Urban Fantasy | Charlotte Copper…

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

To begin 2014, I’m going to do something different.
I’ve mentioned before that one of the great things about authors is their willingness to support other writers, and I’m going to try to do a little more of that this year.

For my first author visit, I’m pleased to introduce you to Rebekah Ganiere and her new book DEAD AWAKENINGS which releases today, January 3rd, from Etopia Press. I’m very excited for Rebekah because although I don’t know her personally, Rebekah and I have a special relationship….we are critique partners. Admittedly I had nothing to do with DEAD AWAKENINGS as we only became critique partners recently, but I am super excited for her debut book and I wish her much success.

First Rebekah, please tell us about yourself…
Well, I am a SAHM of four that I homeschool. I love to read and write, sew, craft, play video games. The best vacation I have ever had was this last summer. We went as a family to Comic Con in San Diego and I thought I would die because I was in geek heaven. I love comic books, obviously, fantasy, paranormal, urban fantasy. We go to the movies a lot and I prefer to see Superhero, fantasy or action movies. But if I am reading a book I prefer romance.

I love action movies! Do you have a process for coming up with character names and book titles? Character names are kind of a funny thing for me. I never know it when I start, but as the character builds in my mind I know exactly what their name should be, and I can seldom be talked out of it. I have only ever once changed a character’s name after starting to write a story. Titles are also something I just know when I think of it. I’ve never changed a title either, but I have had trouble coming up with one before. Like all of my work, it just kind of hits me.

I have a little book I carry with me, and when I hear the perfect name, I add it to a running list. So, Rebekah, tell us about your current book.
DEAD AWAKENINGS is a New Adult Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance. Evaine, a struggling theater student, enters an unsanctioned drug trial to pay bills and wakes up A Deader. A Reanimated Undead. Saved by a group of men, she is taken to Haven House. A safe house for others like her. While there she begins to fall for a brooding warrior who has no patience for dealing with all the stuff she is going through.

Sounds very interesting! How about a little more?

Evaine, a struggling New York theater student, enters an unsanctioned drug trial in an effort to pay bills. She awakens in a derelict hospital, chained to a bed with no memory of who she is, or how she got there. A band of pale skinned men, led by the gorgeous Luca, burst in, whisking her away to safety.
Once at Haven House, Evaine is introduced to The Family. Like them, she has become A Deader, a reanimated Undead.
Luca is hell-bent on stopping the experimentations, and killing those responsible. He has no time for a Newborn who is struggling to control her rages, hunger, and powers. Nor does he have the desire to deal with the feelings she’s awakening within him.
Despite their best efforts, Evaine and Luca find their connection intensifying when suddenly, she remembers not only who she is, but also her fiancé, Tristan; who is still looking for her.
Torn between her first love and her new heart’s desire, Evaine runs back to Tristan putting everyone in danger. When a rogue faction of Deaders, called Feeders, attempts to kidnap her, Luca suspects Evaine is the key to the experiments.
Can everyone band together to keep Evaine off the cutting table of those she escaped from? Or will second death tear her away from everyone, for good?

Sounds great, Rebekah. I wish you much success!
DEAD AWAKENINGS will be available at Amazon , Barnes & Noble, and other smart retailers.

Rebekah’s love for stories began as a child with Shel Silverstein poetry. She began writing her own poetry and short stories in junior high and high school and then went on to study theater in college. Ultimately she ended up going back to writing so she could stay at home with her kids. Rebekah is a member of Romance Writers of America as well as the Fantasy, Futuristic, & Paranormal Chapter, her local Los Angeles, Orange County, and Young Adult chapters. When she isn’t spending time telling the stories of the characters constantly chattering inside her head, you can find her hanging out with her husband, four children and menagerie of pets. A dog, a rabbit, 2 bearded dragons, 1 Russian Tortoise and 2 Leopard Tortoises. The escaped snake has yet to be located.