3/18/2011

Jill Sorenson











Jill Sorenson writes sexy romantic suspense for Harlequin and Bantam Dell. Two of her novels, Crash Into Me and Set the Dark on Fire, have been excerpted in Cosmopolitan magazine.
After earning a degree in literature and a bilingual teaching credential from California State University, Jill decided teaching wasn’t her cup of tea. She started writing one day while her firstborn was taking a nap and hasn’t stopped since. She lives in San Diego with her husband and two young daughters.



The Edge of Night
Bantam Dell
April 2011

To support her small daughter, April Ortiz does what she has to do—which means waiting tables in a skimpy outfit at a popular nightclub in the gang-infested area of Chula Vista. When one of her co-workers is found raped and murdered, April does what she knows she shouldn’t—she defies the neighborhood code by giving the police a hardcore gang member’s name.
Clean-cut cop Noah Young wants a shot at breaking this case more than anything in the world—that is, until he meets the unforgettable April Ortiz. When April gives Noah the tip, a spark ignites. As the fire between them threatens to blaze out of control, the two are dragged down further into the dark mysteries of the graffiti-lined streets, taunted by a crazed killer who could strike again at any time.



Stranded With Her Ex
Harlequin Romantic Suspense
April 2011

Trouble in paradise?
An exotic wildlife preserve is a dream come true for conservation biologist Daniela Flores. Until she finds out her ex-husband is leading the research team. World-famous shark expert Sean Carmichael has only grown more ruggedly appealing in the time they were apart…the passion between them more intense than ever. But how could Daniela forgive Sean for betraying her when she needed him most?
Sean had come to the remote Farallon Islands to study killer sharks. Now a real killer is on the loose, threatening the woman he’s never stopped loving. And this time, he knows he can’t walk away. Marooned together during a deadly storm, Sean vows to go to hell and back to save Daniela…and for the chance to begin again.


Jillian welcomes Jill Sorenson to Get Lost In a Story. A little name confusion? Nah!

Jillian: How often to you get lost in a story?
Jill: Every day! It’s pretty easy for me to get lost in the story I’m working on, whether I’m brainstorming, writing a rough draft, or in the last stages of editing. When I read books by another author it depends. The story has to be really great for me to “get lost” in it. I guess that happens about once a month, at the most.

Jillian: Describe your favorite kind of hero to read/write?
Jill: My favorite type of hero to write is a flawed hero. Most of my heroes are blue collar, work in law enforcement, and have troubled pasts. They aren’t rich, perfect, or all-knowing, but they’re usually handsome, smart, and respectful of women.

Jillian: What was the first story you remember writing?
Jill: The first story I wrote (and finished) was a full-length novel. It was a steamy romantic suspense tale with a photographer heroine and a detective hero. All of my friends read it and loved it! But it was a typical first effort, not fit to be published.

Jillian: Who’s your favorite villain?
Jill: My favorite villain is Hannibal Lector, as portrayed by Anthony Hopkins.

Jillian: Do you write while listening to music? If so what kind?
Jill: I don’t listen to music while I write, or even in the car if I’m thinking about my story. Music distracts me more than other background noises.

Jillian: What is your favorite tradition from your childhood that you would love to pass on or did pass on to your children?
Jill: A favorite family tradition I’d like to carry on is reading to my children. My mother read entire novels to me when I was little, not just storybooks. I’ve tried that with mine but so far they like Dr. Seuss better than Harry Potter. Maybe in a year or two they will sit still for longer stories.

Jillian: Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?
Jill: I do read reviews, and I often find them helpful. There’s nothing I appreciate more than an articulate, honest review—even when it’s not positive. I’m always honored when a reader takes the time to share her thoughts on my work. Some of the feedback is useful for future books.

Jillian: Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it?
Jill: I drink coffee. Bit of sugar, bit of whole milk. My favorite vice.

Here comes the gotta ask, gotta answer question:

Jillian: (I love to ask RS authors this question.) What is the most unusual place you have ever put your characters for a love scene?

Jill: What a great question! My most unusual love scene setting is from Set the Dark on Fire. The hero and heroine are out in the desert, trying to track down a rogue mountain lion. They’re forced to take cover for the night in a fertility cave. And wouldn’t you know it, one thing leads to another.

I actually visited a sacred site in the Anza Borrego Desert that features Native American yonis (female fertility symbols) and posted the pictures on my blog. Check it out!

Jill's got a question she'd like to ask readers:

Does setting help you get lost in a story? What’s the best, worst, or most unusual setting for a love scene that you’ve read?

Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Jill's new release: THE EDGE OF NIGHT.*** And visit her online: http://www.jillsorenson.com/

Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook or FOLLOW us on Twitter to keep track of who's next to "Get Lost In a Story." And come back Monday when Maureen hosts Stephanie Doyle.

***Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only. If an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) is available, the author may utilize that option for International participants. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.

22 comments:

  1. Great covers Jill!!! The shark fin is spooky! :)

    Loved the interview!!! I enjoy a book when the setting blends in with the story meshing into the tapestry of the tale. I'm not so exited when the setting becomes so important that it overshadows and slows the plot...

