Shift Happens by J C McKenzie

Title: Shift Happens
Author: J C McKenzie
Series: Carus: book 1
Read Type: Wild Rose Press
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Available in print and all other electronic formats on July 16^th, 2014. I will post an update reminder then.

You can find out more about the author on J.C. McKenzie’sWebsite | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | The Wild Rose Press | Amazon

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.

Facing many trials and challenges along her path to redemption, Andy learns the value of her freedom might be set too high.
 

Strong language: Some
Drugs: None
Violence: Yes, semi-graphic
Sexual content: Yes, frequent

I received a free copy of this in return for an unbiased review

Shift happens is set in an urban environment after all supernatural creatures have been outed, and the majority killed. Things appear to have since calmed down with them able to live their own lives, even having a government department called Supernatural Regulatory Division to supposedly keep things even – even is that means using supes as assassins and not trusting them.

The supernatural base is thick with creatures and hierarchies, giving the novel a good depth, and room to grow into what I hope will be a long series.

Andy, a female supe, is the first person point of view for this novel. I liked her mix of humour and sarcasm even in the most stressful situations. Statements like "Damsels in distress never had inconvenient bodily functions, such as a full bladder, in any of the novels I read" broke the stress for a second, making it even worse when her worst nightmare's nightmare appears! It is well written, in places relying a bit too much on descriptions to give an air of passing time, but nothing that broke the bank.

In between the missions, and getting in trouble through general confusion and two faced help, were some very hot men to spend my time with… err I mean for Andy to get to know. She finds herself as a "guest under guard at all times" in a house of werewolves with the Alpha interested in her as a mate. This leads to a great deal of frustration and emotional turmoil on Andy's part, along with several will-she, won't-she as he libido doesn't pay much attention to her!

I felt the pack were a bit stereotypical, the bitchy one and her mate, the hot overprotective Alpha, the guy who liked Andy and often put her in corners, plus some surprises taken from the tropes book. I didn't take to most of these, but I feel given more time, and less of a prisoner quality of life, that may change in future books.

There were several groups who could be considered the villains of the novel, some of whom I took to far less than others, but I have a feeling these will be back again. Nevertheless it was always more about the mission than the current git-of-the-chapter when they were encountered so it did not throw me out of the book.

Considering this had more sexually related scenes in it than my average book I thoroughly enjoyed it and felt it is a great set up. I hope to get a chance to see the characters progress as the series continues.

I would give this a 4.5, despite my discrepancies with some sections of the book I will increase that to one of my rare 5 stars. Bring on the sequel!