Taste of Kiwi: Blog of Author Shelley Munro

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.

My guest today is Cerridwen Press author, Jenyfer Matthews. This week Jenyfer has a brand new contemporary release out called All the Way Home.

Here’s the blurb:

Maggie Dean and Sam Callahan grew up in the same town, knew each other in school, admired each other from afar, but never dated. She was just a little too straight and narrow for this bad boy. Now they’re all grown up and back in their hometown, she to deal with a family crisis, he to prove that he’s changed his ways.

After enduring her parents’ loveless marriage and coming home to help her sister pick up the pieces of her broken one, Maggie isn’t interested in relationships. Sam Callahan is not only still gorgeous, but he’s still available. Neither Maggie nor Sam can deny their attraction but they’re still at odds. Can Sam be the one to convince Maggie marriage can work?

CONTEST:

Jenyfer is giving away a download of All the Way Home to one lucky person. All you need to do is post a comment and you’re in the draw. Don’t forget to drop back on Sunday to see if you’re the winner!

~*~

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My special guest today is Cerridwen Press author, Liz Jasper. She writes paranormal mysteries, and her first book is called Underdead. Take a look at the blurb and tell me you’re not intrigued…

Today Liz is talking about naming characters. Believe me, I know this isn’t an easy process. I have all sorts of problems when naming my characters. It seems Liz does too.
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My guest today is J.L. Wilson, author of several books for Cerridwen Press. J.L. says she writes what she calls “sexy/cozy” mysteries: a mystery with a bit of romance, all featuring older heroes and heroines and all set in Minnesota or Iowa. Her tag line is: “Mystery with a touch of romance, romance with a touch of gray.” But she also writes futuristic and time-travel.

Today J.L. is talking about older heroes and heroines and she’s giving away a download of If Not For You. To go into the draw to win J.L.’s book all you need to do is post a comment. Don’t forget to check back tomorrow to see if you’re the winner.

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This is turning into a week of senses. The other day it was scent so I decided to do sound/ hearing today. As a writer’s exercise, I quite often listen for different sounds when I’m out walking or at the mall, and this comes in handy when I’m writing. The following are sounds I heard this week while riding my bike.

1. A jumbo jet roaring overhead.

2. The whirr of my bicycle tires on the pavement.

3. The whistle of the wind as my body resisted it!

4. Various vehicles of different sizes – the purr of a car, the putt-putt of a van and the rumble of a bus.

5. The hiss of a spraypainter when a man painted outdoor furniture.

6. The protesting growl of a lawnmower.

7. The tweet of sparrows.

8. The quack of ducks at the pond.

9. The peel of a church bell ringing.

10. A dog barking.

11. A man shouting on his cellphone.

12. The laughter of children.

13. The wheeze of my breathing when I struggled up a hill.

And one extra one that you might hear today – the jubilant cheer when PLAYING TO WIN, my romantic suspense is finally out at Cerridwen Press.

What sounds have you heard today?

My first guest for 2008 is Cindy Spencer Pape, author of several novels for Ellora’s Cave, Cerridwen Press and The Wild Rose Press. Cindy Spencer Pape has been, among other things, a banker, a teacher, and an elected politician, though she swears she got better. She does volunteer work in environmental education, when she can fit it in around writing. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two teenage sons, a dog, a lizard, and various other small creatures, all of which are easier to clean up after than the three male humans. Her most recent release is Djinni and the Geek from Ellora’s Cave. (Those who attended my birthday bash during December might remember me mentioning Cindy’s book in my post on genies.)

Cindy is discussing paranormal romance and why she loves writing it so much. She’s also giving away a download of Djinni and the Geek. All you need to do to go into the draw is comment on this post. Why do you like reading paranormal romance? If you’re a writer and write paranormal romance, why do you enjoy writing it? And if (gasp!) you hate paranormal romance and don’t “get” it – why? Cindy will be drawing the winner on 4 Jan so make sure you pop back to check to see if you’re the winner.

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