    Good luck with the new releases!!

    Lisa :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. In one story I read, a Lynsay Sands book, the setting was a lake, which would have been nice except the heroine ended up covered in leaches. It was a great part of the story and had me rolling! I love when the stories contain humor.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great interview!

    I love the 'trapped in a snowstorm' story. It always sounds so cozy and romantic...the reality, not so much. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree with Gillian. Any time the couple is thrown together by Mother Nature it always leads to sparks. They may not even like each other at first but they must help each other in order to stay warm, etc. You never know where that will lead. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi, Jill, welcome to Get Lost in a Story. Loved your answers about reading as a favorite childhood tradition. There was nothing more special when I had two little ones on either side of me and we were reading. 26 and 23, they're both avid readers now. Your plot about your protagonist risking gang wrath sounds fantastic. On my "buy" list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You for all your support. It's very kind. I am her niece. Her daughter and I are like sisters. Jill, which I don't call her by, is an amazing author! I can't read her books now... but I am 100% sure that I will read them when I get older! You are so kind - Alexandra

      Delete
  6. Welcome to GLIAS Jill!
    To answer your question, the most unusual is against a tree trunk after a chase scene. Seriously. And it worked. Reunited lovers.

    Best of luck with all your books. Can't wait to pick another up.

    ~~Angi

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Jill,

    Congrats on both new RS selections! Now for your reader question:
    MOVING OBJECTS! At the moment I am particularly fascinated by trains.
    Since this is a PG -13 blog I must be careful here, but lets just say, I really like the part where the train goes in the tunnel. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think setting does play an important role. One of my favorite rom-susp is Naked Edge which takes place in the city & mountains of Colorado. I think Clare really nailed the outdoorsy-action feel.

    I'd love to read The Edge of Night!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oooh, a fertility cave. Interesting :)

    Hi Jill, and welcome to GLIAS! Great interview and your stories sound amazing.

    One of the more memorable love scenes for me is in a Stephanie Laurens novel, as the couple overlook the landscape from the ruins of an old castle. I can't say more than that, but as I explored English ruins with my husband a few years ago I must say that scene popped into my head many times. Of course, I'm much too demure to have done anything about it in public...

    ReplyDelete
  10. Setting absolutely helps me get lost in the story - especially if it's a location or world other than my own. The richer the description (without going over into minutiae) the easier it is for me to lose myself.
    But the best/worst/unusual setting for a love scene? I might have to get back to you on that. While I'm trying to come up with an answer I'm getting lost ; )

    ReplyDelete
  11. Welcome Jill!

    Hannibal Lector has to be my favorite villain, too. So well played by Hopkins. Creepy and charming all at once. Nothing more terrifying than that.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh! The shark book is here! I'm all over that!

    The Edge of Night sounds so good, too. I love a brave heroine.

    I love great settings. Jill, you are so, so good at them. They're so vivid in the stories.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Lisa! The shark fin is cool, isn't it? I love that detail.

    June--I haven't read a Sands book in ages. I really loved the humor in Single White Vampire.

    Gillian and Stacie, trapped in a snowstorm is the best! So many great stories with that theme.

    Hi Donnell, thanks so much for your comment. Hope you enjoy the books.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks Angi! I've read an "against the tree" scene in a Linda Howard story. It worked for me! I love that kind of wild passion.

    Gillian, you're a girl after my own heart. I just wrote a mile-high scene for my next Harlequin Romantic Suspense. A train would be EVEN BETTER.

    Scorpio, I'm a big fan of Clare. Naked Edge is in my TBR. Can't wait to read it!

    Thanks for the welcome, Heather. Too demure, huh? Or maybe you're just keeping the tawdry details a secret!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Jill,

    I'm looking forward to new book! Setting is important to me in romantic suspense books because its like going on an adventure with the characters, especially if its a place that I've never been. I have to say that Roxanne St Claire had a memorable and unique location (a Shed) for a love scene in her book Hunt Her Down. That was a fun read.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Congrats on the upcoming releases, Jill. I did a book where the couple had sex on a horse. It didn't seem weird, it was quite sensuous.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Honestly, setting has never been very important to me. I mean, I adore Scottish settings, but that's just because I adore the accents, haha
    :-) Other then that, if the romance is good, I'm good :-)

    ReplyDelete
  18. HI Jill- Waving! Hot covers - and lotsa luck with the new books.

    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Jennifer, I've heard about that shed scene! I'm going to have to pick up another St. Claire book.

    Jane--one of the first really steamy romances I read (in jr. high!) featured sex on a horse. I brought it to school to show my friends. Bandit's Embrace, sigh.

    Hi Chelsea, totally agree on accents! Love them.

    Hey there Linda! Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I can't wait for your new book, Jill! It looks really good. :)

    Diana
    ISRAEL2 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. The random winner is #10 Gwen Roman! Please contact me with your address at jillsoren1@aol.com.

    Thanks for getting lost with me!!
    Jill

    ReplyDelete