JP McLean Archives - Page 7 of 20

An Uncommon Winter

January 29, 2017 By JPMcLean 9 Comments

It’s been an uncommon winter here on Denman Island. The ground froze for 6+ weeks, which is an unusual state of cold we normally count in days, not weeks. (No need to roll your eyeballs—we know we’re spoiled—we barely reach the “damn it’s cold” threshold for Canadians.)

In addition to the frozen ponds and gardens, we woke day and again to find fluffy white stuff, more commonly referred to as snow. Unheard of . . . especially when it sticks around for more than a day. (Your eyeballs are going to stick up there!)

I Can’t Complain

I didn’t get outside much in November. The November 15 release of Betrayal (now Lover Betrayed) kept me busy. As always happens with a new release, I was plagued with promotion should’ve/could’ve/would’ves. Not to mention the inconvenient fact that I also have a life.

That “life” took me back to Ontario to spend a rare and snowy Christmas with my family. Despite my earlier whinging, I love a white Christmas. There’s something magical about crisp, white snow at Christmastime. And it may just be my ego, but I think Ontario went out of its way to emphasize the white this year. It brings me back to my childhood. I can count on one finger how many white Christmases I’ve experienced since moving to the coast (not that finger – gheesh!). The coast has many wonderful attributes, which I tout to no end in the Gift Legacy books, but a white Christmas isn’t one of them.

I’m now back on Denman Island

The snow has melted away and the frost has departed. Spring bulbs are poking through the earth, the honeysuckle bush is blooming, and I find myself in the refreshing position of writing something new. This is one of the sweetest spots for writers. It wakes me in the middle of the night and pulls me out of bed early in the morning. And it doesn’t wait for the coffee to brew or a good internet connection.

It demands my attention, and I’m beyond happy to oblige. In addition to developing my next series (the Dark Dreams novels), I’m writing the next chapter in Emelynn’s story. This is what it looks like when I’m organizing my ideas. Do you have thoughts about characters or storylines you’d like to see on one of those stickies? Now is the perfect time to tell me. Leave a comment, or contact me on any of my social media sites.

You can read Emelynn’s story in Secret Sky from your favourite retailer right here! Or click on the image for more purchase options.

Christmas Travel Challenges

December 21, 2016 By JPMcLean 9 Comments

Back in March, when my husband and I planned a Christmas trip to Ontario, we never imagined the Christmas travel challenges we’d face.

Like a lot of you, I’ve been in a whirlwind of cleaning, wrapping, cooking, baking, entertaining, and being entertained :). I’ve also been packing for a winter road trip back east to spend a rare Christmas with my family in Ontario. And also like a lot of you, rare is the morning when you wake up with a leisurely stretch and wonder how you’re going to fill your day. Especially this year. Leisure doesn’t even have a seat at the kiddie table.

Most years we parcel-up Christmas in boxes and mail them in early December. What a treat it’s been this year to pack with abandon, free of the usual worry of breakage, and the expense of excess weight. Being a writer with a new book out, I even included a few boxes of books. We bought new snow tires, cleaned the car inside and out, and loaded the bulkier items. All that was left to load were our suitcases.

Screeching Halt

And then our long awaited cross-country winter wonderland Christmas trek came to a screeching halt with a last-minute boot-cast (cave master, not me) and a scramble for airline tickets.

Happily, we found suitable flights, but I had to add re-packing to my to-do list, and sadly, some of the treasures we’d originally packed didn’t make the re-pack.

But on the bright side, we’ll still have a white Christmas with my family, and we’ll still be able to visit with friends along the way. For us, it’s the people who make Christmas special, and the rest of it though nice, is simply glitter on the tree. Not critical, nor necessary, and easily done without.

With that in mind, from our house to yours, all the best to you and yours this holiday season. Glitter or not, enjoy the special people in your life. I’ll see you next year …

And if you’re looking for a last-minute present for someone special, you can gift them Secret Sky from your favourite retailer right here! Or click on the image for more purchase options.

Release day for The Gift: Betrayal

November 15, 2016 By JPMcLean 9 Comments

It’s Release day for The Gift: Betrayal! The latest book in the Gift Legacy leaves home today. It’s interesting how each book crosses that threshold with a personality. The first one, Secret Sky (formerly Awakening), was shy and tentative; Hidden Enemy (formerly Revelation), the second one, sprinted through the gate like a colt on new legs; the third book, Burning Lies (formerly Redemption), pawed the ground then charged off; number four, Lethal Waters (formerly Penance), crept out in the middle of the night. Betrayal swaggers. It’s got attitude.

Chronologically speaking, Betrayal isn’t the “next” book in the Gift Legacy series. It’s more like book 1.5. It’s Awakening Redux—this time told in Jackson Delaney’s voice. This is his story. Jackson was Emelynn Taylor’s love interest in Awakening. He was controversial, his role was pivotal and his story demanded to be told. You may not forgive him, when you turn the last page, but you won’t forget him.

Warning: reading Betrayal will spoil Secret Sky (formerly Awakening) for you. I recommend you read Secret Sky first. Here’s what two of my favourite authors have to say about Betrayal:

JP McLean possesses her own unique gift: the ability to bewitch her readers with her boundless imagination.

– Elinor Florence, Bestselling Author of Bird’s Eye View

Exciting action and conflict of loyalties make this a fantastic page-turner.

– Kristina Stanley, Bestselling Author of the Stone Mountain Mystery Series.

And if you’d like to read Secret Sky first, you can pick it up with one click right here. And if ebooks aren’t your thing, click on the cover for more purchase options.

Endorsement for The Gift: Betrayal

November 10, 2016 By JPMcLean 3 Comments

I’m thrilled to share another endorsement for The Gift: Betrayal. This one is from Globe and Mail and Toronto Star bestselling author Elinor Florence, who is not only a tremendous writer, but also an incredibly dedicated researcher. She honours Canadian veterans, and I’m proud to have her endorsement.

In this riveting recast of events that took place in Awakening, the viewpoint shifts to that of Emelynn Taylor’s first love, the darkly handsome Jackson. He may possess the same mysterious, life-altering gift as Emelynn does, but he has a very different perspective — especially when it comes to affairs of the heart. Author JP McLean possesses her own unique gift: the ability to bewitch her readers with her boundless imagination.”

– Elinor Florence, Bestselling Author of Bird’s Eye View

Elinor Florence

Elinor’s latest book, My Favourite Veterans: True Stories From World War Two’s Hometown Heroes is a collection of interviews with her favourite WWII veterans. Elinor writes a popular blog, Wartime Wednesdays, in which she shares these interviews, and many more interesting and heart-warming stories. She meticulously researches all of her work. Check it out. You’re sure to learn something new about Canada. Tomorrow is Remembrance Day. Please take a moment from your busy day to remember the men and woman who gave so much to each of us.

November 15 is the release date for The Gift: Betrayal. It’s on preorder right now and will be available in paperback and ebook at all the usual outlets. Watch this space for another endorsement for The Gift: Betrayal coming soon.