Taste of Kiwi: Blog of Author Shelley Munro

I’d like to welcome Janine Ashbless to my blog today. Janine is a multi-published author of erotic romance and erotica. Her first book was published in 2000 by Black Lace and she currently writes for Samhain and Ellora’s Cave among others. She’s always used elements of fantasy, mythology and folklore in her writing, with occasional forays into horror.

Janine lives in Yorkshire, England, with her husband and two rescued greyhounds, and is trying hard to overcome her addiction to semicolons.

1. Give us an elevator pitch for your book, Heart of Flame.

“The Adventures of Sinbad with hot romance. And extra djinnis.”

2. Where did the idea for your book come from? Did you need to do much research?

It’s a setting I’ve wanted to write about for years. When an editor asked me to come up with a romantic fantasy novel, the Arabian Nights was what jumped straight into my head. Heart of Flame ended up going to a different editor and a bigger publisher, in the end, but that’s how I started.

This is the first of my 5 published novels with anything like a real historical background, so I did a load of research, starting with the unexpurgated version of the One Thousand and One Nights. I borrowed a duffle-bag full of books on Middle Eastern history from a friend, and of course I used the internet. Honestly, how did writers ever manage before? Did you know you can Google Earth Iraq and look for the route to the ruined city of Ctesiphon? How awesome is that!

Also, I actually spent a few days in Damascus during the time I was writing Heart of Flame. That was a happy coincidence really, but it certainly didn’t hurt!

3. What does your writing space look like, and do you have a view?

I write sitting up in bed with my laptop. I have two large rescued greyhounds to keep me company with their strange doggy sleep-noises (and, um, smells). I have a big window, but from that angle all I can see is the sky and the top of a tree. Which suits me fine –the fewer distractions the better. I can’t work with TV or music on, for example.

4. What advice would you give an aspiring writer just starting on their writing journey?

Don’t do it for money – you aren’t going to be rich. Don’t do it for fame – you will never be a household name. Do it because you love to write. Do it because you want tell a story, and because you’re the only escape route this story will ever have out into the big wide world. And remember Calvin Coolidge’s advice:

Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

5. Describe your hero. Tell us about one of his strengths and one of his vulnerabilities. From where did you draw the inspiration for your hero?

Rafiq is a real Sinbad type character: a merchant-master who accompanies his trade caravans all over the Middle East. He’s smart, restless and fair-minded. Looks-wise – well, I’ve no complaints about the model on the cover! That’s a pretty good likeness :-)

A strength? Well, in a culture where everyone is defined by their social position, Rafiq is unusually open-minded and non-judgmental. His wife died several years ago, and he learned a hard lesson then about how everyone has their own story and their own individual viewpoint on life. He doesn’t have a down on the heroine Taqla because she’s a woman, or because she’s a sorceress. (He has a down on her because she lied to him. But he gets over that.)

A weakness? He’s got a terminal case of itchy feet. When he was married he was an absent husband, never at home for more than a few weeks. He loves to travel, and cannot settle. This makes it very difficult for him to really love someone because, in his culture, where’s he going to find a woman who can share his travelling life? Heh.

6. And now a question from Janine for you all to answer:

What’s your favourite movie from your childhood, and what is it you remember about it? Mine was Jason and the Argonauts, even though (or maybe because) the bronze giant scared the pants off me!

Book Blurb:

And on the One-Thousand-and-Second night, Scheherazade told this story…

By day, Taqla uses her forbidden sorcery to move freely about the city of Damascus in the guise of an old sage. Her true identity known only by her faithful servant woman, Taqla is content with the comfortable, if restrictive, life that keeps her safe from the control of any man. Until she lays eyes on a handsome merchant-traveler. Suddenly her magical disguise doesn’t rest so easily on her shoulders.

