Tag: Sunshine Idaho

Review (+ a Giveaway): Rumor Has It by Jill Shalvis

Posted October 28, 2013 by Holly in Reviews | 17 Comments

Review (+ a Giveaway): Rumor Has It by Jill ShalvisReviewer: Holly
Rumor Has It by Jill Shalvis
Series: Animal Magnetism #4
Also in this series: Rescue My Heart (Animal Magnetism #3), Then Came You, Still the One, All I Want, All I Want, All I Want
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: November 5th 2013
Genres: Fiction
Pages: 304
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
four-half-stars
Series Rating: four-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…

 

This is probably my favorite of all the Animal Magnetism books. I loved Griffin and Kate. But especially Griffin.

Griffin is home in Sunshine, Idaho for his baby sister’s wedding. He’s basically just doing time until he heals completely and the wedding passes. He doesn’t get along well with his father and the town doesn’t hold much appeal for him..until he runs into Kate. She was always just his sister’s friend, but now she’s a knockout who keeps him on his toes. She makes it clear she’s interested in burning up the sheets with him, but he’s only in town a short period of time and he doesn’t want to get involved with someone..especially someone who has “forever” written all over her.

Despite what Griffin thinks, Kate isn’t really looking for forever. Well, ok, she kind of is. But she isn’t really looking for it with him. She wants a good time while he’s in town because she’s fallen into a rut and needs to be shaken out of it. What better way to accomplish that than sexy-times with a sexy soldier?

But what happens when Griff is the one that starts thinking about forever? Can he let go of his past long enough to grab hold of what’s in front of him now? Will Kate’s own plans for the future interfere with theirs?

I haven’t disliked the previous books in this series, but I didn’t love any of them the way I loved this book. I’m not sure what about it spoke to me, but  I was engaged from page one. I really liked Kate and her quirky sense of humor. I love that she wanted to take care of those she loved, but I also wanted to see her let go some (which does happen over the course of the novel).

Griffin has  physical and emotional scars, both from his time in the military and his past. He was a rebellious teen who bucked authority at every turn. Though it was expected that he’d take over his father’s ranching operation, he joined the military instead. Now that he’s been medically discharged, he’s a bit lost. I think his struggle to mend things with his father and to figure out what to do with his future is what made him so real. Instead of just being another alpha, he was vulnerable and easy to like.

I literally laughed out loud when Griffin freaks out after Kate leaves his bed for the first time. When he rushes to confront her because he thinks she’s upset when she really just had a family meal scheduled, I cracked up. There were some emotionally tense scenes in this book, but there was a lot of humor.

Shalvis has penned another winner. I definitely suggest you go buy this book. Right now.

4.5 out of 5

Giveaway: We have a copy of Rumor Has It to give to one lucky winner! Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This book is available from Berkley. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

four-half-stars

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Guest Author (+ a Giveaway): Jill Shalvis Q&A

Posted October 28, 2013 by Holly in Giveaways, Promotions | 12 Comments

Rumor Has It Tour BannerWe’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’ll hopefully fall in love with Darcy and Zoe, my hero Dr. Wyatt Stone’s two sisters.  They’re each going to get their own story next year.   And more Lucky Harbor is coming as well, so stay tuned.  

Giveaway: We have a copy of Rumor Has It to give to one lucky winner! Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This book is available from Berkley. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

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Review: Rescue My Heart by Jill Shalvis

Posted October 26, 2012 by Holly in Reviews | 3 Comments

Holly‘s review of Rescue My Heart (Sunshine, Idaho, Book 3) by Jill Shalvis

After a tragic stint in the National Guards, Adam Connelly returns to Idaho and to Belle Haven, the animal shelter he owns with his brothers. All Adam wants is to be alone. Then he opens the door to the past—the woman whose heart he once broke. Still gorgeous, still tough-as-nails, but this time, unusually vulnerable.

Holly learned the hard way to never depend on a man for anything. Now, of all men, it’s the last one she wants to see, and the only one she needs. Her father has gone missing in the Bitterroot Mountains and she could use someone with tracking skills to help find him.

For Holly and Adam, each with their ghosts, a trek this desperate, this unpredictable, and this intimate, will have its share of risks—including opening their hearts one more time.

Holly and Adam have history. They were in love as teens, but Adam broke things off with Holly when he went into the military. She didn’t know it, but he did it for her own good. He was a bad boy headed down a really bad path and he knew he wasn’t good for her. All Holly knew was that he didn’t want her.

Now they’re adults and both living back in Sunshine, Idaho. Holly has a failed marriage behind her (something she hasn’t quite confessed to her family yet) and isn’t really looking to get her heart trampled on again. She avoids Adam as much as possible..until her father goes missing. She doesn’t want to, but she asks for Adam’s help in finding him. Now the two of them are out in the wilderness…alone…with no one watching…

Adam knows he’s a bad bet when it comes to relationships. He came back from his last tour with some..issues..and he doesn’t want to inflict his particular brand of crazy on anyone else. Not to mention he doesn’t particularly want to settle down at this point in time. But he can’t deny wanting Holly just as much now as when he was a kid.

Maybe the two of them can burn up the sheets without getting their hearts involved…then again, maybe getting involved is just what the doctor ordered..for both of them.

Holly and Adam were both strong characters, but something about the pacing seemed off. I think I was annoyed at how easily Holly gave in to Adam. I’m petty and spiteful and sometimes I want my heroines to be, too. I hate it when they’re reasonable. Holly easily admitted when she was wrong and let Adam off the hook more than once. She was right to do so, but it still annoyed me. Because I’m mean. And spiteful.

