Bestseller James Rollins delivers his sixth Sigma Force thriller, The Doomsday Key

How do you get started on a book?

It starts with a box, a cardboard lawyer’s file box. Into that box goes anything that might make a story: a stray idea that pops into my head, an article from the latest Scientific American, a note jotted while watching the History Channel and so on. Once a month, I sift through that box and cull anything that no longer interests me. But during that process, by pure chance, odd bits end up next to each other on the floor: a piece of history that ends in a question mark, a bit of science that makes me go “what if?” And in that moment, I discover a possible story.

Do you know when you start where you’re going to end up?

Here you raise a common author conundrum: do you outline your stories or do you write organically? I’ve sat on conference panels where authors on both sides of this divide have discussed their process. In the end, the panel usually ends up in a fistfight—sometimes figuratively, (more…)

Bestseller Rollins’s labyrinthine sixth Sigma Force thriller (after The Last Oracle) offers plenty of intriguing science and history lessons. Sigma Force director Painter Crowe gathers the usual crew—Cmdr. Grayson Pierce; Pierce’s best friend, Monk Kokkalis; lumbering Joe Kowalski—to discover why an experimental agriculture site in Africa has been attacked and razed, killing everyone, including a U.S. senator’s son. “The future of mankind” may depend, they learn, on the “Doomsday key,” a strange substance brought to England long ago by ancient Egyptians that holds the promise of a new and powerful medicine. A few of the book’s many highlights include genetic manipulation, traitorous beautiful women, illuminated manuscripts, saints, prophecies, curses and miracles. Rollins deftly juggles all this and more as the Sigma team races from the depths of the Vatican to the outer reaches of Norway toward an explosive confrontation with the shadowy forces of evil known as the Guild. (June)

Order your signed copy of The Doomsday Key by James Rollins at www.vjbooks.com

(Publisher’s Weekly, Apr 27)

(Publisher’s Weekly, Mar. 23)

David Koepp and Akiva Goldsman, who collaborated on the Angels & Demons movie adaptation (opening date:  May 15) have several notable-and diverse-screenplay credits on their resumes.  Goldsmanwent solo on The Da Vinci Code movie; his other credits include to Russell Crowe vehicles:  Cinderella Man and A Beautiful Mind, which won Goldsman an Oscar and a Golden Globle.  Koepp penned last year’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, War of the Worlds, The Lost World: Jurassic Park and Spider-Man.

Hello again~

You’ll want to check out our recent notice –

Nearly 25 years ago we first met Alex Delaware, and he returns in his 23rd mystery in Jonathan Kellerman’s True Detectives.  Walter Mosley launches what promises to be his best series since Easy Rawlins first appeared in 1990 with The Long Fall.

Readers of historical adventure writers James Rollins, Raymond Khoury, Steve Berry and Clive Cussler take notice of Alexander Cipher, an exciting debut by newcomer Will Adams.

Ace Atkins brings the 1921 Fatty Arbuckle case alive in Devil’s Garden, and Philip Kerr’s private detective Berney Gunther travels to 1950s Argentina in A Quiet Flame.  He delivers compelling portraits of real characters such as Eva and Juan Peron, Adolf Eichmann, and Otto Skorzeny in a novel that ends up asking some highly provocative questions about the true extent of Argentina’s Nazi collaboration and anti-Semitism under the Perons.

Today’s selection is rounded out by two recent finds:  Michael Palmer’s 2007 bestseller, The Fifth Vial  and Manda Scott‘s first title in her bestselling Boudica series Dreaming The Eagle.  Quantities are limited on both, so don’t delay.

Plenty to consider here!

John and Virginia

He’s back. Everyone’s favorite globe-trotting, tomb-raiding, wisecracking archaeologist is finally at it again-hurtling headfirst into high adventure and relying on his wits, his fists, and his trusty bullwhip to get him out of deep trouble. But the man in the jaunty brown fedora and battered leather jacket is no ordinary digger in the dirt. From the fabled lost Ark of the Covenant to the legendary Holy Grail, he’s salvaged the world’s most amazing artifacts, while beating the baddest villains and defying the most breathtaking odds.

