Taste of Kiwi: Blog of Author Shelley Munro

This photo was taken at Bear Country in South Dakota. We wanted to make sure we saw plenty of bears and this is a black bear. As well as bears we saw bison, moutain lions, and otters to mention a few. To visit other Camera Critters go here.

Today’s theme for Snippet Saturday is heroine seduction (fail). My excerpt is from my Ellora’s Cave story, Fancy Free. It isn’t a failure exactly, but it’s not a success either.

As always, to read other snippets on the circuit follow the links below my excerpt.

Fancy Free by Shelley Munro

Alice hesitated for so long he thought he might have frightened her or pushed her too hard and fast. Finally she released her bottom lip and the pale column of her throat moved when she swallowed. “I want to explore your body,” she whispered. “I want to know what you like.” Her warm hand squeezed his ass again, the innocent touch a heated reverberation throughout his entire body.
Read the rest of this entry ?

I received my new cover for Cat Nap this week. I really love it. Syneca caught my heroes exactly–one in each form. To read an excerpt go here.

Today I’m blogging at Access Romance and I’m also guest at Christina Phillip’s blog. I’m talking about different things and giving away prizes at both places so do come and say hello!

And don’t forget that tomorrow is Snippet Saturday. The theme is Failed Seduction and you’re bound to find at least one book to add to your to-read pile. I know I do each time I follow the Snippet trail.

Mr. Munro and I have been watching Lie to Me, a show where they use body language and facial expressions to solve a crime. I haven’t heard much buzz about the show online, but we really enjoy it, and for a writer, it’s pure gold. I especially like the way they integrate body language from well known people such as past presidents and celebrities.

Here’s an intro to the show if you haven’t seen it:

Thirteen Anxious/Impatient/Nervous/Tense/Fearful Expressions

1. Clear throat

2. Rapid eye blink

3. Wide eyes

4. Perspire – palms, face, neck, armpits (cold sweat)

5. Tense lips, neck, shoulder muscles

6. Raspy voice (unable to speak)

7. Pale skin

8. Wet lips with tongue/touch lips with finger

9. Bobbing/jumping Adam’s Apple in male

10. Dilated pupils

11. scratching, rubbing, pinching or holding parts of the body

12. Clenched fists

13. Flaring nostrils

Source: my thirteen was taken from an article on Cerridwen author Joanna Waugh’s website. Here’s the link to her list of Body Language Cues to Emotion. Joanna also has heaps of links and resources for the historical writer.

Have you seen the show Lie For Me? If not, do you watch crime shows and which ones are your favorites?

I read a review today about a book I’ve read. The reviewer said the heroine was whiney and didn’t act her age. That didn’t come through for me when I read the book. I know reviews are subjective, but it made me start thinking.

What qualities does a good heroine possess?

I know most of you are going to mention the “too stupid to live” heroine. No one likes a heroine who consistently does stupid things such as walking down to the cellar to investigate noises when she’s been told not to go down to the cellar. But is it all right for a heroine to make a silly mistake if she learns from it and deals with the consequences? My answer would be yes. It’s the heroine who consistently makes stupid choices that drives me nuts.

I like an intelligent heroine, one who knows what she wants or failing that, decides what she wants during the course of the book. I want her to make choices, and if they’re bad ones to learn from them. I want her to have the strength of character to deal with the consequences of her choices. I want her to play nice with others, yet stand up for herself if a bully confronts her. I want her to show some passion and not be afraid to love. If she’s been hurt in love before, I want her to grow and become willing to take chances again because this is after all, a romance.

I want her to have pride in her appearance without being vain. I’d like her to be confident with her body and to remember that a person’s attitude makes them sexy. Sure, people judge by appearances, but it’s personality that drives an attraction.

I don’t mind a little whining, but “woman up” and deal with the situation after the whining. Don’t keep stomping on that whining button! I don’t expect my heroine to be perfect. None of us is perfect and our heroines shouldn’t be either. Integrity is good and above all, a heroine should be consistent so she doesn’t come across as a flake.

And lastly, I want her to be kind to animals. I have a soft spot for animals and like heroines who have the same interest.

Two of my favorite heroines include Eve Dallas created by JD Robb and Mercy Thompson created by Patricia Briggs. Both are strong women, both have integrity. It’s interesting to note both are in series. Possibly that’s why they’ve made such an impact on me.

What qualities do you think a heroine should have? Which flaws can you forgive? Who are some of your favorite heroines?

Hubby and I have discussed getting a Wii for a long time, but kept putting it off. During the weekend Mr. Munro rang me up and asked if he could buy one. I couldn’t think of a single reason why he couldn’t and he arrived home with a Wii. Our theory is that it will be good exercise during the colder winter months. We purchased the basic one that comes with the sports and have spent most nights playing a few games of tennis and baseball.

My favorite is the tennis. I luv tennis. In real life I’m not a good player. I have enthusiasm but no skill. With the Wii, I like the way I can serve and always get the ball in the right place. Not so much in real life.

I have a problem with my right arm and have to baby it along, even when it comes to writing. Playing on the Wii hurt it so I’ve switched to playing with my left hand. Strangely my tennis has improved. I now know what I’ve been doing wrong all these years!

I’ve heard that the fitness Wii is very good, especially the new Personal trainer. We’re thinking we might get that next. I like to cycle and walk, but don’t get much upper body exercise. Hopefully, the Wii will cure that problem.

