Jill Shalvis: 'It Had to Be You' hero had to be … Luke Hanover
It's no secret to HEA readers that I worship the ground that Jill Shalvis walks on. Her buddy Kristan Higgins is usually right next to her on that ground. Not lying on it … just ON it, while I worship. And now we've gone somewhere weird and unintended. Moving on … so Jill visits today to introduce us to her hero in her new and awesome It Had to Be You. All she had to do was mention strapping "on a tool belt or a gun belt," and I was all ears — or eyes, since it was e-mail. Plus, she's doing a giveaway, because that's just how she rolls. (I'm so glad you all can't tell how tired I am. I mean, I get punchy when I'm this tired, but at least I hide it really well. Heh.)
Jill:
Dear Readers,
I tend to write big, rugged, tough heroes. Not necessarily the boardroom type … more likely the kind to strap on a tool belt or a gun belt. I find these alpha heroes lend themselves far better to a small town than the big city. That's where Lucky Harbor comes in. A small quirky town on the Washington state coast, you can trust just about anyone there with your life. Unfortunately, not a single one of them can keep a secret.
So when Ali Winters' life falls apart, everyone knows it. The only person she can turn to for help is a stranger.
Detective Luke Hanover has returned to his hometown for some peace and quiet. Instead he finds his hands full with a bombshell brunette in a heap of trouble. Oddly enough, as he helps Ali put the pieces of her world back together, his own life suddenly seems fall into place as well …
"Don't be nice to me right now. I'll lose it."
With surprising gentleness, he pushed the hair from her face, then clicked open her seatbelt.
It was all the invitation she was going to get, and all the invitation she needed. Turning to him, she burrowed in as steady, strong arms closed around her. He stroked a hand down her back, and she pressed her face into the crook of his neck, soaking in the warm comfort he offered.
It was the safest and most secure she'd felt in far too long, and she wasn't sure she was going to be able to let go.
"Ali."
Afraid he was going t pull away before she was done soaking him in, she squirmed a little closer.
"Please, not yet."
A rough sound escaped him, and he tightened his grip.
"It's okay. I've got you."
It Had to Be You is the first in a new trilogy where three women, each running their own business and sharing an eccentric old Victorian building, find themselves on the brink of something big in a little town called Lucky Harbor. Be sure to Catch Always on My Mind this September and then Once in a Lifetime in early 2014.
Interested in hearing more? You can find that, along with a full booklist and my daily blog, at www.jillshalvis.com/blog. Come by and say hi (and sign up for my newsletter, I'm getting ready to do a big giveaway very soon!).
Before I go, I'd love to know what you all are reading? Leave a comment and I'll be drawing five names who can pick their choice of a book from my backlist. (To comment, click on the gray comment balloon on the left side of your browser window.)
Hugs, Jill
To find out more about Jill and her books, visit www.jillshalvis.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter (@jillshalvis).