Mia Josephs's Blog

No secret that I suck at titles.
It's really hits me when I read a title for a book, and want to read the book based on that. I'm not sure which of my books I'd read based on the title alone...

ANYWAY.

Finding the Dream is about a guy (Van) who gave up his dream of music to attempt to be more responsible and less like his loser dad. And about a girl named Sierra who has been in love with her brother's best friend for years, and now (FINALLY) has a shot...

One of the funnest things I did in this book was play with the idea that what they both wanted worked against each other until the end of the book - it ended up looking a little like this -

~ ~ ~
I’m so excited, I can barely sit still!- Sierra
What was I thinking? - Donovan
~ ~ ~
I need to show him I’m a grown up—even if it means showing a little extra skin. I have to get it out of his head that I’m a “little sister” type, or he’ll never notice me the way I want him to.- Sierra
Okay. The best plan is to concentrate on her being almost like a little sister. If I feel like she’s my little sister, I’ll stare less, I’ll notice more if other people are looking at her, and it’ll be easier for me to keep her “safe” even for Clark Standards.
- Donovan
~ ~ ~
I need to try a few innocent touches—accidental brushes… anything to shift his thinking there. This is so doable.- Sierra

I’m getting used to living with a very cool, very gorgeous woman. All I have to do is keep my distance, and everything will be fine…
- Donovan
~ ~ ~
Well, that went better than expected.- Sierra
How the hell do I fix what I just did? - Donovan
~ ~ ~
I know that Donovan’s dying to talk to Hanson, and probably my dad, but I don’t want anyone or anything to come between us when we still feel so fragile. We have to move further forward first.- Sierra
Time with her is changing everything, but before we go any further, I have to get in touch with Hanson. And then (if Hanson doesn’t want to kill me) get some ideas as to how to talk to Sierra’s dad. Nothing can happen before then. Or…nothing else. - Donovan
~ ~ ~
At this point, one of us needs to take a giant leap. That’s all. Big jump. Once we pass this hurdle of tiny kisses, we’ll fall into place. (I also need to jump into sending these outlines to that literary agent, but one thing at a time… I’m not sure I could handle a rejection at this point).- Sierra
As long as I can move in small steps, I know I won’t panic over playing at Solomon’s. I won’t stress about the possibility of it maybe being my last big venue…or one of many. I won’t panic over Clark or Hanson and how they might feel about me with Sierra. Small steps… - Donovan

And I can't share the last few because that would ruin the story ;-)
I'm SO SO SO HAPPY to finally have ALL THREE BOOKS OUT!!!!!!
CHASING THE MUSIC
BLURRING THE LINES
FINDING THE DREAM



~ MJ

Chasing the Music is now up!!! :-D

AMAZON

 Griffin’s stuck in the crap town he grew up in, half-supporting the payments on his mom’s run-down trailer in the park where his long-time girlfriend lives. He’s dying for something different, but can’t walk away from his responsibilities either. 

Lita’s got a name and a reputation to uphold. Forever labeled as the small-town girl who made it big, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to stay on top and shed her southern girl image for the rockstar she is. 

When Griffin gets a chance to tour with Lita, neither his mom or his girlfriend can tell him no. It’s his dream, and it’s not permanent. 

When Griffin meets Lita, he expects magic, instead he finds a cast-iron bitch. He’s listened to her non-stop since she debuted three years ago, but the harsh exterior makes him second-guess his decision to be on the road. 

When he walks in on her during a late night guitar session, her guard is down, and they find understanding in each other they didn’t expect. The late night guitar sessions start to turn into more, but with the pressure for Griffin to return home and Lita to keep up her badass image, the obstacles between them threaten to tear them apart forever.


(In TIME, Chasing the Music comes before Blurring the Lines, but it's a different couple in a very different situation, and I didn't want this book to be the first out in the series ;-)

I've had a few interesting conversations lately with writer friends.

One thing that seems to come up a lot, is the fast pace at which self-pubbed authors release books, and can they really be that good?

