Many a romance reader knows Lucky Harbor, the fictional town where Jill Shalvis has set (thus far) nine novels. All good things must come to an end, however, and Ms. Shalivs has penned the last three love stories she plans to set there. The first of these, It’s In His Kiss, was released yesterday.
We are happy to have Jill here today. Not only is she answering questions, and sharing an excerpt, she’s giving away a Lucky Harbor novel of your choice to three AAR readers. To be entered in the drawing, just leave a comment below.
Excerpt from It’s in His Kiss:
From the outside, the warehouse hadn’t looked like much, but as she stepped into the vast doorway, she realized the inside was a wide-open space with floor-to-rafters windows nearly three stories high. It was lined with ladders and racks of stacked wood planks and tools. Centered in the space was a wood hull, looking like a piece of art.
As did the guy working on it. His shirt was damp and clinging to his every muscle as it bunched and flexed with his movements. It was all so beautiful and intriguing—the boat, the music, the man himself, right down to the corded veins on his forearms—that it was like being at the movies during the montage of scenes that always played to a sound track.
Then she realized she recognized the board shorts, or more accurately the really excellent butt, as she’d only moments before watched it walk away from her.
Sexy Surfer.
Though he couldn’t possibly have heard her over the hum of his power tool and the loud music, he turned to face her. And as she already knew, the view of him from the front was just as heart-stopping as it was from the back.
Dabney: It’s In His Kiss is the first of the last of the three books in your Lucky Harbor series, is it not? When you wrote the first, Simply Irresistible, did you ever think you’d write twelve books set in that small sweet coastal town?
Jill: No it was a wonderful surprise each time. I wrote the first three, the sisters who inherited a dilapidated falling off its axis inn, and got such a wonderful response from readers. My publisher asked for another trilogy. So I wrote the chocoholics, the three strangers stuck in a diner late one night with a terrible storm outside, eating the last thing in the diner — a chocolate cake —as they decided their lives sucked and needed fixing. Readers again responded so positively so we went for a third trilogy, and so on. 🙂 So here we are at the last Lucky Harbor trilogy, with It’s in His Kiss, He’s So Fine, and One in a Million. We’ve got Sam, Cole, and Tanner, three sexy guys running a charter company. They’re best friends, brothers really, and I love nothing more than writing a good bro-mance… Whew. Twelve. Hard to believe…
Dabney: I remember reading that your daughters were the inspiration for the series. Can you tell us that story?
Jill: When I began brainstorming the sexy contemporary romance series about three estranged sisters who get stuck together running a dilapidated 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 one 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, stuck together in the small Washington State beach town of Lucky Harbor.
So then all that I had left to do was find the three sexy guys who could handle them. I’m a big romance reader as well an author, and for me, it’s always about the hero. It doesn’t matter what he looks like, or what he does for a living, or even who his family and friends are — it’s about his heart.
It just so happened that at the same 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. 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.
Jill: Oh boy. That’s a little like asking me to pick my favorite child. And the answer to that is always whoever is standing in front of me. So in that vein, I would pick It’s in His Kiss, He’s So Fine, and One in a Million.There’s just something about the bro-mance between the three guys, Sam, Cole and Tanner, that grabs me every time.
Jill: Lance is inspired by a dear childhood friend. The real life Lance didn’t get his HEA so in my make believe world of Lucky Harbor you have no need to worry about Lance. He’s going to outlive them all.
Jill: I’m afraid I love it all. It’s a terrible distraction and some days keeps me from writing, but then I remind myself it’s all research, right? 🙂
Dabney: The heroine of It’s in His Kiss writes advertising jingles. Where did that come from?
Jill: Two And A Half Men and About A Boy. Both of those jingle writers are men so I put a little spin on it and had it be my heroine who writes jingles. And not always so successfully as you’ll see in the book. It’s not easy to jingle toilet paper and, ahem, men’s performance enhancers.
Dabney: Sam, like all your heroes, is a man deeply protective of women. When he realizes Becca is easily spooked by small spaces and sudden movements (by men), he changes the way he moves around her, all in an effort to make sure she feels safe. (I love this about him.) Sam is never a jerk. Do you think you’d ever write a jerk hero? (If you have, I’ve missed it!)
Jill: No I won’t ever write an asshole alpha. That’s what you mean, right? I just can’t do it. I want an alpha but he’s gotta know when to alpha and when to back off and be tender and gentle… 🙂
Dabney: I’ve always admired your deft touch with “guy-speak.” Where do you do your research for that?
