Rumor Has It – Jill Shalvis Blog Tour, Review, interview & Giveaway
Rumor Has It
Animal Magnetism Novel
By Jill Shalvis
Release Date: November 5, 2013
Links to order Rumor Has It: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository
Description:
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…
Review:
Kate Evans takes care of everyone’s needs, except her own. Since her mother’s death, she has taken care of her dad, little sister and little brother. Even though she doesn’t live in the same house as they do, she dutifully goes there every morning to make sure everyone has what they need to survive their day. Rumor Has It by Jill Shalvis begins with her making an emergency stop at a store en route to her dad’s house early one morning. Upon her exit, she trips and falls. And who walks up to help? Her best friend Holly’s brother, Griffin Reid. Kate’s had a crush on him for years. Maybe time helped that crush fade. Nope, not a chance.
Griffin Reid came back to Sunshine for his sister’s wedding to his best friend, Adam. He’d been back a few times over the years, but he honestly thought that Sunshine had nothing to offer him. He and his dad, Donald, never say eye to eye and Grif couldn’t get out of Sunshine fast enough. He enlisted when he turned 18 and never looked back, until now. He’d been injured in an IED explosion and could no longer continue in the military that had become his life. So, his plan was to come back, attend his sister’s wedding and head out. Funny thing about plans. They don’t seem to always work out the way you expected………
This is the first book that I’ve read by Shalvis, but I can tell you that it will NOT be my last. She does a masterful job of character building. In a short time, you feel like you’ve known these characters forever. And, Kate was spectacular! Her love of her family was very endearing, but her love of science will have you rolling. Seems that when Kate gets nervous, she starts spouting random science facts, at the most inopportune times.
“The first contraceptive was crocodile dung,” she whispered. “The Egyptians used it in 2000 BC.”
“You say the sexiest things,” he said, and gently sank his teeth into her earlobe.
You also fall in love with her family, namely her little brother Tommy, who dresses in superhero costumes daily. Grif and his family are well written as well. Not only is Grif drawn to Kate, but he’s also drawn to Tommy, which will just make your heart melt.
And, just to make it interesting, there’s a huge revelation concerning Grif and his family that sends him reeling, and running. Will he stop running long enough to figure out that he belongs with Kate? Will he figure out that he does belong in Sunshine? Well, of course he will. This is, after all, a romance novel. But the journey will cause you to shed a tear, or two……….or a hundred!! When he and his father finally have a heart to heart?! Good Lord!!
For me, Rumor Has It has just the right amount of family, romance and hotness. If you’re looking for a great read, you’ll not go wrong with this one!! I definitely look forward to the next installment!!
Copy provided by Publisher
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.
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. :
Jill and The Penquin Group have graciously offered to give one lucky member of The Reading Café a copy of Jill’s new release, Rumor Has It.
1. Please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.
2. If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.
3. Giveaway open to U.S.Only
4. Contests runs from October 30, to November 3, 2013
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