care about the sand. The dusk dampened grit that seeped into my shirt or between our clothes. She was in my arms and that’s all that mattered. I wouldn’t even feign that the salty air that misted over us, from the lapping Pacific Ocean, only feet away, was what was making me cry. I squeezed her tighter, afraid my mind was playing a cruel trick on me. A mirage of warmth and flesh that would surely carve out the last of my wounded heart and soul, if it weren’t true. I knew I was crushing her with the stealth-heavy grip of my hands and arms. My legs encircled hers, twisting and intertwining themselves between her calves and feet, staking their claim with unrelenting abandon, in worship and denial. A vine of cruelty and love I couldn’t even comprehend, but didn’t question.My hug bordered on brutal, but I was powerless to let her go. Her embrace was equally constricting, like a vice around my ribs and lungs. A requisition of emotional giving I absorbed like a needy child. I didn’t care if they snapped under the pressure of her love, or if my lungs imploded, I was barely breathing anyway. The love I had for this woman was so profound that it thrived in every pore of my being. I couldn’t even remember where she stopped and I began. I was a ball of emotional yarn, and she unraveled me little by little, exposing me as more than a man, more than a lover, friend or  partner. I was a flawed, heart-wrecked human, who fell fast and hard, desperately and wholly for this amazing, beautiful woman. I knew with every breath of my being we were destiny, soulmates tried and true. I was stripped bare for her.She owned me.“I love you,” she whispered. Her voice was as soft and rough as tattered velvet, as she wept the words that licked at the wounds of my soul. Tears, wet and warm, mingled with mine, as our mouths fused together in unabashed need. Both of us seeking the solitude of grace and understanding in one another.“You belong to me.”My lips trembled against hers, mimicking the four note cards that had me on the most desperate scavenger hunt of my life. A trail of roses that put me here, on the beach, and in her arms. The only place I ever wanted to be.You. Belong. To. Me.I did, and had, since the moment she tripped from that fate-laden treadmill into my arms, sweaty and oh, so god damn beautiful. A fallen angel put on earth just for me.She whimpered with a nod, sinking deeper into my mouth with a desperation that matched my own, exploring me…devouring and loving me. We clung to one another like our lives depended on it, and I’m not so sure it wasn’t true. At least not for me. We’d risen above the black abyss of despair that had us hopeless to survive one another.“I belong to you, Josh,” she said, looking up at me through tear stained lashes. The blue of her eyes hidden behind the flood of emotions that had us both in its grips. Happiness, sadness, love and hope, and everything in between. It didn’t matter if they were tears of joy, tears for me, or us. It ripped my fucking heart out to see them. I never wanted to see her cry, not now, not ever. She’d cried enough for one lifetime and I was running a close second, nearly sprinting past her in the last week. Tears and all, a snotty mess of flushed cheeks, and quivering lips above me, peering down at me like I was her whole world, she was my queen, and I’d spend my life making sure she knew it.An ending fit for Kasey and Josh... The wait is almost over.Here's what's up in the tiny, big world of Heather Miles. New website still not launched. I'm trying too hard, as usual, to make it phenomenal. But Heather Unfiltered is coming. I have been writing...wait for it...poetry? Ta-da! It's been almost 30 years since I've put the magical words down in short, prolific prose, that held more meaning than any novel I've written. It's amazing how the words tie together, linking both mindfulness, honesty, heartfelt emotion and soul-deep reality. It's one of a kind magic that reveals more than it should and speaks to the soul of me and my life. If you enjoy great content, feel free to follow me on Instagram, my platform of choice.https://www.instagram.com/heathermmiles/This was a snippet, a moment in time. A Sunday gimme that couldn't go unspoken. I love my fans. I love my followers. I love you!Offer is still good on book one. Merger on me! Just drop me a line.As always, stay tuned in and turned on!Sincerely,Heather Miles

Living and striving...for more!

