Christmas Archives - Page 2 of 4

In the Spirit of the Season

December 14, 2021 By JPMcLean 7 Comments

Has there been a more dreadful year? On the west coast of Canada, the combination of pandemic, fires, smoke, and floods have packed a punch that’ll take a while to overcome. And though I can’t do much to help with all that mess, in the spirit of the season, I can provide an inexpensive escape.

I’ve never discounted a newly released book, but I’m doing it this year.

For a few days only, you can get Blood Mark for just 99c. Whether you want to read it yourself or gift it to a friend, it’ll provide a reprieve, an escape, an all-encompassing thrill ride that’ll leave no room for thoughts of Mother Nature’s recent rampage(s!).

Amazon US
Amazon Canada
Amazon UK
Kobo
Nook
Payhip
Elsewhere

But act quickly, the price returns to it’s regular $4.99 in just a few days.

Enjoy!

Here’s the latest review for Blood Mark in the Dec/Jan edition of InD’Tale Magazine:

5/5 stars with Crowned Heart for Excellence

SUSPENSE/THRILLER: Wrapped from head to toe by unusual and unique red patterns, Jane lives her life trying to keep her markings hidden and her secret safe. Abandoned at birth, Jane’s life has been one tragedy after another from a car accident, a deadly house fire, and the debilitating narcolepsy that results in dream visions from the past where she witnesses horrific events. When visions of Rebecca in a psych ward start encompassing her dreams, she finds herself on a mission to find out who this lady is who can also see the past. As Jane dreams of her more often, she starts to notice something amiss with the doctor treating Rebecca and her concern grows all the while she starts noticing that her very own marks are disappearing. Unsure of what is happening or who she can trust, Jane must let go of some of her secrets in order to find the answer she needs to stay safe.

The answer to this year’s boredom, JP McLean’s novel is a fresh and original mystery thriller with a side of budding romance. The movement between the past and the present is captivating and adds an intriguing aspect to the storyline. Jane’s backstory slowly unfolds throughout, allowing the reader to understand her and connect with her on a deeper level. The development of all the characters during the course of the tale was superb, with each of them showing some type of growth. The twists and turns will keep the reader in suspense until the very end when all is shockingly revealed. This gripping tale should be on every bookshelf this year!

Crimson Frost (A Supernatural Noel)

November 16, 2021 By JPMcLean 12 Comments

I’m pleased to announce the release of my Christmas novella, Crimson Frost: A Supernatural Noel. It’s a story I’ve been working on for a while now. I found time to polish it in the calm between finishing Blood Mark and the storm of activity that marked its release.

Crimson Frost has an unusual origin story. It started with the book cover—which I won in April of 2020 in a prize draw from Rocking Book Covers—I’m a big fan and have their covers on a few of my short stories. I had my choice of cover, and since I’d been thinking about writing a Christmas story, I chose the cover you see.

But then I had to come up with a title because, well, it is a book cover. And you know how terrible I am at choosing book titles. So, a couple of writer friends got together, brainstormed, and came up with Crimson Frost. Which left me with this gorgeous cover, a title, even a sub-title, A Supernatural Noel, but I had yet to write one word of a story to go with it.

My first two attempts were woefully un-Christmassy—seems I have a dark streak that not even Santa Claus can erase. But my third attempt felt just right. It still has a dollop of angst in it, but what family Christmas doesn’t? This is the description:

A blood moon on Christmas Eve brings magic . . . and menace

After their mother dies on Christmas Eve, eighteen-year-old Charlotte struggles to raise her younger half-brother Oliver. Then Oliver’s abusive deadbeat dad shows up with a malicious agenda to tear the siblings apart. Although Charlotte has always denied her mother’s inherited magical talent, a special holiday ornament and a mysterious handwritten poem force Charlotte to admit the truth . . . and unleash some extraordinary magical powers of her own.

Crimson Frost is available for free through the Kindle Unlimited Subscription plan or for purchase on Amazon for $2.99 US. But watch for a sale closer to Christmas (Tip: put it on your Amazon wish list and you’ll be notified when it goes on sale!)

What’s next?

The build-up to the launch of Blood Mark was a gradual process. Day by day, my calendar filled with podcast recordings, VLOG appearances, and time set aside to answer written interview questions and guest blog posts. And then release day hit and I went full throttle; my calendar was crosshatched in black as far as I could see. It wasn’t until I flipped ahead into this week and saw a day on the calendar that was blindingly white—empty of commitments—that I realized how much I’d been doing. Launch activities are far from over, but how lovely it is to see more free time in my future.

