Laura Miller

"New Milford"

8/18/2021

I started writing Will and Julia's story 13 years ago in Charleston, South Carolina! But New Milford, the setting of Butterfly Weeds, was inspired by the town in Missouri pictured below. It's the same small town where I spent my adolescence.

If you haven't had a chance to read Butterfly Weeds or its sequel, My Butterfly, you can find them on Amazon! Happy reading! ♥ Laura

“You’ll get in, and I’ll be happy for you. And we’ll find a way to be together--no matter what. If I have to sing songs on the sidewalks of New Milford to get to you, I’ll do it." -Will Stephens

Find my books in New haven!

5/12/2021

You can now find ALL of my books, including Love Story and Pay It Forward, at Lizzy Lu Custom Wreaths in New Haven, Mo. AND they’re all signed! New Haven, Detmold, Berger, Hermann and Washington are all inspirations for most of the settings in my novels. So, if you’re in the area, make your way downtown to the place my very first story began! And while you’re there, check out the store and snag some other really cool local finds you can only get in New Haven, Mo.! ♥ Laura

Butterfly Weeds & My Butterfly

11/7/2020

Both Julia and Will's story have a new look! Find Butterfly Weeds and My Butterfly on Amazon and Amazon Unlimited!

Have you read them all?

8/7/2019

Have you read all eight of my novels?! They all take place in small towns and involve characters that will probably remind you of the people you know or used to know! If you haven't read any OR all of them, I've put together a cheat sheet below to help you choose where to begin! They're in order of how I wrote them, starting in 2012, but you can read them in ANY order. And the best part, they're suitable for all ages! But if you get to the end, and you're still not quite sure where to start, I recommend The Life We Almost Had! Find them all on Amazon! Happy reading! ♥ Laura

Butterfly Weeds

My debut novel about a girl who hears a song on a downtown Charleston, South Carolina street, only to realize it's about her.
Themes: High school sweethearts, music, forever love, songs, famous hero
Why readers like it: Main character Will Stephens, the story follows the life of the characters, the ending

"One of the most beautiful love stories I have ever read." -Jelena's Book Blog

My Butterfly

The same story as Butterfly Weeds, but told in the male point of view
Themes: High school sweethearts, country music, small-town life, fame
Why readers like it: More details about Will, revisiting Butterfly Weeds

"I have never met a more swoon-worthy character than Will Stephens."
-Romantic Reading Escapes

For All You Have Left

Story alternates between past and present. Logan Cross secretly gets married at eighteen but is forced to start over soon afterward.
Themes: Love and loss, mystery, hope, sisterhood, second chances, secrets
Why readers like it: Old loves and new loves that are interconnected, falling in love for the first time

"It takes you back to the innocence and joy of falling in love." -She Reads New Adult

By Way of Accident

Told from the male point of view. A girl shows up at River Asher's creek one day only to disappear. Years later, when he finds a lost letter, he goes on a quest to find her.
Themes: Rural life, young love, second chances, fate, letters
Why readers like it: Young love in a rural, small town

"A classic, all-American, enchanting love story." -Southern Belle Book Blog

When Cicadas Cry

Fast read, told from both the female and male perspectives. When Ashley Westcott shows up in Remington Jude's small town, she's the talk of the town. When she abruptly leaves one day, rumors fly.
Themes: Mystery, small-town rumors, love and loss
Why readers like it: Love between family and friends, the twist

"Miller brings the small-town rumor mill to life." -Kathy Reads Fiction

A Bird on a Windowsill

New adult romance. Salem and Savannah have known each other since childhood. But now, at 23 and having spent the last five years apart, they both must navigate the delicate line of loving and letting go.
Themes: Young love, a hint of mystery, true love, letters
Why readers like it: Main character Salem Ebenezer, reminds them of their first love

"Captures the true essence of friendship and falling in love."
-Two Book Lovers Reviews

The Life We Almost Had

Berlin and Iva grow up and fall in love in the small town of Sweet Home, Missouri. But when Berlin's family moves away, they lose touch. Now, years later, Berlin has a secret he's hiding from Iva.
Themes: Small-town life, young love, second chances, mystery, famous hero
Why readers like it: The small town of Sweet Home, inspired by my hometown; following Iva and Berlin's love story from the beginning

"The book that feeds my need for the perfect romance." -The Bookie Rookie

The Dream

Not your ordinary romance. Everton and Daisy's love comes young and fast. And it's also forbidden. Five years later, they're standing face to face for the first time since high school, but one thing remains: their love is still forbidden.
Themes: Young love, forbidden love, family, sisterhood
Why readers like it: The banter between the sisters, small-town family life, the revelation at the end

"Heart-breakingly beautiful." -Jenn and Books

"This one took a turn I didn't see coming." -Cyndy, Goodreads

Find them all on Amazon!

Butterfly Weeds

9/18/2018

Butterfly Weeds is my baby—my debut novel. It’s about high school sweethearts and country music and second chances! ❤️🎵Find Will & Julia’s story and all my novels on Amazon!

