Significant Price Drop ~ THE FLOWER GIRLS

Over the past two years I’ve had a blast visiting local book clubs to answer questions about THE FLOWER GIRLS. I loved the book signings I held at two fantastic coffee roasters and the library talk I gave. Readers have amazed me by capturing dozens of shots of my book with their favorite blossoming flowers.

I’m thrilled with the reception THE FLOWER GIRLS has received. For this reason, and many others, I’m significantly dropping the price for a limited time.

THE FLOWER GIRLS is only 99 cents right now.

Buy your Kindle copy today! Tell your family & friends.

*meet you back here May 16th

Need Something to Read?

It’s been awhile since I’ve highlighted my books here. 

Here are four you can order on Amazon 

(plus the anthology I was featured in). 

Hope you’ll check them out.

The Disappearing Key 

Gabrielle Bivane never expected parenting a teenager would be this hard, but she never expected stillborn Oriana to live to see fourteen, either. The night of Oriana's birth, Gabrielle and her husband Roy fused their genetic and engineering geniuses to bring back all that was lost to them—at a cost. 

The secret must be kept. 

Oriana Bivane senses she’s not like the other girls her age, but the time has come for her to change all that. She’s tired of secrets, but does she confide in the wrong person? 

The life-giving key, suddenly missing, must be found. 

Reviews for The Disappearing Key

Wendy Paine Miller's novella The Disappearing Key is a mesmerizing, plot-twisting page-turner from the first sentence to the last. Part mystery, part drama, the story's suspenseful plot and intriguing characters will keep you on your toes and turning the pages, eager to find out what will happen next. The Disappearing Key will have you reading late into the night and leave you pondering the mysteries of miracles, faith, medicine and science long after you read the last word. 
 - Michelle DeRusha, author of Spiritual Misfit: A Memoir of Uneasy Faith 

I read this in one sitting. That's rare for me. But I needed to know what happened. The story was compelling and very intriguing. I look forward to seeing more from Ms. Miller! 

–Susie Finkbeiner, author of Paint Chips

The Flower Girls

Imagine staring into the face of a loved one with no recollection of who they are. Every person a stranger. Daisy O’Reilly's inability to recognize faces, a cognitive disorder resulting from a childhood accident, causes her to rely heavily upon her twin sister, Poppy. Perhaps too much so. Overwhelmed by Daisy’s needs, Poppy anticipates the freedom her upcoming wedding will bring—a chance to relinquish her obsessive worries about Daisy and escape the clutches of guilt from one hazy day when the girls were seven. When they were still invincible. With a thriving floral photography career but a floundering love life, Daisy questions how strong she will be on her own. And who she might become without Poppy living down the hall or offering a deluge of reminders during each social interaction. But for the O’Reilly sisters to properly let go, they must first understand what they’re holding on to.

 Reviews for The Flower Girls

Alternating between identical twin narrators with tragic secrets between them, Wendy Paine Miller's THE FLOWER GIRLS examines what is means to recognize -- or not recognize ourselves in others. It's a moving contemporary tale of blame, jealousy, longing, and how old scares can finally mend. 
–Susan Schoenberger, award-winning author of A Watershed Year

“Wendy Paine Miller writes with gentle wisdom about the complexities

of family relationships burdened with blame, secrets and loss. A poignant, emotional story about guilt, love, family, and the indestructible ties of sisterhood.

Fans of Kristin Hannah will love THE FLOWER GIRLS!”

–Lisa Verge Higgins, bestselling author of Random Acts of Kindness

The Delicate Nature of Love

Forty-four-year-old Emma Gates hasn't cared about much in life since becoming a widow two years ago. But then she meets the inquisitive and mercurial Zoey Chambers, her next door neighbor.

Who happens to be eleven.

Soon after, Emma is introduced to Colby Havelock, a psychology professor who reaches Emma in ways she didn't think were possible again after Max died. Emma considers the possibility of a new life with Colby. But Colby knows something about Zoey he cannot share. Could the eleven-year-old spark who helped Emma heal also be the fire that drives Colby and Emma apart?

Reviews for The Delicate Nature of Love

Through the irresistible charm of her flawed and fragile characters, Wendy Paine Miller gives us the chance we all need to renew our faith in the healing power of love.