See James Rollins signed books at www.vjbooks.com

Dear John,

I would appreciate it if you could clear up something for me regarding James Rollins‘ early books. I first became aware of James Rollins with your offering of Map of Bones. I enjoyed it so much I immediately began searching for his earlier works. Being a collector, I naturally wanted signed first editions whenever possible. I had minimal difficulty locating Sandstorm, Ice Hunt, then Amazonia. However, at that point the search became a little fuzzy. There are still three early books I don’t yet have, Subterranean, Excavation, and Deep Fathom. It appears that these three were paperback originals. Is this true? Have any of the three ever been released in hardcover? Thanks to VJBooks it has been easy to acquire Mr. Rollins’ subsequent books, but these first three continue to elude me.  (Judy, Texas)

John responds….

Yes, Subterranean, Excavation, and Deep Fathom were originally released in paperback, and they have not been released in hardcover edition.

You might also want to seek out science fiction books written by Rollins under the name of James Clemens.  Good reading!

See all James Rollins titles at www.vjbooks.com

The July pub date of THE SHIMMER coincides with the International Thriller Writers organization’s annual gala readers/writers conference, THRILLERFEST (July 8-11).  This year, it again takes place in New York City, where ITW will present David Morrell with its prestigious THRILLERMASTER award for a lifetime of devoting his career to expanding the idea of what a thriller can be.

Some of the featured special guests include David Baldacci, Sandra Brown, Robin Cook, Brad Meltzer, and Katherine Neville.  Lee Child, Steve Berry, James Rollins, Gayle Lynds, and a host of other thriller luminaries will be there for the entire 4 days and very accessible.  For details, please go to ttp://www.thrillerwriters.org.

See all David Morrell titles at www.vjbooks.com

See all James Rollins signed books at www.vjbooks.com

Hello friends!

2008 was a great year for books.  We had the pleasure of bringing hundreds of new titles to you this year, and introducing you to dozens of new authors.

When it was suggested to make a list of our favorites and give you one last chance to add them to your collection, I found picking titles kind of like choosing between my children! 
 
Of course all your favorites climbed the charts and we were proud to bring you new books by Michael Connelly, Patricia Cornwell, James Patterson, George Pelecanos, Janet Evanovich, Robert Crais, Clive Cussler, Jonathan Kellerman, Gregg Hurwitz, and all the other usual suspects.
 
So we have picked our favorites in ten different catagories.  If you didn’t already pick these up, here’s your last chance to get them, and save 25%.

Looking ahead, we have already ordered titles for the first quarter of ’09.  It promises to be another big year with exciting new authors making their first appearance in our store as well as new books from all the bestselling authors you’ve come to expect at VJ Books.  Take a look at our Upcoming Titles to see what is ahead for 2009.

For now, grab these before they are gone!
 
Good reading,
 
John

Best New Author:  Mark Alpert (Final Theory)
Best New Legal: James Scott Bell (Try Dying)
Best Psychological Thriller:  Alan Jacobson (7th Victim)
Best Political Novel: Eric Van Lustbader (First Daughter)
Best Spy Novel:  Dan Fesperman (The Amateur Spy)
Best Youth Novel: Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry (Science Fair)
Best from the UK: David Hewson (The Garden of Evil)
Best Movie Tie-in: James Rollins (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull)
John’s Top Pick: Joe Domenici (Bringing Back the Dead)
Best Anthology: Lee Child (Killer Year)
New Friend of VJ Books:  Iris Johansen (Dark Summer)
Best Translation: Alnauldur Indridason (The Draining Lake)

Indiana Jones, The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – A cinematic phenomenon, 20 years of Henry Jones Junior, or as he likes to be called, Indiana Jones. He has taken us through deserts, jungles, oceans and more.  With his unforgettable grin, bullwhip and well worn brown fedora he leads us in 4 block buster movies. In his new movie (The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) he will have contacts with the supernatural, Russians and Marion (his cocky ex-fiance). But this review is on the book, written by James Rollins. This powerful author creates an amazing book. True to the movie, he uses powerful mental pictures to allow the story to come alive. He creates relationships between the characters as you were in side their heads. His vivid picturing is well partnered with unbelievable word play. I really suggest you read this book!

Mitchell

Get your signed copy of Indiana Jones by James Rollins at www.vjbooks.com!