Novel idea.
Title: Jory. (Urban fantasy)
Jory is a 31-year-old female on death row, falsely accused (framed) of murdering her husband. All of her appeals have run out in the past eight years. Her husband’s brother, Toby, is responsible for this murder, since he knows, with both of them out of the way, he’s the sole beneficiary of an industrial empire fortune. (He knows the contents of his brother’s will). When Jory’s execution date arrives, she prepares herself for death, still vehemently professing her innocence. At the 11th hour a strange, long-haired male visits her cell in the guise of a priest. The prison staff has no idea how this priest got into the facility, nor was he found on the guest list. It is laughingly assumed that “he walked through a wall.” In reality, this man is Janus, the God of doorways, gates, and new beginnings, and he is indeed capable of using cosmic portals. Janus comforts Jory and explains that he knows she is innocent and that he intends to gift her with a second chance—a new beginning. He places his hand over her abdomen and then leaves. Jory believes this priest is full of double-speak and hooey and that the visit was a cruel joke. She cries herself to sleep that night.
The next day Jory is lead to the execution chamber. She is strapped in. The doctor checks her heartbeat, as routine before the needles are inserted, and is shocked to discover two heartbeats. Upon further examination, Jory is found to be three-months pregnant, and no one knows how this has happened, although they suspect the guards.
The execution is postponed until the child is delivered (six months later) upon the prison grounds and given up for adoption. Ironically the brother-in-law, Toby, is first on the list for the adoption privilege (Jory’s parents are dead) and does in fact adopt Jory’s orphan baby girl.
Since it was rescheduled, Jory’s execution takes place. She is buried and soon forgotten.
FLASH FORWARD 21-YEARS: The baby, who was adopted by Toby and christened with the name, Jory, (in false sympathy to his supposed innocent sister-law), grows up to be a vibrant young woman, but a woman who has disturbing flashbacks, nightmares and images of a previous life and her own death. Alas, this new Jory is the original Jory, in that she has actually given birth to herself. But she doesn’t know this yet.
Jory has a regular job, but a part-time fixation with magic, and soon finds a position with a handsome, but hapless magician. She does well with this hobby, but unexpectedly “phases out” for real one night during a disappearing act, which shocks the stage hand and the magician, yet not the audience. So they keep it as their little secret and continue with the performances. In the months that follow Jory begins to unravel, since she has a few more “phase-outs” with very embarrassing results in public places. The boyfriend is intrigued but totally mystified by this strange main squeeze.
The mysterious priest, Janus, arrives at her doorstep one day, and she reluctantly lets him in. She does not recognize him from her past life. He explains to her (via Ghost of Christmas Past type episodes) that her unique ability and strange flashbacks are no coincidence, and that she has a mission to accomplish. It is then revealed to her that her present stepfather is the real murderer of her (past life) husband, and that she was also framed by him, leading to her execution. Janus admits that he impregnated her with herself, and part of his essence, hence her strange feelings and powers. It is now her duty to bring Toby to justice, using her magical skills and divine power, to frame this real murderer, so that he reaps the whirlwind that he so deserves.
The rest of the story involves Jory’s revenge plot, and the well-laid plans that she develops to put Toby on death row. In the end she does so, and very cleverly. Justice is served. Case closed Cut to--happily ever after with boyfriend, who together, become one of the most renowned magical acts in Las Vegas.
I hope this story is enough departure from the reincarnation plot, wherein the MC gives birth to herself. But I want to know if this sounds like a fresh idea, or is it too similar to something else already out there? Any other ideas to make the concept more intriguing would be appreciated. Sorry this is not in typical synopsis format. Any comments are appreciated. I believe a “mystery” structure is the best way to layer this story so not too much is revealed to the reader until it ties in near the end?
Tri
Title: Jory. (Urban fantasy)
Jory is a 31-year-old female on death row, falsely accused (framed) of murdering her husband. All of her appeals have run out in the past eight years. Her husband’s brother, Toby, is responsible for this murder, since he knows, with both of them out of the way, he’s the sole beneficiary of an industrial empire fortune. (He knows the contents of his brother’s will). When Jory’s execution date arrives, she prepares herself for death, still vehemently professing her innocence. At the 11th hour a strange, long-haired male visits her cell in the guise of a priest. The prison staff has no idea how this priest got into the facility, nor was he found on the guest list. It is laughingly assumed that “he walked through a wall.” In reality, this man is Janus, the God of doorways, gates, and new beginnings, and he is indeed capable of using cosmic portals. Janus comforts Jory and explains that he knows she is innocent and that he intends to gift her with a second chance—a new beginning. He places his hand over her abdomen and then leaves. Jory believes this priest is full of double-speak and hooey and that the visit was a cruel joke. She cries herself to sleep that night.
The next day Jory is lead to the execution chamber. She is strapped in. The doctor checks her heartbeat, as routine before the needles are inserted, and is shocked to discover two heartbeats. Upon further examination, Jory is found to be three-months pregnant, and no one knows how this has happened, although they suspect the guards.
The execution is postponed until the child is delivered (six months later) upon the prison grounds and given up for adoption. Ironically the brother-in-law, Toby, is first on the list for the adoption privilege (Jory’s parents are dead) and does in fact adopt Jory’s orphan baby girl.
Since it was rescheduled, Jory’s execution takes place. She is buried and soon forgotten.
FLASH FORWARD 21-YEARS: The baby, who was adopted by Toby and christened with the name, Jory, (in false sympathy to his supposed innocent sister-law), grows up to be a vibrant young woman, but a woman who has disturbing flashbacks, nightmares and images of a previous life and her own death. Alas, this new Jory is the original Jory, in that she has actually given birth to herself. But she doesn’t know this yet.
Jory has a regular job, but a part-time fixation with magic, and soon finds a position with a handsome, but hapless magician. She does well with this hobby, but unexpectedly “phases out” for real one night during a disappearing act, which shocks the stage hand and the magician, yet not the audience. So they keep it as their little secret and continue with the performances. In the months that follow Jory begins to unravel, since she has a few more “phase-outs” with very embarrassing results in public places. The boyfriend is intrigued but totally mystified by this strange main squeeze.
The mysterious priest, Janus, arrives at her doorstep one day, and she reluctantly lets him in. She does not recognize him from her past life. He explains to her (via Ghost of Christmas Past type episodes) that her unique ability and strange flashbacks are no coincidence, and that she has a mission to accomplish. It is then revealed to her that her present stepfather is the real murderer of her (past life) husband, and that she was also framed by him, leading to her execution. Janus admits that he impregnated her with herself, and part of his essence, hence her strange feelings and powers. It is now her duty to bring Toby to justice, using her magical skills and divine power, to frame this real murderer, so that he reaps the whirlwind that he so deserves.
The rest of the story involves Jory’s revenge plot, and the well-laid plans that she develops to put Toby on death row. In the end she does so, and very cleverly. Justice is served. Case closed Cut to--happily ever after with boyfriend, who together, become one of the most renowned magical acts in Las Vegas.
I hope this story is enough departure from the reincarnation plot, wherein the MC gives birth to herself. But I want to know if this sounds like a fresh idea, or is it too similar to something else already out there? Any other ideas to make the concept more intriguing would be appreciated. Sorry this is not in typical synopsis format. Any comments are appreciated. I believe a “mystery” structure is the best way to layer this story so not too much is revealed to the reader until it ties in near the end?
Tri
