About Jess
I grew up in a small town in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley in California. As a kid, I spent most of my time reading, swimming, fostering my obsession with horses, and annoying my two brothers. I loved to write, though I’m pretty sure the only “book” I wrote as a child had something to do with a princess hiding behind a tapestry so she could sneak out of her castle because her brother was being mean and she wanted an adventure. I don’t think I ever finished that one, which is a shame.
My imaginative childhood grew into a thirst for knowledge and adventure that I’ve kept to this day. I love to travel and try new things. I worked as a balloon artist in restaurants, rehabilitated injured hawks and owls as a volunteer at a raptor management center, traveled all over the country during my trumpet playing days with the Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh, managed to wander to Europe to explore Germany, France, and Spain, and finally settled down with my wonderful husband to raise a couple of kids, a couple of cats and one fantastic All-American mutt.
Now my hobbies include making beer, birdwatching, and trying to tame my massive butterfly garden. I hope to bring you stories of love and adventure that entertain you as much as they have captivated me.
To read more, check out these interviews:
Cynthia Eden’s Blog
J & J Book Talk
The Galaxy Express
I Do Not Want to Wait I Want the Book Now!
Sequential Tart
As a new feature, I’m thrilled to welcome Dara to the site. She’ll be working hard to decorate the place as she helps bring my characters to life. Get to know our resident artist.
Meet Dara
I was born in Tampa, Florida a few years before the light-up sneaker craze struck all those under the age of ten. Around the age of two, I learned that crayons were more suitable for scribbling than eating. Since then I literally have not stopped drawing. In school I used to get in trouble for doodling within the margins of any and all classwork, as well as on any available flat surface. I’ve taken about a dozen different art classes, some a bit more fun than others, and have experimented a bit with a few different mediums on my own. I carry a both a sketchbook and a notebook with me wherever I go, just in case an idea strikes.
I graduated Nature Coast Technical High School in 2005, having been in the Graphic Arts cluster. It was there that I was introduced to the wonders of Photoshop and the Wacom Drawing Tablet. I worked on a few of the wall murals found within the Graphic Arts Department during my time there. I also worked on the Yearbook Staff my senior year, was the Head Editor/Designer for the school’s Literary Magazine ‘Once Upon a Mind…’ and won the Poetry Award for my graduating year.
Currently, I am attending the University of Central Florida for their Digital Media program. My goal in this is to become a Concept Artist, whether it be for video games or movies.