I've been working on my For the Love of Music series for a VERY long time. I wrote Blurring the Lines (the first version) five years ago. Chasing the Music is one I've worked on (on and off) for the past year, maybe more. Finding the Dream is a story I've been dying to write for close to two years, and once I realized how well it could tie into this series, I shifted my idea for that story, and flew through my first draft.

Why I do I even bring this up?

Because I held on to Blurring the Lines for a long time thinking it might be cool if all three books came out only a month or so apart, and now I wonder if I've done myself a disservice?
If readers will think--there's no way she could be done so fast. When in reality, I've been working on these three books for years.

So, I don't know... Should I have put up Blurring the Lines the moment it was done?
Should I not have worked on Chasing the Music and Finding the Dream at the same time so they could come out close together?

I have no idea.

But in the end, the reason I self-publish is so that I can write books that are JUST FOR FUN and part of that is choosing the schedule I want ;-)

I guess now I just hope it doesn't work to my disadvantage...

Thoughts?

~ MJ

When you're writing a romance, only one of the people is with someone else, and that someone else isn't around, but they're loyal, and you still want romance...
It's a VERY tricky situation.
So. Lita dreams about this guy who she's just getting to know.
And that helped me fill my "kissing quota" in a book where otherwise there wouldn't have been nearly enough ;-)


(UNEDITED)

Lita sat curled up in the warmest arms she’d ever felt. A soft hum filled the room in a melody she knew well. He always knew what she needed. Always. Only she had no idea who it was or where they were—inconsequential in the land of dreams.The porch swing moved underneath them, and the fact that her dad had sold this house years ago didn’t matter. The fact that the warm sun felt perfect on her skin was a sign that it was a dream, but she wanted it.The humming stopped and she tightened her arms around muscled sides. “Another one.”Lips touched her forehead. “I want payment first.”She ducked her head laughing. “Nope.”He shifted underneath her. “I think so…” he trailed off teasing.“I have sleepy afternoon nap breath,” she protested.His lips moved down the side of her face until he couldn’t reach any further. “Please.”She didn’t move. “A little one. Promise.”“I will promise no such thing.” His arms tightened.She lifted her head up. “Griffin.”But then his lips were on hers. Soft, smooth, strong, and her mouth opened up for him letting the world fall away. The swing fall away. The porch fall away. The sun fall away.The mattress was soft underneath her, and everything about Griffin’s weight on her felt good, perfect. His rough fingers slid her tank straps over her shoulders, and he kissed along her collarbone before lightly sucking on her neck.“Oh, Griffin…” she groaned.“Just a minute, baby,” he whispered.His hands moved down her body, sliding across the top of her panties, and she arched up toward him.Griffin disappeared. The bed disappeared. She was on ice. Naked.Lita gasped and sat up in bed, shivering.
Holy… How was she supposed to act around Griffin after that?
I'm starting to get really excited to share this book!!!!!!!!

I figured that since I was writing books about music artists, I needed album covers.
SO glad I'm friends with Allie Brennan/TJ Hannah becuase she does BRILLIANT work.

These are my two people from Chasing the Music - due out in about a month. The book is in round #3 of edits now. So I might have one more round, and then formatting... :-D

These albums both happen AFTER the end of the book...

And I have to come up with something cool to do with these pretties Allie is making for me, I just haven't totally figured it out yet...





These two have the most unconventional love story I think I've written to date. I'm stoked to hear what people have to say about them!

Lie.

I'm terrified. As always, lol.


Griffin’s stuck in the crap town he grew up in, half-supporting the payments on his mom’s run-down trailer in the park where his long-time girlfriend lives. He’s dying for something different, but can’t walk away from his responsibilities either.Lita’s got a name and a reputation to uphold. Forever labeled as the small-town girl who made it big, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to stay on top and shed her southern girl image for the rockstar she is.When Griffin gets a chance to tour with Lita, neither his mom or his girlfriend can tell him no. It’s his dream, and it’s not permanent.When Griffin meets Lita, he expects magic, instead he finds a cast-iron bitch. He’s listened to her non-stop since she debuted three years ago, but the harsh exterior makes him second-guess his decision to be on the road. When he walks in on her during a late night guitar session, her guard is down, and they find understanding in each other they didn’t expect. The late night guitar sessions start to turn into more, but with the pressure for Griffin to return home and Lita to keep up her badass image, the obstacles between them threaten to tear them apart forever.
~ MJ

Now that CHASING THE MUSIC is with my first beta reader, I'm FINALLY fully jumping into finishing up FINDING THE DREAM - really hoping to get all three out before Thanksgiving, but we'll see...

