Taste of Kiwi: Blog of Author Shelley Munro

I’m visiting Lex Valentine’s blog today as part of her Christmas giveaway. Drop over and say hello and go into a draw to win one of the three books featured today. My giveaway is for a download of Fancy Free, which is set in the same world as my upcoming Ellora’s Cave release, Christmas is Coming.

Here’s the link to Lex Valentine’s 30 Days of Christmas

Last week over at the Smut Writers’ Soap Box Amie Louellen wrote a fun post about romance writers. She asked everyone to finish this sentence – You know you’re a romance writer when…

Here’s the link. Go ahead. Click over and read it. I’ll wait until you come back.

While I was wondering how to entertain you all during the Black Friday blog hop, I suddenly thought, “Hmm. What if I stole Amie’s idea and tweaked it a little?”

So that’s when I came up with THE idea—the perfect idea to entertain my blog visitors today.

We’re all fans of reading, and a lot of us read romance. Romance readers are different because we like to read a lot. We always have our noses in a book and when we’re not reading, we are talking about books.

But how do you know you’re a romance reader?

That’s what I want you to tell me today. I’ll give you a couple of ideas to start you off.

You know you’re a romance reader when the piles of books at the side of your bed are mini-mountain size.

You know you’re a romance reader when you finish reading your book and immediately need to jump your husband. (that’s an erotic romance, of course)

Now it’s your turn. Finish this statement: You know you’re a romance reader when…

CONTEST: Leave your suggestion in the comments section. Everyone who completes the statement about romance readers goes into a draw to win a download of their choice from my backlist.

Don’t forget to check out the other authors participating in the MFRW Authors’ blog hop. There are some great prizes up for grabs. The links are below.

Chris Redding
W.Lynn Chantale
Christine Ashworth
Chelle Cordero
Tammy Dennings Maggy
Shelley Munro
Debra Holland
Jane Wakely
Smoky Ziedel
Ann Siracusa

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

~ Grab your current read
~ Open to a random page
~ Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
~BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
~ Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I’ve just picked up Ghost Story by Jim Butcher. I like this series, and I was very disappointed when they cancelled the TV series.

I frowned. “What, like . . . purgatory?”
Jack shrugged. “if that works for you, call it that. But you aren’t here because you need to cleanse yourself. You’re here because there was an irregularity with your death.”

page 10, Ghost Story

Blurb:

Meet Harry Dresden, Chicago’s first (and only) Wizard PI. Turns out the ‘everyday’ world is full of strange and magical things – and most of them don’t play well with humans. That’s where Harry comes in.

But he’s forgotten his own golden rule: magic – it can get a guy killed. Which didn’t help when he clashed with unknown assailants intent on his murder. And though Harry’s continued existence is now in some doubt, this doesn’t mean that Chicago’s resident professional wizard can rest in peace. Trapped in a realm that’s not quite here, yet not quite anywhere else, Harry learns that three of his loved ones are in mortal danger. Only by discovering his assailant’s identity can he save his friends, bring criminal elements to justice, and move on before he becomes trapped in his own unending nightmare.

It would just be easier if he knew which three friends were at risk. And had a (working) crystal ball. And had access to his magic. Instead, he must accomplish his mission unable to interact with the physical world – invisible and inaudible to all but the most specialised of magical talents. He’s far from the only silent presence roaming Chicago’s alleys. Hell, he put some there himself. And now, they’re looking for payback.

Purchase Ghost Story

Goodreads Giveaway – I’m currently doing a giveaway for my latest print release Sex Idol. Enter today to go into the draw to win. Here’s the Goodread’s link.

What are you reading this week? Leave a teaser or a link in the comments because I love to add to my wishlist.

Christmas. It’s almost here, whether we want it to arrive or not. Already advertising on the TV, radio and in shops is assaulting my eyes and ears. I don’t care what anyone says. November is too early for Christmas carols about snow and dashing places. Bah humbug! I’m not feeling the Christmas spirit in the slightest.

On the home front, hubby and I are talking holidays. Yes, I know we’ve just returned from jaunts to China and Australia, but if we’ve got to buckle down and work we need something to look forward to—an incentive. After much discussion and Internet research, we came across a cruise that we rather liked the sound of. It starts in Barcelona and goes around the Mediterranean visiting stops such as Rome, Venice, Mykonos, Istanbul, Casablanca and the Azores before finishing at Fort Lauderdale. Hubby and I took about two seconds to think before we both said, “Sign me up!” So, we’re booked, and we only have to wait about 11 months.

While hubby was at the travel agents, she showed him the specials that had arrived that day. Suddenly we were taking a short break at the beginning of December. This time we’re staying at home in New Zealand, but we’re flying to Wellington and catching a cruise ship back up to Auckland. It’s amazing how quickly one can get organized given the motivation.

On the writing front, I’m waiting for my first glimpse of the cover for Cat Burglar in Training. Cat Burglar is the revised version of The Shadow and is due out at Carina Press on Feb 20 2012.

