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Josie Brown Novels

Novelist, journalist, and playwright Josie Brown is the author of

  • 24-novel Housewife Assassin’s Handbook series (Signal Press; previously optioned for television);
  • ​8-novel Totlandia episodic series (Signal Press); ​
  • 3-novel Extracurricular episodic series
  • (Signal Press); and 
  • 2-novel True Hollywood Lies series (HarperCollins); as well as 
  • Stand-alone novels The Candidate and The Baby Planner (Simon & Schuster)

Her novel, Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives (Simon & Schuster), was optioned by producer Jerry Bruckheimer for television.

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When a film director’s obsession with a sex phone operator threatens his latest production — and his marriage — his talent agent thinks he knows how to handle the situation: buy off the woman with “the voice that launched a thousand erections.”

Instead, he falls in love with her.

But how will he feel when he discovers that she is the wife of his hot new client?


“With tongue-in-cheek dialogue, Josie Brown provides a fascinating look at the jet-set lifestyle of the rich and for-the-moment famous. You will laugh, cry, and wonder if it's worth it to be rich and famous.”

Romance Reviews Today


Periodically you'll read about my new releases, giveaways, freebies, book bargains, blog musings, and news on my events,

Launches on Monday, November 4, 2024!

THE HOUSEWIFE ASSASSIN'S

DEEP STATE DEEP FAKE BAKE-OFF


Enter Josie's New Launch Contest for

The Housewife Assassin's

Deep State Deep Fake Bake-Off


  • GRAND PRIZE: A $100 Gift Card from the Bookstore of Your Choice, and an autographed copy of any of my novels.
  • 2 other lucky winners will each get a $50 gift card from the bookstore of their choice, and an autographed copy of any of my novels


THE HOUSEWIFE ASSASSIN SERIES

24 Mystery Novels

 

Every desperate housewife would love an alias. Donna Stone has one, and it's government-sanctioned. But terrorism makes strange bedfellows. Jack Craig, the wild card Acme operative paired with Donna brings, new meaning to that old adage “Honey, I'm home…”

"The last book that made me laugh: 

The Housewife Assassin's Handbook. 

I taught it in a class about comic novels."

—Jane Smiley, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author


"Brown writes the kind of feminist action plot that men should be reading, especially male authors, to cure that trope of "vapid sexy girl with a gun." — Amber Love


"I am sure many of those whose spy-oriented online company I keep wonder about me sometimes. On many days I will join in deep discussions about the works of Le Carré, Deighton, Greene, Ambler, and Forsyth. And then I take incredible delight in The Housewife Assassin series. Just the name would likely cause eyebrows to be raised and likely my stature as an 'expert' falls a bit. Too bad! I read for enjoyment. I hope you do as well because I want more adventures." — Randall Masteller, Spy Guys + Gals

ALL FORMATS, ALL LINKS - IN OTHER ONLINE BOOKSTORES


EXTRACURRICULAR EPISODIC SERIES

3 Episodic Novels

 

In the Extracurricular episodic trilogy, a dark family secret leads to a college admissions cheating scandal at a private school, setting off a crisis of conscience for the parents, teachers, administrator, and the students involved—and a catharsis for one couple about their marriage.


"Master storyteller of the competitively elite, Josie Brown's captures the high stakes game of college admissions in this captivating tale of trickery, deceit, and unrequited love. A++!" Julie Valerie, author of Holly Banks Full of Angst


"Delicious, hilarious, and addictive, Extracurricular has all the hallmarks of a classic Josie Brown book: fleshed-out, juicy characters, a to-die-for plot, and a ripped-from-the-headlines premise. I absolutely loved it!" Eileen Goudge, All They Need to Know

Extracurricular IN OTHER BOOKSTORES

BOOK 1 - BOOK 2 - BOOK 3

BUY THE TRILOGY BUNDLE


JOSIE'S OTHER NOVELS

JOSIE'S STAND-ALONE NOVELS

THE CANDIDATE

Seduction and intrigue are rampant on the campaign trail when a political campaign adviser discovers that Washington's power broker elite have embroiled his presidential candidate in a plot involving an act of terrorism on US soil.


SECRET LIVES OF HUSBANDS AND WIVES

A divorce that rocks a planned community reveals secrets and lies in other marriages as well.

