It’s Launch Day for The Never Witch

September 16, 2025 By JPMcLean 6 Comments

Today is Launch Day for The Never Witch

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 Comox Valley Record and the Parksville – Qualicum Beach News. The media coverage led to Peter McCully contacting me for an interview, which we recorded yesterday. It will air on the PULSE Community Podcast in Parksville. I’ll share the link here and on social media as soon as I have it.

Thank you to everyone who purchased early review copies of The Never Witch at Nautical Days in Comox. I sold out of the few copies I had. Your early feedback and reviews are SO appreciated. Your keen eyes caught some typos I’d missed (and have since fixed), and the early reviews warmed my heart.

💖Thank you! 💞

Upcoming In-Person Events

Book launch events are now slated for:

Saturday, September 20, 10 am–2 pm, Abraxas Books and Café on Denman Island
Saturday, September 27, 10 am–2 pm, Blue Heron Books in Comox
Saturday, October 11, 1–3 pm, Fireside Books in Parksville
Friday, October 17, 10 am–2 pm, Mulberry Bush Books in Qualicum
Saturday, October 18, 10 am–2 pm, Coles in the Driftwood Mall, Courtenay

I hope you can make it out to one of the launch events. But if not, I also have markets scheduled:

Saturday, October 25, 4–9 pm, Witchy Market at the Crow’s Nest Artists’ Collective, Campbell River
Saturday and Sunday, November 15, 10 am–4 pm, & November 16, 10 am–3 pm, Lighthouse Christmas Market, Qualicum Bay
Sunday, November 23, Union Bay Christmas Craft Fair, 10 am–3 pm

There are a few other events I’m wait-listed for and will keep you posted.

On The Home Front

My time “home” with my family was lovely. We made two side trips, one to visit an aunt and cousin in Haliburton, and another to visit my nieces in their new home on a half acre close to the beach in Grand Bend on Lake Huron (Ontario’s west coast).

This photo is of the Manitouwabing River flowing past my sister’s house.

It’s always great to visit the family. There were lots of laughs and we got a few chores knocked off the to-do lists. We power-washed my parents’ house, reorganized their kitchen cupboards, (Mom dislocated her shoulder a few months back and couldn’t get items off the top shelves), and helped install some beautiful steps at my sister’s place.

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).

What I’m Reading

Again, I’m primarily listening these days. I finished The Bittlemores, written and narrated by Jann Arden. It’s part mystery, part coming of age, sprinkled with humour, a few horrific events, and some touching moments. I’m a big fan of Jann Arden, so the best part for me was listening to her tell me a story.

I’m still making my way through Louise Penny’s mystery series set in Three Pines and centred around Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec. My favourite book in the series (so far) is How the Light Gets In. I highly recommend.

Following a recommendation, I’ve also started listening to The Alice Network by Kate Quinn.

And now I must get back to The Never Witch launch week activities. May your October be filled with brilliant fall colours, pumpkin-spiced anything, and a terrific new book!

Sign up for my VIP newsletter

If you’d like to know more about me, my writing life, and my home on Denman Island, sign up for my monthly newsletter, where I share photos, updates, FREE short stories, and insider scoop. I never share your email address, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Until next time…

Jo-Anne

Fall is in the air

September 1, 2024 By JPMcLean 4 Comments

September’s in-person events:

Though fall is in the air, summer’s not over yet! My final summer in-person event will be September 8th, where I’ll be signing books and chatting with visitors at the Union Bay Fall Craft Fair and Luncheon. It will take place from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm PST at the Union Bay Community Club, 5401 South Island Highway in Union Bay. What I like most about this annual event is that it feels like a block party with lots of laughs and fabulous food.

My last event, Nautical Days in Comox over the August long weekend, was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who stopped by my booth. For those of you who picked up the first books in the series, I’ll have all the other books in both series available at the Union Bay Fair. I’ll also have the popular three- and seven-book gift packages of The Gift Legacy with me.

In other news, I’m still in Ontario visiting family. I’m relaxing and spending quality time with my mom and dad, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and neighbours. Our family’s history goes back several generations in this small community, so there’s lots to catch up on. This is a photo of where I’m staying, taken from a boat on the tea water of the Manitouwabing River. It’s a gorgeous spot.

I do hope you’re enjoying your summer. If you’d like to see more photos, please join my VIP Reader newsletter list. I send out a monthly newsletter with FREE short stories, insider scoop, new release news, and writing/audiobook updates. You can unsubscribe at any time, and I never share your contact details.

August events and a quick update

August 1, 2024 By JPMcLean 2 Comments

August’s in-person events include two of my favourites:

cartoon pirate parrot logo for Comox Nautical Days The first event is Comox Nautical Days in Marina Park. It takes place over the August long weekend, August 3, 4, and 5. Nautical Days is a three-day family-orientated party, and it’s the biggest event on my calendar. There’s live music, children’s entertainment, food trucks, a beer tent, a splash park, a parade and vintage car show, and more than a hundred juried vendors! I’ll be signing books at booth #63.

If you’ve never been to Nautical Days, you’re in for a treat. Marina Park has spectacular views of the harbour, boats, and the glacier. You’ll also appreciate the clean washrooms, and that this event is organized and well-run.

The second event is my annual trip to Ontario to visit my family. Though I hate the travel portion of the trip, I look forward to lazy hazy days sipping coffee and wine on my sister’s porch, or my parent’s deck, and cooling off in the Manitouwabing River. I’ve posted photos on previous visits here and here (scroll down to see the photos).

And finally, thank you to everyone who came out to the Christmas in July event last Saturday at the Lighthouse Community Hall in Qualicum Bay. I donated a copy of Blood Mark to the door prizes and hope whoever won it enjoys the story.

To receive FREE short stories, insider scoop, and new release news, please join my VIP Reader newsletter list. I send out a monthly newsletter with photos, news, and writing/audiobook updates.

Scorch Mark Cover Reveal

September 20, 2023 By JPMcLean 12 Comments

Today, I’m excited to reveal the cover for Scorch Mark, the third Dark Dreams novel. JD&J Book Cover Designs has once again created a cover that hits all the right marks. This time, Jane is on the cover with the Rosetta-style dial she now bears on the back of her hand.

The cover captures the essence of the series with a hint of danger, covert mystery, and the grit of the inner city. Something dangerous lingers, and it’s evident in Jane’s expression. I love it! Let me know what you think in the comments.

An excerpt of the first three chapters is available in pdf form on my website. The book will be released on November 14 and is now available for preorder on Kindle, Kobo, and at all other retailers.

Pre-publication Award

Scorch Mark has already received a 5-star gold Literary Titan Award. This is what Titan had to say: “…Scorch Mark stands as a testament to McLean’s literary prowess. The book is a genuine page-turner, replete with action and masterfully crafted prose.” —Literary Titan

Read the full review here.

What I’m Reading

Temple by Robert Swartwood. Temple is a thriller with a supernatural twist. The genre combo is much like the Dark Dreams series, but with a male protagonist. It’s described as “Watchmen meets Jason Bourne,” which is an accurate description. It’s fast-paced with lots of fighting, gun action, and a twisty plot. (Thanks to Tom for the recommendation!)

The Gift Legacy Update

The digital editions of The Gift Legacy books are now out of the Kindle Unlimited subscription program and are once again available at all retailers. Those of you in the Kindle Unlimited program who downloaded the books will still be able to read them.

Upcoming Events

The GEM Readings

October 1^st from 2-3:30 pm

Denman Activity Centre, 1111 Northwest Road, Denman Island.

I’ll be joining two local Denman Island authors, Stewart Goodings, My Friend, My Enemy and Bill Engleson, The Life of Gronsky, to read from our latest releases, take audience questions, and sign books. Bring a mug. Coffee, tea, and sweets will be served.

On a Personal Note

I’m home from my trip to visit family in Ontario. The photos show us moving my parents’ dock, enjoying my cousin Steve strum his guitar, porch snacks, and beautiful McKellar vistas, including me in the hat on my sister’s pontoon boat on the Manitouwabing River. Three weeks felt like a nice long chunk of catch-up time when I set out, but it flew by in a flash.

Immediately following my return from Ontario, I left again for a catch up with a friend who was visiting Vancouver. We stayed at the Sylvia Hotel, which has become my very favourite Vancouver Hotel. It’s historic, right on the water, and walking distance to Stanley Park, Granville Island, and the downtown. The staff are super friendly and the restaurant is top-notch.

While the preparation for Scorch Mark’s November 14 release continues, I’ll be happily staying put on Denman Island.

Until next time . . .