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I provide Amazon links so you can peruse reader reviews and ratings. The books are also available from independent bookstores and multiple ebook retailers.
I am currently co-authoring a spy novel with retired CIA Senior Intelligence Officer, James Lawler, author of three spy thrillers.
Drawing directly from real-world intelligence and lived experience, Loose Threads is about a recently retired deep cover CIA intelligence officer (a NOC, under non-official cover) and his daughter, a professional actor. While she’s grappling with the death of her mother and her father’s recent CIA confession, he’s addressing some operational loose threads; an operation that never came to fruition. When his threads start coming together, prompting a high level of danger, he must turn to his daughter for help. The story is told in alternating chapters from each character’s point-of-view.
A book designed to guide readers on the path to finding their own true north. Dare to be Fabulous features women’s personal stories of daring, joy, empowerment, and self-discovery. Contributors range from famous women to one woman who chose to remain “Alcoholic Anonymous”.
All the (twenty-seven) stories are complemented by actionable writing prompts.
“This book brought me tremendous joy and insight, and brought me back to believe in the human spirit.”
~Julianna Margulies, multiple award-winning actor and author of Sunshine Girl: An Unexpected Life
As a standalone journal or notebook, or a companion to follow the writing prompts provided in the book, this radiant (hardback or paperback) Dare to be Fabulous Journal Notebook features fifty-plus inspirational and humorous women’s quotes.
What’s it like to be married to an undercover CIA spy? Six Car Lengths Behind an Elephant is a memoir written by my mother, Lillian McCloy, and edited by me. It is an eye-opening and often humorous tale about the CIA, marriage, family, secrets, friendships, international adventures, and the meaning of home.
The book gets very high ratings from hundreds of readers and is widely shared among undercover intelligence officers (NOCs, in CIA parlance), who say it’s a very close depiction to their own experience.
“A charming and unusual portrait of the secret life.”
~John le Carré
🎤 TALKS AND PRESENTATIONS
SIX CAR LENGTHS BEHIND AN ELEPHANT: THE AMAZING LIFE OF LILLIAN MCCLOY
A talk about my father’s work as an undercover CIA intelligence officer, my mother’s life as a CIA wife, and the unique experiences of living around the globe.
“Johanna’s talk about her mother’s life and memoir, Six Car Lengths Behind an Elephant, was very interesting and went very well. I loved it! Everyone really enjoyed it. She certainly got a lot of attention after, too; she was constantly surrounded.”
~Nienke Hohmann, Arts & Culture (Soiree) event coordinator , Coterie, San Francisco
SPY DAUGHTERS IN CONVERSATION
A joint speaking event, conversation-style, with fellow CIA spy daughter and author Leslie Absher. We discuss and contrast our personal stories, family dynamics, and what our fathers did. Her father was under official cover; my father was a NOC (under non-official cover).
DARE TO BE FABULOUS
I talk about the theme behind my book, Dare to be Fabulous, and highlight a selection of the personal stories featured there. I then lead a group discussion around what it means to be true to ourselves, inviting attendees to share their own personally daring stories.