It's a new year.A new start.A new outlook on all things Heather Miles.I've set lofty goals for the new year, made some pretty big commitments to challenge myself as an author, and accepted new roles for 2017. As with all things new and evolving, I have also given up some things, some for the better, some for the worse and some just because. I'm not a fan of change. I think it's easy to fall victim to the lull of false happiness, but I'm starting to understand that change is not only beneficial for growth, but necessary to push forward in mind, body and spirit. Inaction isn't the answer. It's time to get uncomfortable. It's time to live up to my potential.So here's what you need to know. I'm writing! I've taken time off from writing and narrating and, while my creativity seemed to wax and wane, it never went away. Even in dormancy I was plotting, imagining, dreaming stories, juicy tales and romantic scenes. I've even plotted a YA (young adult) novel for my daughter. I've been asked to be part of an anthology with ten other authors and I accepted. It's a novella and it's themed: Fate. I've written 8000 words this week. Words? Yeah. As an author we don't talk in pages or chapters, it's words. Let's just say, to write cleanly with not a lot of editing, that's a good start. New characters. New names. New plot. Completely different than my works of the past. It's suspenseful and edgy. I think you'll love it.I've set a four novel goal for 2017! Scary, but I'm a believer. I'm sitting on four manuscripts as we speak. They are in various states of completion, but they're there. The wait is almost over. There's even a Merger Reignited waiting in the wings. It's the finale to a really great series that was embraced by most of you. I think you'll love the happily ever after! If anyone receiving this letter wants to readMerger, the first book in the series, that hasn't had the chance to fall in love with Kasey and Joshua, then let me know. I'll gift it to you for FREE! It's only .99 cents, but Happy New Year.I'm about to get imploded with books. I signed up to judge the "Rita's". It's Romance Writers of America's highest honor in romance writing. Published novels that are submitted for the ultimate award in romance fiction. It's romance writings version of the Oscars. It should be interesting. I look forward to reading some of my favorite authors and some newbies as well.2017 is the year I reignite the passions in my own life. I gave up a career because I wanted to be an author. I don't take that role lightly. I added narrator to it last year and this year I'm also launching a brand new website: Heather Unfiltered. Follow me on social media for all the details. Launch of Heather Unfiltered is January 21st! Thank you for the unwavering support.Here's what I'm listening to:John Lennon - "Imagine"Here's what I'm making:A tribute to my love affair with BACON!"Spicy Caramel Bacon Popcorn"Spicy Caramel Bacon Popcorn5-6 slices of baconNonstick cooking spray3 tablespoons vegetable oil1/2 cup popcorn kernels1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper3 cups white granulated sugar3 tablespoons unsalted butter2 teaspoons fine sea salt1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment and lay bacon side-by-side. Transfer baking sheet to hot oven and cook bacon for 15 minutes, and until crispy and brown. Remove and place on paper towels to drain. When cool, cut into dice-sized pieces.2. Lightly coat two large heatproof rubber spatulas and a large mixing bowl with nonstick cooking spray. In a large saucepan or pot with a lid, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the popcorn kernels, cover, and keep the saucepan moving until all of the kernels have popped, about 4 minutes. Transfer the popped popcorn to the large prepared bowl, removing any unpopped kernels.3. In a small bowl, whisk together the baking soda and cayenne pepper. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, salt, and 1/2 cup water. Cook over high heat, without stirring, until the mixture becomes a light golden-yellow caramel, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and carefully whisk in the baking soda mixture (the mixture will bubble up). Quickly fold in bacon bits. Pour the caramel over the popcorn and toss, like a salad, until all of the popcorn is evenly coated with the caramel.4. Pour the popcorn onto a large baking pan and quickly flatten and separate it into small pieces while it is still warm. Cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes. Once it is cool, store it in a well-sealed airtight container.5. Caramel popcorn will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.Here's what I'm drinking:Grapefruit Beer Mimosa Cocktails(They served this by another name at the Golden Bee at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs)2-3 ounces of fresh squeezed grapefruit.6 ounces wheat beer (Sierra Nevada's Kellerweis is a good one)1/2 t. of agave nectar or 1/2 ounce of simple syrup.*For a different twist on this drink add two dashes of bitters to the mix. It's a different twist on a "German Radler".Use a lemon slice to coat the rim of any glass, then dredge the rim in sugar. Place half a slice of grapefruit and ice in the glass. Add the grapefruit juice, the simple syrup and then the beer. Enjoy!Words to live by..."Learn to be what you are,and learn to resign with a good grace all that you are not"- Henri Frederic AmielThere's never a better time than now to live up to your potential! Happy New Year!Sincerely,Heather Miles

Tis' the season to delve into something new!

Follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.- Frank KafkaWe are fast approaching the holiday's which means more time off, time with family and friends, and time to get lost in a great book. I have four to choose from and more on the way. I've been chasing life at the speed of light and it would appear that a state of calm is finally in the air. Or at the very least, on the horizon. When I started this writing adventure two and a half years ago, I jumped in with both feet, the dream of greatness and the willingness to fall flat or fly high as an author. We all want to be the next best thing, riding high on the USA Today and New York Times best seller's list. It's never been a matter of IF, but WHEN. It's a privilege and honor to be able to do what I love. I'm passionate about prose, thoughtful plots and characters that speak for themselves. When they're so well-written they become body and flesh, instead of fictional, tangible instead of fake, dare I say...real!I'm always a self-promoter and why wouldn't I be, if I can't hang my hopes and dreams on my writing, then I certainly can't expect you to. So as always, the link's to my books can be found on the tab above "My Books." Buy one...two, or buy them all. Autographed editions are always available, just drop me a line.But today, it's all about Lexx!J.D. Lexxthat is.International attorney, award-winning journalist, sensualist and wordsmith of the highest caliber, J.D. Lexx is one of the most passionate, well-written male authors on the market right now.JD's work has been touted by fans and fellow authors as, "Wonderfully delicious and quite unexpected." "A true masterpiece." And, "Tantalizing to the Senses." With two new releases this Monday:The Manhattan Memoirs: Volume OneandThe Manhattan Memoirs: Volume Two, as well as his latest novelMaledictionhitting #1 that same day on Amazon, Mr. Lexx is an author on fire. I've admittedly indulged inFood Lust, Book One in the Crimson Confessions Series and his most recent work of tantalizing fiction, injected with the man himself,Malediction.All things J.D. Lexx, or his books anyway, because the man himself is a beautiful enigma, are flying off the shelves at rates you won't see for long. Some FREE, some $.99 and some more. But like my books, all good things must come to an end. The time is now to discover why everyone's talking about J.D. Lexx. Shouldn't you be?Malediction:Rise of the Crimson Confessions(Excerpt)Funny, I often hear it said that you never forget your first. As a collector of singular experience, I find myself obliged to agree. That first kiss, a uniquely fundamental element of shared humanity itself, still shines through aging memories. But every such light casts a blanket of shadow, one that all too often harbors the first genuine heartbreak, creating lifelong triggers from once innocuous joys. For better or worse, these are the moments that shape and bond, not only in that instant of transference but throughout every connection thereafter.And then there are the darker primes, those firsts exiled beyond the boundaries of decency by a hypocritical society hell-bent on denying the delicacies of the flesh. Personally, these are the ones that I most cherish, prized specifically for their unique abilities to open eyes, break down barriers and wreak havoc on the narrowest of minds.But let us be clear from the outset. This quest is fueled by neither nostalgia nor regret. Ours is not a journey undertaken to recapture faded relics of glory once possessed. No, this is a tale of a different first entirely - an obsession that spans a lifetime and continues to this day, propelling me with ever-increasing resolve toward the very bluff of futility.Needless to say, a man without motivation rarely delivers a story worth telling...JD's Collection(The covers are the buy links.)Enjoy!Malediction: A Love Story (Or Several)Some devote a lifetime to the endless pursuit of love. Others spend even longer trying to outrun it. Between the shimmering lights of Paris and New Orleans’ commercialized sin, author J.D. Lexx embarks on his latest hunt. Once content to walk blindly in the light, these days he prowls a different world, one of shadow and sensuality where flesh yields to the probing hungers of fantasy. Driven by painful reminders of opportunity left unseized, he roams, tirelessly seeking the next in a growing collection of Crimson Confessions.Yet these tales of conquest and seduction