Janice Molina may be author J.A. Jance‘s biggest fan.
Molina has converted a closet in a bedroom into a library in a den. She has several shelves packed with books, news clippings, nameplates and other memorabilia devoted to her favorite author.
“She has four different mysteries series and I have read and actually own a copy of all of her books,” Molina said when she submitted her little library for the Star’s “Send Us Your Bookshelves” photo collection.
Molina said she is ready to read Jance’s new J.P. Beaumont and Brandon Walker suspense novel, which is the second selection in the Star’s “We Read” online book group.
We are posting blogs, making comments and asking questions about Jance’s 51st novel, which teams two of her series characters, Seattle detective J.P. Beaumont and Arizona sheriff Brandon Walker. We will also collect questions for Jance to answer in an upcoming online chat.
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We are also wrapping Jance’s J.P. Beaumont novella, “Stand Down,” published in July, into the conversation. It is a brief, 86-page prelude to “Dance of the Bones.”
Of Jance’s 51 novels, Molina says her favorite is “Tombstone Courage.”
“It’s her Joanna Brady series, which takes place in Cochise County,” said Molina. “My husband was born and raised in Tombstone, so that title automatically caught my attention.
“From reading that first book, I was hooked on J.A. Jance,” Molina said. “I have had the privilege of meeting her and I try to attend a book-signing event for each new book.
The down-to-earth tone of Jance’s books, plausible plots and humor are among the things that make the author’s books so enjoyable, Molina said.
Molina, who moved to Arizona from Alabama in 1994, said she and her husband, Frank, and Jance and her husband, Bill Schilb, have become friends. Both couples met in a similar manner, at grief-support groups, and Jance, from Bisbee, and Frank Molina were from rival schools and know many of the same people.
While Jance may be her favorite writer, Janice Molina said she also enjoys reading other mysteries and some biographies. She also seeks signed books from other authors.
For more information, go to jajance.com or follow our blog and post questions for Jance or comments about the books at tucson.com/bookfest