—Kathryn Craft, author of The Art of Falling and The Far End of Happy

The Delicate Nature of Love is a beautiful novel that feels so true to life, readers will no doubt feel touched by the expertly woven story and lyrical writing. I know I do. Lovely story.

—Tina Ann Forkner, author of Waking Up Joy

The Short & Sincere Life of Ellory James

Seventeen-year-old Ellory James has six months to live. To appease her mother, Ellory reluctantly agrees to create a bucket list. She recruits her neighbor, Pete, to help her make it appear as though she’s carrying out ten life-dreams. Ellory is a bucket list faker—until she surprises herself by completing one item on her list and perhaps it’s the most important one of all.

What if life, however long we have left, isn’t so much about the things we do as why we do them--and who we do them with? 

Reviews for The Short & Sincere Life of Ellory James

This heartbreaking, but ultimately uplifting tale will burrow its way into your heart...If you loved The Fault in Our Stars, this book is for you.

–Colleen Oakley, Before I Go

This is The Bucket List meets The Fault in Our Stars. Wonderful premise, lovable (and gutsy) characters...This is the first book I've read by this author but it absolutely won't be the last. –Julie Lawson Timmer, Five Days Left

I love my readers!!!

*My story Disappear is in Tales of Tinfoil

Book Clubs—Still Going Strong

Last week I visited with a group who’d read and discussed my book, The Flower Girls. I took so much away from our conversation. I loved how each member began to open up about their own sibling relationships. It was a complete blast for me to be in on that book club. I’ve been invited into the conversations and dynamics of twenty-six groups over the past two years and it simply never grows old.

I’m also still thoroughly enjoying my time with my own book clubs. I rarely miss. The conversations make me feel alive and the connections spur me on in life.

If it wasn’t obvious already, I’m a huge fan of book clubs. And I’m willing to bet I’ll be saying the same thing forty years from now.

Speaking of book clubs, the next three months would be the perfect time for your book club to choose my latest work, The Short & Sincere Life of Ellory James. It’s a shorter read with an emotional element worth talking about. Please let me know if you’d like me to partake in any way. I like to bring gifts, wine, extra books, and behind-the-scenes insight on the book being discussed. {I’ve Skyped with a handful, too, so I’m open to that as well.}

Let’s go clubbing!

Where in the World is Wendy?

 

Where in the World is Wendy?

Apparently at all the local coffee shops. As you know, books and coffee go together. I know this, too. That’s why I’ve made the rounds at all our fantastic local coffee shops.

 

Here I am at a Q&A book discussion for my book, The Disappearing Key

at Daybreak Coffee Roasters in November.

 

Me again doing a spontaneous “superstar” move at Down to Earth Coffee House last month.

Where will Wendy go next?

So. G Coffee Roasters. I’ll be selling & signing copies of The Disappearing Key & The Flower Girls there 

THIS SATURDAY, August 30^th

from Noon-3pm

 

 

“There's not enough coffee in the world to fuel all the books I want to write.” Chris Stocking

(In other words, my coffee tour very well might just be at its beginning.)

 

Hearts Full of Dew

 

 

 

 

 

“I prefer by far the warmth and softness to

 

 mere brilliancy and coldness. Some people

 

remind me of sharp dazzling diamonds.

 

Valuable but lifeless and loveless. Others, of

 

 the simplest field flowers, with hearts full of

 

dew and with all the tints of celestial beauty

 

reflected in their modest petals.”

 

~  Anaïs Nin

 

*Reminder to let me know if you'd like me to visit with or Skype with your book club. Also, if you've read my latest, THE FLOWER GIRLS, I'd love for you to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads. (Thanks to those who have already done so!) Finally, keep posting those beautiful photos of the cover with the latest blooms and/or THE FLOWER GIRLS on your vacation.

New Ebook Price for THE FLOWER GIRLS & Tagg Is It Today

 

The Flower Girls has a new price ($4.99 for ebook) & I’m thrilled to be visiting Melissa Tagg’s place today sharing which twin in The Flower Girls I identify most with & more!

Hope you’ll click on over!

