Pre-order the $7.99 mass market paperback now!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Powell's Books | Parnassus Books

Waking to sirens in the night is hardly unusual for Samantha Owens. No longer a medical examiner, she doesn't lose sleep over them, but a local police investigation has her curious. When her homicide detective friend, Darren Fletcher, invites her to look over the evidence, she realizes the crime scene has been staged. What seems to be a clear case of murder/suicide--a crime of passion--is anything but. The discovery of toxic substances in hidden vials indicates that something much more sinister is at play . . . 

Fletch and Sam are quickly summoned to a meeting at the State Department. High-level officials are interested in what they know and seem to be keeping secrets of their own. As the threat of bioterrorism grows, Sam's boyfriend, Xander Whitfield, is in the line of fire. 

Unsure who to trust, Sam and Fletch find themselves up against DC's most powerful people. No one is who they appear to be, and the danger escalates by the minute. It's Sam's most complex case yet, and the terrifying reality is beyond anything she could have imagined.

Join me and novelist Dana Chamblee Carpenter for a lively discussion on Dana's fabulous debut novel, BOHEMIAN GOSPEL, along with some wine and nibbles at Parnassus Books. We'll chat and sign books after. It's a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

I'm excited to have been invited to participate in the Annotations event at Cheekwood. Come on out and enjoy the fall colors and yours truly as we chat about books and the writing process!

an·no·ta·tion - to furnish a literary work with critical commentary or explanatory notes.

Parnassus Books and Cheekwood Botanical Gardens invites Nashville’s community of readers and book lovers to visit each month for a series of literary events in the garden. Join us as celebrated local authors share their stories, describe their process, and offer "behind-the-text" accounts of their works. 

My new publisher, Simon & Schuster, is putting on a fab online book fest--I love the tagline, don't you??

Here's a little more about the event:

What: XOXOConnects, an online convention where romance fans can chat with authors, get exclusive sneak peeks of content, learn about writing and publishing, and above all have fun with lots of other romance fans!

When: October 24, 2015; 12-8 PM, EST

Where: On your laptop, smartphone, Apple Watch, whatever!

Who: Bestselling authors, popular bloggers, experienced editors and agents, and maybe a surprise guest or two!

Why: Because we think romance is awesome, and romance readers even more so–don’t you?

Pre-Order coming soon!

Nothing better than a discussion about co-writing with my partner in crime Catherine Coulter, plus a host of other writing teams. Join us!

Guys . . . I have something to tell you.

I'm going to be paneling at Comic-Con San Diego (!!!). 

Check it out!

Horror and thriller novels have an amazing way of keeping readers up at night. Whether it is demons and zombies, from the historical settings to the seemingly mundane, authors find bone-chilling ways to make sure the reader keeps turning the pages. Join Del Howison, owner of Dark Delicacy Bookstore, as he chats with distinguished horror and thriller writers J.T. Ellison (WHAT LIES BEHIND), Kevin P. Keating (THE CAPTIVE CONDITION), Matthew Reilly (THE GREAT ZOO OF CHINA), Mira Grant (SYMBIONT), Diana Rowland (VENGEANCE OF THE DEMON), and Robert Brockway (THE UNNOTICIBLES) about what motivates them to scare you.

KILLER YEAR is a volume of some of the best crime, mystery, and suspense short stories by such rising stars as Brett Battles, Robert Gregory Browne, Toni McGee Causey, Marcus Sakey, Derek Nikitas, Marc Lecard, JT Ellison, Jason Pinter, Bill Cameron, Sean Chercover, Patry Francis, Gregg Olsen, and David White. Each of the stories are introduced by different masters of thriller and mystery world, some of which include bestselling authors Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen and Jeffrey Deaver. In addition to this group of talented writer's stories, there are also tales by Ken Bruen, Allison Brennan and Duane Swierczynski. Bestselling authors Laura Lippman and MJ Rose contribute insightful essays. Inside you'll read about a small time crook in over his head, a story told backwards with a heroine not to be messed with, a tale of boys and the trouble they will get into over a girl, and many more stories of the highest caliber in murder, mayhem, and sheer entertainment. This amazing anthology, edited by the grandmaster Lee Child, will keep readers coming back for more. 

What: BASED ON: Words, Notes, and Art from Nashville (book/cd & event)

When: June 15th, 2015 

Where: Belmont’s McAfee Concert Hall (event), East Side Story and http://www.abcnashville.org (book/cd sales).