I completed a super secret writing project and turned that in last week. My story will be out in February, and I’ll give you more details as soon as I’m given the go ahead.

This week, I’ve completed edits for my Ellora’s Cave release, Christmas is Coming. It will be out in December (exact date to be confirmed). This story takes place in the same small town where my Talking Dog series and Fancy Free take place. I bet you didn’t know the country town of Sloan was such a hot-bed of activity. If you’d like to get a head start and in the mood for Christmas is Coming you might like to check out the aforementioned books.

In the next few weeks I’ll be taking part in a couple of blog hops. Watch for details because there are some good prizes up for grabs. I’ll be giving away books—both e-format and print. I don’t know about you, but I can never have enough books on my to-read pile.

While I think about it, author Alice Audrey hosts Win a Book at her blog. It’s a chance to win a book, perhaps by a new-to-you author. If you’re an author hosting a book giveaway complete the form on Alice’s Win a Book page, and she’ll add your giveaway details.

And finally, if you’d like to win a copy of Peeping Tom, book two of my Middlemarch Mates series, today is the last day of my Goodreads give away. Don’t delay or you’ll miss out on the chance to enter.

I’ll leave you with a question: If you had 24 hours alone how would you spend it?

My answer: Right at this moment, I’d spend a good portion of that time sleeping. Life has been a bit of a whirlwind for the last few weeks. I’d also go for a long walk with Bella, catch up on some reading for pleasure and get stuck into some writing. It’s so good to work on something new for a change. There would also be a nice meal and a glass of wine in those hours somewhere. Probably a cup of coffee or two as well. What about you?

My special guest today is author, Marie Astor who is celebrating the release of her new contemporary romance Lucky Charm. Marie Astor is a die-hard romantic who wholeheartedly believes in true love, which is why she writes in the contemporary romance genre. Marie is the author of a contemporary romance novel, Lucky Charm, and a short story collection, A Chance Encounter and Other Stories. In addition to being a writer, Marie is an avid hiker, an excellent swimmer, a good skier, and a capable badminton player. Currently, Marie is working on her next novel – stay tuned for details!

Writing Contemporary Romance by Marie Astor

Before I started writing contemporary romance novels, I was (and still am) an avid reader of romance. One of my favorite things about this genre is that it allows the reader a diversion from everyday life, but that does not mean that contemporary romance cannot undertake serious matters and approach them from a lighter angle.

Let’s face it, romance makes for a big part of women’s lives – whether looking for one’s soul mate or searching for ways to maintain sparks in an existing relationship, women spend a lot of time worrying about this part of their lives. Hence, comes the dilemma for a contemporary romance author to create an entertaining, uplifting work of fiction that readers can enjoy.

In my contemporary romance novel, Lucky Charm, the main character, Annabel is getting over a broken engagement. At first, she is so absorbed by heartache that she refuses to even contemplate the thought of dating again. But when her best friend invites her to Paris, Annabel begins to come to terms with her break-up, and as she changes her outlook, romantic opportunities begin to present themselves (yes, she does meet a love interest!).

Now, before you start screaming at me that things like that do not happen in real life, I will be the first to admit that, yes – usually, they do not (although, sometimes they do). But I am a contemporary romance author, and I write fiction that is uplifting and at times a little bit fantastic, in a good way.

The other day I was having drinks with one of my friends whom I have not seen for a long time. I was sad to find out that she had just broken up with her boyfriend of five years – the boyfriend she thought was the one and expected to get engaged to. Needless to say, my friend was in broken spirits, carrying on about how impossible it is to meet ‘the right guy’; meanwhile, she was completely oblivious to the cute guy on the other side of the bar who was casting glances in her direction. When I pointed out this fact, my friend dismissed me at first, but when I insisted, she did smile back at the guy. Long story short, he came over and asked to buy her a drink. Now, they did not go on to live happily ever after – she never even gave him her number, but after this encounter, my friend’s confidence was considerably higher, and a few weeks later she did go on her first date, albeit with a different guy.

I was very glad to hear that my best friend was finding her bearings in the wobbly world of dating and could not help by note a similarity between her story and Annabel’s – both women had to learn to step out of their comfort zones and take a chance on love again – a task that is just as difficult to accomplish in Paris as it is right in your own home.

Twenty-eight-year old Annabel Green is about to tie the knot with her college love, an aspiring author Jeremy Blake, but her plans for an ideal wedding are rudely interrupted when she catches Jeremy kissing his gorgeous book agent.

Shell-shocked by Jeremy’s betrayal, Annabel retreats into the quiet routine of TV dinners and solitary evenings. It is then that Annabel’s best friend, fashion designer Lilly Clayton, sets herself on a mission to draw Annabel out of her shell. In an attempt to persuade Annabel to keep an open mind on dating, Lilly takes Annabel for a stunning makeover, but after Annabel passes on a date with a dashing entrepreneur, Lilly decides that more drastic measures are needed. Lilly invites Annabel to see a palm reader who gives Annabel a lucky charm that is supposed to help her find true love.

