Burning Lies Archives - Page 3 of 3

Location Hunting in CA

November 27, 2017 By JPMcLean 14 Comments

One of the greatest perks of writing is travelling for research. Back in April 2013, I made a trip to Bodega Bay, CA. That time I was searching for the perfect shot for the cover of Burning Lies (formerly Redemption.) Now I’m location hunting in CA for the perfect setting for a pivotal, high-powered meeting of nine influential families for the next book in the Gift Legacy series. These families have been threatened and are highly vigilant of their privacy and their security.

Earlier books in the series dictated that the meeting would take place in California. I considered setting the scene in a warehouse, an isolated country manor, or even a barn. And then I thought, why not a winery?

After consultation with friends familiar with California’s wine country, and subsequent online research, I narrowed the possibilities to a climate-controlled cave with wine barrels lining its walls; a private estate down a winding, oak-lined drive; or an 18^th century stone castle.

An Impressive Setting

Any of these spectacular locations would make an impressive setting for a clandestine meeting of high-end power brokers. But to describe any of these locations with authenticity, I need to know what they sound like, what they feel like, even what they smell like.

I could see only one solution—road trip!

And what a fabulous trip it’s been. Turns out, every one of these locations has one or more spectacular meeting or dining rooms with impressive furniture in awe-inspiring surroundings. (They also have delicious wine which must be sampled, but I digress.)

Now that all of my senses have been exposed to the potential of these places, I am primed to write the scene. Though it will be a mash-up of several locations, you’ll recognize it when you read it.

Meantime, enjoy these pics from our trip to Pismo Beach, CA, and points north through Napa.

And if you ever have the opportunity to visit this area, I highly recommend it. The scenery is spectacular, as is the wine. But if you’re prone to motion sickness, take something for it before you travel the northern portions of Hwy. 29.

If you’d like to read an adventure set on the west coast, pick up Secret Sky from your favourite retailer right here! Or click on the image for more purchase options.

A New Cover for Redemption

January 5, 2016 By JPMcLean 15 Comments

It gives me tremendous pleasure, on behalf of WindStorm Press, to reveal the new cover for The Gift: Redemption. The Gift Legacy covers are now complete, and I couldn’t be happier with the results.

A big thank you goes to Viona Halim, the digital artist who created the original covers, then patiently tweaked the artwork and re-designed the title treatments, spines, and back covers to produce this new cover. Viona has been part of The Gift Legacy project from the start.

Early on, she captured the dramatic coastal setting and the ominous mood of the books, and she’s been a joy to work with through all the back and forth that such a detailed project entails.

Redemption will return to print and ebook formats in mid-January.

With the editorial review behind me, and The Gift Legacy fresh in my mind, I thought I’d rummage through my notes and start dreaming up story ideas for the next book in the series. This part of the writing process is such fun! Feel free to add your two cents in the comments below. I have a feeling Sebastian will continue to be a thorn in Em’s side, the Tribunal will face new challenges under Mason’s leadership. And I believe Emelynn had some critical decisions to make.

(*Update: Redemption is now Burning Lies)

A dishonourable legacy. A powerful enemy. A future threatened.

While recovering from a psychopath’s savage attack, Emelynn Taylor learns the ugly truth: deceit spawned her gift of flight, and ruthless brutality safeguards it.

But knowing the truth doesn’t prepare Emelynn for the terrorist who rips her world apart. And when the escalating violence spreads to the inner circle of her covert community, Emelynn uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to expose the gift and all those who share it.

Emelynn joins forces with a man she doesn’t trust and a family she doesn’t know to fight a menace that cloaks itself in lies. And when she lands at the feet of a dangerous enemy, Emelynn must face her worst fears to save the people she loves—and she must do it alone.

The third book in The Gift Legacy series, Burning Lies is a thriller that skirts the edges of reality in a world within our own. Step inside and escape the ordinary: take flight with Emelynn Taylor.

Get your own copy of Burning Lies with one click right here. And if ebooks or Amazon aren’t your preference, other options are available under the Bookstore tab.

The Wait is Over

November 26, 2013 By JPMcLean Leave a Comment

And just in the “St. Nick” of time!

The wait is over. The Gift: Redemption*, the third book in The Gift Legacy, is now available. You can find it on-line at your favourite retailer and order it from over 25,000 booksellers.

Thank you for all your encouragement and support over the past few years. Writing the series has been an unexpected and thrilling adventure for me. I hope you enjoy reading the books as much as I enjoyed writing them.

It’s now time for you to return your trays to the upright and locked position, fasten your seat belt, and enjoy the flight!

Available right now:

Get it from your favourite retailer right here.

This edition published by FriesenPress, 8½” x 5½”, 328 Pages, Black and White

The wait is over. The Gift: Redemption is the stunning conclusion* of J.P. McLean’s whirlwind series set on the coast of British Columbia. Having barely survived a brutal attack by a murderous psychopath who coveted her gift, Emelynn Taylor seeks peace with her unruly powers and a new beginning. Instead, she collides with intrigue and becomes the target of faceless terrorism.

When the escalating violence spreads to the inner circle of her covert community, powerful figures within it surrender to paranoia, and Emelynn uncovers a tyrannous conspiracy that threatens to expose the gift and all those who share it.

With no way out, Emelynn must face her worst fears and gather all her strength to protect those she loves . . . and she must do it alone.

*Update

Redemption is now Burning Lies and is the third of seven books in The Gift Legacy series. You can read about the series’ evolution here.

Redemption Book Cover Revealed

November 7, 2013 By JPMcLean 6 Comments

Here it is: Redemption Book Cover Revealed!

This is the book cover for Redemption*. You might have noticed the beach theme to the series’ covers. That’s because the beach is never far from the action in these books. This particular beach is near Bodega Bay in California. It’s where pivotal scenes in this third book take place.

It starts with a photo

Like the previous covers, this one originated with a photograph. I took this photo in early 2013 during a research trip to bodega Bay. (There’s no better way to fine-tune descriptive detail.) Viona Halim painted the photo and the designers at FriesenPress added the titles. Viona has, once again, created a cover that reflects the ominous mood of the book.

Redemption concludes** Emelynn Taylor’s extraordinary journey through a frightening new world, where brutal treachery and ambitious power collide with exhilarating freedom and infinite possibility.

November Release

FriesenPress will release Redemption in early November. The book is 5.5” x 8.5”, 328 pages, and will be available for order in e-book, trade paperback and hardcover formats from all the usual bookshops and on-line retailers.

Meantime, you can download an excerpt here. As always, your feedback is most welcome.

Update on Redemption Book Cover Revealed

*The cover for Redemption has undergone two updates. Once when it was republished with WindStorm Press in January of 2016 and again when it was re-titled Burning Lies in November of 2019.

**And silly me. I mistakenly thought Emelynn’s journey was done. It wasn’t. It’s now a 7-book series. You can read all about The Gift Legacy here.