Taste of Kiwi: Blog of Author Shelley Munro

Kate Alexander, my heroine in my upcoming release, Playing to Win is an aromatherapist who offers massage and uses essential oils during her treatments. Basically aromatherapy is defined as the skilled and controlled use of essential oils for physical and emotional health and well-being. It is the study of scent.

Here’s a very brief excerpt from Playing to Win:

“Damn, that feels soooo good.”

Forest birdsong and the bubble of flowing water poured through concealed speakers in the corner of the dimly lit room. A tea candle flickered under a bowl of scented water, steam rising to release floral notes of lavender and exotic sandalwood.

Like Kate, I love scents and feel that scent is important in our everyday lives. A particular scent can bring back memories of the past, both good and bad. It can make you wrinkle your nose with distaste or bring a smile. Different scents trigger different reactions in a group of people. Think of the scents around you every day. There are the food smells that might bring hunger pangs. The scent of chocolate brings pleasure and anticipation, or at least it does in me. Just the smell of good chocolate makes me think of how it will taste in my mouth. And I dare anyone to walk past a Subway store that’s baking. Does anything smell better than freshly baked bread?

One of my favorite floral scents is lavender, although I’m also a big fan of anything citrusy. Throughout the ages oils, herbs and plants have been used in medicine. These days some people don’t believe they can help but for me scent is a big part of my well-being. For example going outdoors and smelling my favorite flowers always makes me smile and feel better, if I’m feeling a little down. Of course the fresh air might be part of it but I like to think scent plays a part too.

Here are some uses for lavender oil:

Headaches – 1-2 drops of neat lavender oil, pressed between forefingers and massaged at temples and nape of neck.

Sinus problems – 1-2 drops onto a hanky and breathe in the aroma or 1-2 drops onto a bowl of hot water, place towel over head, lean over bowl and breathe.

Bites, stings, burns – use neat 1-3 drops onto affected area.

Insomnia – 1-2 drops on hanky and place inside pillow slip where you can gently breathe the aroma.

Bruises, muscle aches, stomach upsets – 5 drops into 10mls of carrier oil – arnica is an ideal base for bruises and muscle aches. Massage gently over the area.

Note: as always use common sense. If the injury/problem is severe, seek medical advice.

What are your favorite scents, either food, flowers, perfume or something else? Which scents do you favor? Which scents make you wrinkle your nose the most?

Everyone who comments will go into a draw to win a download of my upcoming release, PLAYING TO WIN. I’ll draw the winner on Wednesday so don’t forget to check back to see if you’re the winner.

Take two – for part one go here.

Kate Alexander:
The shriek of brakes caught my attention. Photographers? Why are they taking my photo? When I glanced at the man, he seemed to know. He cursed and asked if could talk inside. Before I could answer he shoved me through the door and followed me inside. He still looked angry but he seemed in control of his temper so I directed him to the den. The last thing I need is another violent man in my life. Been there, done that.

Lane Gerrard:
The woman is a cool cucumber. She’s denying everything even though I’ve shown her the newspaper article. It’s there in black and white but she’s denying she talked to the press. My parents don’t need this, especially with Mom just out of hospital. When I told Kate to organize a retraction she just looked at me with her big eyes. Damn, I really don’t need this. I’d hate to have my promotional contracts canceled because some crazy woman is spreading malicious lies.

Who the hell is he? He looks familiar. Massage? Whoa? This woman is a kinky masseuse? Maybe I should set the cops on her? Okay, lady. No need to shout like a fishwife. I’m going. We’ll let the lawyers sort this out.

~*~

What is up with the photographers? Why are they interested in Kate? Does Lane really think she’s an adult masseuse? How is Kate going to set him straight? How big will the lawyers bill be? Will Kate and Lane ever get together?

Read Kate and Lane’s story in PLAYING TO WIN by Shelley Munro, coming to Cerridwen Press on 17 Jan 2008.

Kate Alexander said:

When I opened my door I expected Jamie. Instead I found myself face-to-face with a glaring stranger. I gaped. Yes, I probably looked a little like a fish but consider the situation. What would you do when faced with a tall, dark and sexy stranger dressed in a designer suit. I mean what man doesn’t look good in a suit? My friend, Danielle says they’re good for hiding beer bellies, which is true. But this man didn’t have a beer belly. I know because I sneaked a look while he was glaring at me and eyeing me up and down. It made me want to squirm so I brazenly did the same to him. My cheeks went hot, my stomach took a dive south and I felt as if I were on a rollercoaster. I haven’t dated for ages because I’m too busy running my business and keeping ahead of the bills. But I started to think of sex. Heck, doesn’t this man ever smile? Who is he anyway? Ooh, sexy voice. He spoke and I started to think about sex again. He’s probably at the wrong house. I must grab a chocolate bar from the pantry. Maybe that will stop me thinking about sex…

