It’s One Of You!
In this Edition:
Quote.
Update.
Motivate.
Book Review: It’s One Of Us by J.T. Ellison.
Book Giveaway!
Final thoughts.
Update:
I never get tired of typing The End, even when it’s on a manuscript I thought I’d already completed.
I officially finished writing Consumed, my psychological suspense, this week, and it is IN my agent’s hands, along with Stephen’s, two new critique partners I’ve recently acquired, and one friend who talked me into letting her read it. I honestly wasn’t going to let anyone else read it until I heard back from my agent. I’d had all the feedback I could take on this one. (Except for agent feedback, of course.)
But, I must be a glutton for punishment because here we go again. This time I’m not really waiting for opinions though. I’ll take them as they come because I’m personally pleased with this one, but I also recognize it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.
Regardless, I’ll give you updates as I hear them.
And I’m officially back to editing The Love Pentagon. I’m overly excited to be back in Pen’s life, snooping around. And these gorgeous men that want to date her? Well, I’m can’t say I’m hating spending more time with them either.
Motivate:
I love the quote at the beginning of this post. The person who said it said “woman” instead of “person,” but I have male readers too, so I tweaked it.
I love that sentiment. It reminds us that our ability to do something is less about ability and more about attitude.
I think it’s a timely quote too given the book review below.
This past week I went to two book related events.
The Parnassus event I mentioned previously, celebrating J.T. Ellison’s new book, It’s One of Us. This was a great event. Rea Frey asked lots of great questions, and it’s always a delight to hear J.T. speak.
I was also invited to another party celebrating J.T. but this one differed as it was thrown by some of her best friends and was not only in celebration of J.T.’s 25th manuscript, but it also was a celebration of J.T., the woman.
I’ll admit, I’ve overextended myself lately, so I didn’t take any photographs from either event, but my mom forced me and Stephen to take a picture (the one you see above) before we left her house for the party.
I had an excellent time at both events. I love being around other authors, as you know, but I also love celebrating someone/an accomplishment worthy of celebration. And this book deserves celebration, so does J.T.
Book Review & Giveaway:
Normally, I listen to audiobooks. After trying to read a physical copy of another thriller, I thought I’d lost my ability to use my eyeballs.
But J.T. gifted me a copy of her book when we got together for coffee, (you can see the fun Instagram video she did with me here.) and I knew I’d be attending her book events, and I wanted to read it. So, I didn’t wait for the audio version.
I’m glad I didn’t.
This book is so good. And I highly recommend it. In fact, I’m giving a copy away below!
However, this was a very personal book for J.T. She admits that it was extremely hard for her to write. It deals with the topic of infertility and miscarriage, an issue that’s very common, but little talked about.
So, this book comes with a trigger warning.
If you don’t think you’re up for the topic of miscarriage and infertility, think twice about this one.
That said, I think this book will help those of us who’ve had miscarriages. We’re not alone. It’s very common, and while this is a wild and riveting fictional story, much of the child-bearing troubles are very real, experienced by the author, which makes it all the more powerful to me.
I mean the first line of chapter one is a doozy: There is blood again.
Goodreads Summary:
Everybody lies. Even the ones you think you know best of all . . .
Olivia Bender designs exquisite home interiors that satisfy the most demanding clients. But her own deepest desire can’t be fulfilled by marble counters or the perfect rug. She desperately wants to be a mother. Fertility treatments and IVF keep failing. And just when she feels she’s at her lowest point, the police deliver shocking news to Olivia and her husband, Park.
DNA results show that the prime suspect in a murder investigation is Park’s son. Olivia is relieved, knowing this is a mistake. Despite their desire, the Benders don’t have any children. Then comes the confession. Many years ago, Park donated sperm to a clinic. He has no idea how many times it was sold—or how many children he has sired.
As the murder investigation goes deeper, more terrible truths come to light. With every revelation, Olivia must face the unthinkable. The man she married has fathered a killer. But can she hold that against him when she keeps such dark secrets of her own?
This twisting, emotionally layered thriller explores the lies we tell to keep a marriage together--or break each other apart . . .
The Giveaway:
I was standing with a friend at the book launch. She’d just purchased It’s One of Us, and we got in line to have J.T. sign it. I felt weird not buying one. But as I’d said, J.T. had given me a copy. My friend said, “You could always buy a copy and give it as a gift.”
Genius.
The things we DON’T think. As dumb as it sounds, that option didn’t occur to me.
But as soon as she said it, I thought of you all (and myself). So…it’s giveaway time! I want to buy one of you fabulous readers a copy of this book.
This blog is all about rom-coms, women’s fiction, and suspense/thrillers because I write it all. AND J.T.’s not only a Nashville writer, but has become a friend. ALL reasons to do this giveaway.
And I like the idea of doing this for local (Nashville) authors. I think I’ll make it a thing.
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE (until 9pm on March 5, 2023.)
The Winner will be announced in my newsletter only and will receive a congratulatory email with details for how to receive the book.
Final thoughts:
I hope your week is amazing!!
Much glitter,
Melissa
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