Bathed In Light

by Jennifer Wilck

As Hanukkah rolls around this year, I find that I’m focusing on the idea of light.

Specifically, lighting up a world that seems increasingly dark. For eight nights, my family and I will light our nine-branched candelabra, the menorah, increasing the candles by one each night until all eight (and the helper candle) are lit on the last night.

That last night is my favorite night of all. In a darkened room with only the glow of the

menorah, we are bathed in light. I remember when my children were young and seeing their faces lit up by the candles. When I’m feeling creative, I’ll take my camera and photograph the menorah, playing with the settings in order to get the flames to look like stars above each candle. That eighth night is beautiful and peaceful and filled with memories.

But it’s not just the last night that’s filled with those memories. It’s the entire holiday. On

the Jewish calendar, Hanukkah is a minor holiday, celebrating a battle the Jews won

against all odds. Because it falls at Christmastime (usually), it has grown in importance

among the non-Jews, who see it as “Jewish Christmas.” And while it was tempting to go

all out when my kids were little so they wouldn’t feel excluded from the holiday time of

their classmates, we’ve always tried to keep the holiday intimate and meaningful.

Our methods of doing that have changed over the years as they’ve grown. We’ve

dedicated one night to charity, giving to others what we’d typically spend on ourselves.

Making pet blankets, purchasing toys for tots, or even just going into our allowance and

deciding where to donate was always a highlight of the holiday for my kids, and as

source of pride for me.

When my husband and I were first married, we held an annual Hanukkah party for all

our friends, who would come to our house for dinner and latkes (potato pancakes) and a

white elephant grab bag. The weekend that falls within the eight days is usually when

we celebrate with our family, and watching the cousins play together and the

grandparents hang out together has always been a treat.

This year, our celebration looks a bit different. My oldest is halfway across the country.

We visited her earlier this month and gave out early Hanukkah gifts. My youngest will

join us for our family party, but just for the day. The rest of the nights will be just the two

of us. And while I miss the grand get-togethers, I’m okay with small and quiet. It brings

me back to my true love of Hanukkah—non-commercialized family holiday with some

fun traditions thrown in.

In fact, it’s one of the reasons I balked for so long about writing Hanukkah romances. As

a Jewish author writing Jewish romance, I didn’t want all Jewish romance books to boil

down to Hanukkah books. And I didn’t want to inflate the holiday so that it resembles

Christmas but without a tree. But every editor, publisher and reader asked for Hanukkah

books, and it got me thinking.

Representation is important. It’s why I write Jewish romance in the first place, because I

want to see myself and my traditions in my books, and I want other readers to see

themselves, too. I also want non-Jewish readers to see how natural it is to read about

and care about Jewish characters. What better way to do this than with a Hanukkah

romance? Same festive spirit. Some familiarity based on where you live. Same season,

usually. And in times like these, when so many people are “othered,” it’s more important

than ever to shine a light on our similarities, point out and cherish our differences, and

bring joy to readers who are looking to escape a sometimes-horrible world.

So this year, my Hanukkah romance is part of Harlequin’s Fortunes of Texas continuity

series. My book, which came out at the end of November, is Fortune’s Unexpected Gift

and celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah. It follows one of the patriarchs of the

current family—Sander—as the siblings he has raised like his own children leave the

nest. Worn out, the last thing he wants is to start over again. That is, until he meets

Lisa, who wants a family of her own more than anything and is afraid she might be too

old to start.

I loved writing this book. Getting to write a slightly older hero and heroine—old being

relative, they’re in their late 30s and early 40s—was a refreshing change. Incorporating

Jewish traditions from the southwest was fun to research. And finding ways to blend

lovely Christmas celebrations with Hanukkah was a joy to do. I hope readers enjoy

reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

I’d also like to thank Liz for inviting me to give her readers a peek through my window.

I’ve loved her books since I first met her. There’s something about her writing that just

speaks to me and sticks with me long after I finish the book.

To thank her and her readers—all of YOU—I’d like to offer a free copy of one of my

Hanukkah books, either a paperback of Deadlines, Donuts & Dreidels or an e-book of

The Perfect Miracle (depending on your location). To enter the contest, just comment

below with your favorite holiday tradition. I’ll draw a random winner at the end of

Hanukkah, which is December 22 this year. I look forward to hearing what you love

about the holidays.

Wishing you all a holiday season filled with love and light.

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.

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.

Fortune’s Unexpected Gift

A recipe for disaster…

Or true love?

After devoting his life to his family, empty nester and single dad Sander Fortune is seizing a life truly his own this Christmas! When he meets cooking instructor Lisa Bergen, he’s taken by more than just her delectable challah dough. Widow Lisa’s as strong as she is stunning. And after unspeakable tragedy, she’s determined to make her dream—motherhood—come true. A romance with a man who’s done with raising kids? Not in her plans this holiday season…but the Hanukkah lights just might be ushering in another miracle! 

From Harlequin Fortunes of Texas: 

Book 1: His Family Fortune by Elizabeth Bevarly

Book 2: Fortune's Fake Marriage Plan by Tara Taylor Quinn

Book 3: Fortune for a Week by Nancy Robards Thompson

Book 4: Fortune on His Doorstep by Michelle Lindo-Rice

Book 5: Fortune's Unexpected Gift by Jennifer Wilck

Book 6: Fortune's Mr. Right by Stella Bagwell

Universal link https://books2read.com/u/bPMlzz