Jessica O'Toole
Animator, fighter pilot, knight, Thundercat – Jessica has wanted to be many things since childhood, but none of them as avidly as being a writer, her dream since age seven. Except perhaps Thundercat – that never gets old.
Brought up in Hampshire but living in Sussex, she’s a big fan of castles (110 visited and counting…), cathedrals and circles of stone, of which Britain is, thankfully, saturated. She writes low (or grounded) fantasy, (The Fate of Vultures), dark fantasy (The Price of Sanctuary) and futuristic sci-fi (In Perpetuity). Two WIPs are a historical epic and a biographical fiction. Some of her favourite books are anything George Orwell wrote, Facial Justice by L.P. Hartley, The Greatest Traitor by Ian Mortimer, the Preacher graphic novel series, and Katherine by Anya Seton. Her favourite music comes from Muse, Edward Elgar, Sarah McLachlan, The Offspring and primarily the 20th century. You can get a FREE book, and hear about her latest updates (no spam, only a quarterly newsletter and very important news): https://mailchi.mp/d5edbd27a161/jot You can read about some of her travels: https://www.jessicaotoole.uk/blog When she's not writing you might find her playing her ancient (style) lyre, hacking the stunning South Downs with a big grin, or ogling glorious Michael Faraday inventions at the Royal Institution. |
The Fate of Vultures (Of Preludes & Epitaphs, #1)
Fantasy
"Whatever happens, it won't be the end..." Delve into the brand new realm of Prenitia, with the first in the new Of Preludes & Epitaphs series... "Full to the brim with magic and wonder…” "This book is quite extraordinary, it is a breath of fresh air..." “This story is pure magic, and I’m very pleased to learn there’s more still to come…” “No book has engrossed me so much since Frank Herbert’s ‘Dune’. Telena knows she’s special. Her brother, Aznee, sees things differently. But as Telena engrosses herself with the ancient books from the library, Aznee discovers maybe there is more to his sister’s future than he can imagine. Within the pages Old Prenitia burns. In the hands of a usurper king and an evil necromancer, the vulnerable settlements are wiped out, and loyal minister, Keno, is running out of time to stop them. Shy outcast Leyna and cheery carpenter Murray find their blossoming love affair torn apart by desolation, leaving Leyna forced to travel alone with Murray’s contemptuous brother, Adri. While their fate is claimed by a mysterious sorceress, Murray, and warrior Cora, are both haunted by their pasts as deeper challenges and long-held secrets tarnish their journey. Can they maintain solidarity and search for a saviour in the presence of the unbelievable? Will any of them truly be able to pull Prenitia from this darkest of times? When Telena delved into the dusty books she could never have guessed her own dark journey with these mythical names had but begun. Take up your sword for the brand new epic fantasy series, and prepare for The Fate of Vultures - the battles of magic have just begun... |
Prenitia: The Price of Sanctuary (Of Preludes & Epitaphs, #2)
Epic Fantasy, Adventure
"I will make sure this nightmare never happens..." Return to Prenitia, with the second instalment in the sword and sorcery epic fantasy series Of Preludes & Epitaphs… When a suspicious group sets up camp on the outskirts of Karnatay, Telena, unable to suppress her intrigue, endeavours to discover who they are. As she scrutinises, Aznee returns from journeying along with a young woman who brings unclear threats to their door. Drawn back to the chronicles Telena seeks answers to a mystery of which she emerges at the heart. Within the pages, ten tanes have passed for the people of Old Prenitia, with peace on the horizon and the great settlements close to unifying. But in rushing to the aid of a border village Cora and Carrta plunge themselves into mortal danger. Carrta is trapped with enemies whose intentions are unclear and devastating, and Cora is transported to the heart of enemy territory, making a discovery that will destroy her understanding of the world. Meanwhile, Leyna and Adri are reunited after a painful estrangement and drawn back to the realm of the goddess Anatersa. Consumed by powerful ancient magic Adri is driven far from his reality, lost in moments of time too tempting to fight, while Leyna comes face to face with harrowing futures in whose stark foundations she may be helpless in preventing. Can the legendary names fight their way to freedom before their lives, liberties and the entire south are made prey to their own darkest fears? And should Telena put faith in strangers who show her a world from which she may never be able to turn? When peace is so desperately needed there may be only one way to earn it. |
In Perpetuity
Science Fiction
Released in 2018 in honour of the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. * * * Warring rages across the world. The human race is going extinct. But Sebastian Eastman’s obsession is going to save them all. Regen is the home of cryonic reawakening; a living memorial to Sebastian’s dead mother. It has the rudimentary technology, the pioneering minds and the perfect plan. There’s only one problem. Nobody’s ever never been awakened from cryosleep, and nobody knows if the thousands of hearts Sebastian’s already stopped will ever warm again. Then death comes for him, and his dreams of completing his mother’s work begin to fade. But, after a miraculous recovery, he returns three years later to find his project hijacked. The caretaker CEO and lead psychiatrist won’t give him Regen back. A younger and smarter geneticist is out to replace him. And he falling for a woman who despises him. Exposed and vulnerable, his life’s work is not all that haunts him. Waking nightmares threaten the lives in those pods, and surfacing memories tear at the fragility of his mind. The discoveries he’s made, and is set to make, might just sacrifice humanity as he knows it...but who will bear the cost? |