Meet Jayne

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I'm so grateful you are here! Allow me to tell you a little about myself.
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On my childhood:  I was born and raised in Chicago by wonderful parents under a strong Italian-Catholic influence. In true Aquarian spirit, I left home at eighteen, moved to Fort Lauderdale on a whim, and put myself through college, studying both journalism and finance. Later, I married and had three children--a dream come true.

On yoga: In the late 1980s, I stumbled onto a yoga mat and began a practice I continue to this day. I am a registered yoga teacher and have taught yoga and breathwork since 2009. I believe yoga should be like brushing your teeth; everyone should do it every day. It is no exaggeration to say that yoga has saved my life more than once. I wouldn’t be who I am without it.

On my love of reading and writing:  Like both my mother and my daughter, I have always loved to read. I also dreamed of writing a book someday. In fact, as a young person, I planned to be a writer by profession.

Life, however, has a way of reminding us that we’re not in charge. In the book, Cyd’s aunt tells her, “Man plans and God laughs.” That has certainly been true in my life. It was a happy accident that I ended up changing my major from journalism to finance. I have enjoyed a long, successful, and rewarding career doing math (which I also love) and working with the best clients anyone could hope for.

In 2019, as I was undergoing chemotherapy treatments and spending lots of time on my sofa, I began writing this book in earnest. I haven’t stopped since.

BOTTOM OF THE BREATH is the result. I took five years to write, and another year to get published. I knew nothing about writing a novel when I began, and it’s a good thing I didn’t know what I didn’t know—otherwise I’m certain I would have never started.

In the course of writing this book and questioning everything from my writing ability to my sanity, I kept coming back to the desire to leave a story for my children and all my readers in which I share some of the lessons I’ve learned in my life—about the importance of family, the absolute necessity of friendship, and the power of forgiveness.

On things I love and am fascinated by:  I have incorporated many of my loves into this book: yoga, meditation, numerology, (I am now an astrology addict as well), family, family secrets, Florida, the Grand Canyon, the Sedona red rocks, a good road trip, a loyal dog, and a star-filled sky. I talk about aging, motherhood, choices, regrets, betrayal, courage, resiliency, and of course, love. 

Releasing my first novel into the world is not like giving birth as I’ve been told—it’s WAY harder! It's a labor and a love. I sincerely hope you enjoy reading it. 
 
Life is short. Read Fast.

~ Jayne​
 
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