which have brought such notoriety are merely bait for a more transcendent prey. The one he truly stalks is infinitely more elusive, and lethal in her charms. To win her over, and write the happy ending to this unfinished story, an infamous collector of secrets must now lay his own bare for all to see. Chasing a trail of enticing exploits stretching from Sin City to Prague, every stop leads him back to the beginning…and one step closer to her.The Manhattan Memoirs : Volume OneWelcome to Manhattan, a city of secrets. Within its shadows hides a treasure trove of incredible stories. Look hard enough and you’re likely to find one. Dig a little too deep and you might just become one. Trust me, I would know.Ten years ago, an ordinary man began a journey that would lead him to the depths, and heights, of New York sensuality. Driven by an insatiable hunger to bring the city to its knees, the allure of its women and the pleasures they offered slowly consumed him. Once lost, he never returned…but I did. In the pages of these journals, I hold the only existing proof of an evolution—a chronicle of domination, submission and lust that transformed the man I once was into the rumor I’ve become. As with any great corruption, mine began innocently enough, with a balmy summer evening and that damn red dress…The Manhattan Memoirs: Volume TwoThey say the truth will set you free, but only if you survive to uncover it. After settling into his new life as a burgeoning Dominant in New York, Ronin thinks he has things all figured out. But when a mysterious encounter offers a glimpse into an underworld of sexual excess, he finds himself forced to reevaluate his own beliefs and the loyalty of others.Blinded by confusion and driven by desire, now Ronin must unravel fact from fiction, pushing allegiances to the brink in a compulsive quest for answers. But will the truth he seeks lead to the ultimate liberation, or will its pursuit trap him in a web from which few have ever escaped?Food Lust: A Crimson ConfessionFor some, the kitchen represents a sanctuary of the senses—a mergence of soul and sustenance that licks at the flesh while teasing the mind’s pleasure. To others, it’s but a steely hive of horror. And then there’s JESSICA AMES, a canned soup kind of girl in a land of haute cuisine whose aversion to culinary adventure once seemed all but incurable. But when she catches the eye of celebrity chef MARCO ADRIANO at a pretentious rooftop soiree, his uniquely sensual take on food whets an appetite that may just prove insatiable. If only they’d had more time…Two-Way Glass: A Crimson ConfessionTrue love, a beautiful family, and hordes of adoring friends. Morgan Parker didn’t give a damn for any of it. For as long as he could remember, all that mattered was his one-way climb up the partnership track. That is, until the day he makes it to the top and finally stops to enjoy the view.Now, with the biggest case of his career looming on the horizon, the young attorney finds himself increasingly enamored with the flirtatious Sirena in the window across the way. But when a harmless voyeuristic game escalates toward obsession, will Morgan see the challenge through to the end, or cave to the rising intensity, accepting the most frustrating defeat of his life? The jury is still out…Order of the Orchidarion: A Crimson ConfessionFor years, one thing kept troubled young Christine Bexley on the right side of a life beyond salvation—the promise of a unique apprenticeship, as soon as she came of age, under childhood crush and world-renowned orchidologist, Richard Mitchell.After three years of flirtation and shameless attempts to seduce her mentor, Christine now stands at the eve of her twenty-first birthday, a gifted orchidologist in her own right. But is she truly ready for the fabled Orchidarion? An exceptionally cruel test of skill and concentration, it can only be administered by those who have already mastered it. Success would place her among the absolute best in the world. But can Christine overcome this final obstacle to complete her ascendance, or has Richard’s opportunity just blossomed for a long and hard payback?Since Mr. Lexx professes to be a lover and frequenter of one of my favorite stomping grounds, "The Big Easy," tonight's drink is an ode to his love of New Orleans and mine.The Original Sazerac1 cube sugar1½ ounces (35ml) Sazerac Rye Whiskey or Buffalo Trace Bourbon¼ ounce Herbsaint3 dashes Peychaud's BittersLemon