About A Sometimes Paradise

A captivating, unfiltered account of growing up on a ranch, where every decision defines character

A Sometimes Paradise is a poignant personal journey into the rugged beauty and hardscrabble challenges of Wyoming ranch life that shaped Mark Miller as a boy and then as a young man.

Against the backdrop of deadly ice storms and punishing droughts in a harsh, unforgiving environment, Mark shares stories of adventures, misadventures, and invaluable lessons he learned along the way. As he adapted to the rugged Wyoming terrain, he forged an unbreakable connection with the land and animals-and discovered the true power of family and friendship.

An eloquent account of self-discovery, A Sometimes Paradise paints a vivid portrait of resilience and a steadfast commitment to a vanishing way of life. More than a memoir, it is a testament to the enduring spirit of the American West and the people who call it home.

Praise

“Pristine prose, powerful in its directness. . . . Recalls cowboy novels of yore.”—Kirkus Reviews

“An eloquent, colorful, thoughtful, and memorable account.”—Midwest Book Review

“I was swept away immediately by the eloquent prose that vividly brings to life the beauty and brutality of ranch existence. . . . Miller writes with detail and clarity, but also a great sense of empathy for those around him. . . . Highly engrossing.”—Readers’ Favorite (5 stars)

“Moving and genuine. . . . Author Mark E. Miller tells the story of ranching life with love, humor, and a great respect for the family and characters he knew. . . . All explored in an authentic and beautifully descriptive way. A memoir to be long remembered.”—Chris Enss, COWGIRL magazine

“A story of gratitude and reciprocity with respect to nature and man. . . . A Sometimes Paradise reminded me at times of John Steinbeck and the silent loneliness and the harsh realities of life for the working class who faced tough and often solitary experiences.”—Larry Wilcox, actor, producer, director, and member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association

“Outstanding memoir . . . as well as closely observed, poignant, and wistful. This is a valuable first-person account of growing up in every way on a property that fewer and fewer of us will see again: the family ranch.”—C. J. Box, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Magic, understanding, and truth lie within these pages. Mark Miller takes us into the heart of compassion for the people and animals, to tragedy, back-breaking hard work, and the wind-powered love of the land and its creatures. . . . A Sometimes Paradise is a masterwork.”—W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Gear, New York Times bestselling authors

“This fabulous firsthand account about a harsh, unforgiving life is also about a deep love and respect for nature, for animals, and, most importantly, for family and dear friends. A superb story well told.”—David Crow, award-winning author of The Pale-Faced Lie

“Mark Miller’s tales of the I Lazy D Ranch are as true and strong as the snubbing post his father plants in the center of the corral. A Sometimes Paradise is a beautiful book that earns its spurs by reminding us that without the nourishment of care and wisdom, none of our Wests can survive.”—Alyson Hagy, author of Boleto and Ghosts of Wyoming

“A gritty, poignant account of ranching. . . . The place where he grew up . . . inspired Mark to a career in archaeology, and as a writer who knows how to turn hard ranch work into inspiring stories.”—Candy Moulton, author of the Spur Award-winning biography Sacajawea

AWARDS

Readers’ Favorite Gold, Nonfiction, Genealogy

About the Author

Mark E. Miller spent his youth and early adulthood on a large ranching operation in Carbon County, Wyoming, started by his great-grandfather Isaac C. Miller in 1881. Mark lived around livestock for thirty-two years before he moved on to . . . READ MORE