A few weeks later, during her trip to Paris, Annabel meets a handsome Parisian, and as the two embark on a whirlwind romance, she starts to believe in the power of the talisman the palm reader has given her. But what Annabel doesn’t know is that Lilly is hiding a secret that could unravel her faith in her newly found luck in love.

Purchase from Amazon Kindle

To learn more about Marie and her books visit her website, her Facebook page or her Amazon author page.

CONTEST Marie is giving away a canvas tote to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour (US and Canada only please). The more tour posts you comment on, the better your chance of winning The tour dates can be found here.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

~ Grab your current read
~ Open to a random page
~ Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
~BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
~ Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser today is from Heartbreak Creek by Kaki Warner. I won this book by a new-to-me author in a blog contest a couple of months ago. I’m so glad I did, because I wouldn’t have chosen this book if left to my own devices. It’s a western romance with a marriage of convenience/fish-out-of-water plot. The setting sparkles, and the characters dragged me into the story from page one. I’m up to chapter three, and already I know I’ll be chasing down Kaki Warner’s earlier stories. Lucky for me she has a trilogy!

As with any well-bred, well-trained southern lady of quality, drama was her weapon, just as pride was her strength. Like the whalebone corsets and hoops under her dress, they shaped her and supported her, hiding beneath the bows and ruffles and hospitable smile the core of determination that gave her the strength to endure what she must.

page 2, Heartbreak Creek

Blurb:

Edwina Ladoux hoped becoming a mail-order bride would be her way out of the war- torn South and into a better life, but as soon as she arrives in Heartbreak Creek, Colorado, and meets her hulking, taciturn groom, she realizes she’s made a terrible mistake.

Declan Brodie already had one flighty wife who ran off with a gambler before being killed by Indians. He’s hoping this new one will be a practical, sturdy farm woman who can help with chores and corral his four rambunctious children. Instead, he gets a skinny Southern princess who doesn’t even know how to cook.

Luckily, Edwina and Declan agreed on a three-month courtship period, which should give them time to get the proxy marriage annulled. Except that as the weeks pass, thoughts of annulment turn into hopes for a real marriage- until Declan’s first wife returns after being held captive for the last four years. Now an honorable man must choose between duty and desire, and a woman who’s never had to fight for anything must do battle for the family she’s grown to love…

CONTESTS: I’m visiting Beth Kery’s blog today to help celebrate her new release, Silken Rapture. I’m talking about fish-out-of-water plots and giving away a download of my book Fancy Free.

I’m also doing a giveaway of Peeping Tom at Goodreads. This contest closes on Nov 18 and is open to all.

Win a print copy of Peeping Tom on Goodreads. Thirteen days left to enter!

The puppy is booked into the kennel.

And on Friday I’m off to Sydney, then on to Melbourne.

This has been a rough year for New Zealanders with a mining disaster, big earthquakes, an oil spill and on a personal level two friends died, both unexpectedly. If this year has taught me one thing, it is to grab opportunities as they arise and not to put off things until a later date. Hubby has always wanted to attend the Melbourne Cup, a huge horse race down this end of the world, and this year we’re going.

We’ll see race horses

And beautiful fashion.

We’ll even have a flutter or two on the horses. The problem is picking the winner. The main Melbourne Cup race has a huge field. My problem – I have zero knowledge of these horses.

Do I choose my favorite number?
Check out the horse’s form?
The horse’s color?
The color of the jockey’s eyes?
The color of the jockey’s silks?
Pick whatever name appeals to me?
Do a special dance?
Chant a children’s rhyme and eliminate horses one by one?

It’s certainly a dilemma, and I’ve been giving the matter much thought. Here’s what I think I’ll do: take a look at the horses before the race. Any horses that seem stressed will be crossed off my list. I’ll pay attention to my favorite number, and if neither of these methods help, I’ll pick a name that appeals to me. One of the horses is called Two for Tea, and since I have a book called Tea for Two this could be a sign!

What do you think? How would you pick a winner for the Melbourne cup?

CONTEST: I thought I’d do a contest today and give away a download of HOUSE OF THE CAT, which features a horse race of the alien kind. I’ll pick my favorite answer late tomorrow night my time (New Zealand) and post the name of the winner in the comments section.

Thank you to everyone who visited my blog during the last two weeks. The winner of my eBook Bundle Contest is:

Ella Gray. Congrats, Ella!

This week also saw the release of my gay paranormal romance, Lone Wolf. Thanks to everyone who followed my VBT for Lone Wolf. The winner of the $20 Amazon gift card is:

Mary Preston. Congrats, Mary!

I’ve emailed both winners directly. Thanks again for all your support.

This is the final day of my Lone Wolf virtual tour. I’m visiting Sara York’s blog and talking about authors, life experience and characters. Is there a connection between an author’s life experience and their writing?

Don’t forget–if you comment on my post at Sara’s blog you’ll be in the draw to win a $20 Amazon voucher.