Urban Fantasy and Sweet Misbehavin’ by Christine Young

Sweet Misbehavin’ is the third book in the McKenna Clan series. The McKenna’s are shape shifters. This is Carr and Margo’s story.

 

Title: Sweet Misbehavin’

ISBN: 978-1-62420-110-3

Author: Christine Young

Email: aandcyoung@aol.com

Genre: Paranormal Erotic Romance

Excerpt Heat Level: 2

Book Heat Level: 5

Buy at: Rogue Phoenix Press, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Coffee Time Romance

Cast adrift after fleeing the home of Jokul, the ice demon, Atantsi, a firestarter, grew to womanhood as she moved through time to keep the demon from finding her. Though stubborn and courageous, she was ill prepared to use powers she had not been taught. Her first sight of the intoxicating Carr McKenna left her breathless, and her second encounter gave her hope for a future she never thought she had.

A playboy, a second son and a shifter, a man who thought his life would be carefree, Carr McKenna was shocked to discover the woman he’d paid as an escort is a firestarter who is running for her life. He is the leader of all the McKennas around the world and that he has multiple powers. His passion for Margo and the need to defend her might cost him his life as well as hers.

Writing life:

When I begin a book, I make notes on each of the characters. There is an extensive character chart on my blog: http://christineyoung-romancewriter.blogspot.com/p/character-chart.html

I use this chart for my main characters. I don’t usually answer all of the questions. I’m always impatient to start writing and once I have enough info on my characters, I begin writing and add to the chart as the story evolves.

When I know the characters, I jot down a basic outline of the story including major turning points and the black moment. I don’t usually do more than a basic outline because my characters always take over the book and tell me what to do.

I also plot scene by scene; again I start with the pov of the scene and jot down things like turning point, foreshadowing, important elements etc. Again I have a copy of the scene plotting worksheet on my blog:  http://christineyoung-romancewriter.blogspot.com/p/character-chart.html

My office is an old bedroom. It looks out on my courtyard where in the summer I can hear water running from a waterfall into a pond. Winter is not so beautiful but still a nice view. I have books and papers as well as notes cluttering my desk. I’ve learned to use my computer for my notes so the desk is not as cluttered as it used to be.

When I run in the mornings, I usually come home and take a nap before trying to sit at the computer. When I workout in the evening, I usually set a frantic pace to try and get everything done before I leave the house. Like right now, I’m trying to finish this before I go to Jazzercise.

As a retired high school math teacher, I get lots of comments on my writing, left brain right brain thing. I always tell the commenters that I became a math teacher because of a circuitous route and choices made between A or B.

Not a lot of anecdotes to comment on. My kids are grown up now and I babysit my granddaughter a couple of days a week. She is precious and her favorite saying are “What the heck.” And “I don’t know.”

Sweet Misbehavin’ is the third book in the McKenna clan series, beginning with Catching Meara then Sweet Sexy Sadie. I’m loving these characters and enjoying the journey.

I began writing in the 90’s and published my first book with Zebra in ’98. Kate Duffy was my editor and a great personality. I went on to publish with awestruck and now Rogue Phoenix Press.

EXCERPT:

In a sign of unity, they linked arms and strode to Phaedra’s room. She picked up the crystal, and walking onto the balcony, Phaedra held the clear orb toward the sun. “Take us to Jokul, wherever he might be.” Phaedra began to chant as the crystal seemed

to take on a life of its own.
Splinters of sunlight hit the glass ball. The glow surrounding the crystal flowed into

and around the girls. The world turned and spun. All the colors of the rainbow wrapped them in a protective tunnel.

Margo closed her eyes against the blinding light, clinging to Phaedra as they hurtled through space. She felt the difference. Time was not changing, only their destination.

In a matter of seconds, they were set down on a ledge of ice. Laughter echoed through the hallway then thunderous booms. Margo motioned to Phaedra to follow her. With caution, they walked toward the sounds. The building they were in shook and the ice columns around them swayed as if they might fall.

“What is it?” Margo felt nausea roll in her stomach. For a moment, she closed her eyes, hoping to understand what was happening and how to deal with it. She tried to remain composed, knowing the ability to think and react in a rational manner would serve her well.

A young girl cowered in a corner, a collar around her neck. Tears flowed down her cheeks. She turned from them when she saw them, her body trembling.

Phaedra knelt beside her. “Are you Jokul’s slave?”
The girl looked up, terror clearly written in her eyes and nodded, “yes.”
”Where are they? Where is Jokul? And what is he doing?” Margo’s impatience

grew exponentially. Fear spiraled, yet she forced control of her emotions and tried to remember everything she’d learned.

“Down that hall. He has killed. The big cats didn’t have a chance. He is keeping one alive just to torment him.” The girl’s shaking hand rose from her lap and pointed.

“You’ll be fine.” Phaedra cupped the girl’s cheek with her hand. “I promise. When this is finished, I will come back for you.”

The girl didn’t say anything. Instead she stared back with a vacant and torn gaze as if she didn’t believe Phaedra.

“Jokul will not survive this day. I promise you. You will be set free.” At her sides, Margo clenched and unclenched her fists. She meant to do this and suddenly she was no longer terrified of Jokul, his ice or his threats. With each passing second, her courage and confidence grew.

Several heartbeats later, Margo stepped inside the room where the slave girl sent her. The sight caught her breath. Carr’s siblings and cousin were frozen ice statues.

Relief that Carr wasn’t frozen swept through her. Yet fear for him immobilized her for a moment. She watched him leap into the air, avoiding an ice bolt Jokul shot at him.

So consumed with their fight, neither male noticed their entrance to the room. Time was apparently on her side. Before anyone knew she was there, she shot fire at the three guards, their bodies aflame. The inferno lit the room. Then she turned her attention to the demon. Focusing on Jokul’s back, she raised her hand, sending fire his way. Seeming to feel the searing heat, he whirled.