Works In Progress

I’m deep in the guts of two zombie apocalypse projects this week. See what I did there? Guts? Zombies? LOL

Escape Plan: Z is a The Fugitive meets the zombie apocalypse. Miranda Jones has been falsely accused with a case of mistaken identity. On a train to prison she crashed into the zombie apocalypse.

The Night of the Rotted is my first YA/non-romance zombie apocalypse novel. High School Ditch Day is for swimming, friends, and fun. Not losing your parents, taking care of your little brother, and making sure both of you don’t get eaten by the undead.

Jill James, author the Time of Zombies series

Excerpt – Escape Plan Z

Escape Plan Z is one of my current works in progress (zompoc fiction)

“Jones, Miranda.”

“Here,” she managed to squeak out above the clang of her shackles as she tried to raise her hand as if she were still in school instead of a prisoner on a train.

The woman in the seat next to her smirked as she replied “Yo” to her own name.

As the guard in the front of the train car laid down the rules, she hung her head, staring at the shackles on her ankles connecting her to the pitted, rusted floor. Half-listening, she randomly heard ‘don’t do this, and don’t do that.’ Since she was not going to cause any trouble, she shut out the rest of the speech. “I’m not supposed to be here,” she whispered as the train wheels squealed at start-up. Like everything else, the whole thing sounded on its last leg.

Jill James, author of the Time of Zombies series

Works In Progress

Been working on two books this week. The new YA zompoc fiction and also, Ghostly Perceptions, book #3 in the Ghost Releasers, Inc. series.

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Jill James, author of zompoc romance

Works In Progress

I’m going to start blogging once a week with an update of whatever I’m working on at that time.

The Night of the Rotted – YA zompoc fiction. Main characters are Amelia, a 17 year old student who wakes up to the zombie apocalypse. Her brother, Adam is 8 years old and Amelia will do anything to protect him from the apocalyptic terror they now face.

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Jill James, writer of zompoc romance

What I’m Reading

Designed by Amy Patrick / Young Adult Dystopian Science Fiction

I’m not the target audience for this book, but I’m really enjoying it. Well-written science fiction with the age-old question. What is a human? Is it because we are born? Is it because we have a soul? Is it something that can’t be measured, or probed, or discovered?

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Jill James, author of Dangerous Shift – science fiction romantic suspense

What I’m Reading

Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey (horror, serial killer)

This book is deep. I mean, really deep. Have you ever wondered about the wife and children of serial killers? Vera Crowder returns home to be with her dying mother. The Crowder House and its inhabitants are infamous in their small town. With a serial killer for a father and a mother who never showed her any love, Vera is very much, damaged and broken. When she returns to her home, will her memories finish the job?

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Jill James, author of the Time of Zombies series

What I’m Reading

The Highlander’s Kilted Bride by Vanessa Kelly. Historical Romance.

Vanessa Kelly is an auto-buy author for me. I’ve loved the Clan Kendrick books very, very much. Her tales of the Kendrick’s family bring the Scottish highlands to vivid life.

Kade and Charlotte “Charlie” are a wonderful, romantic addition to the family tales of love and finding the right person to spend the rest of their life with.

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Jill James, lover of historical romance and the Scottish highlands.

What I’m Reading

The Falcon’s Flight by Natalia Richards. Historical Fiction.

I’ve read book 1 and loved it. I’m loving this one too, but I hope Anne was not as mean to her only sister as is portrayed in this book. Mary had few choices in life and was used by the men around her.

It is interesting to read how events and people shaped the person Anne Boleyn grew into.

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Jill James, lover of historical fiction and the Tudors.

What I’m Reading

Endless Winter by Riley Miller and Grace Hamilton. Post-apocalyptic fiction.

I’ve only read a little bit into the book so far, but I’m really enjoying it. The characters are unique and have personality. The storyline is plausible and believable. Can’t wait to see what happens next.

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Jill James, reader of post apocalypse fiction

What I’m Reading

Final Destiny by Anthony M Strong

These thrillers starring John Decker are amazing. Each one is better than the last. Final Destiny picks up from where Deadly Crossing ended–with the sinking of the Titanic. Now, John and Mina are in 1912 New York City, a city John knows well from his days as a NYPD detective, but different as well, with an unfamiliar look of that world-famous skyline.

The storyline is cool and unique, as is the ‘big bad’ of the story.

Can’t wait for the next book!!

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Jill James, thriller reader

What I’m Reading

Still on a rereading kick, albeit, way back with Born to Love by Valerie Sherwood. The pricetag sticker says $3.95 so I’m thinking I actually bought it back in 1984 when it was published. LOL

I love the 70s and 80s romance novels. The covers. The storylines. Awesomeness.

