What do you think?
Rate this book
Loving Simone
To family and friends, Simone Woodson has the perfect life. What else could she possibly need? Her husband, Jackson, an accountant at a prestigious Washington, DC, law firm, provides for her all the worldly things she could wish for. However, looks can be deceiving. Behind closed doors, there is a perfect storm brewing. Betrayals and her insatiable desire for intimacy are ripping her marriage apart at the seams.
266 pages, Paperback
First published February 18, 2009
1 person is currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Tilles
24 books7 followersJESSICA TILLES is an award-winning, national best-selling author, publisher of the 2008 African American Literary Award Winner for Independent Publishing House of Year, Xpress Yourself Publishing, LLC, and founder of The Writer's Assistant.
As a native of Washington, DC, Jessica is a creative writer in all genres of fiction, with several titles in print: Anything Goes, In My Sisters' Corner, Apple Tree, Sweet Revenge, Fatal Desire, Unfinished Business, editor of the best-selling anthology, Erogenous Zone: A Sexual Voyage, and is a contributing author to the best-selling anthology, The Triumph of My Soul edited by Elissa Gabrielle, with her short story “Julian’s Grace.”
Listed in Heather Covington’s Top 100 Literary Divas (Amber Communications), Jessica remains humble in her literary endeavors and continues to assist authors with the business of self-publishing through The Writer’s Assistant, a virtual assistant providing consultation, typesetting, book cover design, editing and desktop publishing services for authors, independent publishers and small businesses.
In 2001, Jessica launched Xpress Yourself Publishing as a self-published author, publishing her national best-selling titles. In 2006, she published fellow authors Bill Holmes, Kenda Bell and Michael J. Burt. Bill Holmes' debut novel, One Love, peeked at #4 on the Essence Best Seller's List in July 2007, followed by Kenda Bell's, For Every Love There Is A Reason at #8 in August 2007. As publisher of Xpress Yourself Publishing (now affectionately known as XYP), she is helping to mold the literary careers of 35 talented authors, which includes two ESSENCE Best Sellers, award-winning authors, several award nominees, and a finalist for the 2008 NAACP Image Award nomination in the Best Debut Novel category. Annually, XYP publishes 10 to 20 titles.
In 2008, Jessica launched Erotic Expressions.net, an online community geared toward relationships, romance, and other related life lessons. Currently, Erotic Expressions.net receives an average of 100,000 hits per month.
In addition to her many accomplishments, Jessica is a staff writer for Black Men In America.com, has contributed the article “Third Shift Blues” to Black Romance Magazine, and is the recipient of the Memphis Black Writer’s Guild’s Rising Star award, and the Jackson Mississippi Reader’s Clubs’ Outstanding Contributor to Literature award.
Jessica is currently working on several literary projects. She resides in Upper Marlboro, Maryland with her father and two dogs: Abby and Teddy.
Visit Jessica favorite Web sites:
www.jessicatilles.com
www.xpressyourselfpublishing.org
www.thewritersassistant.com
www.eroticexpressions.net
www.myspace.com/jessicatilles
As a native of Washington, DC, Jessica is a creative writer in all genres of fiction, with several titles in print: Anything Goes, In My Sisters' Corner, Apple Tree, Sweet Revenge, Fatal Desire, Unfinished Business, editor of the best-selling anthology, Erogenous Zone: A Sexual Voyage, and is a contributing author to the best-selling anthology, The Triumph of My Soul edited by Elissa Gabrielle, with her short story “Julian’s Grace.”
Listed in Heather Covington’s Top 100 Literary Divas (Amber Communications), Jessica remains humble in her literary endeavors and continues to assist authors with the business of self-publishing through The Writer’s Assistant, a virtual assistant providing consultation, typesetting, book cover design, editing and desktop publishing services for authors, independent publishers and small businesses.
In 2001, Jessica launched Xpress Yourself Publishing as a self-published author, publishing her national best-selling titles. In 2006, she published fellow authors Bill Holmes, Kenda Bell and Michael J. Burt. Bill Holmes' debut novel, One Love, peeked at #4 on the Essence Best Seller's List in July 2007, followed by Kenda Bell's, For Every Love There Is A Reason at #8 in August 2007. As publisher of Xpress Yourself Publishing (now affectionately known as XYP), she is helping to mold the literary careers of 35 talented authors, which includes two ESSENCE Best Sellers, award-winning authors, several award nominees, and a finalist for the 2008 NAACP Image Award nomination in the Best Debut Novel category. Annually, XYP publishes 10 to 20 titles.
