Taste of Kiwi

Today I’m doing a guest post at The Rainbow Studio blog where I’m talking about the first gay romance I read. I’m also doing a guest blog at Alternative Read.com where I’m discussing Fancy Free and the use of condoms in romantic fiction. Should we or should we not have our heroes and heroines using condoms? Those who comment on my Alternative Read post will go into a draw to win a download from my Ellora’s Cave or Cerridwen Press backlist.

Warning: Condoms were tested and a few harmed during the writing of this story.

It’s not every day a girl inherits a condom company, and to say accountant Alice Beasley is astonished and out of her depth is putting it mildly. For an almost virgin, she needs a quick education in all things condom because her inheritance is in danger. Someone is intent on sabotage and playing nasty, trying to destroy her new company.

Alice is suddenly getting down and dirty with charismatic James, the factory manager, all in the name of business, testing new condom designs. The sex is hot. Mind-blowing. It’s a dark thrill and an erotic journey. Yeah, it’s a hard job, but a girl’s got to do what a girl’s gotta do.

The testing turns personal. Alice wants James. She craves his talented touch and sultry kisses, she desires passion and physical pleasure on a permanent basis but first she must convince bad-boy James to give up his fancy-free ways…

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This week’s theme is mistaken identity, and I’ve chosen an excerpt from my romantic suspense Playing to Win.

Playing to Win by Shelley Munro

“Damn, that feels soooo good.”

Kate Alexander grinned and worked steadily, competent hands gliding over her client’s powerful body, massaging knots from tight muscles until each breath the man took was deep and even and relaxed.

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.

Without warning, the strident demand of a doorbell shattered the calm oasis. Pried from her deep concentration, Kate dug her fingernails into the muscle of her client’s right calf.

He jerked awake with a grunt, wincing. “Ow! Whaz’s wrong?”

“Sorry, Adam.” Kate made a soothing sound and continued with feather-soft stroking until he relaxed again, but her attention had fractured and she glared in the direction of her front door. The sign in the middle of her door was clear enough for even a child to understand. Aromatherapist at work. Do not interrupt.

The bell rang again with three staccato bursts. A brief interval later, deafening thumps echoed through her inner sanctum. Kate cursed under her breath and eased the massage to an end. She wiped her hands on a towel to remove the last traces of oil and shrugged off her pale green protective coverall. “I’m sorry. I don’t think my caller can read.”

Adam glanced over his shoulder, flashing a grin as he pushed up and secured a towel around his waist. He checked the clock hanging on the far wall. “No problem. It’s time for me to leave anyway. My last scenes are being filmed tonight and the makeup artists need plenty of time to make me look pretty.” He chuckled, enjoying the joke at his own expense.

Kate smiled at the well-known Auckland actor. If anything, they used the makeup to downplay his boyish blond looks. At least that’s what his wife and her best friend Danielle said. “Thanks. Tell Danielle I’ll call her later in the week.”

“Sure thing, sweet pea.”

She left Adam to dress, closing the door between her sanctum and the hallway. The impatient hammering continued unabated. For the love of Pete! Her white runners slapped against the tiled floor as she rushed to answer. Probably Jamie and he’d forgotten his key again…

Kate jerked the door open. “Jamie, what…?” Her words trailed off when she came face-to-face with a stranger. Tall, he loomed over her, his dark hair and tetchy expression reminding her of a thundercloud. Admittedly a very sexy one. She gaped at the enigmatic man trying to read him, for some unknown reason fascinated with learning what had ruffled his day. “Can I help you?”

The impassive mask slipped momentarily and she read the flush of displeasure high on his cheekbones, in his glittering eyes. Tightly leashed emotion radiated from him in waves and alarm seeped through her. Kate shifted uneasily before common sense told her to stop being stupid. Help was a call away. Still, as his broad shoulders angled closer, she inched backward, pleased Adam was still here. Her slow retreat didn’t go unnoticed. The hard planes of the man’s face tightened and he observed her closely like a predator stalking prey. Pewter-gray eyes fixed her with cool speculation then, just like a light switching off, his face blanked.

