About Jessica
A Starbucks drinker, avid reader, semi-professional fangirl, and chocolate aficionado, Jessica spends way too much time on Tumblr and Twitter. She writes both Young Adult Fiction and Romance.
As a child Jessica possessed the dangerous combination of too much energy coupled with an over-active imagination. This pairing led to more than seven broken bones and countless scars.
Oddly enough, she’s worked as a zookeeper, a librarian, camp counselor, horse wrangler, housekeeper, and finance clerk, but now loves her full-time work in law enforcement.
She lives in the Midwest with her amazing husband and very giggly daughter.
As a child Jessica possessed the dangerous combination of too much energy coupled with an over-active imagination. This pairing led to more than seven broken bones and countless scars.
Oddly enough, she’s worked as a zookeeper, a librarian, camp counselor, horse wrangler, housekeeper, and finance clerk, but now loves her full-time work in law enforcement.
She lives in the Midwest with her amazing husband and very giggly daughter.
- Winner of the 2011 Golden Pen
- Winner of the 2011 Where the Magic Begins
- Winner of the 2011-12 Rattler Writing Contest (Contemporary Category)
- Winner of the 2011-12 Rattler Wrting Contest (Spec. Category)
- Overall Grand Prize Winner 2011-2012 Rattler Writing Contest Awards
- 2012 ACFW Genesis Award Semi-Finalist
Why A Place to Belong?
“If I discover within myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” -C.S. Lewis
When I first started writing, I had no clue that most authors write a similar theme into all of their books. I just wrote. But then—without trying—an evident theme of finding acceptance, a home, and community emerged. Out of that realization A Place to Belong was born.
Deep down, I think we all want to find a place, or a group of people, that make us feel like we’re home. I know I always have.
But when push comes to shove, I don’t fit anywhere. And I never have. I’m not loud enough to be considered outgoing, and I’m not quiet enough to be called shy. I can spend hours lost in the land of books, but then I can dance all night at a top forty concert. I can lead a group of one hundred people, and feel lost in a gathering of just five. I love wearing high heels but refuse to wear make-up.
I don’t make sense.
But know what? The more people I get to know, the more I see that we’re all this way. So then we’re faced with two choices: Become someone that makes sense to others—someone everyone else can categorize and label…or just be yourself. I’ve found only grief and frustration with the first.
We’re all on a journey. Everyone is searching for the place they feel like their heart fits. The stories I write are full of characters discovering and learning to embrace where they belong, and in the process, I hope you and I find the strength to do the same.
Deep down, I think we all want to find a place, or a group of people, that make us feel like we’re home. I know I always have.
But when push comes to shove, I don’t fit anywhere. And I never have. I’m not loud enough to be considered outgoing, and I’m not quiet enough to be called shy. I can spend hours lost in the land of books, but then I can dance all night at a top forty concert. I can lead a group of one hundred people, and feel lost in a gathering of just five. I love wearing high heels but refuse to wear make-up.
I don’t make sense.
But know what? The more people I get to know, the more I see that we’re all this way. So then we’re faced with two choices: Become someone that makes sense to others—someone everyone else can categorize and label…or just be yourself. I’ve found only grief and frustration with the first.
We’re all on a journey. Everyone is searching for the place they feel like their heart fits. The stories I write are full of characters discovering and learning to embrace where they belong, and in the process, I hope you and I find the strength to do the same.