Win Naming Rights to a JT Ellison Character!

It's that time of year again, when the indomitable Brenda Novak hosts her annual Diabetes Auction. And I am so excited to be included! 

I'm giving away a chance  to win naming rights for a character in my upcoming Samantha Owens novel, WHAT LIES BEHIND, plus a signed set of Samantha Owens novels! Bidding starts today - so hop on over to the site and support a fabulous cause.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER 

Entries must be made on the auction site. 

A message from From Brenda Novak About the Auction   

Join me help my son and all the others out there who suffer from diabetes, which is the 5th deadliest killer.

This year, the money from my efforts will be donated to The Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami.

The Diabetes Research Institute (DRI)is a recognized world leader in cure-focused research. Since its inception in the early 1970s, the DRI has made significant contributions to the field of diabetes research, pioneering many of the techniques used in islet cell transplantation. From innovations in islet isolation and transplant procedures to advances in cell biology and immunology, the Diabetes Research Institute is now harnessing the power of emerging technologies to develop new cell-based therapies to restore insulin production.

By bidding you will not only win some exciting and unique items and/or opportunities, you'll be supporting a very worthy research-based organization. To find out more about the Diabetes Research Institute, visit their website at www.DiabetesResearch.org.

Happy Birthday, Will

In honor of William Shakespeare's birthday, thrillerkitten Jameson declaims for you.

But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks?

It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. 
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief, 
That thou her maid art far more fair than she:
Be not her maid, since she is envious; 
Her vestal livery is but sick and green 
And none but fools do wear it; cast it off.

On Breaking My Lenten Fast to Share Great News: More Nicholas Drummond Books Coming!

So I promised I'd reach out from my 40 Days of Silence if anything newsworthy happened. Well, this counts, I think. From Publishers Marketplace: 

DEAL OF THE DAY

Fiction: Thriller

NYT bestselling author Catherine Coulter's next two books in her BRIT IN THE FBI series, co-authored with J.T. Ellison, which expands her FBI books with the addition of the UK-bred hero Nicholas Drummond of Scotland Yard, to Ivan Held at Putnam, in a major deal, for seven figures, by Robert Gottlieb at Trident Media Group (NA).

I am so excited to continue working with my amazing friend Catherine Coulter on the Brit in the FBI series, with our incredible editor Chris Pepe, and awesome Putnam and Trident Media Group teams. We are having so much fun developing these books. The second in the series, THE LOST KEY, will release September 30. (Cover reveal coming soon - it is SO pretty!) 

So this means more exciting locales and intriguing characters and wild-ass villains. I can't wait.

And you must know, you make these awesome things happen. You buy and read the books, cheer us on, and I can't thank you enough for reading.

I hope everyone is doing wonderfully. I miss you all! Raising my champagne glass to you.

xoxo, JT

7 Minutes With... Allison Brennan

I am so thrilled to have my dear friend, mentor extraordinaire, and wonderful NYT bestselling author Allison Brennan here today for a special 7 Minutes With... interview. Her new book, NOTORIOUS, the first in a new series starring Max Revere, comes out tomorrow. I can't say enough good things about this book - you simply must buy it, right now.

Allison and I have known each other for years - she was the first person I met at the very first Thrillerfest, and the friendship stuck. In all things, when I'm trying to make decisions, I ask myself - WWAD? She's a brilliant author, mother of five, a word churning burning chick who is one of the most selfless people in crime fiction. If you haven't read her yet, you're in for a treat. And if you have - NOTORIOUS will knock your socks off.

Here's a quick interview to help you get to know her better.  

Set your music to shuffle and hit play. What’s the first song that comes up?


Time that Remains by Three Days Grace

Now that we’ve set the mood, what are you working on today?

What am I not working on? I have a book due this week (Max Revere #2), I have page proofs due next week, and a book out tomorrow. So … a little of everything!

What’s your latest book about?

I hate talking about my books, let’s talk about yours … WOW is all I can say about WHEN SHADOWS FALL. How do you write every book better than the last?

[Blush - stop that.]

Oh, wait, this is my interview. Okay … NOTORIOUS is the first book in a new series starring investigative crime reporter Maxine Revere. Max goes home to wealthy Atherton, California for a funeral and ends up investigating two cold cases – the five month old case of a murdered architect at her alma mater, and the thirteen year old case of her murdered best friend. Max is totally different than my other heroine’s – she’s not in law enforcement, breaks rules, has an attitude, is opinionated and arrogant but hates bullshit and has a heart of compassion. As long as she doesn’t catch you in a lie.

