If you read my blog regularly, you know that I occasionally feature writer friends in a series called “Meet Me at the Diner.” Today it’s my pleasure to welcome Jennifer Wilck, a contemporary romance author with the Wild Rose Press.
I met Jennifer at the Romance Writers of America’s national conference in New York City in 2015 and, since then, we’ve chatted via social media about writing, the challenges of raising teen girls and more.
Jennifer lives with her husband, two daughters and one canine fur baby in New Jersey where she writes stories with love, laughter and happily ever after.
I’ve recently read Jennifer’s July 2017 release, Addicted to Love and am excited to talk with her about the inspiration for her book, as well as what’s next.
Since some of Jennifer’s stories reflect her Jewish heritage, I’ve made Pumpkin Chocolate Rugelach and Jewish apple cake for today’s diner specials. They’re perfect desserts for fall—or any other time!
As we’re chatting over (virtual) food, I have to tell you that reading Addicted to Love made me very hungry! Hotdogs from a street vendor, a melt-in-your-mouth artichoke appetizer, hamentaschen cookies on Purim and more, the story has many wonderful foodie references. Since food plays such a prominent role, did you include any personal or family favorites?
Ha! It’s funny because people either love that I include food in my stories or hate it. There doesn’t seem to be a middle ground, so I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Yes, I typically include food that has special meaning to me in my stories. One of the meals I included in Addicted to Love is stuffed cabbage, a dish first made by my great-grandmother. She never actually had a recipe or specific measurements, and it was my mother’s favorite.
One day, when my great-grandmother was fairly old, my mom had her make it. She watched her and every time my great-grandmother took a handful of this or a pinch of that, my mother would measure the amounts and record it. As a result, my mom now has the “official” recipe.
I love the relationships that are made over cooking and eating, which is why I so often include them in my books.
Those food-based relationships have been important in my life too, Jennifer, and I love the story of your great-grandmother’s stuffed cabbage. I grew up in western Canada in an area with a large Ukrainian population and stuffed cabbage rolls, holubtsi, were a staple of community suppers. Happy and delicious memories!
In Addicted to Love, you tackle the painful subject of drug addiction with sensitivity and compassion. What inspired you to write about a topic that doesn’t usually feature in romance novels?
I really like the trope of the tortured hero. I like adding depth to my characters and examining how experiences from their past affect their future and their relationships.
With addiction, I was trying to play with the idea that you can be addicted to anything—from something serious like drugs, to something we all joke about like chocolate or shoes—and how sometimes, despite your best intentions, you can take “doing the right thing” too far.
Until I read your book, I hadn’t thought about addiction in that way. Kudos to you for writing about such a complex and emotional subject in a way that makes readers think and, potentially, challenges pre-existing assumptions.
Alongside the central romance, Addicted to Love is about family relationships—for example, between the hero and his teen daughter, and between the heroine and the grandmother with whom she lives. Were any aspects of these relationships drawn from your own experience?
While I never base a character completely off someone I know, I will often take pieces of someone’s personality and incorporate them into my characters. I especially like to do this with the children.
So Tess, the hero’s daughter, has mannerisms that my daughters have—like eye rolling, for example, or a particular manner of speech.
The grandmother has some personality traits of my mother and grandmother, although to say the grandmother is my mother would definitely be a stretch (sorry, Mom!).
I do the same when developing my fictional characters. Although she’s an entirely different person, I certainly recognized bits of my daughter in Tess. Teen girl mannerisms must be universal!
There is a strong sense of place in Addicted to Love, and the New York City/New Jersey setting gives the story an urban, cosmopolitan feel that is a refreshing change from the contemporary romances I usually read—ones set in small towns or rural areas.
Do you write what you know?
It’s funny because I love reading small-town romances—one of the reasons why I love your books—but my Jewish books seem to set themselves in cities naturally.
It could be because that’s what I know personally or maybe because my characters and their traits—snappy dialogue, for example—lend themselves better to cities. There’s a fast-paced energy that comes with city living.
I’m so glad you enjoy the small-town world of my books but yes, I can see why your characters are more “at home” in cities. Although I’ve only been to New York City once, in different parts of your book I found myself nodding in recognition. I also liked that your characters took taxis frequently whereas for mine, the vehicle of choice is a pick-up truck!
The hero and heroine of Addicted to Love, Dan Rothberg and Hannah Cohen are Jewish, and while their romance and the challenges they overcome transcend religion and culture, I enjoyed learning more about Jewish traditions and holidays and reading about diverse characters.
