J amaican-born actress Jacinth Headlam says local support for her debut book, Love After , has been encouraging.

“The testimonies and reviews through email, in person, and social media, have been so amazing. I can’t stop crying. To see others open up to me with such transparency about their hurt, traumas and pain that they’ve been through is mind-blowing. To hear them say I’ve inspired and motivated them, and empowering them to take their power back, forgive and release it all, and to walk in their purpose is so humbling,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

Headlam held a pre-release and promotional tour at Bookophilia in Kingston last month. She said she believes it was important to touch base with her roots first.

“I try to go home first with any project that I am producing before I release it anywhere else. I feel proud going home first before I go abroad. I love getting their stamp on it first. That’s the love I have for Jamaica. I’m praying that one day I can move back home and establish my life there and visit the US for bookings,” she explained.

Published by Infinity Publications, Love After features intimate details about Headlam’s past hurt, trauma and betrayal with hopes of inspiring readers to find their voice and identity and ultimately overcoming adversities.

Originally from Richmond St Mary, the 31-year-old recalled her humble beginnings while growing up with her grandmother, before she migrated to New York in her teens.

“Growing up in Jamaica was challenging, but humbling. Not having water, having to walk miles to catch water and make several trips to full up the barrel, sleeping five to a bed sometimes, walking miles every day to my school, Zion Hill Primary School.

“I say humbling because if we had one loaf of bread, that bread served 10 of us. Growing up in Jamaica we had more family value, more cohesiveness, and we were happy and content with having less. I’ve seen people who are wealthy in finances but poor in peace of mind, joy and contentment,” she stated.

She said a New York launch is in the works and she has high hopes that she will receive the same magnitude of support as her homeland.

“Both book launches are the same the with the autographed book, refreshments, Q&A. The difference is Jamaica launch had live performances, but at the NYC launch I will premiere the documentary which was being shot while I was in Jamaica.

“I try not to put expectation on either but being open to countless possibilities. I hope and pray that I’ll get the support in New York City like I did in Jamaica. My focus is for the readers to come to a point in their life of that love after rebirth and transformation. If this book can change at least one person’s life, I’m doing my part,” she said.

Headlam played Detective Simone William aka Munchie in Diary of a Badman (2016). Shot in New York and New Jersey, the film also stars Douglas A Robbs and Michael Love Thor. It won Best Feature Film at the Jamaica Promotions Corporation-produced Jamaica Film Festival held in 2015. A sequel is on the cards.

Other upcoming projects include Below The Belt, where she will be playing one of the leading roles, producing and co-directing.