Her skin tingled under the scrutiny and, to her chagrin, the sensation wasn’t entirely nerves. The sexy thundercloud thing. She shuffled her feet again, barely resisting the urge to check the buttons on her cream blouse were correctly fastened. Adam would make an appearance soon. She hoped. Heck, if she reacted to a grumpy stranger like this, celibacy was definitely doing something weird to her hormones. Dark, rich chocolate had worked as a sexual substitute in the past. She’d grab a chocolate bar from the pantry the minute the man left.

Kate conducted a quick, edgy survey of her own. He appeared well groomed, wearing an expensive suit that probably cost more than she earned in a month. She was positive she’d never seen him before. The man would make a lasting impression with most people. He bore an innate charisma, not traditionally handsome or striking like Adam, but intensely masculine. His powerful build coupled with strong, dark features demanded attention, but it was the mesmerizing gray eyes surrounded by lush lashes that would make a woman take a second look. And long to run her fingers through his silky hair. Her survey swept his body from top to bottom and back again.

Oops. Her mouth dropped open when her gaze collided with a cool gray one. Piercing eyes shot salvos of exasperation at her, as if he were impatient to complete an unpleasant chore. Kate racked her brain trying to work out why he was here demanding entrance, wrinkling her brow in concentration. Maybe he had the wrong house?

“Katherine Alexander?” he drawled.

Kate’s heart sank. Not the wrong house after all. And why would it be? Everything about him radiated self-assurance. For a brief moment, she considered shutting the door in his arrogant face, but a speculative glance at the muscled shoulders filling out his charcoal-colored designer suit changed her mind. Not a viable option. Kate sensed he didn’t intend to leave until he’d gained exactly what he wanted. Whatever that was.

“I’m Kate Alexander,” she admitted with a touch of caution.

Purchase Playing to Win

To read more Snippet Saturday excerpt follow the links below:

McKenna Jeffries
Vivian Arend
Ashley Ladd
Shelley Munro
Taige Crenshaw
Mari Carr
Shelli Stevens

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I’m visiting Nikki Duncan’s blog today where I’m talking about traveling and books. There’s a download of Wanderlust up for grabs. Comment on my post and you’re in the draw.

I’m also doing a guest spot at The Romance Studio Blue about a particular weakness of mine–my total lack of a sense of direction. Just ask my husband.

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The other day when hubby and I visited his mother we ended up talking about gyms. Hubby and I said we were going to the gym.

My MIL immediately said, “You must go together. My neighbor went to the gym to get fit and lose weight. She met someone and now her marriage has broken up. You MUST go to the gym together.”

After a startled silence hubby and I both grinned at each other and burst out laughing. The gym we were talking about is in our spare bedroom. Heck, I could go naked to our gym and no one would notice! And about the comment – I’m still deciding whether to be insulted or not.

My MIL’s comment made me think about where people met their partners.

Emily Scarlet met Saber Mitchell at the Middlemarch Single’s Ball – Scarlet Woman.

Anna Tietjens met Sebastian Brady at the airport when their plane was delayed – Wanderlust.

Hayley Williams met Sam Norville at her girlfriend’s work function – Tea For Two

Joanna McGregor met Louie Lithgow during a holiday in Fiji – Soldier of Fortune.

Rafi Mura met Roberto Azam when they were kids in Melbourne, attending the same school – Fallen Idol.

I met my husband in a bank. I was a bank teller, and he was a customer. I’m not sure where I’d look for a partner if I was in need of one. Maybe the gym!

Where did you meet your partner? If you were looking for a partner, where would you search first?

In Soldier of Fortune tour news, I’m doing a guest spot at Love Romance Passion today and talking about contemporary romance. I’m also doing a giveaway.

Tracy at Bootstrap Marketing has been very busy organizing book tours for me. I’m trying something new with my promo and taking some of my backlist books on tour.

See my sidebar for full details of the upcoming tours for Tea For Two and Fancy Free.

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I’ve picked my book Wanderlust for the holiday theme today, which is the story of an overland tour through India. A simple tour turns into into more complications than Anna Tietjens, the tour leader is prepared for: her troublesome sister is on the tour, her casual lover turns up and wants a more serious relationship and then there’s the fact that her passengers are dying—one-by-one.

Wanderlust by Shelley Munro

“I can’t wait to see the Taj Mahal up close,” Kathy said sighing dreamily. “It’s such a romantic story.”

I had to agree. I’d visited the monument built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife three times so far, but the sight of the white marbled minarets never failed to stir me.

