Hexborn Cover Reveal (again … urgg)

June 18, 2026 By JPMcLean 8 Comments

One of the pivotal stages of a new book's launch is the cover reveal, and I blew it! The blog post email notifications failed to display the big reveal. Urgg. It's always something with tech! I haven't found a permanent "fix," but I've found a workaround (fingers crossed). My apologies for the earlier blog post failure. Here it is again:

Cover reveals are one of the highlights of a writer's career. It's also a major milestone for the book and becomes the centrepiece for marketing and promoting the book. So you can imagine how excited I am to share the cover for Hexborn.

The designers at 100 covers have nailed the branding of The Thorne Witch novels. Not only is the colour exquisite, but the use of poisonous belladonna, aka nightshade, hints at the story’s dark side.

Witch by birth, warlock by trade.

Adeline Thorne is a witch. The magic inside her is not.

The warlock magic coursing through her veins is volatile, incompatible with her witch blood, and growing more unstable by the day. When Luke Churchwell, a powerful runecaster, returns and sees how far her magic has spiralled, he steps in to train her—but every lesson is a gamble, and his desire for her may take them both down.

Far across the country, the hexborn are tracking a killer whose trail leads straight to Adeline.

The hunter is closing in. And the secret that created him is deadlier than the man himself.

Download the Hexborn excerpt here.

Hexborn Cover Reveal

June 18, 2026 By JPMcLean Leave a Comment

Witch by birth, warlock by trade.

Adeline Thorne is a witch. The magic inside her is not.

Far across the country, the hexborn are tracking a killer whose trail leads straight to Adeline.

The hunter is closing in. And the secret that created him is deadlier than the man himself.

Download the Hexborn excerpt here.

A Book Award for The Never Witch

December 18, 2025 By JPMcLean Leave a Comment

A Book Award for The Never Witch!

The Never Witch is perfect for readers who like their fantasy grounded in emotion and their magic served with a side of grit.

—Literary Titan

The Never Witch is now a Literary Titan Award Winner. At the end of October, the judges notified me that it had earned a 5-star review, and early this month, I learned that it had won a gold Literary Titan medal.

What also helps new readers find the books are reviews. Here are two I’m very proud of:

McLean’s writing has never been more stylish and powerful—this book raises the bar on craft.

—Ottawa Review of Books

Original, unique, clever, deftly crafted, and a simply riveting and fun read from start to finish.

—Midwest Book Review

Last In-person Event of 2025

My last in-person event of the year is at the Queneesh Holiday Market this Sunday, December 21, at the Florence Filberg Centre in Courtenay. I’ll be manning a table of books written by local authors . Stop by and peruse the wide assortment of books available.

Saturday, December 20, 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday, December 21, 10 am – 5 pm
411 Anderton Avenue, Courtenay, BC.

On the Home Front

For the past couple of years my husband and I have enjoyed prime rib, beef Wellington, and even chicken for the main event, but this year we’re going traditional with turkey, stuffing, mashed spuds, and all the fixings. Except dessert. I don’t know about you, but when my plate’s empty, I’m always too full to stuff in another bite, even if it’s a whipped light-as-a-feather slice of pumpkin pie, a sticky Christmas pudding, or a spicy yule log. Nope. Can’t do it. (But that’s not to say those desserts won’t be welcome after leftovers in the coming days.)

What I’m Reading

I’m currently reading Aeterna by Kim Bannerman. Kim and I often bump into one another at local author events. Her covers, which her husband designs, are beautiful, and Aeterna’s storyline intrigued me. It’s a dystopian story of vampires that live in a luxurious underground world they’ve created for their kind after they wiped out humans. But an opportunity to return to the old human cities during the vampires’ Bloodlet Right threatens to unravel their utopia.

I’m also listening to Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros. It’s the third book in her Empyrean series. The first book was Fourth Wing, followed by Iron Flame. They’re lengthy books, and though I’m into the third in the series, I still haven’t figured out the landscape. What I love about the books is the flying and the relationships between the riders and the riders and their dragons. And because they’re audiobooks, they’re keeping me company while I prep meals, wrap gifts, and get ready for company.

And just in case you think my head’s always in the clouds, I’m also reading War Resisters by Joline Martin, which tells the story of Vietnam war resisters who settled in Canada, including some who settled right here on Denman Island.

Happy Christmas

And finally, from my home to yours this festive season, may your celebrations be filled with love and all your favourite things, and your New Year be happy, healthy, and peaceful.

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Until next time…

Jo-Anne

First Reviews for The Never Witch

August 15, 2025 By JPMcLean 3 Comments

August Highlights

August is the best of our summer months: sunny days, warm nights, vacations, and outdoor festivals. Sadly, we also have forest fires. So, though I do love August, I keep those affected by the forest fires in my thoughts.

In Canada, the first Monday in August is a civic holiday. This year, once again, I spent my long weekend at the Nautical Days Festival in Comox.

I love talking to readers and watching their eyes light up when a pitch lands perfectly. Some readers gravitate toward the Dark Dreams books, others to the Gift Legacy, and this year, I also had advance review copies of The Never Witch.

And finally, Denman’s Reader/Writer Festival

The Denman Readers and Writers Festival sold out again this year. This festival is unlike any other I’ve attended. The atmosphere is laid back, the authors are approachable, and the audiences are enthusiastic. Invited authors are billeted with families on Denman and mingle with attendees during lunches and dinners at the event’s venue. This year’s opening session was over-the-top entertaining! I dare say there is no other festival where the invited authors’ books are shown this much love! This is a video link to that very special opening session. Enjoy!