The Extractor Series

Guilt Game, the first book in The Extractor series, is finally here! I’m pleased to report that the response to it has been great. Rox, the protagonist, is an ex-CIA agent working as a private investigator—specializing in rescuing people from oppressive situations. Readers seem to like her non-typical brain chemistry and empathize with her desire to try an unusual treatment to see if she can open up her world.

As I wrote the opening scene, I realized she needed a partner, and Marty, her stepdad, popped into my head. He’s quite lovable, and they have a great relationship. Marty also gives me an opportunity to include a little humor in my otherwise gritty stories. Here’s the link to the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Guilt-Game-Extractor-L-J-Sellers-ebook/dp/B01MQ5ZI6N

I’ve also finished the second book, Broken Boys, so I feel like it’s okay to finally call The Extractor a series. I hope to release the new book soon, depending on what my publisher decides. I’ll post the cover (and pre-order link) soon.

Meanwhile, here’s the back cover copy for Guilt Game:

Roxanne MacFarlane is the Extractor—a former CIA agent who specializes in rescuing people from dangerous situations. She lives on the edge and works outside the law, but desperate families know she’s the only operative who can bring their missing loved ones home. Driven by guilt over the loss of her sister to a polygamous cult, she will stop at nothing to save her clients.

When Dave and Jenny Carson ask her to find their daughter, Emma, and extract her from a charismatic cult leader who preys on young women with guilt issues, Rox is eager to help them. But the experimental treatment she just started in order to improve her atypical brain patterns forces her to face conflicting newfound emotions while working feverishly to find the secret compound and craft a strategy to get Emma out.

When the bodies of young women who match Emma’s description turn up, Rox must fast-forward her plans. But the situation is more complicated and dangerous than she realizes, and her own life is soon in jeopardy. Can Rox save Emma and bring down a ruthless predator before more young women fall victim?

And here’s what I have for Broken Boys... so far:

Roxanne MacFarlane is the Extractor, a former CIA agent rescues young people from dangerous situations. When she’s asked to find a correctional wilderness camp and bring home a troubled teenage boy named Josh, she’s skeptical—about the father who wants his son back and her own ability to conduct a successful mission.

Then another boy turns up missing, and she realizes the bootcamp and its owner could be deadly. Determined to find and rescue both teenagers, Rox works round the clock to locate the wilderness camp. But someone tips off the program, making her job nearly impossible. When Josh’s mother is murdered, Rox realizes the boys may know a dark secret and are on borrowed time. But can she find the base camp and extract the kids before the assailant moves in to silence them?

New Book, New Series

Hello friends and readers!

This blog is long overdue, but I finally have a new book out! Yay! A BITTER DYING (Detective Jackson #12) is now available in print and ebook from Amazon. The reviews, so far, are terrific, and I hope you’ll check it out. I had a lot fun writing this one, especially the ending.

Here’s the back cover copy:
When a frustrated ex-con takes a young family and their home hostage, the only officer he’ll speak with is Detective Wade Jackson. But Jackson already has his hands full running the Eugene Violent Crimes Unit and overseeing the investigation of a series of seemingly random assaults.

While Jackson juggles the hostage negotiations with his chaotic single-parent home life, the assaults point toward a troubled company that recycles industrial oil. With several lawsuits pending, the CEO of WestPac emerges as a likely suspect in the latest attack of a trial lawyer.

As Jackson tries to meet the hostage taker’s demands, a powerful politician interferes for personal reasons, and the standoff turns bloody. Meanwhile, the latest assault victim dies, and Jackson’s team must scramble to identify the assailant. Can they piece together the connections in time to prevent another murder and save the family?

 

I also have a new  series I’m working on. It features Rox MacFarlane, an ex-CIA agent who works as a private extractor, rescuing people from oppressive situations. The first book, GUILT GAME, will be released in early June (and is available for preorder now). I’m writing the second book in the story, and having a blast with the premise. I hope you’ll give the series a try!

