Interview: Jill Shalvis, author of 'One in a Million'
Today we get to talk with one of our favorites of all time, Jill Shalvis, about her latest, One in a Million, the last book in her massively popular Lucky Harbor series.
Joyce: Welcome back to HEA, Jill! Please tell us about One in a Million.
Jill: I thought it would be fun to write a heroine who creates the ultimate romantic fantasy in that she's a wedding planner, and yet she doesn't believe in happily-ever-afters in real life. Add in one hot guy who believes in love but has been burned. Stir don't shake.
Joyce: Callie is a wedding planner. Did you use any of your own wedding dreams/expectations/fears to inspire any plot points in One in a Million?
Joyce: I got married in a backyard surrounded by friends and more than few bees … it was small and cozy and hardly anyone got stung. So the funny thing is that I was never one to dream about a big wedding with all the trimmings. I knew nothing about weddings so I did have to do some research. I had fun looking up all the bad things that could happen, putting a funny spin on a few, and using them … :)
Joyce: We all know how mishap-prone you are. : ) Did you have any mishaps at your wedding? Other than the killer bees …
Jill: Well, there was a pool in that backyard and let's just say Alpha Man was on high alert and tasked with making sure I didn't fall in. It was close a few times, but I managed to stay upright. And I didn't get stung once!
Joyce: In One in a Million, hero Tanner tempts heroine Callie with a Boston cream doughnut. What kind of doughnut would tempt you?
Jill: ANY kind of a doughnut. I'm afraid I'm a bit of a food 'ho. However, if you have an old-fashioned chocolate glaze, I'm not ashamed to admit I would probably do anything for it.
Joyce: Noted!
Can you share something with HEA's readers that we don't already know about you?
Jill: Well … if you've been reading Lucky Harbor, you know Lucille. The ancient, well-meaning, nosy busybody who managed to embed herself into the lives of every one of the 12 couples I wrote about. And here's the little-known secret … she's modeled after my grandma Lucille. And maybe she's also how I see myself as an old lady. Don't tell?
Joyce: Our lips are sealed.
What can readers expect to see from you next?
Jill: I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you … :) OK, fine, twist my arm. I'm starting something new and here's a hint: The guys are hot and badass.
Joyce: Is there anything you'd like to add?
Jill: Thank you for having me! And you'll notice, Joyce, that I didn't try to steal your earring this time.
Joyce: Or stab me with it! (Inside joke: Jill hugs REALLY hard, so if you have sharp earring posts, you can expect to be bloody behind your ear after Jill showers you with affection. It was totally worth it.)
Jill: Also, I'll be drawing three names from the commenters here, and each will win a Lucky Harbor book of their choice from books one through 11!
Find out more about Jill and her books at jillshalvis.com.
HEA curator and contributor Joyce Lamb is a Paste BN best-selling author of romantic suspense and three-time RITA finalist and has been a professional journalist for 25 years. You can reach her at jlamb@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter (@JoyceLamb). You can also follow HEA on Twitter (@HEAusatoday).