peel-Pack an Old-Fashioned glass with ice-In a second Old-Fashioned glass place the sugar cube and add the Peychaud's Bitters to it, then crush the sugar cube-Add the Sazerac Rye Whiskey or Buffalo Trace Bourbon to the second glass containing the Peychaud's Bitters and sugar-Empty the ice from the first glass and coat the glass with the Herbsaint, then discard the remaining Herbsaint-Empty the whiskey/bitters/sugar mixture from the second glass into the first glass and garnish with lemon peelHere's what I'm listening to:Cowboy Junkies - Sweet JaneSo, my friends and fans, fellow readers and those who are yet to delve into all things Heather M. Miles, it's all up to you. What's your reading pleasure? There's more than one way to feast on words and I hope I've tantalized the mind into thinking beyond just me. There's never been a better time to take a chance on J.D. Lexx. I don't recommend many, nor do I share my spotlight, but this one...this man...this author...he's worth a second look. Let me know what you think.Here's a link to Mr. Lexx's Newsletter - Reflexxions!Subscribe...Follow...Believe..http://www.jdlexx.com/newsletter.htmlAs always, stay tuned in and turned on!Sincerely,Heather M. Miles

Breaking Bad and Merger Reignited!

Breaking Bad...Someone pinch me. No really. I think I've landed in the twilight zone! Reality TV has nothing on Hillary and Donald. When I say breaking bad, I mean enough is enough. What the hell is going on in the world, namely here in the United States. It's such a shit show it's consuming everything and everyone around us. I assure you there are far bigger tragedies to focus on in the world, they just pale in comparison to the sad, comedic, debauchery of our current presidential election. The circus has definitely come to town and while I've always been told to steer clear of talking about politics, it's hard to just bury your head in the proverbial sand and not mention the unfolding nightmare we find ourselves in, as a country, as citizens, as voters with voices, holy bajeezus! I'm waiting for Ashton Kuchner to pop out and tell me we're being "punk'd". Whether you're a republican, democrat, independent or frankly don't give two shit's, it's hard not to watch these two candidates self-destruct right before our eyes. It's like a horrible accident you know you shouldn't look at, but can't bring yourself to turn away from. It's shameful at best, and hard to stomach at worst. What do you tell your kids? Know the acronym NSFW (not safe for work)? Well, the Town Hall debates, aka Town Hell debates are NSFPT (not safe for prime time) It's a sad state of affairs, but remember when being president was looked upon from a child's perspective as being one of the greatest jobs you could hold in this country. Bet there's not many kids that want that role. Frankly, I don't even want my kids to watch it. It's mudslinging and schoolyard bullying at it's worst. How do we pick one from the other? It's literally the best of the worst in my humble opinion and we all know what they say about those opinions. *wink wink* What ever your political views are, stay tuned, I'm sure the bottom hasn't dropped out yet!Merger ReignitedSo, on to the lighter side of romance and all things Author Heather Miles. We had a multi-author book giveaway. Steamy Romance vs Sweet Romance, 40+ romance authors giving away their books to lucky winners.  If you're on this list, you either chose steamy or said you liked both. While my books are all deliciously plot driven: The pitfalls of falling in love with your business partner when she's off limits in the Merger Series, and how a Ph'd sex therapist finds her way into a sex club after being challenged that all she knows is based in books in Saying Yes, I think we can all agree that my books have a heat factor that's damn near scorching. I make no apologies. It's what I write. What I like. What I read. Temptation for all things forbidden, just taste a little better on the tongue and feel a little better on the skin. So here's to hot books...cheers!*COVER REVEAL*Book Four in the Merger Series -Merger ReignitedExcerpt from Merger ReignitedK.K. and Josh's story continues...