Calling all Netgalley reviewers – The Lost Girls of Foxfield Hall is now up on Netgalley and available for request. If timeslip, World War 2, witches, enchanted mazes and f/f romances are your thing don’t miss this one.
Cover Reveal – The Lost Girls of Foxfield Hall
In my usual, over excited way – It’s cover reaveal day!
I have to write a little note about this one because it is very much a book of the heart, and proof positive that writers should never give up on a book. This is the little book that could. I originally wrote a version of this as a YA, but now it’s all grown up. We couldn’t find a home for it when I first wrote it, but with a rewrite and some Bookouture magic, it has taken on a whole new life.
Coming on 26th March, The Lost Girls of Foxfield Hall by Jessica Thorne and available for Pre-Order now…
September, 1939. The moon shines silver on the looming yew trees. Thinking of her fiancé, fighting for his life and country in the war, breaks Eleanor’s heart, but also gives her courage. She takes a deep breath, picks up her camera, and follows the dancing lights into the maze.
Present day. With her little brother Missing in Action, gardener Megan Taylor runs from her grief to take a job at Foxfield Hall – a centuries-old place full of myths and folklore – restoring the wild maze in the overgrown gardens. Throwing herself into shaping the tangled ivy, Megan soon becomes drawn into the mystery of Lady Eleanor Fairfax, the Hall’s most famous resident… the villagers say she disappeared without trace at the Harvest Festival in 1939, leaving behind a grieving father and a heartbroken fiancé.
Leafing through delicate old newspaper cuttings and gazing at an ornately framed portrait of the missing woman, Megan is full of questions. Although no body was ever found, could Eleanor have been murdered? Did she run away, unwilling to marry the man who loved her? Or, with her father working at the War Office, did Eleanor stumble upon a secret she shouldn’t have?
Then, one night under a full moon, a mesmerising light inexplicably draws her to the entrance of the maze. Megan is filled with a strange certainty that, if she follows it into the shadows, it will lead to the truth about Eleanor… but could Megan herself be the next occupant of Foxfield Hall to be lost forever?
A spellbinding, magical and addictive tale about the mysterious and ancient legends at the heart of the English countryside, and how to find those who are lost. Perfect for fans of Outlander, Susanna Kearsley and The Binding.
Octocon Online
This weekend is Octocon weekend and of course because this year is a hell year things are different. But far from cancelling (how could they have cancelled???)
This is Octocon’s 30th anniversary, Guests of honour are Michael Carroll, and founders Helen Ryder and Phillipa Ryder.
No, THIS YEAR it’s ONLINE.
And there’s even more good news. It’s FREE!
You can access it through the miracles of technology and all the details can be found on the Octocon site here
The full programme is here. And this is what I’m up to…
Hope to see you there!
New Books on the way
Exciting news as I have signed a new contract with Bookouture for a further two books. Both of these will be standalones and I’m really looking forward to sharing them with you.
The first book is out in March next year, with the second to follow in September.
They are both a little different and both stories that I have wanted to write for ages. Real books of the heart. Also the first, which I refer to as Foxfield, is a cautionary tale on never giving up on a book you love. I wrote a version of it a few years ago but the market was not there for it at the time. It was a young adult book, on the younger end of the age range. When I spoke to my lovely editor Ellen about it she saw the possibilities and the rewrite is underway as we speak, no longer young adult and with a darker, more adult tone.
It always pays to remember in publishing it only takes one yes, and some books take just that little bit longer, and perhaps a few adjustments, to find its place.
I’m so happy to be able to say that Foxfield is going to finally make its way out into the world in a new and even more exciting form.
Bookouture re-sign Thorne and Josselsohn
Nightborn is out today!
Nightborn, book 2 of The Hollow King is out today and available in ebook, print and audiobook.
I’m so delighted to share the second part of Grace and Bastien’s story, and to fill in some more of the mysteries of the Hollow King. There’s also lots to learn about Ellyn, Danny and Kurt. Action, adventure, romance and omelettes.
‘I legit just finished reading this book, and I’m speechless… my heart was breaking… the whole ending was just me switching between the sobbing, mind blown, shocked, angry emojis… There really isn’t a calm moment in this book, and it keeps you turning the page… you’re going to fall in love… kept me up until the light started shining in through my window. Perfect binge-able books. Have I convinced you yet?’ Writing the Universe, 5 stars
‘I don’t know what to say. I still haven’t recovered yet… kept me in complete suspense… led me to despair and back to earth again… At some points I was completely devastated and I couldn’t believe what I was reading. I went through all the possible feelings through this story… amazing book.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘I stayed up wayyyy too late reading this story, but it was definitely worth the lack of sleep… actually had me tearing up… Recommended!’ Goodreads Reviewer
‘I devoured this book and stayed up into the early hours of the morning just to finish it… completely blew me away… My heart broke… I found myself shouting nooooo more times than a little… be prepared for a heart-wrenching emotional journey… It’s a page-turner… sure to be a bestseller… brilliant book.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘I devoured this in one sitting!… Jessica Thorne delivers delicious romance, intrigue, and all of the drama… I was enthralled and couldn’t stop turning pages… Five stars!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘I went through so many emotions reading this story… It literally at times makes your heart break. It is full of action, adventure, romance, magic and courtly intrigue… Fantasy fans, you really must read this series.’ BookishReadsAndMe, 5 stars
‘Wow… There’s romance and magic… The pace doesn’t let up… a brilliant fantasy adventure that gallops along.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
The BlogTour is up and running too. Check them out all this week. 
Nightborn on Netgalley
The Nightborn are here!
Very excited to tell you that review copies of Nightborn, the sequel to Mageborn, are now available on Netgalley.
Or you can preorder it on Amazon.
And there’s a blog tour on the way…
RNA Awards night
We had a fantastic trip to London for the Romantic Novelists’ Association annual awards. The Stone’s Heart was nominated for the Fantasy Romantic Novel award so I was there as Jessica Thorne. Here are all the finalists in our finery.
Congratulations to winner Ruth Hogan! I had such an amazing night and it was so much fun to see everyone. Roll on next year! 😀
Publication day and Mageborn on Tour
Mageborn is out in the world today!
And to celebrate we’re having a blogtour. Below you can find out all the wonderful bloggers who are reviewing and talking about Mageborn and The Hollow King. I’ll link to them as the posts go live. Hope you all are reading and reviewing and most of all enjoying.
Fred Weasley Died Laughing (YouTube)
Behind the Bestseller Podcast
I had such an amazing time talking to Sam Blake on her podcast, Behind the Bestseller.
Romance is the biggest selling genre worldwide and award winning author Ruth Long, in all her various incarnations as RF Long, Ruth Francis Long and Jessica Thorne, writes romance combined with fantasy – from parallel worlds to sci-fi space opera, for both young adults and adults. Discussing what romance is and why it’s so popular, Sam Blake explores how Ruth develops character, the secrets of world building and what makes a successful book in this huge genre. Ruth outlines how important community is and how organisations like the Romantic Novelists’ Association can be of huge help in assisting authors build their career.
Come and listen to us chat about fantasy and romance, about worldbuilding and all the things my characters get up to when I’m not looking. It makes sense*. I promise.
*it may not actually make sense.
The Stone’s Heart RNA Award Nomination
I’m over the moon to share that The Stone’s Heart, the sequel to The Queen’s Wing by Jessica Thorne has been nominated for the Romantic Novelists Association Fantasy Romantic Novel Award. It’s an amazing shortlist and I’m so delighted to be on it. All the details and all the nominations are on the RNA website here.
We are delighted to announce the shortlists for the prestigious 2020 Romantic Novel Awards in what promises to be a spectacular year for the Association, as we celebrate our 60th (Diamond) Anniversary. Writer and performer Jenny Eclair will present the Awards during a ceremony at Leonardo Royal London City Hotel on Monday 2nd March.
I adore this book and its heroine, Petra. It’s pure Space Opera and Petra herself is kickass and vulnerbale at the same time. I’m absolutely honoured and can’t wait for the party. Fancy gúna has been bought and the golden glittery shoes are making a comeback. Such and adventure.
Thanks so much to Bookouture, my editors Kathryn and Ellen, and my agent Sallyanne, and to all my friends and family.