When long-time widower, Rafiq, hears that the Amir’s beautiful daughter has been kidnapped by a scheming djinni—and that she will be given in marriage to her rescuer—he seeks the help of “Umar the Wise” to ensure he will be that man. Yet as he and the disguised Taqla set off, he senses that his prickly male companion is hiding something.

In a moment of dire peril, all of Taqla’s secrets are stripped bare—her fears, her sorcery and, worst of all, her love for Rafiq. Yet the princess’s life hangs in the balance, and there is no running away or turning back. Even though passion may yet betray them all…

Warning: Scary monsters and creepy ruins in the desert—check. Pagan gods that demand blood-sacrifices—double check. A handsome hero who looks good in a robe and even better out of it—oh yeah. Check, check and check. That’s worth a heroine dropping a veil or two.

Purchase Heart of Flame

To learn more about Janine visit her website or blog. You can also find her on Facebook.

CONTEST: Janine will be giving away a PDF copy of her previous fantasy/erotic romance novella, “The King’s Viper” to one randomly drawn commenter. All you need to do to go into the draw is to answer Janine’s movie question above or ask her a question about her book. It’s that easy.

Happy New Year!

Here’s wishing you all a happy and safe 2012, filled with writing and good books.

Today I’m blogging over at Not Your Usual Suspects about the book I read as a child that sent me on the path of adventure, crime and suspense. Strictly fictional, of course!

I’m frolicking (visiting) at Sweet ‘N Sexy Divas today and talking about romance writers. Pop over to say hello and comment on my post – you know you’re a romance writer when…

And why am I frolicking here?

Because I’m hard at work on a historical romance where there is currently much frolicking. It’s rubbed off on me, hence the topic for my TT this week.

Thirteen Synonyms For FROLIC

1. Caper

2. Prance

3. Scamper

4. Tomfoolery

5. Skylark

6. Curvet

7. Dally

8. Carouse

9. Romp

10. Disport

11. Gambol

12. Cavort

13. Revel

I’m off to continue with my historical frolicking. Tell me – do you have any exciting plans to celebrate the arrival of the New Year? Will you be frolicking?

I’d like to welcome author Tina Donahue today. I’ll hand you straight over since she has some big news!

Did you get what you wanted for the holidays??

I certainly did! A contract for the next installment of my Outlawed Realm series with Samhain Publishing. Book 2 is due out September 2012. Woot!!

For those of you who don’t know me, here’s my official bio and links:

Tina Donahue is an award-winning, bestselling novelist in erotic, paranormal, contemporary and historical romance for Ellora’s Cave, Samhain Publishing and Kensington. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work; she has reached finals and/or placed in numerous RWA–sponsored contests. Three of her erotic novels were named finalists in the 2011 EPIC competition. Sensual Stranger, her erotic romance, was chosen Book of the Year 2010 (erotic category) at the French review site, Blue Moon reviews. The Golden Nib Award at Miz Love Loves Books was created specifically for her erotic romance Lush Velvet Nights; and Deep, Dark, Delicious (erotic romance) recently received an Award of Merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competition (2011). She’s featured in the 2012 Novel and Writer’s Market. Before turning to fiction, she was the editor of an award–winning Midwestern newspaper and worked in Story Direction for a Hollywood production company.

Email: tina@tinadonahue.com
Website/blog: www.tinadonahue.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tinadonahue
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000458023097

For those of you who haven’t yet read Unending Desire, Book One in my Outlawed Realm
series, here’s the cover art, the blurb and an excerpt. Enjoy!

Blurb:

His hunger for one woman will make him a traitor to his world…
Outlawed Realm, Book 1

From a portal in his lab on E2, one of the five dimensions of Earth, quantum physicist Nikoli Zorr gazes on everything forbidden to him. Passion. Desire. The exquisite pleasure of running his hands over the lush curves of a young woman he should have stopped watching weeks ago.

His duty is to close the portals that keep the monsters out of E2—and never interfere with the inevitable fate of those on the other side. Yet he can’t bring himself to abandon the woman who has captured his soul.