I organized tuk-tuks and soon afterward we were at the entrance. Once I’d purchased the tickets, I handed them out. “Make your own way back to camp. You’re on your own for dinner. We’ll drive to see the Agra Fort tomorrow morning, leaving at nine. I will not chase after you. Anyone not ready to leave at nine, I will go without. Is that clear?” I asked, my gaze settling on my sister. She tossed her head, lifting her pert nose into the air, her mouth tightening. I sighed. It was going to be a long trip.

The passengers entered the grounds and disappeared apart from Sebastian. A camera hung around his neck and dark sunglasses covered his eyes.

“Aren’t you going inside?”

“I’m waiting for you.” Before I could reply, he took my hand and led me in. I didn’t look at him but was very aware of his touch, his scent and most of all his statement of intent. Sebastian wasn’t going to give up.

Just inside the entrance, we paused to study the monument. The sunlight caught the far minarets making them gleam like a lustrous pearl. The fountains were silent, allowing perfect reflections in the ponds. Around us people called to each other and laughed, but it felt as if we were in our own private bubble. I heard the buzz of a bee, felt the gentle kiss of the breeze and smelled Sebastian’s scent along with a touch of incense. His hand squeezed mine and I turned to him, my breath hitching when I caught his gaze. It felt like a punch to the solar plexus. I was in big trouble. I knew instinctively he wasn’t going to leave me alone. He’d made that fairly clear. I wasn’t exactly doing a great job of pushing him away. For every step forward, I seemed to take three or four steps backward. If he’d been openly forceful or bossy, I might have had a chance, but he was wooing me, dammit. And doing an excellent job. My body hummed with desire, thoughts of him intruding at inappropriate times and I craved his touch, his kisses. Maybe we could just spend the time together and walk away afterward? Somehow I didn’t think that would work. I shook off the thought and walked toward the monument. Sebastian fell into step, still holding my hand. We passed my sister and some of the other passengers. Elizabeth stared, her eyes slitting in a manner that made me nervous.

“We shouldn’t be together like this in public.” I attempted to regain possession of my hand, but Sebastian held tightly, refusing to let me go.

He yanked me to an abrupt stop. “Are you ashamed of me?”

“No!” My reply was instant and pulled a grin from him.

“Glad to hear it. I haven’t told anyone about my job. You’re the only one who knows because I trust you. Some of the things I’ve done, the people I deal with aren’t nice. Meeting you at the airport and then spending time together felt like a safety valve. You ground me, Anna. I needed a holiday and I wanted to see you so I came.”

“I don’t know anything about you,” I said, trying not to think about the things he did in the course of his job. “We never talked. It was all about sex.”

“You didn’t seem to mind.” His gaze sharpened, his laughter dropping away. A frisson of danger slipped between us. It made me realize he was dangerous. Maybe unpredictable. My gaze dropped to our linked hands. Those hands had killed, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

“This is different,” I said. “We’re going to spend weeks together rather than one night or a weekend. We can’t spend all our time in bed.” Heck, what if that was the only place that our relationship worked? I squeezed my eyes closed, hardly believing my thoughts. A relationship? Oh boy. I was in big trouble here.

By common consent we continued walking through the gardens and past the ponds. “You haven’t had a holiday before.”

“I wanted to see you, Anna. We haven’t seen each other since the night in Paris six months ago. I take breaks between assignments.”

Confusion hit me and it felt as if I’d thumped into a brick wall. I swallowed the lump in my throat. He had breaks—holidays—but this was the first time he’d sought me out. “Where do you go?”

“Mostly home to England. I help out on my brother’s farm or spend time with friends in Scotland or Wales. Sometimes I spend time at my apartment on the Gold Coast in Australia.”

All news to me. I didn’t even know he had family in England. I wasn’t sure why I was surprised since he was English.

“As I said, I want to spend time with you. Can we do that?”

I nibbled on my bottom lip, trying to decide on the best course of action. Was he asking for too much? Not really, I decided. Of course, work needed to come first. I prided myself on my professionalism. “I guess,” I answered finally.

Sebastian squeezed my hand. He wanted to kiss me, I could tell, but he refrained, tugging me into a quick hug instead. “Let’s go check out this monument. I want to take some photos.”

