Jo Denning is the author of the Saoirse
Reilly series. She has spent her career as a behavioral health therapist
supporting kids and teens who struggle with addiction. Jo began writing
supernatural crime thrillers as a way of processing the traumatic
things she has seen and heard. Her characters may be supernatural but
their stories, their fear, and their pain are real. So, too, are the
triumphs over impossible odds.
When she’s not writing, Jo enjoys baking, drawing, and watching trashy reality TV. She makes her home somewhere in the contiguous United States with her husband, one fluffy cat, and one barely domesticated cat.
Let’s Connect!
Can you tell us how you got started writing fiction?
I began writing Dead Blood City, the first book in the Saoirse Reilly series, while working in a
psychiatric hospital at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and following the death of a thirteen-
year-old patient by suicide. The magic and monsters in Reilly’s world are metaphors for the very
real evil and darkness that exists in our world. The painful experiences of my characters are
things that real people go through every day. Unfortunately, treatment is not always enough to
help them escape the darkness inside their own minds. I write to process my work and my many,
many feelings about my work.
Describe your writing process. Do you plot or write by the seat of your pants? When and where do you write?
I write whenever I can! But, usually, it is earlier in the day on weekends or whenever I have a
break at work. I always create a detailed outline before I start writing. Then I create scene cards,
a strategy discussed in ‘Story Genius,’ to make sure every scene actively contributes to character
development. I jump around to different chapters and scenes when I write so a good outline helps
me stay on track. I also create playlists for every story or book I write to get in the right
headspace. You can listen to these free on Spotify!
Can you tell us about your most recent release?
Cruel Prince meets Law & Order in Hush Hush City, the thrilling sequel to Dead Blood City and
second installment in the Saoirse Reilly series!
Saoirse Reilly, police detective and wayward psychic, is still reeling from the events of Dead
Blood City. Her lies are piling up but there's no time to deal. She and her loved ones are in
danger once again. While investigating the murder of a Boston blueblood, Reilly is drawn into a
supernatural power struggle centuries in the making.
Ancient monsters are prowling the streets and Domenico Alderisi, newly installed vrykolakas
master, needs Reilly’s help securing his territory—which just so happens to be her hometown.
Alderisi, once her enemy, may be the only one who can save the city. But he has his own agenda
and a taste for Reilly's blood.
The only way for Reilly to protect all she holds dear may be to rely on her two-faced teacher, Dr.
Emrys Somerled. The criminal psychologist and occult expert is something more than human. If
anyone can take on monsters, it's him. And he'd like to get closer to Reilly than ever before.
There’s just one problem. Somerled is keeping secrets, too, and there's nothing more dangerous.
After all…
Stepping out of the silence is scary but secrets can kill.
Will Reilly escape the web of death and deception?
Find out in this urban fantasy meets gritty noir detective novel featuring imperfect heroes and
slow burn dark romance with beautiful monsters who can’t be trusted.
How did you get the idea for the book?
I always knew Dead Blood City would have a sequel. In Hush Hush City, I wanted to address
some of the questions readers had about Reilly’s heritage and her burgeoning powers. Other
inspirations included Norse myths of the undead, the overlap of Viking and Irish culture, and the
long, troubled history between Ukraine and Russia. But my overarching inspiration for the book
was imagining someone presented with a series of distinct choices and choosing wrong every
single time. Where would they end up?
Of all your characters, which one is your favorite? Why?
For the sake of my other characters, I want to say this is a tough one!!! (It’s not.) My favorite
character is Saoirse Reilly, of course! Reilly is the protagonist, a Boston police detective with
psychic abilities. She has been a love-her or hate-her kind of character for readers and that is
intentional. She has taken a lot of hits throughout her life. As a result, she is a bit of a mess right
now. Reilly has her flaws and she is not the easiest person to love. But she is the most real
character I have ever written. I knew I needed a truly believable, human character to frontline
this fantastical series. Like all of us have or have to, Reilly needs to confront the trauma holding
her back in order to thrive. I believe in her.
What was the most challenging aspect of writing your book?
This is a hard question to answer because I really love writing. The process of editing and
revising can be time-consuming but I don’t dislike it. In terms of the most challenging aspect of
publishing, it is definitely formatting my manuscript for print. It melts my brain.
What projects are you currently working on?
I’m hard at work on the third book in the Saoirse Reilly series, Black Sight City, so named
because it will be the darkest installment yet. This will be a major turning point for the series.
For those wanting (demanding) more about Reilly’s heritage and the mysterious world we’ve
only seen in flashbacks, this is the book for you! But be careful what you wish for. It is always
darkest before dawn.
What advice would you offer to new or aspiring fiction authors?
The best advice I can give aspiring authors is to WRITE. It’s okay to talk about books, do social
media marketing, go to coffee shops, whatever floats your boat—but you have to actually write
your book. No one else is going to do it for you. Good luck!
Title: Hush Hush City
Author: Jo Denning
Publisher: Leabhar & Fola Publishing House
Pages: 330
Genre: Dark Urban Fantasy Romance
Cruel Prince meets Law & Order in Hush Hush City, the thrilling sequel to Dead Blood City and second installment in the Saoirse Reilly series! Saoirse Reilly, police detective and wayward psychic, is still reeling from the events of Dead Blood City. Her lies are piling up but there’s no time to deal. She and her loved ones are in danger once again. While investigating the murder of a Boston blueblood, Reilly is drawn into a supernatural power struggle centuries in the making.
Ancient monsters are prowling the streets and Domenico Alderisi, newly installed vrykolakas master, needs Reilly’s help securing his territory – which just so happens to be her hometown. Alderisi, once her enemy, may be the only one who can save the city. But he has his own agenda and a taste for Reilly’s blood. The only way for Reilly to protect all she holds dear may be to rely on her two-faced teacher, Dr. Emrys Somerled. The criminal psychologist and occult expert is something more than human. If anyone can take on monsters, it’s him. And he’d like to get closer to Reilly than ever before. There’s just one problem. Somerled is keeping secrets, too, and there’s nothing more dangerous. After all…
Stepping out of the silence is scary but secrets can kill.
Will Reilly escape the web of death and deception?
Find out in this urban fantasy meets gritty noir detective novel featuring imperfect heroes and slow burn dark romance with beautiful monsters who can’t be trusted.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/41Z1UUq
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