Psychologist Regina Page is trying to keep her mind on her client, and off the mysterious, unbearable sexual cravings that consume her when she’s alone in her bedroom. The next moment she’s attacked by vampires, then swept into another realm by a stranger whose touch awakens that same raw desire. Whose eyes are already filled with farewell.

Yet beneath their undeniable carnal lust, something else stirs. The beginnings of illicit love. The unexpected need to protect him. Even if it means risking body, blood and soul to defeat the merciless horde…for a future that was never meant to be.

_______________________________________

Product Warnings
Contains a repressed scientist who likes to look, and the woman who delights in unleashing his inner caveman. And sex hot enough to burn a hole in all three dimensions…and maybe create a whole new one.

Excerpt:

Within seconds, she sensed it again…someone watching.

Anticipation made her look up; life experience made her wary. Peering right and left, Regina noted that no one glanced in her direction. Conversations continued. Patrons consumed their food and drinks.

Disconcerted, she glanced behind herself, seeing nothing different. No one acknowledged or even noticed her.

Heat continued to travel to her pussy, lingering there. It climbed to her throat and cheeks. A picture scrolled across her mind of large hands on either side of her face, gentle and caressing, lips brushing her skin, the rush of warm breath tickling her cheek, her lids closing on a lusty moan, her body sagging against hard male flesh scented with musk.

Where are you? Regina’s mind asked before she knew it would.

At the establishment’s street entrance a knot of people stood in the open doorway, shaking water from their umbrellas, brushing beads of moisture from their coats.

The edge of her napkin fluttered in the dank breeze. The patron closest to her, a young guy in a beautifully tailored suit, called out, “Hey, close the door. You’re letting in the cold.”

Regina experienced only building warmth. She rested her fingertips on the top of her table, noting how cool the polished wood was to her touch.

Her attention swung from the baristas behind the serving area to the individual facing it. A man who must have arrived shortly before those who’d left the door open. Tall, with a powerful build, muscled yet lean, he wore a black crewneck sweater, jacket and a dark blue topcoat. The ends fluttered above his similarly colored pants. Combed away from his forehead, his thick raven hair was wavy and worn longish in the back. Strong masculine features, ruggedly handsome, complemented his olive complexion.

Regina knew she was staring openly but couldn’t help herself. She guessed him to be in his mid-thirties and of foreign descent, possibly Greek or Middle Eastern ancestry.

Did he work in this building? Where? What floor? Who was he? Why hadn’t she ever noticed him?

He certainly wasn’t a man a woman could ignore.

The barista who’d waited on Regina delivered his order with a suggestive smile, clearly interested in him. He seemed not to notice her flirting as he handed over a twenty. Regarding him closely, Regina saw that the shoulders of his coat weren’t damp from the rain. Neither was his hair. Had he bought the coffee to take on his drive home? Did a wife and children await him in one of Seattle’s countless suburbs?

Chewing her lower lip, Regina checked out his large hands and long fingers. Naked. No ring.

She was unbelievably pleased, an obviously crazy reaction. It was possible his culture didn’t believe in the men wearing wedding bands. Even if he was single, she didn’t know him. Other than being in this coffeehouse at the same time, their paths would probably never cross again. They would never speak or touch.

To Regina’s surprise, brutal reality didn’t stop her. Fevered and wanting, she considered going up to him and starting a conversation. About what? With lightning speed, her mind considered and rejected numerous topics—the delicious pastry in the display case, the depressing weather, what films currently played. Through it all, persistent warmth engulfed Regina, a curious sensation of desire and well-being that continued to grow and draw her to him.

With his order in hand, he turned, looking directly at her. No one else.

Regina’s body softened with a rush of delight…an invisible connection between them. The psychologist in her knew it was ridiculous to consider such a thing. The woman in her didn’t care. She held his gaze, as dark as his hair, his irises sparkling in the tame lighting.

