Literary You: A Lovely Chat with Author Jennifer Wilck

I'm pleased to welcome Jennifer Wilck, whose love and appreciation for life as well as her kindness and compassion for others shine in her beautiful books. Jennifer, congratulations on your upcoming release, A Heart Restrained. 
 
We'll talk about the book -- yesss, we have an excerpt -- but first let's get to know Jennifer a little better.
 
1) What sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series?
I loved reading Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden. I also read my mom’s favorites from her childhood (Cherry Ames, etc). Plus, classics like A Secret Garden, Anne of Green Gables, etc. I remember going to the library weekly and coming home with stacks of books.
 
2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays?
My favorite books to read are historical romance, women’s fiction, and time travel. I still like mysteries, too.

Sounds like my kind of reading list!
 
3) Around what age did you realize that you liked to write? And when did you know that you wanted to write books?
I always liked writing. When I was younger, I had a really hard time writing dialogue, and since everyone said, “write what you know,” and I didn’t think I knew anything interesting enough to write about, I put off writing fiction for a while. But English was always my favorite subject. I wrote for my university’s newspaper and worked in PR and journalism after college. When I had kids, I started writing for “fun” and decided I wanted to see where I could go with it.
 
4) What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of?
I was always proud of my school writing. I think the first fiction that I wrote that eventually got published (A Heart of Little Faith) was what I was proud of first, simply because someone other than me (or my parents) liked it. 
 
5) Tell us about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create?
“Force” is a great description. I’m not sure how to explain it, but I just get an urge to write something down when a snippet of something pops in my head—it might be some dialogue, or a scene, or a character. From there, I flesh it out and see if I can turn it into a story. Sometimes I’ll see something during my errands or travels that will inspire me. Other times it might be something I see on TV that makes me think, “I wonder what would happen if…” It’s kind of fun!

6) What’s your writing space like?
I don’t have a “writing space” per se, since I write on my laptop and can go anywhere with it. But I have a desk and a sofa in our living room where I sit when I need to get away from others in my house. I love sitting at my dining room table where I can look outside while I write. And in the nice weather, the deck is a special treat.
 
7) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset?
I tend to write in the late morning or early afternoon, after I’ve finished my daily marketing chores. Without anything hanging over my head, I can relax and get into my pretend world.
 
8) Time to talk about your A Heart Restrained (rubbing hands together). But first, how did you come up with the idea for your Scarred Hearts series? Are there any interesting tidbits you’d care to share with us?
I came up with the Scarred Hearts series idea at RWA in NYC in 2016 (I think that was the year). I wanted to write about four extremely wealthy men who used their money for good. I talked about it with one of my author friends (she’s great at helping me plot things out) and the series was born. Each book stands alone, although characters from previous books make an appearance. I love writing about wounded characters, so I gave each man a “wound” he had to get past. Then I had to figure out his perfect match. The plots sort of took care of themselves once I had the characters developed.

They are wonderful romances and those men... #swoonworthy

​9) Now let’s hear about A Heart Restrained.
A Heart Restrained is book 3 in the series. Caleb is a media mogul who refuses to show his emotions. Fiona owns the most successful lifestyle website and consulting service that Caleb wants to buy. She, of course, refuses to sell. And she’s his complete opposite. If you like opposites attract, this is for you! Here’s the blurb:
 
Caleb Zeno, a wealthy and successful media mogul, refuses to allow emotions into any aspect of his life, especially his entertainment corporation. When his company’s lifestyle website runs into competition from a small boutique company, the most logical solution is to buy out his rival. 
Fiona Hamilton’s lifestyle website succeeds due to her loving and caring treatment of her clients, who have become like family to her. She has no desire to sell to anyone, much less a tattooed, muscled, automaton. 

At odds professionally, Caleb and Fiona come together as a favor for Caleb’s sister. Sparks fly and sexual chemistry abounds. But Caleb can't let go of his abusive past and be the man Fiona needs, and she is unwilling to risk independence and financial security for anything less than a perfect happily ever after. Can they put their differences aside to find a viral kind of love?
 
10) I comprehend that you’re about to celebrate a book launch. Still, I can’t help but ask – do you have anything waiting in the wings?
Yes! I’ve contracted a three-book series with Harlequin Special Edition. The first book, Home for the Challah Days, releases in September, just in time for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. I’m so excited about this series, as it features Jewish characters in stories other than just Hanukkah. Harlequin has been on my bucket list, and I’m thrilled to find out they are as excited about this series as I am.

Congratulations! It sounds like a marvelous series!
 
11) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Just that with as crazy as the world is today, I love writing characters who bring out the best in us. Being able to create worlds where love wins, and where everything works out in the end, is a great way to disappear from the stress all around me.

I love, love, love that. I hope you know that your books have the same effect on your readers. They not only offer a respite from today's stresses; they give joy.

Thank you for sharing your time and talent with us today, Jennifer. Congratulations again on your upcoming release! 

And now, A Heart Restrained.

 

She refuses to sell him her company; will she give him her heart?

Caleb Zeno, a wealthy and successful media mogul, refuses to allow emotions into any aspect of his life, especially his entertainment corporation. When his company’s lifestyle website runs into competition from a small boutique company, the most logical solution is to buy out his rival. 

Fiona Hamilton’s lifestyle website succeeds due to her loving and caring treatment of her clients, who have become like family to her. She has no desire to sell to anyone, much less a tattooed, muscled, automaton. 

At odds professionally, Caleb and Fiona come together as a favor for Caleb’s sister. Sparks fly and sexual chemistry abounds. But Caleb can't let go of his abusive past and be the man Fiona needs, and she is unwilling to risk independence and financial security for anything less than a perfect happily ever after. Can they put their differences aside to find a viral kind of love?


Excerpt from A Heart Restrained

Wouldn’t you enjoy this more if it were in English?”
 
She paused and shifted so she faced him, one leg bent under her, the other dangling off the edge. “Absolutely not! Telenovelas are so much more emotional than American TV.”
 
“Why don’t you at least research online to find a plot summary?”
 
“I’m happy with the way things are,” she said. “I don’t need to hear the words to feel the story.”
 
“But…you’re crying.”
 
She smiled through her tears and wiped her cheeks. “I know.”
 
Staring at her, his heart rate increased, and he tamped the panic her tears caused. At first, he thought pain caused her tears, but her rapt attention to the screen made him realize otherwise.
 
Why would she want to do this to herself? And how could she enjoy a show she couldn’t understand?
 
He should leave, before she recognized his complete lack of comprehension. But her rapt attention to the screen fascinated him. She was smart—his business dealings with her had proven it. Yet she focused as if she understood her show.
 
She stared at the TV screen, but he couldn’t take his gaze off her. Her skin, despite its bruising, was luminous. Her lips were parted, and she gripped the edges of the sofa cushions until her knuckles turned white. This close to her, heat radiated from her body. He could hear a faint sigh.
 
If she were this passionate about a television show, how passionate would she be if he kissed her?

Purchase here.

About the Author

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.
 
Jennifer Wilck is an award-winning contemporary romance author for readers who are passionate about love, laughter, and happily ever after. Known for writing both Jewish and non-Jewish romances, her books feature damaged heroes, sassy and independent heroines, witty banter and hot chemistry. Jennifer’s ability to transport the reader into the scene, create characters the reader will fall in love with, and evoke a roller coaster of emotions, will hook you from the first page. You can find her books at all major online retailers in a variety of formats.

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https://www.jenniferwilck.com
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