Would you like a book? Cool!
Jill Shalvis has offered up 10 digital copies and 10 paperback copies of It Had to Be You ( A | BN | K | iB ), the latest in her Lucky Harbor series.
Here's the description:
Ali Winters is not having a good day. Her boyfriend left her, everyone in town thinks she's a thief, and now she's about to be kicked out of her home. Her only shot at keeping a roof over her head and clearing her name is to beg for help from a police detective who's as sexy as he is stern….
After a high-profile case goes wrong, Luke Hanover returns to his hometown for some peace and quiet. Instead he finds a bombshell brunette in a heap of trouble. As he helps Ali put her world back together, the pieces of Luke's own life finally seem to fall into place. Is this the start of a sizzling fling? Or are Luke and Ali on the brink of something big in a little town called Lucky Harbor?
One of the repeating themes of the book is happiness. The heroine had a rough start in life, and despite a lot of insecurity, both internal and external, she is determined to be okay. The beginning of the book lines up a whole series of problems for her to face, and she refuses to back down and stop trying to create a life for herself. Her optimism is a powerful thing.
The quotes people have highlighted from the book illustrate that, too. I like this one:
“I’m not defined by someone I thought I was dating, Luke, or what I do for a living. I’m not defined by what people think of me. My happiness comes from within….”
So, here's a question for you: what makes you happy? When you're feeling crappy or burned low, what reboots you and makes you feel happy and sure again? Share your happymaking tip (NOT THAT ONE) (OK FINE IF YOU WANT) in the comments, and you're entered to win.
Please also let me know if you want digital or print – or either.
The comments will close at noon on Sunday 16 June, and I'll announce the winners then.
Standard disclaimers apply: I'm not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Open to US and Canadian residents to the extent permitted by applicable law. Must be over 18 and wearing galoshes to win. Notwithstanding anything hereinafter to the contrary, the contest shall nonetheless be conducted as heretofore described thereupon. Action figures sold separately.
I hope this giveaway makes you happy – and that, if you win a copy, the book does, too.
bicycle ride to a coffee house to see friends and share a brunch; after that an afternoon by the sea with a book and chocolate and crisps and an evening spent hacking monsters in a dungeon.
I am a digital girl!
There are two things I do that cheer me up. The first is that I listen to music until I no longer feel like I want to kill someone. The second is that I come on here and re-read the reviews for Savage Moon (I did this on Monday night) or Decadent because they always make me laugh.
Either copy would be fine. 🙂
When I am feeling low, I love to re-read my favorite romance books. I also listen to music or float in a pool.
I bake cookies. A lot. Usually something chocolate, but not always. Everyone knows when I’m stressed because there will be many containers of cookies in my kitchen.
either digital or pb is good for me. I read it all
Just blasting Zac Brown music and singing along, if you can call me singing that!!!
ebook
thx
Sorry – I forgot to say – digital for me, please.
Watching the miniseries “Cranford” (I am a nerd). It is just so delightful 🙂
(ebook)
I go “booking.” We have a local UBS (Book Barn, Niantic, CT) that encompasses 3 separate locations, one of which is partially outdoors and has cats, gargoyles, turtles, gardens, and goats as well as zillions of only semi-organized books. It’s an aesthetic, literary, scavenger hunt experience that never fails to make me happy.
I will put on some upbeat music and read to a good book. Always cheers me up.
Rereading a comfort read book always makes me happy. Or rewatching the Colin Firth version of P&P or Gaskell’s North & South with Richard Armitage. If I don’t have that much time, then S&S for Alan Rickman.
Digital
Winning books makes me happy!
After a frustrating class today (I teach college, but they acted like middle-schoolers), I felt happy to let go a string of inventive curses once I left the classroom.
I also like a good belly laugh.
And the outdoors. The sun shining on me always makes me feel good. Even when it’s a bazillion degrees outside!
Snuggling on the couch with my corgi and reading a good book! Wine, chocolate, and music optional. :0) (Digital, please. I’ve filled my house to bursting with print books, so I’m trying a new tactic.)
Two things perk me up when I’m feeling down. One is obviously reading (especially old favorites that take me away from things) since I read this blog regularly.
The second is nature. After 9/11 (which was the day after we buried my beloved motherinlaw) my husband and I spent the day at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. The roses still left blooming, the greenhouse with the orchids and blooming lemon tree, the beautiful grounds and water features soothed something inside. Our personal grief, our worry over family who’d boarded airplanes that day and our national horror and grief were eased by the beauty that still remains in the world.
If I’m chosen, I’d like a digital copy.
