Island Life Archives - Page 4 of 12

Spring has Sprung on Denman Island

March 29, 2023 By JPMcLean 5 Comments

Spring has sprung on Denman Island, though you’d never know it from the colder than normal temps. But new lambs and calves are making their appearances at farms across the island—and the calendar confirms it—so it’s official: spring has sprung.

This morning I bundled up and joined another dozen volunteer gardeners at our Denman Activity Centre to help dig up some overgrown gardens to prepare for a new, and much needed, revamp. After the soil is amended, new plantings will be put in place. I can’t wait to see the results. I’ll share some photos next month.

My ~~weed patches~~ gardens are also a bit of a mess, which is what happens when I neglect them. Balancing my writing and chores is always a challenge, but seeing the sorry state of my gardens is a reminder that I can’t do it all. I’m removing two of the smaller garden beds, which will lighten the load a little, and I’m slowly replacing plantings that require a lot of work with low-maintenance shrubs. Gone are the days when I rushed the season hunting for brightly coloured additions. It’s been almost ten years since I wrote about my bout with spring fever when I went a bit crazy in the garden centre way too early.

On the Writing Front

I’ve been busy indoors as well. I’m about halfway through my first re-read/edit of the new Dark Dreams novel, Scorch Mark. It’s shaping up nicely and I should have it ready for the editor in the next few weeks.

Gift Legacy News

As I mentioned in my February blog post, I’ve now moved the Gift Legacy books into the Kindle Unlimited program. They remain available to purchase on Amazon, but if you’re a Kindle Unlimited (KU) or Kindle Select customer with a monthly Amazon subscription, you can now binge the books for free. I hope you enjoy them.

A New Review

Reviews are SO important. Not only do they help new readers discover the books, but they keep me motivated. Here’s one that recently came in:

“Ghost Mark” is the second installment of the Dark Dreams Series by JP McLean and continues to showcase her natural flair for originality, memorable characters, and deftly crafted plots replete with unexpected twists and turns in the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that keeps the reader’s rapt attention from first page to last.

—Midwest Book Review

Upcoming Events

On April 2nd, I’ll be at the Union Bay Spring Craft Fair from 10 am to 3 pm. The address is 5401 South Island Highway in Union Bay, BC. I’ll be signing books and I’m happy to write an inscription for you or someone special. Pop by and say hello.

In Other News

Next month, I’m travelling to Vancouver for research. I’ll be attending the Vancouver Law Courts to witness a criminal trial. I won’t know which trial until I get there, but I’m hoping to find something similar to the one I’m writing about in Scorch Mark. It’s the small details that add authenticity to a book; what does it feel like? Smell like? Sound like? Are the seats comfortable? Etc. I’ll be taking lots of notes. And also, it’s Vancouver—one of my favourite cities—so there I’ll be lots of walking and shopping and eating out! Can’t wait.

I hope spring has sprung in your corner of the world. Happy Easter.

Until next time, XO

Another Medal and a Blank Calendar (be still my beating heart)

April 26, 2022 By JPMcLean 12 Comments

Another Medal

I’m thrilled to announce that Blood Mark has won another medal! It received silver at the 2022 Global Book Awards for occult and supernatural fiction.

And there’s more. Because Blood Mark earned a five-star review in InD’tale Magazine (page 103), it’s now nominated for a RONE award.

RONE awards are selected by readers just like you!

A Blank Calendar

I’ve had my share of techno scares. Screens that flash black and don’t come back, a computer that boots up to display a desktop stripped of icons, a document you were certain you’d put in Dropbox but can’t find now that you’re away from home.

It’s why I don’t trust on-line calendars to keep track of my schedule. Sure, I have one, but the calendar I depend on is the paper version beside my chair.

Each Sunday night, I flip the page on my calendar to look at what’s on the following week. Living on an island, I have to plan ahead and check ferry schedules, even for mundane chores like shopping. This week, when I turned that page, there was nothing but white squares stretching all the way to next Sunday! A blank calendar (be still my beating heart).

I got so excited. An entire week with no obligations! I can write to my heart’s content, garden if the weather goddess plays nice, find a quiet corner and read until some body part goes numb. Heaven.

Speaking of heaven, and writing

I’m happy to report that the first draft of the second book in the Blood Mark series is almost finished! It’s so close that I’ll go out on a limb and say it’ll be done by my final blank calendar day, this Sunday.

I’ve already peeked ahead in the calendar to next week. It’s a full one with an overnight off-island trip, and a newcomers’ welcome event at the facility where I volunteer. Knowing I’m going to be tied up next week, and now that I’ve put my deadline in writing, I’d better get busy and make good on finishing that draft.

Wish me luck.

And if you want to get your hands on Blood Mark, you can buy it from your favourite retailer right here.

Blood Mark Update

March 27, 2021 By JPMcLean 8 Comments

Blood Mark News

Have you noticed I haven’t mentioned my new book, Blood Mark, in a while? The crickets are because I’ve been searching for an agent to represent it. I only approached a handful of select agents who had access to the biggest publishers. And though I knew it was a long shot, the last agent who’d shown interest in the manuscript, has turned it down.

The agent wrote that she loved the premise and setting of Blood Mark, the compelling conflict and tension, and added that I am a terrific writer, right down to the sentence level. It’s hard to be upset about getting turned down on top of that praise!

Though I’m disappointed I won’t get to experience life on the traditionally published side of the street, my indie leanings will serve me well going forward. To that end, Rachel Small, editor extraordinaire, is on board and ready to go. I’m exploring book cover ideas and researching launch tactics. I don’t have a release date yet, but I expect it will be sometime this fall.

This Time Around

Happily, I’ll have Mickey in my corner. He’s the publicist I signed with at Creative Edge Publicity. He continues to keep me busy with interviews, guest VLOG appearances, magazine features, and radio shows. I still find the live events nerve-wracking, but I know it’s good for my career, and good for the books. So, I’ll keep stretching, learning, and practicing until my nerves are just a low rumble in the background. I post the events as they go live on social media, but you can check out the full listing under the Featured On page under the Media tab on my website.

On the Home Front

With the weather warming up and the soil drying out, I’ve been getting my hands dirty in the garden beds. Our crocuses and snowdrops are finished, and we’ve moved on to daffodils. The tulips are coming on strong, the clematis and other vines are growing, and the bushes are leafing out. On the ocean, the annual herring spawn has come and gone, but the sea lions, seals, eagles and seagulls are still here livening up the spring orchestra.

What I’m Reading

My latest reads are Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen series about a future world divided by the colour of their blood. Red bloods are the servants to the silver blooded elite who exhibit imaginative supernatural powers. I loved it! Gobbled up the whole series.

I’ve also read two books by other Creative Edge authors, and I’d recommend them both:

The Witching Vault by Kathrin Hutson. Sassy and fun urban fantasy about a witch who takes on an apprenticeship at a magical bank.

Beautiful, Frightening, and Silent by Jennifer Anne Gordon. This multi-award-winning book is a perfectly creepy horror about a man’s descent into madness after losing his wife and son.

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).

Empty highway photo by Maksim Shutov on Unsplash

Spring lamb photo by Rod Long on Unsplash

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.