Here’s the description for Guilt Game:
Roxanne MacFarlane is the Extractor—a former CIA agent who specializes in rescuing people from dangerous situations. She lives on the edge and works outside the law, but desperate families know she’s the only operative who can bring their missing loved ones home. Driven by guilt over the loss of her sister to a polygamous cult, she will stop at nothing to save her clients.

When Dave and Jenny Carson ask her to find their daughter, Emma, and extract her from a charismatic cult leader who preys on young women with guilt issues, Rox is eager to help them. But the experimental treatment she just started in order to improve her atypical brain patterns forces her to face conflicting newfound emotions while working feverishly to find the secret compound and craft a strategy to get Emma out.

When the bodies of young women who match Emma’s description turn up, Rox must fast-forward her plans. But the situation is more complicated and dangerous than she realizes, and her own life is soon in jeopardy. Can Rox save Emma and bring down a ruthless predator before more young women fall victim?

 

 

New Contest Winners

Thanks for all the lovely birthday wishes! I had a terrific day of dancing in the park to great blues music!

death deservedPicking a personal-favorite-comment winner is much harder, and I should stop even trying! But how can I resist a comment that offers me strippers as a gift? So Robyn gets a print book. Or audio, if you prefer.

The three random random winners are as follows:

Ellen (print), Antonia Nnen (audiobook), and Mary Roach (audiobook).

Congratulations to all (and send me your snail-mail addresses). And thanks everyone for your support. I couldn’t do this without you!

If you didn’t win, try again at Goodreads.

Back to writing.

 

 

 

 

Birthday Giveaway!

death deservedHello Friends!

To celebrate my birthday—grateful to still be here—I’m giving away books! I have a few print copies of the new Jackson book, Death Deserved, which will release July 19th. Plus an audiobooks as well. This is your chance to get an early copy and be one of the first to read and review. You know the drill, just post a comment. Amuse me or flatter me….whatever! I’ll pick one winner randomly and one favorite comment. And if you want an audiobook, say so. I’ll pick those winners randomly.

In other happy July news, my publisher has all the Jackson ebooks on sale for $1.99 for the whole month of July. A good time to get caught up! And I think Point of Control is on sale in the UK market.

And Goodreads is giving away 100 ebooks of Death Deserved. Just enter to win.

As for an update: I’m at the Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, dancing in the park and having a great time. And doing research for the first book in my new series (The Extractor), which is set in Portland. Life is good. Thanks and love to you all.

Launch Day Contest Winners!

Thank you everyone who wrote rave reviews on launch day! They give the book a lot of credibility. I’m honored to have a 4.9 ranking. And thank you to everyone who posted links. I appreciate your support. Writing standalone thrillers is risky, and I couldn’t get visibility without you!

Contest entriesOn to the winners!

Drawn from the bowl of names for the grand prize…drumroll here… Robyn Jones! Congratulations! Your support and enthusiasm are much appreciated. Enjoy you new Kindle Paperwhite, which should be arriving in the next week. If you want me to gift it to someone else, let me know ASAP.

The three $25 Amazon gift certificates go to Carol Custer, Fred Isaacs, and Carline B. Congratulations and thank you! I appreciate your loyalty.

And the signed print book goes to Erica Szegda! Erica, if you don’t want the book or would like a different book of mine, contact me, and we’ll work something out!

I’ll send all the prizes using the emails you supplied, so if you’d like to use a different email (for Amazon), contact me know.

And for people who posted and didn’t win, I’ll have a free audiobook for you in about a month.

Thanks again!

Launch-Day Contest (& giveaway)

The Gender Experiment releases Tuesday, May 24!gender exp

I’m excited about this book and eager to get it into the hands of readers. Sometimes I think of it just as “The Experiment” because it’s different from anything I’ve written. Yet, Agent Bailey, the high-functioning sociopath from Point of Control, is back. And The Gender Experiment is a fast-paced, crime-fiction thriller with multiple points of view, so the focus, structure, and writing will be very familiar to readers.

I hope you’ll give it a try. Beta readers say it’s the best novel I’ve written, and bestselling author J Carson Black says it’s the best book she’s read this year. She calls it “riveting and original” and says she fell in love with the characters.

I could really use your help promoting the book, so I’m hosting a launch-day contest. Anyone who posts a review or social media link to the book will be entered to win a Kindle Paperwhite. I’m also giving away three Amazon gift certificates and a signed print copy. Here’s the universal link: http://amzn.to/1Np9uLC

To enter, after you’ve posted, just contact me at [email protected]. You can send a screenshot, but I’ll probably go on the honor system. If your email shows up at my other address, that’s okay too. Or if you copy/tag/@ me on the tweet or post, I’ll see it and enter your name.

If you’re willing to read the story and post a review on launch day or soon after (if you like it!), contact me and I’ll send you an ebook. [email protected]

I’m trying to make the launch support easy, so here are a few posts you can copy and paste on Tuesday.

“Riveting and original” is how readers describe THE GENDER EXPERIMENT, a new thriller by L.J. Sellers. Get one now! http://amzn.to/1Np9uLC

Check out THE GENDER EXPERIMENT, a new thriller by @LJSellers. “Riveting and original.” Get one now! http://amzn.to/1Np9uLC #thriller

A young morgue intern goes after a ruthless military researcher. THE GENDER EXPERIMENT is “riveting and original.” http://amzn.to/1Np9uLC

The author of the bestselling Jackson series releases THE GENDER EXPERIMENT. “Riveting and original.” Check it out! http://amzn.to/1Np9uLC

Thanks for all your support! I love what I do, and I write for my readers, but I couldn’t do this without you.

Two New Books Coming Soon!

gender expI finally finished the standalone thriller I was writing! Whew! Early readers say they love THE GENDER EXPERIMENT, and one even called it brilliant. But you can decide for yourself. This book won’t be for everybody, but I hope some of you will give it a try. I’ll send early ebooks to loyal readers in about a month, so post a comment if you want one. You can also check Goodreads, where you can enter to win one of 15 print books. The release date is May 31, but you can pre-order the ebook now. ☺

Here’s the back cover copy:
When bodies with unusual traits start showing up in the morgue, intern Taylor Lopez is alarmed enough to dig into the dead people’s profiles. After discovering they were born at the same clinic two decades earlier, she investigates further and uncovers a startling list. With the realization that more gender-fluid new adults are targeted for elimination, Taylor kicks her investigation into high gear. But the researchers who conducted the experiment aren’t about to let anything interfere with their plans.

Soon Taylor is in deep trouble and needs the help of FBI Special Agent Bailey. As Bailey scrambles to track down leads, events spin out of control and she finds herself blocked at every step by powerful military forces. With the clock ticking on Phase 2 of the experiment, can Bailey and Taylor uncover the truth in time to save the other subjects?

And for Jackson fans, the new book DEATH DESERVED will be released July 26. I know it’s been a long wait. For me too! I wrote it a year ago, but I have no control over when my publisher releases it. You can read the back cover copy and see the cover for it here. I’ll post more about it was we get closer to the release.

And…I’m starting a new series I’m excited about. It features a private investigator/fixer-type character who’ll probably be based in Portland or Seattle, but will travel to complete the jobs she’s been hired to do. The series is already being looked at for a TV deal. Yay!

What’s Next?

PoC_homePOINT OF CONTROL is finally here! If you haven’t checked it out yet, click here. And if you’ve read it and liked it, please post a high-ranking review. I’m trying to keep this book visible for as long as possible…and save my career.

