ARC Review + Tour: Rumor Has It by Jill Shalvis

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
 
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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. 😉

Shalvis pours life and laughter into RUMOR HAS IT, making it simply irresistible!  ~ Under the Covers

It’s no secret that I adore Jill Shalvis. She is the queen of Contemporary Romance and with RUMOR HAS IT, Shalvis shows you exactly why.

Are you looking for some laughs? RUMOR HAS IT could possibly be the funniest book Shalvis has written so far.

Are you looking for a sexy scarred hero who is a little tortured? Shalvis delivers that in one hot package; Special Ops solider Griffin Reid returns to Sunshine, Idaho to recover from an injury that gives him intense headaches.

Are you looking for a likeable, relatable heroine? Sweet as sin Kate Evans is a school teacher/clumsy geek. She spews out random scientific facts whenever she is nervous and she also loves to take care of her crazy, kooky family.

Are you looking for some heat? Ah well, you can certainly bet that there will be heat – and lots of it! – in RUMOR HAS IT. Shalvis creates amazing sexual tension between Kate and Grif. As Kate is Holly’s best friend, Holly makes it clear that she doesn’t want her brother to date her best friend. She’s too sweet for a man like him. However, to Grif, that sounds more like a challenge and although she agrees that Kate is way out of his league, he can’t stop himself. Especially when the sweet Kate shows him her sexy side as well!

I read this book with lightning quick speed. It’s one of those books that you just gobble up because it’s so delicious. Shalvis has really found her beat with this series. The writing is tighter, the characters are magnetic and you simply cannot help but fall in love along with the characters.

If you’re looking for a book that will be an escape for you, this book (or any of Shalvis’s books) are a great choice to go with. Shalvis pours life and laughter into RUMOR HAS IT, making it simply irresistible!

Penguin is graciously offering a copy of RUMOR HAS IT by Jill Shalvis
to a lucky commenter.  US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Annie

Blogger/Reviewer at Under the Covers Book Blog

I’m an obsessive makeup junkie and a compulsive reader. I like to call Under the Covers Book Blog my stomping ground, but when I’m not talking about books with my girls, I write New Adult Dystopian and Contemporary Romance under the pen name Ana Jolene (http://www.anajolene.com). I also work as a virtual assistant for authors. You also can find me as a reviewer and columnist for FreshFiction.com.

When it comes to books I’m pretty adventurous. I read everything from Paranormal Romance to Urban Fantasy, New Adult, BDSM, LGBT fiction, Cozy Mysteries and even YA. If it’s got the littlest trace of romance in it, then I’ll probably read it. That being said, my all-time favorite authors are J.R. Ward and Karen Marie Moning.

When I’m not submerged in a good book, you can find me musing about makeup and planners or dreaming about Kpop boys and beaches. Until then, check out my reviews and let’s talk books!

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