Writing for me is a solo gig. I happily bustle and hustle the kids out the door to school, boot out the husband as well, the dog, the cat …
And then I sit down alone with my laptop and …
Read.
Then I do email.
Then maybe I surf a little bit. 
THEN when the ball of anxiety swells into my chest, reminding me I have to write a certain number of 
pages or I might be late on my manuscript, I get my butt in gear and write. Once I get started, I always laugh at myself and wonder what took me so long to get started. This euphoria lasts for about ten minutes, and then my ADHD gets the best of me and I’m going cookie hunting in the kitchen. Or back online.
Did I mention that writing is a painful process? 
But if I have to do it, if I have to plant my butt in the chair and focus, then writing Blazes truly is a joy for me. Last year I wrote a series of firefighters. This year I’m writing military guys, brothers. Next year, I’m … I don’t know yet. If I would sit down long enough to write, maybe I’d figure it out.
Which brings me to the question of the day — is there a certain profession that appeals most to you when you’re reading a Blaze? A certain type of man? Come on, help a writer out …
I’ll be drawing a name from the comments made here today, for any Blaze from my backlist. Happy Reading!
Entries (RSS)
Looking at the Blazes (and even Desires) on my bookshelf, there doesn’t seem to be any one profession that I prefer more than others. I’d say this is because I’m likely to get bored otherwise, however I can say that I seem to re-read Flashpoint, Flashback and Heating Up The Holidays on a regular basis – there just seems to be about firefighters.
At the end of the day, if the hero fits the story and I can’t put the book down, I don’t really care what he or the heroine do for a living.
I’m a sucker for a man in uniform. Whether that be military, policeman, fireman or whatever. I just like a man in uniform. However after saying that, I truly have never read a Blaze I didn’t like regardless of profession.
I have a weakness for the blue collar worker. Not that the Blazes I read would show that, but that’s my preference. Makes me weak in the knees
And of course any book by Jill Shalvis is a must read!
There are so many, the successful businessman, and especially the blue collar worker – construction, carpenter, something about a guy who is handy.
So, I have never read a Blaze!
That is just terrible. I do love a millitary man, police officer…or any sexy alpha man to be honest. He could be a librarian for all I care so long as he is strong, sexy and committed!
Amy M
I have to say I love firefighters (its nice that hubby’s one). But really anybody that does physical labor and doesn’t just sit behind a desk all day is very appealling!
I’m like Linda, a sucker for a man in uniform. My husband is a Marine and there is nothing better then a man in uniform. Whether it be cammies or dress blues, they are all HOTT!! But I have branched out to include firemen, police men and other military men in the Hott group, lol! I really do love any book who has a hero who fits the story, but I still seem to find myself drawn to the ones with the men in uniforms!
Have a great day and I cant wait to read whatever you come up with next!!
I enjoy a man in uniform as well, but you are looking for change. How about a hardhat? A nice sexy construction worker with a hard body. That’ll work for me! Keep ‘em coming Jill. If you write it, I will read it.
Definitely a man in uniform…whether it be firefighter, military, police, even race car driver…something about a uniform *sigh*. I love all the Blazes though, but uniforms encompass a lot of my rereads.
Honestly, I don’t really care about specific professions, but love books that are connected by characters…friends, co-workers, family, etc. And I do love blue collar workers!
Mmmm, there is something about a man in uniform, isn’t there. Interestingly enough, both of my Blazes this year encompasses a guy in uniform.
Any Blaze is usually a winner in my opinion.
But I love the blue collar workers or a man in uniform…the office suit guys are okay..but there is something about the uniform or a man who gets dirty for a living that does it for me. 
I am also a sucker for men in uniforms, this can be anywhere from the military to sports athletes!
I like a variety of professions. I really do not have a favorite. I like them all!
My favorite is cowboys,be them ranchers, rodeo riders, farmers, ranch hands. I never get tired of reading about them. I’m also fond of firefighters, policemen, and guys in the military.
My favorite hero for a Blaze would be a cowboy, but I like those men in uniforms also.
I love hearing how writers write …
And I’ll read any hero you come up with, Jill, but I do love me a man in uniform.
Hi Jill,
I like heroes in all different types of professions, the most important thing is that they are passionate about what they are doing. My favorite hero is the type who is crazy about the heroine even if she drives him crazy getting to their HEA.
Definately the sexy firefighters!
Sorry. Can’t help you.
I’ve been reading romances for over 35 years now. No one profession stands out, as I’ve enjoyed all of them! Sometimes I learn something new about a profession, which is a bonus, but it isn’t necessary. I’m there for the love story, plain and simple.
You WRITE them and I READ them. It’s the perfect balance (at least for me)!
Oooo…good question! I have read so many stories and out of them all, I love undercover agents, CIA, FBI, Mercenaries, etc. the best. Something about the mysterious, muscle’s hard as a rock, man hiding something from the heroine is a big magnet draw for me. Also, I love all the confident, strong alpha males that can lift the heroines up and carry them to bed. Ooo…makes me swoon!
Like some of the others have said: men in uniforms! Doesn’t matter what kind I like them all.
