Help me celebrate with J.C. McKenzie as her debut novel, Shift Happens, goes to paper today! Woo-hoo! There’s a giveaway going on, not to mention, I coerced…er, sweet-talked J.C. into answering a few fun questions. Annnnnnd, here we go!
CJ: As a martial artist myself, I love how Andy isn’t a cookie cutter kick-ass shifter-girl. She knows her stuff. What’s the scoop on your martial arts experience?
J.C.: You picked up on that, eh? In Shift Happens, I definitely tried to bring in my personal experience and knowledge of the different martial arts forms and hope it gave Andy a more authentic edge. I mentioned several styles: Goju Ryu, Shotokan, Kempo and Krav Maga. Although I do have a bit of experience in martial arts, I can’t claim to be a master or expert in any of them.
When I was in high school I practiced Goju Ryu, a form of Karate, and earned my purple belt before moving to go to University. I was weeks away from the blue belt grading and a bit pissed because that level had all the really fun jumping (tobi) kicks in it (I practiced them anyway). In a new city (Vancouver, BC), the nearest dojo for my style was an hour bus ride away, and as a university student paying my own way, I couldn’t afford the dojo membership fees anyway. I used to practice my katas at night on the abandoned tennis courts next to my dorm, but eventually my skill and dedication faded.
Years later, my husband and I joined Choi Kwang Do (a blended style), but I didn’t enjoy it as much. I think we all remember our first loves, martial arts included. So I gave a little “shout out” to my first style!
I now live in rural Saskatchewan, so no karate skills are being honed at the moment, but I desperately want to get back into a dojo one day. *sigh*
CJ: Yep, kicking is the best part of martial arts!
CJ: Tell me more about Tristan, just a little bit, pretty please?
JC: Mmmm Tristan. The Wereleopard Alpha with the face of an angel and a sin-provoking body? That Tristan? Meeeeeow. Well, he comes back in the second book…
…And he has a secret.
CJ: Of course he does!
CJ: If you became a shifter, which one would you choose and why?
JC: Oh, good question!! I would be so torn. Flying would be so cool, and I’ve always been drawn to wolves, but I think I’d become a mountain lion, because they’re pretty badass on their own and don’t have to depend on a pack.
CJ: I admit, I was partial to Andy’s mountain lion. Nice kitty, kitty.
CJ: Would you rather be Clint’s toy or Lucien’s property…and why?
JC: Oh my gosh! Oh my! LOL! Thank you for this question. I just giggle snorted my energy drink all over my computer screen.
Er, I hope that wasn’t too much information.
I really enjoy writing Clint, but he’s a bit rough on his lady-friends. That being said, Lucien’s a total dick, would drink my blood and probably make me do worse things than his human servant. I’m going to go with Clint on this one! Plus, I’ve always had a thing for strong shoulders.
CJ: Not a choice you’d want to make in real life, right? 🙂
CJ: What are you working on now?
JC: I’m going through the edits for the contracted second installment of the Carus Series, Beast Coast and edits for a contracted short story paranormal romance set in a fictional east coast town called Lobster Cove. I’m also getting stuck into the fourth book of the Carus Series.
CJ: Yay! I’m looking forward to more of Andy’s adventures!
Favorites round:
Martial arts move: A 360 degree jumping roundhouse kick. (Also called the Taekwondo Tornado Kick. Aptly named!)
Weapon: bō staff (FTW!)
Beverage: Mojito
Book boyfriend: Too many to choose from!
Animal: Wolf
Carus Chronicles supe: Shifter!
Comedy: Big Bang Theory
Comeback line: That was mean. (I’m nothing like Andy! Usually I’m sniffling or blinking back tears if someone verbally picks on me. That’s why I find Andy so fun to write. She’d kick some ass or have a witty response.)
WHEN AN ASSIGNMENT GOES WRONG, ANDY MUST FIND OUT WHY OR FACE ETERNAL ENSLAVEMENT.
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.
Excerpt:
A large black wolf trotted into the clearing to confront me. He had a white-tipped snout, white boots and mitts and would have looked cute had he not been the most intimidating Werewolf I’d ever seen. Standing tall and solid, power rolled off of his body. His eyes bore into mine. I sniffed the air. The strong Werewolf scent of rosemary swirled around me, strong and seductive, laced with sugar. A weird fuzzy sensation spread out from my chest. Whoa.
