Why am I passionate about this?

I have been an avid reader all my life and have been fortunate (or unfortunate) to have a life full of a variety of experiences. Wonderful stuff to draw on when you’re writing, including a unique near-death experience. When I stumbled on a book idea with a topic I’d never heard of before, I was fascinated with the idea of writing “something new under the sun.” I also am thrilled to write books that give others as much joy as reading has given me over the years. A little action, a little passion, and a bunch of plot twists bring other worlds to life for me.


I wrote

A Brush With Death

By Jody Summers,

Book cover of A Brush With Death

What is my book about?

It is about a retired model who comes up with the novel notion of mixing the ashes of the deceased…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Wizard's First Rule

Jody Summers Why did I love this book?

This is a tremendous fantasy series and Terry really manages to write scenes that generate imagery and emotion. I like fantasy series in general, but Terry writes characters that feel real and describes scenes that absolutely engage.

When you open up one of his books you better have a good reason to quit because the world he drags you into is incredibly engaging and the characters are smart as well as brave. Calling his series a wonderful getaway barely does it justice.

By Terry Goodkind,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked Wizard's First Rule as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A beloved fantasy classic and the beginning of one of the most breathtaking adventure stories of all time

One man, Richard Cypher, holds the key to the fate of three nations and of humanity. But until he learns the Wizard's First Rule his chances of succeeding in his task are slim. And his biggest problem is admitting that magic exists at all ...

A novel of incomparable scope and brimming with atmospheric detail: in a world where heart hounds stalk the boundaries for unwary human prey, blood-sucking flies hunt on behalf of their underworld masters, and where artists can draw…


Book cover of Odd Thomas

Jody Summers Why did I love this book?

I have always loved Dean Koontz novels. They are typically a delightful combination of scary, funny, intelligent, and thought-provoking.

Odd Thomas is a perfect example of this. He lives up to his name, for sure. Additionally, Dean always has some sort of love story going on, even if the characters themselves seem too strange for words. I like a hint of DARK in the novels I read, which is Dean’s specialty. I also love that he uses an expansive vocabulary in his work. Some people find it annoying. I love it. It is guaranteed to hold your attention.

I have read many of his novels and they never fail to inspire me as an author as well as entertain me.

By Dean Koontz,

Why should I read it?

8 authors picked Odd Thomas as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Meet Odd Thomas, the unassuming young hero of Dean Koontz’s dazzling New York Times bestseller, a gallant sentinel at the crossroads of life and death who offers up his heart in these pages and will forever capture yours.

“The dead don’t talk. I don’t know why.” But they do try to communicate, with a short-order cook in a small desert town serving as their reluctant confidant. Sometimes the silent souls who seek out Odd want justice. Occasionally their otherworldly tips help him prevent a crime. But this time it’s different.

A stranger comes to Pico Mundo, accompanied by a horde…


Book cover of The Eye of Heaven

Jody Summers Why did I love this book?

Most people know Clive Cussler for his Dirk Pitt series and the movie Saraha, but Clive has several series going and the Eye of Heaven showcases one of my favorites, the Fargo series. This follows 2 multimillionaires with rapier wit and insatiable curiosity as they travel the globe unraveling historical finds.

I love the romance, and there is plenty of action, and all the plots have some plausible connection to a real or (close to real) historical event and, of course, the bad guys trying to stop them. The couple is altruistic and always puts what they find in its rightful place. But they are all a delightful, adventurous romp across the globe.

By Clive Cussler, Russell Blake,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Eye of Heaven as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A rip-roaring Fargo Adventure from the Grand Master of Adventure, Clive Cussler.

In the stormy wastes of Canada's Baffin Island, treasure hunters Sam and Remi Fargo make an astonishing discovery - a Viking longship frozen in the Arctic ice . . .

But what is more astonishing still is the longship's cargo - a hoard of pre-Colombian artefacts from Mexico. This tantalizing mystery sends the couple to Central America in search of further evidence - and into deadly trouble.