A whimper of pleasure bubbled in Regina’s throat.

Behind him, a middle-aged woman knocked his arm as she moved past to place her order. His focus remained on Regina, his manner composed yet commanding, his expression unguarded, filled with what appeared to be wonder.

Around them, people laughed and spoke, lights blinked, rain tapped the windows, the sounds resembling drumming fingernails. An instrumental piece flowed from the sound system, a tenor sax wailing sensuously.

Locking her knees, Regina leaned against her table for support.

He didn’t break their unspoken attachment. With an easy stride, he approached her table.

A current of expectation tore through Regina, tightening her nipples. She lifted her face, helpless in his presence.

He smiled.

At its comfort and beauty, her heart turned over.

He gestured toward her table. “Do you mind if I join you?” Regarding the area past her, he added, “It’s very crowded tonight.”

In his smooth, deep baritone, Regina caught the trace of an accent. Not Greek or Middle Eastern as she’d suspected but from some unknown locale. Managing a swallow, she cleared her throat and murmured, “Not at all. Please do.” Really, please.

Again, he focused on her. Only her. As if no one else existed.

Something inside Regina shifted, magnifying her sense of sight and sound, her pressing need to be close. She ached to touch him, wondering if he suspected as much and had noticed how her words caught. She had no doubt he saw her desire.

“Thanks.” He rested his cup on the table.

Unwilling to stop herself, Regina offered her hand, their fingertips nearly touching. “Hi. I’m Regina Page.”

Tell me who you are.

Buy Link: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/unending-desire-p-6491.html

* * * CONTEST * * * CONTEST * * * CONTEST * * *

One lucky commenter on this blog will have her choice of one of my following ebooks**:

1. Adored – RWA award-winning; EPIC 2011 Finalist; 4 Stars RT
2. Deep, Dark, Delicious – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Holt Medallion Award of Merit
3. Lush Velvet Nights – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Golden Nib Award
4. In His Arms – SIX 5 Star Reviews; 4 Stars RT
5. Sensual Stranger – 2010 Book of the Year (erotic); 4 Stars RT
6. The Yearning – Top Ten Bestseller
7. Take Me Away – #1 Pick, Miz Love Loves Books

** Winner chosen at random. Winner chosen January 5.

These are two santas we made out of salt dough. We used gingerbread men cutters and hubby painted them to look like Santa.

I’m visiting Lizzie T Leaf today over at What’s Cookin’ in Lizzie’s World to celebrate Christmas and my latest release, Christmas is Coming. I’m doing a giveaway, so come and say hello!

I’m visiting Tina Donahue’s blog today. I’m talking about Sex in a Public Place and my new release, Christmas is Coming. I’m also doing a giveaway and hope you will stop by to say hello.

Here’s the link: Tina Donaue’s blog

My special guest today is Donna Shields. Donna grew up on romance and scary stories. With her love for suspense and the slightly unusual, she enjoys tying these elements together to create stories full of love, danger, and the paranormal.

Over to Donna!

Do you believe there’s life after death? Do you believe in ghosts? I believe. Completely. I’ve had too many experiences not to. Just like my heroine, Lena Dixon, in The Swan Cove Murders. The difference between Lena and I? I can’t talk to spirits.

I’ve had my share of ‘encounters’ though, and I thought it would be fun to share some of them with you. Kind of like my very own ghost stories, but real. But, I promise not real scary and no blood curdling screams. I’ll take it easy on you. (Besides, I’m not Stephen King. We’ll leave that all to the expert himself.)

I began having weird things happening around the second floor of my parents’ home roughly when I moved from the downstairs bedroom to one upstairs. I was thirteen. The weird happenings were minor, like a door popping open on its own. Then, they graduated to lights turning on and off by themselves (There are no light switches on the walls upstairs, even to this day. You pull on a string to turn the light(s)). A black figured shadow along the hallway floor underneath the door. Yeah, my mom’s house is freakishly haunted.

Probably about a year after moving up with my new ‘friends’, my best friend, my niece (she’s two years younger than me), and her best friend all piled into my room after convincing my mom we could all have a sleepover and be quiet (rolling my eyes cause that didn’t quite happen!). My niece’s friend had brought along her Ouija Board. We figured ‘what the heck.’ Let’s see if any of my ghosts would talk to us. And of course we were scared stiff so we closed the bedroom door, but left both the hallway and bedroom lights on. We set it up and after a little goofing got down to business. We asked if any spirits were in the room. Got a yes. Asked what his/her name was? Got Wilkes. Asked was there anyone else? Yes. Who? David. Did you both live here? Yes. No.

And this went on for four or five minutes. Then my niece’s friend had asked something and for the life of me I can’t remember, but it made ‘David’ seriously mad. Simultaneously, the lights all went out and we heard something go flying across the room. Now keep in mind. We were sitting on the floor next to my window. My stand was across the room on the other side of my bed against the wall. After having a severe-near-death-heart-attack, we gathered our brains and I turned the overhead light on in the bedroom. I swear on my children’s lives, that Bible was sitting on that stand before we started. I found it up on my dresser where it knocked my makeup over onto the floor. We went downstairs and I said to my dad, ‘Your lights go out down here?’ He gave me the funniest look as if I lost my marbles. ‘No.’ I was like ‘Seriously???’ His response: ‘No, now shush so I can watch this. (As in TV)’

Well, I guess we didn’t lose power for any reason. It was only the upstairs lights that went out all on their own. And a Bible flying across my room. Needless to say, we never used another Ouija Board in that house ever again. But, we learned that really these ghosts that still occupy the house are truly friendly and enjoy letting you know they are there.

Another freaky story? Sure! I lost one of my brothers in 2004 to a sudden massive heart attack. It nearly killed me (I’m the youngest of nine children. He was 52 and I was 31.). We had talked a few weeks prior and I told him I was going to come up for Christmas since I hadn’t been able to return to CT for a visit since moving to SC in 2003. I trudged my way back to CT for the funeral. Before returning home, my mom gave me a pair of his sneakers he wore quite often. I took them eagerly since I just needed anything to have that connection to him. I arrived home and was greeted by our puppy, Benji, tail waggling so happy to see me and the kids. As I unloaded the car, I placed stuff on the deck and inside the door. The pup would sniff things, but nothing more. The last thing I unloaded was my brother’s sneakers. I set them down by the fireplace. No sooner did my hands leave those shoes, Benji went ballistic. Barking. Growling. Running back and forth from the door to the shoes. I was afraid he would tear them apart. So, I took them and placed them in my closet shutting the door. Benji proceeded to bark and growl at that door for ten minutes and then silence. I went to look and there he was lying down at the door sniffing. Suffice it to say, I believe I brought part of my brother’s essence home with me. It comforts me everyday to know it’s very probably he’s here watching over me.

I could go on and on with stories. So many weird experiences in every home I’ve ever lived in. My thoughts? I believe one or two may have followed me along the way. Even now, something will be pushed off the counter, or the TV will suddenly turn on. Once in a while, I’ll hear a voice (this is new to me still) and I can’t quite make out what is said, but I swear someone calls my name. A shadow or a cold breeze will pass me. Do I get the creeps? Sure, I wouldn’t be human otherwise. But, I know they’re only saying hi and making their presence known. And I’m okay with that.

As for my heroine, Lena Dixon, she’s encounters ghosts on a regular basis. She’s a spirit writer. She ‘hears’ the spirits and writes down what they’ve ‘said’ to her. To read more about her and my hero, Nicholas Hunter, you can find their story The Swan Cove Murders at:

As if the violent murder of Lena Dixon’s fiancé hadn’t been bad enough, now his brother, Nicholas Hunter, is court ordered to live with her for the next thirty days. And to top it off, the murderer’s ghost is asserting his innocence and refuses to leave until Lena and Nicholas prove it.

