GIVE ME A REASON - Chapter One

Monday, June 11, 2018
Sneak Peek at Chapter One of GIVE ME A REASON!


Remy and Oliver have been best friends forever.
Now they want more.
But they're running out of time.
Preorder Give Me A Reason (a stand-alone) now!!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HB7L9e
B&N: https://bit.ly/2JqYxT9
KOBO: https://bit.ly/2kYt9wt
iBooks: https://apple.co/2LIFbFo

Give Me A Reason
by Jennifer Miller



Chapter One


One summer evening ten years ago, my mom told me a story.  The memory of that night is so vivid yet delicate; it’s like I can reach out and touch it.  But it would flutter away if I did so.  It had been a miserably hot summer day, but mother nature inevitably took pity when the sun set - the evening was beautiful.  Our windows were open and the crickets outside were singing their mating song while fireflies flickered in the sky.  A soft gentle breeze whisked away the remnants of heat from the day. 
Secretly, I was happy to be home with my mom that night as opposed to hanging out with my friends at yet another stupid party.  Part of me had wanted to be with them, if only for the chance to see what Oliver, my next-door neighbor and the boy I secretly loved, was up to.  Aware that usually only led to heartbreak, I knew I made the right decision choosing instead to remain home. 
My mom had made spaghetti dinner that night, which I hastily and voraciously devoured, her homemade robust sauce my favorite.  Simmering all day, it had made my mouth water as the aroma permeated our small home.  I recall standing side-by-side washing the dishes in our small sink, happily satiated, laughing at bubbles flying in the air.  When we were finished she dried her hands then reached in the drawer of her small writing desk for paper and pens.  I recall her turning to me with them in her hand and a smile on her face.
Let’s make lists together, Remy!”
“You and your lists, mom,” I roll my eyes while grabbing a dishtowel out of the drawer and hiding a smile as I turn away.  My mom’s lists are a staple in our home, so much so if she quit making them, I’d immediately be suspect.  Or I’d wonder what alien had inhabited her body.  She makes one for everything - groceries, tasks she needs to accomplish, packing, donations, movies she wants to see, personal and professional goals – you name it.  She doesn’t just write them out, she keeps them in notebooks lying around the house.  Pick any of them up and flip the pages and you’re likely to find a few.  I’ve also found them on post-it notes, on the back of envelopes, small note pads, and once on the back of my homework.  She thought it was an old paper – that didn’t go over well.
Ignoring my comment she sits a piece of paper in front of me as I sit down at our small glass table.  “Here’s one for you and one for me,” she holds out a pen for me to take.   
“What list do you need now?”
“Just humor me, okay?  I know you’re sixteen and too cool for school, but this will be good.”
“Did you just say ‘too cool for school’?”
Now it’s her turn to roll her eyes at me, “I’ll take lessons on being cool from you later, okay?”
Laughing, I poise my pen over my paper expectantly.  “Okay, fine.  Just promise you’ll never say that in front of my friends.” 
“Deal,” she says laughing.  “So, I read an article in a magazine when I was waiting to get my oil changed the other day.  It stated that having goals in our lives are incredibly important.  They help us have long-term vision and short-term motivation.  So basically, it got me thinking.  I’d like us to make a list like the one I read about, but I’m adding my own twist.  I’d like to call it a list of reasons.  It’s kind of like a bucket list of sorts… but more.”  
“A bucket list?  I’ve heard of that before.  A list of things you want to do, right?”  
The memory plays out like a movie in my mind.  I can see her bright smile, the way her hair framed her face, how her eyes twinkled with excitement.  My heart aches with memory.  
“Yes, exactly.  Well for this list I want you to write down goals you have, dreams you have, anything and everything you would like to do in your life.  This isn’t just any list so be mindful of what you capture.   This is an important list.  This will become your list of reminders, a list full of reasons that can keep us going when times get hard.  The items on this list are those things that deeply move you, that excite you, that call out to you to accomplish, to experience, to conquer.  Whenever we need to remind ourselves of our goals, our purpose, or need a self-motivation boost, we’ll pull out this list.  So think hard and large - I don’t want you to limit yourself.”
“Okay, what’s an example?  What is something you’ll put down?”
Somehow her smile manages to turn brighter, she looks as if she has a secret and it automatically makes me smile too. “One of the things I’m going to put down is that someday I want to see the ocean.  I want to feel the sand between my toes, the hot sun on my skin and to taste the salty sea on my lips when I go for a swim.”
“That’s a good one.  I would love to do that too.”
“I also hope to be brave enough to go skydiving someday.  Oh, and to pet a llama.”
“Pet a llama?  Skydiving?”  I laugh, “Who are you and what have you done with my mother?”
“Very funny.  Your mom has dreams too, ones you have no idea about and things you may not even be able to imagine.” 
            “Apparently.” I still don’t understand her desire to pet a llama, but I can get on board with it.  “Why is this important to you?  You know, other than the fact that this is a new list you can add to your growing collection?”
“Oh, hush,” she smiles and then puts her paper and pen aside to look into my eyes.  “I’m going to tell you a quick story I read once that I think will help you understand, okay?”
“Okay.”
