INTERVIEW and GIVEAWAY
Miriam's Surrender
by Jennifer Wilck
Miriam's Surrender is the second book in Jennifer Wilck's Women of Valor series, but it can be read as a standalone. Also available: The Seduction of Esther.
Miriam's Surrender is currently on tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. The tour stops here today for my interview with the author and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.
Description
Josh Lowenstein is a successful architect, hired to redesign the alumni club of a posh, private school in New York. He is strong, capable and knows the best way to do everything. Except let another woman in.
Miriam Goldberg is the Assistant Director of Outreach, and is Josh’s day-to-day contact for the redesign. She’s taken care of everyone around her, and forgotten how to let someone else take care of her.
With a tumultuous history, neither one is prepared to work together. As they get to know each other, the animosity disappears, but Josh is hiding something from Miriam and its discovery has the possibility of destroying their relationship. Only when they are both able to let the other in, and release some of the control they exert over everything, will they be able to see if their love can survive.
Excerpt
The line from Casablanca flitted through Josh’s head. "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world..." He fisted his hands at his side and closed his eyes.
This morning, he’d hurried to work for a meeting with a new client. They’d been awarded the contract and this morning’s purpose was to meet the client’s daily contact, the person Josh would work with throughout the span of the project.
He’d walked into the red and black conference room of his architectural firm and froze. Sleek, black, flawless coiffed hair. No way. Ramrod straight posture. It couldn’t be. And as she turned and approached him, she’d glided. Oh crap. Miriam.
She gave no hint they knew each other, and his response that they were well acquainted remained unsaid. Of all the ridiculous, unbelievable, annoying coincidences, this one was the worst. It was stupid to still be angry with her. After this long, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d thought about their argument. He was no longer in love with her sister; in fact, he’d never been in love with the woman in the first place.
He was tired of her bossing him around. He didn’t like not knowing what was going on, and he didn’t like how he felt off-kilter at their meeting. If she thought he would put up with it, she was mistaken. He was a respected architect; clients begged for him to take on their projects. He controlled what went on around him. He led the projects. He knew what clients wanted often before they did. He didn’t need her meddling in his vision. One word to her boss and she would be thrown off the project.
Praise for the Book
"The descriptions of New York and the holiday and preparations were just wonderful. The love scenes were excellent. I can't wait to read the next book in the series." ~ Nancy Levine
"Jennifer Wilck continues to write stories about believable characters that immediately draw me in. This contemporary romance is a fun and sexy read. Placing the story in New York City around Passover, gave it a refreshing twist." ~ City Girl 212
"I read this book without reading the first book in the series, so I did not have the back story, nor did I feel it was necessary to have read. This novel stands alone very nicely, and it makes sense as its own story. The references to the past non-relationship between Miriam's sister and Josh were infused into the story. I very much enjoyed this story for quite a few reasons. [...] It was quite laden with Jewish terminology, but this didn't trip me up too much, even though I only have a very basic knowledge of the traditions. I definitely highly recommend this story." ~ Nicole - Books N Pearls
Interview With the Author
Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining me today to discuss your new book, Miriam’s Surrender.
For what age group do you recommend your book?
Miriam’s Surrender is a contemporary romance for adults - let’s say, 18+.
What sparked the idea for this book?
It’s the second book in my Women of Valor series (but can be read as a standalone easily). I wanted to write a contemporary romance series where the characters were Jewish. Each book’s storyline revolves around a different holiday, because the holidays all have themes. For example, Miriam’s Surrender takes place during Passover. One of Passover’s themes is freedom, and freedom is a lot of fun to deal with in a romance.
So, which comes first? The character's story or the idea for the novel?
That’s hard to say. Sometimes I have an idea for a character and sometimes for the entire book. Usually, though, it’s character. I might not know everything about him or her, but I hear a conversation they might have, or I envision a scene with one or both of them.
What was the hardest part to write in this book?
The hardest part was making the hero and heroine different enough. We met both of them briefly in the first book (again, as a standalone, you figure out what happened early on and don’t miss anything) and they are actually fairly similar people - both headstrong, both very independent and both think they know what’s best for those around them. So the most difficult thing was differentiating them, giving them different motives and helping them soften to let the other in.
How do you hope this book affects its readers?
I love emotional reads, and I hope readers feel the emotions in the book and find the characters and plot memorable.
How long did it take you to write this book?
Approximately a year, including editing.
What is your writing routine?
As a mom to two teenage girls, I don’t have a set routine, since my plans can blow up at a moment’s notice - homework! shopping! social crisis! But, in general, I write while the girls are at school and sometimes in the early evenings if I can squeeze in a little more time.
How did you get your book published?
My publisher, Rebel Ink Press, is wonderful and was recommended to me by a writing friend. I queried them and they liked what they saw. I’m hoping to continue the series with them.
What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer?
Write what you love, because that will come through in your work. Don’t worry too much about rules, but follow the grammar ones and be professional with everyone.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I spend a lot of time with my family, friends, and volunteering at my temple.
What does your family think of your writing?
They’re very proud of me and they are my biggest fans.
Fantastic. Please tell us a bit about your childhood.
I’m an only child, I grew up in New Jersey and went to college in the Midwest (where I tried really hard to lose my accent). I participated in a lot of after-school activities as a child - horseback riding, ballet, art, and we took some great vacations as well.
Did you like reading when you were a child?
I loved reading! I read all the time, taking piles of books out of the library and going to the bookstore all the time.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve always liked writing and making up stories. I can’t remember when I first started.
Did your childhood experiences influence your writing?
I don’t know if they influenced my writing, but because I was such a big reader, I have a very good vocabulary and a good understanding of grammar.
Which writers have influenced you the most?
I love the emotions and descriptions that Lynn Kurland is able to write about, and I hope I’ve been influenced by her, at least a little.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I hear from them occasionally. I haven’t gotten flamed, yet, which is nice. They seem to like what I write, although I have gotten complaints that I talk about food too much. I’m sorry, I like to eat. J
I love reading about food! What can we look forward to from you in the future?
Hopefully more books in the Women of Valor series (I have a basic plot for book 3) and I’m currently working on a standalone contemporary romance inspired by a Victorian mansion I toured.
Sounds good. Thank you for taking the time to stop by today, Jennifer. Best of luck with your future projects.
From the Author
When I was a little girl and couldn’t fall asleep, my mother would tell me to make up a story. Pretty soon, my head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Each character had a specific personality, a list of likes and dislikes, and sometimes, even a specific accent or dialect. Even as an adult, I think about the characters and stories at night before I fall asleep, or in the car on my way to or from one of my daughters’ numerous activities (hey, anything that will drown out their music is a good thing).
One day, I started writing them down (it was either that or checking into the local mental hospital - the computer was way less scary). Since then, I’ve published two contemporary romances with Whiskey Creek Press. The Seduction of Esther is my first book with Rebel Ink Press, and I’m excited to be part of their team.
In the real world, I’m the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men I know. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, traveling, and watching TV. In between chauffeuring my daughters to after-school activities that require an Excel spreadsheet to be kept straight, I serve on our Temple Board and volunteer for way more things than I have time to do. I also write freelance articles for magazines and newspapers, and edit newsletters.
When all of that gets overwhelming, I retreat to my computer, where I write stories that let me escape from reality. In my made-up world, the heroines are always smart, sassy and independent. The heroes are handsome and strong with just a touch of vulnerability. If I don’t like a character, I can delete him or her; if something doesn’t work, I can rewrite it. It’s very satisfying to be in control of at least one part of my life.
Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card.
Links
