Born in Iowa, JJ Renek grew up in midwestern America during the mid-twentieth century. She loved exploring the public library after school, roaming the stacks and carting home books, particularly mysteries. Later, encouraged by various teachers and professors to pursue writing, she laid plans for an English literature major. However, an unexpected summer job kindled an interest in medicine and persuaded her to pivot from that original plan.

She chose a career in obstetric nursing and holds a BSN from the University of Kansas, and an MSN from the University of Utah. A decade and two children later, she attended medical school and received her MD from University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. During that time, she collaborated on several creative projects including faculty roasts and writing for the annual, irreverent senior video produced, in turn, by her medical school class. Following graduation, she trained in internal medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City.

Since retiring from active practice, JJ has penned seven medical suspense novels and a collection of short stories across various genres. She is a member of International Thriller Writers, St. Louis Writers Guild, Springfield Writers’ Guild, and Sleuths’ Ink.

When not pecking the keys – or perseverating about manuscript revisions – she enjoys reading, traveling, and keeping an eye on current events. She also carves out time to garden a bit and put up pickles – her grandmother’s recipe – and conspire now and then with her four grandchildren and one grand dog. She makes her home, minus any wild pets, with her husband in the ‘Show-Me’ state where she writes full-time, or pretends to.