Not Losing Face

I’ve received a lot of positive feedback about my cover for THE FLOWER GIRLS. First, I have to thank my cover designer, Sarah Thompson. She was phenomenal to work with, quickly catching on to my vision regarding what I wanted the cover to convey. Second, I’m grateful I had a keen understanding of my audience, the theme of THE FLOWER GIRLS, and a strong grasp on the characters. Knowing each of these helped me to pinpoint what type of look I wanted.

I thought long and hard about certain elements before I even began looking for a stock photo to purchase.

I’ve read a few articles suggesting that publishing houses encourage their designers to steer clear of portraying faces on covers because the consensus is that readers like to envision characters without a preconceived image. I get this. But I knew more than anything, despite those articles, I didn’t want to lose face.

Why?

My book is about a woman with face blindness.

Sure I could have gone for the been there/done that back of a woman’s head, but I wanted Daisy to “speak” to women who love reading books about sisters and book club readers, with her expression—to invite them to read her story. And her twin, Poppy’s story.

I knew it the second I saw the photo (after scanning hundreds), bought it quickly, then trusted my cover designer extraordinaire with my vision.

Not only does Daisy’s expression suggest there’s a story to be told, I found the fat Gerber daisy covering her left eye to be quite symbolic. She’s a flower girl, a floral photographer who struggles intensely to distinguish one face from the next. I loved both the feminine appeal of this photo combined with the mystifying nature of it. Also, her hair is red which falls wonderfully in line with her Irish heritage.

Last week, during my virtual launch party someone asked which actress I could envision playing Daisy. Even though my characters come fully alive to me, I tend not to attach them to Hollywood actors without a prompt. I went with my gut and avoided putting too much thought into my answer. Within seconds I settled on Kate Winslet.

A few days later I looked Kate up on Pinterest. Go figure. I really do see Daisy in Kate. Do you?

Do you have any questions about the process of creating a cover? Had you given any thought to the significance of the flower covering Daisy’s eye on the cover before I mentioned it?

 

 *As a side, I thoroughly enjoy hunting for pictures I feel will capture the heart of a book. If you’re an independent author and this is a struggle for you, please feel free to reach out. I’d love to help!

**Also, don't forget to have fun trying out your photography skills when your book arrives (via kindle or paperback). Capture some shots with your favorite budding flowers & post online or send them my way.

A Night I Will Never Forget

A Night I Will Never Forget—Recap of My Virtual Launch Party

Several nights ago I got to be a part of something that I’ll never forget. I hosted a virtual launch on FB and was overjoyed when people from all seasons of my life began showing up. We had a blast. In case you missed it, I want you to feel included, too. Here are some of the questions that were asked and how I answered them…

 
Julia Reffner asked:

Who are some of your favorite authors?

My answer:

Got a second? Lisa Genova. Elizabeth Berg. Liane Moriarty. Barbara Kingsolver. Wally Lamb. Vanessa Diffenbaugh. Anna Quindlen...to name a few.

Sarah Blake asked:

Are there any flowers you don't like? The only flower I don't like...and I mean REALLY don't like, is the Easter Lily because the smell reminds me of funeral homes.

My answer:

Carnations. Blech.

Sarah also asked:

The woman on the cover of your book is a perfect face for Daisy and Poppy BUT if your novel was turned into a movie, what actress would you see portraying them?

My answer:

O my word, that's a good, hard question! Kate Winslet. Went with my first instinct.

 Ashley Clark asked:

How long have you had the dream to write in your heart? Is it turning out the way you expected?

My answer:

Turning out TOTALLY different than I expected & I'm finding that's okay. Sort of like life! ;-) The dream seeded in me in college.

Meg Bauer asked:

What really gets you excited to write? What gets you in your creative mode?

My answer:

A character that I feel deeply for--her story bleeds into mine.

Leesa Freeman asked:

Your baskets are beautiful! I would love to know where you came up with the ideas of what to fill them with.

I had so much fun thinking about what to give away. I made a list of all the things related to the characters in THE FLOWER GIRLS. Then I went to TJ Maxx, my go-to for just about everything.

Abby Shaffer asked:

Do you see any of your children in your fictitious sisters? Or even your own sisters? I would think it would be hard to separate your own life from your book all the time.

