Simone J. 

From the novel entitled "No One Needs to Know".

​

With James Bond in mind, I always wanted to create a female character with similar traits as a secret agent. One question I always had when watching a James Bond movie is where did he learn to do all that secret agent stuff we see on the screen? While telling the tale of the main storyline, I wanted to include flashbacks, showing Simone before she was this dashing agent.

​

What you’re getting with this book is 2 storylines. One is the main plot where Simone is trying to not only prevent a vicious terror attack on US soil and avenge her mentor, but also show what makes Simone the deadly secret agent that she is. There are excerpts from her time in the Navy to her first fieldwork, all led by her mentor. I think it was important to show that and everything that she went through to understand what she is currently. Once that foundation of her character is revealed, it helps understand her development and what drives her.

Simone was such a fun character to write for. If I had to pick a favorite chapter in this book, I’d go with chapter three where we get a flashback before Simone joins No One. It shows that she’s always been a force to be reckoned with, but you also see her in her rawest form, filled with rage and emotion. It’s the only part of the book that you get to see her in such light before she ultimately joins No One. Other flashbacks show her growing as well, but none of them shows her untainted which is why it’s my favorite chapter.

"My math scores weren’t up to par apparently, so I was only offered a partial scholarship. They didn’t have a place for me in extended foster care, so I needed to go somewhere that I could be taken care of. Saw a commercial on TV for the Navy. At the time, it didn’t sound like a bad deal, so I took it. What are you, writing my life’s story? What’s your deal?” Simone when asked about her background after meeting her mentor for the first time.