Taste of Kiwi: Blog of Author Shelley Munro

Most of the Wii Fitness games–Wii Fit, Wii Fit Plus, Active and Your Shape include fitness tips. One of the tips on Your Shape mentioned Fidgeting. Fidgeting is when a person is uneasy or restless and they move their limbs in a nervous manner.

Did you know fidgeting is good? If you’re a fidgeter, you use up to 700 calories per day. I’m not usually a fidgeter, but I think I might change my ways.

Do you fidget?

Don’t forget the scavenger hunt to win a blue Sony reader. Here’s the link to the contest details at the Samhellion blog. The contest closes on 31 December 2009.

I’m doing a guest spot at The Blackraven’s Erotic Cafe today. There’s an interview, some excerpts and a contest to win an ebook download from my backlist.

The contest closes at 12:00 Noon (CST) tomorrow so there’s still plenty of time to enter.

See you there!

This is a shot of Albert Park (named after Prince Albert) in Central Auckland. It’s not far from the university and on a fine day, it’s the perfect place for students to eat their lunch.

Mystery writer JA Konrath has a very interesting post about e-books and what he predicts will happen during 2010 in the e-book/e-reader world.

I’m actually feeling very positive about e-books at the moment. I love the freedom of writing for e-publishers, although the pirate issue does worry me. It’s truly disheartening when pirates put up books for free download on release day. It’s not only the e-authors who have a pirate problem though. The pirates have no compunction in making e-copies of paperback books and giving those away free too.

I think the increased competition in the e-reader market can only mean good things, driving the price down. Like Mr. Konrath, I’d like to see a standard industry format. What do you think will happen in the e-book world during the next year?

I’m guest blogging at the Samhellion blog today and talking about diaries and my upcoming release, The Bottom Line. While you’re there don’t forget to check out the special Christmas scavenger hunts to win either a Kindle reader or a Sony reader.

It’s my birthday today–well, in New Zealand. It will be my birthday tomorrow in the Northern hemisphere – December 8. Definitely an auspicious day!

I received a wonderful review for House of the Cat from JERR (Just Erotic Romance Reviews)

Karen said, “House of the Cat is a great adventure saga and love story, fresh with new beings, new worlds, and definitely new animals. Ry did as much to help Camryn as she did for him. She also became the sole focus of his uncontrollable, constant, blinding need for sex that plagued him in spite of medication to stop the desire. The interaction between the crew members, all different species, and their reactions to Ry and Camryn’s very heated and constantly everywhere sexual relationship kept me entertained as much as the mystery and adventure. Lots of surprises to keep those pages flipping as quickly as the reader can scan them. House of the Cat is thoroughly entertaining as well as very physically stimulating. Of course, it does have Shelley Munro’s name on it, which usually means you can count on a great reading experience. House of the Cat is certainly no exception!”

I’m taking part in one of the four Scavenger hunts sponsored by Samhain Publishing authors. Win a Kindle or a Sony ereader plus lots of books. To learn details of how to win an ereader visit the Samhellion.

During the month of December there will also be free short stories for readers to download at the Samhellion. I have a short story called Turning Point that will be available for download on 17 December. Turning Point is a sort of a prequel to my upcoming Samhain Publishing release called The Bottom Line.

I’m not sure what I’m going to do on my birthday. I know I have edits I need to do, but I’m thinking I’ll have some down time as well.

How do you like to spend your birthday?

Congratulations to Mary K who is my blog participation winner for Nov 2009. Mary, your prize is in the mail.

Congratulations also to Ilona F, Carol B and Jacqueline R who are my newsletter winners for Nov 2009.

Remember, if you would like to receive my newsletter, complete the signup form to the right of this post. Your address will NEVER be sold, nor will I do anything shady with it!

I’m blogging at My Foolish Wisdom today with Soldier of Fortune. I’m talking about Occupations in Romance, and I’m doing a giveaway. Here’s the link to My Foolish Wisdom.

Last week I watched a reality-type show on the Living Channel called Shopping is My Life. Each show features a shopping addict and two experts give them advice so they can get their habit under control. They mentioned some interesting statistics about shopping.

