Gentle Readers:

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So WHEN SHADOWS FALL is out in the world! We had a great time at the book launch at Barnes & Noble, and I’ve been around town, signing stock and generally making merry. It’s always so exciting to usher a book out into the world — and I have you to thank for helping me make SHADOWS a success! And if you’re interested in signed copies, you can call Parnassus Books 615.953.2243 or Barnes & Noble 615.377.9979 and they’ll hook you up.

Congratulations to the winners of the $50 giftcard contest — Shelley, Joseph and Jackie, your gift cards are on the way!

There have been a few write-ups and reviews, interviews and guest blogs for WHEN SHADOWS FALL. In the interest of housekeeping, I’ve gathered them all together. You can see the full listing on my blog here, but I also have included a few links to get you started.

Interviews and Blogs

One of the most extensive looks at WHEN SHADOWS FALL, really digging down into the story, comes from Bookreporter.com

I am so honored to have been asked to do an interview for She Reads, one of the book world’s leading curators for new books, book clubs, book blogging... they’re awesome!

Riffle Backstory — Riffle is a cool new site dedicated to readers, helping you find and share your favorite books, and this is a fun interview — with many of my favorite books and writers listed.

I did a brief podcast with my awesome audiobook publishers, Tantor Audio. The audiobook of WHEN SHADOWS FALL comes out March 31.

I’m always so excited to do anything with my good friend Allison Brennan, who’s new book NOTORIOUS is coming next month. Here’s a guest blog on her site, Murder She Writes

I participated in the ITW Thriller Roundtable — How do News Events Shape Your Plots discussion

On Writerspace, Samantha Owens took the Proust Questionnaire, and I also discussed the book’s path into being.

From CAFTAR — Campaign for the American Reader

• WHEN SHADOWS FALL takes the Page 69 Test
• My Book the Movie — and I have some new casting ideas
• What is J. T. Ellison reading?
• Writers Read: J. T. Ellison

You can read all the reviews here.

And last, but not least, here’s a short Excerpt from WHEN SHADOWS FALL

Get Thee to a Bookstore

I’ve been reading my brains out, trying to keep on top of all the books I have to get through. I was honored to have two blurb books this month — Laura Benedict’s amazing gothic haunted house story, BLISS HOUSE and debut author Bryon Quertermous’s MURDER BOY. Both were delightful, and highly recommended.

Here’s what else I’m looking forward to this month:

Laura Lippman — AFTER I’M GONE
Jennifer McMahon — WINTER PEOPLE
Marissa Meyer — CINDER
Susanna Kearsley — THE SPLENDOUR FALLS
H.P. Lovecraft — Various stories


I’ve made a commitment to track all my reading this year, so if you’re on Goodreads, friend me, and follow along. I’m always interested in what you’re reading, too!


Contest

The March contest is live now — win signed paperback editions of WHITE WITCH (Book One), BANE (Book Two) and MAGICK (Book Three), of Trish Milburn’s Young Adult trilogy, The Coven Series plus a $10 gift card (winner’s choice of Amazon or Barnes & Noble).
Enter here to win.

March Recipe — The Very Best Chicken Noodle Soup

It’s cold season at the Ellisons, so this delicious, hearty chicken noodle soup is just the ticket. I laugh every time I make it — I used to be so afraid of soups, and they’re the easiest thing on the planet. This is my favorite: it’s hearty, salty — good for sore throats — and filling. And you can easily double the recipe to serve a big family.

Ingredients

• 3 large chicken breasts, cut into 2 to 3 inch pieces, seasoned generously with salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons EVOO
• Standard Mire Poix — chop ½ half medium onion, 2 stalks of celery, and 2 large carrots
• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 package organic chicken stock
• 1 chicken bullion cube (in 1 cup water)
• 1 ¼ cups of thin egg noodles
• 1 cup frozen sweet peas
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons black pepper

• Cut chicken breasts into large pieces (2 to 3 inch pieces, about same thickness) and season generously with salt and pepper. Braise in olive oil until cooked through. Set aside.
  
• In a large pot, heat olive oil on medium heat. Add the diced onion, celery and carrots. Sauté for about two minutes. Add in the garlic, thyme and bay leaves, cook until onions are translucent.
  
• Return chicken to the pot. Stir so all the flavors mingle, add salt and pepper.
  
• Add chicken stock, bullion cube and water. Bring to a slow boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes.
  
• Add peas and noodles, cook for ten minutes.
  
• Serve with crusty French bread.

Spring is coming, chickens, so hang on and know the sun will come out, tomorrow. Probably. (Hopefully!) Just FYI, I’m off Facebook and Twitter for Lent. Here’s my explanation of my 40 Days of Silence. Email if you need me, and Happy Reading!

xoxo,