A SECRETARY was jumping for joy on Tuesday as her first novel hit the shelves - eight years after her first rejection.

Jayne-Marie Barker, who works as a PA at Stapletons Tyre Services in Letchworth GC, took six months to research and write Beneath the Daisies which is now available in bookshops nationwide.

The author of the romantic thriller, which sees heroine Sophie Harris investigate her ancestry after discovering human remains at her newly inherited house, said she has always wanted to be published.

Speaking about hearing the good news, the 30-year-old said: “It was very exciting. I leapt around the lounge a couple of times!

“I’ve been trying to get published since I was a small girl and it’s always been an ambition of mine. I’ve had eight years’ worth of rejection so I’ve done my time!”

Jayne-Marie, who lives in Chagny Close, Letchworth GC, will now be embarking on a series of book signings across the country to promote her novel, starting at Waterstones in Stevenage at 2pm on Saturday, June 11.

Jayne-Marie will also be visiting the Waterstones store in Hitchin on June 25, before further signings in Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Lowestoft and Sheffield.

The book, which takes place in two time frames – the present day and the 1930s world of the victims – is available from retailers including WHSmith, Waterstones and Amazon and retails at �6.99.

Jayne-Marie is also hopeful of future successes and has already submitted a second novel to publisher Austin & Macauley, with a third almost completed.