My baby...

So Oldest went backpacking at Half Dome in Yosemite. If you've ever had the chance to see Half Dome in person, then you know how amazing a place it is. I'm betting at the very least that you've seen pictures of the glorious peak in calendars and art galleries or online. Bet you haven't seen this picture. Oldest after an all day climb. She's the little dot on the cliff.

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Here she is on the right with her friends. I look at this picture and can feel my womb clutch. That is my baby. On a cliff. On purpose.

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I can't even climb a ladder without getting dizzy. Boggles the mind, doesn't it?

Four legged romance sidekicks

I often get asked why I put animals in my romance novels. Especially dogs. They make great companions for one thing. They add fun and humor and undeniable heart. Plus they’re the ultimate confidant and then there’s the biggest reason – they give unconditional love. Here’s my Top Five reasons why dogs make great sidekicks. 1. Because when you’re on the mountain trail and you come across an angry mama bear and her baby cubs, your dog will run like hell. This will warn you to run like hell as well. Just be careful because if your dog is like my dog, he will throw you under the bus (or in this case bear) to get home before you do.

2. Because when all the cookies are gone you can totally blame your cookie loving dog. No one has to know that you ate all the cookies yourself. And your dog can give you dirty looks for blaming him but he can’t actually talk and dispute your story. Solid alibi.

3. Because if you’ve eaten in a way that disagrees with your stomach, there are never any worries. Your dog will always, ALWAYS, out stink you. And if he doesn’t, you can still point the finger at him. Again, he can’t talk and dispute your story.

4. Dogs are not just great sidekicks but they also make great a really great wingman. If you’re single, you can totally put your dog to work at charming the person you’re interested in. Just make sure that person likes dog drool and dog hair all over everything first.

5. There is never a need for a pillow or extra blanket because your dog will always be willing to get into bed with you and share body heat. Always. Just be forewarned. Being a great sidekick is not the same thing as a good bed partner. They have a habit of being a total bed hog.

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Meet Gracie from Rainy Day Friends... :)

Now we're cooking...

So my favorite go to recipe is VERY complicated. Step one, open crockpot. Step two, toss in boneless chicken breasts. Step three, pour in a jar of salsa. Step four, turn crockpot on low, cover, and go away. Step five, come back in eight hours, shred the chicken and use for nachos, burritos or quesidillas and EAT. But my family tends to balk if I do that every night.

So this is where you can save me. Share your fast, easy, delicious recipes? My family thanks you from the bottom of their hungry hearts. :razz:

I Love Lucy tales

A deadline is looming over my head and yet the camera on my phone woke me up the other morning, calling my name.

"Psst!" my camera said. "Forgetaboutwork ... I'm more fun."

And damn if my camera wasn't right. It was WAAAAAY more fun to walk along the Truckee River than work. And I only had to climb two fences and pass a DO NOT TRESPASS sign ...

I cut my calf. Never let it be said that I don't suffer for my art. At the time though, mostly I was worried about the scent of my blood drawing bears and coyotes oh my.

Probably I should have been more worried about where I parked, since I got a ticket.

If Alpha Man is reading this, I'm just kiddin'. Of course I wasn't stupid enough to park in the same place I parked last time. And I most definitely wasn't stupid enough to get yet another ticket. Probably.

And if my editor is reading this, this whole blog is a figment of your imagination because I am writing. Writing like a dog. I swear it.

On the two tickets I didn't get ...

Happy Hump Day

So today's theme is READING IS SEXY...

I mean just in case you needed convincing...

And not that I'm worried, but this one is sure to do it...

So are we all in accord? Reading is sexy? And might I ask what you're all reading?

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Recipe for a bad 'tude...

Ingredients: Gorgeous Donner Lake One boat One Alpha Man

Directions: Combine ingredients Remain on lake as long as it takes, until attitude improves Repeat as necessary

p.s. I'm working on an article about social networking. My part will be about my blog, and what makes it work. So ... what makes my blog work for you? That I don't talk all that much about my writing? Or when I DO talk about writing? The mention of my books, or when I talk about my life? Help me out ... what brings you back?

Happy Hump Day

I have a new crush and he probably doesn't need any introduction, but I bring to you Michael B. Jordan ...

