Hexborn Tour Dates & Family Fun

September 23, 2026 By JPMcLean 4 Comments

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 . . .

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.

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 . . .

I’m on the Cover of Books & Buzz Magazine

September 5, 2022 By JPMcLean 13 Comments

I’m so proud and honoured to be featured on the September cover of Books & Buzz Magazine. Inside is my interview with Editor-in-chief, Timothy Pike. Also in this issue are articles by bestselling author David D. Schein, Nicole Fanning, & USA Today bestselling author Cari Lynn Webb.

I’m also pleased to share some early buzz Ghost Mark is getting. It’s out November 1st and on preorder right now Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Apple

First Editorial Review:

McLean’s writing is as ingenious as her protagonist, ranging from grunge
to repartee to sophistication to laugh-out-loud snarks. Ghost Mark is gripping.
You won’t put it down till it’s done.

—OTTAWA REVIEW OF BOOKS

First Award:

Will keep you on the edge of your seat . . . an intense, riveting, and fast-paced novel.

—LITERARY TITAN ★★★★★

First Endorsement:

JP McLean’s GHOST MARK has it all—kick-ass characters, a thrilling mystery,
and tons of action, all with a supernatural twist!

—Ann Charles, USA Today bestselling author of the Deadwood Mystery series,

I’m a huge fan of Ann Charles’s books and have recommended them before, so having her endorse Ghost Mark with a blurb is an incredible point of pride for me. Ann writes mysteries infused with witty humour and well-drawn, relatable characters. You’ll laugh out loud at the antics her characters get up to. Learn more about Ann here.

Pre-order Ghost Mark right now and it will be on your e-reader when it releases November 1st! It’s available from all the usual retailers:

Kindle ~ Kobo ~ Nook ~ Apple ~ Direct

Download a PDF preview of Ghost Mark here.

McKellar Vacation

After three long years, I finally braved the airport and a plane to visit my family in McKellar. My sister met me in Toronto, and we spent a few nights with my niece and her partner, which is always fun, and then drove up north. First to Parry Sound for groceries, a wine supply, and a mani-pedi, and then on to McKellar. Ahhhh. It’s so relaxing and beautiful here on the Manitouwabing River.

I helped Mom organize her potting shed, putzed with Dad on a few things in the driving shed, and there’ll be more projects this coming week. But mostly it’s just so nice to catch up in person. Yesterday, my cousin arrived from Haliburton, and we all piled into the pontoon boat for a cruise down the river. Along the shores, the shanty shacks of our youth are now jaw-dropping mansions. My grandfather’s old house is one of them, and another stands in his old potato field.