Shift Happens | Charlotte Copper…

Hi Y’all, please give a warm round of applause to returning author J.C. McKenzie (cue applause!!) J.C. is one of the many wonderful authors contributing to The Wild Rose Press series of books, Lobster Cove. J.C. is here to talk about her new release, THE SHUCKER’S BOOKTIQUE.
(Be sure to read to the end of this post, where there is a link to J.C.’s Rafflecopter draw.)

The Shucker’s Booktique

After her fiancé dumps her and her beloved Aunt Jenny goes missing, Willa Eklund travels to Lobster Cove with a broken heart to search for Jenny while running her bookstore. When a mysterious man visits the Shucker’s Booktique on a stormy night drenched in rain and covered in mud, Willa’s heart melts under his stormy gaze. She wants Lon and the answers he may have, but he also has a secret. Can Willa trust him?

Lon Devlin is a Tempest, a water sprite who can only take a human form during stormy nights. He rides the waves, lives by the tides, and nothing can hold him down, not even a beautiful woman. When he visits his mortal friend, he discovers she’s missing and her intriguing niece has taken her place. He wants Willa, but he also wants answers. What happened to Jenny?

J.C. has her own blog, The Carus Chronicles, where she asks her guest to answer various questions about themselves. I turned the table on J.C. this week, and asked her to answer a few of her own questions. Here are her answers….

Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from, what are your interests, how did you start writing?
I grew up on the Haida Gwaii, a remote set of islands below Alaska, off the west coast of Canada. I love to play volleyball, drink coffee and make things up. I’ve been writing since I was seven, but only started writing seriously for publication about 3 or 4 years ago after I won a flash fiction writing contest. (Yes, we’ve shared a few volleyball stories.)

Tell us about your latest release.
THE SHUCKER’S BOOKTIQUE is a paranormal short story romance. I really enjoyed writing this story. It’s straight up romance, and because it’s a short story, I didn’t have to put my characters in a lot of unending conflict.

I love your book cover – almost missed the abs the first time. Who created it and how did you or they come up with the concept?
Debbie Taylor, from DCA Graphics has done all my covers and I absolutely love her. She takes my warped, convoluted ideas and somehow creates something that manages to tick all the boxes of what I wanted, yet come out even better than anything I envisioned. (I would totally buy this book because of that cover.)

If you were a box of cereal, what kind would you be and why?
I would be Reeses Puffs because I’m sweet (sometimes) and a little nutty.

Do you believe in Big Foot?
Heck yeah, I do. Sometimes there’s things even my wonderful, super awesome world of science can’t explain. So there’s no scientific evidence, and a mammal of that size should leave something behind, but whatever. I don’t care. I choose to believe there’s some sort of explanation for it all. Same goes for the Ogopogo in the Okanogan Lake. (I’ll believe as long as I don’t have to cross paths with him. Or maybe it’s a she?)

You’re a new addition to a crayon box. What colour would you be and why?
I would be hot pink. Just because.

If I came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for me?
I make really good beef enchiladas. If you’re vegetarian, we might have a problem. (Meat and potatoes in this house, no problem!)

Where do you recommend people go on their next vacation?
New Zealand. My husband is a kiwi and I lived there for two years. I love it there. Great weather, people, flora and fauna.

What’s your spirit animal?
It’s the wolf! I won’t get into the long sordid story, but I’ve been told from multiple people of different cultures that the wolf is my spirit guide. I was a lot younger when I first heard the “news” and I was disappointed. I had my heart set on the mountain lion because I thought they were fierce. I still do, but wolves have their own power, and represent wisdom. (Hmmm, those just so happen to be two of the main character’s animals in J.C.’s first book SHIFT HAPPENS)

If you could only wave a magic wand once and fix one problem in the world, what would it be and why?
Child abuse. The idea that someone could hurt those most vulnerable, loving and innocent makes my blood boil. (Sad but true.)

What is one misconception people have about you?
That I know what I’m doing. I don’t. I have no clue.

Well, I think you do! I think THE SHUCKER’S BOOKTIQUE is a wonderful story, and here’s proof to the reader’s that you know what you’re doing:

Thump! Thump! Thump!

No! She gasped. It couldn’t be. The banging on the front door of the booktique had to be a figment of her imagination. She couldn’t will Lon into existence. Why would he come back? Especially if he was involved. Unless…cold ice prickled up her spine…unless he needed to eliminate her to take care of loose ends.

No. Crazy thoughts, Willa. He could’ve taken care of her the night before. No, her heart hammered against her chest for a different reason. But it didn’t matter. The knocking on the door wouldn’t, couldn’t be him.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Could it? She clutched her hot mug in both hands and turned toward the doorway leading to the bookstore. From the kitchen in the back room, she had a clear view through the store to the front door, but not who stood on the other side.