For Sam and Remi's find puts them on the trail of legendary jewel the Eye of Heaven, which also sees other…


Book cover of Storm Front

Jody Summers Why did I love this book?

The first book in this amazing series is Storm Front. This series always fascinated me because it is so absolutely unique. It’s about a modern-day wizard who has a practice in Chicago. You can hire this Dresden guy to fix your magic stuff.

It is so creative in both the problems and solutions that it always tickled me to try to outguess the author. And the main character is snarky and has an attitude. He’s sort of an anti-hero but better than he thinks. I love novels that both entertain me and make me think and drag emotions out of me whether I want them to or not. This one fits the bill.

By Jim Butcher,

Why should I read it?

22 authors picked Storm Front as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In the first novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling Dresden Files series, Harry Dresden’s investigation of a grisly double murder pulls him into the darkest depths of magical Chicago…

As a professional wizard, Harry Dresden knows firsthand that the “everyday” world is actually full of strange and magical things—and most of them don’t play well with humans. And those that do enjoy playing with humans far too much. He also knows he’s the best at what he does. Technically, he’s the only at what he does. But even though Harry is the only game in town, business—to put…


Book cover of Killing Floor

Jody Summers Why did I love this book?

I picked this book because it is the 1st Jack Reacher novel, but they are all great. They speak to me because they depict a very unusual guy. A tough guy with a brain and a strong sense of right and wrong. A vagrant who fixes problems wherever he goes.

I have been accused of having a white-knight syndrome all my life, so I find this character riveting. Action, plot twists usually a touch of romance. These are all things that speak to me and Jack Reacher novels are full of them.

By Lee Child,

Why should I read it?

13 authors picked Killing Floor as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Ex-military policeman Jack Reacher is a drifter. He's just passing through Margrave, Georgia, and in less than an hour, he's arrested for murder. Not much of a welcome. All Reacher knows is that he didn't kill anybody. At least not here. Not lately. But he doesn't stand a chance of convincing anyone. Not in Margrave, Georgia. Not a chance in hell.


Don't forget about my Book 😀

A Brush With Death

By Jody Summers,

Book cover of A Brush With Death

What is my book about?

It is about a retired model who comes up with the novel notion of mixing the ashes of the deceased with paint to produce memorial paintings for grieving families. Then begins to have dreams and visions from the subjects of her work.

Her newfound vocation takes a frightening turn when she begins to work on a painting for what soon becomes a new love interest, only to find that his deceased father has dark secrets no one knew.

You might also like...

Dead Hand

By Valerie Nieman,

Book cover of Dead Hand

Valerie Nieman Author Of In the Lonely Backwater

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Writer Curiosity Traveler Nemophilist Perseverance

Valerie's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

Lourana and Darrick took down the dreaded coal barons in To the Bones, but it seems that the Kavanaghs aren’t done yet. The college-age son of Eamon Kavanagh has unexpectedly inherited not only the family’s business empire but the family itself: generations of Kavanagh men whose spirits persist and who have now taken up residence in Rory’s mind and body.

As Lourana and Darrick try to shape a life together, they are attacked by Eamon through Rory, and flee the life-sucking Kavanaghs across Appalachia and then, in desperation and hope, to Ireland. The reluctant Rory is urged onward in the…

Dead Hand

By Valerie Nieman,

What is this book about?

In this sequel to To the Bones, Lourana and Darrick have taken down Eamon Kavanagh, patriarch of the dreaded coal barons of Redbird, WV, but it seems that the family isn’t done yet. The college-age son Rory has unexpectedly inherited not only the family’s empire but the family itself: generations of Kavanagh men whose spirits persist and who have now taken up residence in Rory’s mind and body.
As Lourana and Darrick try to shape a life together, they are attacked by Eamon through Rory, and flee the life-sucking Kavanaghs across Appalachia and then, in desperation and hope, to Ireland.…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in wizards, the paranormal, and private investigators?

Wizards 98 books
The Paranormal 241 books