Book Blast, Giveaway & Interview: Return by @maxwmiller

 

 

Return

Egyptian Moon Series

Book 1

Max W. Miller

Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Ironshield Marking LLC

ISBN: 9780985595562

ASIN: B00IX40TWO

Number of pages: 218 pages

Word Count: 67,000 words

Cover Artist: Kat Murphy

Book Description:

A young lady has to learn how to function on a college campus without the guidance of her parents while dealing with reincarnation. How will she fight and win the battle against the aggressive soul of an ancient Egyptian princess who is determined to RETURN.

Available at Amazon

 

Since my sophomore year of high school, my dad, Dr. Eli Christopher Smart III, a noted Professor of Neurological Surgery at Duke University—totally white, but born in Cairo, Egypt—had started creating his idea of the perfect pre-college family trip. He and I were scheduled to travel to Egypt to tour the ruins of ancient cities. Mom had refused to come with us.

******

I did know about the power of the pharaohs and how a few of them may have been women in disguise. I’d always thought of that as very interesting. Queen Nefertiti was my favorite ancient woman of power.

One part of ancient Egyptian lifestyle rang quite clear and it disgusted me. How gross was it for the pharaohs to marry their own children, and how gross to expect a sister to marry a brother—not cool at all. Eeeew.

******

It bothered me that this wide hall was dimly lit, with yellowish lights. I squinted, trying to see where the hall ended. It seemed to go on past forever. Even more distressing, my personal nemesis showed up—a quivering of my left eyelid, a telltale signal that something would come to change my life and not in a positive way.

“Damn,” I muttered and loosened my grip on Tyler’s arm to grab his hand tightly. The last time my left eye did this crazy quivering dance, we received the news of Papa’s death. Squeezing my eyes shut, I prayed silently, “Please, God, don’t let anything else happen to my family, please.”

******

“Stop it, Megan. You know I hate horror flicks. Why you want to talk about that while we’re walking down this creepy ass hall? Upstairs looks like a palace, but down here came right out the macabre, man. Reminds me too much of a neighborhood I used to live in, too much old dusty crap. This place just ain’t right, man. And I came all the way to New York for this—”

“Okay, Tyler, I get it.”

“A freaking nuclear holocaust, the land that time forgot. And I don’t believe they paid all the light bills, it’s too damn dark down here.”

I giggled as Tyler led me around a stack of old furniture.

Mom couldn’t resist letting her sage wisdom flow. She stepped backward then leaned to reach my ears. “He ought to be ashamed of himself, keeping this establishment in this condition. The nerve of him, bringing us down here to this dusty storage area for things they don’t want. Well, he can have our bills from the cleaners.”

The hard pounding inside my chest eased after teasing with Tyler and listening to Mom. Funny how opposites combined to lighten my anxiety—a disgruntled mom and a total hottie boyfriend gave me another chance to forget that I was supposed to be in Egypt.

 

 

Did you always wanted to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a tendency of wanting to put my own words on homemade cards and things of that nature. It wasn’t long before I became the residential expert on putting together, poems and speeches. From there, my love for words grew into becoming a reader.

Other than writing or some other form of creative expression, my career choices were income based. I found that even though I provided good service to my employers, peace came with my written expression, whether it was the joy of congratulating someone or the tension of getting out hurt feelings.

When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?

I caught a glimpse of feeling like a writer when many years ago, I wrote an inspirational book called Seeking the Mind Releaser. During that time, the self-publishing route was unheard of for any serious author. With my trusty electric typewriter humming, I whacked out the book and sent partial manuscript copies to agents and publishers that represented those kinds of book. After more rejections than my little novice heart could handle, I retreated back into my world of careers to make my mortgage, if you know what I mean.

It was around 2010, when a personal crisis had taken its toll on my mental stability that I finally put it together: writing down my thought, feelings, and ideas distressed me and more importantly, brought happiness.

How long did it take to get your first book published?

The first draft for my debut novel, Blood Melt, was completed in about four months. No respectable budding author releases a first draft. Overall it took eight months to hammer on flesh into Blood Melt. Since its release in 2012, I am working on a second edition that will begin with the drop dead gorgeous, warrior alien, Lutalo, on his home world of Amarka. I plan to beef up the romance between Lutalo and Avani and do a name change. Keep in touch for more details on this project

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?

My latest Book is Egyptian Moon – Book 1 - Return

Megan Smart has to adapt to college life while resisting reincarnation. Her ancient Egyptian soul is determined to RETURN.

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?

The length of time for me to complete a book from idea to completion is subjected to so many variables such as:

1. How much do I know about the subject; this could add to or take away from the amount of research time needed.
2. How many other projects I have in the queue.
3. My personal timetable on when I plan to release
4. What is transpiring in my personal life with family and friends.
5. Having made all these points, I try to focus on, no more than six months for a book around seventy thousand words.

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?

I am on a never ending journey into the worlds of sci-fi / fantasy and all things paranormal. I write in several genres (Children, Teens/Young Adult, and New adult). This year, I plan to release the sequels to Sadie Mae Stevens, and Egyptian Moon. I’m also working on short stories that I will be rolling out continuously throughout the year. Most will be FREE to subscribers to my blog and inexpensive if purchased on Amazon. The two short story series that I’m presently working on are: Ghost Stories Unlimited and Monster Mates. All are welcome to visit my Blog for new and exciting FREE flash fiction and updates on my shenanigans.  www.scififantasyfiction.com

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Reviews Are A Writer’s Best Friend

 

What genre would you place your books into?