Jill: Well I am married to my research. My husband, known as Alpha Man, talks, walks, sleeps alpha-ness. It comes out of his pores and certainly out of his mouth. As do his friends and family. So they’re my favorite path of research, just listening and observing (and sometimes shaking my head because Good Lord, alphas can be annoying in real life!)
Dabney: What’s up for you once you’ve left Lucky Harbor?
Jill: Working on that right this very minute, in fact. First up, more from my Animal Magnetism series. Still the One hits 4/1/15. And then next summer I’m starting a new series that will involve some very alpha, very sexy brothers. More to come. 🙂
Dabney: Thanks again for talking with us.
Jill: My pleasure!
Dabney: Here’s the blurb for It’s in His Kiss:
Becca Thorpe has uprooted her life and escaped to the beach. Now’s her chance to get away from city living, throw caution to the ocean winds, and live in the moment. Especially if the moment includes the deliciously sexy surfer she meets shortly after arriving in Lucky Harbor. Something about the dark intensity of Sam’s eyes and the thrill she gets at his touch convinces her to stay awhile.
Boatbuilder and investment genius Sam Brody is a self-made man who knows how dangerous it can be to mix business and pleasure. But he can’t resist offering Becca a job just to hear her laugh and have her near. Yet when her brother comes to town asking for help, will he tempt her back to her glamorous life in the city? Or do Sam and little Lucky Harbor have a chance to win Becca’s heart?
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
I’m looking forward to reading the last 3 books set in Lucky Harbor, and have read all the previous novels in this series.
I really enjoyed the Lucky Harbor series. I’m looking forward to reading the last 3 books, though I’m sad to see the series ending.
Looking forward to the last three books. Really have enjoyed the Lucky Harbor series.
Enjoying this series. Can’t wait to finish it!
Great post! I recently read Then Came You from the Animal Magnetism series, and loved it! I have not yet had a chance to read any of the novels from the Lucky Harbor series. I would love to win this giveaway to finally be able to try one!
I love this series (and Animal Magnetism) and am looking forward to the last three. I will miss visiting Lucky Harbor
I’m sad it’s ending soon!!
Love this series. I don’t want it to end!!! Of course, all her books are awesome!!!!
love the series
Absolutely love Jill’s books — they are definitely a go-to when I need a pick me up! I love this series and the animal magnetism one as well, and look forward to what is coming next!
I can’t believe we have to leave Luck Harbor.. I am going to miss this town. But, I will be ready for the next series! I love me some brothers!
Lisa
Love the Lucky Harbor series!! And all of Jill’s other books!
Love the Lucky Harbor series! Can’t wait to read this 🙂
Loved the interview. Thanks for sharing. Jill Shalvis is one of my favorite authors!!
Loved your Lucky Harbor series..own each one ….looking forward to visiting a new town……
loves this series keep up the great work 🙂
I can’t wait to read this!!!
Love the Lucky Harbor series, but let’s face it, anything Jill writes is fantastic.
Loving the Lucky Harbor series and Jill!
i LOVE the LUCKY HARBOR series! Keep them coming, thanks for the chance!
I will miss the lucky harbor books….
I love how all the books are linked, but you can pick up anyone and read it on it’s own without feeling lost.
Love Jill’s books. I look forward to a new series after this one even though I’ll miss Lucky Harbor.
Loved this post!! Have heard so many good things about this book – have to have!! Thanks!!
I love this series and can’t wait to read this one!
Love Jill’s books. Love the humor, love the Alpha’s, Love it all.
I love this series! I’m so sad it’s going to be ending soon, but I’ll definitely reread them often 🙂
I love the Lucky Harbor books!
Looking forward to reading this book in the series.
I love Lucky Harbor and am sad to see it end, but I am looking forward to the next series.
Love this series, sad to see it come to an end. However I am very excited for whatever Jill Shalvis has in store for us next!!
I’ve just started reading the lucky harbor series. Will be sad to read the final book.
I can’t believe we are on the last 3 Lucky harbor books, I have enjoyed all of them but then I will read anything Jill writes.
I love Jill Shalvis! Only a couple of authors have more than one book on my Hall of Fame row on my Keeper Shelf, and she is one of them!
I love your books, I’m actually in the middle of Then Came You right now! I can’t wait to read It’s in his Kiss! Thanks so much for all of the great reads!
