RUMOR HAS IT BLOG TOUR: REVIEW, INTERVIEW WITH JILL SHALVIS, AND GIVEAWAY

Welcome to The Bookish Babe's stop on the Rumor Has It Blog Tour! My stop includes a review interview with author Jill Shalvis, and giveaway.

Series: Animal Magnetism #4
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: 11/5/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 304
Source: Received from publisher for review
Rating: 4 stars

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…

Jill Shalvis is an author who's been recommended to me often as I've become more focused on Contemporary Romance. I've begun buying her books, hoping to get started soon but Rumor Has It is my first read. And now I can see why Shalvis is so popular.

Rumor Has It is a the fourth book in the Animal Magnetism series, but can absolutely be read as a standalone, as I did. Without recapping or becoming an "info dump", Shalvis quickly and discreetly fills in the relationships and details from the previous stories, without my even realizing it. Better yet, with such great characters, relationships and history, I am now super anxious to read the first three books.

Rumor Has It is led by Griffin and Kate. Kate is selfless, smart, funny and sweet (even though she hates to be called sweet!) heroine. She's a teacher, a great daughter, sister, and friend. Kate was wonderfully awkward and hilarious, especially when she gets nervous with Griffin and spouts off random sex facts.

Griffin Reid is a returned soldier, wounded, though he's not willing to share his pain. He's home for his sister's wedding, and to maybe face his troubled past with his father. Griffin wants Kate, but would never want to hurt her. Too bad he can't seem to stay away from her, or resist her beauty and quirky charm.

Rumor Has It has several different elements that are favorites of mine. For starters, the returning warrior. Soldiers are sexy, brave, and honorable. That's a sure-fire way to automatically get me on the hero's side. Another favorite is the little sister's best friend trope. It's not exactly forbidden, but causes enough angst to be interesting. And lastly, the funny/quirky small town romance. I personally don't want nosy townsfolk in my business, but I love it in my books.

So what's not to love about Rumor Has It? Absolutely nothing. This is a story that had me smiling from beginning to end, with more than a fair amount of swooning throughout. I would label it a comfort read, but also a really good read.



Favorite Quotes:

  "So, any last minute advice, girls?"
  "Make sure to train him from the get-go," Lilah said. "Toilet seat down."
  "And he should sleep in the wet spot at least half the time," Jade said.
  "And don't let him contort your body into a position during sex so that your stomach pooches and your boobs end up in your armpits with your ankles near your ears," Miranda said. "That's just not flattering for anyone."
  Everyone stared at her for one awkward beat.
  "Um, thank you," Holly finally said. "That's good advice."   ~eARC, 34%


  As if he was going anywhere now. And it wasn't for her either. Even in his lust-induced haze he knew that. This was for him. He needed to be touched by her, needed to feel something with her. Needed to lose himself for this beat in time. In her.    ~eARC, 43%

The Animal Magnetism Series

   

(covers lead to GoodReads)

Purchase Animal Magnetism

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I would like to welcome Jill Shalvis to the 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.

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

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

What do you think makes romance readers and the romance community so strong?
JS:  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.  J

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

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?
JS:  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.


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

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.  J 

5. Oh, and if there’s training issues? Chances are it’s you, so revisit #1.

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…

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

What’s next for Jill Shalvis?
JS:  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. J

GIVEAWAY

One winner will receive a print copy of Rumor Has It.

US Only, must be 18 years of age to enter. Winner will be chosen by random. Contest ends 11/13/13 at 11:59 pm.

Let's make this a fun giveaway! To enter, just give your email address. For an extra entry, leave a comment with a fun rumor about yourself. It doesn't have to be true, can be wishful thinking. I'll tell one about myself:

"Andrea is a focused person who is not easily distracted. She would never walk away mid-task when something shiny gets her attention."

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

About the author

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras with her family and far too many assorted quirky animals. Any resemblance to the quirky animals in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website at www.jillshalvis.com for a completely booklist and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

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