Visit J.L. Wilson's web site
An excerpt from Homicide, Hostages, and Hot Rod Restorations
About J.L. Wilson I was born in a small town in Iowa, and have traveled extensively, living in several different regions of the U.S. and briefly overseas. I've been writing most of my life and seriously writing, trying to be published, since 2004. Now I have 9 books out and will have 3 more out this year, with contracts for more mysteries in 2010. Stay tuned for more from me!
Back list (Romantic Suspense/Mystery)
Your Saving Grace, Cerridwen Press
If Not For You, Cerridwen Press
Nowhere to Run, Resplendence Publishing
Brilliant Disguise, Resplendence Publishing
Brownies, Bodies, and Breaking the Code, The Wild Rose Press
Candy, Corpses and Classified Ads, The Wild Rose Press
Autographs, Abductions, and A-List Authors, The Wild Rose Press
Sun, Surf, and Sandy Strangulation, The Wild Rose Press
Mayhem, Marriage, and Murderous Mystery Manuscripts, The Wild Rose Press
Back list (Paranormal/Time Travel)
Forgiveness, Cerridwen Press
Endurance
Temperance
Back list (Paranormal/Other Planets)
Human Touch, The Wild Rose Press
An Interview with J.L. Wilson
By Holly Hewson for The Romance Studio
HH: Please tell us about your featured book, Homicide, Hostages, and Hot Rod Restorations. JL: "Homicide" is the story of a woman (Mary Margaret Madison, nicknamed "Threemie" because of her 3-M name) who takes a chance - she meets a man totally by accident and decides to date him. She's older, he's older, and she has all the insecurities a person has when they're entering the dating game at a different stage of life (she's in her 50s, and so is he). Plus she's worried - he's a total stranger. Should she trust him? Can she trust him?
While trying to decide where her love life might be headed, Threemie gets entangled in a murder investigation. Again - right place, wrong time. She saw a murderer and that means she's in danger because the murderer…no, wait. I'd better not say!
HH: So your heroine meets the man of her dreams but they are both in danger from people meaning them harm. Where did you get the idea for this suspense-filled story? JL: I drafted this book when I was laid off from my previous job. I had worked for the company for almost 15 years, and while I wasn't surprised to be laid off (the company was going through some rough times) I was surprised by how I felt - disappointed and a bit miffed about it. I spent some time in the Unemployment Office researching new jobs, and I saw a lot of folks there who were desperately seeking work. I wasn't desperate (not immediately, at least!) but that image stuck with me. I thought about how our work and careers affects our self-image and who we are.
That became the basis for one aspect of the danger in the book. The idea for the other 'villain' came about when I thought about how much chance plays a role in our lives. We intersect with strangers almost every day but usually it's just a passing thing. What would happen if we intersected with someone in a much more meaningful way - and what would happen if it that meeting took place on a specific date when a murder occurred?
HH: Where does the hot rod restoration come in to play? JL: The man of Threemie's dreams is Bill Manion. Bill started as a mechanic at a local factory and slowly worked his way up in management until he retired a few years earlier. One of Bill's hobbies is restoring hot rods. He shows Threemie his latest project (a 1969 Mustang) and she has fond memories of such a car…memories she later shares with him (wink).
HH: What do you like best about Threemie? (Love the nickname!) JL: Threemie is a highly educated woman with a high-powered job who looks past social stereotypes to see who Bill really is. He has a high school education and worked as a tradesman most of his life, but he's a great guy and is as honest as the day is long. He's a gentle, kind man who is awkward but anxious to get to know her - a charming combination.
She's also a person who sticks by her friends. When one of her friends is dying in the hospital, she makes sure to visit him often to let him know he's not forgotten. It's a tough job but she does it because she knows it's important. Because of that obligation, she meets Bill - and a murderer.
HH: What do you like about Bill and why might he be the one for her? JL: Bill has a lot of real-world, pragmatic work experience that is as valuable (if not more valuable) than college education. But he has always harbored a desire to learn, so he's been working on an advanced college degree, one class at a time. He's not concerned about social status, salary, or any other artificial way to categorize people. He bases his friendships on who a person is at heart, not who they appear to be.
HH: What do you think appeals to readers about this type of story? JL: I think anyone who is older and re-entering the dating world will smile when they see the initial dates that Bill and Threemie have. It's not easy being 50ish and going out there to date. Threemie also has a wide circle of co-workers and friends, and I think people will recognize that group - well-meaning, a bit nosy, and quick to offer advice.
HH: What else do you have in store for lucky readers? JL: I've got 2 more mysteries coming out this year. The next one, PhDs, Pornography, and Premeditated Murder has a character from "Homicide" as its hero. Marcus Sloan, the detective in "Homicide" helps save the day in "PhDs".
At the end of the year I've got Ex-Wives, Extortion, and Erotic First Editions, a story about a woman who runs a bookstore and the trouble that ensues when she buys books from an estate sale and gets more than she bargained for.
I also have the second book in my New Human paranormal series releasing in 2010. Living Proof picks up where Human Touch ended on the planet Delmorna. Isbel and Cyrus are still together and Isbel's sister, Dru, has her hands full trying to run the government while dealing with Jak Exo, her planetary co-leader.
I also have a new romantic suspense book releasing this year that's set at a casino in Minnesota. Shadow of Doubt features characters from my earlier RS books, Nowhere to Run and Brilliant Disguise. Nathan Stokes and Margaret Dalton become embroiled in a murder where a lawyer is found dead - frozen to the ground during a cold snap in Minnesota (yes, that can happen!)
HH: What's a typical day like for you? JL: I get up by 4:15 in the morning and am at my day job by 5:00, drinking my first cup of coffee. I work until 3:00 or so in the afternoon then I head for home. I try to sneak in my exercise during the day somehow - either by taking a walk (outside if the weather permits or indoors at a mall if it's too snowy) or by stopping at the gym on my way home.
When I get home I spend some time getting caught up: paying bills, sorting the mail, feeding the animals, doing some promo for my books. I usually eat alone because my husband is busy teaching class (he teaches photography, sculpture, and art glass techniques), so by 6:00 at night I'm usually sitting in front of my computer to write.
I quit writing at 9:00 or so and share a glass of wine with my husband. We watch a bit of television and by 10:00 I'm usually sound asleep.
HH: What do you enjoy reading personally? JL: I've gone back to reading some 'classics': Jane Austen, Ladies of the Club, Outlander - big books that keep my attention for a long time. I don't read much from current authors. Between working full-time and writing full-time, I just don't have, well, time!
HH: What would you most like to accomplish this year? JL: I'm working on a five-book series that follows a family through several generations. I'd like to finish those five books this year, as well as sell the 2 three-book series I've drafted, hopefully for publication in 2011 and 2012.
After that…well, I have more ideas for more books. I have three more History Patrol books I'd like to write, two more mysteries, and another three-book series set on my New Human planet. I don't plan to quit writing any time soon…
Thanks for letting me chat with you. I do appreciate the opportunity to connect with my readers. I hope everybody had a great holiday and will have a fun 2010!
HH: Thank you!
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