I love all of Jill Shalvis’ books!
I love jill shalvis and adore lucky harbor it’s bitter sweet knowing series is coming to an end but I am excited to see what she comes up with next. Jill shalvis creates amazing characters and beyond amazing stories!
I am looking forward to reading IT’S IN HIS KISS and the last 2 books set in Lucky Harbor.Thank you for the opportunity to win.I enjoy reading jill’s books.
can not wait to read the last 3 Lucky Harbor , I will miss all of my friends from there … you would think I was a member of the community !!!
But then you never disappoint … so”” the best is yet to come “”
This is my next read. I have Simply Irresistible waiting on my kindle!
Love the Lucky Harbor series! So sad to see it end!
I started reading your books right when I started reading romances. I picked up 1 and glommed the rest! I still run out to read your latest release.
Sad to hear about the end of Lucky Harbor. I had enjoyed the series so much.
Jill Shalvis is one of my top 5 favorite writers. Love the Lucky Harbor as well as the Animal Magnetism & The Wilder series!!! Looking forward to the new series ( mentioned above) 🙂
Waiting for the book to show up on my porch – Hurry UPS!
I’m so sad to hear that the Lucky Harbor series is coming to and end. I will savor the final installments. I don’t know how but I will try. I am sure Jill Shalvis has something new and exciting to put on paper!
No!! It can’t be true. I don’t want the lucky harbor series to end. What a wonderful,amazing and funny writer you are. Can’t wait to see what’s next.
Have been waiting anxiously for Sam & Becca’s story. I cannot wait for the last 2 books. Conversely, it will be hard to leave Lucky Harbor. That is why I get my own copies instead of use the library – I can reread whenever I want (for some reason the library is never open at 11 PM when I get the urge to revisit one of my faves).
I love all of Jill’s books I have read. I can’t wait to start this one!
I love this series. In fact, I love all things Jill Shalvis. Her Animal Magnetism series is going great. Her blog is hilarious. She is crazy on Facebook. Her humor comes out everywhere. Although I hate to see this series end, I look forward to whatever she has planned.
Can’t wait to read it!!!
I LOVE all of Jill’s books. I will miss Lucky Harbor, but I am looking forward to her new series too. Really, she could write the phone book and I would read it!! 🙂
I can’t wait to read this.
I’m sad to see Lucky Harbor end but so excited about the other series. I’m sure they’ll be just as fun since they’re bound to have Jill’s quirky wit and humor! Thanks for the chance to win!
I pre ordered from Walmart and the book arrived at my front door yesterday and I have already started to read…it is AWESOME!!!! Love all of Jill’s books.
Best wishes to Jill with the surgery on Friday.
I love Jill’s Lucky Harbor series. Thanks for the post and giveaway.
Can’t wait to read, thanks for the opportunity to win.
great inverview – love stories about beach towns – probably cause we are land-locked here. Can’t wait to read the complete Lucky Harbor Series
Jill writes such fun books! I love to read each series.
I’m loving this book!
Love the Lucky Harbor series! Great interview – looking forward to this new round from Lucky Harbor!
I just finished the first three in the Lucky
Harbor series and am now reading the
Animal Magnetism series. Love them all 🙂
I have’nt had the chance to read from this series . Hope I get to now if I win. Thanks for the chance
I love Jill’s Lucky Harbor books, they’re always so much fun and I look forward to each new release. I’m so sad to hear this series is coming to an end, it’s one of my absolute favorites! 🙁
Love the Lucky Harbor series and can’t wait to read the rest of them!
Her writing is great. She has such a sense of humor. Her characters ring true.
Reading “”At Last”” now. Loving Amy and Matt’s story.
I will be sad to leave Lucky Harbor, so many good memories there. One of my favorite things about the series is the older residents, they make me laugh. ♥
would love to read this new book! great author and writer
I will be sad to leave Lucky Harbor but the anticipation on where the next ones will be set will keep me going, lol. Good luck with your surgery Jill!
I am getting it this weekend I can’t wait
Pre-ordered Monday when it became available on Amazon. Anticipate another engaging, humorous Shalvis Lucky Harbor story that I won’t want to put down and won’t want to end.
This is a great interview! I especially enjoyed the part about your daughters fighting. At least it was of some use for these great books! Thanks!
Congratulations on the new book.
I’ve enjoyed this series.
I am looking forward to this one. I recently listened and relistened to Then Came You. Mediocre narrator. But the story is so good, it doesn’t matter. I will be buying this one, kindle & audio versions together. Cant wait
Thanks for the interview! Fingers crossed for a win!
Love all of your books. Thanks for the chance to win.
I’ve loved all the Lucky Harbor books. It will be sad to read the final story.
I miss the characters when a favorite series ends – I want to know how they are doing – that’s why I love epilogues.
I’ve loved every single one of Jill Shalvis’s previous books, and I can’t wait to read this.
Great love Jill books such a grat hot series
I love Jill’s books!! Can’t wait to read this one!!
I just brought it today and can’t wait to read it.
Sounds good . I have not read any of Jill Shalvis books , but always looking for new authors .
Good interview. Please count me in too.
Lover her writing! The sexy times and humor is such a great mix! 😉
I love this series and would love to win! I highly recommend this series:)
Love this series…looking forward to reading this book (hopefully, soon), as well as the new upcoming series mentioned. 🙂
Love Jill Shalvis’s books!
I’m looking forward to a new Lucky Harbor trilogy but ill be so sad to see the series end 🙁 Thanks for a great run and I’m excited to hear more about next summer’s brothers!!
I love this series and will be very sad to see it end. But I know that Jill will get me hooked into her new series just as easily as I fell in love with Lucky Harbor.
I would love to read your book and place reviews on all book sites. Thanks for the chance!.
It’s always so much fun reading about Lucky Harbor – can’t wait to read this one!!
Love all your books!
I’ve loved these books and it would be terrific to win one…I’ve purchased all the rest so it’s kinda a reward, right? lol. Thanks for the giveaway!
I love Jill’s books. I am going to be especially sad when the Lucky Harbor series ends.
Great series. Looking forward to picking this one up
Almost done with always on my mind which is great and so now u have a another fan. Your talent impresses me I can’t wait to read more
I can’t wait to read this…love Jill’s books!
On my list to read this weekend.
I love all of your books. I can’t wait to read the last three (although it will be sad to have the series over)
Would sure love to win!
I love Jill’s books! She never disappoints!
I love Jill Shalvis’ books! I’ve read every one of them. Consistently excellent!
I working my way through Jill’s books and would love to scratch this one off my list to get. I have seriously enjoyed all I’ve read.
Love, love Lucky Harbor & this book!! Will definitely miss this town. What a great way to end the series though!!
Just love all of Jill’s books!
The Lucky Harbor books are always on my wish list! I’ve loved every single one in the series, and am sad the series is almost over!
So far I’ve only read the first set of LH books and I loved them. The others are on my TBR list and I plan to get to them soon. Thanks for the giveaway.
I have always enjoyed the variety of characters in your books. I am behind on this series and need to get caught up!
Can’t wait toback to Lucky Harbor! Thanks for the give away.
Love Lucky Harbor. Not caught up yet, but I do own all the books, except It’s In His Kiss and am working on them.
Great interview. Love the Lucky Harbor series, and very happy to hear that a new Animal Magnetism title is on its way!
What will be once these are finished? I’ll miss Lucille and her track suits. No more Eat Me or Love Shack (love those names, btw). Good luck in all future writing endeavours. I look forward to the next Animal Magnetism.
I love that you’re married to your research in a whole different way than we usually think of it! 🙂
I have read and love every one of the Lucky Harbor books! Such a wonderful series. Thank you!
Just love this series. Have read them all thus far. Trying to post my pic reading but not getting the right spot. Hope to win one though.
Looking forward to reading it. I love this series.
Looking forward to reading it
Fantastic artwork! Option types of data that are supposed to be provided over the web. A sense of shame on Google without longer ranking that submit increased! Can happen above and speak with my website Tullio. Thank you Implies)
I’m adding Jill to my list of authors to check out.
Love your books. When I read the lucky harbor stories I feel like I live there to and know everyone. I have ever gotten a friend reading the series and she feels the same, it’s like we are part of the town and waiting to see what Lucille is getting into now. GREAT SERIES. I don’t want it to ever end.
I’m a little sad right now. How am I just no hearing that this is the last set of Lucky Harbor books? I’m going to really miss reading about that little community! I do, however, look forward reading about these three brothers Jill mentioned.
xo Amanda
I’m only on book 2 of this series – looking forward to reading them all!
Can’t wait to read this book!
Thanks again for having me here last week and for all the wonderful reader comments! 🙂