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Jill James, author of the Ghost Releasers, Inc. series of paranormal ghost romances

What I’m Writing

I’m working on The Zombie Also Rises, but lately, I’ve been flooded with dreams and story ideas. Making lots of notes and putting them aside. No Shiny Thing Syndrome for me. Too much I want to finish this year.

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Jill James, staying on track

What I’m Reading

A Dangerous Inheritance by Alison Weir

Supposedly, I’ve read this book before. The spine is broke and there are dog-eared pages. I remember some of the story, but since I’ve been reading a bunch of the Plantagenet and Tudor books recently, the history and the people are clearer to me this time.

The book takes place at two different times in history. The story revolves around Katherine Plantagenet, illegitimate daughter of Richard III and Katherine Grey, sister to the Nine-Days Queen Jane Grey.

There is a slight paranormal vibe to the story as the two girls seem to feel or see the other across a seventy-year chasm. Both tell their story of events in turbulence-filled periods in English history. Richard and the Princes in the Tower and Lady Jane Grey as an innocent pawn of those in power.

Excellent read!!

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Jill James, lover of historical fiction

What I’m Reading

The Last White Rose by Alison Weir.

The book is about Elizabeth York who married Henry VII and became the mother of the Tudor dynasty. I’ve read other books about Elizabeth of York so this is a much different portrayal of her. The book starts when she is a little girl and many tragedies and misfortunes seem to have formed the person she became.

It is interesting to see her relationship with Uncle Richard (later Richard III) from a young age. She seemed to have adored him as an uncle from toddlerhood.

Can’t wait to finish reading this book!

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Jill James, author of the Time of Zombies series

What I’m Reading

Timeline by Michael Crichton. Actually, rereading, but I don’t think I’ve read it in decades. I seem to be on a Crichton kick at the moment. With every book I read, I realize what a master storyteller we lost with his death.

I remember years ago seeing Coma, the movie, and finding out it was a book also. I think that’s when I fell in love with his writing. His medical and scientific background shine in every book, but they aren’t dry like a textbook. Reading each one, you can envision them on the big screen.

What are you reading this week?

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Jill James, author of the Ghost Releasers, Inc. series of paranormal ghost romances

What I’m Reading

So, today is apparently Velociraptor Day, which I find hilarious since I’m rereading Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. I hadn’t read it in awhile, so was surprised that the characters in the book don’t exactly match the movie. Also, some of the iconic speeches I remember from the movie are spoken by others in the book. This book and Timeline are my favorites by Michael Crichton. And thanks to those Amazon tree frogs (LOL) I was able to come up with a book idea that became Dangerous Shift!

Happy Reading to all, Jill James, author of Dangerous Shift: Shifters of San Laura

What I’m Reading

Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory. I’m loving this book. Most of it is from Margaret’s (sister to Henry VIII) point of view. She married and became the Queen of Scotland. The other two women are Catherine of Aragon, Queen of England and Mary, Queen of France and also Henry’s sister.

Much of the book shows how powerless women were, even queens. My heart feels for Margaret. She is sent to be the peacemaker between England and Scotland but the saying ‘out of sight, out of mind’ is never truer than in this story. Margaret feels abandoned as she is ignored, her husband the king is killed, and all through it, it is like Henry and Catherine make her feel it is her fault they killed her husband and now she doesn’t have one.

I love historical fiction and Gregory writes the best!

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Jill James, author of the Ghost Releasers, Inc. series of paranormal romances

Opening Day 2023

Let the baseball begin! I’m always excited for the first day of baseball season. Wish the weather would agree. 😦 Snowed all last night and some maybe for next Monday and Tuesday. Will just have to bundle up in 3 or 4 layers and cheer “Go Aces.”

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Jill James, baseball fan

What I’m Reading

The Virgin’s Lover by Philippa Gregory. I love historical fiction. No one does it better than Gregory. I guess I’m rereading this book because the spine is broken (I know, “my bad.”) but I don’t remember reading it. Must have been years ago.

As always, an excellent look at history and historical figures.

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Jill James, author of Zombies on the Set

What I’m Reading

The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda. The author is a master storyteller with a story with a fairytale feel. Like a lost child, tidbits of foreboding are dropped along the trail like breadcrumbs. Every chapter is another piece of the puzzle. Just like Abby, I’m afraid of unburying the past and seeing what is hiding around every dark corner.

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Jill James, reader of suspenseful thrillers