Happy Anniversary, Julia and Will!

10/31/2017

My baby is FIVE years old! In 2012, Julia first shared her love story in Butterfly Weeds. And I'll never forget the kind words and real-life stories YOU shared with me on how Butterfly Weeds touched your lives in that first year and each year after. I'm still so honored, and I will be forever grateful! Thank you for accepting Will Stephens and Julia Lang into your hearts five years ago. AND thank you for continuing to keep their story alive through your sweet words and memories! AND TO CELEBRATE, Julia and Will's love story has a new look!!! Check out the new cover on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iTunes very soon!

♥Laura

Back cover summary: Julia Lang expected a nice night away from the office—free of thoughts about the case, her failed engagement, her past. But she should have known better. Her past haunted her every chance it got these days, and tonight it came in the form of lyrics she never expected to hear again—not after a decade, not in the arms of another man and definitely not in the form of a confession.

Now, Julia must discover for herself if the song—and more importantly, the man behind it—is enough to leave her new life for her small-town, Missouri roots and a second chance at love.

"One of the most beautiful love stories I have ever read."
-Jelena's Book Blog

"Butterfly Weeds is definitely one of my favorite books of 2012; I couldn't put this one down. I was so spellbound by the story of Julia and Will. I will forever love and be captivated by Will Stephens; I only wish I knew someone like him in real life."
-Romantic Reading Escapes

"Beautifully written and sure to leave a lasting footprint on your heart."
-Angela McLaurin, The Indie Bookshelf

Discussion Questions: Butterfly Weeds

4/30/2017

READING GROUP GUIDE
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
BUTTERFLY WEEDS

Julia and Will are each other’s first loves. Do you think that this affects how they interact with each other throughout the story? Do you think that your first love is more impactful than some other loves? Why?
Julia and Will have their first “big” fight when Julia tells Will that she is thinking about moving away for college. Do you feel for Will or do you think he might have over-reacted?
During Will and Julia’s senior year of high school, Will discovers that he wants to pursue firefighting. What are Julia’s hesitations? Are they justified?
In Julia’s freshman year of college, she and Will break up. Do you believe that Julia’s thoughts are reasonable? How much do you think the distance or change of environments played into the outcome? Do you think that Will’s demanding job played a part?
At the New Year’s Eve party, Julia sees Will with another girl. It had been two months since she had last seen him. Would you have shown up to the party with someone else? Was it too soon?
After Julia graduates from college, she is urged by Will’s aunt to visit Will. She does. What do you think of this reunion? Will still seems to have feelings for Julia. Do you think it’s possible to still be in love with someone, even if you haven’t seen them in years?
What does Julia see in Brady? Why is she drawn to him more than she’s pulled to Will?
On a Saturday morning, Julia sees Will singing on the television? Do you believe it’s possible that she could have somehow missed his rise to fame? Is it believable that a country singer could have “overnight” success, like Will seemingly did?
Why do Julia and Will call each other every year on their birthdays? Do you think it’s possible for two people, after having dated, to be friends?
When Brady proposes to Julia, Julia seems a little shaken. Why do you think she feels this way? Is she justified in her response? Should she have been prepared? Why do you think she wasn’t?
After Julia gets engaged, she goes back to her hometown for a visit and sees Will at an old hangout. While they dance, Will starts to say that he had been doing some thinking. What do you think he was going to say? Do you think there was more Will could have done to get Julia back before she got engaged to Brady?
Why do you think Julia breaks off her engagement with Brady? Do you think it’s possible to commit to an engagement and then realize the two of you are not as similar as you once thought? Do you think Julia and Brady were ever compatible?
When Julia is in South Carolina, she discovers the lyrics to the song Will had sung to her years ago. What would be your response if you heard “your” lyrics? Would you think the lyrics still held any meaning years later?
During the concert in New Milford, Will sings a song for Julia, and afterward, Julia gets in her car and starts driving. What would have been your reaction to his song?
After the concert, Will finds Julia and confesses his love to her. Do you think he has waited too long to tell her? Do you think Julia was justified in believing that Will had not “fought” for her? Would you have let Will walk away that night?
Julia is on her way back to South Carolina. What do you think ultimately made her change her mind and turn around? What had changed in her?
How do you interpret the novel’s ending? Did Julia and Will make the right choices, in the end? Could they have made the road easier for themselves or do you think their path was just a part of life? And how do you imagine the life that Will and Julia had?

*Discover more about Will and Julia’s story in My Butterfly.

My Inspiration in Photos

8/1/2015

Butterfly Weeds

By Way of Accident

When Cicadas Cry

Butterfly Weeds!

6/19/2015

My aunt sent me photos of her butterfly weeds, so I thought I'd share!

Now available at the Mu bookstore!

6/2/2014

I'm so excited to announce that Butterfly Weeds, My Butterfly and For All You Have Left are now available at the MU Bookstore in Columbia, Mo. So, if you're looking for a paperback copy of either Will and Julia's story or Logan and Jorgen's and you're in the Columbia area, stop by the store on Rollins Road!