Hexborn Launch Events
Hexborn launch events continue into the fall, and there’s no better time to highlight a book featuring witches, warlocks, and magic, than Halloween. Following are the details for October’s launch events. If you’re in the neighbourhood(s), drop by and say hello. And if you’ve already picked up your copy, bring it along and I’ll sign it for you.
- Chapters Woodgrove, Saturday, October 17, 2026, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Woodgrove Centre, 6670 Mary Ellen Drive, Nanaimo.
- Coles Driftwood, Saturday, October 24, 2026, 10:30 pm – 2:00 pm, Driftwood Mall, 2751 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay.
- Abraxas Bookshop and Cafe, Saturday, October 31, 2026, 12:00 am – 3:00 pm, 1071C Northwest Road, Denman Island.
Family Fun
I ended August on a high note, with a trip to McKellar, Ontario, to visit family. My childhood summers and weekends were spent there on the Manitouwabing River. This year I took a video of the river where my siblings, cousins, and I swam on hot summer days. We’d float down the river from my paternal grandparents’ place, past my aunt and uncle’s cabin to my maternal grandmother’s home, then on to my parents’ place. You can watch the video here.
And here’s a snapshot of the river from the pontoon boat.
On the Home Front
By the time you read this, the biennial Denman Island Charity Auction will be over. It’s a huge event that takes many, many volunteers to pull off. The community donates a treasure trove of items that are collected over the course of the week, and these are either auctioned off or sold in a giant garage sale. All proceeds go to local charities. It’s a lively event with an entertaining auctioneer and lots of laughs and bargains. The 2026 event was a huge success!
What I’m Writing
Though I have a few ideas swimming around in my head, I’m leaning toward starting a new project. I’m not actively writing yet, but I am outlining a story about a woman with telekinetic abilities. It’s in the early development stages, but I’ll keep you posted.
What I’m Reading
Grace and Fury by Tracy Banghart. A spin on a patriarchal society that represses women. Tropes include hero to villain and villain to hero, weaknesses turned to strengths, and underdogs winning. It was a quick listen, good writing, but I wouldn’t invest in a second book, if there is one–there’s enough male dominance in real life. I don’t need to supplement it.
Ink Witch by Lindsey Fairleigh. About an immortal woman who owns a tattoo parlour. When her brother goes missing, she sets out on a dangerous mission to find him. Ink Witch has over 5,000 ratings, so it has a huge audience, but it wasn’t for me. Too many coincidences for my liking.
Lucky by Marissa Stapley. About a young woman who’s been raised by her father to be a con artist/grifter, and together they swindle their way across the US. Tropes include found family and morally grey characters. I enjoyed the story and the characters. There is no magic in Lucky, except for sleight of hand, but I found myself anxious to know how they’d get out of some of their tight spots.
If you’ve found a book that you love, tell me about it. I’m always looking for new reads. And if you haven’t yet picked up Hexborn, You can find it at your favourite retailer here.
That’s all my news for this month. Until next time . . .
XO
Jo-Anne
The second book in The Thorne Witch Novels, Hexborn, will be released on August 4, 2026. It has now completed the editing process and I’ll soon be handing it off to my intrepid team of beta readers. You can already 
If you’d like to know more about me, my writing life, and my home on Denman Island, 
Local support for The Never Witch book launch has been wonderful. I am especially pleased that the launch’s press release was picked up by the 
A highlight was enjoying a girls’ night with some local gals and indulged in a Friday martini (mine was dirty, half gin/half vodka, with garlic-stuffed olives; hers was a vesper with vodka, no gin, Lillet, and a lemon twist).
