Taste of Kiwi: Blog of Author Shelley Munro

The theme for this week is dating or rather is this a date? I’ve picked an excerpt from Playing to Win, a romantic suspense. Kate, the heroine, is going to stay with the hero Lane Gerrard for safety reasons. After their initial misunderstand, she’s come to like him far more than she should….

Playing to Win by Shelley Munro

When Lane arrived to pick her up, three reporters still loitered in front of her house. Kate stepped away from the window with a sigh. At least he’d followed her orders and arrived via the rear entrance.

“We’ll have to sneak out the back way.”

“Yes.” Gleeful devilry laced Lane’s smile. To Kate’s bemusement, he seemed to enjoy the idea of a stealthy retreat. What was it about a hint of danger that turned a normal, sensible man into a swaggering daredevil? Personally, she could do without the excitement. She hadn’t lied to Lane when she said she enjoyed her boring, predictable life.

Lane grabbed her overnight bag, and they left via the back door. Kate locked it and peeked around the corner of a large leafy bush with orange flowers.

“All clear.” She swallowed the lump of unease in her throat. Nerves. That was all. Nothing to do with the fact she’d be alone with Lane.

Kate crept from tree to tree, half expecting a reporter to tap her on the shoulder at any moment. But all went according to plan and five minutes later, she slumped against the car while Lane laughed at her.

With much production, he unlocked the car and opened the door for her. “Here we are, my lady. I expected I’d need to slay reporters for you, but here we are safe and sound, nary a dragon in sight.”

Kate rolled her eyes and slid into the car. Only when she was inside did she realize this wasn’t his usual car. It was a classic E-type Jag, painted a dark forest green with soft buttery-colored upholstery.

“You expect to go unnoticed in this?” she demanded when he climbed in the driver’s seat. “Where’s your Falcon?”

Lane laughed, his profile softened in amusement. “This is my grandfather’s car. He’s not well at the moment, and I promised him I’d take it out for a run. Relax. No one will see us,” he declared, and he accelerated smoothly away from the curb. “The reporters expect to see me in my Falcon.”

Lane lived in an Epsom apartment, only a short drive from Kate’s house in Newmarket. But it might as well have been half a world away. The complex shouted of wealth and Kate was hard-pressed not to stare at the obvious luxury.

Set within seven acres of native trees and landscaped gardens, the buildings blended perfectly with the lush backdrop, looking as though they had always been there. Walking tracks meandered through mature trees, beckoning exploration. After driving through the security gate, they passed a tennis court. An energetic foursome lobbed tennis balls back and forth in a doubles game under lights. Other tenants watched lazily from the spa and heated swimming pool.

“What a lovely setting,” Kate said. A tinge of envy raced through her when she viewed the gardens. They were lush and tropical, judicial use of native plants giving the whole complex a uniquely New Zealand atmosphere. Jamie would love it here.

“Safe as well,” Lane added, almost as if he could read her thoughts. “I was lucky to get this apartment. My agent heard it was for sale when I’d decided to return home from England. She viewed the apartment for me, and I bought it on her recommendation. I’ve never regretted the purchase.”

Lane left the car parked in a visitor’s parking space right near the front door. They climbed two steps, went through double wooden doors decorated with ornate brass handles and panels of glass into a marble foyer. Kate gaped, trying hard to hide her awe and ignore the comparisons between this luxury and her more modest home. The place looked like a hotel. Her shoes clicked on the marble floor as they stepped over to a lift. The silence reminded her of a hotel too. Lane used a swipe card to operate the lift. The doors swished closed and they whisked up to Lane’s apartment before Kate could blink. She patted her middle region and wondered if she had time to retrieve her stomach, but as soon as the doors sprang open directly into Lane’s apartment, she forgot her discomfort. Designer décor snagged her attention before Lane led her down a carpeted passage and stopped at the first door on the right.

“This is your room.” He flicked on the light and stepped aside to allow her to enter.

A teal-and-cream-colored duvet covered the bed. The color combination repeated in the drapes and scatter cushions. Kate slowly released her breath. Lane had promised they’d have separate rooms but the reality was a relief—and a letdown. Go figure. She surreptitiously checked the door and noted the sturdy lock. Her gaze darted back to Lane when she heard his loud, put-upon sigh.

“Kate, Kate.” He shook his head in mock sadness.

“What?” Lane could tease all he wanted, but her bad experience with Steve made her slow to trust. Actions spoke far more loudly than all the words in the dictionary.

“Contrary to your beliefs, I don’t have to force myself on anyone.” Humor lit his gray eyes.

The smirk made her cheeks flame. Kate averted her gaze to stare at a small oil painting of a golden retriever. With his public persona and good looks, women probably threw themselves at him all the time. The heat in her cheeks worked down her neck as ego took a tumble. He’d never look at a single mother like her. Kate wondered about the woman in his life. He’d never mentioned a girlfriend. A soft sound jerked her gaze back to him. His grin spread from one side of his face to the other. “Big head,” she muttered, a snap in her voice.

Still smirking, Lane checked his watch. “I’ll have to go. I have training in half an hour then a meeting with my agent and a prospective sponsor later on. I’m afraid you’re on your own for the evening, but there’s loads of food in the kitchen. Help yourself to whatever you want. I’ll be back late so I won’t see you until the morning. What time is your first appointment tomorrow?”

