Taste of Kiwi: Blog of Author Shelley Munro

My Christmas story, Christmas is Coming is now out at Ellora’s Cave.

Here’s the blurb:

Christmas is coming. Give your lover the gift of pleasure…

Gaby Montgomery works for Fancy Free as a condom designer. Recently she’s been designing sex toys and testing her inventions with fellow designer Marc, but they’ve parted ways. The timing couldn’t be worse because she’s stuck without a willing test subject for her sexy products.

Gaby’s roommates Liam Richardson and Fletch Darcy both want a serious relationship with her, and now that she’s free, it’s time to make a move. But how do they decide which one will date her? Fletch finally suggests they share. Liam is skeptical but agrees the scheme might work, which allows Fletch to move on to step two of his romance plan. Fletch doesn’t just want Gaby, he wants Liam as well.

The loving is hot, their days full of fun product testing, exquisite pleasure and laughter. Everything is perfect until the outside world intrudes, putting their budding relationship under stress. This time their love and friendship might not stand the pressure.

Publisher’s Note: Want to have more fun with the characters in this book? Then pick up Fancy Free!

Purchase from Ellora’s Cave

Shelley’s Shoutout Corner

Don’t forget that Maria Zannini’s Do It Yourself Christmas continues until 22 Dec.

Author Beth Revis is doing an Epic Giveaway at her blog.

Cari Quinn has a new release called Unwrapped at Loose-Id. Unwrapped is a contemporary menage. If you like spicy hot reads, this one sounds like a good one.

I’m visiting Lex Valentine’s blog today as part of her Christmas giveaway. Drop over and say hello and go into a draw to win one of the three books featured today. My giveaway is for a download of Fancy Free, which is set in the same world as my upcoming Ellora’s Cave release, Christmas is Coming.

Here’s the link to Lex Valentine’s 30 Days of Christmas

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’m doing two teasers today. The first is from one of my favorite urban fantasy series, Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series–River Marked

“Most people,” said Adam thoughtfully–and loud enough that even the audience members without preternatural gifts could hear him–”have surprise birthday parties. You get a surprise wedding.”

page 35, River Marked

Blurb:

Car mechanic Mercy Thompson has always known there was something different about her, and not just the way she can make a VW engine sit up and beg. Mercy is a coyote shapeshifter, a talent she inherited from her long-gone father. And she’s never known any others of her kind. Until now.

As Mercy takes in this new information, an evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River. Something deadly is coming, facts are thin on the ground and Mercy feels ill at ease. However, her father’s people may know more. To have any hope of surviving, Mercy and her mate, the Alpha werewolf Adam, will need all the resources the shifters can offer. Or death will be the least of their worries.

Purchase River Marked

My second teaser is from one of my own books, Fancy Free, a contemporary romance, which is currently available at the low price of $1.49 at Amazon Kindle.

“Huh.” Harriet Te Whare snorted, her knitting needles clicking furiously as she worked on her current project, a striped scarf for her granddaughter. “You weren’t the condom type when Alicia approached us to help her raise the money to float the company. You’re sure as hell in favor of condoms now.”

page 20, Fancy Free

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…

Purchase Fancy Free

The theme for this week is secondary characters. I love writing stories with secondary characters. They can say and do things the hero or heroine can’t. Secondary characters are also great for comic relief. Since I’m currently writing a follow up story to Fancy Free, this seemed like an obvious choice for my Snippet Saturday this week. And, for those of you who aren’t familiar with this story, Fancy Free is the story of Alice who inherits a condom factory.

Fancy Free by Shelley Munro

“Are you really all right, dear? You look a little flushed.” The knitting lady again.

Alice jerked back to the present to find every one of the six board members staring at her again plus the admin lady, and worst of all, the manager James Bates. He wore a grin, almost as if he knew what she’d fantasized about and relived only seconds ago.

Oh my. Steven was right. Her morals had fallen by the wayside. She was a wicked woman and was going to hell. Realizing she had yet to answer, Alice blurted, “Fine. I’m…ah…focused on the business.” And how. If she concentrated on sex and condoms any harder, she’d self-combust. An X-rated version of Alice in Wonderland. Who’d have guessed?

“How’s the security?” Richard Morgan asked. “Have we had any more breaches since we installed the security cameras on the roof?”

