Linda Lael Miller

Linda Lael was born in 1949 in Washington. Her father was a town marshal, although he, along with her uncle Jake "Jiggs" Lael also competed on the rodeo circuit.[1] A voracious reader, Linda began writing her own stories when she was 10.[2] As a child, Linda often visited with an elderly neighbor and listened to stories of her neighbor's experiences meeting outlaw Jesse James and witnessing a gunfight involving the Dalton Brothers.[1] Lael graduated from high school in Northport, WA but did not attend college.[2] After her marriage, Miller spent 10 years living in Spokane before moving away. She has lived in Italy and in London. After five years living in Arizona, Miller moved back to Washington in 2006.[1]

Miller has established a foundation, the Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women. These scholarships are intended to allow women who are struggling to further their education, either through a trade school or a traditional college or university. The scholarships are funded by the fees Miller commands at speaking engagements, and winners are allowed to spend the proceeds on any expense (including childcare and transportation) that will allow her to attend school.[1][2]

Her first manuscripts were rejected, but publishers finally purchased Fletcher's Woman, a historical romance.[3] Since then, she has published over 77 novels, in a variety of romance novel subgenres, including contemporary, suspense, time-travel, and paranormal.[1] The historical romances have been set in a range of time frames, from the Medieval period to the American West.[3]

Miller is best known for her romances set in the Western United States. One of these, McKettrick's Choice, reached number 15 on the New York Times Bestseller List.[1] In an interview, Miller stated that: "I love westerns best of all. To me, the cowboy is the great North American myth, the ideal of honor, courage and persistence we need to live up to."[1] She has also described her western settings as "naturally romantic, from the big sky to the lonely prairie, and it's the perfect backdrop for adventure, danger, grand passion, joy, and sorrow—the whole gamut of human emotions".[3]

The heroines of Miller's novels are known for being strong, independent women. Miller has stated that she wants her heroines to be good examples, proving that they can take care of themselves.[1]

She has been nominated six times for the Romance Writers of America RITA Award, the highest honor given to a romance author.[2] She has won the Silver Pen Award as well as the Romantic Times award for Most Sensual Historical Romance.[2]

• 1990-1991 - Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for series Love and Laughter
• 1990-1991 - Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Historical Romance Sequel, Emma and the Outlaw
• 1991-1992 - Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Historical Romance, Daniel's Bride
• 1992-1993 - Romantic Times Career Achievement Award finalist for Historical Romance
• 1992-1993 - Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award finalist for Best Historical Romance, Yankee Wife
• 1993-1993 - Romantic Times Career Achievement Award finalist for Contemporary Fantasy
• 1993 - The Talisman Book of the Year, Forever and the Night
• 1993 - Affaire de Coeur Reader-Writer Award finalist for Outstanding Achiever
• 1993 - Affaire de Coeur Reader-Writer Award finalist for Best American Historical, Yankee Wife
• 1993-1994 - Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award finalist for Best Historical Romantic Adventure, Taming Charlotte'
• 1993-1994 - Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award finalist for Best Contemporary Romantic Suspense, Forever and the Night
• 1994 - Waldenbooks Bestselling Trend Title (Vampire), For All Eternity
• 1995 - Romance Writers of America RITA Award finalist for Time Without End
• 1995 - Waldenbooks Bestselling Paranormal Title, Time Without End
• 1995-1996 - Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Historical Time-Travel, Knights
• 1996-1997 - Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award finalist for Best Contemporary Fantasy Romance, Tonight and Always
• 1997-1998 - Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Heroes
• 1997-1998 - Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award finalist for Best Innovative Historical Romance, The Vow
• 1997-1998 - Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Historical Fantasy
• 1998 - Barnes & Noble.com Historical Romance Editor's Pick, Two Brothers
• 1998-1999 - Romantic Times Career Achievement Award finalist for Historical Storyteller of the Year
• 1998-1999 - Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award finalist forBest Historical Romance in a series, A Springwater Christmas
• 1999-2000 - Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award finalist for Best Historical Romance of the Year, One Wish
• 1999 - Greater Detroit Romance Writers of America Booksellers' Best Award for Best Long Historical Romance, A Springwater Christmas
• 2000 - Reviewers International Organization Dorothy Parker Award of Excellence Finalist for Favorite Historical Romance, Courting Susannah
• 2002 - Reviewers International Organization Dorothy Parker Award of Excellence Finalist for Favorite Contemporary Romance, Last Chance Cafe
• 2002 - The Word on Romance Reviewer's Rose Award finalist for Best Contemporary Romance, Last Chance Cafe

• Linda Lael Miller's Official Web Site
• Linda Lael Miller 2007 Interview on Sidewalks Entertainment