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!

The Never Witch is Finalized

July 18, 2025 By JPMcLean 3 Comments

I’m pleased to report that The Never Witch is finalized. The ebook and paperback editions are now available wherever pre-orders are permitted. I’ll soon have a copy to hold in hands and will share photos when it arrives. In the meantime, here’s a look at the bookmark:

Upcoming In-person Events

The following are my upcoming events. Come by and say hello. Pick up a beach read for yourself or a gift for a friend. (All of my in-person events are listed here.)

Campbell River Farmers’ Market, Sunday, July 20, 2025, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, in Spirit Square, Shoppers Row, Campbell River, BC

Parksville Summer by the Sea Street Market, Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 6:00-9:00 pm, on Craig Street in downtown Parksville

Comox Valley Makers’ Market, Saturday, July 26, 2025, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm, at The Old Farm Market (across from the courthouse), 660 England Ave, Courtenay, BC

Comox Nautical Days, August 2-4, 2025, 10-6 Sat & Sun, 10-5 Mon, at Comox Marina Park, 127 Port Augusta St, Comox, BC.

What I’m reading

Or perhaps rereading. I picked up Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare, but I have the sneaky suspicion I’ve read it before. Regardless, I’ll keep reading because I don’t recall how it ends.

I’m also bingeing Louise Penny audiobooks set in Quebec and centred around her character, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec. Penny has thoroughly hooked me, and so has the narrator, Robert Bathurst, who is masterful.

The Denman Island Readers and Writers Festival

Denman Island’s annual festival is taking place July 18th to 20th this year. The festival organizers have, once again, lined up an interesting mix of authors to present their work. I’ll be attending and volunteering. Looking forward to it, especially Caroline Adderson, A Way to Be Happy, and Timothy Taylor, The Rise and Fall of Magic Wolf.

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Until next time…

Would you help me choose a book title? 🤔

April 30, 2025 By JPMcLean Leave a Comment

Firming up the Title for The Warlock Witch

Though I’ve used The Warlock Witch as my placeholder title for the new book, it’s time for me to firm up a name. Would you help me choose a book title? My track record for picking good ones is abysmal. With the help of my friends, we’ve compiled the following list. Let me know which title grabs your attention: (If none of them works for you, I’m open to suggestions.)

The Runed Witch
The Never Witch
The Warlock’s Witch/The Warlock Witch
Adeline Thorne, the Runed Witch
The Magic of Thorne
The Nevermore Witch

Also, please let me know which series title you like best:

The Runeglyph Series/A Runeglyph Novel
The Warlock Witch Series/ A Warlock Witch Novel
A Thorn Witch Novel

Back-of-the-book Description

And if you’d like a little more insight into the book, the following is a draft back-of-the-book description:

When power bites back, beware the Warlock Witch

Adeline Thorne was a witch in name only. She never inherited the magic that should have been her birthright. But she’s learned to accept it. She’s built herself a quiet life on the west coast as a better-than-average portrait painter, a big sister, loving aunt, and ex-wife. And that was enough. It had to be.

Until a convicted warlock, in an act of desperation, dumps his magic into her. To him, she was only a vessel. He didn’t care that warlock magic was incompatible with her witch’s DNA. He didn’t care that his attack would jeopardize the fragile peace between witches and warlocks. And he didn’t care that his power would tear Adeline’s world apart.

The Warlock Witch now had magic, an irresistible drug. The only problem? He wants it back.

If you can’t get enough of Rachel Griffin, Shanna Swendson, Emma Törzs, then you’ll love The Warlock Witch

Upcoming Events

Book Recommendation

This month’s book recommendation is Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young. I had a hard time putting this one down. It’s imbued with subtle and devastating magic. I found myself picking apart the writing to see how Young had accomplished the deep pull of emotion. Great writing. Great story. I think you’d like it.

If you’d like to know more about me, my writing life, and my home on Denman Island, please sign up for my monthly newsletter, where I share photos, updates, FREE short stories, and insider scoop. I never share your email address, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Until next time…

Audiobook Update: It’s DONE!

January 1, 2025 By JPMcLean 2 Comments

Audiobook Update

After fourteen months and countless hours, I’m beyond thrilled to announce that the audiobooks for the Dark Dreams novels are D O N E. Finally! And I’m delighted with how the recordings turned out.

The process has challenged me, tested my patience, and convinced me that I’d rather spend my time writing. And though I may not record another audiobook, I’m proud of the quality of work I was able to achieve with these books.

The next step is a stamp of approval from Audible, Kobo, Spotify, and other retailers. When (hopefully not if) the audiobooks are approved, they’ll show up on the retail sites. I’ll be posting links on my Bookshop page as soon as the audiobooks are available.

Blood Mark Audiobook Sample

Ghost Mark Audiobook Sample

Scorch Mark Audiobook Sample

In-Person Events

My next in-person event will be the 2025 North Island Writers Conference, where I’ll be presenting a workshop on writing deeper dialogue.

Many writers have a love/hate relationship with dialogue. But dialogue is a key element in most fiction writing. It’s a heavy lifter in a writer’s toolbox. When done well, dialogue can reveal character, heighten emotion, define subtext, and advance the plot. If you want to take a deeper dive into writing dialogue, join me. Registration is now open.

Date: January 19, 2025

Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Location: North Island College Comox Valley Campus

Tyee Hall, Room 204

2300 Ryan Road, Courtenay, BC, V9N 8N6

Witch Book Progress

I’m back in my happy place, writing again. Though the outline is a mess, I couldn’t help myself. I popped the cork on all the creativity that I’d bottled-up while I finished the audiobooks. I’ll indulge in writing a little while longer, then go back and tune up the outline. I won’t even mind if I have to rewrite what I’ve written; it just feels SO good to be back to writing.

That’s all my news this final month of 2024. Have a wonderful New Year. Sending all my best wishes for a healthy, happy, 2025. If you’d like to know more about me, my writing life, and my home on Denman Island, please sign up for my monthly newsletter, where I share photos, updates, FREE short stories, and insider scoop. I never share your email address, and you can unsubscribe at any time.