Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Giveaway & Review ~ Shift Happens by J.C. McKenzie


BLURB:

Andrea McNeilly'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.

Shift Happens

by J.C. McKenzie

Purchase Links:

Amazon * B&N

All Romance ebooks

Chapters - Indigo

Wild Rose Press





Excerpt:

His hand rested on my hip. Heavy and large, it made me aware of the heat emanating from his body through the sheets.

He’d shaken me awake.

I eyed him suspiciously. What was he doing in my bed?

“Why Grandma, what big hands you have.” When fear clung to me, like it did now, I found it best to bluff nonchalance. Fake it till you make it. I’d heard the slogan once on a TV show involving models.

“Better to hold you with, my dear,” he said, surprising me. I didn’t think he would get the reference.

Then again, the wolf story was based on a true Werewolf. He should know it.

The nightmare still clung to me like a silk bath robe after a shower. Those eyes haunted my sleep. If I closed my eyes again, I’d see them, crystal clear, as if they were real. Transported back to the hell I tried to forget, I looked into Wick’s deep brown safe eyes, dark portals in the dim light, and relaxed. Tension flowed from my body. Wick’s white teeth flashed in the dark in response.

“What big teeth you have.” I chuckled.

Wick’s grin grew. “I’m not sure you’re ready for me to reply to that.”



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.

Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway


My Thoughts:

As soon as I seen this title I knew that I had to read it. I was right and all of you who like shifters had better put it on your list now. You won't want to miss this one either.

Andy is an anomoly. She is a carus. She doesn't know what this title means. She doesn't know who her parents were. Her adoptive parents are dead. She only knows that she has multiple forms that she can take and that is not normal. It is a secret that she guards. It comes in handy in her line of work.

Andy has attitude, snark, sass, and mad skills. She has been through a horrific ordeal that still haunts her.

When she gets an assignment that doesn't feel quite right, her world comes tumbling down around her and then some. Her lonely, barely there existence is no longer available because she garnered the attention of a master vampire when she attempted to off his servant. In doing that she also brought the notice of the werewolves that answer to him. Included in this pack of werewolves is one hot and sexy Alpha called Wick.

I liked Wick from the beginning. He does Alpha really well. ;-)

I felt like Andy was a tease. I know she had her reasons for holding back but she was frustrating me and I'm not the one who wanted in her pants. There was a boatload of sexual tension but it went unfulfilled. They kissed but that was about the extent of it. If you want hot and sweaty action, this is not the book for you. I do have hope that those circumstances will change in the next book. :-)

There were various directions that the plot took which kept my attention, had me guessing, and has me salivating for the next book.

I don't want to give too much away but I can not wait to see what happens with Tristan. I would love to see Andy and Wick perform the mate bond. I wish someone would spike Lucien and I can't wait to learn more about what it means to be a carus. I have a feeling that Ma may just need a muzzle before it's all said and done. :-) 

There was action, sexual tension galore, alpha males, a stubborn heroine that you don't want to tick off, a smidgen of romance, some suspense, loads of danger, and a uniqueness that will have you deeply hooked.

There were plenty of differences between Shift Happens and the other shifter books that I've read. I won't list them because I want you to discover them for yourselves. I think you'll get more enjoyment that way.    

I received an ecopy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I thought it was a great beginning to a series that will have me pre-ordering new books. It was superb!



Don't forget to enter the Comment Incentive Giveaway. It is a great chance to win a book you'd like to have! The link can be found at the top of the page.

44 comments:

  1. Thank you very much for your review. I'm thrilled you enjoyed Shift Happens! Book 2, Beast Coast, is contracted and should be released sometime this year.

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    1. Please don't hesitate to send us words when it release we would gladly spread the word (especially after Brenda loved the first book so much!)

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    2. thank you for coming interact with us as well, we really appreciate it

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    3. Thanks Miki! I will definitely do that. The anticipation of waiting for my cover and release date is KILLING me! I have the unofficial blurb and a sneak peak excerpt up on my website (www.jcmckenzie.ca)

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    4. thank you a lot, i can imagine how excited to share it you are if it's even just a bit of what we feel when waiting for news about an authors we love ( and i guess when it's your work it even more special)

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    5. Totally! I'll probably blab it all over social media instead of carefully planning a cover reveal. That's what happened last time! Lol

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    6. As Miki said, don't hesitate to let me know if you have upcoming releases, cover reveals, or even review opportunities. I love to spread the word about books, especially those that I really like. :-) It was truly my pleasure to read and review your book and I will eagerly await Beast Coast.

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    7. Thank you very much Brenda for the sweet words and generous offer. I'll definitely take you up on it!

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  2. Of course i'm interested how could i not when it has shifters^^
    now what intrigued me the most ( after the "carus" kind of ) is that the werewolves are servent to the vampire masters.... i think it strange when you said that Wick is an alpha.. an alpha bending in front of another and letting him dictate if he can take a mate or not ( and who).... it makes me really curious yes so definitively on, the list

    wIll it be ( if not already) be released in print as well? An idea of how many books the series will count?

