New York Times bestselling author J.A. Jance will visit Apache Junction and Mesa public libraries while on a book tour for her new Ali Reynolds thriller, “Collateral Damage” (March 14, Gallery Books).

Jance, who lives in Seattle, was raised in Arizona and was a longtime Tucson resident. Many of her beloved heroine Ali Reynolds’ adventures (and misadventures) take place in Arizona, according to a release.

Jance will appear at the following area events:

• 2:30 p.m. Monday, March 13, at Apache Junction Public Library, 1177 N. Idaho Road in Apache Junction.
• 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, at the Red Mountain Branch of the Mesa Public Library, 635 N Power Road in Mesa.

The author’s accomplished writing career encompasses more than 70 novels and novellas, as well as an autobiographical poetry collection. Jance took a roundabout route to a writing career, from English teacher to Tohono O’odham Nation Reservation school librarian to life insurance agent and single mom, stealing time to write in the hours before dawn, the release states.

Her character-driven, tech-savvy thrillers tackle timely issues. In “Collateral Damage,” a disgraced former cop is out on parole and out for revenge. Fan favorite, broadcast journalist turned amateur sleuth, and “woman of a certain age” Ali Reynolds is facing her first Christmas without her father, a suspicious car accident involving her husband and troubles brimming around their cybersecurity firm, High Noon, the release states.