Unfinished Dreams [Paperback]

Mary Miller (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 124 pages
• Publisher: 1st Book Library (December 19, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585005606
• ISBN-13: 978-1585005604
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,523,509 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mary Miller

Award-winning author and playwright, Mary Miller was born and raised in Atlanta, GA, and graduated with honors from Westminster High School. She received her B.A. at Hollins University in Roanoke, VA, after having studied at the University of London in London, England, and Davidson College in Davidson, NC. She gained her theatrical experience from years of work in New York City, first as an actress and then as a playwright.

As an actress she appeared both on stage (Off-Off Broadway) as well as on television. For two years she worked on the daytime soap opera All My Children. Preferring writing to acting Mary turned her attention to plays. She made her New York debut as a playwright with the production of LIGHT BURGERS WALTZING THROUGH THE GARDEN WITH JOE. She went on to win the Dayton Playhouse Future Fest first with I WITNESS and then again with WAITING FOR OPRAH. After the publication of her short play FERRIS WHEEL in the anthology TAKE TEN by Vintage Books/Random House, her work began to receive international attention. Since then she has written a number of both full length and short plays, won over a dozen national playwriting awards and had her work produced throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia.

After living in New York City, Mary moved to St. Simons Island off the coast of Georgia, where she continues to write and see her work produced. On St. Simons Island, she became involved in radio and worked for WMOG hosting the "Open Mike" show, a live morning call-in program. From radio she moved into television working for WBSG-TV. There she wrote, produced, and served as anchor on the half-hour television series "Close-Up 21".

Having gained success as a playwright, Mary turned her hand to novels and has subsequently written "UNFINISHED DREAMS - A Christmas Story" and "A MATTER OF GRACE."

Currently she is focusing her attention on a health and wellness program she created called ACTING HEALTHY. Acting Healthy is a unique approach to health care, which combines the use of her plays with hospital education and awareness seminars: www.actinghealthy.com

For more information about her books, plays, and wellness seminars you can visit her website at: www.marymillerwriter.com

You can also follow Mary on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/marymillerwriter

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Originally a play called: "The Christmas House.", November 8, 2000

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Unfinished Dreams (Paperback)

When Abigail Addison sells her home, she has no idea how challenging Christmas will be in her newly constructed beach home on St. Simons Island, GA. Not only is this Christmas her 60th birthday, she has invited her children to stay for the holidays.

After retiring from real estate, she leaves her responsibilities behind her and heads for the island home of her dreams. These dreams soon turn into a series of nightmares as Abigail finds out that her husband Fred was a bit vague about how finished the house really was. Her disapproving sister had said he was a dreamer and now Abigail wished she was only dreaming. To explain why she stayed with Fred she had said: "Because when he dreams Celeste, he dreams about me."

Throughout the novel, you can see the story played out on the stage of your imagination. As each "actor" enters the stage, Mary skillfully creates their personalities. You become emotionally involved in the story as they become real people in a real world. You see their faults and strengths and laugh at how human they all are.

With beach towels covering up the bare walls, the family decorates for Christmas. There are a few surprises for everyone who loves Christmas.

"Unfinished Dreams" was originally a play called "The Christmas House." It is based on a true story and Mary Miller's father realized the dream of building his own beach house at the age of 65.

"Most people have a dream as a kid and never realize it." --Mary Miller

Mary Miller was born and raised in Atlanta, GA and this comes through beautifully in her writing. She has also spent time acting and writing plays. She has decided to pursue her dream as a novelist and actually prefers writing to acting. Her work has been produced in the USA, Canada, Europe and Australia. Her next project is a novel titled: "A Matter of Grace."

Although she did live on St. Simon Island in 1993, she now resides in Atlanta, GA. The picture on the front cover of this book is a picture of the unfinished house on the island. For me, it is hauntingly reminiscent of the house my father just finished building. He just turned 70, and is still working on the downstairs kitchen, etc. I could relate to the bucket of nails being dumped over, the dusty house and the smell of concrete, etc. Mary has the ability to describe things in a way that makes you feel they are real.

~The Rebecca Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dreams fulfilled, March 30, 2003

By 

Marjorie Smith "1: 1M" (Janesville, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unfinished Dreams (Paperback)

Unfinished Dreams by Mary Miller is the perfect book for anyone with sisters, no matter what age they are. This book made me laugh out loud and cry from joy. It is a family that is familiar to a fault. The ultimate acceptance and the ties of family love brighten the spirit. I also enjoyed the quiet strength of a couple married and in love over thirty years. A nice reminder of the couples who do go to the top of the world's toughest profession, and how they succeed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Endearing Read, April 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Unfinished Dreams (Paperback)

I loved this book, because the characters were so real. I cared for not only Abigail & Fred, but also for each of their three grown children. It reminded me of my own family! It would be a great gift, but read it yourself first. It is very funny and sweet.