After 3 deployments (USMC) and mercenary work, I’m happiest in my Hubby’s arms! I’m so blessed to finally have him home for good!! 🙂
(Printed Copy, Please)
Sitting on my patio with a book and a glass of iced tea makes me happy.
Digital copy, please! (Nook)
Coming home after a trip to my own little nest with my pups and my DH. that will always cheer me up in a good way. Print please!
Reading on a beautiful spring day always makes me happy.
Digital, please!
Whenever I need a pick-me-up, I go outside to the patio. I can sit, bird watch, watch the kids play, whatever—it balances me.
And I’d be fine with either copy. 🙂
What makes me happy?
Today it would be getting a job and being able to pay our bills. My husband getting a job (too?) would put me over the moon! Our son’s commencement from UVM last month made us very happy. If I win, I would prefer a digital copy of the book. Thanks for the giveaway!
When I’m gloomy, the one thing I can count on to lift me out is a glass of wine and one of my comfort reads. Most likely Nora. Just me alone in bed for a couple blissful hours. Heaven.
I’m an old fashioned girl. I like print books best.
Honestly, at this time in my life, nothing makes me happier than self-discipline! Getting up in the morning and accomplishing my writing goals, then rewarding myself by taking a break to socialize in an outdoor restaurant. That high of having deserved the reward is the best feeling!
Digital please.
What makes me happy when I’m feeling burned out? So many things! Your site, a great song, a fun book, a hug from my niece, my mom telling me she’s proud of me, an afternoon driving with the top down… I could go on; my point is that there are an abundance of options in my life for turning my mood around.
I’d prefer digital but will accept paper also.
Yesterday, mercilessly teasing my sister via email made me ridiculously happy!
Digital please.
My go-to for cheering up is a glass of sparkling wine and a book—a new one, if I’m feeling confident about it, or a favorite from the keeper shelf.
I’d prefer digital, but I wouldn’t say no to print, either.
A hot shower, cozy socks, and a romance novel (of course!).
I have the Kindle version of this book on my wish list, so winning the digital copy would also make me happy.
Books make me happy! Going to the bookstore, looking though the shelves, picking out a new title to take home, curling up in my favorite armchair with a cup of tea, and reading to my heart’s content! Sounds like a perfect day to me!
(Either digital or print is fine, if I should happen to win.)
I know this may be a copout but books make me happy. If I’ve had a hard day at work or something is happening with my family, I know I can pick up a book off my Keeper Shelf and feel better. Depending on how bad I’m feeling, the genre of book may vary; however, they will all have a romance base.
I love Jill Shalvis, her books are excellent to listen to, so I don’t mind having a digital or print copy. She’s good either way.
When I’m feeling crappy I like to watch some of my favorite comedies like The Hangover, Porky’s and 30 Rock. Either print of digital is fine.
Music makes me happy—either listening to it or playing it. On the days when everything goes sideways, I’ll pick up a guitar and jam for hours, until my fingers or raw or my neighbors are pounding on the wall.
I prefer digital.
Yes please! I haven’t read this one yet and am eager to. Print or ebook both work for me.
When I am feeling low, I re-read “Beauty” by Robin McKinley.
A new book would make me happy! There is something mystically special about the feel of a crisp, never-been-read book – the smoothness of the cover, the unwrinkled spine, that scent that makes “new car” smell like skunk :).
Non-reading related happy is my family’s smiling faces – because whenever five people around a dinner table are getting along, it’s an event worth celebrating!
I would be okay with either version.
An evening in with the family (dog included) or close friends. Or sometimes just an evening in with nobody else. Me-time is good sometimes.
Both print and digital are fine.
I am not a fitness freak by any stretch of the imagination but a walk really raises my happy, especially if I have my iPod with me. Either print or digital!
I love this question. I am happy when I am reading books that matter to me and get a kick out of lusty and loving stories that I read. I have gotten many goods reads on the internet and along with the music that I also love and makes me happy, well I JUST CAN’T LOSE. Again love this question. Thanks for asking it. I prefer Print but digital is alright too.
Right now the thing that’s making me happiest is that I no longer have to listen to what sounded like a freight train go through my living room each time my air conditioning went on… of course, I’m probably disproportionately elated right now that it’s been replaced, but that’s ok!!
In general I think that reducing stress is a good way towards happiness (and not getting a headache each time the air comes on in the south in summer qualifies as alleviating stress to me).
Either print or digital would be fine
Seeing a brain-meltingly cute animal. Like a baby lemur. Or a kitten. I take cute animal breaks at work sometimes to clear my brain. (Also I like digital books.)
Calling my BFF of over 30 years we can always get each other to laugh