In 2008, Jessica launched Erotic Expressions.net, an online community geared toward relationships, romance, and other related life lessons. Currently, Erotic Expressions.net receives an average of 100,000 hits per month.
In addition to her many accomplishments, Jessica is a staff writer for Black Men In America.com, has contributed the article “Third Shift Blues” to Black Romance Magazine, and is the recipient of the Memphis Black Writer’s Guild’s Rising Star award, and the Jackson Mississippi Reader’s Clubs’ Outstanding Contributor to Literature award.
Jessica is currently working on several literary projects. She resides in Upper Marlboro, Maryland with her father and two dogs: Abby and Teddy.
Visit Jessica favorite Web sites:
www.jessicatilles.com
www.xpressyourselfpublishing.org
www.thewritersassistant.com
www.eroticexpressions.net
www.myspace.com/jessicatilles
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 15, 2021
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the narrator and enjoyed it very much. Simone is married with a baby girl and to the world she has everything. But her world is slowly crumbling around her. She is tired of her husband's lies and betrayals, but doesn't know how to get what she needs without risking the lifestyle she wants for her daughter. One day she runs into an old friend and her world is forever changed. As you listen to the story from both sides of the marriage, you're drawn into the characters lives and wonder how she's going get the life she wants. The perfect length to in one sitting.
June 8, 2021
What a fresh new voice! Jessica Tilles is a wonderful author that brings a deeply female perspective to Loving Simone. Jessica also has a mastery of craft as she sculpts this story with the finesse of a seasoned writer. I could not put it down while reading to prepare for recording, or again while I was bringing the novel to aural life.
The depth of feeling communicated by the characters in word and deed is immediately compelling but also entirely familiar. Simone is a passionate woman with a deep yearning for a more visceral life that she can feel, taste and touch. The closeness & sizzle she once shared with her husband has cooled considerably. Her guilt at peeking outside her marriage for fulfillment is palpable. But as the listener gains greater insight into who Jackson, Simone's husband, really is, we begin to understand and root for Simone to discover a greater world for her feminine satisfaction.
And goodness gracious sakes, who would not be tempted by a gorgeous, sensitive NFL hunk?
There is much more to Loving Simone than pulp fiction. Jessica Tilles carves a deeply moving ending to this story within the veins of the passion, intrigue and betrayal she constructs. I have to admit there was a tear in my eye as the story came to a close. This is a very satisfying, if bouncy ride for both Simone and the listener.
There is a wonderful echo of Loving You, the first title I recorded with Jessica Tilles. I am so pleased we were able to come together again with Loving Simone. If passionate encounters, fantasy-like scenarios, and edge-of-your seat listening is what you crave, you will love it, too!
The depth of feeling communicated by the characters in word and deed is immediately compelling but also entirely familiar. Simone is a passionate woman with a deep yearning for a more visceral life that she can feel, taste and touch. The closeness & sizzle she once shared with her husband has cooled considerably. Her guilt at peeking outside her marriage for fulfillment is palpable. But as the listener gains greater insight into who Jackson, Simone's husband, really is, we begin to understand and root for Simone to discover a greater world for her feminine satisfaction.
And goodness gracious sakes, who would not be tempted by a gorgeous, sensitive NFL hunk?
There is much more to Loving Simone than pulp fiction. Jessica Tilles carves a deeply moving ending to this story within the veins of the passion, intrigue and betrayal she constructs. I have to admit there was a tear in my eye as the story came to a close. This is a very satisfying, if bouncy ride for both Simone and the listener.
There is a wonderful echo of Loving You, the first title I recorded with Jessica Tilles. I am so pleased we were able to come together again with Loving Simone. If passionate encounters, fantasy-like scenarios, and edge-of-your seat listening is what you crave, you will love it, too!
July 31, 2021
Simone just wanted consideration, to be cared for, loved… To the outside world things might seem perfect, but things were anything but… Can Simone have the life that she wants and deserves?
Jessica Tilles really tugged at my heartstrings with this story. The situations that the characters face were all too real. I really felt for Simone. Well done!
This was a very emotional listen, thanks in part to Kelley Hazen’s fantastic performance. I could feel each and every one of the emotions the characters were experiencing.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
Jessica Tilles really tugged at my heartstrings with this story. The situations that the characters face were all too real. I really felt for Simone. Well done!
