Belly dancer and chef by day, writers by night

Miriam Cunha jingles as she walks and Robert Rohloff knows how to heat up a kitchen with both temperature and spice, but both St. Vital residents are excited to share their love of writing and their newly released books with the city.

Rohloff, who works as a chef at the Oakwood Cafe, is releasing his second self-published book, entitled Mountain Blossom.

Cunha, his life partner, a belly dance instructor and Portuguese-English translator, is releasing her first book called Hands of Revenge.

“(Writing) is a hobby of mine and I think I kind of got Miriam hooked,” said Rohloff with a laugh.

Rohloff’s science fiction book is set in Riding Mountain National Park and asks the question what if aliens came down to pick some wildflowers?

The adventures that follow Jason Reid, the book’s main character, were inspired by Rohloff’s imagination after a camping trip at Riding Mountain last summer.

“We camped at a place called Moon Lake. I got the idea there,” said Rohloff, adding he hopes people will enjoy the story.

Rohloff has also published Circle of Death, and Interview with a Modern Day Witch.

Hands of Revenge, Cunha’s first book, is about a man who returns to the United States after an extended period of time living in Canada.

Jack Roberts, Cunha’s main character, had originally fled the States to avoid participating in the Vietnam War.

When he returns to his home years later, he gets an interesting reception from family and friends.

“It’s inspired by someone special but it’s a fictional account. You always get ideas from things that happen,” said the first-time author of her suspense novel.

“I’m very excited. It’s kind of amazing to me still. I look at the back of the book and see my bio and I’m amazed,” said Cunha.

Hands of Revenge and Mountain Blossom are available through Amazon.com and McNally Robinson Booksellers.