It doesn’t snow in San Diego. The weather cools down enough for sweaters and light jackets, but it doesn’t get cold. Beaches are busy with strollers, rather than sunbathers, and the surfers wear their winter wetsuits.
Well, most of them do. Even on the chilliest day of the year, some crazy guy is out there in his swim trunks, braving the waves.
Considering that this site is called Yankee Romance Reviewers, I’m assuming most of you know what real weather is like! I’m from Kansas originally, so I remember ice storms and below-zero temps. At this time of year, when it’s cold outside, are you in the mood for a fantasy beach vacation?
Crash Into Me, my debut romantic suspense novel for Bantam Dell, is set in La Jolla, California. This elite community is like the Malibu of San Diego. Breathtaking coastline and multimillion-dollar estates. Big money. My hero, a world-class pro surfer (and murder suspect), was born here, in the lap of luxury.
I live in a different part of San Diego, about twenty miles inland. My neighborhood is an hour’s drive (and a world apart) from La Jolla.
Before I started Crash Into Me, I visited Windansea Beach, a famous surfing spot in La Jolla. I’d been kicking around the idea of writing a romance with a surfer hero, and I adore San Diego. I’ve often been inspired by California’s vibrant culture and spectacular scenery. And, for whatever reason, I always begin a new project by choosing the setting. I need to know where my characters are before I can figure out who there are.
After watching surfers in action for quite some time (not a bad day of research!), I went home and penned the first chapter of Crash Into Me.
Now, more than three years later, Crash is in stores. I couldn’t be more proud of this book, which celebrates my hometown, San Diego, and surfing, a revered local sport. All throughout February, I’ll be posting photos of Windansea Beach and La Jolla Cove on my blog (http://jillsorenson.com/blog). Please stop by and check it out.
Here’s a quick introduction to my characters:
Ben Fortune. A tortured widower and dedicated athlete, he’s struggling to raise his teenaged daughter on his own. Ben hasn’t looked twice at a woman since his wife was killed, but he feels an instant connection to…
Special Agent Sonora Vasquez. Sonny goes undercover in La Jolla to investigate the
SoCal Strangler, and Ben is the prime suspect. She’s had some bad experiences with men, causing her to be guarded, physically and emotionally. Ben is supposed to be off-limits, but he’s the first man she’s wanted to get close to in a long time.
Carly. Ben’s beautiful, troubled teenaged daughter. Although it’s been three years, she’s still mourning the death of her mother, and acting out in dangerous ways. Her latest form of rebellion is…
James. A poor kid from the wrong side of the tracks, he’s been in love with Carly since junior high. He wants to protect her, and prevent her from discovering the terrible truth about his abusive father.
Would you like a copy of Crash Into Me? Leave a comment below, answering one or more of the following questions, and you’ll be entered to win:
1. Have you ever read a book with a surfer hero? Would you like to? Why or why not?
2. Does setting matter, when you’re making reading selections? Do you prefer U.S. cities or international locations? East coast or west?
3. What about weather? Are you looking for a steamy beach read in the middle of winter, or would you rather get “snowed in”?
25 comments:
1. Have you ever read a book with a surfer hero? Would you like to? Why or why not?
Actually, I am reading one now, Under the Influence by Nancy Warren. My hubby surfs so I know a lot about surfing, even tried it myself!
2. Does setting matter, when you’re making reading selections? Do you prefer U.S. cities or international locations? East coast or west?
Not really, If it's a good plot, I'm okay with where the writer takes me!
3. What about weather? Are you looking for a steamy beach read in the middle of winter, or would you rather get “snowed in”?
I live in FL, so I'll read any climate, I just can't relate to the snow thing, because I've never seen it!
I'd love to win this book!
1. No I never have, id love to though that would be an interesting read.
2. I really have no preference.
3. I love reading about beach stories in winter especially times like now when we're buried in snow.
I have never read a book with a surfer hero. But surfers have always fascinated me, probably because I cant even dream of having the balance they do to stay up on that board. So yes I think I would like to read one.
Setting doesnt really matter if the story is good. Although I do love to read about places I have actually seen as well.
WHile weather doesnt make a big difference I have notices I tend to read more seasonal type stories. Like at Halloween I read more spooky ones, at Christmas I read more holiday themed. But that doesnt stop me from reading them all year either.
Thanks for the post. Look forward to getting the chance to read your book.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
Cindy W.
That Nancy Warren book looks steamy! I'll have to pick it up.
leslie,
Good to know that some readers want hot books in winter!
Donnas,
Yes, surfing requires great balance. I've only tried it once and found it very difficult!
Thanks for the nice comments.
I'm not particular about setting or weather. I'll go wherever the author leads me. And as for reading a story about a surfer hero? I never have...yet, but I'm always open to new things!
1. Have you ever read a book with a surfer hero? Would you like to?
Why or why not?
I don't think I have read a book with a surfer hero but would love to.
2. Does setting matter, when you’re making reading selections? Do you prefer U.S. cities or international locations? East coast or west?
Settings doesn't matter that much. I read a little of everything and I like to switch around. I kind of travel in books.
3. What about weather? Are you looking for a steamy beach read in the middle of winter, or would you rather get “snowed in”?
Right now I could use a steamy beach read sense we have had a bad ice storm this past week and had to do without power for several days. I don't like being snowed in. Right now our weather is very cold and there is snow on the grown.
I've never read a book with a surfer hero, the book sounds great. I love the cover and color!
Hi Jill,
Congrats on the new release. I've never read a book with a surfer hero. I'm sure I would enjoy reading about a surfer hero and learning about the surfing scene. I don't really have a preference between international or U.S. locations, but some of my favorite settings are Vegas, San Francisco, Scotland, England and New Orleans. A steamy beach read would definitely lift my spirits up in the winter.
janie1215 AT excite.com
Hi Jill,
Welcome and thanks very much for blogging with us today :)
Crash Into Me sounds great!
I have read only one book where the hero is a surfer: Surf Girl School by Cathy Yardley. I don't have a preference for location of a story though during Montreal's cold winter nights I really enjoy books that take place somewhere warm and sunny. Since I can't be there myself, I can pretend! LOL
Enjoy the blogging and after you've picked a winner, please e-mail me and I'll post the name on Friday's "This week's winners"
cheers and hugs!
I'm a South Carolina beach bum. I love books written about the East Coast just cause I can relate!
Never read a surfer dude book but I would!
Gimme a beach book..anytime!
I have never read a book about a surfer but would love to. I use to watch surfing on tv and loved the sport. I love beach stories either on ocean or a lake. Where I grew up there was lots of lakes so the beach was a very important part of my life. I even got married down by the beach on the lake that my husband and I use to go on walks by.
I'd spend some time with a surfer, sure. Not a worry on my end.
No need to offer to make that happen, though. I'm just popping in to let you know I've got this posted at Win a Book.
I've never had a surfer hero in my books nor in really life for that matter, yet I would love one!!
Setting? I'm open to where ever the author takes me. I like travel my reading about stories taking places in other locations besides my own.
Snow or Sun? I'll always pick the sun!!!
Thanks so much,
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com
I haven't read a surfer hero yet, but I have read your first chapter and I do want to read more!!!
I remember a movie called North Shore, it was about a surfer from Texas who didn't really know what surfing was about until he went to California. It was a great 80's movie!
Settings don't matter as much to me as the characters, but I love going to places I've never been through fiction.
Congrats on your release, either way, I plan on reading this once I get through my TBR stack!
What about weather? Are you looking for a steamy beach read in the middle of winter, or would you rather get “snowed in”?
When there's snow on the ground, I like to read winter books. And when it's 90 degrees out, I like to read about the beach.
Lemonitsa, thanks for posting my guest blog! I'll pick a winner tomorrow. Hope Terra is okay!
Thanks for the congrats, Jane.
I'm glad to hear that so many of you are willing to take a chance on a surfer hero.
Lisa, how romantic that you got married on the beach! I love any kind of water, lakes, rivers, etc. The sound of waves is very calming for me.
Susan, thanks for x-posting.
Jenn Nixon, I'm so glad you liked the first chapter!
bridget, I also like "seasonal" books. Maybe because I don't get much variation here in San Diego, lol.
Does setting matter, when you’re making reading selections? Do you prefer U.S. cities or international locations? East coast or west?
I don't think setting makes a difference in my selection... I look to see what the plot is and how I can anticipate the interaction between the characters.
1) Nope. I've never read a book with a surfer hero.
2) Setting gets my interest. Then the story takes over.
3) I prefer snow in my books, but summer in my real life (if that makes sense).
yes love it
lov e the hawaii island settings
kh
1. I have never read any book with a surfer hero, but I'd love to read one. I think it's a very elegant sport.
2. Setting doesn't matter for me.
3. I prefer snow. I like winter in general:-)
3. What about weather? Are you looking for a steamy beach read in the middle of winter, or would you rather get “snowed in”?
Sun, please. Hot, balmy nights. Warm ocean currents. Anything besides snow.
And I seem to remember reading something with a surfer, but it was a while ago, so I can't be sure.
Thanks for entering me.
I have never read a book with a surfer hero. I am looking forward to reading your book.
And the winner is...Virginia! Please contact me at my web site with your mailing info. I'll send a note to Lemonitsa in case you don't see this.
Thanks for all the great comments, everyone!
I don't think I've ever read a story with a surfer in it and there's no reason for that, I just never picked up a book with a surfer in it. I don't really think about the setting or what the hero or heroine does when I buy a book, I am more interested in the story.
mce1011[at]aol[dot]com
I have never read a book about a surfer hero. I would love to. I am not particular about the setting and weather. As long as the book is good, I am happy.
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