Writing as Part of an #Anthology by Jennifer Wilck #romance

MUSE MONDAY

Help me welcome back Jennifer Wilck. It's a great guest post so enjoy!

Hi everyone, and thank you, Brenda, for hosting me today. I’m happy to be here, and flattered to be asked back. 

Authors in general, and romance authors in particular, are a supportive group of people. Sure, we have the occasional bad apple, as does anyone, but by and large, we each understand the shared experience, recognize the value of supporting each other, and frequently lend a hand to other authors. It’s wonderful. 

I’ve benefited from other authors’ support, and I’ve tried hard to help others. Still, I’ve seen lots of multi-author projects and always wanted to be a part of them, but I never knew how to go about joining.

Until now. 

I met many successful (and nice) authors when I was part of the New Jersey Romance Writers of America chapter, and I was thrilled when one of the authors I knew asked if I wanted to join an anthology she and several other authors were spearheading. The author who invited me was JB Shroeder, and after doing my research (because no matter how flattering it is to be asked, you ALWAYS do research) I quickly signed on. 

And I’m so happy I did! 

The anthology is called Ticket to True Love. The premise of all the books is a small town with a spring that has a legend attached to it. Basically, if you drink from the water, you will fall in love. Each couple also uses a ticket of some sort—plane ticket, speeding ticket, concert ticket—in the story. But each story is unique and unrelated to the others.

I was asked to join the anthology because I write Jewish contemporary romance, and the founding authors were eager to make their anthology as diverse as possible. Yay! 

The books release in batches—five at a time. My first book for this anthology comes out tomorrow. My next book for this anthology will release next spring, I believe. I love participating in the group for several reasons. 

One, although I’m traditionally published with The Wild Rose Press, this anthology allows me to self-publish. Being a hybrid author allows me to dip my toe in a variety of publishing opportunities and reap the different benefits of all of them. 

Two, the other authors are so talented and we all get the benefits of everyone advertising to their own readers and help each other out. I hope to introduce my loyal readers to some of the other authors, and vice versa. It’s a collaboration in the best sense. 

Three, I have met so many nice people by doing this. We all belong to an author Facebook group where we discuss issues we might have, brainstorm title ideas and generally get to know one another. My writing world is better because they are in it. 

Four, I get to write Jewish romance! I love adding texture and layers to traditional romance, and creating worlds that are unique and diverse and a melting pot of flavors. 

So I hope you’ll join me on this journey, check out my contribution, and meet some new authors as well.

Blurb 

Naomi's life has been destroyed… 

When Naomi Adelman’s crooked politician husband was arrested, her life, and that of her daughters, was destroyed. Divorced and rebuilding her life, Naomi is wiser, stronger, and determined not to let anyone hurt her or her family again. Her new life doesn’t include falling for her charming and good-looking neighbor.

Max bet everything and lost... 

Max Bruder bet his entire career on the Adelman story and lost everything. So, he figures that karma has smiled down on him when Naomi moves in next door. This is his chance to revitalize his career. Except the closer he gets to her, the deeper he falls for her. And soon, the line between interview subject and lover blurs.

If they fall for each other, they may jeopardize their chance at a future. 

When Max’s true motive is revealed, will Naomi be able to forgive him? And will Max be able to stop the whispers to protect her before it’s too late?

Excerpt:

“Problem?” Max asked. They’d stopped in front of their building.

She turned so fast, her hair caught on the stubble at his jaw. “No.” She brushed the hair away from his cheek, the slight textured stubble rubbing against her palm and sending heat straight to her belly. His lips parted, and he leaned forward.

Would he kiss her? Did she want him to? She shouldn’t, she barely knew him, but her skin tingled, her breasts tightened and her breath came in short gasps.

He didn’t kiss her. Instead, he reached his free hand out and stroked the side of her head, smoothing her hair in place. “Yes,” he whispered.

She frowned, and tried to hide her disappointment. “Yes, what?”

“Your hair is as silky as I wondered.” He let his hand glide down her neck to her shoulder, and the contact brought out goose bumps. “Are you cold?” he asked.

She didn’t know how to answer. Was it okay for her to say, “no, I’m attracted to you?” Or should she say “yes”?

As if he understood her dilemma, he let go of her hand, slid his arm behind her shoulders, and drew her into the warmth of his body.

The man was a furnace and she wanted to groan in pleasure. They stood toe to toe, his hand running up and down her spine, her breasts pressed against his hard chest. Would he kiss her? Should she kiss him? Her brain short circuited and desire flooded through her. All she could do was focus on the warmth flooding her, the soothing sound of his humming something she couldn’t quite catch, and the zings of desire running throughout her body. 

Buy Links: 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Washington-Ticket-True-Love-ebook/dp/B08B5J66BN

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/whispers-in-washington-jennifer-wilck/1137178511?ean=2940163042593 

iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/whispers-in-washington/id1518669050 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/whispers-in-washington

Bio 

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, many of which feature Jewish characters in non-religious settings (#ownvoices). 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/

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