The Gift: Penance Archives

What’s Next?

June 30, 2015 By JPMcLean 6 Comments

Since finishing the fourth book in The Gift Legacy Series, I’ve given a lot of thought to what’s next. Which trail should I traipse down? There are a number of tantalizing story lines in the gift series I could follow up on, and a number of dormant ones that would roar to life with a poke in the right place. But is this the right time to tread that path?

After all, I’ve been on that merry-go-round for a while now. The Gift has been a great ride, but perhaps it’s time to develop the other story ideas that vie for the limited space available in my head? After all, the new characters look interesting—the story lines are suitably dark and mysterious. The promises they whisper are compelling. Maybe it’s time for a change?

I’m sure I’m not the first series writer who has wondered if readers, who enjoyed the initial series, would be interested in a new, unrelated story. Are the new protagonist and story line suitably distinct and interesting enough to hold their attention?

Sometimes I even fantasize that what’s next involves writing both stories simultaneously. But then I trip on my exuberance and remember that for me, multitasking only extends itself to autonomous functions like breathing while pumping blood. Interfering in those processes inevitably leads to capsized canoes, broken unicorn horns and soggy underwear.

If you have an opinion on the subject, I’d love to hear it. Otherwise, I’ll just stand here awhile and savour the crossroads like an early riser at the bakery counter contemplating the tasty options.

Have you ever wonder which tasty morsel prompted The Gift Legacy? It was Secret Sky. You can have your very own copy of Secret Sky on Kindle with one click right here. And if ebooks or Amazon aren’t your preference, other purchase options are available under the Bookstore Tab.

Sizzling Summer Read

May 31, 2015 By JPMcLean 6 Comments

WindStorm Press has released Penance (now titled Lethal Waters) just in time for a sizzling summer read. So go ahead—put the wine on ice, frost the beer glasses, or chill the iced tea and settle in for an exhilarating ride. This time Emelynn Taylor has two partners, one a detective, the other her lover. Both will prove pivotal as she serves her penance for shedding light on a secret that’s been kept safe in the dark for hundreds of years. Emelynn is playing a deadly game in Lethal Waters . . .

—Giselle Roeder, Author of We Don’t Talk About That, calls Lethal Waters An exciting journey.
—Annie Siegel, lyrasist, says Lethal Waters is Fun, exciting and addictive.

A body in the water. A vast ocean. A killer on the loose.

In the midst of a bloody rebellion, Emelynn Taylor exposes her gift of flight to save a man’s life. Now International Covert Operations knows her secret. The powerful organization is willing to cover up the carnage and protect her secret—in exchange for her services.

Her first assignment, a drug case in the coastal city of Vancouver, soon reveals a grisly murder that implicates one of her own kind.

Stalked by the ancient Tribunal Novem and vilified by a distrustful team of detectives, Emelynn takes on a perilous undercover role embedded in a drug ring where anyone could be the murderer.

Intrigue and danger lurk in the cold Pacific, challenging Emelynn’s unique gift and pitting her loyalties against her honour. And her choice is guaranteed to hurt someone.

The fourth book in The Gift Legacy series, Lethal Waters is a thriller that skirts the edges of reality in a world within our own. Don your life jacket and escape the ordinary: take flight with Emelynn Taylor.

Lethal Waters is a dark supernatural thriller, perfect for fans of JR Ward, Deborah Harkness, Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris, and Keri Arthur. A Sizzling Summer read.

Get your copy now on Kindle, on Kobo, on Apple Books or at Barnes & Noble, including Nook. For all formats and retailers, please click on the Bookstore Tab.

Download a PDF excerpt here.

*Penance is now titled Lethal Waters

Christmas and Odds & Sods

December 20, 2014 By JPMcLean 18 Comments

Christmas and Odds & Sods. Miraculously, five days before Christmas, I find myself in the position of having some free time. Not sure how that happened. Somehow the parcels got wrapped, mailed, bagged, and tagged; the vacuum and dust mitt performed a slap and dash; the decorations made it out of the crawl space; and the meals planned themselves.

So I’m sitting here on my duff with a glass of wine in hand and the computer in my lap, and it occurred to me that I probably owe you all an update!