We stepped into the cool interior of the main Taj structure. It stood on a raised platform and was made of translucent white marble, carved with flowers and inlaid with thousands of semiprecious stones. Sebastian took several photos, some of the inlaid work and some of me. We wandered the gardens, pausing to take photos from different angles and soaking in the pure romance of the place. Sharing the experience with Sebastian made it all new, and I enjoyed playing tourist with him at my side. It struck me then that we were making memories together, we’d have something to discuss when we met in the future. Anxiety slithered through me for an instant before I shoved it away. I’d take this thing between us, whatever it was, one day at a time. If I looked at it in small increments, maybe I’d manage to keep the terror at bay.

Purchase Wanderlust here.

To read more Snippet Saturday excerpts follow the links below:

Jody Wallace
Moira Rogers
Shelley Munro
Vivian Arend
Jaci Burton
TJ Michaels
Lacey Savage
Ashley Ladd
Shelli Stevens
McKenna Jeffries
Anya Bast
Michelle Pillow
Taige Crenshaw
Mandy Roth

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Today’s theme for Snippet Saturday is characters at work or play or living it up. I’ve picked an excerpt from my sensual romantic suspense, Playing to Win. Lane and Kate, the hero and heroine, have traveled to Taupo, which is in the middle of the North Island. It’s a beautiful place where I enjoyed many holidays during my teens. If you’re interested in seeing some photos check out the photo essay for Playing to Win.

Playing to Win by Shelley Munro

By the time Kate pulled on her lime green bikini, she could hear the children laughing and calling out to Adam and Lane. Danielle had grinned at her and hurried outside a few minutes earlier. Kate scanned her reflection in the dressing room mirror and scowled. She wished she’d packed her other swimsuit—the conservative one-piece. This bikini might be fashionable, but it showed far too much of her autumn-pale body.

“Stop dithering,” she muttered. She pulled on a shirt, hoping to yank on some confidence at the same time. After giving her bikini briefs one last twitch, she walked outside to the largest pool where the others were already in the water.

“Kate, you’re missing all the fun,” Jamie protested.

“Who wants to try the water slide?” Danielle asked.

“Me!” Seth shouted.

“Me!” Jamie echoed.

“I’m game,” Adam drawled to his wife.

In an instant, the boys were off with Adam and Danielle trailing behind.

Kate peered through the swirling steam and self-consciously shrugged out of her shirt. After dropping it with her towel on the side, she eased her way into the pool, letting her body adjust to the heat.

Suddenly, a hand snaked out and tugged at her calf, making her yelp in surprise.

Lane’s gray eyes sparkled up at her. “You took your time.” His gaze took in her form in the green bikini. “But the wait was worth it.”

The intense heat in his eyes made Kate sink quickly into the water. Her flesh tingled as his arm skimmed across her ribs, the sensation of overheating nothing to do with the water temperature and everything to do with the man’s roving eyes and hands.

“My imagination didn’t do you justice.” He pulled back to read her expression and flashed a roguish smile. “You’re stunning.”

Kate made a small choked sound and edged away, but his arm reached out and curled around her waist, tugging her to him and fitting her against his muscular chest. In the dim light, the shouts and laughter from the next pool seemed miles away, her entire world consisting solely of Lane.

“Kate, I just want to hold you.”

The need in his voice touched a twin chord within her and she released her unease. Slowly, she reached out to place a hand on his chest. A shudder went through him, the solid muscle bunching under her touch. One masculine finger reached out to trace the line of her bikini top. Kate’s head jerked up to meet his magnetic gaze. The heat in his eyes stole her breath.

He wanted her and the knowledge made her blood sing.

“Touch me, Kate,” he whispered, his eyes holding a dare, challenge and the stirring embers of passion.

Heartened, she explored, smoothing hands over broad shoulders, tangling fingers in his chest hair. Exercising the freedom he granted, she fingered flat male nipples. She pursed her lips, fighting a smile at his sudden intake of breath. Her heart thumped and her gaze shot to his again. Invisible energy arced between them when their lower bodies touched. She shivered when his erection brushed against her.

“Kate.” He dipped his head, trailing a line of tiny kisses across her brow then angled his kisses down toward her mouth.

This time it was her who stifled a throaty groan. It felt so good. She wound her arms around his neck and arched against his hard body, relishing the slide of wet skin against her breasts.