Artist Participants from BASED ON: 

Authors - Chuck Beard, Paige Crutcher, Tony Earley, JT Ellison, Cary Graham, River Jordan, Ariel Lawhon, Betsy Phillips,  RashadthaPoet (Rashad Rayford), Victoria Schwab, Shawn Whitsell, and Tommy Womack. (intro by- Craig Havighurst /afterword by- Robert Hicks)

Musicians - Kyle Andrews, Boom Forest, Carolina Story, Michael B. Hicks, Griffin House, Phil Madeira, David Mead, The Coal Men, The Lower Caves, The Rough and Tumble, Tristen, and Brooke Waggoner.

Visual Artists - Adam Baker, Cory Basil, Carl Carbonell, efharper (Emily Harper Beard), Michael McBride, Barry Noland, Rebecca Sloan, Julie Sola, and Ian White.

What to Expect: The Arts & Business Council is thrilled to join with East Side Story to present Nashville’s first-ever, all-local major collaboration between Nashville musicians, authors, and visual artists. This book/cd and release event will be like none other in town before. It will be hosted by Music City Roots host Craig Havighurst and include various local creative artists, leaders, and more.

How YOU can Help: In order to produce the anthology book/cd and launch a successful release concert June 15th, we are raising a pool of monetary awards for the local sponsors that fit with the project the best and we want you on board! Your generous support will take care of the release event costs and also pay a local copyeditor, printing company, music producer, and recording studio for their services to make the book/cd in Nashville from start to finish. All proceeds from this project will go directly to Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville in order to help them continue to leverage and unite the unique resources of the arts and business communities to create a thriving, sustainable creative culture in Nashville.

To purchase products/tickets: visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/based-on-words-notes-and-art-from-nashville-tickets-17111252216

A lovely afternoon luncheon in an even lovelier setting! I'm thrilled to be venturing down to Decatur, AL, to meet with the Friends of the Library for a talk and signing (and lunch!). I'll have goody bags and 20% off coupons for all who get a book, along with some friendly chatter and witticisms, to boot.

Entrance to this event requires a ticket. Each ticket is $25, and includes the cost of lunch. You can purchase a ticket by calling 256-353-2993. Can't wait to see you!

BURNING TREE COUNTRY CLUB

2521 Burning Tree Dr SE

Decatur, AL 35603

On May 29, I'll be joining my friends at Books-A-Million at Nashville West for a signing! All book purchasers will receive a 20% off coupon, along with a goody bag of treats. I don't think there's a better way to get your weekend reading material than with a goody bag!

Books-A-Million

6718 Charlotte Pike

Nashville, TN 37209

I'm so pumped to be visiting my friends at Reading Rock in Dickson, TN! I'll be signing books and giving away goodies--including a 20% off coupon to everyone who buys a book at the store. 

READING ROCK BOOKS

122 N. Main St.

Dickson, TN 37055

Book releases are something to celebrate, are they not? Come join the fun at Parnassus Books in Nashville as my pal, Ariel Lawhon, and I talk about WHAT LIES BEHIND, synesthesia, epidemiology, and all kinds of exciting things. We'll all drink wine together and have a merry ol' time.

PARNASSUS BOOKS

3900 Hillsboro Pike

Nashville, TN 37215

Pre-order now!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | iBooks | Indiebound | Kobo | Powell's Books

I'm thrilled to be part of this event! Atlanta-area readers, come see me along with some amazing authors: Hank Phillippi Ryan, Carolyn Haines, Molly Harper, Stacy Allen, Susan Boyer. Much fun will be had, as well as some giveaway swag! (including a 20% off coupon for all who buy a book that day!)

FOXTALE BOOK SHOPPE

105 E. Main St.

Woodstock, GA 30188

Pre-order now!

Hard-boiled breakfasts, thrilling entrees, cozy desserts, and more--this illustrated cookbook features more than 100 recipes from legendary mystery authors.

Full-color photography is featured throughout, along with mischievous sidebars revealing the links between food and foul play. Contributors include Lee Child, Mary Higgins Clark, Harlan Coben, Nelson DeMille, Gillian Flynn, Sue Grafton, Charlaine Harris, James Patterson,  and many more. 

Join a lively discussion of THE FIRST WIFE by NYT bestselling author Erica Spindler as she's interviewed by her friend NYT bestselling author J.T. Ellison.

March 1 at 2 p.m.

Parnassus Books

3900 Hillsboro Pike

Nashville

Oh, and there will be wine.