Welcome!

Introducing Jessica Bertrand!

Jessica Bertrand is a budding author who was published in the 2021 devotional anthology, Finding God in Anime. Her novella debut, Uranium Downs, came out a month later in the collection Rocky Mountain Medley. When she isn’t writing, Jessica can be found volunteering for various church ministries, getting tangled in numerous knitting and crocheting projects, and doting on her family.

Social Media Links:

Instagram: @jessica_bertrand_author

Interview with Jessica

I’m excited to have you here on my blog, Jessica. I understand this is your first interview, congratulations on getting out there and introducing yourself to the world. Welcome!

To start us off, share something your readers wouldn’t know about you.

I have a degree in history and one for a teacher librarian.

That’s cool. If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Trainer of Superheroes

I love it! No one has described themselves this way before. What a way to be unique! What was your favorite book when you were a kid? Did it play any part in your writing style today?

I was into any of the American Girl Series and the Jenny McGrady Series. Both played a role in who I am as a writer today. The American Girl series always had a short section at the end of each book detailing the history they went through. Each book was well researched, so in an unconscious way, they taught me to be thorough when developing a story. The Jenny McGrady books were filled with mysteries that she solved. I’ve always loved mysteries, so everything I write has some sort of intrigue in it.

I love the American Girl books too! What book is currently on your bedside table?

The Bible, manga, and a journal.

Is writing your full-time career? Or would you like it to be?

I’ve never thought about writing being a full-time career. Right now, I enjoy getting out of the house and being around people. They inspire new ideas. And experiences help me see things in a different way.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

No. I wanted to be a teacher first and later I wanted to write too.

What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?

Sometimes the characters and other times it’s the plot. I see something happen and think, “What if…” Or I see people and think they’d make an interesting character and then add a few more character traits to them. It’s hard saying which one will come first.

What were the key challenges you faced when writing this book?

Writing about abuse was tricky. I didn’t start out writing about it, I hadn’t planned on it being in the book at all, but it explained why the characters reacted the way they did.

Tressa was my other challenge. She’s deaf and I’m not. I wanted to honor her and start telling part of her story. And have stories out there for the Deaf community to read. Thankfully, I have amazing friends who help.

What was the highlight of writing this book?

Crafting a story that draws people in and won’t let them go until they finish it. And then hearing from a few people that I did write a book they couldn’t put down.

What is the key theme and/or message in the book?

How to be a friend when everything falls apart.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

My website jessicabertrand.com, my Amazon author page, BookBub author page, or GoodReads.

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

Absolutely! I am editing a story I started about eight years ago. It’s a romantic suspense set in Paris. The sequel to Uranium Downs is in the research and development stage.

About The Book

Title: Uranium Downs

Series: Rocky Mountain Medley Collection

Author: Jessica Bertrand

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publication date: February 2022

Back Cover Blurb:

Amie Coleman is instrumental in uniting a power team of kids, including the new deaf girl, school geek, and a standoffish BMX rider, all with diverse interests and issues, to do a class history project. The mismatched group starts off rough with a troubled classmate adding to the drama. With everyone finally on good terms, the group unravels like a badly knitted hat. Can the group remain friends? While Amie’s parents are out of the country, she and Grandpa make a dynamic duo – an unstoppable force. Vandalism puts them both on high alert. Someone lurks in the shadows, just out of reach. Friend or foe? Who could it be? What are they after? Danger lurks. Will she and her group survive to see the end of the school year?

Purchase Link: https://www.shopguideposts.org/fiction-books/mystery-fiction/miracles-and-mysteries-of-mercy-hospital/to-heal-a-heart-mercy-book-9.html

Giveaways

Jessica is giving away two (2) copies of Uranium Downs to our visitors. Please comment below to enter. Giveaway ends March 28, 2022.

(If you would like to enter and have trouble commenting, please email me on the contact page of this site, and I will add your name to the drawing.)