Judy Miller, New Releases, and Free Books!

Rose McKay has convinced her family to invest everything in a new business and has promised she can make it a success…but will her endeavors put the pottery works—as well as her heart—at risk?

Before we visit today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Amish Zombies from Space, by Kerry Nietz, is:

ginny@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll email you today to get your mailing address, and we'll get your book to you right away.

I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

And now let's chat with novelist Judith Miller, author of the historical romance, The Potter’s Lady (Bethany House Publishers, August 2015).

Although born and reared in a small suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Judy moved to Kansas at the age of seventeen and has considered the sunflower state ‘home’ ever since. She currently lives in Topeka, and in her spare time enjoys reading, traveling, researching history, and Bible study.

Writing Christian fiction is Judy’s second career. For many years she worked as a legal assistant in law firms and later worked in government law offices. She has retired from legal work in order to write fulltime —a vocation she considers both a ministry and a blessing from the Lord.

Judy has authored or co-authored more than twenty-five books since she began writing in 1996. Her love of history and her desire to point readers to the love and grace of Jesus are reflected in all of her books.

Please tell us three random things we might not know about you.

--Cooked spinach and liver make me gag.

--I like to knit—even if I can’t follow difficult patterns.

--I like having lunch with girlfriends.

Just as long as lunch isn't spinach and liver, right? I'm with you on the liver!

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of The Potter's Lady.

When Rose McKay convinces her brother, Ewan, to invest in a pottery business, she’s determined to assist him in making the venture a success. Having just graduated from the Philadelphia School of Design for Women, she believes she can design pieces that will sell well. In her efforts to help the pottery flourish, Rose reconnects with Joshua Harkness, who oversees his own family’s potteryworks in a nearby town.

Rylan Campbell has never liked change, but the new owners of the pottery seem to be the decent sort. He just wishes Rose wouldn’t insist on cleaning and moving everything. But when McKay Pottery starts losing business to the Harkness company, Rylan realizes Joshua might be taking advantage of Rose.

Then Franklin Hotels announces a design contest. Winning the Franklin contract would be exactly the boost McKay Pottery needs, so Rose and Rylan work closely together to create something magnificent. With Joshua’s company as their main competition, can Rylan convince Rose her trust in Joshua may be misplaced?

What is it about Rose that will make your readers care about her?

Rose McKay is an intelligent and eager young woman who wants to help her family create a new business as well as use the skills she’s learned while attending the Philadelphia School of Design. At times, she “pushes” her personal agenda too much, but her intentions are influenced by her fear of failure and feelings of insecurity caused by several incidents that occurred while she attended school.

And you already have me stressed about her relationship with Joshua!

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Carrie Coon for the female lead of Rose McKay.





Chris Hemsworth for the male lead of Rylan Campbell.






Who is one of your favorite fictional characters?

Nancy Drew. She was spunky and I like spunky characters. Besides, reading Nancy Drew books instilled me with a love of books.

It's so important to catch that reading bug early in life! I recently saw a graphic on Facebook about how few people read these days. I can't even imagine making such a choice.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

Love of the Summerfields by Nancy Moser. I recommend it because of the rich historical details and interesting characters as well as my enjoyment of books that are reminiscent of Downton Abby. I highly recommend it.

What are you working on now?

I’m completing edits on the final book in this series, which has been titled The Artisan’s Wife. This final book in the Refined by Love series will take readers to another town in West Virginia where the family enters into the decorative tile business.

Where else can readers find you online?

www.judithmccoymiller.com

The book can be purchased in fine book stores and online via the following buttons and links:





Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

Has your reading increased or decreased over the past five years? What has caused the change in your reading habit?

Thanks, Judy, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel.

Readers, Judy has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, August 10. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Judy's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.

As you scroll to the bottom of the post to answer Judy's question, take a look at some of this month's excellent releases!