This was a very emotional listen, thanks in part to Kelley Hazen’s fantastic performance. I could feel each and every one of the emotions the characters were experiencing.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
June 22, 2021
Loving Simone was a good read by Jessica Tilles. To those around her, Simone Woodson has a perfect life. Unfortunately, behind closed doors her life isn’t as perfect as it seems. Jackson has betrayed her and it’s created a desire for intimacy. I enjoyed this book and loved listening to Kelley Hazen’s narration. I cant wait to read more by the author.
December 4, 2011
Loving Simone is definitely a page turner! I loved all of the characters in this book and felt they were all believable. I found myself wrapped up in Simone's affair with Darius and was literally co-signing the entire time! lol Darius is definitely Simone's hero and you can't help but to love him as much as Simone does. Jackson, Simone's husband, was someone you'll love to hate! I truly feel that Jackson warrants his own book in a spin-off of Loving Simone! He's just so devious and makes the reader want to learn more about his background and why he's so evil!
I felt that Ms. Tilles provided the readers with a solid story line along with some steamy love scenes that will definitely hold the readers undivided attention! I had to force myself to put down Loving Simone just to get some sleep only to find myself getting up super early the next morning to finish the book!
Ms. Tilles certainly does not disappoint her readers with Loving Simone and I highly recommend it! I can't wait to read the sequel in 2012!
5 Stars
TaNisha Webb
KC Girlfriends Book Club President & Reviewer
Book Club 101 Magazine Publisher & Reviewer
I felt that Ms. Tilles provided the readers with a solid story line along with some steamy love scenes that will definitely hold the readers undivided attention! I had to force myself to put down Loving Simone just to get some sleep only to find myself getting up super early the next morning to finish the book!
Ms. Tilles certainly does not disappoint her readers with Loving Simone and I highly recommend it! I can't wait to read the sequel in 2012!
5 Stars
TaNisha Webb
KC Girlfriends Book Club President & Reviewer
Book Club 101 Magazine Publisher & Reviewer
September 12, 2012
Have you ever read a book that left you speechless? As you read each word, you catch yourself speaking to the invisible characters. You gasp. Anger starts to rage at a sticky situation. If you they’re hurting, you feel their pain; if they’re falling in love, you want to cheer them on; if they’re villains, you have to hate them and hope their devious plan fall on their face, and if they’re embracing a sexual encounter, you want to be a fly on that wall.
That’s what Tilles have done in this novel, Loving Simone, she created memorable characters, and even though the tone is performed in third person, the characters had told the story. I felt Simone’s yearning, joined in her husband rage, and I even smacked my lips and shook my head toward a few other characters.
Overall, Tilles had written a novel that pulled me into another world. The storyline, character development, and the ending deserve more than five stars. Too bad Goodreads does not have six, seven or ten stars that stand for “This is so good, it don’t want it to be over!”
Tilles had seriously outdone herself. I can’t wait to read more from this phenomenal author.
That’s what Tilles have done in this novel, Loving Simone, she created memorable characters, and even though the tone is performed in third person, the characters had told the story. I felt Simone’s yearning, joined in her husband rage, and I even smacked my lips and shook my head toward a few other characters.
Overall, Tilles had written a novel that pulled me into another world. The storyline, character development, and the ending deserve more than five stars. Too bad Goodreads does not have six, seven or ten stars that stand for “This is so good, it don’t want it to be over!”
Tilles had seriously outdone herself. I can’t wait to read more from this phenomenal author.
March 23, 2015
I thought the book was entertaining, contained very detailed and graphic love scenes which added to the characters.
My book club had the honor and privilege to meet the author! It was an engaging, interesting, and awesome dialogue! Jessica Tilles is a gifted author with a great sense of humor. She is warm, genuine, and all around nice person! She signed our books and gave us interesting recommendations for our future reads!
My book club had the honor and privilege to meet the author! It was an engaging, interesting, and awesome dialogue! Jessica Tilles is a gifted author with a great sense of humor. She is warm, genuine, and all around nice person! She signed our books and gave us interesting recommendations for our future reads!
July 23, 2011
This was a book that I enjoyed reading. Simone's character is so relatable to any woman who is over 30 and has been married to a selfish cheat for years. The desire is so real! I love how her "super hero" swooped in and made it about her.
May 8, 2012
This is my BEST work yet. I loved it, because I wrote it, and I think you'll love it, too! :-)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews