Five on Friday - Jennifer McMahon

Yes! It is once again Friday. I hope everyone had a great week. It's been cold here but luckily the precipitation has stayed away for a bit. I'm sure it won't last long, but we've had sunshine and that makes me happy.

A couple house-keeping items. First, thank you to everyone who has left a comment on the blogiversary post. They have kept me in smiles all week. It truly warms my heart to know you're finding new books and authors here. I couldn't possibly ask for anything greater! If you haven't entered to win the anniversary contest, be sure you do that. The book collection that will be included grew a little more this week. You never know what may be in the box if you win!

Also, remember that I'm giving away the Sean Chercover/Trinity Game prize over on the Facebook page this month. I'll just be drawing a name from all the page friends at the end of the month. So if you already follow the page, you're entered!

I want to send out huge congrats to the 2013 Edgar nominees. They were revealed this week. I think I've read more nominees this year than ever in the past. I did have a couple of debuts that I'm sad didn't show up on the nominees' list, but you'll have that.

Wednesday I reviewed Bernard Cornwell's new novel 1356. On Tuesday Shelf Awareness ran my interview with the amazing writer. It was a great experience to chat with him, I hope you'll check it out.

If you hurry, you can still enter the contest at Criminal Element to win a copy of Snow White Must Die. I'm hoping to read this one myself. It looks very good. The contest is only open until tomorrow morning so go quick! But remember to come back and read today's Five on Friday!

I think that's all I need to share with you this Friday. So let's move on to the star of this show. Jennifer McMahon has been writing for awhile now, but my introduction came last year when I read her newest release The One I Left Behind. First, I was blown away by her writing. Then I had the opportunity to meet her at Bouchercon and she is just fabulous. (I thought that before I learned about Charlie!) Seriously, I wish she lived next door. But alas, I don't get that honor. I did, however, do a bit of a happy dance when she agreed to join us for this week's Five on Friday. Please help me welcome this very talented woman!

My favorite place to read is: On the couch with my dog, Charlie. He likes to curl up against me and put his head on my lap when I’m reading or writing. Very sweet. We both get cranky if we don’t get in our couch time together each day.

The last movie I saw was: I just watched Jaws again for the first time in years. It’s such a great story and the film is so well done. The early shark attack scenes are truly terrifying and the fact that we see so little of the shark during the attacks is an excellent example of less is more. And the music -- who can hear it and not get chills? I’m glad I watched it in the winter so I have a while to get over it before hitting the beach again!

My favorite kind of cookie is: Anything with M&Ms in them. I’m kind of an M&M junkie. I keep a bag in my desk drawer at all times. Add them to a cookie and I’m pretty much in heaven.

My favorite brand of athletic shoe is: New Balance running shoes. I’ve recently taken up running again and wore my trusty New Balances in a zombie run this past fall. I dodged zombies, climbed over stacks of hay bales, crawled through mud, jumped over fire and arrived at the finish line 5 K later with my brain intact. It was great fun and I highly recommend a zombie run as a goal for anyone thinking of getting into shape. If running for your life from zombies doesn’t motivate you, nothing will!

The #1 item on my bucket list right now is: traveling out of the country. I’ve been all over the US and to Canada, but have never been overseas. Top to-do items on my list this year are getting a passport and planning a trip! 

O.k. I've always said I don't run unless something scary is chasing me. A zombie might qualify!  What I want to know now, though, is if Charlie runs with Jennifer or if he just waits at home on the couch.

My sincerest thanks to Jennifer who took time out during the busiest time of her book cycle--the book launch--and shared some fun with us. If you haven't read her work before, I encourage you to pick up The One I Left Behind. For my audio friends, it's also available as an audiobook. I haven't had a chance to hear it, so if anyone listens to the audio, I'd love to know how it is!

I wish you all a wonderful weekend and I hope it is filled with equally wonderful reading!