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    1. i meant will it be available in print everywhere ( the bookdepository etc) or only on amazon i'm asking since in the giveaway the print copy is only for the US and as international lover of books i would love to be sure i can get a copy

      thanks

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    2. Great question Miki. Right now I know it's available in print from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk and the wild rose press. I'm asking my publisher the same question and will have to get back to you :-)

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    3. And I'm glad you're intrigued! Brenda did a great job teasing with details without soiling the plot. Love it!

      The series will have 5 books (maybe 6 if I have to split the last one, but I'd prefer not to). I'm currently writing the fourth and am about 1/3 the way through! There's action (in and out of the bedroom), some sad moments, some happy moments, some more mysteries, revelations regarding Andy's nature, deities and at the end of it all, a happily ever after :-)

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    4. ah now i'm completely sold since it will have a HEA at teh end^^
      thank you for all these infos!

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  3. Sounds like a delicious read! I love a good shifter romance!

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    1. Oooo delicious! I'm glad the review piqued your interest. Enjoy! :-)

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    2. Hi Kathy!, welcome to join us if you want another opportunity to win this book don't hesitate to join the July CIG Brenda is hosting^^

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  4. Great review. I can't wait to read the book.

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    1. Well, I'm thrilled with the review. It's always nice to hear someone liked your work. I hope when you read it, you like it too. Thanks for commenting :-)

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    2. Hi Rita!
      i hope you will get the book soon if you haven't already ( if you donj't the July CIG give you another opportunity to get it)

      Brenda is always honest and her emotions transpire in her reviews so it's easy to see when she loved a book a lot more than another and her recommendation never disappointed me so she is quite the reference

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    3. Hi!

      The CIG is a monthly giveaway that I host to encourage comments. For every post that someone comments on,they get three entries into the CIG. There is also a point that can be earned when they share the post on social media. When someone makes an effort to comment, I like to reward them. At the end of the month the winner can pick one of the books that were mentioned or pictured during that month.

      Thanks so much for taking the time to chat. Sorry that I wasn't around for most of the day but it is summer vacation and that translates to time with my boys doing special things. :-)

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    4. Hi! That's an awesome incentive! And no worries, enjoy your vacation. Special time with children is priceless. Mines two and a half. He's decided he's a dog and is running around the room panting and barking as we "speak"

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    5. LOL! My kids are teens now. They are not as easy to entertain anymore. :-( I really miss those younger days!

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    6. They are pretty entertaining (and often messy) times!

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  5. I just like the idea that it is possible. Thanks for the giveaway

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  6. They are just magical in their own way. They keep you in this world but at the same time they take you to a different place within this world and you get to meet characters you wouldn't in your every-day life. I love shifters =D

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    1. it's a consensus from the most of the followers/ readers here: Shifters are our favourite ( or at least one of our favourite)
      and this title does tempt us even more with its original touch!
      ( remember the July CIG to have another opportunity to win this book)

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    2. I love shifters too. I also love your name! Makes me wish I has it! Lol. One of the best things about reading for me is the ability to escape into different worlds, ones where anything is possible. Thanks for stopping by and commenting and good luck with the contest!

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  7. They are my escape time, my me time, my nerve meds, and Calgon after I get home from work. My books are the only thing I do just for me and I deserve the relaxation they give me.

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    1. books are one of the best medication when it comes to relaxation at least for me
      i love how they make me dream and hope

      thank you for commenting and don't hesitate to enter the rafflecopter on the JUly CIG page to have another chance to win this title ( or any other featured this month)

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    2. Great answer Rebecca! I love books and whole heartedly agree with using them for self medicating! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Good luck with the contest :-)

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  8. It's not often a review will make me jump on a book, but I'm on amazon right now looking for it. Great review! And sounds like a great book!

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    1. you won't be disappoint i'm sure^^ i'm really happy Brenda's review helped you discover this book ( and better to jump on iot when it's available ;)

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  9. I saw this one recently on another blog and was interested in it then but now I'm even more so! Going to add to my list now! :)

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    1. good luck in the giveaway amber i hope you get the print copy!

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    2. Good luck with the giveaway! And thank you for adding SH to your TBR list :-)

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    3. Thanks Miki! :)
      and thanks I look forward to reading it!

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  10. This looks great!! And to answer your question. about paranormal genre I love it and it is my favorite by far, I am not sure I can put in words why I love it so much, but I love the Non-reality of it, I get so much "real life" day to day, i like reading the exciting and different ways they live and the fact that it always has love, action, suspense and more in them. I guess that is the best way I can put it. thank you for the giveaway

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    1. Fabulous answer! I know exactly what you mean and feel the same way . You're most welcome for the giveaway! Good luck!

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