Do you have a Wii? Do you like it? Do you have the Fitness program, and if so, do you like it? What is your favorite type of non-Wii exercise?

My latest release, Make That Man Mine comes out at Ellora’s Cave later today. Make That Man Mine is an erotic romance set in New Zealand and features a special shifter called a taniwha. To learn more about taniwhas check out my most recent Thursday Thirteen, which is all about the creatures.

I interviewed George Taniwha, the owner and founder of George Taniwha & Sons, a private investigating company. He’s rather pleased with himself because he’s allocated a new case to Jack Sullivan. It’s a two-man case and Jack isn’t keen on the idea of a partner. He’s even less pleased when he learns his prospective partner is Emma Montrose, a rookie.

Here’s the interview:

Catherine Bybee invited me to visit her today. I’m over at her blog and giving away a download of Make That Man Mine. I hope to see you there!

This week’s photo for Camera Critters is a rhino mother and baby, taken in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. We rode elephants into the park and were able to get quite close to the one-horned rhinoceros, which is an endangered species. I badly wanted to see a tiger, but we weren’t lucky enough on this trip. We did see a sloth bear, which was very exciting and seeing the rhinos was amazing. They’re a bit weird in appearance and look as if they’re wearing a suit of armor.

The topic for this week is outtakes. I recently submitted a manuscript to my editor and during the editing stage, I decided I needed to do some radical surgery. Painful though it was, I snipped off the first five chapters and discarded them. Here’s an excerpt from part of my original first chapter where Ryman Coppersmith, the hero is fleeing for his life.

A streetlamp flickered off and on, letting out a faint hiss and a lilac flash of illumination. When Ry cautiously rounded a corner, the chill wind stirred his hair, pulling more black strands from his queue, tugged his shirtsleeves down over tanned forearms. The glimpse of a redcoat brought his heart lurching up his throat. Ry hurried in the opposite direction, heading to the river. The narrow street appeared residential, the crooked wooden buildings in disrepair with missing timbers and windowpanes. Like the other streets, rubbish choked the broken cobblestones and festering, smelly drains and puddles were a danger to unwary pedestrians. Most of the windows remained dark but Ry sensed watchful eyes.

“Mister, fancy a tumble? I’ll treat ya real good.”

“Fukk.” Ry backed up rapidly until the wall of a house stopped retreat, his heart lurching in alarm.

The woman tossed her head and grinned. One front tooth was missing. “Yeah, mister. That’s wot I said. Wanna fukk?” She thrust out full breasts for his inspection and fluttered her lashes at him. “A big handsome gent like you. I’m right partial to raven black hair and pretty green eyes.” She shivered. “I can imagine your hair loose, falling around your shoulders while we fukk.”

Not even on a good day, lady. Ry inhaled deeply and immediately wished he hadn’t. Place stunk to high heavens. “No, thank you.” He turned to walk away before halting abruptly. “Would you help me with these cuffs? I’ll pay you.”

The woman cocked her head, eyes narrowing in suspicion. “How much?”

“I’ll give you my pocket watch. It’s golden metal.” Thankfully, the prison guards hadn’t stolen it earlier, leaving him something to bargain with.

“Not syn?”

“It’s real.” Ry jerked his head toward the golden chain attached to his waistcoat pocket. “Check for yourself.” Worry pummeled him at her caution, and he stilled, waiting for her decision. Heck, he understood her wariness but the woman was a trollop. She lived a life full of risk, especially in a location like this. Impatience and desperation finally loosened his tongue. “You were willing to fukk me. How is removing the cuffs any different?”

“Just is. I can see the muscle under the clothes. Ye could hurt me, if ye had a mind.” The woman sniffed and wiped the back of her hand across her nose. She looked him up and down, and he could practically hear her weigh up the risk. “Throw in your waistcoat and it’s a deal.”

“You drive a hard bargain.”

“Keep the cuffs then. Tis all the same to me.” With another sniff, she turned away.

“Wait. The watch and the waistcoat. They’re yours.”

To read other Snippet Saturday posts follow the links below:

Cynthia Eden
Victoria Janssen
Lauren Dane
Leah Braemel
McKenna Jeffries
Moira Rogers
Sylvia Day
Vivian Arend
Mark Henry
Shelley Munro
Jaci Burton
Mandy Roth
Eliza Gayle

Number eight wire is a gauge or thickness of wire used for fencing. In New Zealand it’s also a term used to indicate a can-do attitude. A number eight wire mentality means that a person can turn their hand to anything or will attempt to do anything even though it seems impossible. This term comes from the fact that #8 wire was used to repair almost everything when a better alternative wasn’t available.

I like to think I apply #8 wire mentality towards my writing. I try to never give up, no matter how many knockbacks I receive. After a rejection, I dust myself off and leap in again with both feet. Insert wry grin – I’ve had a little practice at this recently…still ticking along…

Here’s the link to a Tim Finn song called Couldn’t Be Done which always cheers me when I hear it. It’s a song about doing the impossible. (Note – for those who think Tim looks familiar, he was in bands Split Enz and Crowded House)

Recently this new Toyota ad has started playing on our TV screens. It’s a cute look at the New Zealand can-do attitude.

What is your favorite inspiration for times when things are a bit tough? A saying? A favorite book? A movie? A person?