“The alarm hasn’t been tripped, but we’ve had a lot of problems on the production line recently. Missing supplies, and Scott, the floor manager, discovered someone had changed the settings on the packing machine. Most of the boxes packed this week went out one condom short. Of course we only found this out after they’d left the warehouse. We’ve had to recall them.”

“More money off the bottom line,” Sam Glengarry muttered, fingering his chin in a thoughtful manner. “Not good.”

“We’ll have to set up covert cameras on the floor.” Richard frowned. “I didn’t want to do that.”

“We’ll do what we have to,” Katarina stated. “Besides, I want to buy a red coupe with my next payout. Can’t do that if we don’t have profits.”

“Red?” Ben asked. “I’d get a black one. I heard on the radio today that the most desired car color in Britain is black.”

“Humph,” Katarina said. “It’s a bugger to keep clean. Fingerprints all over the paintwork. There’s nothing worse.”

“Can we get back to condoms?” James demanded with a trace of impatience.

Joseph Craig nodded, even though his mind was clearly on bonuses. “That’s a bit rough. Too much money invested in the X-100. We must sort out our security problems before the public gets wind of it. Can’t have the consumers’ confidence in the integrity of Fancy Free’s products dented.”

Everyone around the table nodded. The board moved on in discussions.

Rita Jamieson, the admin lady, produced a life-sized penis made of fiberglass from a padlocked wooden box, placed it on the table and competently rolled on a teal green condom with purple dots. Harriet Te Whare glanced up from her lime green and canary yellow knitting. “I’m not sure about the color selections.”

“Rubbish,” Ben Kumar stated. “Purple is the new black. I suppose we could have black dots since that color is so popular on cars.”

“Of course we’ll have several colors,” James said. “A matching palette. These are just two examples.”

“I’m more worried about the design.” Joseph Craig accepted the model from Rita and surveyed it from all angles. “And I’m still not sure about these dots. What have the people in the trials said about comfort?”

“The raised dots are fine. Do you have another one there, Rita?” Rita rolled a condom on a second penis model and handed it to James. He ran his fingers over the dots. “I’ve used it myself. See the way they move when I touch them? It’s like a mini massage when it’s in use.”

“But they’re much bigger than our regular raised dots model,” Joseph argued. “We need to use extra latex in the design because the dots are larger.”

“No. We have the right amount of latex. Pretend my hand is the woman’s vagina. See how the dots fan outward like tiny brushes?”

Alice stared, her mouth pursed in astonishment and partial shock as he showed the rest of the board how the new condom functioned. His fist acted as the woman’s vagina while he used his other hand to thrust and demonstrate how the raised dots worked. They didn’t bat an eyelid but paid close attention and asked intelligent questions. Alice leapt from one shock to another and learned more about the theory of sex and the practical application of condoms in the course of the day than she’d soaked up in all her twenty-five years.

But she managed to make it through the day. Just. It felt as though the heat controls of her body were firmly stuck on hot and fiery. Her mind drifted in the gutter with her supremely conscious of James Bates. Big and male, his crotch seemed level with her face for a good deal of the time while he stood to demonstrate various things for the board members. She had never felt so conscious of her body in her entire life. Her nipples felt more tender than normal, brushing with exquisite friction against the sturdy cotton bra she wore. She would never think about condoms and sex in the same way again. Never.

Purchase from Ellora’s Cave or Amazon Kindle

To read more Snippet Saturday excerpts follow the links below:

Shelley Munro
Vivian Arend
Taige Crenshaw
McKenna Jeffries
Lauren Dane
Ashley Ladd
Mari Carr
Lissa Matthews
TJ Michaels
Shelli Stevens
Jody Wallace

The theme for this week is “Screw You!” or breaking up. No matter how you do it, breaking up is difficult. I’ve picked an excerpt from Fancy Free, mainly because it has been on my mind recently. I’m planning a follow up story for this one. It’s fermenting inside my brain as I type this. And, you’ll be pleased to learn, she doesn’t stay with this pompous jerk for much longer.

Fancy Free by Shelley Munro

“Alice and I will work closely together.” James smirked. Mr. Dashing obviously thought she was interested in him too.

Steven drew up to his full height of five foot eight. “I don’t think so. Tell him, Alice.”

Alice gulped. Okay, so James had emphasized the closely together bit. Steven had noticed as well and Glen Bellbooth, indicated by the lawyer’s sly chuckle.

