The Gift Legacy Archives - Page 17 of 27

The Gift: Awakening has a new cover

November 21, 2015 By JPMcLean 4 Comments

Awakening’s new cover is here! We’ve not strayed far from Viona Halim’s gorgeous design, just a little tweak here and there.

(Update: Awakening is now titled Secret Sky.)

Everybody wishes they could fly—until it happens. When Emelynn Taylor wakes up in the emergency room, her injuries present Dr. Avery Coulter with more questions than answers. Who is this guarded young woman? Why was she found in the middle of Sunset Park? How can she have injuries consistent with falling from above the tree line? Seemingly from nowhere? And, more importantly: Why is she lying about it?

The truth is stranger than anyone could have imagined – least of all Emelynn herself.

Nine Years earlier . . .

Nine years earlier, during the same summer she’d lost her father, 12-year-old Emelynn accepted a ‘gift’ from a mysterious woman called Jolene. Now, as she recovers in Dr. Coulter’s emergency room, she’s left wondering if that blessing was really more of a curse. Jolene’s gift planted the seeds of incredible power within Emelynn – but what’s the point of such abilities if you can’t control them? Her emerging gift of flight, for example, nearly killed Emelynn when it sent her plummeting to the sidewalk in Sunset Park. Next time, she might not be so lucky.

But Emelynn is determined to master her abilities, and returns to the seaside cottage where Jolene had once granted her this ‘gift.’ There, Dr. Coulter guides Emelynn in uncovering a secret society of others just like her, who inhabit a mysterious world-within-a-world that challenges everything Emelynn thought she’d known. But the more she uncovers, the murkier the truth becomes. Soon, Emelynn is left questioning the motives of those she’d trusted the most – and is forced to rely on her barely mastered powers in a desperate fight for survival.

Secret Sky is the first book in the thrilling, otherworldly The Gift Legacy series by JP McLean. Seamlessly blending paranormal mystery, fantasy, and romance, this beautifully written and deeply resonant adventure will swoop you into a vivid, new reality and leave your imagination soaring.

For those who prefer the older design (see below), which is no longer in print, I do have a limited number of first edition copies available. While supplies last, I’m happy to sign and personally inscribe a book, and ship it. Please contact me here for details.

You can pick up a copy of Awakening, now titled Secret Sky, with one click right here. And if ebooks or Amazon aren’t your preference, other options are available under the Bookstore Tab.

Edits and Shiny New Toys

October 28, 2015 By JPMcLean 10 Comments

Half of me is thrilled to be going full tilt on the editorial review of The Gift Legacy books for WindStorm Press. The work invigorates me and the view from my writing desk inspires me. The other half of me is champing at the bit to get back into the new material. Four exciting projects stamp their feet at the gate. It’s shiny new toy syndrome, and it tempts me.

But I know my limits and the review requires my full attention. The shiny new toys will have to wait. Besides, the more hours I devote to the review, the faster I’ll get back to the shiny new toys.

The opportunity to revamp the books and their covers came with the new publisher. Over the years I’ve grown as a writer, so I jumped at the opportunity to re-visit these early books.

The edits:

The goal is to ensure the story and language are as tight as they can be. Here’s a sampling of what I’m doing (the crossed-out words are gone, the underlined words are new):

Better and active verb choice:

There was a lot of laughter cascaded around us and I welcomed the change from the gloom that Cassandra cast over us moments earlier.

Removing unnecessary dialogue tags that can slow down the pace.

Oh, god, no. I knew what this was. I had to stop him. “No! Don’t go!” I shouted.

Tightening the prose:

If you missed the sound of waves, you might just smell the briny air or catch a whiff of briny air or pungent seaweed in the ocean breeze.

The changes are small, but powerful. I’m halfway through the review and excited with the results. I can’t wait to share them with you.

Meantime, enjoy the sunset.

All of The Gift Legacy books are available with one click right here. And if ebooks or Amazon aren’t your preference, you can choose another purchasing option on the Bookstore tab.

New Publisher for The Gift Legacy

October 6, 2015 By JPMcLean 8 Comments

In my last post I referenced some exciting news that I am now able to share. It gives me great pleasure to announce that I have a new publisher. The first three books of The Gift Legacy will soon be re-released by WindStorm Press.

In the coming days, Awakening, Revelation and Redemption will be temporarily pulled from the market. It’s a necessary step as the books change hands from one publisher to the next.

When the books are re-released, they will have updated covers. So if you’re looking for first editions, get them while you can. Awakening’s first edition is on its way to the vault. Editorial review on Revelation and Redemption is still incomplete, but I expect they will also undergo a nip and tuck.

Revisiting these books has been an interesting experience. It reminds me that every writer is a work in progress. Each offering improves our craft, and The Gift Legacy will sparkle with the effort of the editorial review.

I can’t wait to share them with you!

Update: A work in progress indeed. The books underwent a major rebranding in 2018/2019 to better position them in the market. You can read about the series of events as they unfolded under the Media>Fast Facts Tab.

And here are the latest covers:

Frog Whispering

September 5, 2015 By JPMcLean 4 Comments

Family cottage on the Manitouwabing River in Broadbent, Ontario — Family Cottage on the Manitouwabing River

Well, maybe not frog whispering so much as frog herding, but I’m adding it to my CV. The cute little critter hopped into my sister’s ground floor entry while I was unloading the car. I would have stopped to snap a photo, but my bedroom was just around the corner and as much as I like frogs, I really didn’t want to sleep with the fella.

Swim ladder off a point on the Manitouwabing River in Broadbent, Ontario — Herbie’s Point

After frog whispering failed to coax him on his way, I tried frog wrangling. He promptly peed on my hand and slipped out of my grip to hide behind a chest. That’s when I resorted to frog herding. I could have used my sister’s help, but she was busy laughing at me from up the stairs. Thankfully, with a gentle nudge, the frog eventually found its way back outside.

A sunset over the Manitouwabing River in Broadbent Ontario — Broadbent Sunset

And the frog was just the start of my Ontario holiday visit with family and friends in Muskoka’s cottage country. My time in Ontario is short, so we make the best of it. We roasted marshmallows over bonfires, cruised the river a time or two, and enjoyed a glass of wine with the sunsets.

And once again, I was honoured to be invited to read at the McKellar Public Library. Maxine, Joan, Jackie and Pat made me feel at home, and they’ll welcome you as well because this library is all about community.

JP McLean standing by the McKellar Library roadside billboard announcing her reading — JP McLean’s name on the big billboard

I’ve written about it twice before (2013 and 2014), so won’t repeat it here except to say you won’t find another library around where your library card will get you a book, a fishing rod and tackle! So if you find yourself on Highway #124 passing through McKellar, be sure to stop in for a visit.

Giant dock spider on Paradise Lake Haliburton Ontario — Paradise Lake Dock Spider

This year, I made a side trip to Halibuton to visit a cousin who’s building a home on Paradise Lake. What a beautiful spot! Their claim to fame may be the biggest dock spider on the planet – kind of reminded me of the disembodied hand named Thing from The Addams Family TV show.

Soon enough, my Ontario visit came to a close, and on my way home I dropped by Barrie for a visit with great friends, a garden tour and an impromptu porch reading. It was a fine way to end my holiday.

Bonfire on Paradise Lake shore in Haliburton, Ontario — Bonfire on Paradise Lake

As always, it’s good to get away and just as good to get home. I’m unpacked now and all caught up on laundry and emails. Best of all, I’m digging back into my writing projects. Yes . . . that’s an “s” on the end of projects, and I can hardly wait to share them with you.