My other form growled low, demanding release, straining against my skin. The energy of the wolves built—layers upon layers of excitement and impatience. The air pulsated with anticipation. They could sense the imminent kill.
Let me out! My other form repeated, throwing her power against my built up walls, howling in defiance.
When the energy of the Werewolves surged, I finally released her. My wolf form flowed out fast, wiping out the feline in little more than a heartbeat. Smaller, weaker and the size of a natural wolf, a Shifter in this form was no match for a Werewolf, especially a dominant one. I had time to meet the eyes of the Alpha for only an instant before the pack leapt forward. My limbs shook. It went against every instinct ingrained within me, but I rolled onto my back—submissive.
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GIVEAWAY!!! Enter for a chance to win a signed print copy of Shift Happens (for U.S. – ebook for all you outsiders :)) PLUS, there’s a $25 Amazon gift card up for grabs! Contest ends August 6.
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. McKenzie’s Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | The Wild Rose Press| Amazon
Thank you so much for hosting me. I loved your questions and had so much fun answering them! 🙂
Any time, such as *cough, cough* when the sequel comes out. 🙂
Hahahaha! So subtle CJ…so subtle! Just finished the third round of edits on Beast Coast and it’s going to the galley stage. Did you want an ARC to review? 🙂 (email me)
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!
LOL! Ok 🙂
I love the magic of this books!!!
Right? Such a fun book – can’t wait for the next one!
Thanks Patricia! I’m so glad to hear that. I do too, but I’m totally biased! 🙂
What I like most about reading Paranormal/Urban Fantasy books is that they take me away from the norm and the real world. They let my mind be free for a few hours a day. Thank you for the chance.
Exactly! I read to be swept up into a different world too. Thanks for commenting, Bobbi!
I love your response! I agree! That’s the whole reason I not only write, but read, the fantasy genre. It’s the best form of escapism! Congrats on winning the grand prize last night Bobbi! I hope you enjoy the burse and Shift Happens 🙂
Yes, congrats, Bobbi! Especially jealous of the burse…I bet it will make a great weapon.
I am so excited I won. I love that Burse and my hubby said he likes it too 😀 Can’t wait to get my hands on the book too. Thank you again.
I can’t wait for you to get it, too! I mailed it today so 10-14 business days! Send me a picture when you get it 🙂
Who! This book looks really good! Adding to my TBR pile! Thanks for a chance! That and getting to find another author!
Woah, not who stupid phone!
You should have been to the FB party yesterday, Sheila – there was a special section on text whoopsie-dos! 🙂
Glad you like the sound of it. Good luck with the giveaway! It IS too bad you missed the party last night! We had a great convo about autocorrect blunders. Yours is minor in comparison 🙂
Forgot to add what I like about books! I love the excitement and the danger!
Me too! And yes, I’m totally biased 🙂
OOoo fun! I would so go the kitteh shifter route too. But flying would be neat. Tristan does sound like a yummeh one. Thanks for the intro CJ!
Oh yeah…Tristan. Andy’s going to have a hard time resisting that kitty, kitty. 🙂
We could make a legion of feline shifters! muah! So you like the sound of Tristan, eh? If you’re really curious about him and the otehr men, you can take a short quiz I made up for fans, titled “Which character from the Carus Series is your ideal man?”
http://www.jcmckenzie.blogspot.ca/2014/04/quiz-which-character-from-carus-series.html
It’s for when you’re procrastinating from housework like me 🙂
It’s a big debate! Can she resist? Or will she fall to temptation…
Give in to temptation! Of course, I might be biased. I’m a cat lover and more of a dog (or wolf) “liker”. 🙂
Hehehehehe well, sadly, I’m allergic…but I’m also not Andy! 😉
I like experiencing a different world. Thanks for the giveaway!
You bet! Thanks for commenting!
Congratulations to Melisa ($25 GC) and Miki (ebook) for being the winners of this giveaway. Thank you everyone for you interest in Shift Happens.