JP McLean

Writing Addictive Fiction

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February Has Lost its Mind

February 18, 2017 By JPMcLean 12 Comments

Last month when I wrote An Uncommon Winter, I had no idea that February would charge in and dump a 20-year record snowfall on us. Clearly, February has lost its mind, or at least its bearings.

Photo of record snowfall on Denman Island

One of our ornamental trees fell over and couldn’t get up (below is a photo of it in better days, and after the tumble). Many large fir branches waved their final adieu, and at least one of the neighbourhood boathouses is out of business.

Before and after photos of ornamental willow tree that toppled from heavy snow in JP's Denman garden.

On the plus side, the extreme weather gave me all the excuse I needed to stay home and spend some quality time indoors. I’ll happily write by the fire all day. I’m well into the next book in the Gift Legacy series, as yet untitled, which will continue on from Lethal Waters (formerly Penance), and I’m continuing to make notes on the new Dark Dreams project.

Lethal Waters rebranded cover replaces Penance

Being in creative mode is nirvana for me. I carry a notebook around like a security blanket when I’m away from the laptop. I love the surprise of the story going off script with a new plot twist!

If you had snow this February, I hope you were better equipped for it than we were! Hang in there, spring is just around the corner.

Until next time . . .

And if you find yourself snowbound, curl up with a good book. It takes just a minute to download Secret Sky from your favourite retailer right here! Or click on the image for more purchase options.
3D Cover collection for all formats of Secret Sky

An Uncommon Winter

January 29, 2017 By JPMcLean 9 Comments

Photo of a heavy snowfall on Denman IslandIt’s been an uncommon winter here on Denman Island. The ground froze for 6+ weeks, which is an unusual state of cold we normally count in days, not weeks. (No need to roll your eyeballs—we know we’re spoiled—we barely reach the “damn it’s cold” threshold for Canadians.)

In addition to the frozen ponds and gardens, we woke day and again to find fluffy white stuff, more commonly referred to as snow. Unheard of . . . especially when it sticks around for more than a day. (Your eyeballs are going to stick up there!)

I Can’t Complain

Elinor Florence's testimonial in support of The Gift: BetrayalI didn’t get outside much in November. The November 15 release of Betrayal (now Lover Betrayed) kept me busy. As always happens with a new release, I was plagued with promotion should’ve/could’ve/would’ves. Not to mention the inconvenient fact that I also have a life.

That “life” took me back to Ontario to spend a rare and snowy Christmas with my family. Despite my earlier whinging, I love a white Christmas. There’s something magical about crisp, white snow at Christmastime. And it may just be my ego, but I think Ontario went out of its way to emphasize the white this year. It brings me back to my childhood. I can count on one finger how many white Christmases I’ve experienced since moving to the coast (not that finger – gheesh!). The coast has many wonderful attributes, which I tout to no end in the Gift Legacy books, but a white Christmas isn’t one of them.

I’m now back on Denman Island

The snow has melted away and the frost has departed. Spring bulbs are poking through the earth, the honeysuckle bush is blooming, and I find myself in the refreshing position of writing something new. This is one of the sweetest spots for writers. It wakes me in the middle of the night and pulls me out of bed early in the morning. And it doesn’t wait for the coffee to brew or a good internet connection.

It demands my attention, and I’m beyond happy to oblige. In addition to developing my next series (the Dark Dreams novels), I’m writing the next chapter in Emelynn’s story. This is what it looks like when I’m organizing my ideas. Do you have thoughts about characters or storylines you’d like to see on one of those stickies? Now is the perfect time to tell me. Leave a comment, or contact me on any of my social media sites.

You can read Emelynn’s story in Secret Sky from your favourite retailer right here! Or click on the image for more purchase options.
3D Cover collection for all formats of Secret Sky
 

Testimonial for The Gift: Betrayal

November 3, 2016 By JPMcLean 9 Comments

Betrayal Book CoverI’ve received the first testimonial for The Gift: Betrayal, and I’m excited to share it with you.

JP McLean has a style and immediacy of detail that pulls the reader into a complex tale set with all-too-human characters ruled by their extraordinary capabilities. Exciting action and conflict of loyalties make this a fantastic page-turner.

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

When an author has a new book coming out, they often ask another author they respect and admire for a testimonial. It’s a small stamp of approval that gives readers confidence that the book is worth their time. Watch this space for another testimonial for the Gift: Betrayal.

Kristina Stanley

Not only is Kristina Stanley a bestselling author, but she and her partners are currently developing software called Feedback (now called Fictionary) that will help authors write better books.

“We’re developing Feedback to help writers create the best possible novel. You’ll be able to use Feedback in several phases of your writing.”– Kristina Stanley

November 15 is the release date for The Gift: Betrayal. It’s available now for preorder in paperback and ebook at all the usual outlets.

Lover Betrayed rebranded cover replaces Betrayal

Coming November 15!

3D Cover collection for all formats of Secret Sky

The bones for Lover Betrayed are buried in book I, Secret Sky. Pick up Secret Sky from your favourite retailer right here! Or click on the image for more purchase options.

You know that feeling?

May 27, 2016 By JPMcLean 18 Comments

colour photo of dandelion weeds gone to seed in a sea of tall green grass with water in the backgroundDo you know that feeling? Like you’ve just crossed the finish line of a gruelling marathon, but you’re the only one in the race. Hands on hips, you catch your breath as you look about and wonder, “What now?”

Yeah, that feeling.

I’ve been working on another book in the Gift Legacy series for a year and a half (had to go look that up), and on Tuesday, I wrote the final scene. Since then, I’ve been fumbling around not quite sure what I’m supposed to be doing.

Don’t get me wrong – there’s no shortage of editing, re-writing, and catch-up marketing to do, and let’s not get started on house cleaning, weeding, laundry, etc. (no really – let’s not get started!), but after eighteen months of concentrating on this one project, having it done feels . . . I don’t know . . . airy.

Each time I finish writing a book, it feels different. I wrote about it here. I feel good about this one. Optimistic. Excited.

I think I’ll take a week off and play in the garden. I might even clean the windows so I can see the garden when I get back to writing.

The next book is called Lover Betrayed. It’s Jackson Delaney’s story. I’ll tell you all about it next time. If you’ll excuse me, I hear the garden calling …

3D Cover collection for all formats of Secret Sky

And what better way to enjoy your garden, than from a hammock reading your own copy of Secret Sky, the book that started it all? Get it from your favourite retailer right here!

Dandelion Photo by Jason Long on Unsplash

 

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