Jessica Brimer

I was the girl who wrote stories instead of doing her school work. Not a wise idea, but that's what I did. When I turned a short story for a project, the teacher told me, "write as a hobby, leave the story telling to professionals." Ouch! That really stung. Why I took her advice, I have no idea. Many years later, I wrote my first novel "just for fun." After writing it, I realized it was my passion. Then it dawned on me, if Sylvester Stallone struggled with his speech as a kid and became an actor, why couldn't a girl with bad grammar become an author? Silly to compare myself to a famous actor, but that question inspired me to work harder to become an author.

I read in multiple genres. Mysteries are my favorite, from Julie Anne Lindsey cozies to Lucy Foley's contemporary mysteries. In horror, I'll read anything from Darcy Coates and Simone St. James. Sally Hepworth writes some of my favorite women's fiction novels. So far my favorite thriller author is Samantha Downing. Some of my recent favorite books I've read are: These Silent Woods, The Lost Apothecary, and Four Aunties and a Wedding. Last, and certainly not least, I enjoy Agatha Christie books.

First, I hope you enjoy my cozy series. While writing the first novel of A Messy Bookshop, I thought a lot about the genre's tropes. As much as I love them, I also wanted wanted to spice things up a little to add a unique twist to each adventure.

My main character, Garnet Stone. I came up with her name first, and fell in love with it. I used some of my own personal experiences into Garnet's character. Growing up I was the "happily single" kind of gal and felt some readers may better relate to Garnet's situation, like me.

Future plans include writing more books, especially in A Messy Bookshop series. I also have some stand alone mysteries in mind. There is never a shortage of stories to tell.