Blog Tour & Giveaway: Rumor Has It: Jill Shalvis

by - Friday, November 08, 2013



Rumor Has it
Jill Shalvis
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He’ll help unleash the new woman in her…



Special Ops soldier Griffin Reid doesn’t exactly have happy memories of growing up in Sunshine, Idaho. He’s only come back to recover from a war injury, and while he refuses to admit he’s in a weakened state, he finds comfort in the last person he’d expect.



Kate Evans teaches fourth grade science in Sunshine, the place she’s always called home. Dreaming of graduate school and a happily-ever-after, she’s desperate to break out of the monotony of Sunshine. Luckily, a certain sexy man has just come back into her life.



To Griffin, Kate as always been his little sister’s friend, but now he’s finding her to be so much more. As both attempt to forge their paths, they must decide if their passionate connection can turn into something lasting.

Q&A with New York Times Best Selling Author, Jill Shalvis:

We’d like to give Jill Shalvis a warm welcome to our blog today!  Jill is the bestselling author of over four dozen romance novels, including her upcoming sexy contemporary romance RUMOR HAS IT, book four in the Animal Magnetism series set in the small town of Sunshine, Idaho.  Jill is known for stories that are sexy, fun and full of heart.  The 4-time Rita nominee and 3-time National Readers Choice winner makes her home near Lake Tahoe.  Visit her website at www.jillshalvis.com for a complete book list and daily blog.

Q:  Can you tell our readers a little bit about the Animal Magnetism (Sunshine, Idaho) series, and where your inspiration came from? 

A:  I’ve always wanted to write a series where I could incorporate cute animals.  Cute animals and sexy heroes together, who can resist that.  So I came up with a series about a set of wildly alpha brothers running an animal center in Sunshine, Idaho at the base of the Bitteroot Mountains. 

Q:  What is your favorite thing about writing this series? The sexy men, the heroines, or the animals?

A:  All of the above, but okay, let me admit the truth – the combination of hot guys and adorable animals is pretty much irresistible for me.

Q:  What do you think makes romance readers and the romance community so strong?

A:  I think what makes the romance community so strong is that romance readers are awesome.  They’re loyal and dedicated and always so willing to help support our community by talking about the books and making it okay to read whatever you want, may that be straight contemporary, romantic suspense, erotica, whatever.  I love that.  As far as having a strong presence, that is an accidental cause of working alone most of the days out of the year.  Reaching out to romance readers and writers via social media is just a really great way to not always be alone.  

Q:  Are contemporaries your favorite genre to read as well as to write? If so, can you give our readers some of your favorite recommendations? 

A:  Yes, though I love to read everything, across all genres.  Heck, I’m happy reading the back of a cereal box.  But as for my recommendations in the contemporary genre, you can’t go wrong with Robyn Carr, Kristan Higgins, Carly Phillips, Susan Mallery, Lori Foster, Rachel Gibson…

Q:  Do you think reading romance makes us expect more from our own romantic partners? What effect do you think romance has on those that read it?

A:  We’re writing fiction.  Not nonfiction.  But made up stories, fantasies really.  I’m not writing “How To Have A Hot Romance.”  Or “How To Train Your Significant Other Into Being A Perfect Mate.”  I’m writing a fictional tale.  I think our readers are sharp, and are well aware and capable of knowing the difference between a pat Happily Ever After and real life.  If I can provide someone with a fantasy, a little escape from her reality, then I am considering it a job well done. 

Q:  You write so many wonderful contemporaries, how do you keep each novel fresh and exciting?

A:  Keeping it fresh is a constant battle, and I struggle with that daily.  I just love writing, and this genre, and work hard to do the job so I can keep doing it and pleasing readers.  Also, I find that stalking neighbors and friends, and being extremely nosy about their personal lives and conflicts is very helpful. 

Q:  What’s your advice for a first-time pet owner?

1. Read up on your pet, on the specific breed. 
2. Be patient. 
3. Be patient. 
4. Be patient.    
5. Oh, and if there’s training issues?  Chances are it’s you, so revisit #1.

Q:  The interactions shared between you and Alpha Man always entertain; what is a recent “He Said, She Said” between you and Alpha Man that we may not have heard yet?


Me:

What are you eating?


Him (mouth full):

Nothing


Me:

It smells like Oreos.


Him:



Me:

Are you … eating Oreos? I thought we were out of cookies!!


Him:

There’s only four left.


Me:

I need two.


Him:

I’ll give you one.


Me:

No! You can’t eat just one cookie!!! There’s a rule!!!


Him:

Show me the book where this rule lives.