“I’ve called a board meeting so you can meet everyone.” The lawyer stood. “Tomorrow morning at nine sharp.”

“We’re not on an overnight vacation. I need to get back to Remuera,” Steven said. “I must finish preparations for my court case that starts next week. I thought you had to shop and iron before work on Monday,” he added pointedly.

Mortification filled Alice at Steven’s bossy, snippy tone. Had he always been like this? Or was she just noticing? Embarrassed by his behavior, she cast a quick, uneasy glance at James and the lawyer and the others who had stopped to witness the scene. Yes, she wanted security, but that didn’t mean Steven could smother her or ride roughshod over her feelings and the things that were important to her. “I need to think.”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with you,” he snapped. “There’s nothing to think about. We can’t possibly stay here.”

She hadn’t disagreed with him before. He wasn’t used to her contradicting him, but in this case, she intended to stand firm. “I need more details before I can make an informed decision.” She strove for calm even though her stomach jumped nervously inside. She’d get her friend and next-door neighbor Jennifer to ship some of her clothes and other necessities. If Jennifer sent them by courier, they’d arrive tomorrow. Yes. That would work. Alice made eye contact with Steven and sucked in a deep breath. “I intend to stay.”

“But you can’t. The idea is ludicrous,” he said, his distaste readily discernable.

“Maybe you’d like to discuss it in private,” the lawyer suggested. His quiet words made Alice aware of people’s stares, their whispers and laughter. Some had even slowed their departure from the hall, as if they thought the entertainment wasn’t quite over. Alice straightened, determined to grab control and prevent the occurrence of anything further for them to laugh about later.

“Good idea.” For the first time in their relationship, Alice took the lead, grasping his elbow to drag him from the hall. “We’ll discuss this over coffee. I noticed a cafe when we drove into town.” The snickers from behind brought a flash of discomfort but she kept moving despite Steven’s resistance.

“I don’t like coffee.”

“I’m sure they’ll have tea,” she said. A hand on her shoulder made her jump and to her great chagrin, a squeak emerged.

James Bates’ blue eyes twinkled and his dimple flashed into prominence. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He didn’t wait for her answer but strolled from the hall with the lawyer at his side.

“Alice.” Steven’s sharp tone pierced any chance of daydreams. “You can’t seriously consider this ludicrous legacy is a good idea.”

She drew a deep shuddery breath and turned to face him, her heart drumming nervously against her rib cage. “It’s a chance to improve my future. I thought you’d understand.”

He stared at her for a long, drawn-out moment, his brows and mouth both set in flat lines of displeasure. “If you stay here in this hick town, our relationship is over.”

Purchase from Ellora’s Cave or Amazon Kindle

To read more Snippet Saturday excerpts follow the links below:

Shelley Munro
Vivian Arend
Taige Crenshaw
McKenna Jeffries
Lauren Dane
TJ Michaels
Lissa Matthews
Ashley Ladd
Mandy Roth
Mari Carr

There’s no doubt about it – writing humor is difficult. Something I think is hysterical, you might consider only worthy of a yawn. What I think is funny might offend you. People who live in different parts of the world have different senses of humor. That said, there’s nothing better than reading a book that makes you laugh.

Our Snippet Saturday topic this week is characters interacting with humor. Reviewers often state my books contain humor and one that was particularly popular is Fancy Free. Just to get you all up to speed – Alice has inherited a condom company. She’s finding the condom business a bit different and, after her first day at work, she drinks more than she should when she visits the local pub. James, the company manager, escorts her home and ends up staying the night…

Oh, I should mention…there are a few naughty words ahead…

Fancy Free by Shelley Munro

“Ooh,” she murmured when she finally floated back into her body—because this had definitely been a wonderful out-of-body experience—and relaxed liked a cooked spaghetti noodle.

“Was it good for you?” James asked.

Alice belatedly remembered that she had and he hadn’t come. Tactful answer required. Guys, she’d heard from various gossipy sources, became a little tetchy when it came to sex and not getting any. Alice stared at his erect penis. It looked large and red and bad-tempered. It gave an angry twitch while she gawked.

“Um…” Alice glanced up to scan James’ face. “I…yes…” She stared. The man’s face screwed up as if he suffered great pain or else he—

The wretch was laughing at her. She tapped him sharply on one bulging biceps. “Yes, it was good for me,” she snapped. “Why are you laughing?”

