Debut Print Book: Hiding His Witness by C. J. Miller
I’ve had some concerns by readers who are primarily print readers that the coverage at Dear Author has been too focused on ebooks. When I asked the readers what they were interested in seeing, they responded that they would like to know more about print debut authors. We developed a little questionnaire and every Wednesday at 10:00 AM CST (as long as we have content) we’ll post the questionnaire answers along with links to the author’s site and a buy link to her book. I hope this helps people discovery new books. Now, on to the answers.
Name of debut release: Hiding His Witness
Release date: 09/01/2012
Publisher: Harlequin
2 sentence summary: A woman on the run from her former lover witnesses a crime and the detective assigned to her case must keep her safe from the two men who want her dead – a deranged serial killer and her ex, the head of an organized crime family.
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Characters: Runaway using the alias Carey Smith and Reilly Truman, a detective with sharp protective instincts.
What makes this story different: The heroine takes a great personal risk to help someone else and puts herself in danger to help stop a serial killer. Her risk leads to her happily ever after.
Is this a series?: This is the first book of what I hope to be three connected stories.
Why you wrote this book: I like the idea of a witness who had her own secrets to hide being paired with a detective who lives to uncover the truth.
Why is this your first published book? How many did you write before? I have at least 16 completed manuscripts, some written before and some after I submitted Hiding His Witness. This book had great chemistry between the characters and a conflict that kept the book humming at a quick pace.
What’s your writing process? I start with an idea from my everyday life and wrap a story around it. I draft an outline that changes dramatically over the course of writing and I work with a critique partner to hammer out details and fill plot holes. I write 6 days a week, at least an hour each day, most days longer.
Your next published book. I have a book on submission with Harlequin, working title Suspect Reunion, which is a second chances romance featuring an artist under suspicion for murder and her former boyfriend, a Special Ops pararescueman.
The last book you read that you loved. 1105 Yakima Street by Debbie Macomber, which is part of her Cedar Cove series. While I am writing a new story, I prefer to read outside romantic suspense, so my voice doesn’t get mixed with what I’m reading. I save RS for revisions
The last book you read for research. Inside SEAL Team Six: My life and missions with America’s Elite Warriors by Ralph Pezzullo and Don Mann. The book is an excellent read and provided an incredible amount of information for a suspense writer. I’ve read a number of romantic suspense novels about Navy SEALs and this book opened my eyes to elements of the lifestyle I’d never considered.
The romance book character you most identify with. Alyssa Locke from Hot Pursuit. Alyssa is also a secondary character in some of Suzanne Brockman’s other Troubleshooter series books. Alyssa is the wife of a strong man and a devoted mother, and she works hard to be good at what she does and find balance between her career and her family. She’s a professional and doesn’t play helpless when a situation turns difficult. She handles herself and her work, and tries to be a good friend and supportive colleague. I aspire to be as well-rounded.
You can check out more about C. J. Miller and her books at http://cj-miller.com
