Mixed Messages (Silhouette Desire) [Paperback]

Linda Lael Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 1990 | Series: Silhouette Desire

A New York Times Bestselling Author

Carly Barnett's lifelong dream was to be a journalist, so a job offer at Portland's Oregonian Times seemed ideal. Then she learned she'd be writing an advice column. It wasn't quite what she'd envisioned, and Mark Holbrook did nothing to disguise his disdain for the new staff reporter.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ms. Miller brilliantly taps into all our deepest fantasies . . ."
--Romantic Times (Romantic Times ) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Distribution Services (September 28, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373579799
• ISBN-13: 978-0373579792
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

More About the Author

In January of 2006, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Linda Lael Miller left the Arizona horse property she's called home for the past five years and listened to the call of her heart. Packing up her work-in-progress for HQN Books; her dogs, Sadie and Bernice, and her four horses, the author of more than 70 novels bid farewell to her home in the desert and returned to the place of her birth, Spokane, Washington.
The daughter of a town marshal, Linda grew up in Northport, WA, a community of 500 on the Columbia River, 120 miles north of Spokane. Her childhood remembrances include riding horses and playing cowgirl on her grandparents' nearby farm. Her grandparents' spread was so rustic that in the early days it lacked electricity and running water.

As delightful as this childhood was, Linda longed to see the world. After graduating as valedictorian of her high school class, she left to pursue her dream. Because of the success of her author career, Linda was able to live part-time in London for several years, spend time in Italy and travel to such far-off destinations as Russia, Hong Kong and Israel. Now, Linda says, the wanderlust is (mostly) out of her blood, and she's come full circle, back to the people and the places she knows and loves.

Before Linda begins her writing day, she takes her first cup of coffee while enjoying the scenic view of the wooded draw behind her new home. The first morning there, a snowfall blanketed the pine trees, something she had missed in the desert outside Scottsdale. Still enamored with the people she came to love in Arizona, she says she will still set books in that starkly beautiful area, and, of course, in other stories the action will take place in Washington.

Devoted to helping others pursue their dreams, the author will launch her sixth round of Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women in May of this year. A talented speaker, she donates all her speaking honoraria to her scholarship fund. The stipends are awarded to women who seek to better their lot in life through education.

It's no wonder the protagonists in Miller's novels are women her readers admire for their honor, courage, trustworthiness, valor and determination to succeed, despite overwhelming odds. 'These qualities make them excellent role models for young women,' Miller explains. 'The male leads possess equally noble traits that today's woman would be delighted to find in her life's mate.'

The author traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she made her first sale.

Although Linda has written successfully in other genres, she is best known for stories set in the West'stories like McKETTRICK'S CHOICE (HQN Books March 2006 paperback); THE MAN FROM STONE CREEK (HQN, June 2006 hardcover) and that very first novel, FLETCHER'S WOMAN, which is being reissued in 2006. Her stories, set in yesterday's world, and today's, are historical romances, romantic thrillers, and other contemporary tales. They consistently score on prestigious national bestseller lists.

Linda has come a long way since leaving her sheltered life in Northport at age 18 to experience the world. 'Growing up in that time and place, in a family grounded in Western values, served me well,' she allows. 'And I'm happy to be back home.'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mixed Messages, June 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Mixed Messages (Paperback)

Having read many of Linda Lael Miller's books, I found Mixed Messages a complete delight. Even though the longer novels usually interest me most, the story of Carly and Mark had so much spark and wonderful chemistry, I couldn't help but find it one of my favorites. It's great to see a determined female use her brain and help both she and her man win at the game of love and life. The story has just enough character development and conflict to make this a great romance read. Can't wait for more Miller romance like this.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars disappointed and sleeping in seatle, May 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Mixed Messages (Paperback)

As much as I enjoy most of Linda Lael Miller's books this was one of her all time worst. I rated it one because zero wasn't an option. Weak plot and characters, it seemed these two characters were only interested in the mutual sex they shared, which was OK but without depth or emotion it was SO pointless. I become very annoyed with these great authors such as Nora Roberts, Elizabeth Lowell, Sandra Brown and of course Linda L Miller who re-release this drivel and we buy it expecting so much more. Keep an eye on those publishing dates, to be sure.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Boring!, May 21, 2003

By 

mahikahn (Columbus, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mixed Messages (Silhouette Desire, No 568) (Paperback)

This book made no sense. She goes from being an advice columnist (a poor one) to being an investigative reporter in about 12 seconds. Hard to believe, especially someone who was so shallow and lugged a makeup case with her everywhere she went! There was no chemistry between the two lead characters, no reason given as to why they were attracted to each other, and virtually no plot development. Not worth the read, glad I bought it used!