(coming  Christmas 2016)Months of trials and tribulations had culminated into this. It was as if time was standing still for one brief moment. I was soaking in the seconds, breathing in the time, the place, the girl. I’d set off on a quest a week earlier to ask her to marry me, not pressuring her for an answer, but hoping and praying that she’d say yes. So much had happened between us. Love, death, secrets and lies, betrayal, anger and hurt, all colliding together, threatening the foundation of our lives, our future and our partnership. I’d all but crawled on my hands and knees, through the pits of hell, over the gravel of my emotions and shattered heart to beg for her forgiveness, trying to right all the wrongs, and she’d done the same. I left New York with nothing more than faith, desire, and a dream of a life with her in it. The picture of us, together, so ingrained in my mind it was burned into my soul. I never saw it any other way. I didn’t want to even think that she wasn’t going to be mine, that I’d lose her, or worse, lose her to someone else. Not hearing from her for over a week while she deliberated her future and mine, was like an anvil crashing through my chest, breaking every rib until it found my heart, destroying every ounce of hope I had for the chance at forever. As each day passed, I felt more and more nervous that she’d choose him over me. The idea of it was gut-wrenching.Dr. Jeremy Nichols was my nemesis. The bane of my existence. The anti-Christ to my heart…but a viable competitor for her love. As much as I hated him and believed that I was the only true love she’d ever known, I couldn’t help but wonder if my love was enough. If I was enough. But it was enough. It wasn’t victory to have her in my arms, it was destiny. A fate I’d known since I first laid eyes on her and decided that I’d stop at nothing to have her.My heart raced, pressuring my ribs to split so it could soar. I stared up at her as if I was seeing her for the first time. She’d always been captivating and beautiful, but she’d never looked as ethereal as she did right this minute, glowing with happiness in the setting sun.An angel…My angel...Salvation.She threaded her fingers through my hair and I moaned in delight, chasing every gesture, leaning farther into her touch. Eating it up like nourishment that would sustain me. It didn’t matter how or where she touched me, just that she did. Our bodies vibrated against one another, shuddering electric pulses of life, enveloping and bonding us as one. I wanted to feed her the air from my lungs and steal hers in return. I circled my fingers around the slender nape of her neck and pulled her mouth to mine.“I’m so in love with you.” I brushed my nose against hers and claimed her lips tenderly, beseeching her to let me kiss the depth of those words into her. I wanted to show her. I craved the intimacy of that connection and knew the power it held between us. I swallowed a beautiful whimper as she nodded in acknowledgment. My decree was branded on my heart. The one she held in her delicate hands.Her tongue slid over mine, tasting the words with gentle strokes that made me weak. I’d give her the world for just one of her kisses. This one was no different. She said my kisses held magic for her, that they melted her and made her body weak with lust. I couldn’t deny that hers did the same for me. By the time our mouths parted, we were a panting mess. My erection was a thick bulge beneath her and I had no doubt what I’d find between her silky thighs. But as much as I wanted to make love to her, I just want to be.  Be with her, see her and talk to her. With my engagement ring finally on her finger, my mother’s ring, and the promise of tomorrow, I could finally settle into the emotions of just being us. There would be time for everything else.The Merger SeriesMerger  (book one)Merger Undone (book two)Merger Complete (book three)Saying Yes - A Game of SeductionHere's what's on the  fall drink menu:"Spiced Coconut Rum and Apple Cider"For those days when you're really missing summer...Ingredients:- Blue Chair Bay Spiced Coconut Rum (or just coconut rum)- apple cider- apple slices- cinnamon sticksFill a short glass with ice. Add 3oz of apple cider and 1oz Spiced Coconut Rum. Garnish with a couple of apple slices and a cinnamon stick. Use the cinnamon to stir the drink together.You can definitely adjust this based on the size of your glasses. Stick to a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio. We all know bigger is just better. Even when it comes to cocktails!Enjoy! And Drink Responsibly...Here's a classic from my   play list:Dig by IncubusEnjoy! And as always, stay tuned in and turned on!Sincerely,Heather M. Miles

It's giveaway time!