A giggle jerked them apart. Lane lifted his head and Kate spied the two young girls playing at the shallow end of the pool. Chuckling softly, Lane clasped her hand and tugged her into the dark shadows of the deeper water where the combination of steam and lack of light screened them from most prying eyes.

Kate shivered, the warm buoyant water lapping around her shoulders. Lane’s chest nudged her breasts and their limbs entwined below the water. Her heart fluttered wildly as his lips descended.

Heat.

Hot. Heady. Seductive.

Her lips parted to taste him and she desperately wished her bikini top away so their chests were skin to skin.

“That feels good, Kate,” Lane said softly, his husky voice sending her nerves in a sensuous dance of delight.
His fierce arousal burned into her lower body, leaving no doubt as to the strength of his need. A throaty chuckle welled up from inside her and she wrapped her legs around him, pulling him closer.

“Excuse me, Kate!”

Kate jumped on hearing Jamie’s loud but guarded voice and thrashed against Lane’s chest. She swallowed a mouthful of water before Lane grabbed her.

Purchase link

To read other excerpts from authors participating in Snippet Saturday follow the links below:

Eliza Gayle, Jody Wallace, Kelly Maher, McKenna Jeffries, Michelle M Pillow, Moira Rogers, S. J. Day, Sasha White, Shelley Munro, Taige Crenshaw, Vivian Arend, Lauren Dane

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My guest-blogger today is Marcia James, an author of “hot, humorous romances”. Her debut comic romantic suspense, AT HER COMMAND, was released in trade paperback and e-book last year from Cerridwen Press. In June 2009, she’ll have a short story in TAILS OF LOVE, a Berkley charity anthology, with nine other authors. After a career in marketing and advertising, she enjoys PR almost as much as “researching” and writing love scenes. Marcia offers her 150+ file of author promotion information to any author who requests it. Just email her through the “Contact Me” page on her Website.

Read the rest of this entry ?

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Author Marcia James is visiting me tomorrow. She’s a promo guru and is willing to answer your questions about online promo and the other, more scarier, face-to-face promo. She’s also giving away a download of her romantic comedy At Her Command. The winner of this download is in for a treat. I LOVED this book.

So, don’t forget. Marcia James – here on my blog tomorrow!

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My special guest today is Amy Ruttan. Amy has had two releases this month. The first was Love Thy Neighbor, a contemporary tale from Ellora’s Cave. Check out the blurb and excerpt here, but today she’s talking about Fox’s Bride, her first release from Cerridwen Press.

I’m looking forward to reading this book very much. Not only does it have a great cover but there’s pirates. Arr, me hearty! Ship ahoy! Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum! Um…getting a bit carried away here. I think I’ll turn you over to Amy.

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Last week Mr. Munro and I watched a New Zealand movie called The Tattooist. We’ve had the DVD for a couple of months but hadn’t found time to watch it. It was a great movie with a paranormal element and was a little spooky in places. The movie stars Jason Behr and Mia Blake, and I loved seeing familiar New Zealand faces in cameo roles. I also liked that the main character was a bit of a thief at the start, although he soon regrets this. Part of the movie is shot in Auckland, New Zealand.

Here’s the blurb of the movie from the DVD cover:

American tattoo artist Jake Sawyer wanders the world, exploring and exploiting ethnic themes in his tattoo designs. At a tattoo expo in Singapore, he gets his first glimpse of the exotic world of traditional Samoan tattoo, and, in a thoughtless act, unwittingly unleashes a powerful angry spirit. In his devastating journey into Pacific mysticism, Jake must find a way to save his new love, Sina and recover his own soul.

I see that The Tattooist is currently available for pre-order at Amazon and releases in June. Both Mr. Munro and I enjoyed it very much.

I’m looking forward to a few upcoming movies, including the Indiana Jones one plus Sex and the City.

Writing progress has been a little slow this week. I’m babying my arm still, although it has improved a lot. I’m getting quite good at using the mouse with my left hand. I’ve applied for an appointment at Nationals–successfully–so now I need to kick some writing butt. Wish me luck!

Edited to add: Today I’m blogging over at the Cerridwen Press blog about murder and Wanderlust. Also don’t forget to check out the Danger Zone. Today Lise is talking about Guatemala and volcanoes. Comment on Denise’s post from yesterday and go into a draw to win a download of one of her books, and my post was about my adventures searching for gorillas in Rwanda.

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