Osiyo~

Welcome one and all! Grab a beverage of choice, something sweet and sinful. No-no, not the men. What’s the matter with you? You know the hands-on rules… The guest gets first pick! 😉 Take a comfy seat for another, or a first, spin in the Round Pen.

I’m thrilled to welcome my wonderfully talented guest today, J.C. McKenzie, who is sharing her book, The Shucker’s Booktique- of TWRP’s new Lobster Cove series- with us!

Please show J.C. some real Ranch love!

Thank you very much for having me Calisa! It’s always a treat to join a fellow author on their blog and meet their readers.

Before I get to the nosy 5-3-4 part of this interview, tell us a bit about you.

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.

Oh, that sounds heavenly, J.C!

Okay, I’ll begin with five questions, then follow with three more, and end with four final ones.

Though I actually have a detached two-story “shed” that the lower floor will eventually be my office, for now my writing area is my recliner in a corner in the living room. What does your writing space look like?

My writing space is currently in the spare room. I have a secretary style desk that’s a bit of a pain to write on, but I manage. My laptop is over six years old, and I got it for free for resigning on with the local telephone/tv/internet provider. The best part of my “office” is the coffee warmer my husband got me and the pictures I have of my son and husband.

It’s easier for my father in-law to reach me if I’m in the house writing, but I can’t wait to move into my office some day. For a lot of writers it’s a life-altering event coming up with titles and character names. Others it comes as naturally as breathing. Which is it for you?

I think I might be a hybrid. Sometimes the title and the names come naturally to me. Other times, it’s like hitting my head against a brick wall repeatedly. What I do know, either way, once I figure out the title or names it *feels* right.

I think I must be a hybrid too then. 🙂 What advice would you offer aspiring and new writers?

Don’t do it? No, no. Just kidding. It takes some serious thick skin and I’m still trying to toughen mine up. But my advice, is to ignore all the critics and negativity. Focus on the positive, be your biggest fan and write the book you’d like to read. Don’t get stuck trying to follow trends.

Don’t do it. You’re too funny! 😆 I agree about ignoring critics. Everyone has opinions- good or bad- and I try not to let them influence me negatively. The constant shift of the industry makes me often scratch my head and ask ‘what next?’ So, what do you think it takes to be a successful author at the moment?

Perseverance. Also, I touched on it a bit in the comment above: I think writing a book that you’re happy with and one you’d like to read is the key. Even if the current trend isn’t what you wrote, it will be again at some point. I don’t write fast enough to write to the trend. By the time I’d finish the book, the trend would change, so I don’t try to do that.

I also see a huge shift in publishing toward self-publishing, but I think at this point, it’s like stating the obvious.

Another trend-rejecter! I like it. 🙂 Who would you like to meet in the publishing industry- dead or alive- and why?

Patricia Briggs. She’s one of my favorite UF authors.

It’s time for 3 in 1! I’ll ask the questions and you answer them in one word. 😆

Favorite animal? Mountain Lion

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? Spring

Favorite food? Greek

Mountain lion? That’s one I haven’t heard yet. Well done! 🙂

Thank you!

Okay, Flash four. Ready? What are you working on now?

I’m working of the edits for the third installment of my Carus Series to get it submission ready and writing the fourth installment.

What are you sharing today?

The Shucker’s Booktique, my short story paranormal romance in the Lobster Cove series. Here’s the blurb and a short excerpt:

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?

***

Excerpt:

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!

***

I, for one, LOVE this cover! Where can we find you and your books?

Contact Information:

J.C. McKenzie’s Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | The Wild Rose Press | Amazon

Where will you be next?

Tomorrow, October 22nd  I’m on five different blogs either doing a spotlight or an interview. Come check them out:

• Rebecca Grace’s Blog (http://rebecca-grace.blogspot.com)
• Eliza March’s Blog (http://elizamarch.com/Page_5.html)
• Katherine Grey’s Thought For The Day (http://Katherinegrey.blogspot.com)
• Jessie Clever’s Blog (http://jessieclever.com/blog/)
• Mia Downing’s Blog (http://miadowning.blogspot.com)

For a list of all my appearances and giveaway opportunities, you can visit my website at: http://www.jcmckenzie.ca/appearances.html

Also, I’m currently offering a giveaway! Enter below for your chance to win one of five (5) ebooks of The Shucker’s Booktique, one of three (3) copies of Shift Happens or one $25 Gift Card to Amazon.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Or just pick up your copy now at:

Amazon or Wild Rose Press

Thank you so much for playing along J.C. McKenzie! Wishing you much luck with your book and writing. I hope you’ll come visit again one day.

Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure.

Dodadagohvi~