J.T. (Jim Tom) McMahon was born on March 21, 1947, in Beaumont, TX. and grew up in the small town of Newton, TX. He and his sister are part of a family descended from some of Texas' earliest settlers. From his preteen years through college, various educators suggested he consider writing as a career. Instead, he became a businessman but could never prevent a succession of stories from showing up, asking to be told. Finally, he gave in, and When Darkness Ruled became his first novel. It was written in spare moments stretched over a two year period. The idea for the book developed from his having spent some time in and around Birmingham, AL.Jim McMahon is a native Texan, graduate of Lamar University Beaumont, professional musician, and author. He lives in Houston where he's currently working on his next novel.