The skeptic in Nicholas believes Lena has lost her mind until he witnesses some unexplainable events and is forced to believe in her psychic abilities and his heart’s desire.

As their sexual chemistry heats up, so do their guilt levels. Can they make their newfound relationship work, or will it be too late when the real killer comes calling for her?

Soul Mate Publishing
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

You can find me at:
My blog
SMP Authors Blog
My web page: Donna Shields
Facebook
Twitter

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 started reading Breaking Point by Pamela Clare. It’s a romantic suspense, very gritty and real. This week I’m cheating a little with a slightly longer teaser.

Unable to do anything else to help her, Zach gave her the only advice he could. “I know it’s hard, but you need to stay focused on what’s happening now. Do whatever it takes to survive. Do you hear me, Natalie? Just survive.”

page 28, Breaking Point

Blurb:

While investigating border violence in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, Denver journalist Natalie Benoit is caught in a bloody ambush and taken captive. Alone in the hands of ruthless killers, she will need every ounce of courage she possesses to survive.

Betrayed by another operative, Deputy U.S. Marshal Zach McBride has endured a week of torture and interrogation at the hands of a bloodthirsty Mexican drug cartel. Ready to give his life if he must, he remains unbroken—until he hears the cries of an American woman.

Although Natalie is only a voice in the darkness of their shared prison, her plight brings renewed strength to Zach’s battered body. With her help, he overpowers their captors, and they flee through the desert toward the border, the attraction between them flaring hotter than the Sonoran sun.

But past loss and tragedy leave both of them reluctant to follow their hearts, even when the passion between them reaches its breaking point. Faced with feelings neither expected, they fight to stay ahead of the danger that hunts them as forces more powerful than they can imagine conspire to destroy them both…

Purchase Breaking Point

What are you reading this week? Share a teaser from your current read in the comment section or leave me a link to your teaser.

I’m visiting Joanna Chamber’s blog, Isn’t It Romantic? today and talking about my new release, Christmas is Coming plus the scents and sounds of Christmas. Here’s a link to Isn’t It Romantic? Come on over and say hello.

Welcome to my guest today Renée Pawlish! Renée was born in California, but has lived most of her life in Colorado. When she’s not hiking, cycling, or chasing ballplayers for autographs, she is writing mysteries and thrillers that include the Reed Ferguson mysteries, Nephilim Genesis of Evil, the first in the Nephilim trilogy, Take Five, a short story collection, and The Sallie House: Exposing the Beast Within, a non-fiction account of a haunted house investigation.

Renée loves to travel and has visited numerous countries around the world. She has also spent many summer days at her parents’ cabin in the hills outside of Boulder, which was the inspiration for the setting of Taylor Crossing in her novel Nephilim: Genesis of Evil.

Hi Renee, and welcome! Give us an elevator pitch for your book, This Doesn’t Happen in the Movies.

Witty, intrepid Reed Ferguson is a wannabe private eye with a love of film noir, crime fiction and Humphrey Bogart. Amanda Ghering is a rich, attractive femme fatale who hires Reed to find her missing husband. It doesn’t take long before Reed realizes that all is not as it seems, and he is quickly thrust into a dark and daring investigation.

Where did the idea for your book come from and did you originally envisage more than one book featuring your lead character?

I usually get a hint of an idea and the more I think about it, a story forms in my head. This book was no exception. I had the femme fatale in my mind and I could picture her in an office, talking to a detective. Reed Ferguson came out of that scene – I first saw that old film noir detective, and then I modernized it. Once I had Reed created, I knew this could be the beginning of a mystery series. And now I’m working on book three, so I guess I was right…

What does your writing space look like, and do you have a view?

