Press Kit

Dr. Beare’s Daughter

Growing Up Adopted, Adored, and Afraid

by Janice Jones

A Memoir

Publication date: September 20, 2024

Paperback

ISBN: 979-8-9890978-0-7

Kindle ebook

ISBN: 979-8-9890978-1-4

Audiobook (narrated by the author)

ISBN: 979-8-9890978-2-1

Available on Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Spotify, and most places where books are sold. Available from libraries via Libby.

Summary

In this true story set in the 1950s and ’60s, an adopted, only child struggles to be that elusive, golden child she imagines her charismatic doctor-daddy and easily-hurt socialite mother really wanted—their own. At the same time, a small voice, deep inside her, popped up at the most inconvenient times, reminding her, “I’m here.” In her efforts to silence that inner voice, she erased her own identity.

Reviews

“. . . brutally honest . . . a compelling work . . . GET IT.” — Kirkus Reviews – Read Full Review »
“Moving story of an adopted daughter’s search for her own voice.”— Booklife – Read Full Review »
“Dr. Beare’s Daughter boasts uniquely idiosyncratic characters who come alive in Jones’s skilled hands.”— Booklife Prize – Read Full Review »
“. . . an inherently fascinating read from start to finish.” —Midwest Book Review – Read Full Review »
“Well-written and poignant . . . Feelings and experiences to which many adoptees will relate. I recommend this engaging book.” — Betsie Norris, Founder and Executive Director, Adoption Network Cleveland – Read Full Review »
“. . . eye-opening for many who do not understand the underlying psychology of adoption.” — IBPA Book Awards — Read Full Review »
“. . . more than just a memoir; it is an emotional exploration of resilience and identity that leaves readers yearning for more.” —Ubuy Editorial Review – Read Full Review »

Awards

Finalist: 2025 Next Generation Book Awards
Finalist: 2025 Independent Publisher Awards

About Janice Jones

Jones was adopted as an infant and grew up as the privileged child of a respected surgeon and his socialite wife. She grew up to have a career as a freelance editor and writer. She also worked as a dog obedience instructor, book buyer for a large independent bookstore, and she invented a way to use jigsaw puzzles to teach reading skills to children. Her hobbies are riding her ebike, gardening, sewing, and playing guitar, piano, and Cajun accordion with other musicians. Dr. Beare’s Daughter is her fourth published book.

Interview with Janice Jones

Q: Why did you want to be a writer?
A: As a lonely, only child, I loved reading books—they were my windows to the wider world. I lived across the street from Louise Steintorf, a New York Times best-selling author. I admired how she could use words to reach people and impact their thinking. I wanted to develop that power in myself.

Q: What motivated you to write a memoir? And why now?
A: I wanted to let my descendants know what it was like for me, growing up as an only privileged child in the 1950’s and ‘60s. When I turned 76, I realized that time was moving quickly, and I’d better get busy. I planned on writing it just for my family.

Q: What caused you to change your mind and publish it?
A: While I’m an adoptee, I viewed my adoption as a small part of my story. But as I poured words onto the page, I found myself back in the body of the child that I once was, feeling what she felt back then. I began to understand that I was writing about more than the people and events of my early life—I was writing the story of how I erased my own identity and silenced my own voice in my struggle to be that elusive, golden child I thought my parents really wanted— their own. And so, I let that long-ago, lost girl write her story in her own voice for the first time. When I finished writing, I felt that I owed it to my young self to let her voice be heard in the world. I held my breath and gave her a megaphone.

Q: How long did it take you to write your memoir?
A: About 15 months. Getting started was like a train struggling to leave the station with a heavy load. But once I got started, like the train, I picked up speed.

Q: How were you able to remember the details of events that happened in your childhood?
A: The traumatic scenes from my early life were so imprinted on my brain that I could remember what people were wearing and sometimes their exact words. Other things had grown fuzzy over the years, but I was able to get them back by creating a timeline and looking at old photos. Then those memories sparked other memories.

The Night the Bridge Cried

by Janice Jones

A Historical Novel

Publication date: December 1, 2025

Paperback

ISBN: 979-8-9985469-0-7

Kindle ebook

ISBN: 979-8-9985469-1-4

Available on Amazon.com, Brnesandnoble.com, and most places where books are sold.

Available on Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Spotify, and most places where books are sold. Available from libraries via Libby.

Summary

In 1960, the people of Grunion Glade, Ohio are descendants of twin canal boat captains who left their boat to chase a lost football, found their brides, and built a town in the shadow of a haunted bridge. Their legacy lives on through the high school football team, The Captains, undefeated state champions. Bob Skinner Junior, a fatherless farm boy who dreams of gridiron glory, is tasked with protecting his cousin, William, a misfit dwarf with a dangerous hatred of football who discovers a secret that could destroy the legacy. In the background the bridge stands as a sentinel, watching, waiting.

Reviews

“Jones captures the essence of small-town life and the emotional depth of its characters. . . secrets, courage, and a satisfying resolution.” – Booklife – Read full review»

About Janice Jones

Janice Jones grew up in Celina, Ohio in the 1960s. She spent her Saturdays in the library and fell in love with reading and books. She grew up to have a career as a freelance editor and writer. Currently a resident of Michigan, her inspiration for her books comes from the colorful characters she knew growing up as the daughter of a doctor in Mercer County.

Interview with Janice Jones

Q: Why did you write The Night the Bridge Cried?
A: I wanted to demonstrate that truth has intrinsic value, and we should strive to know it and base our lives on it, even when denial makes us more comfortable and less afraid. Knowing and accepting truth allows us to find courage and face fear.

Q: Where did you get the idea for the character of William?
A: I read A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving and was inspired by the character of Owen, who was different than his peers. I wanted to make William a rare child, different from his peers, and wise beyond his years. Progeria is very rare and children that have it grow visibly older in a short span of time. I liked the idea of William visibly growing older as he grew wiser.

Q: How long did it take you to write The Night the Bridge Cried?
A: It took three months to write the first draft. Then it took many years for it to evolve into a story that I felt carried the messages I wanted to get across.

Q: Why football?
A: A champion sports team in a small town is something that everyone can be for. I wanted William to be the lone voice against.