Contemporary Romance:

Be My Valentino by Sandra D. Bricker -- Now that the whole truth has come out about her husband's double life-including the fact that she and Jack were never legally married-Jessie is standing on her own for the first time in her life. As she struggles to put Adornments, her rental store for designer labels, on the map in Tinsel Town, her relationship with private investigator Danny Callahan gains momentum. Can Jessie afford to put her faith-and heart-into another relationship when she's so obviously handicapped in the good judgment department? (Contemporary Romance from Abingdon Press)

One More Wish by Robin Jones Gunn -- As Christy blows out the 26 candles on her birthday cake, she closes her eyes and makes a wish. Could this be the year that she and Todd finally have a baby? As her closest friends announce they are expecting, Christy's heart carries an ache for a child of her own. On their way home from Sierra's wedding, Todd opens up the discussion of adoption and soon a simple invitation turns into a life-changing season. Christy's patience and understanding are stretched beyond her limits, and she finds herself holding not just one baby in her arms, but two. Everything Christy and Todd thought about family and hospitality shifts as the two of them dare to make one more wish and believe that God's timing is flawless. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Island Dreams by Kimberly Rose Johnson -- When a land developer comes to Wildflower Island Chase fights to keep the island the way it is. But there is a problem, he's falling for the developer and if he stops her, he may never see her again. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

An Unexpected Family by Jill Kemerer -- After five years apart, Tom Sheffield is shocked to find his ex-wife, Stephanie, on his doorstep. The news that they share a child he's never met sends him reeling. Four-year-old Macy has his eyes, his mouth and, from their first encounter, his heart. Things with her mother are much more complicated. He doesn't understand what went wrong between them or why she kept their daughter a secret. And he's afraid of falling in love all over again. Yet he feels a glimmer of hope that somehow he can convince Macy and Stephanie to stay in Lake Endwell-and with him-for keeps. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Historical Romance:

Stealing Jake by Pam Hillman -- She used to be known as Light-fingered Livy. But that was before she put her past behind her and moved to the growing town of Chestnut, Illinois, where she's helping to run an orphanage. Now she'll do almost anything to protect the street kids like herself. Sheriff's deputy Jake Russell had no idea what he was in for when he ran into Livy--literally--while chasing down a pickpocket. With a rash of robberies and a growing number of street kids in town--as well as a loan on the family farm that needs to be paid off--Jake doesn't have time to pursue a girl. Still, he can't seem to get Livy out of his mind. He wants to get to know her better . . . but Livy isn't willing to trust any man, especially not a lawman. (Historical Romance from Tyndale House)

Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin -- In 1941, as America teeters on the brink of World War II, Mary Stirling works at the Boston Navy Yard and renews an old friendship with naval officer Ens. Jim Avery. Jim's destroyer escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic, but problems on his ship point to a saboteur at the shipyard. As Mary works to find the culprit and Jim battles U-boats, could their friendship blossom into something more? Or could the dangers they face keep them apart? (Historical Romance from Revell - A Division of Baker Publishing Group)

12 Brides of Summer, Novella Collection #3 by Margaret Brownley, Miralee Ferrell, and Pam Hillman -- Love Is Buzzing in the Good Old Summertime! Spend the sunny days of summer relaxing with an ice cold glass of lemonade and revel in the dreams of twelve brides who are a bit surprised by how the men of their dreams come into their lives. Journey to the Old West, stay on the prairie, and visit quaint small towns. . .without leaving the comfort of your own front porch with the third release in this collection. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

Romantic Suspense:

Smokescreen by Jodie Bailey -- When her life is on the line, Ashley Colson is rescued by the last person she ever expected to see again. Military officer Ethan Kincaid might have disappointed her once in the past, but now he's the only person who can keep her safe. They're under the gun to decode top secret files that can save the life of a friend who is in enemy hands. But the killers will pull out all the stops to get their hands on the files...and Ashley. With time running out, can they put aside their past and find the answers that could give them a future? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller:

Midnight on the Mississippi by Mary Ellis -- As a newly minted PI and a New Orleans stockbroker encounter sophisticated shell games, blackmail and death threats, danger swirls around them like the mysterious black water of the bayou. (Mystery/Crime from Harvest House Publishers)

The Bones will Speak by Carrie Stuart Parks -- A killer with a penchant for torture has taken notice of forensics expert Gwen Marcey . . . and her daughter. (Suspense/Thriller from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson and Zondervan])

Speculative Fiction:

Take and Give by Amanda G. Stevens -- To escape the oppressive Constabulary and gain freedom in a newly formed country, four people must embark on a road trip fraught with danger and distrust. (Speculative Fiction from David C. Cook)

Young Adult:

A Perilous Assignment by JC Morrows -- The Order of the Moonstone is not just another shadowy underground resistance operation. They have a much more sinister purpose. Kayden is about to find out just how sinister. Go back to the very beginning with us... see how Kayden was chosen for her most important and most dangerous assignment yet. (Young Adult, Independently Published)

Happy reading!