Lane Gerrard said:

I expected a blonde bimbo with old eyes and a hard face. Instead an innocent pixy answered the door, fresh-faced and dressed in loose baggy clothes. She has freckles—-cute little golden dots across the bridge of her nose. When I asked if she was Kate Alexander she said yes, but her tone was cautious and she edged away from me. Hell. Not that I blame her. I can practically feel the smoke coming out my ears. The woman’s trying to blackmail me. Dammit, she’s not getting away with it, no matter how cute she is!

Will Kate have enough chocolate? Will Lane change his mind about her? Will they ever get together?

Read Kate and Lane’s story in PLAYING TO WIN by Shelley Munro, coming to Cerridwen Press on 17 Jan 2008.

It’s me today – Shelley. As well as being my birthday this month (the date is still a closely guarded secret – enter my website contest and take a guess.) today is the release of Last Wish, my paranormal/genie/gay/Christmas romance. As you can see I managed to get lots into the description! Today I’m going to talk about genies and point you toward some other very hot genie reads already available at Ellora’s Cave.

Everyone who comments will go into the draw to win…strangely enough…not a genie book, but their choice of a print copy of either The Second Seduction or The Shadow.

Read the rest of this entry ?

Tomorrow is the first day of December and also the start of my Birthday Bash celebration. For the next twenty-one days I have friends and favorite authors visiting me to help celebrate my birthday. I hope you’ll come along to join in the fun. We’re going to discuss all sorts of things and there are lots of prizes on offer.

I also have a special contest at my website. Click on the extras tab above to take you to the contest page where you will find all the details on how to enter. Good luck!

Blast in the New Year with the Blast in the New Scavenger Hunt!

47 individual prizes and one GRAND PRIZE of ALL the E-Books to one lucky entrant!

Blast in the New

Here’s the dealio… Each author has hidden this image somewhere on their websites:

Read the rest of this entry ?

Brush up your cover/query letters and send them to Redlines and Deadlines for a chance of a critique and maybe win a download of an Ellora’s Cave or Cerridwen Press book.

Anna Campbell is doing a workshop at Sandra’s Goings On about lifting the drama in your writing.

At IHeartPresents there’s a post from editor Bryony Green about what they’re looking for in the new Modern Extra line. These books are sold as Sensation Sexy in Australia and New Zealand, and I believe in the US some have come out as part of the Presents line. They’re younger feeling with lots of dialogue and are fairly hot. I’ve enjoyed the ones I’ve read. Also check out the contests they are having for Presents and Modern Extra – write a chapter plus a synopsis by mid-February.

And finally, it’s my birthday in December. I’m having a birthday bash right here with guest bloggers from 1 Dec to 21 Dec. Lots of fun and prizes. I hope you’ll come along and join in the fun. I have a special birthday contest on my contest page. Guess the date of my birthday and win!

I had a hiccup in my blogging schedule last night in the way of Mr. Munro. He wanted to use the computer and in the interests of fairness, I had to let him. The end result was that I went to bed without getting near the computer again or blogging.

I’ve sold another story to Ellora’s Cave. I really loved this story from the get-go. It came together really well and didn’t give me fits as some of my stories do. LOVERS AT LAST is a Quickie and it will be out next year. Yahoo! Color me excited.

Over at the Dynamic Trio we have a contest going. Check out the details here. It’s a fun contest and TJ has done a wonderful job putting it all together. Authors are welcome to play as well as readers.

Anyway, I’m off to post my contract and meet my sister for coffee. I hope everyone has a fun day.

Today I’m guest blogging over at Cerridwen Press. Check out my post here

I’ve received a new cover for my first Cerridwen Press release, Playing to Win. The wonderful Frauke from Croco Designs designed the cover. In the background there’s a rugby field and a goal post since my hero is a professional rugby player. Playing to Win releases on 17 Jan 2008.

Hubby is away playing in a golf tournament for the Returned Services Association. He rang up all excited this morning to tell me he’d scored a hole in one. It’s every golfers dream to do this but there’s a story attached. He couldn’t see where he’d hit his ball and he thought one of the players in front had stolen his ball. It turned out he was wrong so he was grumpily heading back to the tee to take another shot with a new ball when he decided to look in the hole. That’s where he found his ball. So he’s scored a hole in one but didn’t see it happen. The golf club are bronzing the ball for him. I think he rang most of the family from the golf course to let them know his exciting news.