Time to write! And I’m taking advantage of those breaks in my schedule to continue Jane’s story in a second book with the working title Ghost Mark. It’s such fun to get back to the writing—the quintessential, satisfying, soul-feeding nugget that makes this writing gig worthwhile.

On the Publicity Front

Blood Mark continues to collect rave reviews:

“McLean’s writing is clear, gentle, relentless, and original.”—Ottawa Review of Books
“Blood Mark is a fast-paced suspense with a heart-pounding plot and a compelling set of characters.”—The Red Cliffs Chronicles
Blood Mark is holding a 4.8-star rating on Goodreads with 24 reviews and building.

Recent podcasts and VLOGs include:

Dennis Rimmer and I had a fascinating chat about my backstory, and the backstory to Blood Mark and on his Talking Books and Stuff podcast.
Sarah Meckler interviewed me on the GSMC Book Review Podcast. We laughed a lot, and I accidentally called her messy (oops!)
And I had tons of fun with Beth Worsdell on The Witty Writers’ Show talking all about the ins and outs of writing.
Peter Anthony Holder and I had an interesting chat on the Stuph Files (at the 28:28 mark)
And I had a light-hearted conversation with Caramel Lucas on Keeping it Real

You can read the full list of publicity events under my Media/Featured on tab.

My next live event will be on November 27 and 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Campbell River Toy and Craft Fair in the Sportsplex at 1800 S Alder Street in Campbell River, BC. Come by and say hello. I’ll have copies of all my books, including Crimson Frost. I’d be happy to inscribe books for the readers on your Christmas shopping list.

Season’s Greetings from Denman Island

December 24, 2020 By JPMcLean 12 Comments

Season’s Greetings from my home to yours

Are you getting your Santa on? Our tree is up and decorated, as is the wreath above the fireplace. The outdoor lights are strung and mostly turn on/off at the designated times; rain plays havoc with the timers and some days they need a little coaxing.

This year, more than ever, we need the cheerful lights. I love it when darkness falls, and the twinkling lights take over. We spark a fire, pour a glass of wine, and soak up the comforting Christmas glow.

Quieter this year

The days leading up to Christmas will be quieter this year, but we’ll Zoom with far-flung family and enjoy their company long distance, along with fond reminiscences of Christmases past. For Christmas dinner, I’m preparing beef Wellington with a side of Rumpledethumps (mashed spuds with cabbage, onion, and cheese – SO good), and something green. Beans? Not sure yet.

We’re very lucky here on Denman Island to be able to source locally so much of what goes on our table. Corlan Vineyards produces award-winning wines. Fresh duck and chicken eggs are available all over the island. Neighbouring farms raise chickens, pork, beef, and lamb. Two Roads Farm grows a cornucopia of vegetables, and our general store carries pretty much everything else you might need.

Shop Local

Shopping local is more important than ever. The pandemic has hit artisans particularly hard with the lack of tourists and trade fairs. Many of their wares can be purchased at Abraxas Books and Gifts and the Denman Craft Shop. Each offers a wide selection of thoughtful gifts for everyone on your not-naughty list (and even some for the naughty crew).

Eggnog is a must, and I think I’ll dig out a puzzle and set it up on the card table. And we can’t forget Christmas carols. Following are some YouTube renditions I found for you. Enjoy the season, however you celebrate it. Stay safe and let’s hope 2021 kicks COVID to the curb.

Jo-Anne

And if you’re looking for an escape this holiday season, the gift legacy is available in a boxed set at an exceptional price for a limited time. Season’s greetings.

Everybody wishes they could fly – until it happens.

Banner photo freestocks-org on unsplash

Honourable Mention for Boone Park

September 30, 2020 By JPMcLean 14 Comments

Boone Park receives Honourable Mention

Boone Park is a short story I wrote a few years ago. I’m thrilled to announce that it recently won Honourable Mention in the fiction category from the Victoria Writers Society. It will be published in the Victoria Writers’ Magazine this December.

I wrote Boone Park on the heels of visiting elderly relatives as they lived out their final years in residential care homes. It’s a powerful story because it reflects some of our fears about aging and the institutions we’ll count on when our inevitable turn comes.

**Get Boone Park for free**

You can read Boone Park for free when you sign up for my newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time. In fact, if you want to sign up, download, and unsubscribe, that’s perfectly fine. But I hope you stick around. VIP Readers get a short monthly update on what’s happening in my writing world including new-release news, insider scoop, and free short stories.

Speaking of updates, the latest news on my Christmas short-story project isn’t award-winning. Quite the opposite. I’m afraid neither of the two stories I’ve started writing will be complete this year. I guess that means two lumps of coal in my stocking.

But if you’d like to treat yourself to a decidedly not-short, not-Christmas story, Secret Sky is just a click away. 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).