Miriam's Surrender
Women of Valor, #2
Jennifer Wilck
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Rebel Ink Press
Date of Publication: September 8, 2014
Number of pages: 218
Cover Artist: Steelyard Graphics
Excerpt: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.
“I decided to deliver the paperwork in person and I brought you coffee,” Josh said. “I hope you don’t mind.” He placed both cups on her desk and reached for the folder under his arm. He held it out to her and their hands brushed against each other as she took it from him. The contact of skin against skin warmed her hands. She thought about the manicure, and about his hands on her, and she took a shaky breath.
“It was nice of you. Thanks.”
“So, coffee’s okay, but mani-pedis aren’t. Good to know.”
She tried to determine if he was joking or not. She thought he might be, as his grey eyes held a bit of a twinkle in them and his tone was light, but his body was stiff and she couldn’t tell. She decided to go with humor.
“Right,” she responded, with a wink.
His face broadened into a grin and she relaxed.
“I got one black and one light and sweet, since I wasn’t sure how you took it. You can choose.”
“Light and sweet, please. Thanks.”
He handed her the coffee and she inhaled the rich aroma.
She took a sip and closed her eyes. “Mmm, French roast.”
Josh sat in the chair across from her desk. “You know, I think we’ve set a record.”
“Really? What kind?”
“I think this is the first time we’ve been together where we haven’t apologized or talked about having to apologize.”
Miriam choked on her coffee, but held her hand up to ward him off when Josh leaned across the desk to help her. “You can’t do that to me when I’m drinking.”
His grey eyes twinkled again. “I’m...”
“Don’t!”
They burst into laughter.
Interview:
Today, we welcome Jennifer Wilck to Musings and Ramblings. Let's all give a big Geeky welcome!
Oh, wow, thanks! Um, I’m usually pretty uncomfortable with grand entrances and such, but it’s really nice to be here.
Let's start with some writer specific questions before moving into the fun stuff. That way everyone can really get to know the person behind the writer. We will finish things off with a round of Think Fast. Ready for the interrogation to begin?
Yup, go for it!
Writing Specific
1. Is your writing style more plotter or pantser?I’m a total pantser. The one time I tried to plot first was a disaster—I did end up with a book, but it was like pulling teeth trying to write it. The closest I’ll come to plotting now is a general idea of who my characters are and where I want them to go, with a little motivation sprinkled in. But for the rest of it, I need to let the characters in my head talk and lead me where they want to go.
2. How do you deal with Writer's Block?
The best solution I’ve found to writer’s block is to sit down, reread what I wrote the day before (or whenever) and try to continue the flow. I always try to end my writing for the day with a sentence or an idea that will spur me on the next day. If that fails, I write something completely different, like a blog post, or like, hey, this interview!
3. How involved are you with Social Media and self-promotion?
The best part about being a writer is that I need to use social media to promote myself, so technically, I can goof around on Facebook and call it “working.” Except now I just told everyone. Great. But seriously, I use social media a lot to promote my books—Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc. And there are great places to actually have conversations with readers, which is what I like doing best.
4. What one thing do you wish someone had told you before you started writing?
How to be Nora Roberts. In all seriousness, I’d still like advice on promotion and marketing. A lot of it is trial and error, and a lot of it requires me to be more outgoing than I’m comfortable with. But it’s a learning experience and I get better every day.
5.Tell us something about yourself that's not in your bio.
I am terrible at directions. I can read a map, but if left to my own instinct, I’ll get lost every time. We have a GPS in the car and my husband, a Star Wars fan, programmed it with Darth Vader’s voice. Every time I make a wrong turn, it yells at me. I guess it’s better than Yoda’s voice, which I’m convinced would get me even more lost (given how he speaks backwards), but I try to mute it whenever I can.
Fun Stuff
1. What was the last movie/concert/show that you saw?I’m embarrassed to say that my last concert was One Direction. In my defense, it’s because I have two teenaged daughters. Loudest concert ever. I think my ears are still ringing.
2. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I’d want to fly. I think it would give me freedom.
3. What was the name of the last book you read?
I just reread The Morning Side of Dawn by Justine Davis. Awesome book!
4. Tell us 2 positive and 2 negative character traits you possess.
But I’m perfect! Hah. Okay. 2 positive traits: I’m a really good friend and I work really hard. 2 negative traits: I get embarrassed really easily and I can be too snarky if I’m not careful.
5. What is your bigges pet peeve?
Wow, I have so many! Okay, off the top of my head, drivers who signal right and turn left (or vice versa). Why???
Think Fast
1. Elvis or Sinatra? Sinatra2. AM or PM? Afternoon
3. Mountains or Sea? Mountains
4. Meat or Veggies? Veggies
5. Cake or Pie? Cake (unless it’s my mom’s apple pie)
Thanks for coming by and spending some time with us. Any final words of wisdom to pass along?
Thank you so much for having me here today. I really enjoyed your questions! Words of wisdom—readers, please let your authors know what you think of their books. Writers—write what makes you happy.
Giveaway:
Jennifer will be awarding a $10 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Book Tour Info:
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:
September 23rd:
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November 4th:
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November 25th:
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Long and Short Reviews
Author Bio:
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.
I can be reached at my blog (Fried Oreos) and I contribute to Heroines With Hearts and to Front Porch Saturdays.
To connect with the author online:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Author Bio:
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.
I can be reached at my blog (Fried Oreos) and I contribute to Heroines With Hearts and to Front Porch Saturdays.
To connect with the author online:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
I enjoyed the excerpt, but I really liked the interview.
ReplyDeleteThey were really fun questions to answer. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThanks so much for hosting me!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the interview, thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad, Rita. I enjoyed answering the questions.
DeleteSounds like a great book
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy. It was fun to write, especially because the hero in this one is the villain from the last book.
DeleteA great interview.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary!
Delete