Today Soldier of Fortune is out at Ellora’s Cave. It’s an erotic contemporary romance that’s set in both Iraq and New Zealand. Two years ago, I watched a documentary about private security companies operating in the war zone and the New Zealanders who take up contracts with them to make big money. It’s a dangerous job, yet some of the men go back for more than one contract. They’re in it for both the money and the adrenaline rush.
I’ve been wanting to write stories about some of the secondary characters in Summer in the City of Sails, and this documentary provided me with a possible plot line. I did lots of research, watched heaps of documentaries on British and American soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan in order to make my story realistic. I didn’t want to overwhelm the reader with war so hopefully I’ve managed to strike the balance between realism and romance.
In my story, there’s a female correspondent who works for CBS. One of the jobs of the private security force is to keep her and the other CBS employees safe when they go about doing their job, reporting on the progress of the war. It takes a clear head to calmly report a story while dodging bullets, and I know I couldn’t do it. Female correspondents are often able to interview local women about their experiences and get answers to quite intimate questions. Male correspondents would not have the same access, and many women refuse to talk with them.
I’m taking Soldier of Fortune out on tour. Yes, it’s true—you’ll get to hear more about me and my Ninja Turtle soldiers. Here’s a link to my blog tour schedule.
Would you like to be a reporter? Would you like to be a reporter in a war zone?
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November 18th, 2009 at 3:09 am · Link
Congratulations Shelley on your Release Day!
Thank you for Tea for Two – I received it yesterday afternoon.
I hope you have a great day!
Love & Best Wishes,
Rob
xoxo
PS – If I were a reporter in a war zone I’d want to be a video reporter with instant access to the internet so neither side could censor the news.
:)
November 18th, 2009 at 4:10 am · Link
War is exciting in fiction but not in real life. I’m a scaredy cat.
Wordless Wednesday – Pirates’ Strumpet
it’s possible google reader dropped my feed again
http://vanessavkilmer.com/?feed=rss2
November 18th, 2009 at 7:06 am · Link
Congratulations on your book release. I am to big a coward to do something like that. I greatly admire the people who risk their lives to give us the information but I could never do it.
November 18th, 2009 at 7:07 am · Link
Congratulations on your release day, Shelley!
No I wouldn’t like to be a reporter in a war zone. I’m not that brave.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:30 am · Link
Congrats on release day Shelley! I look forward to reading this.
Since I am a journalist, the only part I can answer is NO I would not like to be in a war zone. Sounds exciting in a book, but in real life not so much. Though I know those who crave that kind of action as a reporter.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:37 am · Link
Happy Release Day, Shelley! I admire war correspondents but would never want to walk a mile in their shoes. Soldier is one thing – armed combatants, yes. Unarmed (supposedly) reporter, no. Way too scary.
November 18th, 2009 at 9:10 am · Link
Congrats Shelley!!
I worked at a newspaper a loooong time ago. And no, I wouldn’t want to be a reporter ever again. The pay isn’t worth it! LOL
November 18th, 2009 at 10:15 am · Link
Happy release day, hon!
November 18th, 2009 at 12:27 pm · Link
Thanks all so much for the release congratulations. Like many of you, I’m full of admiration for war correspondents, both male and female.
November 18th, 2009 at 1:28 pm · Link
Hey, we need to do something together! You need to stop by one of my blogs — and be sure to send your tour stop links to Win a Book, lady!