But before I get to that, I’d like to take a moment to say thank you. Your enthusiasm for these characters and this story is heartwarming. Writing is often a solitary venture and every time I hear from one of you, it makes my day. Truly. Thanks for that.

Odds & Sods

And so…Book IV, titled Penance*, has been through the first round of beta readers and is now in the capable hands of intrepid story editor, Nina Munteanu. When she sends it back, I’ll incorporate her comments, and then send it out to the second wave of beta readers. After their comments are folded in, it’ll go to the copy editor. Finally, another beta read and then off to the proof-reader. When those tweaks are done, it’ll be ready to publish. It may seem like an arduous journey but believe me, all those extra eyes will make for a much better story!

Meantime, Viona Halim, has been working on the cover art, which will, once again, originate with a photo. This time the photo was taken on Granville Island, where pivotal scenes in Book IV take place. Viona will edit the photo and then paint it to achieve the same ominous “feel” to it that the others have.

At the same time, I’m working on the back cover blurb, summaries, tag lines, book marks and other promotional material. I’m writing press releases for the spring launch and seeking pre-release reviews (wink, nudge, hint-hint). If you are interested in receiving an e-copy of Penance for review, please let me know. Reviews that are posted to coincide with the book’s release are better than balloon rides, rum in your egg nog and snow on Christmas!

Coming Soon . . . Boxed Sets

Also, I decided to offer the first three books of the Gift Legacy in a “boxed set” format for the eBook market. Viona Halim has prepared a phenomenal cover for the boxed set, which I can’t wait to share with you. For the first time, I’m trying my hand at formatting this edition myself. I’m not the most tech-savvy person, so wish me luck. If the challenge proves too much, I’ll have to hire the expertise.

And then, because apparently I should be offering a nugget to entice readers to sign up for my newsletter (which, sadly, I’ve been neglecting), I’ve been writing a give-away short story.

Of course, I’m still jotting down ideas for the continuation of Emelynn’s story in yet another adventure with Sam Jordan, James Moss and hmm, well…not sure who else might make an appearance in Book V, but it’s sure to be exciting. If you have any ideas, I’d love to hear them.

All the best, from our house to yours, over this holiday season. Cheers!

If you have no idea what I’m going on about, you need to get a copy of Secret Sky right now! You can order the ebook with one click right here. And if ebooks or Amazon aren’t your preference, you can find other options under the Bookstore Tab.

*Penance is now Lethal Waters

Wanted: Distractions

October 12, 2014 By JPMcLean 17 Comments

Wanted: Distractions. These beautiful squash jumped into my car the other day when I was visiting Piercy’s farm. They were so beautiful, I couldn’t resist. It’s not like I run a home for wayward squash, but I am a sucker for fall colours, and they do perk up the porch.

They’ll eventually end up in my oven, which makes me feel a bit like the cannibalistic witch in Hansel and Gretel, but I’ll live with the guilt. In fact, we’ve already devoured the spaghetti squash and I’ll bake others until the sugars caramelize around the edges into brown bits of crunchy heaven.

Why, you might ask, am I going on about squash? I have a good reason – I need the distraction.

You see, I finished writing the first draft of Book 4 almost three weeks ago and I’m determined to leave it alone for another week: no peeking, no tweaking.

Yikes! A whole month.

I don’t think I’ve ever stayed away from these characters for that long. But the next part of the process is the first edit, and I know I’ll do a better job of it if I can distance myself from it, which is easier said than done. For months, I’ve spent every day with these characters and without them, there’s a gaping hole in my day — a hole I need to fill with distractions.

I’ve already cleaned the house, I’ve groomed the dog, and I’m up to date with the programs I had taped on the PVR. I’ve returned to the gym (sadly out of shape, I’m afraid) and caught up with friends over leisurely lunches and coffee dates.

I tackled the gardens. It’s a good thing it’s been a great fall — warmer and drier than usual. It’s allowed me to take care of the outdoor chores that should have been done months ago. That’s one of the downsides to writing – you have to give up some things to make time to write. Anyway, I’ve rather enjoyed getting dirt under my fingernails again and filling up the composters.

Now the rains have started and I’m back inside…studiously avoiding the characters who lurk dangerously close to this blog. One more week…