 

THE BABY PLANNER

While secretly longing for a child of her own, San Francisco's most prestigious baby planner throws herself into helping her clueless clients on how to prepare for their pregnancies.

 

HOLLYWOOD HUNK

There's only one thing worse than playing personal assistant to a handsome, egotistical, oversexed actor: falling in love with him.


IN OTHER BOOKSTORES

SECRET LIVES OF HUSBANDS AND WIVES

THE CANDIDATE

HOLLYWOOD HUNK

THE BABY PLANNER



TOTLANDIA EPISODIC NOVELS

8 Episodic MomCom Novels


 Four candidates vying for the remaining four slots have a secret that would knock them out of the running of San Francisco's Pacific Heights Moms & Tots Club: 

  • Jade is a former stripper and porn actress, who has been absent for most of her son's life.
  • Jillian's husband cleaned out their joint accounts and left her for his pregnant assistant.
  • Ally never even had a husband–just a sperm donor–and she's hiding a high-ranking corporate job.
  • And Lorna fears that her son may have special needs—just the excuse her sister-in-law, Bettina, needs to deny her entry to the club. 


Can these hopeful moms keep up appearances long enough to outlast the competition? Or will their chances–and their private lives–go up in flames?

PRIINT + DIGITAL IN OTHER BOOKSTORES

BOOK 1 - BOOK 2

BOOK 3 - BOOK 4

BOOK 5 - BOOK 6

BOOK 7 - BOOK 8


TOTLANDIA AUDIO BOOKS: Exclusively in Josie's Book Shop!

“I love a good mommy sendup as much as the next gal, and this peek into the ridiculousness of the San Francisco upper crust is delightful. Brown's tale is as charming as it is cringe-worthy. I laughed, I winced, I kept scrolling.” —Romantic Times


“With affairs, pending divorces, secret jobs, and unsavory pasts, each wannabe member hides something that could blow her chances for good. Laugh-out-loud funny and sometimes touching, the Totlandia novels serve as the perfect quick read for busy moms or anyone looking to escape with some gossipy fun.” —Examiner.com


“Josie Brown writes Totlandia with her usual storytelling flair. The dialogue is smooth and flowing. The characters are easy to side with or become angry with. The scenery is easy to visualize. And we mustn't forget all the sex (blushworthy, at that) and scandal that is a staple of a true Josie Brown novel. It's like a soap opera for mommies. Guilty pleasure, anyone?” —Melissa Amster, ChickLitCentral.com


“This book is wonderfully written and has more than just drama. There are touching moments, parts that made me laugh out loud, I felt like I was reading a television show!” —Divine Secrets of a Domestic Goddess


MY FIRST-IN-SERIES BOOKS & AUDIOBOOK


Exclusively in the Josie Brown Book Shop!

 

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You'll receive one of my eBooks, your choice!

