James Scott Bell

She thinks she knows who she is and what she wants, but when the web gets terribly tangled, is her game of deception a clever lie or a deadly trap? Two bodies in an isolated canyon on the edge of L.A. One with saddlebags filled with diamonds. That's how it begins for Liz Towne, a stunning blonde with a devout husband who has given up a prime job for reasons Liz cannot understand—for "Mac" MacDonald, a Gulf War vet who's done time in prison and is just now finding his way back to normal life—and for Roxanne "Rocky" Towne, Liz's sister-in-law, who suspects things she cannot prove. All three are thrown together after a tragedy in Pack Canyon. After finding the stolen diamonds, Liz is faced with an escalating set of Truth or lies? Stop or keep moving? All in or played out? A stunning suspense thriller from bestselling author James Scott Bell.

There is one sure-fire way of improving your novel fast. . . You may know the fundamentals of how to write fiction. You may be more than competent in plot, structure and characters. But if your dialogue is dull it will drag the whole story down. On the other hand, if your dialogue is crisp and full of tension it immediately grabs the reader. And if that reader is an agent or editor, sharp dialogue will give them instant assurance that you know what you're doing as a writer. Writing a bestseller or hot screenplay is no easy task, but dazzling dialogue is an absolute essential if you want to get there. The best part is, the skills of the dialogue craft are easy to understand and put into practice. #1 bestselling writing coach James Scott Bell has put together and expanded upon the dialogue lectures from his popular writing seminars. In How to Write Dazzling Dialogue you'll What fictional dialogue is ... and isn't The 11 secrets of crafting memorable dialogue The 5 essential tasks of dialogue 5 ways to improve your dialogue ear 4 can't-miss methods to increase conflict and tension in any dialogue exchange The top 10 dialogue issues, and how to resolve them You'll also see dazzling dialogue in action with examples from hit novels and screenplays. Don't sabotage your chances of selling your work to readers or publishers because the dialogue is unexceptional. Dazzle them with what the characters say. How to Write Dazzling Dialogue will give you the tools to do it.

Sister Justicia Marie goes viral. Will it mean a new chapter for the church? Or the final chapter for her life as a nun? She doesn't go looking for trouble, but when trouble finds her Sister Justicia Marie of the Sisters of Perpetual Justice is prepared to shut it down--with her martial arts training, if necessary. One night she tries to stop a drug buy and is forced to break the arm of a drug-dealing gang leader. Someone captures the video and suddenly Sister J goes viral. Much to the chagrin of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Now Sister J is under pressure to stop her unorthodox ways. Yet at every turn she runs into more crime, and even a demonic driver who tries to kill her. What is going on in the City of Angels? What is a nun who can kick serious butt supposed to do? She calls out for God for an answer, and she gets it--but in a fashion that lends new meaning to the phrase, "God works in mysterious ways." James Scott Bell is the bestselling, award-winning author of many thrillers and books on the craft of writing. He makes his home in Sister J's town, Los Angeles.

America’s favorite vigilante nun is back ... and she’s hot on the trail of a stolen cross! And not just any cross. It’s the iconic Hollywood Cross that overlooks Tinsel Town. In different incarnations it has stood on a hill for almost 100 years. Until, somehow, it’s gone! Who could have carried out such an outrageous theft? What would be the motive? Sister Justicia Marie of the Sisters of Perpetual Justice is determined to find the answers. But she’ll have to kick some serious keister to get them. Once again, some bad people in L.A. think they can gather ill-gotten gains...but end up with nun!

Sister Justicia Marie is just a nun trying to make L.A. a little bit safer. So why are so many people out to get her? Sister J, and her young charge Sister Xuan, have started a new order, The Sisters of Perpetual Justice. Now they're running a shelter for the homeless but also preparing for the streets. Which means mixed martial arts and kick boxing and other items not on the Vatican's approved list. For there is still a criminal element out there and Sister J is convinced God has called her to stop the evil...by any means necessary. But when a shocking murder takes place on the grounds of the shelter, a new threat emerges, one that has a very clear message for the nuns: "There is going to be hell to pay, and hell always collects." James Scott Bell is the bestselling, award-winning author of many thrillers and books on the craft of writing. He makes his home in Sister J's town, Los Angeles.

She's back...and the punks in L.A. are about to get knuckled under... Sister Justicia Marie, the rogue nun who burst into action in FORCE OF HABIT, is back with a vengeance. Determined to love her enemies by kicking their butts, Sister J is getting on everyone’s bad side--her superior at St. Cecelia's school; her confessor, Father Dom; the criminal boss who calls himself the Pope of Los Angeles; and any number of thugs and criminals who think they can get away with murder. Not with Sister J on the case. "They are the knuckles," she says. "I am the ruler." And this crime novelette is another great read in the FORCE OF HABIT series. James Scott Bell is the bestselling and award winning author of many thrillers and books on the craft of writing. He makes his home in Sister J's town, Los Angeles.

A vigilante nun cleans up the streets of Los Angeles. Sinners beware.Just who is Sister Justicia Marie? And what is she doing to some of the toughest thugs in L.A.? When a nun is viciously attacked, Sister Justicia takes it upon herself to find out what happened. The cops don't like that. Neither does her Mother Superior at St. Cecelia's. But when a couple of hoods try to stick up a liquor store and Sister J brings them down, something is unleashed inside her...something that will either confirm her calling . . . or destroy it. From "one of the best writers out there, bar none" (Library Review) comes the start of a new series featuring a heroine unlike any other in crime fiction--Sister Justicia Marie, rogue nun. If criminals are the knuckles, she is the ruler. So be good. An original novelette from national bestselling suspense author James Scott Bell.

Jake Denney has hit rock bottom. His wife has left him. He's drinking again. And his five-year-old daughter is in the middle of it all. When a judge calls him "a disgrace to the legal profession," Jake starts thinking things might be better for everyone if he wasn't around anymore. Then a childhood friend's mother phones him. Her son, Howie, has been accused of murdering his wife. Jake takes the seemingly hopeless case in a last-ditch effort to save his client and his fading career. Meanwhile, Howie's little sister, Lindsay, has grown into a beautiful woman. Though Jake is drawn to her, there's something about her he doesn't understand, even though it may be the very thing he needs to reclaim his humanity. With the evidence mounting against his client, and a web of corruption closing around them both, Jake Denney faces the fight of his life--not only in the courtroom, but in the depths of his own soul. "Move over John Grisham. James Scott Bell has done it again with Blind Justice. A must read!" - Nancy Moser, author of The Invitation and The Quest

A powerful secret, and a fresh approach to writing bestselling fiction! What's the best way to write a "next level" novel? Some writers start at the beginning and let the story unfold without a plan. They are called "pantsers," because they write by the "seat of the pants." Other writers plan and outline and know the ending before they start. These are the "plotters." The two sides never seem to agree with each other on the best approach. But what if it's not the beginning or the end that is the key to a successful book? What if, amazing as it may seem, the place to begin writing your novel is in the very middle of the story? According to #1 bestselling writing teacher James Scott Bell, that's exactly where you'll find your story's heart and heat. Bell's "Mirror Moment" is the secret, and its power is available to any writer, at any stage of the writing process. Bringing together years of craft study and personal discovery, Bell presents a truly unique approach to writing a novel, one that will stand the test of time and serve you all your writing life. "I need three things before I tackle a new novel: Diet Coke, a laptop, and my dog-eared copies of James Scott Bell's books on writing craft!” - Kami Garcia, #1 NYT Times & International Bestselling author