Oooh, I love the variety out there… I am big on rugged heroic guys, but also love the quiet mysterious guy too… cowboy, firefighter, military, so many great characters to enjoy!
Can I please just have one of those man in the cover… Pretty please!!!!!!
you know I really am not that picky. I know not much help. however I do love the stories with the successful businessman who falls for the flower shop owner or the girl who works in a vintage store. I just finished Lorelei James Rough Riders series and it was fantastic so I am down with Cowboys!!! and race car drivers they allways seem to be very humble sweet guys. good luck and write faster. I need more books.
Although I have gone through many different types of professions in my readings, I’m currently in an athlete phase. I’ve been reading books about baseball players, extreme fighters and hockey players. yummmmm.
Whatever the profession, I so enjoy that alpha male that gets his strong, independent mate.
I LUVED your firefighter books!!! I try to read all Seal and Spec Op books available. I like military, but then I luved your sports books too. I’ve read and liked body guards and police heroes. I LUV me some cowboys too!! I guess the answer is the heroes gotta be an ALPHA MALE!!! You were a new author for me in 2009, I now say you’re one of my favs !! Good luck with your writing, Sue
Blaze authors and their heroes have a knack for making any profession appealing. The only time I choose a book based on the hero’s career tends to be if it’s maybe one that you don’t see quite as often, like an athlete, chef, or musician.
I really don’t have a favourite profession. I read about heros in many professions.
I’m a total crime junkie, so my favorite is anyone dealing with criminals. Police, FBI, CIA, private investigators are all good for me.
Then again, there is just something totally hot about a carpenter. Working with tools, getting hot and sweaty while creating something that is useful and beautiful.
What ever profession the hero is I’m probably going to read the book, especially your books & all most of all the Blaze books! Recently I’ve read a book or two where the hero was a chef, loved them. Ages ago I dated a man that was a good cook, loved that, loved it when he cooked for me/us! Love the men in uniform, maybe because most of my uncles & my dad all served in WWII and I grew up around men with integrity and good moral standards. How lucky was I?
I should visit here more often. Thanks for letting us know that you were here today.
Miltary Uniforms please – I love them so much I married a soldier
Though to be truly truthful I like any Blaze hero as they are all so Alpha and lovable
As long as they’re strong sexy and HOT! Who cares what they do!
love the fireman and cops
the fbi agents are hot and pilots are hot
love your books Jill
I have a weakness for men who work with their hands, in general like contractor. I love cops too (stangely enough PI are less appealing to me) and architects, you know the kind that has his small business and have to do some actual field work. Anbd those firefighters… *sigh* I think they’re at the top of my list
I have loved your series with firefighters. I keep hoping for more!! I also have loved the Wilder brothers. I’d love more like those too! From other authors, my favorites are definitely ones with fireman or good old cowboys! Love those wranglers & a cowboy hat!
I just discovered you as an author about a month or two ago and I’ve already worked my way through just about every book our library has of yours, as well as many I’ve ordered through Paperback swap, 19 total that I’ve read.
Can’t wait for Slow Heat & Instant Temptation to come out!
There isn’t one profession that I prefer over another, but I have yet to read a book about the hot accountant or the sizzling IT guy.
I wonder why that is? You can never go wrong with cops, fire fighters, military, construction workers and men who own their own company. Power and authority is H O T !
I agree with the ladies who like a man in uniform. Doesn’t matter if they’re military, law enforcement or firefighters/rescuers, I like them all.
Hey Jill, your covers are so freaking hot…they sizzle!!! Girl, you got the book cover fairy in your back pocket. I love men in uniform, like most of the ladies here…Firefighters, military men, police officers…you name…oh Docs are great too. Um, can I have the number for the model who is Shadow Hawk!!! Holy Catnip, Batman!!!
Peace and love,
Paula R.
I definitely have a thing for firefighters. All that heat and sweat gets the imagination going wild!
I have been really liking the military heroes and firefighters, but sometimes I like the “regular guy” type of heroes–maybe an account?
Teacher?
Hmm. Lets see. Doctors are always a good choice. Artist and musicians, too. And I don’t really like a whole bunch of arrogance in a man. I mean, a little is fine. But theres nothing wrong with a nice guy
No surprise here, but I do really enjoy reading about firefighters. They’re helpful, noble, and hot.
Military and Federal Agents. Most uniforms can be pretty sexy.
I have to say I like reading about any servicemen!!! They’re my favorite!!
Just wanted to thank everyone who visited me here today and commented!! I went to Random.org and the winner is #29, Summer. Summer, email me from my website with your snailmail addy and a book choice.
Congrats Summer!
Congratulations Summer! Enjoy your book, whichever one you choose, but if I were you, I would go for “Shadow”…eh, eh, eh.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
WOW Thats a hard question to answer. I love all professions. I think being retired is a profession too after all the years of work. Right???? In todays economy one could use being unemployed as an profession too. Why you say. Well, what can a male /female do to keep
going through hard times. It’s all in the way you look at life and its ever changing challenges. Give it some thought…..
alpha males are always hot. as for profession, i like heroes who work with their hand like carpenters (but not “weird” ones like a masseuse) and tycoons.