The Gift Trilogy Archives - Page 2 of 8

Cover Reveal: The Gift: Betrayal

October 30, 2016 By JPMcLean 8 Comments

It’s ready, and I’m thrilled to share it with you! The cover reveal: The Gift: Betrayal (Update: in 2019, Lover Betrayed replaced Betrayal). The design by Katarina Meglic, a local graphic designer, matches the mood and style of the other original covers in the series. The cover also recreates the opening scene of the book. Credit and gratitude for the original photographs goes to talented local photographer, Annette Reinhart.

Betrayal is scheduled for release on November 15.

Betrayal is not the next book in the series, chronologically speaking, nor is it the last. It’s a re-telling of the first book, Secret Sky (formerly Awakening), but from Jackson Delaney’s point of view. He was Emelynn Taylor’s love interest in that first book. His role was pivotal, controversial, and demanded to be told.

But don’t worry—I’m not done with Emelynn yet. Her story will continue in books to come.

The following is a short teaser from Lover Betrayed (formerly The Gift: Betrayal).

Vengeance for the Forsaken …

When Jackson Delaney’s wife leaves him for his half-brother and empties their bank account, Jackson seeks revenge to quench the fire in his soul.

But first he has to find them.

Jackson and his wife’s brother put aside their warring motives and join forces to mount a search destined to break laws and test their resolve. And when Jackson meets a mysterious young woman with no knowledge of her arcane and powerful gift, he recklessly lures her into his vengeful mission.

What is Jackson willing to risk? And how much will he lose before he finds his way back home?

Lover Betrayed careens on a high-speed chase, from the gentile character of New Orleans to the rugged beauty of the North American west coast.

**Cover Reveal: The Gift Betrayal (now Lover Betrayed)**

Coming November 15!

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.

Playing Whack-A-Mole with a Trilogy

February 21, 2015 By JPMcLean 5 Comments

Every time I sit down to write this post, another trilogy mole pops up and I race off in search of my mallet. I’m playing Whack-a-Mole with a trilogy. Those “moles” are hidden in more cubby holes than I’d imagined, though I shouldn’t be surprised, after all, I put them there.

I’m referring to the “trilogy” descriptor I used liberally to describe The Gift books when they were, in fact, a trilogy. Now that the fourth book, The Gift: Penance (now titled Lethal Waters), is approaching the starting blocks, the terminology is decidedly inaccurate. Hence, I’ve started the process of switching out “trilogy” for “legacy.”

I thought about all the places I’d used “trilogy,” and made a list. There were the obvious spots, like this blog, the website and Goodreads. Then I looked at Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Mustn’t forget Wattpad and Library Thing. Oh, and LinkedIn.

Okay, I thought … I can do this.

Oops, forgot about my author page on Amazon, which sent me scurrying back to look at my author page on Goodreads. And wait, I’d made a note to change the wording in Facebook, but what about the header picture—that had to change. Do I even remember how to do that? Then I noticed the tagline in my email signature, which lead to the realization that my business cards are now outdated. Along with the posters I use at book signings. And the back-of-the-book blurbs.

Oh crap! Pretty much all of the promo material I’ve ever prepared has to be changed. This is going to take a lot longer than I thought.

I suppose the silver lining in all of this is that the Gift’s book information has spread as far and wide as it has. The not-so-silver lining is that I’ll be whacking moles for a long time yet.

With that in mind, I’d appreciate it if you’d tell me if you come across any of my “trilogy” lingo on your cyber travels. I just know I’m going to miss something. (Anyone who misses a fourth book sneaking into a trilogy is going to miss something—and it’ll probably be big.)

I’ve got a spare mallet. If you’d like to take a whack, and want to know what started this whole trilogy mess, you can get Secret Sky with one click right here. And if ebooks or Amazon aren’t your preference, other options are available under the Bookstore Tab.

Hammer Photo by Adam Sherez on Unsplash

On Writing ‘The End’

September 29, 2014 By JPMcLean 21 Comments

I finished writing the first draft of the fourth book in my Gift Legacy series last week. The process didn’t end with a thunder clap and popped cork, like I’d hoped. More like a wet splat with cold tea.

Why? I have no idea, but it did make me think about how I’d felt when I finished writing the other three books.

The first one was a shock. I actually Googled whether or not to type “the end” or let it be assumed. I remember sitting there with a grin on my face for ten minutes before I told the cave master. The second one snuck up on me, coming sooner than I anticipated, and pulled me along in its wake. The third…ah, the third. I loved the third one. Saw it coming a mile away and enjoyed every last second of writing it, and then I celebrated full out with a lovely bottle of Amarone. It was the end of the trilogy, after all, no small feat.

But this fourth book of the trilogy (yes, I know…arithmetic isn’t my strong suit) has been a marathon right from the start. I’m not sure why. I had a rough outline, so I knew where it began and I had a handful of the in between scenes. I also knew where it ended, but still, it was a tough slog getting it out.

That could be why typing “the end” on this one left me out of sorts. For a day or two afterward, I felt bluesy and out of sinc, and ever since, I’ve been bumping around the house in a daze I’m only now coming out of.

I celebrated the accomplishment a few nights later with my better half and a dirty martini, straight up, three olives, half vodka, half gin. I’m happy to report, though it may have been late and low-key, it was a pretty good ending!

Want to know how Book I ends? You can buy Secret Sky right now, with one simple click here. And if ebooks or Amazon aren’t your preference, click on the Bookstore Tab for more purchase options.

So Much For Best Intentions

September 1, 2014 By JPMcLean 18 Comments

So much for best intentions: sometimes, that’s not enough.

I had hoped to finish writing the fourth book of The Gift Legacy before I left for vacation in Ontario…and I was this close!

But I didn’t make it.

During my race to meet the deadline, I put in eight- to ten-hour days for days on end and neglected the usual victims (weeds, husband, chores) and some new ones (this blog). In the end, I just couldn’t do it and the plane was leaving with or without me.

View of a cottage on the Manitouwabing River — Vacationing on the Manitouwabing

You wouldn’t think it would be so difficult to complete, after all, the last chapter is outlined and half-written. But it’s critical that I tuck in the loose ends and pay attention to detail. I want the readers on the edge of their seats during those all-important closing scenes and I don’t seem to be able to do that type of writing in a hurry.

So it’s going to take a few more weeks. I’ll start by clearing the deck of neglected chores, including a post about my trip, and then I’ll pour myself into the ending the book deserves. I’m excited to get started.

And speaking of excited, I think I have a title. What do you think of The Gift: Penance?

Here’s a peek at the book’s blurb:

In Book IV, the gift has been exposed and Emelynn must pay the penalty for her role in baring the secret. But before her and her new handler, Detective Sam Jordan, can establish a safety net, Emelynn stumbles into the middle of a drug smuggling investigation that has already resulted in two murders. Unable to extricate herself, she and the detective join the investigation and embark on a dangerous mission to find the criminals who hide in polite society.