“Ah, eleven.”

“Okay. Sleep well.” With that, he backed from the bedroom and shut the door with a firm click, leaving her to survey the neutral paintwork. Kate grimaced at the pique she felt. After all her worrying, he’d left her to her own devices. Lane couldn’t wait to leave. That really put her in place.

Purchase Playing to Win from Cerridwen Press or Amazon Kindle.

To read more Snippet Saturday excerpts follow the trail below:

Mari Carr
HelenKay Dimon
Shelley Munro
Vivian Arend
Taige Crenshaw
McKenna Jeffries
Ashley Ladd
Jody Wallace
TJ Michaels
Emma Petersen

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

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

I had to go to the doctor this week, and I arrived home with a bottle of large pills. I know the pills will make me feel better, but I want to know why they have to make them in a size that’s more suitable for large animals. I choke and gag and stress out every time I have to take pills of any description. I’ve always been like this and remember having an ear infection when I was a kid, and my father becoming exasperated with me. In fact, he told me I’d go deaf if I didn’t take my pills. I’d frustrated him that much.

I’ve passed my dislike on to some of my characters. This is Kate from Playing to Win.

The nurse returned, handing her a glass of water and two white tablets of a size suitable for horses and other large animals.

“Thank you,” Kate said, with just a trace of sarcasm.

I’m with Kate all the way. Pills are not made for human consumption or at least our consumption!

How are you with taking pills?

I’m a guest over at Jenyfer Matthew’s blog today. I’m talking about my new release, WANDERLUST and also giving away a download of Playing to Win.
Come over and say hello to go into the draw to win.

I’m also over at Naughty and Spice and Pink Fuzzy Slipper Writers talking about exercise and bottom spread.

Yesterday I, along with countless other writers, started on the 70 Days of Sweat challenge. This is my first time and so far I’m doing all right and have written more words than I normally would. Here’s hoping I can keep it up because I know I have some edits on the way. Is anyone else doing the challenge? Let me know if you are. I like to know my fellow sweaters.

On Friday I fell off my bike. My left knee looks like I’ve attacked it with a grater while my right leg is sporting four fist-sized bruises. Yep, looking pretty colorful today. On Saturday my knee was painfully sore but today I’m feeling much better and walking normally again. It’s fine as long as I don’t make any sudden moves. My bike tire caught the lip of the footpath after I’d passed an elderly gentleman and over I went. The man asked me if I was okay and picked up my bike for me before hurrying off. I think he thought I might cry. I didn’t but I said, “Bugger” twice – the extent of my swearing. So, my lesson learned – watch out for lips on pavements. Unfortunately, all the new footpaths have a few inches drop down to the grass and it’s not always easy to avoid them.

Today I’m giving away a download of Playing to Win over at The Romance Studio.

And another CONTEST: Win a download of Fancy Free. Read the excerpt on my website and answer the following question. What stopped James and Alice from making love? Email your answer to shelley munro@ gmail.com (no spaces) and I’ll announce the winner on 6 March.

And that’s all the excitement at the Munro house. Oh, apart from the fact I’ve finally purchased an Ipod. It’s only a 1GB one but they were so cheap hubby and decided we might as well buy it. I have my songs loaded up, heavy on the NZ music, and I’m good to go. Life’s good.

What are you up to this week?

I’m guest blogging over at JL Wilson’s Crimespace blog today.

Here’s the link.

Quite a few years ago when my sister was having a house built she told Mr. Munro and I she intended to get a dishwasher. “What do you need one of those for?” we asked, making definite scoffing sounds. “It’s no problem handwashing the dishes each night. It takes hardly any time at all.”

My sister said maybe that was the case but she still intended getting a dishwasher. It was bad enough cooking dinner when she arrived home from work. Adding dishes to the equation was too much. She duly got her dishwasher, and Mr. Munro and I smugly continued doing our dishes by hand.

Then we moved into a new house, one that came with a brand new dishwasher. Hubby and I looked at each other. “It would be silly not to use it,” Mr. Munro said. I agreed.

“We’ll put it on every couple of days. No point using dishes just for the sake of filling it.” Once again, I agreed.

Wind the clock forward about five years to this week:

Me – “The dishwasher’s broken. It’s the handle. Something has broken off and the dishwasher isn’t closing.”

“It’s full of dishes,” Mr. Munro said glumly. “And it’s a holiday weekend. We’ll have to do the dishes by hand.”

And so it went. The dishwasher broke on Saturday and we’ve handwashed ever since. It’s now Wednesday and the dishwasher repairman arrived to fix it this afternoon. I handed over our check and thanked him very much. I wanted to hug him but I didn’t want to seem too forward. We use the dishwasher just about every day and there’s only the two of us. It was a pain living without it.

On Christmas day, my sister and I laughed when I said how much I love the dishwasher. This week Mr. Munro and I discussed our smugness and had to laugh. It’s kind of ironic really – how the past always manages to come back and bite you in the bum!

~*~

I received a wonderful five star review for Playing to Win. Anne Boling from ReviewYourBook.com said, “Playing to Win has an edge-of –your- seat plot. I was hooked from the first chapter. This book has twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. The characters are well defined with their own voice. Shelley Munro is a talented author. Fans of romance, do not let this one escape your bookshelf.” The full review is available here.

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?

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.