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…

Cover Reveal

June 11, 2025 By JPMcLean 4 Comments

The Never Witch Cover Reveal

I’m so excited to share with you the cover for The Never Witch. A cover reveal is a milestone in a book’s journey. It’s a promise that the book is on its way, and a glimpse of the story’s tone. For this cover, I worked with a Canadian team at ebooklaunch.com. I love their visual interpretation of the story, and they are a pleasure to work with. The book will be available in digital and print formats. Audio to follow.

If magic fires you up and you’re looking for an escape, you’ll enjoy The Never Witch. It’s a supernatural suspense set in present day in the Pacific Northwest.

When power bites back, beware the Never Witch

Adeline Thorne was a witch with no power, until a convicted warlock, in an act of desperation, dumps his magic into her. Power was an irresistible drug to Adeline. The Never Witch now had magic. The only problem? The warlock wants it back.

If you can’t get enough of Rachel Griffin, V.E. Schwab, and Alix E. Harrow, then you’ll love The Never Witch

The Never Witch will be released on September 16, 2025, and is available now for pre-order at all the usual outlets. More outlets added every day.

Upcoming In-person Events

I’m looking forward to being a part of the very first Summer Solstice Market on June 20^th from 5:00 pm until sundown at the Crow’s Nest Artist Collective in Campbell River, 2550 Island Highway South.

The event will have many fun options, including a fire dancer, live music, interactive booths, and free activities. Come by and say hello, and enjoy the festivities.

What I’m Reading

Wild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin. I’d read her first book, The Nature of Witches last month, and really enjoyed it. Wild is the Witch is also good. The aspect I love most about Griffin’s stores is how she finds new takes on magic and sets the stories in the real world. That’s right up my alley.

I also read My Notorious Life by Kate Manning. It tells the story of a scrappy orphan named Axie Muldoon, raised in 1860s New York. The author drew on actual events and conditions. Her story is unflinching and eye-opening for anyone not familiar with the time period. Axie’s story is a testament to the struggles of women, the dangers of midwifery, and the impossible choices women were forced to make under the anvil of what we’d now call morality police. It’s a timely reminder.

Sign up for my VIP newsletter

That’s all my news for June. If you’d like to know more about me, my writing life, and my home on Denman Island, 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…

Denman Island’s Annual Herring Spawn

March 27, 2025 By JPMcLean 4 Comments

March has been a busy month with Denman Island’s annual herring spawn.

The island where I live is home to an annual herring spawn that occurs between late February and early March. The millions of herring that arrive on our shores turn the water the colour of the Caribbean. A cacophony of sea lions, seals, eagles, and seagulls, follows, along with the fishing fleet. I took this video in early March to give you an idea of what it looks and sounds like.

Oceana Canada provides a more in-depth explanation on YouTube.

It’s loud, it’s bright, and it’s busy. At night, when we’d normally only see stars and a few distant lights on neighbouring islands, we instead look out on what could be mistaken for a cityscape with glaring lights in constant motion.

I wouldn’t want to live with that full-time, but once a year it’s an exciting change of pace.

Witch Book Progress

I’m thrilled to report that my WIP (work in progress) now sits at 80K. The finished draft will end up between 90-100K.

When I’m writing, I find it useful to find a photo that looks like the character I’ve created in my head. This is who I picture for the main character, Adeline Thorne. Adeline is a thirty-four-year-old witch who didn’t come into the magic she should have inherited. In real life, this woman is Magdalena Zalejska, a Polish model.