The average person used to purchase 19 items of clothing per year.
The average person now purchases 34 items of clothing per year.
The featured shopping addict purchased 400 plus items of clothing per year.

My sister really enjoys the Sophie Kinsella Shopaholic series and has suggested I read them. I haven’t seen the movie either. Maybe one day soon. It’s on my list, but from what I hear the heroine should probably submit themselves to the Shopping is My Life experts.

I’ve had a rough count, and I think I’ve purchased 15 items of clothing and footwear this year. It’s been a busy year shopping for me this year. Last year it would have been well under 10 items. I can’t imagine 400 items. That’s a lot of shopping!

How many items of clothing have you purchased this year? Have you read any of Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series? Have you seen the movie? If so, what did you think?

I’m doing two guest blogs today.

The first is at RomCon where I’m talking about big cats and feline shifters. I’m also giving away a download from my backlist to one commenter. Here’s the link to my RomCon post.

I’m also blogging at Access Romance where I’m talking about baking for Christmas. Here’s the link to my Access Romance post.

In writing news, I’ve learned my next Ellora’s Cave book Soldier of Fortune is due for release on 18 November. That’s next week!! I don’t have a cover to show you yet, but I do have a blurb and excerpt available to tempt you. Soldier of Fortune features Louie Lithgow who first appeared in one of my earlier books, Summer in the City of Sails.

I’m a little late with this announcement. I swear the last time I looked it was still October!

Congratulations to RK Charron who wins a print copy of Tea For Two.

It’s time for the annual Raven Scavenger Hunt. Click on the icon below to get to the offical Scavenger Hunt Page.

You might win one of the following prizes:

Autographed book Dragons Prefer Blondes by Candace Havens
E-book from N.J. Walters’ backlist (winner’s choice)
E-book from Bianca D’Arc’s backlist (winner’s choice)
E-book from Candice Gilmer’s currently available backlist (winner’s choice)
Belong to the Night by Cynthia Eden (print paranormal romance anthology)
Tea for Two by Shelley Munro (print)
November ebook from Cobblestone – THE DEMON NEXT DOOR: ALI by Kate Austin
Forbidden: The Sacrifice (eBook copy) by Samantha Sommersby
Autographed print book from Shiloh Walker’s Backlist
E-book Divinity Warriors 1: Lilith Enraptured by Michelle M. Pillow
Mayan Secrets by Ciar Cullen (print US or Canada), ebook otherwise
E-book of Obsession (romantic suspense) by Sharon Cullen
Selkie Island by Jorrie Spencer
Autographed copy of Tempting Turquoise (print) by Amy Ruttan
Autographed copy of Hard Candy by Amanda Young
Adrienne (print) by D. Renee Bagby
Heart of the Volcano, ebook by Imogen Howson
E-book copy of Private Property by Leah Braemel
Furry, Fluffy & Wild (ebook anthology) by Nina Pierce
Venus In Blue Jeans (print) by Meg Benjamin
E-book copy of Lay Me Down in pfd format by Taige Crenshaw
The Forbidden Chamber (ebook) by Ella Drake
The Ghost Exterminator: A Love Story (ebook) by Vivi Andrews
Angelic Avenger (ebook) by Kaye Chambers

THE ROARING TWENTIES – A Romance Treasure Hunt!
20 authors, over 20 prizes, 20 chances to win. Contest runs from September 16-30

I’m taking part in the Roaring Twenties Treasure Hunt.
Go here for details of how to enter.

Tonight I went to a wine and cheese evening at a local dress store with my sister-in-law. It was fun looking at all the clothes. This owner of this store does most of the designs herself so this is the place to go if you want something different. Of course the prices reflect this and made my heart go pitter patter. I kept my wallet firmly in my pocket because I’m saving for my next holiday. The thing I noticed in this shop was the number of hats for sale. There were hats in all shapes and sizes, some with pretty feathers and frothy-like, feminine designs. The colors ranged from black to hot pink and scarlet woman red. I must admit that I like hats, although these days I mostly plop a cap on my head to combat a bad hair day and that’s the extent of my hat wearing.

Do you like hats? Do you wear them on special occasions etc?