Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Interview with Jill Shalvis and book giveaway



**Giveaway is now closed**

Jill Shalvis is the author of over four dozen romance novels and has just started a new series (Lucky Harbor) with "Simply Irresistible." We got an opportunity to learn more about Jill and found that she has a great sense of humor and is very easygoing. With Halloween coming up, we even asked her some holiday-themed questions and enjoyed her answers to those, as well. (After all, who isn't a "ho" for Jill's favorite treat?)

After you read what she has to say here, check out her blog for more insight into what makes her tick. She also has three copies of "Simply Irresistable" to give away to some lucky US readers.

MP: What is your usual writing routine?JS: I try to write while the kids are in school or at practice but to be honest I'm not very good at routines. I can write anywhere, in the carpool lane, on my deck supervising the trampoline play outside, or while watching one of my kids' games -- though I don't recommend that because inevitably someone will want to read my screen and if it's one of THOSE scenes, it can be very embarassing!!!

MP: How did you celebrate when your first book was published?JS: Wrote another. :)

MP: Do you ever suffer from Writer's Block? If you do, how do you remedy it?JS: Yes, I suffer. But I tie that bitchy muse up and crack the whip. Or ... I eat cookies. My favorite is plotting with my eyes closed (aka: taking a nap ...) My point is, I just keep at it and work thru it. But there's usually lots of whining involved.

MP: How do you like to spend your time when you aren't writing?JS: READING! And hiking. And READING. And eating ...

MP: Can you tell us a little bit about how the "Lucky Harbor" Series came to be and what is it about?
JS: When I started this series about three estranged sisters who get stuck together running a beach resort, I decided I was out of my mind. I don’t have sisters. I have a brother, and we like each other just fine. Then at the dinner table that very night, my three teenage heathens started bickering and fighting, and I just stared at them in awe and wonder.
I had my fodder! “Keep fighting,” I told them -- much to their utter shock, since I’ve spent the past fifteen years begging them to get along.
After that night, it was a piece of cake to write the sisters — Maddie, Tara, and Chloe — their claws barely sheathed, with resentment and affection vying for space.
So then all that I had left to do was find the three sexy guys who could handle them.
It just so happened that, at the time, my neighbor was having an addition put on her house. For six glorious weeks, there were a bunch of guys hanging off the roof and the walls, in perfect line of sight of my office.
Which is really my deck. It’s a wonder I got any work done at all.
So I sat in the sun and wrote while in the background cute, young, sweaty guys hammered, and sawed, and in general, made my day.
And on some days, they even took off their shirts. Those were my favorite days of all. But I digress …
I was working very hard, planning out conflicts and plot pacing and trying to nail down my hero. And given what I was looking at for inspiration, it shouldn’t be any surprise at all that the hero for this first book in the Lucky Harbor series, SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE, turned out to be a master carpenter.
And a very sexy one at that.
I’m actually writing book two right now. I keep going out on the deck, sitting and patiently waiting, but my neighbor hasn’t hired any more sexy carpenters. Darn it.
Perhaps I need a new addition myself!

MA: Being a mother, where did you find the time to write over 4 dozen romance novels?
JS: Ha. Very carefully. There's the hours during school, when they're with friends, and ... drops head in shame ... I've been known to work while trying to watch their basketball games. Don't judge me. :)

MA: If "Simply Irresistible" were made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?
JS: Don't ask me this! :) It's too painful. The characters are so real in my head, and so ... mine ... that I can never cast my own books. No one is ever quite right. Is that awful?

MA: What do you like best about living by Lake Tahoe?
JS: Well it's not the bears, coyotes and raccoons, oh my. But definitely the scenery. And the change of pace from being a city girl turned mountain mama.

MA: What was the best Halloween costume you ever wore (or that one of your kids wore)?
JS: Well one year the girls all went as adorable little precious fairies ... and about an hour before we were going to go trick or treating it started snowing. Like two feet of snow. So we were all adorable little precious fairies, in full snow, thick gear from head to toe. Which meant we were fairies turned Michelin Men.

MA: What is your favorite kind of Halloween candy?
JS: Candy corn!! I'm a 'ho for candy corn.

Special thanks to Jill Shalvis for her entertaining answers to our questions and for offering the books for the giveaway!

How to win "Simply Irresistible":
Please comment below with your e-mail address.
(Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page if you can receive messages there.)

1. Please tell us: What was the best Halloween costume you've ever worn?
2. Please tell us: What is your favorite Halloween candy?
3. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
4. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
5. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)

US only. Giveaway ends Monday, November 1st, at 6 pm EST.

54 comments:

Stephanie G said...

I would love to win!

daniels_mommy04 at yahoo dot com

Stephanie G said...

One year I dressed up as a gypsy using all old/discarded clothes and costume jewelry. I thought I rocked it. Everyone thought I was supposed to be Mother Nature. LOL

I LOVE the Reese's cups that are shaped like pumpkins and bats and ghosts. Awesome.

daniels_mommy04 at yahoo dot com

Stephanie G said...

I already follow the blog.


daniels_mommy04 at yahoo dot com

Stephanie G said...

I already follow you on facebook.

daniels_mommy04 at yahoo dot com

Stephanie G said...

Posting the contest on facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/stephanie.gutenberger


daniels_mommy04 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I would LOVE a copy!! Thanks for the entry! Btw I am highly impressed with 40 novels!
Schlarmette AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

This year my husband and I were looking at costumes and found a costume for couples. We will go as ham and eggs
schlarmette AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I follow via gfc
schlamette AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I am a facebook member
schlarmette AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

My favorite candy is twix! Love the snack size versions...
Schlarmette AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

Tweeting this contest!
SchlarmetteATgmailDOTcom

Unknown said...

https://twitter.com/cozyreadersnook/status/28893017313

forgot to leave link

Sarah said...