Adam is..yummy. He’s a wounded warrior who is trying to put his life back together after the war. He kind of pulled away from life, just doing his best to survive. I love that Holly was able to draw him out. Holly was a strong character, but as I said, I wanted her to be a bit more ruthless. She needed to stand up for herself with the men in her life a bit sooner. On the other hand, I know how hard it can be to break away from strong men, especially when they care for you and only want what’s best.

I love the family dynamics. Adam with his brothers melted my heart. I love how they tease each other and are there for each other. Holly and her family worked, too. Yes, I felt she needed to stand up for herself more, but the truth is they were a unit and they stood for each other.

Shalvis delivers again. This was an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.

3.75 out of 5

This book will be available from Berkley 11/6/12. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

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Sneak Peek: Rescue My Heart by Jill Shalvis

Posted October 17, 2012 by Holly in Promotions | 1 Comment

We have an exclusive excerpt of Rescue My Heart, the third book in Shavlis’ Sunshine, Idaho series, to share with you. Rescue My Heart will be available from Berkley November 6th.

She never wants a hero…
After a tragic stint in the National Guards, Adam Connelly returns to Idaho and to Belle Haven, the animal shelter he owns with his brothers. All Adam wants is to be alone. Then he opens the door to the past—the woman whose heart he once broke. Still gorgeous, still tough-as-nails, but this time, unusually vulnerable.
Holly learned the hard way to never depend on a man for anything. Now, of all men, Adam is the last one she wants to see, and the only one she needs. Her father has gone missing in the Bitterroot Mountains and she could use someone with tracking skills to help find him.

A few snowflakes dusted his head and the shoulders of his heavy winter coat.  He wore a black hoodie beneath it, hood up over the ball cap, jeans that were taut over his hard thighs, and ass kicking boots.

He looked heart-stoppingly amazing.Twelve years and he still amped her pulse rate.  It wasn’t fair, not one little bit, and it took more than a little bit of concentration to focus on the task at hand instead of his hard muscled body.  “I was waiting for you,” she said.  “And fell asleep.”His silence was disconcerting.  He was probably trying to figure out how to leave her on the side of the road.  She straightened and tried to look unleavable.  “I didn’t want you to go without me,” she added.

“Going without you was the plan, Holly.”

“Yes, well, the plan sucked,” she said.  “Did you get some sleep?  Is your shoulder okay?”

He gave her a barely imperceptible nod.  His posture was annoyingly relaxed for someone who’d just found a stowaway.  Relaxed, but not amused. Then their gazes met, and for a minute, being this close to him, she got this grownup, distant, edgy Adam confused with the younger version. The version who’d cared about her, however briefly. It softened something inside her and she found herself leaning in closer without meaning to. But whatever he caught in her expression: memories, confused emotions, something tipped him off because his eyes went hooded and he pulled back. 

“Holly,” he said quietly.

“You can’t make me stay behind.”

But they both know he could do just that if he really wanted.  He could make her do anything he set his mind to, thanks to his superior size, not to mention his sheer will.  Not that he’d ever force her physically.He wouldn’t.

Mentally … another game entirely.  Mentally, he had her.He always had.

This book is available from Berkley. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

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A Letter from Best Selling Author Jill Shalvis.

Posted October 11, 2011 by Rowena in Giveaways | 34 Comments


As all of you know, we are huge fans of Jill Shalvis here at Book Binge and Jill has a new book coming out soon and she wanted to tell all of you lovely readers about it so she wrote you guys a letter.

Check it out:

Dear Readers,

Writing a romance called Animal Attraction, which centers around two people who had a hard time keeping their hands off each other, amused me. Jade Bennett is wound a little tight and likes things her way. But her heart’s in the right place, always. And, as it turns out, there’s a man who melts her like butter on a hot roll.

Her ruggedly sexy boss, Dell Connelly; veterinarian and, apparently, woman whisperer. How else can she explain the way she falls for his small ranching town, the grumpy stray kitten he gives her, and Dell himself? Jade’s used to planning everything in her life down to the very wire, but she didn’t plan on falling in love.

As for Dell, he’s not much for planning anything at all but there’s something about Jade that draws him right in. He’s never made much time for love, or anything close, but he’s thinking there’s always a first time… Writing Jade was an interesting challenge because Jade’s a spreadsheet girl and I’m so not. But then again, if Dell had come knocking, I’d have fallen hard and fast too, so maybe it wasn’t such a challenge after all. 

Hope you enjoy, and happy reading!

Jill Shalvis
http://www.jillshalvis.com
http://www.jillshalvis.com/blog (be sure to sign up for my newsletter on the right sidebar to keep up to date!)
http://www.twitter.com/jillshalvis
http://www.facebook.com/JillShalvis

P.S. Don’t forget to check out the other book in this series, Animal Magnetism, just named one of Booklist’s Top Ten Romances for 2011!

We were fortunate to read early copies of the book and it’s fabulous so of course we wanted to get the word out about this book and what better way to do that than by working with the author herself.

Giveaway Alert: We’re giving away 5 copies of the book so if you want a shot at winning your own copy of this fabulous book, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post letting us know if you’ve ever had a crush on your boss. If you did, did your boss know or were you good at keeping it a secret? Tell us your story, we’re nosy like that. =)

This giveaway is for US and Canada readers only, sorry! The giveaway will run until 11:59pm on Friday, October 21, 2011. Please be sure to include a valid email address so that we can contact you if you win.

Thanks and good luck!

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