Travel Archives - Page 3 of 8

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.

Trick or Treat or Toadstool

October 31, 2017 By JPMcLean 10 Comments

At October’s end, will it be trick or treat or toadstool? The monthly calendar is looking pretty thin, with just two pages left in the year. Where did October go?

Toadstools

We don’t see many ghouls or goblins at our door, but Halloween inspiration pops up in expected places, like pathways. This toadstool is far too spooktacular to be a mere mushroom.

Treat

October started off with a roar, 12^th man roar, that is. We attended the Seattle Seahawks vs Indianapolis Colts game at Century Field (Now called Lumen Field). It was my first live football game, and it was so much more fun experienced from the stands. The crowd is named the 12^th (wo)man because there are 11 players on both offense and defense. The Seahawks 12^th are the loudest in the league and I can now attest to that.

Trick

One thing I wasn’t counting on was not being able to take my purse into the game. Security no longer allows purses, only wallets into the stadium. I had to buy a clear plastic bag, transfer my purse contents into it, and pay for a locker to store the purse until after the game. And even then, when I went through security, they wouldn’t allow me to take in my binoculars’ vinyl 5″ pouch. I had to toss it. I hope I can find a replacement for it. The security people told us this is or will be the new norm for stadiums across the US, so be prepared!

Back home, fall weather has set in. The crab apple tree and russet leaves are providing the exercise, and blazing fires in the evenings are providing the warmth.

In writing news, the outline for the final book in the Gift Legacy series is now roughed in and I’ve started writing. But … given Secret Sky (formerly Awakening) started as a one-off then grew into a trilogy which morphed into a series, I feel I need to qualify final: I’m writing the last planned book in the series.

Happy Halloween!

When you’re tired of raking leaves, take a load off and escape into Emelynn’s world. Get your copy of Secret Sky from your favourite retailer right here! Or click on the image for more purchase options.

First Draft Done!

September 30, 2017 By JPMcLean 15 Comments

First draft done! It’s celebration time. I finished writing the first draft of the next book in The Gift Legacy this week and toasted the accomplishment with a fine bottle of red. If you’re keeping track, this is the sixth book in the series and follows on from Lethal Waters (formerly Penance). The working title is Deadly Deception. What do you think?

Typing “the end” is a major milestone, but the book is still a long way from done. Next, the editing starts, but before that, I need to let it rest, get some distance from it.

In other words, put my pen down and step away from the computer. Not writing is an adjustment. My daily routine has a huge hole in the middle of it. Suddenly, I have time on my hands.

Now I’m playing catch up. Spring cleaning, which didn’t happen in the spring, comes first. Next is writing a stack of overdue book reviews (apologies included). After that, my website needs an update and I might even tackle the audio recordings for the first chapters of Lethal Waters and Lover Betrayed.

But before I get to all that, I’m taking a wee break. We’re off to Seattle for a few days to celebrate two family birthdays, attend my first ever football game (Seattle Sea Hawks vs Indianapolis Colts) and enjoy the company of our niece and nephew who are visiting from the Cayman Islands.

If you’d like a wee break and haven’t yet read Secret Sky, you can pick it up from your favourite retailer right here! Or click on the image for more purchase options.

Water Babies, Snow Babies, and Bonfire Aficionados

August 31, 2017 By JPMcLean 18 Comments

I almost didn’t make my annual trip to Muskoka this year—didn’t want to wear out my welcome; I’d visited twice last year, once for my parents’ 60^th wedding anniversary, and again at Christmas. Happily, all it took was one phone call from my big sister to change my mind. Guess I was looking for a push. The cottage fills me with childhood memories of when we were water babies, snow babies, and bonfire aficionados.

First stop: Toronto

This year, my vacation didn’t quite sync with my sister’s time off, but it meant I got to spend some time in downtown Toronto, which I haven’t done for years.

Photo of the spire of St. James Church in Toronto Ontario I love the old stone buildings and the towering spires of the Cathedral Church of St. James is a beautiful example.

Photo of a mural painted on the end of the red-brick Flatiron Building in downtown Toronto, Ontario Red brick is a Toronto staple and found everywhere. I snapped a pic of the Flatiron building with the Trompe l’ceil wall on the rear.

Photo of iconic Toronto City Hall building City Hall made me pause. I remembered finishing a ten-kilometre Miles-for-Millions walkathon there when I was a pre-teen (though I can’t remember where the trek began or what we were raising money for).

I stopped to watch dogs and their owners enjoy a whimsical spouting fountain in Berczy Park that made me wish I still had my dogs.

Photo of red-brick facade of Toronto's St. Lawrence Market The St. Lawrence Market hasn’t changed, though the pork chops weren’t piled sky high in the butchers’ cases like they used to be.

Next stop: Cottage Country

At the end of the week, we headed up to my sister’s cottage, which is our grandmother’s former home. It’s next door to our parent’s place on the Manitouwabing River.

Photo of JP's family cottage on the Manitouwabing River in Ontario Photo of the manitouwabing river running in front of JP's family cottage in Ontario View from the porch of JP's family cottage on the Manitouwabing River in Ontario Photo of a waterfall on the Manitouwabing River in Ontario Photo of an ornamental water wheelhouse on Manitouwabing River in Ontario

I had a terrific visit with parents, sisters, a brother, a great aunt, cousins, nieces, and many friends. We spent time reminiscing, as we inevitably do, and adding to each other’s memories.

When I was young, I didn’t appreciate the cottage like I do now. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy being there, but the drive up was torture. I got terribly car sick (still do) and it was a four-hour slog. I hated leaving my friends in the city and missing all the weekend parties (good planning, my folks would say!).

These Muskoka visits take me back in time to magical summers, winters, and weekends. We were water babies, snow babies and bonfire aficionados. I treasure the memories and look forward to going back each year.

On the writing front

Not many words made it to the page during my time in Ontario, but Emelynn’s next book sits at 65K. It’s coming along and I’m looking forward to getting back to it this week.

Another note on the rebranding front: at the August long weekend’s Denman’s Saturday market, after his wife bought Awakening, her husband, Frank, told me he’d avoided my table because he thought I was peddling religious material. That’s yet another vote for rebranding!