Right now my desk is a mess…maybe I shouldn’t admit that. I have lots of pieces of paper scattered around me because I jot things down that I want to remember, and they tend to stack up. I have set up my office where my desk faces a wall-to-wall floor-to-ceiling bookshelf. I love to look at books while I’m writing. And I have a ton of autographed sports memorabilia, and I look at all that too.

What advice would you give an aspiring mystery writer just starting on their writing journey?

I get asked this a lot and my answer is to hone your craft before you actually publish. Amazon has made it easy to put a book out, but for most authors (me included), that first or second book is not very good. You haven’t written enough to understand how to shape a story, and how to show a story, not tell it. Learn by reading books about writing, taking classes on writing. And then write. And write some more. And don’t be afraid to get feedback from others who will give you an honest assessment of your work. It might sting at the time, but it will make you a better writer.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a teacher. I do some of that now when I work with other writers. I’m also pursuing an opportunity to teach creative writing at a community college here in Denver, so maybe that childhood dream of teaching will become reality.

Now Renee has a question for you: What makes a book a “page-turner” for you?

CONTEST: Renée is giving away a print or eBook copy of her book Nephilim and a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during her tour. Follow Renée’s tour, comment on every post and increase your chances of winning! The tour dates can be found here.

A wannabe private eye with a love of film noir and detective fiction.
A rich, attractive femme fatale.
A missing husband.
A rollicking ride to a dark and daring ending.

Purchase This Doesn’t Happen in the Movies
Print
Kindle

To learn more about Renee and her books visit her website or blog. You’ll also find Renee on Twitter, Facebook and at Goodreads.

I’d like to welcome fellow Carina Press author Jenny Schwartz to my blog today. I’m very excited since I’ve wanted to read the A Clockwork Christmas anthology ever since I heard about it, and it’s out today! Over to Jenny who is talking about mixing Australia with steam punk. I’m off to start reading…

Shelley, thanks for inviting me to guest post at your blog. I thought I’d bring some history with me across the Tasman.

“Wanted: One Scoundrel”, my steampunk novella in the anthology “A Clockwork Christmas”, is set in the Swan River Colony, the precursor of the state of Western Australia. It was an obvious setting for me to use. I grew up in Perth and studied Australian social history there. All those hours in the State Library scribbling notes in pencil from colonists’ letter had to prove useful, sometime.

The fun part of writing Steampunk is you get to mix real history with fictional touches. Perhaps my most radical change to real history is the addition of Bombaytown to the Swan River Colony of 1895.

My Bombaytown is modelled on San Francisco’s Chinatown, but with an Indian character. Actually, Swan River has a bit in common with San Francisco. Both boomed on the back of gold rushes. Both were Wild West. Both lured people intent on following their dreams.

My inspiration for Bombaytown was my long-held sense that it should have existed. Geographically, Western Australia and India are relatively close. In the earliest days of the colony, colonists exported horses and sandalwood to India. Even today, sandalwood remains a valuable export.

Somehow, history stuffed up and Bombaytown never existed. But in “Wanted: One Scoundrel” it is loud, colourful, full of exuberant hope and exotic spices.

For me, that’s one of the joys of Steampunk: It’s history as it ought to have been.

So, how about you. What bit of history would you rewrite?

We Wish You a Steampunk Christmas

Changed forever after tragedy, a woman must draw strength from her husband’s love. A man learns that love isn’t always what you expect. A thief steals the heart of a vengeful professor. And an American inventor finds love Down Under. Enjoy Victorian Christmas with a clockwork twist in these four steampunk novellas.

Anthology includes:
Crime Wave in a Corset by Stacy Gail
This Winter Heart by PG Forte
Wanted: One Scoundrel by Jenny Schwartz
Far From Broken by JK Coi

Stories also available for purchase separately.

117,000 words

Buy link: http://bit.ly/ClockworkX

Wanted: One Scoundrel http://bit.ly/WantedScoundrel

If you’d like to learn more about Jenny and her books visit her website.