Please Welcome Shelley Munro, author of the book Soldier of Fortune. You can learn more about Shelley’s books at http://www.shelleymunro.com.

Shelley Munro

Shelley, thanks for being here today. Let’s start off with a little about you. On your website, you mention that you traveled the globe for about six years? What influences can we see in your work from your travels?

Thanks, Jessica. Many young New Zealanders go on an OE or overseas experience once they leave university. After reading books set in foreign countries for years, I suffered from a bad case of wanderlust. My husband and I married fairly young, and it took me a while to talk him around to the idea of overseas travel, but I did it. Initially, we decided to go to England for a year long working holiday. The one year stretched into six. We had a wonderful time exploring Britain, Africa, Europe and Asia and, although we’re now settled back in New Zealand, we still travel as much as we can. My husband is as bad as me!
It’s probably a bit of a cliché about travel broadening horizons, but it really does. I think I look at the world differently than people who haven’t traveled. I know I’ll never take hot and cold running water for granted again. Every time I have a shower, I’m thankful! A lot of my experiences find their way into my writing.
I’ve also used countries such as Britain, India, Australia and Egypt as settings for stories.

What drives you to create your stories?

Ever since I was old enough to read, I’ve thought about writing as well. I just love the process of creating characters and world building, be it a paranormal or contemporary world. Each day is different, and I can work at my own pace. It’s fun, and there’s a real satisfaction in seeing the final product and hearing readers’ reactions. I also love being my own boss!

Soldier of Fortune - Shelley Munro

Tell us about Soldier of Fortune. Your book features a military contractor and from the excerpt, it appears she’s former military. What made you want to write a book set in Iraq? What made you want to write a military themed novel?

One of the first books I sold to Ellora’s Cave was called Summer in the City of Sails. This book has a military hero who is part of the NZSAS (New Zealand Special Air Services) although the story takes place in New Zealand. Nikolai, the hero, has two friends and Summer, the heroine, has two brothers. All four men are part of the NZ military. Readers loved the story and wanted to know about stories for the secondary characters. To be honest, I couldn’t decide on a plot that would work until I watched a documentary about New Zealanders who take up private security contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Suddenly, I had my story.

Here’s the blurb:

Joanna “Mac” McGregor loves her father, and she’ll do anything to keep him safe after Alzheimer’s starts to steal his mind. That takes money, and Mac uses her only skills—those of soldiering—when she takes up a security contract in Iraq. She doesn’t have time for men, her last vacation fling in Fiji relegated as one perfect moment to hold close during the grim reality of war.
Soldier Louie Lithgow is tired of fighting, the constant danger, and has decided this is his last contract. He wants to retire, sink his savings into a place on the beach, and find the sexy Joanna, his holiday lover.
Mac’s arrival in Iraq causes consternation. They’ve both been economical with the truth, but the attraction sizzling between them flares hot and bright. They embark on a clandestine affair—professional and confident during their high-danger day, passionate with the release of emotional stress during their torrid nights. One thing is clear—they have different goals and the future is both murky and dangerous. If they survive their contracts.

Note: Readers first met Louie in Summer in the City of Sails.
I enjoy reading romances with military heroes and this led me to want to write my own. I have a great admiration for those men and women who serve their country in this way, often sacrificing a lot to keep those at home safe. The NZSAS works under a veil of secrecy—most New Zealanders aren’t aware of the dangerous work they do in different parts of the world. Of course, this secrecy pricks at my curiosity so I read any books I can get my hands on and watch documentaries. A member of the NZSAS recently won a Victoria Cross [highest military award for valor in the British Commonwealth], the first since WWII, which fired my imagination.
I also have a fascination for the World War II era, and have written one book set in this time period. The world would be a very different place if we didn’t have men and women willing to put their lives on the line to protect us. I, for one, am very grateful for the sacrifices they make.
http://www.shelleymunro.com/books/unforgettable/

Where can we find Soldier of Fortune?

Soldier of Fortune is available as an e-book from Ellora’s Cave and should also be available from Amazon in Kindle format in the next few months.
http://www.jasminejade.com/pm-7810-127-soldier-of-fortune.aspx

Finally, what’s next for Shelley Munro?

Readers have already asked me when I’m writing Jake’s story and they’re still asking about Summer’s brothers so I hope to write those soon. I have an ongoing paranormal series called Middlemarch Mates. I’m working on book nine at present. I’m also currently doing edits for The Bottom Line, a contemporary story that’s coming out with Samhain Publishing in April 2010.

Thanks so much for being here today on Romance Roll Call. We hope you’ll stop by again with updates on your next book!

Thanks for having me here today!