The Menorah Cleaner by Jennifer Wilck

If you look through my window during December, you will see lots of light. That’s because we celebrate Hanukkah, the 8-day Jewish holiday celebrating the victory of the small Maccabean army over the Greek-Syrian army and the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

To commemorate the holiday, we light candles, one each night, in a menorah. By the end of the eight days, the entire menorah is lit, providing a warm glowing light that is beautiful to see.

As a child, I lit a menorah my grandparents bought me on their trip to Israel. And my parents lit the menorah my mom used as a child. Both were silver (or silver-looking), although I always thought mine was prettier (sorry, Mom).

When my husband and I got married, we were given a silver and brass one as a wedding gift. This was our first joint menorah and held special meaning for the two of us. But that didn’t mean we wanted to abandon the ones we used as children, and so we lit three—mine described above, ours described here, and a wooden one my husband had made.

And then we had children. When the girls were little, they had baby menorahs—one had a Winnie-the-Pooh and the other had a dog (the candles were on the back of the dog). As they got older, they outgrew their childish ones and purchased menorahs in Israel when they visited. So, each year, we added more menorahs to our collection.

At some point, as the “menorah cleaner,” I grew tired of having so many to clean. Getting wax out of intricate designs is difficult, especially when you’re trying not to damage the menorah. My time was limited, and life was moving fast. So, at different times, I put limits on how many we would light.

And then they left for college. Because Hanukkah falls at different times of the year, sometimes, the girls celebrated at school, and they wanted menorahs that were “dorm safe.” So, they received electric menorahs.

At this point, I’m thrilled they want to continue celebrating with us. And I’ve given up on limiting the number of menorahs they use. The chance to be together as a family, to see the brightly colored candles and warm glow of the flames, and the knowledge that this tradition will continue with them through the years, makes me not care how many menorahs I have to clean.

I think that feeling is a little like what Benjamin’s grandmother feels in my Hanukkah novella, Waiting for A Miracle. She loves celebrating the holiday with her son and granddaughter. And she invites her single, next-door neighbor to join in the celebration—no one should celebrate alone. Over the glow of the candles, the savory taste of latkes (potato pancakes), and the sweet, flavored donuts, these four people learn that miracles can be found where you least expect them. All you need is time, faith, and each other.

Benjamin Cohen, widowed father of six-year-old Jessie, is doing his best to hold it together through order and routine. The last thing he needs is his matchmaker mother to set him up with her next door neighbor, no matter how attractive she is.

Rachel Schaecter's dream of becoming a foster mother is right within her grasp, until her meddlesome neighbor tries to set her up with her handsome son. What's worse? He's the father of her favorite kindergarten student! She can't afford to let anything come between her and her dream, no matter how gorgeous he may be.

Can these two determined people trust in the miracle of Hanukkah to let love and light into their lives?

Excerpt

Six-year-old bodies were good at many things— bouncing, hugging, and racing. Rachel was thankful they were also good at hiding her surprise. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine her favorite student, and her student’s father, would be at her neighbor’s house the same night she was invited to celebrate Hanukkah.

She met the hard gaze of Jessie’s father across the room. Eyes narrowed as if he suspected her reasons for being here. His broad shoulders were stiff. His jean-clad muscular legs were spread apart in a solid stance. Square hands fisted at his sides, and one of them held a menorah. Did he plan to throw it or club someone with it?

Giving Jessie a last pat, she rose. With an arm around Jessie, she extended her other hand to her father. “Happy Hanukkah.”

“Ms. Schaecter.”

“Mr. Cohen.”

“Oh, please,” Harriet said, “Such formality between you two. Rachel, this is my son Benny. I mean Benjamin.”

Benny. Rachel filed the information away for later, along with his flushed skin at the nickname. Interesting.

“And Benjamin, this is my neighbor, Rachel. We’re not at a school event. You can call each other by your first names.” Harriet pointed at Jessie, who gripped Rachel’s hand so hard, Rachel’s fingers lost their circulation. “Except for you,” Harriet added. “You have to call her Ms. Schaecter.”

Jessie giggled. “Yes, Grandma.”

Buy Link:

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/m2YvkO

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.

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.

Author Links:

Website: https://www.jenniferwilck.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/879114386079365

Newsletter: https://www.jenniferwilck.com/contact.html#newsletter

Unlock My Heart by Jennifer Wilck

I love having Jennifer Wilck here today, and I love what she's written her post about, too. See if you recognize anyone you know in what she says. - Liz

It’s release day for my latest book, Unlock My Heart, and this book hits a little close to home. The hero is hard of hearing. As am I. Not to the same extent that he is—I needed to make his condition more severe for my story to work—but I also wear hearing aids, and I also mishear things (boy do I have some funny stories), and I can attest that it’s exhausting to lip read.

As writers, one of the first things we’re taught is to write what you know. That’s all well and good, but sometimes what I know means having to give up my privacy. While I don’t mind providing authenticity to my characters, and I believe it makes the reader relate to them more, I don’t necessarily want my life on the page. Just like I don’t write sex scenes that imitate real life—one of the first questions I get asked when people find out I’m a romance author—I don’t readers who know me to think that what my characters think and feel are what I think and feel.

In this case, my hero’s biggest concern is that his clients and other people will think he’s stupid if he doesn’t hear them correctly. I can say quite honestly that I’ve never been concerned about people thinking I’m stupid. Number one, I’m aware of my own intelligence. Number two, I make fun of myself all the time for mistakes I make, few of which have to do with mishearing someone.

No, my biggest concern when I received my hearing aids was loneliness. We all want to fit in and have things in common with those around us. At forty years old, when I looked around, the only people I saw wearing hearing aids other than me were those who had significant hearing loss—and by significant, I mean much worse than mine—or those who were twenty to thirty years older than I was. Knowing there were few, if any, people my age with my circumstances was lonely. It didn’t prevent me from being friends with anyone, it didn’t stop my family (at least, those who knew) from loving me, but it provided another “difference” that I had to consider.

Eventually, I got past it. I adjusted to both the psychological aspects, and the physical aspects of being able to hear things I never knew existed—like background buzzing from lights or appliances. I paid more attention to people’s eyes, instead of focusing solely on their mouths. I still say, “What?” a lot, but I think that’s just me. And now, twelve years later, I’m less lonely, in part because I pushed past it and in part because people my age are starting to, well, age.

So, would I recommend writing what you know? Yes. Just be careful how far you go.

***

Blurb for Unlock My Heart:

Abby Marlow, computer security expert, lands a job at the best IT security firm in the country. Her sole focus is financial independence so she never has to rely on others again, especially a man. But why does her boss make her wires short circuit?

Ted Endicott, CEO and founder of the IT security firm, is hard of hearing. Although an expert in his field, he’s still uncomfortable admitting his difficulty hearing to his clients or employees. So why is he willing to accept Abby’s help?

As Ted and Abby work together, barriers fall away, and soon the lines blur between colleagues and lovers. But a security glitch in a client's system indicates one of his employees is the hacker, and all signs point to Abby. Can they get past the suspicion and find a future together?

Buy Links:

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/3yK1De

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Unlock-Heart-Scarred-Hearts-Book-ebook/dp/B09PJWJZBR

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unlock-my-heart-jennifer-wilck/1140834495

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1602136611

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.

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.

Author Links:

Website: http://www.jenniferwilck.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/879114386079365

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