Egyptian Moon is Paranormal Romance, written in the New Adult category. A quick understanding of a New Adult book refers to the college years, a time of drama, tons of work from college professors, frat parties, and intimate scenes. Egyptian Moon is not erotica, but it is intended for ages eighteen and up.

What makes the book so unique is that it brings the foreboding twist of reincarnation and all that this paranormal activity entails, right onto a college campus. Imagine how Megan Smart freaks when on a pre-college family trip to New York City, she touched an artifact that awakens a memory inside her. Now, Megan is terrified and scheduled to leave home to attend the same college that her hottie quarterback boyfriend, Tyler, attends.

On the edge of losing her normally shy and reserved personality, two strangers seem to be stalking her—one dark and mysterious that she cannot resist, one with teal eyes and cinnamon hair, both having their own purposes in mind.

Megan is caught with the dark eyed stranger and fears she’ll lose her friends and Tyler too. The plot thickens as the reader is taken deeper into the realm of reincarnation. Imagine Megan’s dilemma as she battles against an element not made of flesh and blood, a powerful entity determined to reshape Megan’s God-given life into what it wants. With every level of personality change, Megan knows that the clock is ticking against her and that she might lose the image of herself at any second. Complete with heightened dramatic scenes, some language and adult scenes, Egyptian Moon is not your everyday New Adult read.

What made you decide to write that genre of book?

While I enjoy writing for children, teens, and young adults, I find that I also like to spice it up and writing love scenes and using shocking words, even though what I consider as shocking words are not to most. When I write in the New Adult category of the Romance genre, it is strictly intended for my more mature audiences.

Do you have a favorite character from your books? And why are they your favorite?

It’s hard for me as the writer to say who my favorite character might be in any particular book as they all have a unique place inside the pages. I am always curious to know which character catches my reader’s interest. It is then that I know I’ve breathed life into them. For instance, this review about a supporting character in Egyptian Moon gave me a sense of accomplishment…

Goodreads Reviewer’s Character Comment

This novel was very readable. I read most of it in one sitting and I wasn't bored the whole time. I really like Miller's writing style. She didn't go overboard with purple prose or anything like that.

I also adored Megan's roommate from the south. She was adorable and very likable. I wish that she had been the main character because she is so interesting and funny. I liked all her sayings and I might read some of the later books in the series just so I can see what happens to her.

 

Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?

When I am wrapping up my last manuscript draft, I close the door to my office that also doubles as the family room—no one in and I can’t come out. If I am on a first draft where I know editing is to come, I’m usually okay with the television being on and family and friend in the room.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?

I absolutely keep up with and read all my book reviews. I have found out that readers can help a writer improve although some comments a writer may want to place on a shelf. Reviews keep me abreast on how well I am getting my message across, how strong my plot might be, and what are flaws to work on. The way I analyze it is keeping tab on Amazon’s comparison of how many people said similar things about my book (s). An isolated comment I may ignore, but if I’m reading the same comments over and over, my ears stand at attention.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?

I usually start out with some kind of fitting title, always trying not to get too attached to it in the event the story calls for a change. Sometimes the title may remain the same, but if the characters and events take an unforeseen fork in the developmental road, I am not opposed to changing my title. It’s all about how the book decides to write itself, sound strange but it’s true.

How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?

My mind travels to what I know before research or interview. Having been raised in the South, Savannah, Georgia to be exact, I believe my thoughts instinctively go to aged oak trees dripping in moss, charming historic river fronts, cobblestone streets and country roads. This type of scenery fits well with the sci-fi/ fantasy/paranormal genres/categories I enjoy writing.

As far as characters and their names: after I know what the story is all about and who will do what to whom, the name fit the sweetness or dastardly nature they will become. Names are also subject to change if the story changes it’s route, doubles back and then fly upward to the sky.

Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?

I outline the way I believe the story will unfold. Nine times out of ten, the story will veer off into another form, however, writers must make assumption to even get started. Characters will also undergo metamorphosis as I add flesh to their dry bones. Sometimes, if I am writing a character that is a certain age, I’ll bounce a name or two off of a person in that same age range.

A first draft is just what the name implies; look out for the second, third, and forth because they may not look like the same story. In search of the ultimate character name, personality, motive, and role all plays into that name.

Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")

I find that I do write with lessons and moral, hopefully hidden well enough that it does not blaze at first glance. Although, at times I want my moralistic message to blaze: such as in my new release FREE ebook – Think And Grow Dead.

Michael Henson the third needs to be taught a lesson and by the end of the story, the message rings loudly for all to applaud.

As far as Egyptian Moon and morals, I would say that other than a moral, Egyptian Moon – Return encourages one that when attacks come, don’t roll over and pay dead. When life attacked her, Megan Smart had to learn how to attack back.

 

 

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Max W. Miller was born in Savannah, Georgia, but has lived in North Carolina with her husband and two children for many years. She comes from a large family with eight siblings who have also experienced supernatural encounters.

Max enjoys writing science fiction, fantasy, and all things paranormal because she believes that we have three distinct parts to our being—body, mind and spirit (soul), and that other life forms in other realms are just as real as we are. In her writing, Max uses popular fantasy, science fiction and paranormal topics such as aliens, ghosts, and witches, and expresses them in a way that is highly entertaining and thought provoking.

Website and Blog http://www.scififantasyfiction.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/maxwmiller

FB Fanpage - http://www.facebook.com/MaxWMiller

Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/maxwmiller

Author Central for ALL Books - http://amzn.com/e/B009PEW2BW

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6451028.Max_W_Miller