Meet Melissa Miller!

Come meet Melissa Miller and browse their books at our Online Holiday Book Bazaar November 1^st-30^th 2022! Click here to check it out!

Tell us about your books! What do you love to write about?

I’m the USA Today bestselling author of more than forty mystery, thriller, and suspense novels and a half-dozen or so novellas. My books all share two common threads: pulse-pounding, tightly plotted action and smart, unlikely protagonists. My main characters include a pint-sized attorney, Krav Maga expert, and mother of twins; a Native American criminal investigator who relies on her heritage to guide her when the chips are down; a Buddhist forensic pathologist who refuses to harm any living creature; a trio of twenty-something sisters just starting out in their careers who find murder and mayhem wherever they go; and a found family of ex-military and federal agents and the women who keep them on their toes.

I write crime fiction for optimists—fast-paced, twisty books for readers who believe light drives out darkness, love is brave, and kind is strong. My goal is to write thoughtfully about serious (and sometimes dark) issues and themes without descending into grim pessimism, gratuitous violence, or pain. I also believe there's power in laughter, so I like to sprinkle lighter moments into even my most serious books.

What inspired you to get started as an author?

I've been a reader my whole life and wrote my first story as soon as I could hold a pencil. But after getting a degree in medieval literature and creative writing—poetry (no, really), I worked in publishing for a few years and then went to law school. I practiced law for fifteen years before I retired to write full-time. I wanted to tell the sorts of stories I most enjoy reading.

What are your favorite books to read?

I read widely, across all genres—fiction and non-fiction. But my favorite books are those that include a problem, mystery, or puzzle to solve and that feature trustworthy narrators. Books that leave a reader feeling challenged and hopeful.

For shoppers holiday shopping for their loved ones, tell us who are your book(s) for?

My books are for readers who enjoy a fast-paced thrill ride of a plot but don't enjoy graphic or sexual violence, abuse of children or animals, (much) profanity, or steamy love scenes. (No judgment here! There are many talented, wonderful writers who cover these topics (some of whom are on my reading list), but that’s not my jam as a writer. My romantic mysteries and suspense books are “warmer” than my thrillers, but they’re not hot by any stretch of the imagination.)

What’s the message you want to get out to people this Holiday Season?

I write to empower you. I want you to feel hopeful, optimistic, smart, and capable when you read one of my books. What could be a better gift than that feeling? ;-)

Where can we find you online?

My website is https://melissafmiller.com. While you're there, I hope you'll sign up for my newsletter because that's really how I stay in touch with readers. I'm also at all the usual social media places, but I don't post as frequently as I should.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormelissafmiller
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissafmillerbooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/melissafmiller
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/melissafmillerbooks
TikTok: @melissafmiller
BingeBooks: https://bingeb.co/273
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/melissa-f-miller