Please help me welcome today’s guest, Jacquie May Miller with her wonderful new release…
What did you learn writing your first book that helped you write your second book?
I learned that an outline may be nice for some people, but it didn’t work for me. As soon as I started down one road, the characters took me on another path. I truly did not know how my first book was going to end until I got to the last few chapters.
I used that same philosophy with my second book and was very happy to meet some new characters I had never imagined until they showed up on the page. Writing is an emotional journey guided by a cast of interesting people (yes, I know they are not real, but my imagination might disagree) who led me to an ending I couldn’t have written without them.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
They say you write what you know. My protagonist, Jack Madison, is the personification of my dad, Jack May. He’s been gone quite a while now and although he had a relatively happy homebody life, I could tell he would have loved a little more travel and adventure. Taking him on a cruise and involving him in a mystery was my way of bringing him back to life. Some of the other characters were patterned after people I know (including myself – Jamie is me, for sure), but others are pure figments of my imagination.
Oh, and the names were chosen for their similarity to the names of the people who inspired them.
If you could tell your younger writing-self anything, what would it be?
I would tell her not to listen to people who told her to ignore her dream of becoming an author. Although I put my aspirations on hold for many years, I’m glad I finally dared to believe in myself and follow that dream.
What do you want readers to come away with after they read DO YOU TAKE THIS MAN?
I think this book is for my generation. I want them to know (me included) that there is hope for a second chance at love even in your 60’s and beyond. And while life is full of challenges—hopefully not as challenging as being accused of murder—there is always a ray of sunshine trying to peak through.
Will their second chance at love lead to someone’s final journey?
Excerpt:
“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Mary Bradley? You can’t marry that son of a bitch. You’re still married to me!” Vern was moving closer, his six-foot two frame closing the space between them far too quickly.
“What do you mean? We’ve been divorced for almost two years.”
“Not in the eyes of the church, we’re not. Catholics can’t get divorced. Don’t you remember your religious upbringing? You made me convert to your damn religion and now I’m cashing in on the Pope’s words.” Vern took another step toward the newlyweds.
“Hold it right there, Vern. I’ve got a big ass knife in my hand, so don’t come any closer or I’ll use it, I swear.” She pulled the knife free from Jack’s hand and raised it high. “You never gave a damn about the church when we were married. You don’t get to find religion when it’s convenient.”
“I got a piece of paper that says you’re going to be excommunicated if you leave me.”
“I don’t give two shits about the church anymore. They never gave me any help when you were using me for your personal punching bag. They can’t kick me out—I quit!”
“You’re surely going to hell, Mary.” He moved closer, obviously not afraid of the knife that was now within striking distance of his oversized beer gut.
“I lived in Hell for over forty years. The church might not agree, but the State says I’m rid of you, so get the hell out of here.” She lowered her hand.
Buy links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Do-You-Take-This-Man-ebook/dp/B0CBQK5Q2G=
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/193343075-do-you-take-this-man
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/do-you-take-this-man-by-jacquie-may-miller
About the Author:
Jacquie May Miller published her first article at age eleven in her neighborhood newspaper, the Nosy Neighborhood News. And now many years later (not saying how many) she has turned her love of writing into two published novels.(Thanks to her wonderful Editor, Ally, at the Wild Rose Press). Jacquie’s debut novel, THE PRICE OF SECRETS, is a work of women’s fiction which explores the tenuous thread connecting family and a love left behind so many years ago. Secrets of the past will either break or strengthen that slim thread, but not without a price. If you like her first novel, the sequel (a mystery), DO YOU TAKE THIS MAN? continues the story with an emphasis on the senior members of the family. For a taste of her writing, Jacquie has created May Daze, a blog exploring the value of friendship, family and life’s little surprises. You will find her at http://www.jmaydaze.com where she has attracted a loyal following.
Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacquie.m.miller
Twitter: @JacquieRMay
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacquiemaymiller/
Website: www.jmaydaze.som
Author Alicia Dean 