Sweet or Spicy Romance - What's your poison.I love my blog followers! As my fan following grows, I want to start a series of giveaways. To lead it off and to promote some other cool and worthy authors, I'm promoting a September giveaway. It's your chance to discover new authors and funny enough...drum roll, please, also me. Or rather my book anyway. Some of you have read all of my novels and some maybe not, but Merger is included in the lineup of goodies in the giveaway.  I think we can all agree it's SPICY! Imagine winning a bunch of free ebooks? I'm an avid reader and I can tell you I'm a cult follower ofBookBub. If you don't subscribe the website, you're missing out. Hit the link and let the downloads begin. The hottest books on the market, by the hottest author's, for nearly nothing, and often nothing, delivered to your email daily. How can you go wrong with that? You can't:)Anyway, here's the link to the giveaway. Share this post with your followers, your Pinterest friends, your twitter friends, Facebook groupies and family members. Someone has to win, it might as well be you, right?Sweet or Spicy Giveaway!As always, stay tuned in and turned on!Sincerely,Heather M. Miles

Fall is just around the corner.

Despite the 95 degree weather here in the Mississippi Delta, Fall is just around the corner. School is back in session. *Yippee* It's Friday night lights, or in our case, Thursday night lights. Pee Wee Football is in full swing for my fifth grader and we are proud parents sitting on the bleachers with our monogrammed shirts and athlete buttons. I'm short a foam finger, but hey, you can't have everything. Besides, my daughter would fold in on herself if I actually used it. People say she's just like me, but not when it comes to being an extrovert, she's shy and demure and well...I'm not!I've been editing and editing and well...editing. I couldn't just sit down and resume writing without going back through the several manuscripts I have in play. Claiming Emerson was promised to an editor in New York, so book one in that series is up first, then it's up in the air. I have no less than three  works in progress, each one more than 50K words, which is close to novel length. However, I have been toying with the idea of writing something completely different, maybe a little dark, maybe a lot unlike anything I've ever written. I'm not a plotter, but I've got an entire story plotted out and waiting to come to life. We shall see.I'm taking a break from narrating. I still love it, but I overwhelmed myself by accepting too many contracts at one time. They are now done, but whew! It was taxing on the voice, my family and me. Narrating is the hardest thing I've ever done by far. I've learned a lot about the business of producing audiobooks and, even though I still have my studio up and ready to roll, I'm going to be super selective with any and all projects I take on in the future. I thought I could juggle narrating and writing and l think it's still possible, but only if I stay the course and balance the two effectively. Only time will tell, but I like being both an author and narrator. Either way, I'm blessed to do what I love.Thank you for sticking by me. The next book, one way or the other, dark or romantic, adult or YA (young adult) will be out before you know it. What are you reading? What audiobook are you listening to? Here's my current lineup:Audiobook:Read by my favorite male v/o actor Sebastian YorkJ.A. HUSSThree, Two, OneBook:Pepper WintersPenniesWhat I'm drinking:Bramble SmashBramble SmashSERVINGS: MAKES 12 ½" lemon wedges2 ½" lime wedges1 tablespoon simple syrup4 blackberries, plus more for garnish4 blueberries, plus more for garnish4 raspberries, plus more for garnish¼ cup vodkaUsing a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon, mash lemon wedges, lime wedges, simple syrup, 4 blackberries, 4 blueberries, and 4 raspberries in a 16-oz. mixing glass or a cocktail shaker 4–5 times just to release juices and oils. Add vodka. Strain into an old-fashioned glass. Fill halfway with crushed ice, stir, then mound more crushed ice on top. Garnish with berries.What I'm listening to:Twenty One PilotsHeathens(Suicide Squad was Awesome!)Thank you for being tried and true. I wouldn't be me without you.As always...stay tuned in and turned on!Sincerely,Heather Miles