Me:

I’LL WRITE YOU THE $%#!#$!@ book, give me a second cookie and no one gets hurt!


Him:

Is it possible that you need something to go with that cookie?


Me:

Milk?


Him:

I was thinking Midol…


Q:  Your friendship with Kristan Higgins and your friendly battle for “Man Wars” has become infamous.  Why do you two connect so well?

A: I think our chemistry translates well because it’s genuine.  You can’t fake a real friendship.   We connect on lots of levels, such as competing for readers (kiddin!), and because we’re both raising aliens—er, teenagers.

Q:  What’s next for Jill Shalvis?

A:  If you read RUMOR HAS IT, you may notice a new vet is working at Belle Haven. Dr. Wyatt Stone.  He and his two sisters, Darcy and Zoe,  are each going to get their own story next year. Jo help support our community by talking about the books and making it okay to read whatever you want, may that be straight contemporary, romantic suspense, erotica, whatever. I love that. As far as having a strong presence, that is an accidental cause of working alone most of the days out of the year. Reaching out to romance readers and writers via social media is just a really great way to not always be alone.

Rumor Has It is another HOMERUN from Jill Shalvis!

It’s the fourth book in the Animal Magnetism series, however don't let that stop you from one clicking. This is my second book by Jill as well as my first read in this particular series, and although it has cross over characters, Rumor Has It can definitely be read as a standalone. I never once felt lost; in fact, I devoured it in less than two hours. It seems each book I read by this author becomes a new favorite of mine. Her stories are quickly moving up the charts to becoming a go to author of mine, and it looks like I have a lot of back reading to do, as I need to catch up on all of Ms. Shalvis' fabulousness.

Kate’s a fun sassy heroine who spouts scientific facts whenever she’s sharing space with Griffin. She's the girl next door with a heart of gold. The heroine every girl can relate with. I adored her so much, I am adding Kate straight to my girls that kick ass shelf! Griffin’s a scarred soldier home for his sister’s wedding; the last thing he’s looking for is a relationship with his little sister’s best friend. Ugh, sometimes, I wanted to shake this man, but he caught on quick enough, I’ll give him that. Stubbornness and all, he has to be one of my favorite alpha males to date. Griffin’s so dang sexy and broody, I just wanted to wrap him  up in a big ole’ hug and snuggle him (among some other racy things). In my opinion, Kate and Griffin’s characters and personalities were so well developed they fit each other to the “T,” balancing each other out perfectly. These two hooked me from their first scene together; I  just adored their sweet captivating and flirty relationship so much that it kept me enthralled all the way through.

One of my favorite types of reads is love stories revolving around childhood friendship/crushes. I think it’s the back-stories that come with the individuals, along with that fact that there is nothing instant about the couple; this type of relationship also comes with a different set of obstacles and struggles. It never feels replayed to me.  Jill does an amazing job of building an intriguing past and present relationship between Kate and Griffin; it offered enough angst, but not so much you wanted to throw your ereader against the wall, or walked away from the book feeling mentally and emotionally drained. Kate and Griffin are seriously a lot of fun with their brilliant and entertaining banter, not to mention their seriously hot and delicious chemistry.

Can you have a new favorite by an author when you have only read two books by them? Rumor Has It did not come anywhere close to disappointing; if you love sexy as hell broody alpha men and awkward yet lovable heroine’s than I recommend you snag Rumor Has It and settle in for a fun ride. 

Thank you, PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW,  for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Rumor Has It in exchange for my honest opinion.
About the Author:



New York Times and USA Today bestseller Jill Shalvis is the award winning author of over four dozen romance novels, including her sexy contemporary and award winning Lucky Harbor series (FOREVER AND A DAY was one of Amazon’s Top Romances for 2012). She won a Rita for SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE and is a 3-time National Readers Choice winner as well. Make sure to click on the blog button above for her daily blog where she recounts her Misplaced City Girl adventures.
Giveaway:

(1) Paperback copy of Rumor Has It: Jill Shalvis (US ONLY)
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Age 18 and over please. Ecopy giveaways are international. Signed or paperback giveaways are US only unless otherwise specified. Giveaway will run 11/8/13 to 11/18/13 closing at 12:00 a.m. Winner will be notified via email. Winner has 48 hours to claim their prize; otherwise, a new winner will be chosen. Please allow time (up to two weeks, unless stated otherwise) for the delivery of your book. If you have not received your book within the started time please notify us. In addition, In addition, if the book has yet to release please keep in mind that the book will be distributed within two weeks of it's release date.

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2 comments

  1. i love the author `s books and and this book sounds really good denise smith denise226@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete