I first met Jill Elizabeth Nelson through ACFW – better known as American Christian Fiction Writers. (This is where I’ve met most of my author friends and acquaintances, as you can tell if you’ve been reading Spotlight for long. It’s a good group, especially if you’re looking to write fiction!)

For a time Jill and I were paired as critique partners before the group disbanded for various reasons. I was impressed with Jill’s writing at that time, seeing quality in her characters years before she got the call for her first contract. Though we are no longer critique partners, Jill has remained a friend, and someone I respect. She is caring and kind and speaks the truth with grace.

Jill’s first and only marriage is still going strong after 25 years. (Cool, mine too, only it’s going on 30 years.) Jill has four kids who’ve pretty much flown the coop. By day she masquerades as secretary to the CEO of a health care corporation and as housing manager for a senior apartment complex. By night she throws off her mask of conformity and turns into a wild and crazy writer who can hardly wait to jot down all the cool things her characters are telling her, so she can share them with her readers. (Jill’s words)

She says that if you ever run into her and get her laughing so hard she can’t breathe, hang onto your funny bones! She turns all red and sounds like Mutley on those old Dastardly and Mutley cartoons. Her family has learned to expect this reaction. They laugh at her, not with her!

She also adds, “If anyone ever needs to bribe me, don’t send chocolate. I’ll take dill pickle chips.” (OK, that’s one thing we do not have in common!)

She says that if you ever run into her and get her laughing so hard she can’t breathe, hang onto your funny bones! She turns all red and sounds like Mutley on those old Dastardly and Mutley cartoons. Her family has learned to expect this reaction. They laugh at her, not with her!

Jill’s debut novel Reluctant Burglar is a romantic suspense story about a museum security expert who must return masterpieces stolen by her murdered father, avoid the clutches of a deadly art theft ring, and stay one step ahead of the too-appealing FBI agent who wants to put her in jail—all while remaining true to her Christian convictions. I had the privilege of reading this book and found the characters engaging and the story kept me turning pages.

The sequel, Reluctant Runaway, has just released from Multnomah Publishers. This book follows the characters from book one on a new adventure – A museum security expert and an FBI agent track a deadly cult to find a missing young wife and mom, as well as recover ancient Indian artifacts about to be used in a bizarre ritual.

Here’s the back cover copy:

Life or Death Game of Connect-the-Dots: Why did Karen Webb abandon her husband and newborn baby? Is it coincidence that she disappeared just one day after irreplaceable Anasazi Indian artifacts were stolen from the University of New Mexico Museum of Art and Anthropology? When Boston-based security consultant Desiree Jacobs is called to the scene, her FBI agent boyfriend, Tony Lucano, warns her not to play amateur sleuth. When he joins her in Albuquerque on a copyrighted property pirating case, it becomes obvious that their investigations are connected. And the popular media ministry, The Inner Witness, has more than a little something to do with them. Desi and Tony scramble to connect the dots and figure out how Karen fits into the picture – if it’s not too late to save her. When the horrifying truth comes to light, can they even save themselves?

(Sounds intriguing!)

Check out the video trailer of the book.

You can find Reluctant Runaway available March 19, 2007, at Amazon or April 15, 2007 CBD (Christian Book Distributors), or March 20, 2007 at Barnes & Noble.

Also as a treat to my Spotlight readers, Jill is offering to give away a free copy of either Reluctant Burglar or Reluctant Runaway – the winner’s choice. To enter the contest, just send me an email through my contacts page or to save you from clicking there – write to jill at jilleileensmith.com.

I asked Jill to give us some insight into the calling behind her writing ~ (For clarification purposes I’ve added our middle names.)

Jill Eileen: When and how did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

Jill Elizabeth: My sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Waltz, inspired me with a passion for books. Every day at a certain time, she pulled up a stool at the front of the class and read the most enchanting stories aloud. She introduced me to J.R.R. Tolkein by reading The Hobbit. Toward the spring of the year, the writing bug infected me with an incurable desire to be one of those authors who give people the vicarious thrills that so enhanced my life through the wonderful world of books.

Jill Eileen: Tell me a bit about what you write now and what you hope to write in the future.

Jill Elizabeth: I wrote my first “novel” that same 6th grade year. It was actually more of a novella in length, but I finished it. At the time, I didn’t realize that completing a manuscript is a milestone most would-be writers never achieve. It was a very silly, improbable mystery about a bunch of kid sleuths, and the world is grateful none of the manuscript still exists. However, lo and behold, my first published novel, Reluctant Burglar, is in a related genre—romantic suspense. Burglar is Book #1 in the To Catch a Thief series published by Waterbrook Multnomah, a division of Random House. Reluctant Runaway released this month and Reluctant Smuggler releases in October 2007.

I hope to write more in this series. I love my characters! But that will depend on sales figures and reader response. So if anyone besides me wants to see more of Tony and Desi, email the publisher. I seem to have a flair for the suspenseful who-dunnit and hope to keep writing in that genre. Also, anything I write seems to have an element of romance, so I could easily branch out into romance or women’s fiction. In fact, I have a completed women’s fiction manuscript with a broad stroke of romance in it that I’d like to see published. I also have a fantasy series (remember my love of The Hobbit?), but that’s a harder sell.

Jill Eileen: If and when did you realize your writing was a calling?

Jill Elizabeth: My dream of becoming a novelist has been crucified and resurrected several times. For many years, the writing urge lay dormant while I raised my four kids. In the year 2000, with the kids at independent ages and starting to fly the coop, a story idea overwhelmed me. It became my fantasy novel, Kingmaker, as yet unpublished. Only God can raise the dead, and I know He did this in me when He freed me up to write again.

Jill Eileen: What means did God use to confirm in your heart that this is exactly what He has prepared for you to do for Him?

Jill Elizabeth: His fingerprints are all over the contacts I made by attempting to sell Kingmaker. He guided me step by sometimes-stumbling step to people, places, and organizations such as American Christian Fiction Writers and Christian Writers Group. And now to see the fruition of my dream in the release of Reluctant Burglar and the way the Lord is blessing the book, I have to conclude writing is His calling for me.

Jill Eileen: Can you share one struggle that entered your life as a result of writing and how God helped you to overcome it, to make you more like Christ?

Jill Elizabeth: When my kids were little, we were desperate for money, and I tried to resurrect my writing dream on my own. The motive was to make money, and I was strongly tempted to compromise my Christian values to get published. There’s nothing evil about supporting your family, but the motive wasn’t ministry, so the effort wasn’t blessed. An agent showed interest in my work, but in the end, I couldn’t bring myself to write in the direction she urged. You could say I passed a test, but it was very stressful. I gave up on free-lance writing for years after that.

Jill Eileen: Likewise, is there a particular joy in this writing business/ministry that God has used to remind you that He is, in fact, using your words to His glory?

Jill Elizabeth: My heart’s desire is to write books that appeal not only to the Christian audience, but to nonbelievers as well. That’s why I’m particularly delighted when a secular publication or web site raves about my book. Burglar received a “Top Pick” rating in Romantic Times magazine, and they published a full page feature on my debut novel in their August 2006 issue. Livia Holton, a reviewer for The Romance Readers Connection, strongly recommended Burglar to all suspense fans. Here’s the link to that review, and you’ll see why I was thrilled.

These are God-things reaching beyond the walls of the church, which proves out what’s in my heart from Him.

Jill Eileen: Has writing opened opportunities for you to give your testimony and witness for Christ or minister to fellow believers? If so, can you give one example?

Jill Elizabeth: I haven’t had to beat the bushes for opportunities to speak and do book signings. One event after another piles up on my calendar. And not all the events are specifically Christian, but I know that in promoting my books and the books of my Christian author friends, I’m putting opportunities in front of people to hear the Gospel or to grow in some way in their faith. Recently, I was able to speak to a group of public school teachers. What an inroad into the hearts of people who directly impact our children.

Jill Eileen That’s cool, Jill Elizabeth!

For a look at Jill Nelson’s books you can visit her website here. She runs a monthly book giveaway contest on her Stealth and Wealth page, and her Artistic Blogger page contains musings on art theft and the art of fiction writing.

Jill blogs on Saturdays for We CAN Promote Our Books!, a marketing blog for writers. She also has a Shoutlife profile containing photos and blog posts that minister to writers and readers alike.

Coming in January 2008 is Reluctant Smugglerbook three in the To Catch a Thief series. A museum security expert and an FBI agent defy a violent gang south of the border to free women enslaved for prostitution and recover Mexico’s stolen cultural heritage.

I hope you have enjoyed this interview with author Jill Elizabeth Nelson. Please click on over to one of the above online stores or visit your favorite Christian bookstore and look for Reluctant Runaway or her first book Reluctant Burglar.

Thanks Jill for joining us this month on Spotlight. (And don’t forget to enter the contest for a free book!) :)