We have another exciting Holiday story to share today! My guest today is Jennifer Wilck, a contemporary romance author with a love for spunky heroines, and strong heroes with a touch of vulnerability. Welcome, Jennifer!
Tell us about your upcoming release, Waiting For A Miracle! What inspired you to write this story?
Hi Jessica, and thank you so much for hosting me on your blog. Many of my romances feature Jewish characters, and I heard of an indie author who was putting together an anthology for Hanukkah. So, of course, I decided to submit. The requirement was 15,000 words, which, as you know, is super short. Unfortunately, my piece wasn’t chosen. However, I approached my publisher, The Wild Rose Press, and they were thrilled to publish it for this year’s holiday season. I expanded it slightly, to just under 20,000 words, which is about 75 pages.
I love a good Holiday romance! Is this your first, or have you written others? Have any other authors of Holiday romance inspired your work?
Although I do write Jewish romance, this is my first Hanukkah story. I’ve always wanted to show that Jewish characters can be in any type of romance, not just a holiday one, so I’ve kind of avoided writing Hanukkah stories. But I’m very pleased with this one. Because it takes place over only a few days, the story is sweet, rather than spicy, but it gave me a chance to develop other ways for the characters to fall for each other and to show each other how they cared.
That must have been a lot of fun to write! Is Waiting For A Miracle part of a series? Do you prefer writing series or stand alone titles?
No, this is a stand-alone novella. I do both, actually. My three Jewish romances happen to be a series, but they can be read in any order—similar to Brenda Novak’s Whiskey Creek series, where each book focuses on a different couple, and what connects the series is that they are all part of the same friend group. However, I have several other books that are not part of a series. As to what I prefer? I think it depends on the story. As I start writing, if I fall in love with the secondary characters and want to see more of them, then it becomes a series. If I focus on just the hero and heroine, then I tend to leave it as a standalone.
Who is your favorite character in the story?
I think my favorite character in Waiting for a Miracle is the daughter, Jessie. She’s six years old and is adorable, but she’s also a great catalyst for each character and for the action in the story. I love her personality, and how each of the other characters—the hero, Benjamin; the heroine, Rachel; and the grandmother, Harriet—interacts with her. She’s great at helping bring out their personalities.
Child characters can be a lot of fun! This sounds like a great read! Do you have an excerpt we can preview before the book releases?
Absolutely! Here it is:
Six-year-old bodies were good at many things— bouncing, hugging, and racing. Rachel was thankful they were also good at hiding her surprise. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine her favorite student, and her student’s father, would be at her neighbor’s house the same night she was invited to celebrate Hanukkah.
She met the hard gaze of Jessie’s father across the room. Eyes narrowed as if he suspected her reasons for being here. His broad shoulders were stiff. His jean-clad muscular legs were spread apart in a solid stance. Square hands fisted at his sides, and one of them held a menorah. Did he plan to throw it or club someone with it?
Giving Jessie a last pat, she rose. With an arm around Jessie, she extended her other hand to her father. “Happy Hanukkah.”
“Ms. Schaecter.”
“Mr. Cohen.”
“Oh, please,” Harriet said, “Such formality between you two. Rachel, this is my son Benny. I mean Benjamin.”
Benny. Rachel filed the information away for later, along with his flushed skin at the nickname. Interesting.
“And Benjamin, this is my neighbor, Rachel. We’re not at a school event. You can call each other by your first names.” Harriet pointed at Jessie, who gripped Rachel’s hand so hard, Rachel’s fingers lost their circulation. “Except for you,” Harriet added. “You have to call her Ms. Schaecter.”
Jessie giggled. “Yes, Grandma.”
I’m looking much forward to reading this story! Is it available for pre-order? Where can readers learn more about you and your work?
Yes, it’s available for preorder right now, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iBooks.
Here are the links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZMQ2BWZ
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/waiting-for-a-miracle-jennifer-wilck/1134117349?ean=2940161018385
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/waiting-for-a-miracle/id1484912207
What’s next for you?
I’m currently working on a book that’s part of JB Schroeder’s Ticket to True Love series—it’s a multi-author set that revolves around magical spring water and releases in sets. My book will release in the fall of 2020. I’m also editing and submitting a four-book-series about a group of wealthy philanthropists and the women who challenge them. And I’m always writing something, so I’m sure you’ll hear from me soon!
Benjamin Cohen, widowed father of six-year-old Jessie, is doing his best to hold it together through order and routine. The last thing he needs is his matchmaker mother to set him up with her next door neighbor, no matter how attractive she is.
Rachel Schaecter’s dream of becoming a foster mother is right within her grasp, until her meddlesome neighbor tries to set her up with her handsome son. What’s worse? He’s the father of her favorite kindergarten student! She can’t afford to let anything come between her and her dream, no matter how gorgeous he may be.
Can these two determined people trust in the miracle of Hanukkah to let love and light into their lives?
About Jennifer Wilck:
Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Pretty soon, her head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Even as an adult, she thinks about the characters and stories at night before she falls asleep or walking the dog. Eventually, she started writing them down. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and her stories always end with happily ever after.
In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate.
She writes contemporary romance, some of which are mainstream and some of which involve Jewish characters. She’s published with The Wild Rose Press and all her books are available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Author Links:
Website: http://www.jenniferwilck.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Wilck-201342863240160/
Facebook Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2055470311366345/
Newsletter: https://www.jenniferwilck.com/contact.html#newsletter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JWilck
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjenniferwilck/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jennifer-wilck