As JD Allen, she is the author of the Shamus Award–nominated Sin City Investigations series. She holds a degree in forensic anthropology with a minor in creative writing from OSU. JD has led the Florida MWA chapter and the North Carolina SinC chapter, and has served as chair of the Bouchercon National Board and as co-chair of SleuthFest 2024 and 2025.

Under her Mari Freeman pen name, Jules writes urban fantasy romance featuring demons, vampires, werewolves, and fae—stories where supernatural politics collide with scorching chemistry and hard-won happily-ever-afters. Her paranormal romance series includes Birthright and the Hot Hard series, with multiple releases planned for 2026. She is an active member of First Coast Romance Writers. (www.marifreeman.com)

With experience in both traditional and indie publishing across two genres, Jules brings a unique perspective to craft discussions. Whether writing murder mysteries or fated mates, she believes that strong voice and authentic dialogue are what make readers connect with characters and keep turning pages long past bedtime.