“Willa!” Lon growled. “Wake up and let me in!”

Willa gasped and almost dropped her cup. The tea sloshed around and some spilled over her hands. It burned, but she didn’t move. She couldn’t breathe. Somehow the air got trapped inside her throat. Why was he here? What did he want?

Oh God, let it be me!

Love it!

And for those of you that also love it, THE SHUCKER’S BOOKTIQUE can be found at:
AMAZON
WILD ROSE PRESS

JC McKenzie

while J.C. can be found at the following places:
Website: http://www.jcmckenzie.ca
Blog: http://www.jcmckenzie.blogspot.ca
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/j.c.mckenzie.author
Twitter Page: http://www.twitter.com/JC_McKenzie
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/jcmckenzie
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/JCMcKenzie

Rafflecopter Giveaway for an amazon gift card or a copy of J.C.’s books : Rafflecopter giveaway

I’m very excited to welcome debut author J.C. MCKENZIE to my blog today. Her first book, SHIFT HAPPENS, releases this month on the Kindle Select Program. I have the special privilege of being J.C.’s critique partner, and although I was not her CP at the time of SHIFT HAPPENS, I have been fortunate enough to be her CP on the 2nd book in the series. I also got an early read of SHIFT HAPPENS, which personal bias aside, I thought was a wonderful book!
Be sure to read through to the end of this post as J.C. is offering a rafflecopter chance to win a copy of SHIFT HAPPENS.

Shift Happens

So J.C., tell my readers a little bit about yourself.

I like walking on moon-lit beaches, chocolate and dark, twisted stories. The unknown fascinates almost as much as the known. I have a degree in Biology, have worked for a marine research company, and I love to play and coach volleyball. ….Bit of a volleyball fan here, too.

Do you have a process for coming up with character names and book titles?

Character names are always a challenge for me. As a teacher, I’ve come across a lot of names and struggle to find ones that don’t elicit a strong connection to someone I know in “real life.” I also don’t want to inadvertently have someone think I’m writing about them. I sometimes use Scrivener’s name bank, or one of the various online baby name books. In addition to wanting the name to potentially mean something, I try to find ones that allow for nicknames or shortened names as well.

As for book titles, I really like double entendres, so I pick out a few key words that my story is about and then brainstorm possibilities. I decided on Shift Happens for my first book when I saw a “Shift Happens” earthquake sticker on the side of my cabinet! …Love it!

Tell us about your current book.

Shift Happens is an Urban Fantasy with strong romantic elements about a government agent named Andy McNeilly. It’s being published by The Wild Rose Press and it is the first book of a five book series. I’ve completed the second and third installment, and am working on the fourth book. Andy has to go through a lot before the end, but never fear, she’ll get her happily ever after (and there’s some sweet & spicy moments along the way as well). …You write wonderful characters J.C. While I love Andy, you know who my two favorite characters are! (but no spoilers for our readers)

How about a blurb from SHIFT HAPPENS?

Andrea McNelly’s job as a government agent is not asking questions, but then a routine assignment turns into a botched assassination of a Master Vampire’s human servant. Answers become a priority. Her search to discover the truth is riddled with obstacles, the largest being an oversized Werewolf who resembles a Norse god. Andy can’t afford the distraction he offers, because if she fails, she faces eternal enslavement.

Wick’s job is to monitor Andy, but he prefers more intimate activities, none of them G-Rated. His choices, however, are often not his own. His ability to help Andy is limited by his bond to the Master Vampire.

Facing many trials and challenges along her path to redemption, Andy learns the value of her freedom might be set too high. …Great blurb, thanks J.C.

OK, quick quiz.
1. Desert island book or movie? Roger Zelazny’s Chronicles of Amber Omnibus (okay, that’s a bit of a cheat. It’s a very large book that contains 10 books!)
2. Favorite meal? Lamb shoulder with Greek salad and rice. Mmmmmmmmm. Sushi is a close second. (You are definitely from the west coast!)
3. Pet peeve? Oh gosh, I have so many! I really hate it when people pause in their speech often for dramatic effect. Once or twice is okay, but if it’s every sentence, I’m going to wring your neck or shake it out of you!

Well, I’ll keep that in mind. LOL.
Thank you so much J.C. for visiting today and much success with SHIFT HAPPENS.

J.C. can be found at: http://www.jcmckenzie.ca

SHIFT HAPPENS, a book from The Wild Rose Press, is currently available on Kindle through Amazon at: Shift Happens@amazon.com and Shift Happens@amazon.ca
General release in print and all other electronic formats is scheduled for July 16th, 2014

JC McKenzie

About the Author:
Born and raised on the Haida Gwaii, off the West Coast of Canada, J.C. McKenzie grew up in a pristine wilderness that inspired her to dream. She writes Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance.

J.C. is doing a rafflecopter giveaway, so be sure to click to enter below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway