A Melton South author’s latest book has woven some magic overseas and was a finalist for an international award.
The Wizardess, a fantasy novel by local author Jenny Ealey, received high praise in the international Book Excellence Awards held in Canada.
Ealey’s latest project, the fourth and final novel of her Sorcerer’s Oath fantasy series, missed out on top honours but was selected out of hundreds of entries from around the world for its writing, design and market appeal.
She said the book was a labour of love created with the help of her sister Wendy, who designed the cover and layout, and her son Burnham Arlidge, who painted the striking image of an eagle for the cover.
“I’m so excited to have been named a finalist,” Ealey said. “I started the series eight years ago when I lived in England.
“I was working full-time and I would write the books in my spare time … it took me more than a year to finish each book.”
Ealey said writing has been a life-long passion but took a backseat until recently.
“When I was in year 12 I wanted to be a writer and my teacher discouraged me from doing it,” Ealey said.
“I ended up writing the first novel and didn’t stop. I’ve always liked fantasy, and it’s a lovely genre.”
The Wizardess follows the exiled sorcerer prince, Tarkyn, and his followers as they use magic and strategy in a struggle to prevent the country being ripped apart by civil war.
The Sorcerer’s Oath fantasy series is available from Melton library and from online booksellers as books and ebooks.
