Family Life Archives - Page 3 of 12

I’m on the Cover of Books & Buzz Magazine

September 5, 2022 By JPMcLean 13 Comments

I’m so proud and honoured to be featured on the September cover of Books & Buzz Magazine. Inside is my interview with Editor-in-chief, Timothy Pike. Also in this issue are articles by bestselling author David D. Schein, Nicole Fanning, & USA Today bestselling author Cari Lynn Webb.

I’m also pleased to share some early buzz Ghost Mark is getting. It’s out November 1st and on preorder right now Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Apple

First Editorial Review:

McLean’s writing is as ingenious as her protagonist, ranging from grunge
to repartee to sophistication to laugh-out-loud snarks. Ghost Mark is gripping.
You won’t put it down till it’s done.

—OTTAWA REVIEW OF BOOKS

First Award:

Will keep you on the edge of your seat . . . an intense, riveting, and fast-paced novel.

—LITERARY TITAN ★★★★★

First Endorsement:

JP McLean’s GHOST MARK has it all—kick-ass characters, a thrilling mystery,
and tons of action, all with a supernatural twist!

—Ann Charles, USA Today bestselling author of the Deadwood Mystery series,

I’m a huge fan of Ann Charles’s books and have recommended them before, so having her endorse Ghost Mark with a blurb is an incredible point of pride for me. Ann writes mysteries infused with witty humour and well-drawn, relatable characters. You’ll laugh out loud at the antics her characters get up to. Learn more about Ann here.

Pre-order Ghost Mark right now and it will be on your e-reader when it releases November 1st! It’s available from all the usual retailers:

Kindle ~ Kobo ~ Nook ~ Apple ~ Direct

Download a PDF preview of Ghost Mark here.

McKellar Vacation

After three long years, I finally braved the airport and a plane to visit my family in McKellar. My sister met me in Toronto, and we spent a few nights with my niece and her partner, which is always fun, and then drove up north. First to Parry Sound for groceries, a wine supply, and a mani-pedi, and then on to McKellar. Ahhhh. It’s so relaxing and beautiful here on the Manitouwabing River.

I helped Mom organize her potting shed, putzed with Dad on a few things in the driving shed, and there’ll be more projects this coming week. But mostly it’s just so nice to catch up in person. Yesterday, my cousin arrived from Haliburton, and we all piled into the pontoon boat for a cruise down the river. Along the shores, the shanty shacks of our youth are now jaw-dropping mansions. My grandfather’s old house is one of them, and another stands in his old potato field.

Wherever you find yourself today, I hope you’re able to get outdoors and enjoy this Labour Day. You’ve earned it!

Until next time, XO

Jo-Anne

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.

Publication Date for Blood Mark

April 29, 2021 By JPMcLean 10 Comments

Blood Mark has a publication date: October 19, 2021!

If that seems like a long way off, I agree. But there’s still a lot of work ahead, e.g. incorporating copy and proofreading edits, finishing the back-of-the-book description, and writing the front and back-end matter. And before a cover can be finished, the interior files need to be formatted and review quotes and endorsements finalized. The good news is that all of this is in the works!

In other writing news

I’ve written a new short story called Scaredy Cat. It was my contribution to the Horror Tree. You can read it on their website.

I also finished the first draft of my Christmas story, Crimson Frost. It’s novella length, sitting at 19,000 words. The next step is to let it steep for a month before revisiting it. It will be out before Christmas.

On a personal note

I’m getting my first jab on Friday, April 30th! Yay. Can’t wait. As the last person in my social bubble to get a shot, I’ve been feeling a bit like Typhoid Mary when I’m around them.

Mickey of Creative Edge Publicity continues to keep me busy. I feel like I’ve turned a corner in terms of VLOGs and Podcasts. Repetition has done wonders to quell my nerves. You can watch my appearances and read my interviews by visiting the Media tab on my website.

What I’m reading

I recently finished Kelley Armstrong’s A Stitch in Time. I love Kelley Armstrong’s stories–even had a fangirl moment when I met her briefly at The Creative Ink Festival a few years ago. A Stitch in Time tells the story of a young woman who inherits her family’s old mansion and rediscovers a time slip through which revisits a lost love.

I haven’t quite finished reading Marie Powell’s Last of the Gifted Spirit Sight, but I’m loving it. Powell set her fantasy in 13th century Wales, when Wales and England were at war. The story is about how two siblings with supernatural abilities aid their country’s war efforts. I love all the historical details Powell infuses in her story, from clothing to food to legends.

What are you reading?

I’m always looking for a good urban fantasy or supernatural thriller.

Speaking of good urban fantasies, Secret Sky is just $2.99. 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).