A tentative knock sounded on the door and his laughter cut off abruptly. They glanced at each other in silent communication mode, Alice scrunching her brows together in answer to his raised brow.

“Alice? Are you awake? Breakfast is ready.”

She stared at the wooden door in horror. Had she made a lot of noise? Her gaze darted to James and he pantomimed for her to answer.

“I’m up. Won’t be long,” Alice called out. She strove for a woman-of-the-world tone, but her reply fell in the feeble, scared zone. It must have reassured Lindy because she heard receding footsteps before silence fell. She turned to stare at James.

He shook his head, a rueful grin on his lips. “Well, Ms. Beasley. You’re not the only one who’s up. A fine mess you’ve got us in this time.”

“Why is it my fault? I’ve heard you’re a playboy and a cad.” The minute she said the words she wanted to take them back.

“Ah, you’ve read Ms. Knowall’s column. You’re quite right. I am a playboy and a cad.” He stood and picked up his clothes, dressing with an elegance that she admired. “You should remember that and stay well away from me.”

“I’m sorry.” Obviously she’d said the wrong thing.

“No problem. I’ll see you at work.” He strode over to the door, opened it and stepped into the passage. A soft click sounded when he closed it.

Alice heard footsteps and then the murmur of voices. Color swept to her cheeks when she imagined what Lindy would think. If inheriting a condom company hadn’t already ruined her reputation, then she’d probably done the job now by letting James Bates, sexy bad boy, spend the night in her bedroom.

Alice climbed from the bed, self-conscious of her nakedness now. Avoiding her reflection in the mirror, she scuttled through to the small en suite and jumped under the shower, letting the water pour over her hair and face. Five minutes later, dressed in a gray trouser suit, she made her way into the kitchen for breakfast. The wooden table was set for three with floral placemats and coordinated napkins. A posy of spring flowers in the center of the table added to the Victorian theme. The rich scent of coffee floated in the air. Lindy Redcliff stood at the stove, spatula in hand, humming along to a top-forty hit. Jake, her husband, sat at the table and had already started on his breakfast.

“Morning,” she mumbled. “Sorry I’m late.”

Jake glanced up from his scrambled eggs with a smirk. “We know why you overslept. Been doing the wild thing with Sloan’s playboy.”

“Jake!” Lindy put a world of remonstration into her husband’s name but it didn’t dampen his smirk.

“No,” Alice said. “We were discussing work.” The first thing that came into her mind.

Jake’s lips twitched. “Condoms. Care for some eggs and toast. Muesli?”

Alice met his gaze with difficulty. “I’m not hungry.” The truth. She’d lost her appetite. “And yes, we discussed condoms as part of our business meeting. Appropriate since Fancy Free sells condoms.”

Jake set his knife and fork across the center of his plate. He lifted his wrist to check his watch. “Hmm, I hope your company pays overtime for such a long meeting.”

Purchase Fancy Free from Ellora’s Cave or Amazon Kindle

To read more Snippet Saturday excerpts follow the links below:

Mari Carr
Shelley Munro
Vivian Arend
Taige Crenshaw
McKenna Jeffries
Lauren Dane
Shelli Stevens
Jody Wallace

It’s been one of those days where absolutely nothing went right. It was a series of little things designed to send me mad and, on top of that, I had the concentration of a flea today. I couldn’t seem to sit still. I am obviously in need of a holiday, and luckily that day is fast approaching…

However, back to business!

Today, I’m very excited to visit Leontine’s Book Realm with Fancy Free. It’s my very first visit with Leontine, and I’m looking forward to it very much. I’m talking about fish-out-of-water stories and Alice in Wonderland. There’s also a giveaway of a download from my Ellora’s Cave or Cerridwen Press backlist for one lucky commenter. I hope you’ll pop over and say hello.

I’m also visiting Sasha White today and talking about my upcoming release, The Bottom Line. Comment on the post and go into a draw to win a copy of Soldier of Fortune. Here’s the link to Sasha’s blog.

I’m visiting Book Junkie today where I’m talking about my contemporary romance, Fancy Free, and where I get some of my ideas.

Fancy Free also has a great review.

Alice from Fancy Free is on tour again. I’m visiting Smexy Books today where I’m talking about Fancy Free and doing a giveaway.

I’m also blogging at The Romance Studio today.

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…

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…