Shelley Munro Blog

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.

Take two - for part one go here.

Kate Alexander:
The shriek of brakes caught my attention. Photographers? Why are they taking my photo? When I glanced at the man, he seemed to know. He cursed and asked if could talk inside. Before I could answer he shoved me through the door and followed me inside. He still looked angry but he seemed in control of his temper so I directed him to the den. The last thing I need is another violent man in my life. Been there, done that.

Lane Gerrard:
The woman is a cool cucumber. She’s denying everything even though I’ve shown her the newspaper article. It’s there in black and white but she’s denying she talked to the press. My parents don’t need this, especially with Mom just out of hospital. When I told Kate to organize a retraction she just looked at me with her big eyes. Damn, I really don’t need this. I’d hate to have my promotional contracts canceled because some crazy woman is spreading malicious lies.

Who the hell is he? He looks familiar. Massage? Whoa? This woman is a kinky masseuse? Maybe I should set the cops on her? Okay, lady. No need to shout like a fishwife. I’m going. We’ll let the lawyers sort this out.

~*~

What is up with the photographers? Why are they interested in Kate? Does Lane really think she’s an adult masseuse? How is Kate going to set him straight? How big will the lawyers bill be? Will Kate and Lane ever get together?

Read Kate and Lane’s story in PLAYING TO WIN by Shelley Munro, coming to Cerridwen Press on 17 Jan 2008.

Kate Alexander said:

When I opened my door I expected Jamie. Instead I found myself face-to-face with a glaring stranger. I gaped. Yes, I probably looked a little like a fish but consider the situation. What would you do when faced with a tall, dark and sexy stranger dressed in a designer suit. I mean what man doesn’t look good in a suit? My friend, Danielle says they’re good for hiding beer bellies, which is true. But this man didn’t have a beer belly. I know because I sneaked a look while he was glaring at me and eyeing me up and down. It made me want to squirm so I brazenly did the same to him. My cheeks went hot, my stomach took a dive south and I felt as if I were on a rollercoaster. I haven’t dated for ages because I’m too busy running my business and keeping ahead of the bills. But I started to think of sex. Heck, doesn’t this man ever smile? Who is he anyway? Ooh, sexy voice. He spoke and I started to think about sex again. He’s probably at the wrong house. I must grab a chocolate bar from the pantry. Maybe that will stop me thinking about sex…

Lane Gerrard said:

I expected a blonde bimbo with old eyes and a hard face. Instead an innocent pixy answered the door, fresh-faced and dressed in loose baggy clothes. She has freckles—-cute little golden dots across the bridge of her nose. When I asked if she was Kate Alexander she said yes, but her tone was cautious and she edged away from me. Hell. Not that I blame her. I can practically feel the smoke coming out my ears. The woman’s trying to blackmail me. Dammit, she’s not getting away with it, no matter how cute she is!

Will Kate have enough chocolate? Will Lane change his mind about her? Will they ever get together?

Read Kate and Lane’s story in PLAYING TO WIN by Shelley Munro, coming to Cerridwen Press on 17 Jan 2008.