In other good news, Jackson #11, DEATH DESERVED, is available for pre-order (and will be released in June). As info: The ebook price will probably go up when it releases, so there’s a little advantage to ordering now. Here’s the link to the Amazon page, and the link to the rough-draft book description. I hope to have a cover soon too.

As for what’s next: I’m currently writing a new standalone thriller that I’m excited about. (A couple of beta readers are too!) Agent Bailey will be back in this new one, but the main protagonist is a young female morgue attendant. As I was writing a press release about Agent Bailey, the sociopath, I realized that the protagonist in the story I’m writing now is also unusual—and that I write a lot of these characters.

Thank you, my faithful readers, for trusting me enough to support my quirky standalones!

But don’t worry, there’s more Jackson stories coming too. I’ve already drafted the outline for Jackson #12 and submitted the proposal to my publisher. Even if they reject it, I’ll find a way to keep the series going. I know you’re not done with Jackson yet, and neither am I.

The plan is to write two books a year, alternating between Jackson stories and thrillers. I may even pen another Agent Dallas story if I come up with the right idea. Her novels are the hardest, because the scenarios are very specific and challenging. But the story I’m working on now is also taking me out of my comfort zone and making me work!

As always, I have books to give away. So post a comment, and I’ll send a print copy of POINT OF CONTROL to the commentor who catches my eye as well as pick one random winner too.

 

Win a Kindle! And a copy of Point of Control

Hi Friends

PoC_homeTo celebrate my great review in Publishers Weekly, my publisher is giving away a Kindle and 20 ebook copies of Point of Control. And I’ll give away a print copy to my favorite comment. To enter, just post a comment. You can also post on my Facebook page announcement.

Point of Control releases January 19! I so eager for my readers to get this one into their hands. It’s been long wait. Thanks for your patience.

Point of Control

Hey friends and readers! Sorry I haven’t been in touch. But in the last twelve months I’ve written three novels, hosted a Left Coast Crime conference, recovered from a broken leg (with two surgeries), and moved! Among other things.

Point of Control-medThe book news is that Point of Control, a standalone thriller, will release January 19. If you’re on my mailing list you’ll get an email at the time. Then Death Deserved (Jackson #11) will release in June. It’s a long way off, I know! Sorry! But I did my part. The Jackson book is done and in the editing process now. (And I’m already outlining a new standalone book.)

I hope you’ll try Point of Control. I had a blast writing the story, and( it’s available for preorder now. The character is new, and the plot is both “ripped from the headlines” realistic and wild as hell. Here’s the cover copy:

In her personal life, FBI agent Andra Bailey works hard to control her sociopathic tendencies. But on the job, her cold logic comes in handy.
Now two world-renowned scientists have disappeared, and the bureau assigns Bailey to find them and hunt down the kidnapper. Bailey soon suspects that a rare-metal shortage may be the link between the disappearances and that the motive is far more dangerous than she imagined. With the market in turmoil and prices sky-high, electronics companies and their power-hungry CEOs are ready to do anything—even kill—to keep production lines going.

When a third scientist disappears, Bailey throws caution aside to track the crimes to their source. But by immersing herself so deeply in the case, she risks letting down the defenses she’s built to contain the sociopath inside her.

Here’s what bestselling authors say:
“L.J.Sellers outdoes herself in POINT OF CONTROL, a nonstop action juggernaut that gives the reader a unique female protagonist and lots of real-life issues to think about. The book ranks right up there with the best of her excellent series novels.” —Tim Hallinan, bestselling author of The Junior Bender and Poke Raferty Mysteries

“With cutting-edge technology, nonstop action, and a wholly original character in Agent Bailey, L.J. Sellers’ POINT OF CONTROL is a heart-pounding thriller that is smart as all get-out.”— J. Carson Black, NY Times bestselling author

Here are my public-events calendar for the next six months:
Driftwood Public Library in Lincoln City: October 15
Holiday Market, Lane County Fairgrounds, December 5
Left Coast Crime, Phoenix AZ, February 25-28