Jayne Mills’ debut novel, “Bottom of the Breath,” is set to be released by She Writes Press on July 8, 2025. The book has been described by Kirkus Reviews as “an engrossing and often moving novel about the ways in which disaster can create newfound fortitude.” The story combines elements of romance, mystery, and adventure as it follows a woman’s journey to the Grand Canyon and Sedona in search of answers to a family secret.
The protagonist, Cyd, experiences a life-altering revelation that disrupts her peaceful existence in Florida. She receives a letter about an inheritance from an estranged aunt, prompting her to travel across the country with her husband. As they embark on this journey, a hurricane threatens their hometown, intensifying the existing tensions in their marriage. Eventually, Cyd continues alone to Sedona and the Grand Canyon, seeking answers and personal peace.
Publishers Weekly BookLife notes that “Mills’s efficient prose sketches an entirely believable landscape in Cyd’s mind,” highlighting the complexity of emotions explored throughout the narrative. Michelle Wildgen praises the novel for its exploration of struggle and acceptance. Kerry Sanders emphasizes its inspirational journey set against the backdrop of the American Southwest.
Jayne Mills is not only an author but also a financial advisor who has expressed her literary aspirations through various writings. Her background includes degrees in journalism and finance. Mills enjoys traveling with her partner and their dog Elvis, aiming to visit every national park in the United States.
