Book Tour for Shift Happens by J.C. McKenzie (Review & GIVEAWAY)

Fans of shifter stories will find much to like about Shift Happens by J.C. McKenzie.  Keep reading to get a glimpse of this sensual and fast-paced read, along with my impressions of it.  Learn even more about this series starter by visiting the other blogs hosting this tour and then make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win an autographed print copy of this book (US or Canada - digital copy substituted for international winners) plus a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during this tour and the Reviews Only Tour.

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.

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.”

BUY LINKS:  ARE  |  Amazon  |  BN  | Chapters - Indigo |  Wild Rose Press

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Fans of the paranormal genre will find themselves quickly immersed in this story as the storyline hits the ground running in a world were otherworldly creatures are an open part of society.  Just because they're out doesn't mean things go smoothly though as there's a battle waging amongst these creatures that a special governmental group tries to keep under control.

Andy McNeilly is a member of this group and a shifter herself.  She's not your average shifter though as she can take on different forms.  Being different is a lonely experience as she keeps herself separate from others since her job doesn't inspire others to befriend her and her strange ability unnerves others too.  She had a bad experience with a man in her past which adds to her leeriness and makes her feelings for Wick, the Alpha of the werewolf clan who kidnaps her at the start of the story, confusing and unwanted.  Andy is the voice of this story and has a tell-it-like-it-is attitude.  She boldly brings out her ability whenever it's needed as a truly strong-willed woman and learns more about her supernatural talents as the story progresses.  She's scarred from her past though as flashes of PTSD sometimes overwhelm her and I felt sympathetic for everything she went through before and that we're just starting to learn about.  

We get to know Andy very well in this story but Wick wasn't as fully fleshed-out beyond the fact that he was strong and sexy and willing to take his time with Andy in a relationship that puts them, and us, through the emotional wringer.  I was drawn to their sensual battle of wills as they progressed from enemies to friends to something Andy doesn't want to acknowledge as Wick tried to keep her safe from a vengeful vampire when a direct order ends up with her set-up for killing a human servant.

While the weres in this story were immensely appealing in their rugged sexiness, the vampires were depicted as smarmy and dangerous.  They felt like an otherworldly mafia in the power they wielded and Andy definitely wasn't safe with them wanting vengeance.  Their human servant was truly vile and deserved what he got but there was more to his story that kept me on the edge of my seat.  It's an intriguing world depicted here with a compelling hierarchy within the supes that I look forward to learning more about.  The author doesn't pull any punches in addressing Andy's pain and I'm glad it wasn't sugar coated as it fit in with her strong-willed nature.  Wick and his weres were drool-worthy and I appreciated their support of Andy.  Overall, this was a unique read with a fresh spin on the well-used mythos.  It's an engaging start to a new series and I look forward to getting to know more about Wick in the next installment.

My rating for this is a B+

*I received this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

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: www.jcmckenzie.ca
BLOG: www.jcmckenzie.blogspot.ca
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/j.c.mckenzie.author (JC McKenzie)
TWITTER: www.twitter.com/JC_McKenzie (@JC_McKenzie)
GOODREADS: www.goodreads.com/JCMcKenzie

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