“There once was a burning woman walking in a field.  Blooming beauty was all around her - lush trees and fragrant flowers - she didn’t notice any of it though.  Constant were her worries of the potential threat of rain, wind and the constant movement of time that could make her fire cease to burn – for without it – she would be no more.  Her worries overcame her and she began to cry, her tears making her glowing fire sizzle and dim.”
I watch her speak, her hands moving as she tells the story.
“Suddenly out of nowhere right in front of her appeared a telephone.  Startled by its presence it took her a moment to see the sign above it that read, ‘Telephone to God – ask anything.’  Head swimming with questions and curiosity she tentatively picked up the phone and to her surprise it immediately began to ring.” 
Unable to help myself I lean forward in my seat, eager to hear what happens next.  “Was it God?” I ask.
She nods, “The voice on the other end said, ‘Yes, my child, how may I help you?’ God himself answers and asks. 
Many questions ran through Burning Woman’s mind, but one was prominent.  She wondered if God would help her put out her fire for good and take her home.  She knew it would mean the end of her existence, but it would also be the end of her constant turmoil as well.  Other questions fought to be asked as well – things like could God keep her fire burning forever?  Would he if he could?  If she lived, could she ever find peace and contentment?  Would she be able to love, know happiness, true joy?  Could she have a family?  Though she wondered about them all, none of those questions left her mouth.
Instead she found herself asking, ‘How can I calm my fears enough to remember to live in the moment?  I fear my fire will continue to simmer instead of flare and the constant worry will make me never be able to enjoy life or take notice of the world and its beauty around me.  This is no way to live.’”
“It was almost as if the Burning Woman could hear God’s smile over the phone. ‘Breathe.  Just breathe, my child.’  Angry at God’s advice, Burning Woman begins to reply angrily, but before she can God adds, ‘Whenever you feel yourself getting anxious – whenever you fail to see the beauty I’ve created because you’re enveloped in worry and fear  – just breathe.’”
“I don’t know if I can,” Burning Woman fears.
“You must,” God states firmly. 
“Give me a reason.” Burning Woman insists stubbornly.
“’Because, I love you, because you matter, because I have a plan for you,” God states simply and with that advice, the phone disconnects.
I could feel how large my eyes were in my face.  I’m not sure how I would have felt about receiving that advice.  “I think the Burning Woman’s anger was justified.”
My mom just smiles and continues, “Burning Woman hung up the phone and instead of the initial anger she had felt, uncertainty and despair were the emotions she battled.  Worry and fear washed through her in an uncontrollable forceful wave that made her gasp.  The flames of her fire began to tamper more than ever.  She started to panic, she started to give in, but suddenly, she heard God’s voice in her mind once more giving her instructions.  Slowly but surely faith and hope began to push back the worry and fear.  Before she could think twice, she closed her eyes and did as she was told - she inhaled.  She inhaled, once, twice, three times…”
“What happened?” I ask my mother anxiously.
“When her eyes opened, her mouth did as well in shock.  It had begun to rain and instead of being frightened at the sight, she felt wonder.  Her fire was burning brighter and higher than ever before.  The simple act of hope and faith made her fire roar even in the rain.”
“How?” I ask bewildered.
My mom’s smile becomes radiant, “What does a fire need to burn, Remy?”
Brows in a furrow, it takes me a moment to understand.  When I do, my smile is wide, “Oxygen.”
She nods, “Oxygen.  As soon as Burning Woman stopped worrying she was able to live in the moment.  She could breathe.  She was able to exist in the here and now instead of wrestling with unknown possibilities.  It’s important, Remy, that when we get stuck in life’s attempts to make us lose hope - when we get caught up in the past or fret over the future - that we have reasons to fight against those feelings. Writing them down will allow us to tangibly see all the reasons we have to keep going and remind us of all the things in life we want to accomplish – all we want to do, see, feel or whatever the case may be.  It’s important that we stop, breathe and live in the here and now.  It’s all too easy to get caught up in things that may never happen – to borrow trouble. We will always have worries and fears, but if we give into them they’ll start dimming the fire we have within, and we’ll lose sight of all we have to appreciate around us.”
“Wow.  I like that story,” I tell her. 
“Me too,” she reaches out and touches my cheek with love and tenderness.  “That’s why you and I are going to write a list of reasons, Remy.  The places we want to go, the things we want to see and experience… those are our reasons for pushing through the tough times.  When we are having trouble, when our fires are simmering, it will be a good reminder for us.”  She trails off and her pen begins to move across her paper as she starts on her own list. 
A tear runs down my cheek remembering her words and the story she told that night.  We had no idea that in a year’s time, life would throw us such a horrendous curveball that we would practically forget all about those lists.  We had no idea how hard hope and faith would be to hold onto, or that the next few years would be full of pain, fear, suffering and constant worry.  Or at least that’s how it was for me; her story may have been a bit different.  That night, we ended up spending the rest of the evening making those lists.  We wrote them, read them aloud, laughed together over our dreams and wishes, and weren’t afraid to share and speak them no matter how trite or imaginative. 
That night, we gave each other another reason.



COPYRIGHT© Jennifer Miller 2018 

Read Across America Giveaway

Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Today is Read Across America Day!  I've teamed up with ten other authors to offer you a cool giveaway!  One winner will be selected to win an ebook from each of us, as well as a $110 Amazon gift card!  Follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter to enter.  Contest runs through March 5th.  Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal for Jennifer Miller's Fighting Envy

Thursday, March 5, 2015
Today is the cover reveal for Jennifer Miller's upcoming novel, Fighting Envy.  

Fighting Envy is the first book in her new series, The Deadly Sins Series. In each novel, a main character will deal with one of the seven deadly sins.  The first novel introduces you to seven men in the MMA that will each potentially have their own story.  

Here is the blurb for Fighting Envy - Some people get a tattoo - a piece of art that enhances or reveals something about them that they like.  Other people, like me, are branded by something - actions or words.  "No one will ever love you, you're not worthy."  Those are the words that created my blemish, my scar, my mark upon my soul.  They were words whispered by the woman who should have loved me most.  But in the darkest moment of my life, one where I stood abandoned and alone, one man proved to me that she was wrong.  

When I desperately needed someone, MMA fighter Jackson Stone crashed into my life.  He wasn't the one who should have been there, but he was exactly the person I needed  He believed that only fools live in the past.  He showed me that a real relationship is full of dreams, faith, trust and passion.  He taught me that love is worth fighting for - even when it's unexpected and more of a collision of hearts and souls.  He proved that the wrong man at the right moment can heal everything. 

