So often an author is asked about their origins in writing. “How old were you when you first started?” “What brought you to your genre?”

Romantic Suspense attracted me long before I even had a grasp for what the subject matter represented. I can remember watching Scooby Doo with a sense of fear and anticipation over the ghosts and monsters, and at the same time, I would fantasize about what a nice couple Fred and Daphne made. Granted, as I grew older, I faced the fact that Daphne was intellectually challenged, and Fred wasn’t exactly the hero of the show…the dog was. In that naïve state of childhood, however, I was enthralled with the blend of danger and romance that Scooby Doo had to offer.

As a tween-ager, I moved onto the mystique of the gothic romance. Authors such as Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart, and yes, particularly the Bronte sisters captivated me. In my spare time I doodled my own gothic romance book covers because I thought they were as captivating as the books themselves. Using black construction paper and a white colored pencil, I sketched a woman in a white gown astride a white stallion, both creatures trapped in the moonlight. As admirable as that sounds, it is fortunate for the world that I chose to write instead of becoming an illustrator!

Then into my full teenage-mode, I played clarinet in the marching band. Not much from the romantic suspense genre can be derived from that except to say that those were the years I learned I wanted to write. Classes like Honors English and Creative Writing were just stepping stones to the inevitable.

In ENDLESS NIGHT you will see an infusion of my roots. Wakefield House, the sinister mansion perched on the cliffs evokes images of the haunted house in the opening credits of Scooby Doo. The cover, thanks to the wonderful talent of Angela Waters captures what I always tried to achieve with my white colored pencil and black construction paper. A woman in peril is poised on the cliffs, pinned by the moonlight with the portent of danger close at hand. I thrive on the same atmosphere I have since childhood.

Megan Summers, the heroine of ENDLESS NIGHT, I am proud to say is significantly more intelligent than Daphne−no disrespect to the cartoon character. And Jake Grogan…well Jake Grogan was written by a woman, not a nine year old girl. He is all man!

Neither character plays the clarinet.

Are there external influences that factor in what you choose to read? Do you pick up a book because it reminds you of something you enjoyed in your childhood?

I want to first add a hearty congratulations to my release-mates this week, Jennifer Greene and Marcelle Dube.
And for our readers today, I will be giving away a free copy of ENDLESS NIGHT to a random commenter!

ENDLESS NIGHT

A woman hiding from her identity. A man trying to find his.

After witnessing a murder, Megan Summers ran until she reached the remote coastal village of Victory Cove. She has a new name, but she knows it’ s only a matter of time before the murderer catches up with her.
Jake Grogan has come to town to unravel the mystery of his heritage. Instead of finding his grandmother at Wakefield House, he discovers an attractive stranger who will do anything to get him off her doorstep. Trapped by a storm, he’ s forced to stay the night with Megan—a woman who keeps a handgun under her bed and closes herself off from the outside world.

Jake tries to dig deeper into his past, but he’ s distracted by his fear for Megan’ s safety and his growing feelings for her. Danger is drawing near and he’ ll do anything to keep her safe. Will it be enough to help them survive the endless night?

Excerpt

“You’re hiding from me, Margaret.”

Megan clutched the phone and slid to her knees, the tremors in her limbs rendering them useless.

“It’s only a matter of time.” His voice had the sinister resonance of an executioner uttering the words, any last requests?

Cradled in Megan’s lap, the GLOCK felt heavy against her thigh as her uncooperative fingers gripped the handle.

“You can’t live, Margaret.”

Those raspy words incited her very obliging finger to loop through the trigger.

“I know this cell phone is being forwarded, Maggie. That poses only a slight inconvenience.”

A low hum of static filled her ear, similar to the sound of an electrical tower. She tried to place the sound. Did it divulge his location in any way? Was he close? Panic wormed into her throat, preventing her from responding, although being mute was the best option. Any response would have been confirmation that he had located her, and she wouldn’t give him that one triumph.

“It took some doing to even locate this number.” His chuckle was oppressive. “But if I had killed you that night, then I would have missed out on all this fun.”

Megan’s teeth bit down on her lower lip to contain her scream. She tasted blood.

“Sleep tight, Maggie. I will see you soon.”

Author Bio

Certain that her destiny was to become a writer, Maureen Miller’s life nonetheless took a different course. As a programmer in an industry that required constant travel, during layovers Maureen sought escape by writing exotic tales. Listening to the airport speaker rattle off another flight delay, Maureen rattled off another romantic suspense novel.
Her first book, Widow’s Tale, was nominated for a Golden Heart Award by the Romance Writers of America. A fan of gothic romance, Maureen enjoys the formula of danger, romance and inclement weather. Although there is no accounting for her book, Rogue Wave, which basks in the Hawaiian sun.

Website: www.maureenamiller.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MaureenAMiller
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