by Shelley Munro, guest blogger and author of Scarlet Woman.
Hi, my name is Shelley Munro, and I write paranormal and contemporary romance for Ellora’s Cave and Samhain Publishing. Thanks for having me to visit today to talk about my feline shapeshifter book Scarlet Woman.
Middlemarch is a small town in the South Island of New Zealand. A few years ago, there was a special interest item on our news. The town of Middlemarch had a shortage of marriageable females, and in an effort to combat the problem, the locals decided to organize a dance to bring women into the area. A special train traveled from Dunedin. Dubbed the “Love Train”, it arrived packed with single women to attend the dance.
The first dance was a great success, and the next singles ball will take place at Easter 2011. For those who are interested, there’s a contact address on the Middlemarch website. www.middlemarch.co.nz Who knows who you’ll meet during the journey on the Love Train from Dunedin or at the actual dance???
The story of the dance and history behind it fascinated me. When I was looking for a place to set my feline shifter series, I decided Middlemarch would be perfect. In my Middlemarch world, both feline shifters and humans occupy the town. They face a similar problem, having a shortage of females. Saber is the oldest Mitchell brother, and his younger brothers are out of control. The feline council decides to arrange a dance, and Saber hopes to marry off his brothers to keep them out of trouble. Unfortunately, Saber is the one caught in the romance trap, much to the amusement of his brothers.
Author Bio:
Shelley Munro lives in New Zealand and loves to write about feline shapeshifters. To learn more about Scarlet Woman and the other stories in Shelley’s Middlemarch Mates series, read excerpts, see family trees and other background information visit her website at www.shelleymunro.com
Excerpt: Scarlet Woman
“Oh, man. Look at the tits on her.” Felix made kissing noises deep in his throat. “I’ve died and gone to heaven. Oh, man. She winked. Yep, heaven.”
Sly thumped his brother on the back. “Don’t think it’s heaven, bro. Can’t be with all that sinful lust shining on your face.”
“Cut it out, the pair of you,” Saber said, trying to scowl his boisterous younger brothers into obedience. Despite laying down the law this afternoon, the four were out of control. He had to get them settled before one of their harmless pranks boiled over into something that threatened them all.
“Yeah, gotta remember, this is punishment,” Leo chided, humor dancing in his dark eyes.
Joe let out a low whistle. “I vote the lady in red administers my punishment.”
Saber relaxed a fraction. Good. His plan was working already. If he managed to get each of his brothers mated, they’d cut out the mischievous shenanigans and settle down to raise a litter or two. And he wouldn’t have to worry about articles in the paper like the one he’d seen last month.
Black panther sighted again.
At least the article had lit a match under the council elders. Finally. Agreement that they needed to do something to help the younger males settle. Saber’s mouth firmed in introspection as he recalled the heated meeting. The council had discussed the lack of females of marriageable age. They knew the causes—the feline families tended to have male offspring while the human females seemed to enjoy the lifestyle offered in the city of Dunedin or farther afield. They attended high school and university in the city and never returned to their birthplace. The human males left too, but they tended to return after exploring a little of the world outside Middlemarch. Until the reporter’s story had appeared, no one had tried to solve the problem of a lopsided gender ratio. The article in the paper had been the catalyst. They’d all swung into action to organize a dance they hoped would benefit both the young shifter and human males living in Middlemarch. The task they’d called impossible suddenly became imperative.
Saber eyed Felix and Leo, the brothers standing closest to him, feeling the tension brought about by responsibility coalesce into a solid lump in his chest. They both strenuously denied taking part in the prank, but Saber wasn’t so sure. He knew his brothers—where there was fun to be had, they were in the thick of it.
Felix nudged Sly. “Big bro’s looking serious. He’s got Mission Mate on his mind again.”
Joe leaned closer and whispered, “Can’t have shape shifters roaming around Middlemarch for the humans to see.”
“Enough,” Saber snapped. His brothers sobered, knowing they’d pushed him far enough tonight. Dammit, he had to find them mates. It was too late for him. But not for them. None of his brothers remembered how it had been between their parents. They’d been too young when they died, but Saber remembered how they’d laughed and played together, how they’d made everything seem like a game, even the work on the farm. Yes, he remembered the intimacy between his parents, and that’s what he wanted for his four brothers.
http://www.jasminejade.com/pm-5674-127-scarlet-woman.aspx
Giveaway: Shelley has kindly offered one winner a chance to choose any one ebook download from her Middlemarch Mates series. There are eight books to choose from. Here's a link to the entire series beginning with Scarlet Woman. http://www.shelleymunro.com/series-guide/. To enter, answer her question. Ends February 28, 2010.
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11 comments ↓
[...] today. I’m discussing Middlemarch and the setting for the Middlemarch Mates series. Visit Love Romance Passion and comment on my post to go into a draw to win for your choice of an ebook from the Middlemarch [...]
I think that was an interesting way to bring single women to Middlemarch.
All I can think of is maybe a theme party.
I think it’s a great idea!! Love Andrea I’s suggestion for a theme party as well. Just imagine a 17th century ball or a Grecian theme with long flowing robes – maybe even some some Greek gods like Eros in attendence – what better way to complement the “love train”!
Andrea – a theme party sounds like a fine idea to me. They could do all sorts of things with that. Maybe everyone has to wear a mask. That would certainly work for romance novel.
CyberCliper – the Love Train has such a nice ring to it, don’t you think? There has to be something good at the end of a journey on a love train.
A couple of ideas that have occurred to me are a sports tournament. New Zealand is very big on rugby, which is mainly a masculine sport. That would certainly bring lots of men to the town. Hopefully that would attract lots of feminine spectators as well.
Or maybe a bachelor auction would work? Or the people could start some sort of strange festival designed specially to attract women. I’m not quite sure what…maybe they could reinvent an obscure English festival?
I think it’s sweet and very clever! And imho it’s certainly more tasteful and realistic than going on The Bachelor/Bachelorette to find a love connection.
And a theme dance is a great idea CyberC. Perhaps something involving cowboys/cowgirls. All that leather is pretty sexy.
I like the dance idea, it’s probably the best bet. If they had some type of festival they might not have the turn out they want.
Joder – I have to agree. I think it’s a much better idea than a reality show.
Linda – they usually hold the dance at the same time as their agricultural show and have lots of farm related events as well.
Maybe they could organize a treasure hunt and the women could pick their partner to participate. I like the idea of a bachelor auction too.
I am looking for information on the life, death and burial of James Robertson of Middlemarch who died July 24. 1927. On his tombstone it reads Militiaman from the American Civil War. I would like to acquire enough information to add him to the Veterans Memorial website, http://www.acwv.info. Any assistance you can provide would be appreciated.
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