J.P. McLean Archives - Page 5 of 6

What’s Next?

June 30, 2015 By JPMcLean 6 Comments

Since finishing the fourth book in The Gift Legacy Series, I’ve given a lot of thought to what’s next. Which trail should I traipse down? There are a number of tantalizing story lines in the gift series I could follow up on, and a number of dormant ones that would roar to life with a poke in the right place. But is this the right time to tread that path?

After all, I’ve been on that merry-go-round for a while now. The Gift has been a great ride, but perhaps it’s time to develop the other story ideas that vie for the limited space available in my head? After all, the new characters look interesting—the story lines are suitably dark and mysterious. The promises they whisper are compelling. Maybe it’s time for a change?

I’m sure I’m not the first series writer who has wondered if readers, who enjoyed the initial series, would be interested in a new, unrelated story. Are the new protagonist and story line suitably distinct and interesting enough to hold their attention?

Sometimes I even fantasize that what’s next involves writing both stories simultaneously. But then I trip on my exuberance and remember that for me, multitasking only extends itself to autonomous functions like breathing while pumping blood. Interfering in those processes inevitably leads to capsized canoes, broken unicorn horns and soggy underwear.

If you have an opinion on the subject, I’d love to hear it. Otherwise, I’ll just stand here awhile and savour the crossroads like an early riser at the bakery counter contemplating the tasty options.

Have you ever wonder which tasty morsel prompted The Gift Legacy? It was Secret Sky. You can have your very own copy of Secret Sky on Kindle with one click right here. And if ebooks or Amazon aren’t your preference, other purchase options are available under the Bookstore Tab.

Sizzling Summer Read

May 31, 2015 By JPMcLean 6 Comments

WindStorm Press has released Penance (now titled Lethal Waters) just in time for a sizzling summer read. So go ahead—put the wine on ice, frost the beer glasses, or chill the iced tea and settle in for an exhilarating ride. This time Emelynn Taylor has two partners, one a detective, the other her lover. Both will prove pivotal as she serves her penance for shedding light on a secret that’s been kept safe in the dark for hundreds of years. Emelynn is playing a deadly game in Lethal Waters . . .

—Giselle Roeder, Author of We Don’t Talk About That, calls Lethal Waters An exciting journey.
—Annie Siegel, lyrasist, says Lethal Waters is Fun, exciting and addictive.

A body in the water. A vast ocean. A killer on the loose.

In the midst of a bloody rebellion, Emelynn Taylor exposes her gift of flight to save a man’s life. Now International Covert Operations knows her secret. The powerful organization is willing to cover up the carnage and protect her secret—in exchange for her services.

Her first assignment, a drug case in the coastal city of Vancouver, soon reveals a grisly murder that implicates one of her own kind.

Stalked by the ancient Tribunal Novem and vilified by a distrustful team of detectives, Emelynn takes on a perilous undercover role embedded in a drug ring where anyone could be the murderer.

Intrigue and danger lurk in the cold Pacific, challenging Emelynn’s unique gift and pitting her loyalties against her honour. And her choice is guaranteed to hurt someone.

The fourth book in The Gift Legacy series, Lethal Waters is a thriller that skirts the edges of reality in a world within our own. Don your life jacket and escape the ordinary: take flight with Emelynn Taylor.

Lethal Waters is a dark supernatural thriller, perfect for fans of JR Ward, Deborah Harkness, Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris, and Keri Arthur. A Sizzling Summer read.

Get your copy now on Kindle, on Kobo, on Apple Books or at Barnes & Noble, including Nook. For all formats and retailers, please click on the Bookstore Tab.

Download a PDF excerpt here.

*Penance is now titled Lethal Waters

Spain in May

May 25, 2015 By JPMcLean 22 Comments

Inside Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain — Inside Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

Normally, vacations seem to fly by, but the two weeks we spent in Spain in May felt like a good, long holiday. We savoured every day, filled up on castles, cathedrals and tapas, and enjoyed almost perfect weather. After spending six days in Barcelona, we then had one day each in Valencia, Cordoba, Granada, Seville, Madrid, and Girona. We finished off with one day in Lyon, France and two days in Vevey, Switzerland.

Olive Vendor at La Boqueria Market, Barcelona, Spain — Olive Vendor at La Boqueria Market, Barcelona

A few observations of note: Facecloths, hair conditioner and tissues are not standard issue in the vast majority of Spanish hotels; both the dotted and the solid lines on roads in Spain are only suggestions; your Spanish driver will NOT scrape the mirrors off the side of the car going down lanes that would challenge a bicyclist.

Gaudi Apt in Barcelona, Spain — Gaudi Apt in Barcelona

I didn’t write a word through the whole trip, though I did spend a few hours the first few days updating files with retailers and distributors for the May 30 release of Penance (Now titled Lethal Waters). The break from all writerly things was just what I needed.

Here are a few pics from our visit to Spain in May. (Seems I can’t take a straight picture to save my life–it’s a good thing there’s software to fix that!)

L'hemisferic, Valencia, Spain — L’hemisferic, Valencia

Overhead Heat Relief, Cordoba, Spain — Overhead Heat Relief, Cordoba

Pots of flowers at Festival de Patios, Cordoba, Spain — Festival de Patios, Cordoba

Pond fountain and hedge in Gardens at Alhambria, Granada, Spain — Gardens at Alhambra, Granada

"Cerveceria Alemana" Hemingway Hangout in Madrid, Spain — Hemingway Hangout in Madrid

Green, rolling hills and blue sky countryside in Girona, Spain — Girona Countryside

Carousel in Lyon, France — Carousel in Lyon

Dinner charcuterie plate in Lyon, France — Dinner in Lyon

Terraced mountainside vineyards in Vevey, Switzerland — Terraced vineyards in Vevey

Chateau de Gruyere in Switzerland — Chateau de Gruyere

Penance: Now available for pre-order!

April 22, 2015 By JPMcLean 11 Comments

I feel like a hungry bear emerging from its cave, blinking up into the light after a long brutal winter, bewildered and clutching a newborn cub. That cub is the fourth book in The Gift Legacy series. Penance is now available for pre-order on Amazon and Kobo. Placing a pre-order puts you at the front of the queue. Pre-orders are delivered immediately upon release, May 30th.

After release, Penance* will be available in print and ebook formats at all the usual outlets.

The process of bringing Penance into the light of day has challenged me to the core, and the last two months in particular have tested my sanity. So I’m taking a break to recharge my batteries. First up is a visit to Vancouver to attend the Creative Ink Festival on April 25.

When I return, I’m packing my bags for a trip to Spain. I’ve never been and can’t wait. Sight-seeing and people-watching are rich fodder for the imagination, and I’ll be taking notes along with plenty of photos. Mmm, I can almost taste the sangria.

Don’t forget to mark the date: May 30th! Penance is now available for pre-order on Amazon and Kobo.