How has your Jewish identity influenced your writing life?
Again, while I love reading Christmas books and romances where the characters get married in a church, there’s a lot to be said for being able to identify with the characters. I think diversity is another way of adding depth to characters.
I’ve also found readers like to learn about traditions that aren’t their own. My goal was to put the culture in the background, so I’m not hitting anyone over the head with it, but it weaves itself into the story seamlessly.
For me as a reader, you wove those cultural references in so well. In an era when we very much need diverse romance, and often improved cross-cultural communication and understanding, your books make an important contribution.
Since Addicted to Love released in July 2017, you had another new book, In the Moment, come out in early September. Can you tell us about it?
Sure! This one is actually set in a small town and is based on a local Victorian mansion that my daughters and I toured when it was up for sale. We all fell in love with it, but couldn’t afford to buy it.
The house spoke to me and I could imagine the people who lived there in the past and how amazing it would be to be able to live there now. So I decided to set my book there.
Cassie, the heroine, is a former foster child who grew up in that house as a teen. When her foster mother died, she bought the house and is restoring it, with the intent of living there and raising a family there. To her, the house represents stability.
Rayne, the hero, is a war photographer who can’t handle permanence right now—his friends were killed in the war and he’s on a mission to deliver a photo he took to one of the soldier’s parents. He blames himself for what happened to the soldiers and is afraid to cause any more damage to anyone else.
He’s passing through Cassie’s town on the way to deliver the photo and agrees to help her out with the house for a short time.
And the rest, well, you’ll have to read the book. 🙂
In the Moment is on my reading list, Jennifer! I also love old houses and the stories they tell so your book intrigues me.
Addicted to Love is “Serendipity, Book 1.” The second book in the series, Five Minutes to Love, comes out in Spring 2018. What is it about? Will familiar characters from the first book reappear?
I’m currently in developmental edits with this one. It features Hannah’s best friend Aviva and her boyfriend Jacob and tells the story of how they met. So it actually takes place a little before Addicted to Love.
The title, Five Minutes to Love, comes from their first meeting—they are both coerced into participating in a speed-dating event, and they both escape from it together.
Aviva has no interest in a relationship with a law student—her dad is a lawyer and spends all his time at work.
Jacob is planning on being a high-powered lawyer so he can pay off his law school loans and take care of his mom and isn’t sure how a girlfriend can fit into his limited time. But being a good guy, he does his best and, well, that should give you at least a little to go on.
Good luck with your edits. I look forward to seeing Five Minutes to Love on virtual shelves soon!
Thanks so much for joining me, Jennifer. I enjoyed chatting with you and am glad we connected that day in New York…also over food!
I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you, Jen. Thanks so much for having me as a guest on your blog.
You’re most welcome!
Here’s the blurb for Addicted to Love
Dan Rothberg struggled after an accident killed his wife and he nearly lost custody of his daughter. He can no longer allow himself to get attached to anything or anyone. Until he meets Hannah.
Hannah Cohen is a young executive with a meddlesome grandmother and a troubled brother. She’d like nothing better than to find her own Mr. Right, after too many Mr. Wrongs. A sexy older man with a teenage daughter was never in her plans.
As they navigate their relationship through adolescent attitudes and grandmotherly interference, they realize age is just a number and love can be right in front of them. But when the terrible truth of Dan’s former struggles is exposed, Hannah must decide if she can get past his deception and allow love to conquer all.
Buy Addicted to Love in e-book format or paperback from the following sites:
The Wild Rose Press
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon Canada
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Chapters-Indigo
You can connect with Jennifer via her website, and on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. She blogs regularly via her personal blog (Fried Oreos) and also contributes to a group blog, Heroines with Hearts.
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Blog
Pinterest
Heroines with Hearts
Hi Jen, thank you so much for having me over today. I loved chatting with you!
It was lovely to chat with you too, Jennifer. After reading “Addicted to Love,” it was great to find out more about what inspired it…and get to know you better as well.
What a great interview! All your books sound incredible. Although I live in a small town and write about small towns, I LOVE reading about big cities. And you’re right about the snappy language and big city feel. Oh and the food and the customs! I have to read Addicted to Love!
Good luck!
Thank you for visiting my blog and reading and commenting on this post, Sandra.
Like you, I live in a small town and write about small communities so “Addicted to Love” was a refreshingly different reading experience…and a wonderful “city break” from the comfort of my cozy reading chair.
Thanks so much, Sandra. And since I love small-town romances, I’ve got you on my TBR! So nice of you to stop by.
