Will their second chance at love lead to someone’s final journey?
When Jack and Mary married on a cruise to Mexico, they had no idea the scene of their wedding would become the scene of a crime only a few hours later. After forty-five years in difficult marriages these two thought they had finally found their ‘happily ever after’. But when Mary’s abusive ex-husband, Vern, crashes the reception and lays an all too familiar hand on Mary, Jack threatens to kill him if he touches her one more time. Vern leaves reluctantly, but a few hours later, he is missing, and Jack is the prime suspect as all clues lead to Vern falling–or being pushed–overboard. Did Jack make good on his threat or did someone else have a hand in Vern’s disappearance? Take a trip on the Queen of the Seas with Jack and Mary Madison as they follow the path that could lead to someone’s final journey.
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 turned her love of writing into a book and is now a published author.
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? is scheduled for release September 18, 2023. 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 www.jmaydaze.com where she has attracted a loyal following.
Avis: Welcome to Your Next Favorite Author Jacquie! This is your second book with The Wild Rose Press, so congratulations! It’s also your second interview on YNFA, so welcome back! I have to say that I really enjoyed this novel, so let’s jump right in with questions, shall we?
What did you learn writing your first book that helped you write your second book?
Jacquie: 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.
Avis: That’s so interesting and true! I find that plotting out some outline features will get me started! I love how your characters just introduced themselves to your story, those pesky, wonderful characters! Let’s move on to question number two:
How did you decide on your characters’ names? Do any of them have significance in some way?
Jacquie: 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.
Avis: The story of name assignation is one that is always fascinating to me!I love that you brought your dad back and took him on a cruise! I loved Jack as the good-guy-hero of the story! Your readers will love him! Here’s our next question:
Did you start out wanting to write a series?
Jacquie: To be honest, I never thought I would write one novel, much less two. While the second is a sequel, it can easily be read independently.
Avis: I agree! Both books could be stand alone reads, but you do such a lovely job of dovetailing your characters from book one, that I’m sure many readers will go back for more! Here’s our last question!
If you could tell your younger writing-self anything, what would it be?
Jacquie: 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.
Avis: I’m so glad you picked up your pen as well! Your books are testimony that you are in fact, an excellent writer and author! Kudos to you!
That is all for today, readers. For more information about Jacquie May Miller and her work please find links to her social and website below!
Social Media Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacquie.m.miller/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JacquieRMay
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacquiemaymiller/
Website
May Daze www.jmaydaze.com
Review by Avis M. Adams
Jacquie May Miller’s latest novel, Do You Take This Man? Takes on a cruise, and we’re invited to the wedding!
Miller opens on the high seas, where Jack and Mary are at the altar. Everyone seems thrilled, but Robert, Mary’s oldest son who hasn’t gotten over her divorce to his dad, Vern. Unbeknownst to Mary, her ex is onboard, and once he makes his entrance, all bets are off!
The honeymoon cruise becomes a crime scene, and Robert accuses Jack of murdering his father, but there is no body. Jack and Mary have found true love in their silver years, but will their marriage end in a prison term for Jack? Will Robert and Darlene win over the jury and convince them of Jack’s guilt in Vern’s murder? And what of Carmen? Will she keep her mouth shut, and finally there’s Gladys, Darlene’s mom and Vern’s lover of over thirty years. What role will she play in the trial?
Miller hosts a cast of characters that you will love to love and hate in Do You Take This Man! The plot is complex, and the twists will keep readers turning pages! I give this fun mystery/thriller/romance five stars!
Avis M. Adams 