Shalvis, Jill

PERSONAL:

Married; children: three.

ADDRESSES:

Home—CA. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Writer.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Three National Reader's Choice awards.

WRITINGS:

ROMANCE NOVELS

Luke, Harlequin (New York, NY), 2003.

The Street Where She Lives, Harlequin (New York, NY), 2003.

In Name Only, Harlequin (New York, NY), 2003.

Come Fly with Me, Harlequin (New York, NY), 2003.

Natural Blond Instincts, Harlequin (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), 2003.

Hero for Hire, Harlequin (New York, NY), 2004.

Back in the Bedroom, Harlequin (New York, NY), 2004.

Bared, Harlequin (New York, NY), 2004.

White Heat, New American Library (New York, NY), 2004.

Seduce Me, Harlequin (New York, NY), 2004.

Blue Flame, New American Library (New York, NY), 2004.

Her Sexiest Mistake, Signet Eclipse Books (New York, NY), 2005.

Seeing Red, Signet Eclipse (New York, NY), 2005.

Get a Clue, Brava (New York, NY), 2005.

Free Fall, Harlequin (New York, NY), 2005.

Aussie Rules, Brava (New York, NY), 2006.

Bad Boys Southern Style (collection), Brava (New York, NY), 2006.

Out of This World, Brava (New York, NY), 2006.

Room Service, Harlequin (New York, NY), 2006.

Just Try Me, Harlequin Blaze (New York, NY), 2006.

Jinxed, Harlequin Blaze (New York, NY), 2007.

Smart and Sexy, Brava (New York, NY), 2007.

Shadow Hawk, Harlequin Blaze (New York, NY), 2007.

The Trouble with Paradise, Berkley (New York, NY), 2007.

Strong and Sexy, Brava (New York, NY), 2007.

Work represented in anthologies, including Men of Courage, Harlequin (New York, NY), 2005; Men of Courage II, Harlequin (New York, NY), 2005; Paris or Bust!, Harlequin (New York, NY), 2003; Mother, Please!, Harlequin (New York, NY), 2004; Dare Me, Signet Eclipse (New York, NY), 2005; Velvet, Leather & Lace, Harlequin (New York, NY), 2005; The Night before Christmas, Brava (New York, NY), 2005; and Beach Blanket Bad Boys, Brava (New York, NY), 2005.

SIDELIGHTS:

Jill Shalvis is the author of dozens of romance novels, including several that feature firefighters. In White Heat, Griffin Moore has been traumatized by the loss of his crew of twelve men in an Idaho fire. His brother, Brody, finds him in San Diego, and in an effort to help him overcome his guilt, he signs him up to fight fires in the Mexican village of San Puebla. Griffin only agrees to go when Brody threatens to tell their mother where to find him. Lyndie Anderson is the pilot who flies him there. An independent woman who was raised by her Air Force grandfather, she has difficulty forming attachments and is happiest when flying her Cessna, primarily flying doctors and other medical professionals to remote areas for Hope International. Also a bilingual speaker, she interprets for Griffin when they reach San Puebla. Lyndie finds the handsome firefighter attractive, but is only interested in a fling. Griffin, however, is very drawn to her and can't face the thought of another loss in his life.

Nancy J. Silberstein reviewed the book on the Romance Reader Web site, commenting: "When she wrote White Heat, Jill Shalvis included so many strong elements that the resulting story was more or less guaranteed to succeed. The elements include a damaged hero, a gutsy heroine, a strong cast of supporting characters, an unusual setting, and a blazing challenge."

Her Sexiest Mistake features protagonist Mia Appleby, a woman from humble beginnings who has become a successful advertising executive. Unable to commit for more than one night, she lavishes her affection on biker Kevin McKnight, who is in truth a teacher. She tries to walk away, but Kevin wants more and attempts to convince Mia to keep the relationship going. Summer Abrams is the lead character in Seeing Red, a woman who returns home after twelve years to the California town where her father died in a warehouse fire. She discovers that her childhood friend, Joe Walker, is now the town's sexy fire marshal. They reconnect and overcome past tragedies together.

Get a Clue is a romance and a mystery. Breanne Mooreland decides to take her honeymoon trip alone after her groom stands her up at the altar. When she arrives at the vacation house, which has been doubled booked, she discovers a man, Cooper Scott, in the shower. Cooper is a policeman with burnout, but when a body is discovered on the premises, he quickly begins an investigation. "If you like romances with a combination of mystery, humor, and heat, you will want to get Get a Clue," concluded Romance Reader reviewer Alyssa Hurzeler. "Shalvis skillfully mixes the bizarre with the poignant and the hilarious in this deliciously creepy romp," noted Lynne Welch in Booklist.

Aussie Rules finds friends Mel and Dimi managing an airport, the deed to which is, unknown to them, in the name of Bo Black. Bo comes looking for Sally, the mentor they had trusted, but who Bo says swindled his father of money and an antique airplane.

Artist Rachel Wood heads to Alaska with Kel, the geeky brother of a friend, after inheriting a bed and breakfast in Out of This World. Nothing goes right at the inn, which they have difficulty finding. It is empty and strange, and the cook is entirely incompetent. Rachel is struck by lightning, giving her the power to see through things, Kel is gifted with incredible strength, and the two become insatiable lovers. Welch wrote: "Shalvis breaks new ground with this sexy paranormal romance with chick-lit undertones."

Shalvis told CA: "I've been interested in writing since the day I first picked up a pencil and wrote myself an elaborate excuse to get out of PE in sixth grade. Everything influences me: tv, books, magazines, movies … real life. I am a sponge, and I soak it all in and then spit it back out in fun fiction. The most surprising thing I've learned is patience. And humility. And discipline. Being a writer, you really must have these things on tap from somewhere deep within. My favorite book of mine? Oh boy, that's like asking me to pick my favorite kid. My favorite book is always the one I'm writing right now. But I will say I have two: Strong and Sexy and Seeing Red."

When asked what effect she hopes her books will have, she said, "If I've given anyone a break from real life, or some laughter or joy, then I consider my job well done."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, June 1, 2004, Lynne Welch, review of White Heat, p. 1711; May 1, 2005, Lynne Welch, review of Seeing Red, p. 1575; August 1, 2005, Lynne Welch, review of Get a Clue, p. 2006; November 15, 2005, Lynne Welch, review of Her Sexiest Mistake, p. 32; May 1, 2006, Lynne Welch, review of Aussie Rules, p. 76; September 1, 2006, Lynne Welch, review of Out of This World, p. 66.

MBR Bookwatch, March, 2005, Harriet Klausner, review of Men of Courage II; April, 2005, review of Dare Me; May, 2005, Harriet Klausner, review of Seeing Red.

ONLINE

Blogcritics,http://blogcritics.org/ (September 12, 2005), Regina Avalos, review of Seeing Red.

Jill Shalvis Home Page,http://jillshalvis.com (May 12, 2007).

Romance Reader,http://www.theromancereader.com/ (May 12, 2007), Nancy J. Silberstein, review of White Heat, Alyssa Hurzeler, review of Get a Clue.