I would love to read this book! Thanks.

foxchick0323@live.com

Sarah said...

When I was about 8 I wanted to be a bride. My mom made me a beautiful costume:) It was my fav!

foxchick0323@live.com

Sarah said...

my fsvorite halloween candy is Reeses Peanutbutter cups..yummy

foxchick0323@live.com

Sarah said...

I am a loyal follower:)

foxchick0323@live.com

Sarah said...

I am a FB follower!

foxchick0323@live.com

Sarah said...

Tweeted @happymama82

foxchick0323@live.com

Laura Rachel Fox said...

I think my favorite Halloween costume was my son's scarecrow costume, which I bravely made from scratch. He was 19-months-old and just the cutest thing ever.

lostlibrarygirl@sbcglobal.net

Laura Rachel Fox said...

My favorite Halloween Candy has to be candy corns. Just like Jill.

lostlibrarygirl@sbcglobal.net

Laura Rachel Fox said...

I'm a follower.

lostlibrarygirl@sbcglobal.net

Laura Rachel Fox said...

I tweeted. http://twitter.com/#!/LostLibraryGirl/status/28913646021

lostlibrarygirl@sbcglobal.net

Laura Rachel Fox said...

I'm a member of Chick Lit Central on facebook.

lostlibrarygirl@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

My fave Halloween costume...was when my good friend & I rented a camel costume! She was the head and I was the....butt-end!

walker03@telus.net

Kim said...

My fave Halloween candy (and any time of year candy) is Reeces Peanut Butter Cups!

walker03@telus.net

Kim said...

My fave Halloween costume...was when my good friend & I rented a camel costume! She was the head and I was the....butt-end!

walker03@telus.net

Kim said...

I am a follower on Facebook

walker03@telus.net

Kim said...

I have posted the contest on Facebook

walker03@telus.net

Jeryl said...

My favorite Halloween costume was when I was five and dressed as a bride.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

Jeryl said...

My favorite Halloween candies are twix and milky ways.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

Jeryl said...

I am a follower of chick lit central.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

Jeryl said...

I am a facebook fan of chick lit central.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I used my old Chemistry coat that was completely destroyed form my careless lab experiments and Lab goggles sprayed my hair white ratted it all crazy and went as a mad scientist. Which really wasn't that far off--LOL

bercu12@yahoo.com

carole said...

Hi! I would love to win this book, I like all her other books. My favorite costume was a hobo, favorite candy plain M@M's. I follow you on facebook. carolfioreabshire54@yahoo.com

Bonnie said...

My best Halloween costume was a bum!
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are my favorite candies!
Great interview!
intrepid9923@yahoo.com

Bonnie said...

I am a follower.
intrepid9923@yahoo.com

Bonnie said...

I am a facebook follower.
intrepid9923@yahoo.com

Bonnie said...

shared on facebook!
intrepid9923@yahoo.com

Bonnie said...

posted on twitter.
http://twitter.com/intrepid9923/status/28949433942
intrepid9923@yahoo.com

http://patebooks.wordpress.com said...

Books sounds irresistible! In our Caroline Cousins mysteries we have two sisters and a cousin trying to run a plantation museum in S.C. Love to banter and bicker.
My fav Halloween costume was year I was black cat with ears and whiskers; my tail was stuffed black tights leg. I had to loop it over my arm so I wouldn't trip on it.
Dark Chocolate M&Ms in Addams Family wrappers.
And I tweeted!

Anonymous said...

Sounds lovely, I'd love to win this.
Thanks for the chance!

What was the best Halloween costume you've ever worn? -
What is your favorite Halloween candy? - Any kind of chocolate ;)

estrella [dot] azul20 [at] gmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

I'm a GFC follower

estrella [dot] azul20 [at] gmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

I'm a member of the Chick Lit Central group on FB.

Just saw that my previous comment didn't have the answer...
The best Halloween costume I've ever worn was probably a creepy clown costume.

estrella [dot] azul20 [at] gmail [dot] com

baileythebookworm said...

Great giveaway! Please enter me :)
baileythebookworm[at]gmail.com

chey said...

The best costume I ever wore was an alien.

chey127 at hotmail dot com

chey said...

My favourite halloween candies are caramels.
chey127 at hotmail dot com

a real librarian said...

Oh, thanks for the chance to win!!!

I am currently wearing a fab costume - a black flapper dress with a black and red feather boa. Love it!! Oh, and I love the mini butterfingers! Mmmmm!!!!!

areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

kakihara said...

My best Halloween costume, when I was 16 I went as Snow White, I'm pale with dark hair, and my mother made me an amazing costume --I loved it!
kakihararocks@gmail.com

BRN2SHOP9 said...

I was spiderella one year.

BRN2SHOP9 said...

Baby Ruth and 3 Musketeers are my favorite!
t too.)

StereoQueenBee said...

I think my favorite costume was for Rocky Horror... My favorite candy is always chocolate. I follow the blog and I posted this contest on Twitter. (@stereoqueenbee)

My email is queenofcrunk at gmail.com

Anonymous said...

There was a themed party that my husband and I attended - was the old Western theme - we were the only ones dressed in Native American costumes and we won! =)

I am a followe and will post this in fb and twitter. Hope I win :)

Susan said...

I was a fairy it was homemade, and I loved the wings! suelee1998 @ gmail.com

Susan said...

I follow your blog via gfc suelee1998 @ gmail.com