I am a Canadian author of historical fiction, romantic comedy, and literary fiction. You can visit my website for information on upcoming projects. https://www.jgmacleod.com/

I am thrilled to share my books and writing journey on Authors’ Lounge.

New London

New London was published in December, 2019. Set in my childhood hometown in southwestern Ontario, this is the final chapter of a young, Irish woman in a new land. A recent immigrant and new mother, Lady Ellen faces many dangers in the fledgling nation of Canada in 1846. The story combines adventure, romance, humor, and family drama. The novel has been a regular bestseller in its Amazon Kindle category of Canadian history since its release. It can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081Y6W2T5

Inspiration:

In J.G. MacLeod’s New London: The Adventures of Lady Ellen Montagu series was inspired by a trip I took to Ireland. Many of the characters are based on actual historical figures. Lady Ellen, for example, was the fourth daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Manchester who lived in Kylemore Castle, the setting of the first book in the trilogy (Lady Ellen). I took detailed notes and photographs as I visited notable sites throughout the country. I engaged in conversations with local residents and fell in love with the culture on the Aran Islands. A story premise was born before I boarded the plane to return home!

Appeal:

The Lady Ellen series appeals to fans of historical fiction and romance, as well as readers who enjoy witnessing a main character grow throughout a story arc. Lady Ellen is an aristocrat new to the social scene of fancy dinner parties and courting in Victorian Ireland when the trilogy begins. Throughout the three books of J.G. MacLeod’s New London, she experiences love, marriage, motherhood, famine, and immigration. This progression is true to life and reflects the social and gender expectations and pressures of 19^th-century Ireland and Canada.

Reviews of J.G. MacLeod’s New London:

“I devoured this book.”

“This book truly completes the tapestry of the lives of those herein, and in ways I had not expected.”

“Truly a beautiful and touching story with unexpected twists in this period novel.”

“I literally could not put this book down. I read it in about 8 hours!”

“I felt as if I was standing alongside the characters watching the scene unfold! I will miss them!”

“Though at times I felt like I wanted to shake Ellen, which is a testament to the emotions that J.G. MacLeod stirred with her writing!”

“Truly, there are more twists and turns in this one than MC Hammer with hammerpants full of Brazilian fire ants. There is a harried escape. A healing from PTSD that is examined quite well. We see justice in all its glory.”

“The book is also laced with comedic spots of relief, notable is a terrifically amusing scene where Lady Ellen learns to cook for the first time (think Scarlett O’Hara on the Porky Pig acid from 1977).”

“At last an endearing close to the series, with a reveal into the elaborate path of God’s serendipity. The truth is we often don’t have to be very old to look at the patterns of where and why things happen to see the hand of God moving us through life.”

Notable Features:

I fell in love with Ireland when I visited, including its history, its people, and its landscape. I hope readers will feel as if they are in these locations while they are immersed in the tale. Every setting is based on a place I either visited, or lived. The realistic descriptions and the strength of women are two of the book’s most important features. Since New London is set in places I have known my whole life, there is a definite authenticity in this final book. Archival research was conducted at the university where I graduated. Additional information was located at London’s art gallery and museum.

New London’s Future:

New London completes the Lady Ellen trilogy. For now, I don’t plan to write any more novels featuring this main character or “world”. Its conclusion is satisfying. The family saga, romantic tension, and rich settings would lend themselves well to film, however.

Author Biography:

I have always been an avid reader and writer. As a young adult, I earned a university degree in Honors English and history due to my keen interest in nineteenth-century studies. I then went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Education and have spent the past seventeen years teaching. I write both fiction and non-fiction stories. To date, I have published five novels.

Published Works:

Abalone is an emotionally-charged read that tells the story of a young woman involved in a violent relationship. It was my debut and a significant part of my own healing process. The Future Bride: A MacLeod Time-Travel Romcom combines research on my own family tree with time travel. It is my first foray into comedy. The Future Bride is my personal favorite. It features my strongest heroine and allows readers to escape from the politics and sexual violence found in many historical fiction novels. These titles are all available on Amazon.

Upcoming Novels:

Upcoming releases include A Moment in Time, a romantic-suspense novel, and The Past Love: A MacLeod Time-Travel Romcom, both set for release in 2021. I like to challenge myself to explore different genres with each project. Book trailers can be viewed on my Youtube channel.

Social Media:

I have three young children who keep me perpetually active. In my free time, I live for hiking and gardening. I’m an active member of the online writing community on Twitter @jgmacleodauthor.

I am grateful to have New London and other links featured on Authors’ Lounge.