Picture a small-town Ohio mom swapping hairdryer chats for heart-pounding romantic suspense—meet Janice M. Whiteaker! A former hairstylist turned prolific author, Whiteaker crafts steamy, suspenseful tales that keep readers hooked. Since her debut novel in 2016, she’s penned over thirty works, blending gritty romance with thrilling twists, all while tending to her farm and a quirky menagerie of animals.
From her Springboro home, surrounded by chickens, ducks, and a patient husband, Whiteaker’s stories resonate with fans who crave redeemed bad boys and strong heroines. Her unique journey from salon to self-publishing stardom makes her a standout in the romance genre, proving you can chase dreams amid diapers and farm chores.
The Making of Janice M. Whiteaker
Born in Miamisburg, Ohio, Janice M. Whiteaker spent over fifteen years as a hairstylist, honing her independent streak. As a stay-at-home mom, she sought refuge from endless kid conversations about, well, less-than-glamorous topics. Reading women’s fiction sparked a thought: why not write her own stories? With no prior writing experience, she dove in, teaching herself structure and outlining with help from K.M. Weiland’s books. Her grit led to self-publishing her first novel, Run, on Amazon KDP in 2016, launching a prolific career.
Janice M. Whiteaker’s Unforgettable Stories
Whiteaker’s novels are a masterclass in romantic suspense, weaving intense chemistry with edge-of-your-seat plots. Her debut, Run (2016), kicks off the Never Waste a Second Chance series, following a heroine’s second shot at love amidst danger. Cowboy Seeking Nanny (2020), a fan favorite from the Cowboy Classifieds series, pairs a widowed rancher with a compassionate nanny, blending heart and heat. Out Bad (2021), the first in the Sinners or Saints series, introduces Joe, a reformed bad boy fighting his past to protect Gwen, a stubborn workaholic.
Writing as Jemma Westbrook and Josie Watts, Whiteaker explores military suspense and romantic comedy, but her core style shines in gritty, emotional tales. Her characters—often brooding men seeking redemption and fierce women with secrets—tackle love and danger in small-town or rugged settings. Series like Big Northwest and Secrets of Mountain Men add mystery, with plots involving missing sisters or Bigfoot-inspired lore, keeping readers guessing.
Whiteaker’s fast-paced dialogue and vivid settings, from Ohio farms to Appalachian trails, draw readers in. Despite minor critiques about word usage, her 4.42 average Goodreads rating across 50 works reflects her knack for delivering steamy, suspenseful escapes.
Why Janice M. Whiteaker Matters
Janice M. Whiteaker’s impact lies in her relatability and hustle. As a self-taught, self-published author, she’s a beacon for aspiring writers, showing that passion and persistence can break barriers. Her stories, with over 93,000 Goodreads shelves, resonate with fans who see themselves in her flawed, fierce characters. By balancing motherhood, farm life, and a booming career, she inspires readers to chase their own dreams, no matter the chaos.
Her upcoming 2025 releases, like Frankie and The Cowboy Complication, promise more heart-pounding tales, cementing her legacy in romantic suspense. Whiteaker’s ability to spin raw emotion into thrilling narratives ensures her stories linger long after the last page.
- Key Works: Run (2016), Cowboy Seeking Nanny (2020), Out Bad (2021)
- Genres: Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
- Fun Fact: She writes amid a farm with 15 chickens, 9 ducks, and a gecko!
Snag Cowboy Seeking Nanny and dive into Janice M. Whiteaker’s thrilling, heart-melting world of romantic suspense!