Secret Sky Cover Reveal

October 30, 2018 By JPMcLean 16 Comments

The first book in The Gift Legacy series is making its debut. This is the Secret Sky Cover Reveal. Next to typing “the end,” revealing a cover is one of the highlights of launching a book, even when it’s a relaunch. Thanks to the designers at JD&J, Secret Sky has come to life.

Everybody wishes they could fly—until it happens. In the heart of the city, a secret society uncovers an interloper: a woman who’s fallen from the sky. But is Emelynn Taylor a friend or a threat to their hidden world? Unbeknownst to Emelynn, whether she lives or dies is now in the hands of the powerful Tribunal Novem. And not everyone is buying her innocent act.

Secret Sky replaces Awakening. If you want the original cover, get it now. I’ll be removing this edition from sales channels in the coming days.

Boo!

Yes, that’s me. I’m going baroque for Halloween. How about you? (Dress meticulously designed and made by Kerri Davis, photo credit Michael Rapati.)

If you’d like a free short story perfect for Halloween, sign up here for my newsletter. Newsletter subscribers get the first look at new covers, deleted scenes and more.

As always, I’d love to hear your feedback. Just hit reply or contact me via the social media buttons.

Pick up your copy of Secret Sky from your favourite retailer right here! Or click on the image for more purchase options.

Heard it Through the Grapevine

February 8, 2018 By JPMcLean 12 Comments

There is perhaps no smaller community than that of a ferry-dependent island, and most small communities have some type of grapevine. On Denman Island, we have a community newspaper that’s actually called, the Island Grapevine. So if something’s happening, chances are, you heard it through the grapevine. But which one? because here on Denman Island, the newspaper’s not our only grapevine.

My first experience with Denman’s informal grapevine happened long ago before I became a permanent resident. I was in a neighbour’s kitchen enjoying a cup of coffee when the wail of the ambulance’s siren passed by, headed south. The concern on my neighbour’s face was evident as she rushed to the phone and called another neighbour who lived in that direction to track the ambulance’s path. Through a series of phone calls, they quickly found at which residence the ambulance had stopped.

At the time, I thought it quirky, but now that I live here, I realize it was much more than that. It set the community’s wheels in motion. The local Island Grapevine newspaper regularly publishes thank you’s from grateful recipients of this community’s generosity, whether it be emergency pet-sitting, child-minding, meals, chauffeur services or hand-holding.

The same type of telephone grapevine is in full swing whenever a pod of dolphins, or orcas (see photo), or a family of otters swims by. One neighbour will phone the next all around the island following the action. When the herring spawn in the spring, the same grapevine springs into action. And for anyone who has access to Facebook, you can usually follow the local action on one of the Denman Island Facebook pages with photos and videos thrown into the mix.

Quirky? Probably, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Does your community have a grapevine?

Though you won’t have heard it through the grapevine, you can still get instant access to Secret Sky from your favourite retailer right here! Or click on the image for more purchase options.

From My House to Yours . . .

December 22, 2017 By JPMcLean 19 Comments

From my house to yours . . . happy holidays and all the best in 2018.

Watching the caboose of 2017’s freight train speeding out of sight is usually the time I ask myself, WTH? Where did that one go?

It seems my parents were right: each year speeds up and our lives get busier.

Before this one slips away, I’d like to hit pause to thank you for visiting me here each month. I appreciate you taking the time to drop a note in the comments, share my posts, or recommend my books. I hope these posts and my books entertain you and provide a much-needed escape from the speeding train.

From my house to yours, Merry Christmas, and here’s to a happy, healthy 2018.

Happy reading, happy writing!

The Gift Legacy books are available in paperback and digital formats. Pick up Secret Sky from your favourite retailer right here! Or click on the image for more purchase options.

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.