I enjoyed reading about your current projects and recent releases Jennifer. I learn so much about other traditions and other places in my romance reading. That’s one of the reasons I love romance. And of course love is love whether in a small town or city and whatever one’s ancestry.
Thank you for visiting my blog and reading and commenting on Jennifer’s interview, Charlotte. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
You’ve mentioned some of the reasons I read and love romance too. In addition to the wonderful love stories, there is the learning about different people and ways of looking at the world.
I agree, Charlotte. It’s so interesting to expand our horizons when we read, while being comforted by the guaranteed happily ever after. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Wonderful interview! I enjoyed getting to know you better, Jennifer. I, too, like taking snippets of personalities from those that I know and inserting them into my characters. Looking forward to reading more of your stories. All the best!
I’m glad you enjoyed this interview, Mary. Thanks for reading, commenting and for your good wishes to Jennifer.
Thanks, Mary. I have to admit that people who know me are a little nervous when they hear about how I incorporate real life into my stories–it can be a lot of fun, though!
This comment comes from Deb who asked me to post it on her behalf as she was experiencing technical difficulties when trying to post:
Jennifer – I loved your book In The Moment – such angst and character growth and touching building of friendship and romantic moments. I look forward to reading Addicted to Love. Having grown up in a big city that has its own small neighborhood community feeling and then moving to a small town, I’m sure I’ll find lots to love. Plus I love food in books. I always put food in my books (and sometimes hear – isn’t this a bit much?). But our lives revolve daily around food in so many ways.
Thanks – and I will have to check out your books, as well. I love to read and write small town romance under Delsora Lowe.
I’m happy to share this lovely comment for Jennifer, Deb. I’m sorry you had difficulties in posting & thanks for persevering.
I also write small town romance so will have to look for Delsora Lowe’s books.
Thanks for reading the post & commenting.
Thanks so much for being so dedicated about posting here, Deb. I appreciate the support. And thank you for the nice comments about my books–I love food in books too. Can’t wait to read yours!
Great interview, Jennifer…always nice to get to know an author better. Your latest book looks great. Love the cover.
Thank you for stopping by to read and comment, CB. I appreciate you visiting my blog.
Thanks so much, CB. I’ve enjoyed getting to know so many new people–it’s one of the best parts of being an author!
Great interview Jennifer! Love that cover! Good luck with both books…:)
Great to “see” you here, Claire. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Thanks, Claire. TWRP did a fantastic job with my covers–I was so happy with them.
Really enjoyed your interview of Jennifer, Jen. Thank you for sharing interesting pieces of your lives and how they contribute to your heartwarming stories. Reading your post Jen was the best way to start my day…with a smile.
Oh, thank you, Lynn. Glad I could help you start your day on a happy note. Thanks as always for your support. I really appreciate it!
And thank you for reading, Lynn. I’m delighted that this interview with Jennifer started your day off so well! Thanks, as always, for supporting my blog.
I really enjoyed your interview – always nice to learn more about fellow Wild Rose Press authors! The covers of your books are lovely!
Thank you for visiting my blog and commenting on this interview, Hywela. I like the covers of Jennifer’s books too!
Thanks so much Hywela! I’m so pleased with the cover artists–they’re fantastic!
Jennifer – I loved your book In The Moment – such angst and character growth and touching building of friendship and romantic moments. I look forward to reading Addicted to Love. Having grown up in a big city that has its own small neighborhood community feeling and then moving to a small town, I’m sure I’ll find lots to love. Plus I love food in books. I always put food in my books (and sometimes hear – isn’t this a bit much?). But our lives revolve daily around food in so many ways.
Thanks – and I will have to check out your books, as well. I love to read and write small town romance under Delsora Lowe.
Thank you so much, Deb! I’m so glad you enjoyed my book. It was one of my favorites to write.
What an enjoyable interview, Jen and Jennifer. I always like to hear the story behind the story and I love the way you use pieces from your own life to add depth to your books. This interview has also added two titles to my TBR list. I like the sound of Addicted to Love because you have tackled a difficult subject; and how can I resist In the Moment? I often have dreams about houses and so I completely understand how you could visit a house and feel so in tune with it.
Thank you, Susanna. I’m glad you enjoyed the interview. And so your TBR list (bibliographic pet!) grows! As always, I appreciate your support of my blog.
Thank you so much Susanna. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I, too, love getting to know authors and their inspiration. I hope you enjoy the books as much as I did writing them.