My answer:

It all blends in. Like one big pot of stew. In this book I see more of my sisters swimming around in that stew. I'm still getting to know my girls--giving them room to become who they'll be.

Bree Combs asked:

When you write, where does the idea for a story generally begin for you
-a character (or group of characters)
-the general plot
-a setting
-something totally different

My answer:

Character + a what if question that won't let me sleep. I'll expound more if I get a chance b/c I happen to love this question.

Sarah Forgrave asked:

Do you prefer silence while you write, or music in the background? If music, what's your style/artist of choice?

My answer:

Absolute silence. Which is super easy with three kids and a puppy (and a semi-working dishwasher).

Emily Boucher asked

How did you decide on Dylan and his "Bob" eccentricity?

My answer:

I notice kids like this and I'm drawn to them. I happen to think they're adding so much to this world.

 Karen Sweeney asked:

Sounds like an amazing book...Do you provide a book club section?

My answer:

Yes, there's even an Enhance Your Book Club section at the back of the book where you're encouraged to toast everyone in your book club.

Karen Glass asked:

When you started The Flower Girls did you know how it would end?

My answer:

No. And I love that freedom.

~*~

I loved the thought behind each question and interaction. I also tackled questions about the extensive research I did on flowers and prosopagnosia and what I’d name my twins, although I still haven’t come up with an answer for that one. I revealed whether I ever had a crush on one of my sister’s boyfriends.

After a flurry of activity and excitement after announcing the giveaway winners, I concluded the virtual launch with a toast.

This message goes out to you as well…

I lift my glass to you, my readers. The ones that make me do this through the most humbling moments. The folks who make me believe there is something to this to keep pursuing, to not give up. The ones who feel my characters and know my stories. A toast to you! For changing me. For inspiring me to write and do what I love, what I'm on earth to do. You call the words forth from me. You invite the story. Cheers & good night!

*Jill Kemerer is hosting me on her blog today. Come by & say hello!

Five Fun Flower Facts

 

Bert Goose, a secondary character and expert gardener in my newly released novel THE FLOWER GIRLS, enjoys feeding Daisy O’Reilly intriguing flower facts.

I thought I’d share a few fun flower facts with you today.

 

Tulip bulbs were more valuable than gold in Holland in the 1600s.

Sunflowers move throughout the day in response to the movement of the sun from east to west.

The English name of dandelion is derived from the French dent de lion which means “lions tooth” due to it coarsely toothed leaves. Its flower petals are used in making dandelion wine while its roasted roots are used as a caffeine free dandelion coffee.

The Underground Orchid lives entirely underground! Unlike other plants, this unique orchid cannot use sunlight to obtain its energy, and instead gets its food from the decaying stumps of another plant, the broom honey myrtle. The orchid attaches to the roots of the broom honey myrtle through a special kind of fungus that is believed to be essential to the orchid’s survival.

And as we learned recently, lilies are poisonous to dogs. Trip to the vet & $100+ later and thankfully all is fine with our Panda pup. She got into the irises, which can cause stomach trouble, but not to the same extent as lilies.

Have any fun flower facts to share?

*Fetched info. from here, here & here

**Keep an eye out for my Countdown to Summer FlowerGirls Giveaway on Goodreads!

***Don’t forget to post a picture of your copy of THE FLOWER GIRLS next to blossoming flowers that catch your eye to social networking sites. Here’s the latest one I’ve seen. Sarah Blake’s copy. Gorgeous!

Love is the Flower

My first full-length novel, THE FLOWER GIRLS released yesterday. A toast to all things that grow!

 

Hey, here’s an idea…

What a blast we could have posting pictures of my book cover (Kindle & iPad work too) next to burgeoning flowers and posting them around the web! When you receive your copy of my book I’d love you to capture the moment by taking a picture of my book with your favorite flowers. Send the picture my way to post or start posting it on social media sites yourself!

Let’s decorate the web with flowers!!!

 

*Here is the Pinterest board dedicated to my book!

**Stay tuned for an announcement regarding a June 2^nd Facebook virtual launch party.

 

 

A fun song called "Flower Flower"

 

~*~

 

 

Love is the flower you've got to let grow.
John Lennon

 

And 'tis my faith, that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.
William Wordsworth
Lines Written in Early Spring.