Here's an UNEDITED snip -

Donovan blinked to hear Sierra’s humming. Eight a.m. and perfect timing. Also miles better than waking up to an alarm. He rolled over and turned off his alarm before Exit Lights slammed needlessly into his brain. Breathing in deeply he smelled...baking? He’d only turned on the over for frozen pizzas, but this had cinnamon and maple…?Okay. However he’d reacted the day before was just because Sierra looked so different. Now that he knew what to expect, she’d be like a little sister again, and he wouldn’t have to worry about having thoughts that would make both her parents and her brother want to strangle him.He slid on a shirt and stumbled into the living room where he froze.Sierra stood in cutoffs that were so small, he was amazed he couldn’t see panties and ridiculously high platform sandals. The angle of her feet accentuated every place up and down her long legs that were toned to perfection.“What… What are you doing?” he asked.“I’m trying this new recipe.” She grinned, her light hair messy on top of her head, showing off a lean neck. “They’re apple pie cupcakes. They smell pretty yummy, huh?”She definitely looked yummy. Wait. His question. “No. The shoes. Is this...normal?”“Oh!” She grinned again as she patted the front of her tiny apron and bent a knee, kicking one of her feet toward her rear. “Victoria’s Secret workout this week. You do all sorts of stuff while wearing your heels.” She wiggled her ankle, showing off her shoe. “All kinds of squats, and lunges, and…”“And you do this kind of thing all day?” he choked out, wondering how much time he’d be able to spend at home.“It’s my job, silly,” she said as she took a long lick off the spatula. Her tongue and tiny waist and long legs… Holy shit. “For my blog.”Van shifted in his boxers and spun back toward the hallway before it became obvious. Now he just had to try and act something like normal. “I’ll throw on some pants. Do I get to sample your job?”“Of course!”
Good. Because he hadn’t been feeling unsatisfied until seeing Sierra in those microscopic shorts. Food would do him good since it was the only thing in the kitchen he was allowed to put his mouth on.
Writing these two is more fun than I've had in a LOOONG time. He spent the last two years of high school living in her house b/c he needed a place and he and her older brother were good friends. He's just out of college, hasn't seen Sierra in two years, and she just took over her brother's room in Donovan's apartment. She's also grown up a bit since he saw her last... The list of things this girl has planned to get his attention has been SO fun to build--especially knowing how hard he's trying to keep his distance ;-)
So. This is what I'm up to. :-D
~ MJ

Especially when they're so different, but so good for each other.
Already I wanna write Ryker's story b/c he's such a womanizing asshole.

Griffin took another drink to avoid his brother’s stare. “I’m not you.”“You’re definitely not me. I have no plans to settle or get married or even be in a relationship. It’s fine. We’re wired different, but Griff… It’s one thing to be in a relationship, it’s another to be everything to that person. You cannot be everything to anyone—least of all someone you don’t want to be everything for.”“I love Stacy,” he said simply. That was truth. That would always be his truth, and he wouldn’t hurt people he loved.
“I know you love Stacy.” Ryker stood. “I know you do. And I know you’d spend your whole life with her if that’s what she wanted, but Griff… Maybe what she wants right now, isn’t the best thing for her in the long run. Think about that. You can love her, and not be in love with her. That’s not the worst thing that could happen here. The worst thing would be staying with someone you’re not insanely crazy about. Love isn’t enough. Maybe it’s her that deserves better.”
And this is the book I'm working on today... I'm REALLY hoping to have this out in October, but it all depends on how long edits take...
~ MJ

So.
Here's the story:

There was this guy named Christian Meyer (Chris), and while he was in college he got picked up to replace the lead guitarist in an already popular band. He jumped at the chance. Thirteen years and who knows how many addictions later, he's left the band, is fresh out of rehab, and has lost his ability to write.

