A Marion County woman who penned her first novel said it was something she has always wanted to do.
Jennifer Hills held a book signing at the Columbia-Marion County Public Library Feb. 10 and spoke about her book, Spirit Beat, which was penned under the name JEO.
“It’s about a girl who was born with the subconscious ability to attract ghosts and spirits,” Hills said. “She‘s recruited by a paranormal investigation team called Spirit Beat. They pretty much just take her on investigations and she’s their bait.”
Hills said there is a twist to the book.
“She has an older brother and he is pretty much a violent sociopath,” she said. “He has the subconscious ability to repel spirits. He is trying to keep her away from them.”
The book is Hills first effort. She began in 2008-09.
“I had writer’s block for two years before I was able to pick up again,” she said. “I hope to have a second book out either late this year or early next year. I’ve always wanted to write. I do a lot of drawing and I wanted to use the written word. It has been a long, long journey doing that. The story just came to me one day and it just built up and up and up, and I thought, ‘I’ve got to write this down.’”
The Gretna, La. native moved to the area when she a child.
“We moved here when I was six, and we pretty much never left Marion County,” Hills said. “I work at WFFF radio as a secretary and in the mornings, I’m a sidekick on the morning show. I graduated from West Marion in 2004.”
Hills said her second book will be a continuation of the first story.
“When I began writing, I realized that I had enough material for a second book,” she said. “Part II is in the editing process.”
Hills’ book is available on Amazon or Amazon Kindle.
Pictured Above: Jennifer Hills, spoke about her book to a crowd of people at the Columbia-Marion County Public Library. | Photo by Mark Rogers