And now, here is the cover of Fighting Envy which is due to release April 13, 2015  Add it to your Goodreads book shelf https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25065526-fighting-envy 






Author Jennifer Miller was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois but now calls Arizona home.  Her love of reading began when she was a small child, and only continued to grow as she entered adulthood.  Ever since winning a writing contest at the young age of nine, when she wrote a book about a girl with a pet unicorn, she’s dreamed of writing a book of her own.  The important lesson she learned about dreams is that they don’t just fall into your lap – you have to chase them yourself.  Most importantly, she is a wife and mother, and is very lucky to have a family that loves and supports her in all things.  She also has an unhealthy addiction to handbags and chocolate covered strawberries, neither of which she cares to work on.  For more information about Jennifer Miller, please visit www.jennifermillerwrites.com





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Have you read Whispering Wishes yet??

Thursday, June 19, 2014
Unless you are living under a rock, you probably noticed that Whispering Wishes is now available for purchase :)  I say that because I've of course been posting about it like crazy.  I have gotten behind with my blogging though, so I decided an AVAILABLE NOW post is long over due :)

If you have read Whispering Wishes, please consider leaving me a review on Amazon and/or Barnes & Noble.  A common misconception about reviews is that they have to be long and involved and very serious, but honestly that couldn't be further from the truth.  One to two sentences that wrap up your thoughts are just fine too!  Allow me to give you examples...

"Whispering Wishes was the funniest book I have ever read.  This is a must-read!"

"Have you met Wes yet?  What are you waiting for?  Holy swoon batman!"

"I laughed so hard I peed.  Seriously.  You have to read this."

Okay, so I know, I am biased but really... please leave me a quick review telling me your thoughts.  It doesn't take long and it helps me out so much!  When you're an Indie author for some reason, getting those reviews are tough!  Anyway, your support as always means so much to me!

Hope you all are well!  I'm getting ready to head to the beach next week.  I'm so excited!!!  I swear the ocean soothes my soul in a way nothing else can.  I can't wait to be reunited with the beach, it's been too long!

In case you need them, here is the link for purchasing WW!


Amazon - http://amzn.to/1m2lUP6
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/1k2YM1S


COVER REVEAL

Monday, May 5, 2014
I'm so so so so excited to share with you the cover of my good friend Gypsy Rae Choszer's first novel.  I've been fortunate enough to be there while she wrote her novel and I couldn't be more proud of my friend!

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For Avery Montgomery, the devastation of losing her parents in a tragic accident has left her completely shattered. As she begins to pick up the pieces of her once perfect life, she uncovers a secret that will forever change her—she’s adopted! In a search for answers, Avery ventures to Portland where she rents a room from Jonah, a quirky artist who quickly becomes her best friend. His house puts her in close proximity to the metaphysical shop run by her birth mother, the free-spirited Marianna Hutchins. Avery enters The Crystal Moon fully intending to confront Marianna, but instead she chickens out and inquires about a job. She's hired; yet remains leery about confessing her secret. As Avery settles into town, she has an embarrassing encounter with Gabe, the incredibly attractive man who works a few doors down. Despite the awkward introduction, there is undeniable chemistry, but after a recent heartbreak all he’s looking for is friendship. Everyone deserves a second chance. Will Avery get hers with a new family? Will Gabe allow himself a second chance at love? Will they embrace their new relationships, or will they simply decide to take a rain check?
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Gypsy Rae Choszer grew up in valley below Mount Timpanogos where she watched the apricot trees in her backyard bloom every spring. When she was eighteen she packed her bags and ran away to the exotic locale of Mesa Arizona to begin the work of being an adult.
Gypsy’s love of reading began as a child when her mom would take her to their local library and let her bring home stacks of whatever she wanted.
In her spare time she likes to explore photography, make jewelry, and eat chocolate.
When she’s not writing, you can find Gypsy hanging out at home with her husband and best friend, their three children, a neurotic dog, and four chickens. However, Gypsy knows her family will not be complete until she brings home a peacock and a goat.
https://twitter.com/GypsyRaeWrites
https://www.facebook.com/gypsyraewrites
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https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21802453-rain-check 
https://twitter.com/GypsyRaeWrites 
https://www.facebook.com/gypsyraewrites 

Gypsy Rae Choszer grew up in valley below Mount Timpanogos where she watched the apricot trees in her backyard bloom every spring. When she was eighteen she packed her bags and ran away to the exotic locale of Mesa Arizona to begin the work of being an adult. Gypsy’s love of reading began as a child when her mom would take her to their local library and let her bring home stacks of whatever she wanted. In her spare time she likes to explore photography, make jewelry, and eat chocolate. When she’s not writing, you can find Gypsy hanging out at home with her husband and best friend, their three children, a neurotic dog, and four chickens. However, Gypsy knows her family will not be complete until she brings home a peacock and a goat.