Enter Corinne:
Corinne left LA about six years ago with a broken heart and in the middle of a paparazzie nightmare . She had no intention of ever returning, but she owes a friend a favor, and that friend happens to be the manager for a very broken Christian Meyer.

And NOW we're at the beginning point of Blurring the Lines.

Here's a little snip for Corinne on that first day:

"His quiet voice as he strummed through another song warmed her, and she sat back, exhausted but excited. The muscles in his arms flexed as he ran up the riff he’d been working on, and if she hadbeen ready to get her heart trampled on again, he would have been a good candidate. Maybe a perfect one. Maybe it was stupid for her to ask that they be nothing more than collaboration partners. Maybe they could be friends.Her eyes trailed down his back as he leaned forward. The thin fabric clung to his shoulders, his muscles, and his lean sides... He bent forward a little further, revealing that yes, his back was probably a massive work of tattooed art. Damn.
No. Friendship with a guy like him would definitely not work."


Find it on AMAZON!!

~ MJ

FINALLY!! YAY!!

More later. Promise! Scroll down for some teasers, or visit my Mia Josephs facebook page, because I have a TON on there. Will write up my story for this book soon!!

Until then... SQUEEEE!!!!!!


AMAZON

Christian Meyer quit his band and checked into rehab. Only, when he checks out to start his solo career, he can’t write. At all.Corinne’s done the hollywood, famous rockstar boyfriend thing. It ended in such a huge disaster that she ran herself out of town, despite her career as a songwriter just beginning to take off. She lives in a small cabin in the woods of Washington to keep as far away from her old life as possible.But when Christian is desperate to start his new career, and his manager has the perfect songwriter in mind, their worlds collide.Corinne is determined to keep her distance, it’s just collaborating for a weekend. But when Chris shows up on her doorstep weeks after their meeting and pleading for help, she can’t turn him away. With the life she now lives and the past she’s desperate to keep buried, she’ll do everything she can to protect her heart, no matter how quickly she feels herself falling. For the first time in his life, Chris can see himself being in love, but with a tour date looming, and Corinne terrified to move forward, they both have a long road to travel if there’s a chance of them being together.

~ MJ

I love looking for inspiration in photos...
Like THIS one...
(about to start final edits on Blurring the Lines!!!)

And I put up this picture, even though this is ALL Griffin from Chasing the Music. ALL. Southern boy. Lackey on tour w/ the great Lita James. And maybe a bit smitten...


~Mia

There seem to be a million "rockstar" books out there, and I hope mine takes a different spin on it because this girl is not at all interested in getting involved w/ a guy in the spotlight ;-)

Here's a half-scene of Blurring the Lines (unedited).

So wait.” He rubbed his forehead. “Me paying you will help keep this professional, which you really want.” She stopped. “Yes.”“Only we get along, even in close quarters. We write together. We’re pretty damn sexually compatible. And you’re not even sure you want to be friends?” he asked, realizing only then that he felt very much like the last kid picked for a team in gym.She folded her arms in an almost protective posture. “It’s not who you are, it’s what you are.”He took a few steps closer as his heart hollowed. “Wait, wait, wait… I’ll never get a chance at anything but a professional business relationship because of my job?”His breath stuck in his lungs as Corinne shifted her weight a few times.Corinne’s arms tightened around her front. “Yes.”Yes? That was it. Total dismissal, and… He blinked. Blinked again. Even though she hadn’t shared much of her past with him, every night they talked lyrics. Every night she sat next to him and helped him with word choice, with chords, riffs, intros… Feeling like their connection was one-sided…
His mouth dried out and all the work from the day hurt his head and his arms and his legs, and holy hell he wanted a drink or anything to numb any part of him from the idea that she wouldn’t even entertain the idea even of friendship. What the hell was he doing?
And I HOPE this book makes it out into the world before the end of this month, but I'm not putting it out without a couple more rounds of edits, so we shall see...~MJ