Also, there was a sports team on my plane home the other night, which means it was full of tall, built, age INappropriate men but let's just say it was a very visually pleasant flight.

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Jill Does Denver

So this past week I was in Denver at a romance writer's conference and had lots of adventures, the first being that the hotel was huge with so many twists and turns and levels that I was completely lost ALL the time.

To those who kindly directed me and then said "you must be Jill Shalvis" ... haha and yeah. It was always me.

BUT ... I found myself in all the airports I went through and I was SO HAPPY!

Oh, and two seconds after I took this picture...

...the clerk came up to me and said "ma'am, I'm sorry, you can't take pictures of the books" and I was far more insulted by the "ma'am" than anything else... :)

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Happy Hump Day

So I went looking for a hot guy in a suit for some writing inspiration on the book I'm working on and ... one thing led to another.

Josh Duhamel! How did I forget about him? And of course I need a pic of him and a dog. But why just ONE dog? So...

... in conclusion, he's most definitely my writing inspiration today.

p.s. signed up for my newsletter? Don't miss the good stuff!

#ParentingFail

When you're writing the day's pages on your current book and you put a place marker in a scene that you're not ready to write at the moment marked like this: XX [SHE JUMPS HIS BONES HERE]

And then you don't catch said scene marker before you pass the scene onto your daughter to check for errors for you...

#parentingfail

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p.s. Sometimes the best thing in life is finding that one person who knows all your mistakes and weaknesses and still thinks you’re completely amazing. Do you have this one yet? Rainy Day Friends

Quicklinks: Excerpt | Ordering Links | all about Wildstone Series

Big, fat liar...

I found this old blog post from this date TWELVE years ago. Thought you might enjoy the peek at the kind of mom I am: The other day Oldest wanted me to go on a run with her. She takes this loop through the woods, which is admittedly beautiful, but it’s also straight uphill in spots. Lots of spots. Not wanting to look like a wuss (which while true, is not that flattering) I agreed. Five minutes up the hill and I was toast. “Honey,” I said, trying not to look like I was on my dying breath, which I was. “You go ahead, I’ll catch up."

And this is where those of you with a conscious might want to skip ahead to the end. You see, I know the woods around our house like the back of my hand. Or at least as well as a person who could get lost coming out of a paper bag can know anything. So I stepped off the path and went straight into the woods, cutting across, coming out ahead of my daughter, effectively losing at least a mile of the run. On top of this, I waited in the woods, sitting in the nice cool shade up against a tree chatting with Ashes until the daughter passed by.

Then I stepped back onto the trail behind her. “Whew, you’re really giving me a workout, let’s walk the rest of the way home, okay?”

“Sure, mom. You did great.”

I beamed. "Thanks." And then went home and had some cookies. I know, I'm going straight to hell ...

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p.s. Are you signed up for my newsletter? What you’ll get: bonus content, Jill Tales, and sale info. What you won’t get: spam. Ever. :) Sign up here!

Happy Hump Day

So I did a search for lifeguards. For research OF COURSE. I mean, I like to get things right for you all. :) Anyway, this guy popped up and I decidedtoday's writing inspiration is helping me get pages today...

I hope he helps you through your day as well... p.s. make sure you're signed here up for my newsletter so you'll get awesome stuff like bonus content and Jill news. :)

Question

Looking for books for my Kindle and I figured why not come to you, the experts. :razz: What's your favorite books of all time? Not necessarily the classics, or the books that make you look good if someone sees the bookshelf. I'm talking your faves. The books you can't live without having in your possession. Romance, not romance, whatever. Just curious. Name one or five or twenty, I don't care. Just curious and love to hear what your opinions are. [bookaside slug="hot-winter-nights"] [bookaside slug="rainy-day-friends"]

Happy Hump Day

I had a few emails wondering why I skipped a Happy Hump Day last week and my sincere apologies. It won't happen again. :)

Now go forth and have a happy and safe July 4th!!!!!! I'll be sitting at the lake with the entire fam, eating too much and enjoying having all my people in one place at the same time. What are you all doing today? [bookaside slug="rainy-day-friends"] [bookaside slug="hot-winter-nights"]