Where do you write, and what tools do you use?

Most of the time, I write on my iMac in my office. Sometimes, when I’m stuck, I need a change of scenery and take my MacBook to Starbucks. Or a bar. Depends on the time of day … and my mood!

What was your favorite book as a child?


You ask hard questions. How young? I don’t remember most things before I was 5. When I was 8 I discovered my first favorite book series – Trixie Belden. I still have all the books.

What’s your favorite bit of writing advice?

RUE: Resist the Urge to Explain. I tend to over-explain. It also fits my second favorite bit of writing advice: Resist the Urge to Edit. When I start editing before I’m done with the book, I tend to have time management problems.

What do you do if the words aren’t flowing?

Change writing locations (like go to Starbucks); watch television; play video games. Something relatively mindless so I can empty my head for awhile. Usually after an hour I uncover the fundamental problem with the scene.

What would you like to be remembered for?

Being kind.

[That will not be a problem.]

Thank you for joining us today!

Photo Credit - Britton Dodd

Allison Brennan is the New York Times bestselling author of 23 books and numerous short stories. Visit her website here.

Here's a bit about NOTORIOUS on sale March 25, 2014:

Maxine Revere has dedicated her life to investigating murders that the police have long since given up any hope of solving. A nationally renowned investigative reporter with her own TV show and a tough-as-nails reputation, Max tackles cold cases from across the country and every walk of life. But the one unsolved murder that still haunts her is a case from her own past.



When Max was a high school senior, one of her best friends was strangled and another, Kevin O’Neal, accused of the crime. To the disgrace of her wealthy family, Max stood by her friend, until she found out he lied about his alibi. Though his guilt was never proven, their relationship crumbled from the strain of too many secrets.



Now Max is home for Kevin’s funeral—after years of drug abuse, he committed suicide. She’s finally prepared to come to terms with the loss of his friendship, but she’s not prepared for Kevin’s sister to stubbornly insist that he didn’t kill himself. Or for an elderly couple to accost her at the airport, begging her to look into another murder at Max’s old high school. Max is more interested in the cold case at her alma mater than in digging around Kevin’s troubled life, but she agrees to do both. As Max uncovers dark secrets, she finds herself caught in a complicated web of lies that hit far too close to home. And it’s becoming increasingly clear that someone will do whatever it takes to make sure the truth stays buried.

On Lent, and My 40 Days of Silence

Tomorrow begins my 40 Days of Silence, as I like to refer to it. Every year, I exit from the social networking sphere for Lent. It gives me a chance to get my feet back under me, get a lot of work done, and allow me a bit of time to reflect, read, and write.

The first year I left social networking for Lent, I wrote 60,000 words. It was enough to prove to me social networking DOES affect my writing time and creativity, so I decided to repeat the experiment annually.

Without Facebook and Twitter, I find myself more focused, more present. It's as simple as that. Coming off a book launch, revising the next book with Catherine, working on the secret project, finishing another secret project, and prepping for Sam #4, I need some headspace to make it all work. And honestly, a little time away can't hurt. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?

I made seeing people IRL (in real life) a priority for this year, and as much as I miss the convenience of having everyone in one place, my friends and I email, text, and (gasp!) talk on the phone, so I won't be too separated from them. And I'm getting antsy, not working on a new book. My brain needs to focus on creating again.

I've done quite a bit of preparation for this fast, so many of you won't even realize I'm gone. I'm toying with the idea of posting links while I'm away through my Buffer - things I've read and found interesting. But it feels like that might be defeating the purpose. (Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments - post links, or don't post links. It's all automated and ready to go, but a single click can turn it off again.)

I hope you'll understand my silence, and cheer me on in my quest. Lent is about denial, giving up things that are precious to you. Yes, jellybeans and wine would be a stellar second choice, but social networking is even dearer to me. I'm replacing my SN time with exercise and reading, hopefully rebooting my Italian lessons. I have a retreat on the books, and a trip to see Catherine. I plan to return in April leaner, more fluent, with a ton of words under my belt.

I will be updating the blog here occasionally, and if there's any great news that can't wait, I'll certainly come share. I wish you all the best in your Lenten endeavors, and whatever else you're setting your mind to these days. 

xo, JT