Introducing the Passionate Ink Cyber Circuit: We’re a group of writers who belong to the Passionate Ink chapter of Romance Writers of America and write erotic romance. (See the links in the sidebar.) Once or twice a month our members will tour a recent release, so you get to find fabulous new authors for your TBR pile!
It’s my pleasure to introduce our next author out on tour - Shelley Munro
The Book:
Here’s what Shelley has to say about Lovers at Last ~
Friends to lovers-it’s one of my favorite plot devices. I like reading Friends to Lovers stories and enjoy writing them. I love being able to jump straight into an intimate situation in the first few pages of a book. The characters are familiar with each other and have a history together. They might not realize they’re even attracted to each other until one pivotal moment that changes everything, or one of them might have developed feelings for the other over a period of time, agonizing about acting on them.
A relationship like this comes with problems: does the couple want this to be a one-time thing or do they want to play for keeps? What happens if the sex between them is so bad they destroy their friendship forever? Or what if one of the pair doesn’t feel the same way?
Yes, moving from friends to lovers is fraught with dilemmas for both parties.
In Lovers at Last Pearl and Justin are best friends. When Pearl’s current relationship fails, she seeks out Justin for comfort. Justin, who has wanted Pearl for a long time, decides it’s time to stake his claim.
Pearl’s master plan to catch a rich husband - results so far…A for effort, F for success.
Justin Collet wants way more than friendship from Pearl. He craves love, laughter and hot, down-and-dirty passion. A life partner. All he needs to do is convince Pearl.
A broken relationship, a few drinks and a string of pearls. Comforting Pearl takes a turn into carnal territory. Heat blossoms between them, fiery and consuming. Sweet kisses inflame and erotic whispers tempt. It’s all or nothing for Justin as he seduces Pearl into agreeing they’re lovers at last.
Click the cover for an excerpt, visit Ellora’s Cave to buy Shelley’s books!
The Interview:
This is the bit where I get to ask all those cheeky questions. 
Nosy? Moi?
Where do you get the inspiration for your stories?
I’d like to be a smartass and say I buy my story ideas at Walmart, but the truth is that I find inspiration everywhere. A story idea can spring from a television show I’ve watched, a newspaper article I’ve read or a book written by another author might spark a series of ideas. I’m lucky enough to do quite a bit of travel and find this a great source of ideas, especially for settings. Maybe I have a fertile imagination, but I have a continual stream of ideas and add a few brief details to an ideas folder so I can save them for when I need them.
Are you a pantzer or a plotter?
Where did you get the idea for your latest book?
Lovers at Last is part of Ellora’s Cave Gemstone series and is a pearl story. The pearls play a large part in the story and bring the hero and heroine together. I took one of my favorite plots, that of friends and lovers, added in the pearls and came up with a couple who knew each other well. The first scene popped into my head and the story came from there.
What makes a hero for you? Do you see them on the street, or are they simply in your head?
In short, my heroes come from my imagination rather than a real person. I have a liking for tall and dark heroes and usually start off with those two characteristics, although I have written a few blond heroes. Most of my heroes also seem to be on the alpha side and are heroic in the sense that they never abuse their position and bully those weaker than themselves.
What’s your writing schedule like?
I write full time and treat my writing like an office job, working set hours. I set myself a writing target for each day and also fit in promo and other writing related activities such as blogging, correspondence and maintaining my website. I think I work harder now than I ever used to!
What does your writing space look like?
In a word—messy! I do try to tidy up a little between books but while I’m writing I like to keep my reference books and notes, my dictionary and thesaurus close at hand. I also have a pile of promo related stuff on my desk and of course, I can’t get by without my calendar that lists my schedule for the month.
What advice would you give to aspiring erotic romance writers?
First of all—read. I can’t stress that enough. Read to analyze the market, take all the elements you enjoy and set out to write something unique that hasn’t been done before. Erotic romance isn’t for everyone and if you’re not comfortable writing it this shows in your work.
My family is totally supportive of my writing. They offer encouragement when I need it and are always pleased to celebrate any successes with me as well. My husband has become very knowledgeable over the years and constantly surprises me. I might mention an agent or one of my chapters and he immediately knows what I’m talking about. He points out that he does listen.
Other places to find Shelley ~
blog: http://www.shelleymunro.com/blog
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/shelleymunro
Dynamic Trio: http://www.dynamicthree.com
Danger Zone: http://www.dangerzoneauthors.com
One lucky commenter in June will win an autographed copy of A Red Hot New Year, four sizzling stories to ring in the New Year, including my contribution, Coming on Strong!
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Shelley, my friend, welcome to Under and Over! I have to say I’m in complete awe of your self-discipline. I’m always torn between finding the time to promote as opposed to writing. As I find promotion to be quite a challenge, I tend not to do it.
I salve my conscience by telling myself if I don’t write the books there won’t be anything to promote in the first place!
What are your top few tips on being organised (because clearly you are!)? And what have you found to be the most effective means of promotion?
Was it a typo or is it Aussie … what in the world is “pantzer”?
Hi Denise - I don’t know if I’m organized so much as driven to write. I love writing, and besides, I’d hate to have to go back to work. I love being my own boss. I’ll admit that the promotion side can be difficult and takes up a lot of time. Like you, I tend to concentrate on writing because I figure the books are the most important part of my job. My best tip when it comes to promotion is to do the things you enjoy and let the rest take care of itself.
Hi Jenny - a pantzer is a writer who sits down at their computer and has no idea what they’re going to write. In other words, they don’t plot. They fly bravely into the mist, and often take sidetrips, which means lots of rewriting at a later stage!
Aw, Shelley, I was hoping you’d stiffen my spine, shame me into it.
Jenny, pantser can also be spelled with an S, like this. I’m one too, though like Shelley, I’ve had to be a bit more organised for those editor types. A pantser “flies by the seat of her pants.” See?
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