Book Recommendation Archives - Page 4 of 4

Ready to Turn the Page?

May 26, 2020 By JPMcLean 10 Comments

It’s been two months, and counting, since COVID19 stuck its foot in the door and demanded our attention.

How are you holding up? Ready to turn the page?

I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’m getting used to the new normal, but it no longer feels odd to keep my distance and wear a mask when I’m out.

Some of my creative energy has returned. I’m working on a new short story for Christmas featuring Emelynn, the heroine in The Gift Legacy series. Short stories suit my attention span of late.

I’ve also been doing a lot of reading

I know I’m not alone in that. Escapism has never been more appealing. If you’re looking for something to immerse yourself in, here are two of my favourites:

An oldie but goodie that I recently reread and still enjoyed is John Wyndham’s The Chrysalids. I read this in school and it’s stuck with me. Find it here on Goodreads.

Another of my favourite reads is Deborah Harkness’s A Discovery of Witches. LOVED this one. It’s $12.99, and worth every penny with +7,000 reviews! It’s the first in her All Souls Trilogy. The first two books have been made into a series, which I also loved. Read it twice; watched it twice. Can’t wait for the third instalment. Find it here on Goodreads.

Over to you. Have you got a favourite book you want to share? Post it in the comments below and let me know. I’m always looking for a new escape.

If you’ve already read my recommendations, why not try Secret Sky? Get your copy from Kindle with one click right here. And if kindle or ebooks aren’t your preference, click on the bookstore tab for other purchase options, or just click on the covers below.

Turn the Page Book Photo by Daniel Schludi on Unsplash

Release day for The Gift: Betrayal

November 15, 2016 By JPMcLean 9 Comments

It’s Release day for The Gift: Betrayal! The latest book in the Gift Legacy leaves home today. It’s interesting how each book crosses that threshold with a personality. The first one, Secret Sky (formerly Awakening), was shy and tentative; Hidden Enemy (formerly Revelation), the second one, sprinted through the gate like a colt on new legs; the third book, Burning Lies (formerly Redemption), pawed the ground then charged off; number four, Lethal Waters (formerly Penance), crept out in the middle of the night. Betrayal swaggers. It’s got attitude.

Chronologically speaking, Betrayal isn’t the “next” book in the Gift Legacy series. It’s more like book 1.5. It’s Awakening Redux—this time told in Jackson Delaney’s voice. This is his story. Jackson was Emelynn Taylor’s love interest in Awakening. He was controversial, his role was pivotal and his story demanded to be told. You may not forgive him, when you turn the last page, but you won’t forget him.

Warning: reading Betrayal will spoil Secret Sky (formerly Awakening) for you. I recommend you read Secret Sky first. Here’s what two of my favourite authors have to say about Betrayal:

JP McLean possesses her own unique gift: the ability to bewitch her readers with her boundless imagination.

– Elinor Florence, Bestselling Author of Bird’s Eye View

Exciting action and conflict of loyalties make this a fantastic page-turner.

– Kristina Stanley, Bestselling Author of the Stone Mountain Mystery Series.

And if you’d like to read Secret Sky first, you can pick it up with one click right here. And if ebooks aren’t your thing, click on the cover for more purchase options.

Susan Toy Turns Two!

November 13, 2015 By JPMcLean 15 Comments

Well … maybe not Susan Toy herself, but her Reading Recommendations site is celebrating two fabulous years!

One of a writer’s most difficult jobs comes after the writing is done. It doesn’t seem to matter which publishing path you choose, discoverability is the next step, and it’s a tough slog.

When I was new to the publishing world, I floundered around the Internet looking for information on how to get the word out about my book and find readers. It seemed an insurmountable task, and as a newbie, sorting the wheat from the chaff proved taxing on my time and my sanity.

Happily, I stumbled upon Susan Toy and her Reading Recommendations site. It was such a refreshing change to the naysaying negativity that can run rampant on the Internet. Here I found a woman with a long history in the publishing industry, and a writer herself, making the time and effort to support other writers.

But I am not just a writer, I’m also a reader, as most writers are. Through Reading Recommendations, I’ve discovered many new writers and continue to do so. These are books I may never have found if I hadn’t read about them on Susan’s site.

And that is discoverability, the very thing all writers strive for.

Reading Recommendations works, and better still, I’ve met a network of writers who are supportive, approachable, and readily share their knowledge.

November 18th is the second anniversary of Reading Recommendations. I am grateful and proud to be a part of this supportive network of readers and writers.

Congratulations, Susan, on your second year anniversary, and thank you for being at the helm.