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More About Josie

Articles by Josie


ARTICLES ABOUt JOSIE


JOSIE'S MUSICAL


Blog Posts

The kind of friendship that endures: total acceptance.
One of my dearest friends is actually a “friend magnet.” She does what I am too shy to do: Show up at an event where she knows no one—always in some elegant suit or posh dress—and charm everyone there. I'm talking about the novelist Eileen Goudg...
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If you enjoy Paris, then you'll enjoy this love letter to it.
One of my favorite cities in the world has a TV show that shows those of us who love it why we fell in love with it in the first place.  Though it's just started its fourth season—Martin and I are only into Season 1— Emily in Paris&nbs...
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Sam Spade in France? Au, mon DIEU!
Two of my idols—Dashiell Hammett and Clive Owen—have created "must-see" TV.As much as I loved Clive Owen in the film Gosford Park, I flipped over him in Closer. I could see why Julia Roberts and Natalie Portman would too. &nb...
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Fall Into a Book - My Entrants
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED! THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED!DAY 2 of FALL INTO A BOOK brings a new question for yet another chance at my wonderful goodies for 3 lucky readers!Today's question, just tell me: What is your favorite Thanksgivin...
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Picture Perfect Places: Are They Always As They Seem?
I came across an article about Stonington, Maine with this photo of it. Wow, did it ever sound beautiful! It's definitely on my bucket list. This exchange between the reporter and a local townsperson sums up its beauty:  The second I read this, ...
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Another reason I love San Francisco: the cable cars.
Like many folks, I fell in love with San Francisco from the moment I laid eyes on it.  My favorite cable car line is only a few blocks away from where I live now. The Hyde Street car that climbs up that street begins next to a crescent-shaped pier th...
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Pick your poison. Better yet, guess which one I chose.
One of the joys of plotting a new book is choosing how you'll kill off the villian. Sure guns are quicker,and not half as messy as tainted liquor.(I just wrote that 'coz I liked the way it rhymed, teehee.) Recently, I researched poisons for...
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Sure, it's only in your imagination. That's okay. Create it anyway.
There was one way in which I wasa very lucky kid:My parents always told me I could do anything I wanted.By that, I don't mean they spoiled me.Far from it. Our household was very modest.For most of my childhood, I shared a room with my sister.We also ...
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Wait a minute, Mr. Postman!
When Martin and I run into him,he's quick with a grin and a hello.he's just an all-around nice guy.People like to think that big cities are chockfull of anonymity.I beg to differ. Sure, on any given day, I may pass strangers whom I've ...
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How will you celebrate July 4th?
I want to know. Because when it comes to that date,I live vicariously through YOU. Why? Because as Mark Twain is famous for never saying,“The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” HE WAS SO RIGHT. O...
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This is your brain on books. Seriously. It's been documented.
Great news, folks! According to the Journal of Comparative Literature and Aesthetics,reading fiction makes you smarter. But you already knew that, right?It's why you've got so many books on your shelves,and why you're always in the mid...
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In the first grade, I threw my first dinner party. It went downhill from there.
I'll admit it: I was a precocious tyke. In the first grade, I somehow learned the word “canapé.” It sounded exotic, so it had to be delicious!Somehow, I convinced two or three other little girls that our palates were sophisticated enough to spen...
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Life is precious. See a friend today.
Living in earthquake country—in my case, San Francisco — you learn that almost every day has some seismic activity. Most of the time, you don't feel it at all.However, on some days, you'll feel the earth hop or shimmie for a second. The big...
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My closest Little Free Library makes me smile. How about yours?
I don't remember when I saw my first “Little Free Library.” But I do remember where, and that it stopped me in my tracks. In San Francisco, it's on the block of California Street between Steiner and Pierce, fronting a beautiful Vi...
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Life's a Beach. And if your lucky, you'll swim fine.
I know this first hand. You see, I almost drowned. Three times, really. The first time I was just seven. I was taking swim lessons at the local pool. My mother was wrangling my toddler brother and hadn't realized the les...
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I learned to read by walking behind my mother's lawnmower.
I kid you not. Now, here's the funny part. As a five-year-old, it would not have occurred to me that Mom couldn't hear me. Still, it was important to Mom to follow my teacher's instructions and I read aloud while she listened, so, if n...
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The Classic Love Stories I Love
I was describing a current work in progress to a friend — stand alone, historical fiction, spanning 50 years — and as I was doing so, I realized I was writing a love story. It’s not that I haven’t written love stories before. All of my books are stor...
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I'll admit it: I'm a Potterhead.
I was one of the bazillion parents who bought the Harry Potter movies, and then—every year or two, during the premieres—took my children to the movies based on the best-selling record-breaking book series by J.K. Rowling.Now that both my children and...
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Operation Mincemeat: From Book to Film
It’s a war story, and it’s a love story.It’s about spies and lies, the living and the dead brought back to life, if only to pose as someone else.All in the name of God and Country.Operation Mincemeat, the nonfiction book by British historian Ben MacI...
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Of Mash and Men
Is it true that John Steinbeck wrote to Marilyn Monroe?Read this mash note from the literary lion to the box office bombshell. If you were Marilyn Monroe, by the mid-1950s mash notes probably arrived daily by the truckful. When she died, her estate...
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Your First Instinct Is Always the Best One
Seems that it's like that for just about everything, doesn't it? Invariably, someone will ask me “Which of your books should I read first?" I start by asking them if they like mystery and humor—and if they say yes to both—especially humor, I suggest...
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Donna Stone is the Housewife Assassin
How I Plot My Housewife Assassin Novels
I've been wearing glasses since the second grade, so you'd think I'd be less vain about them. Had I done so while being interviewed by Facebook Group Bookish Road Trip's Meredith Stoddard about my writing process, I probably would have noticed that o...
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