Communication is Important!

Sunday, April 27, 2014
I loved the sermon at church this morning - it was about communication.  We all know how important communication is, but the reminders were so wonderful.  While the focus was on communication in a marriage, the seven myths about communication that he shared, are great reminders for any relationship including ones with your friends and family.

It resonated with me so much that I thought I would share them because who doesn't need a good reminder?

  1. Myth - In healthy relationships there is no fighting. - Truth - Healthy relationships fight fair.
  2. Myth - All is fair in a good fight.  Truth - Productive conflict has boundaries.
  3. Myth - Everything is worth fighting over.  Truth - Wisdom means picking your battles carefully.
  4. Myth - A long memory is a useful weapon.  Truth - Keeping short accounts eases resolution.
  5. Myth - You should never have a disagreement in front of your kids.  Truth - Kids are better served by being taught how to resolve conflict.
  6. Myth - Saying you're sorry is a sign of weakness.  Truth - Saying you're sorry is a sign of maturity.
  7. Myth - If I'm right, I should fight until the bitter end.  Truth - If you fight to the bitter end, you'll arrive at the bitter end.
You may be asking yourself... what does this have to do with books?  My answer?  Nothing.  Some of you mentioned wanting to get to know me as a person better - what better way than sharing random things that are on my mind or things I learn?  So take those things or leave them, but I thought it was great advice.  One of the number one causes of broken marriages or friendships is lack of communication and misunderstandings.  I thought all of these were really wonderful reminders and it's on my mind today.  

I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday.  I need to finish some beta comments on Whispering Wishes, but then I think curling up with a good book sounds fabulous!

To add my upcoming novel, Whispering Wishes to your to-be-read shelf on Goodreads, click HERE
To order a copy of Pretty Little Lies, click HERE
To order a copy of Pretty Little Dreams, click HERE
To follow me on Twitter, click HERE
Like my author page on Facebook, HERE
Friend me on Facebook HERE
Follow my Pinterest boards HERE  

To visit my website, click HERE 

Cover Reveal BREATHLESS BEGINNINGS

Wednesday, April 16, 2014
I am super excited to share with you the cover for BREATHLESS BEGINNINGS!  
Ten amazing authors have come together to give you ten full length novels that will leave you breathless!  Releasing April 21st for only .99!!!!  You aren't going to want to miss this!



Title: Breathless Beginnings
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 21, 2014

Fall in love from the beginning! 

10 Breathless Romances for only .99 cents! Available for a Limited Time Only! Regular Price $4.99. 


Sexy, romantic, and full of hot alpha males! This box set features the first books in 10 different series by popular New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble bestselling authors. These enticing books will leave you excited, flushed, and breathless for more.




Pamela Ann - Scornfully Yours 
M. Clarke - Something Great
Jennifer Domenico - Turn Towards the Sun
L.P. Dover - Love, Lies and Deception
Destiny Ford - The Devil Drinks Coffee
Cambria Hebert - Tempt
Jennifer Miller - Pretty Little Lies
Hilary Storm - In A Heartbeat
Ashley Suzanne - Mirage
Breena Wilde - Blurred Lines, Volumes 1-4



Pamela Ann:

M. Clarke



Jennifer Domenico:

L.P. Dover:

Destiny Ford:

Cambria Hebert: 

Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambriahebert
Cambria’s website: http://www.cambriahebert.com

Jennifer Miller:

Jennifer's Website - http://www.jennifermillerwrites.com/ 




Hilary Storm: 


Ashley Suzanne: 


Breena Wilde: