I didn’t grow up burning to be a writer. As a child I wasn’t even much of a reader until fourth grade. That’s when I was stuck at home with the flu and my big sister read THE BLACK STALLION aloud to me. For hours I was enthralled—shipwrecked in a foreign land and riding an untamed horse across the hot desert sand. Then tragedy struck. My sister lost her voice. (I think she caught my flu.) But I couldn’t wait to hear what happened to Alec Ramsey—so I picked up that book, finished reading it by myself and went in search of more adventures at the local library.

I grew up in the Mississippi Delta but today I live in Dallas with my husband, our two children and a shockingly-spoiled Boston terrier named Jack. My family has eaten a boatload of frozen pizza without complaint when I’ve forgotten the time and the dinner hour, caught up in my characters’ lives at the computer. I wouldn’t be able to write without their continuing support and...forgiveness of my culinary shortcomings.

Many others have provided encouragement, advice and a listening ear as I’ve pursued this dream of publication. I’m grateful to and a member of Romance Writers of America, Dallas Area Romance Authors, International Thriller Writers, and PASIC.

I write “bulletproof” romantic thrillers for Harlequin Intrigue. My debut novel—BETTER THAN BULLETPROOF (January 2009)—was a 2010 HOLT Medallion Award of Merit recipient, a 2010 Readers’ Crown finalist and a 2009 Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice nominee. My second book—BULLETPROOF TEXAS—was published in April 2009 and my third—BULLETPROOF BODYGUARD—hit store shelves in April 2010 as part of Intrigue’s Bodyguard of the Month series. Look for my fourth novel— BULLETPROOF HEARTS—in April 2011.

art by Jimmy Ellis used with permission

www.jimmyellisart.com