After wrapping up Remembering Ivy, I had to decide where to go next. There’s no shortage of potential stories in my head, and in my idea file. I have notes, excerpts, images, quotes, and random snippets for probably dozens of books. The challenge was picking a direction.
In the end, I decided to take what I’ve learned about myself as a writer, and about you as readers, and apply it to a new series. Over the last year, I’ve learned a lot about what my readers enjoy. I wanted to take some of my favorite things to write, and your favorite things to read from me, and create a brand new series.
I wanted to dive into a new world with a new set of characters to fall for. And I wanted it to be centered around a family. I love family-saga romance series, and I love writing families, so that seemed like a natural fit.
So the Miles family was born.
Like a lot of the books I write, some of the ideas for this series came from my husband. He suggested creating a family that owned a business and rattled off a few ideas for what that might be. As soon as he said winery, I was sold. That idea resonated with me immediately, and not just because I love wine. There was something there, a place already coming to life in my mind.
From there, it was a matter of creating this family—the parents, their children, and the types of stories this series would contain.
I decided to tackle a second chance romance for the first book. Why? I like a challenge, and I’ve never written about a divorced couple before. That seemed like a tall order. Obviously it’s been done. I certainly didn’t invent the idea. But how do you take a couple who’s actually been through a divorce and heal those wounds?
It wasn’t easy. Both Roland and Zoe had some learning and growing to do. They had to come to terms with their past together, as well as the state of their lives when the story begins. Ultimately, they had to make a decision for each other. They had to look past their hurt and regret to see the possibility for happiness that was right in front of them.
Roland is a bit of an ass in the beginning. He’s a self-absorbed workaholic who thinks he has everything figured out. And he’s sure that his life was meant for bigger things than working for his parents’ winery. He has a high-pressure, but lucrative career. A prestigious job. A girlfriend who requires very little in terms of his attention. And plenty of money. Seems like maybe he does have it all.
Only his life is hollow, and although he won’t admit it in the beginning, he’s lonely. My hope was that your first few encounters with Roland would show you a man who is telling himself a very convincing story, but the truth is just below the surface.
He’s not a bad guy. He’s just spent a long time putting his time and energy into the wrong things, and now he’s beginning to wonder why those things aren’t bringing him the happiness he thought they would.
Zoe is struggling in her own way. She was the one who ultimately chose to end the marriage, and at the beginning of the story, she’s still confident of that decision—even if it makes her sad. She feels she was wrong about Roland. He wasn’t the man she thought when they got married. They grew up, and grew apart. She’s returned to the place where they met and is still close with his family.
But her life isn’t all sunshine and roses either. She’d like to find love again, but she hasn’t had much luck. Her attempts at relationships haven’t worked out, and she finds herself single and indulging in a sort-of-friends-with-benefits situation with Van. As Cooper and Chase help her see, in their own hilariously obnoxious way, she’s settling, and she’s not moving her life in the direction she really wants it to go.
Neither Roland nor Zoe see their reconciliation coming. When Roland comes back to Salishan Cellars and winds up staying, it isn’t as if either of them are pining for the other. They’re both trying to move on, even though it’s clear from the beginning there’s still something there. It could have just been their history together. Memories of a relationship gone awry. But it turns out, it’s much more than just echoes of a shared past.
I loved writing Roland and Zoe’s second chance at love. Zoe showed a lot of depth and heart in giving Roland her trust again. And Roland’s gradual shift from detached workaholic to a man willing to risk his heart for the woman he loves was very satisfying to write. I loved seeing them dance around their attraction to each other, only to give in, and ultimately find their way home.
I hope you enjoyed their story! There is definitely more to come from this fabulous family. Brynn’s story is next, and the drama with their father Lawrence will continue.
Thanks so much for reading!
CK
Acknowledgments
Reviews are a great way to help other readers discover new books and authors. Thanks to everyone who’s read and reviewed Broken Miles. I appreciate it so much!
Thank you to my readers, always! You are amazing and wonderful and I’m so glad I get to share my words with you.
Thank you to Elayne for helping sort out the clutter, and to Cassy for an absolutely stunning cover.
To those of you behind the scenes who listen to me vent, help me when I’m stuck, and encourage me when I’m down. You’re the best.
And a huge thank you to my family, for your support, belief, and patience.
Also by Claire Kingsley
For a full, up-to-date listing of Claire Kingsley books, click here.
The Miles Family Series
Broken Miles
More books in the Miles Family Series coming soon
Remembering Ivy
His Heart
Book Boyfriends
Book Boyfriend
Cocky Roommate
Hot Single Dad
The Always Series
Always Have
Always Will
Always Ever After
The Jetty Beach Romance Series
Must Be Love
Must Be Crazy
Must Be Fate
Must Be Home
The Complete Back to Jetty Beach Romance Series
The Back to Jetty Beach Romance Series
Could Be Forever
Could Be the One
Could Be the Reason
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About the Author
Claire Kingsley writes smart, sexy romances with sassy heroines, swoony heroes who love their women hard, panty-melting sexytimes, romantic happily ever afters, and all the big feels.
She can’t imagine life without coffee, her Kindle, and the sexy heroes who inhabit her imagination. She’s living out her own happily ever after in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and three kids.
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