Used-to-be Lovers [Import] [Paperback]

Linda Lael Miller (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Silhouette Bks. (November 18, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373574606
• ISBN-13: 978-0373574605
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 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

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful second chances -- Highly recommended, March 24, 2002

By 

C. Penn "WordWeaving" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Used - To - Be Lovers (Mass Market Paperback)

Sharon Harrison and Tony Morelli married after a whirlwind courtship. Sharon took Tony's infant daughter to her heart, raising the child as her own just like the son they also share. Unfortunately, Tony did not take the time to mourn his first wife properly before beginning their relationship, a fact that seemed to overshadow their years together. Eleven years and a divorce later, only joint custody keeps them bound in an unorthodox custody arrangement that insures close contact.

Currently, Tony heads a thriving family owned construction firm. His success makes Sharon feel the slow growth of her lingerie store Teddy Bares even more. Tony had never understood her need for independence and the success of her store. Sharon never acknowledged the difficulty his first wife's shadow presented. Despite their divorce, these emotional issues and more still overshadow their lives as they work together to raise their children.

Linda Lael Miller pens a beautiful tale of second chances in USED-TO-BE LOVERS. Miller has a gift for creating a powerful, character driven romance complete with wonderful children and well-meaning family members. USED-TO-BE LOVERS explores the delicate balance of love and communication, and what happens when communication fails. With a divorce and child-rearing issues creating turmoil, their struggles to balance their emotions and their desires becomes quite entertaining as they confront daily living issues such as spoiled shopping trips and broken plumbing. While Sharon and Tony obviously still love one another, their inability to risk vulnerability allows them both to make foolish choices. A tender exploration of rekindled love, USED-TO-LOVERS comes highly recommended.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Ugh. Depressing., June 29, 2000

By 

Shannon "jfaction" (Lafayette, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Used To Be Lovers (Paperback)

Linda Lael Miller's hero, Tony, was wasted in this novella. The plot is thin. Tony and Sharon get divorced after several years of happy marriage. The catalyst is Sharon's opening of her dream business, a lingerie shop. Tony is not supportive of her, for reasons of his own. Apparently, this is the last straw. Sharon serves him with divorce papers unexpectedly, and they of course are divorced quickly.

This is so unrealistic, it's hard to even read the book. It's plausible enough that a couple can be married for several years and never learn to communicate, or never be open about their feelings. It's not realistic that she would serve him with divorce papers without trying to resolve the problem. And it's not realistic that he'd just accept the divorce, which he vocally doesn't want, without trying to find out what's wrong. There are such things as marriage counselors or even weekend retreats to get at the heart of the problem. I can't believe a couple would toss everything aside without trying something like this.

All of this makes it hard to believe that a single weekend together (after a miserable novel full of bickering and self pity) magically accomplishes the reunion and resolution of their problems. Why didn't they just talk sooner?

Tony was likable, Sharon was pathetic. I also got disgusted at the token kids Miller included in the book. At one point, Sharon takes off driving to clear her mind and ends up hours away - and it's her turn for custody! Come on. The last straw is when they remarry, the kids aren't even in the wedding! The kids don't even know until they see the ring on their finger! During the novel, Sharon is planning a trip to Paris, and she never gives the kids a contact number for her. At one point during the novel, she leaves the kids with Tony (his turn) and realizes later she forgot to tell them goodbye.

I spent the book feeling sorry for the kids, and feeling disgusted with the characters. And then you end the book and you're depressed from reading 100 pages of bickering and walking away!

This is a total waste of time.

4.0 out of 5 stars Different!, December 21, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Used To Be Lovers (Paperback)

Although I enjoyed the book, I became frustrated with Sharon. She finds it easier to walk away than fight for what she wants. Tony, on the hand, was WOW! Loved the setting for the book. Even the kids were great