Author Spotlight: Jayne Simon

A little bit about Author Jayne Simon…

I started writing at the tender age of sixty-nine, after retiring from a varied career: from my first job as a mail delivery girl to my last position as the event planner at the local campus of Penn State University here in Erie, with lots of different positions in between. Upon retiring, I have enjoyed hosting afternoon teas and catering showers and special events for twelve years. Currently, I run our parish food pantry…and I write!

I married my high school sweetheart, and we’ve been married for almost fifty-six years. We have three wonderful children, a great son-in-law, an amazing daughter-in-law, and last, but certainly not least, we are blessed with four perfect (well, almost perfect!) grandsons! I will soon be  seventy-seven, and I’m looking forward to writing a few more novels in the years ahead.

This is Author Jayne Simon’s writing and publication journey in her own words…

Inspiration to start writing…

My sister asked me to attend a writing class for seniors she had seen advertised in our local paper. I toyed with the idea of writing a novel for a long time, but I never really seriously considered it. During the first class, our teacher gave us a writing assignment: write a few paragraphs about any subject you choose…just write! And thus began my first novel.

I enjoy writing historical fiction based on interesting tidbits of actual family events. With all family history, there is a wealth of fascinating information waiting to be discovered. And, if the information I find isn’t that interesting, I let my imagination take over! That’s what’s great about writing fiction!

I’ve authored three books: Being Strong (2021), The Music of My Heart (2021), and Dare to Dream (2022). All are available on Amazon, Apple Books, Goodreads, and Barnes & Noble.

I am currently working on my fourth novel, Teddy’s Gifts.

Dare To Dream Blurb

“The year is 1896, and the women’s rights movement is forging ahead. Eighteen-year-old Jenna Newell is at the threshold of her life, hoping to fulfill her dream of becoming a journalist at a time when women are still expected to follow traditional paths of marriage and motherhood.

Sarah Newell, Jenna’s grandmother, has other plans for her, however. Consumed with hatred because of her obsessive love for her deceased daughter, Sarah connives to ensnare her granddaughter in an arranged marriage. But Jenna is determined to live the life she chooses to live.Â

Sarah’s diabolical scheme turns deadly, forcing Jenna to flee the people she loves to protect them, and herself, from a terrifying fiend.

Jenna dares to seek the fulfillment of another dream, as well—to gain the love of the man who has become her protector, her friend.”

It was challenging to choose a favorite scene from my last book, Dare To Dream, but I thought the following excerpt tied well to the book blurb:

“Picking the lock was child’s play. He crept up the stairs and down the corridor, the thick carpet silencing his footsteps. He stood before Jenna’s room, a rush of power surging through him. Savoring the anticipation, he opened the door and soundlessly entered the room.

Jenna lay sleeping, one arm thrown above her head, the other resting across her stomach. He watched the shadowed outline of her breasts gently rise and fall under her white nightshirt.

Slowly, he removed his jacket, slipping his suspenders from his shoulders. He licked his lips as he bent low and reached for the coverlet, his appetite whetted, his desire surging.

A slight noise drew his attention. He glanced behind.”