Jennifer Wilck Shares Her New Jersey Home

I live in NJ, the Garden State, and yes, despite what you may have heard, there is an abundance of flowers, farms and beauty throughout my state.

We’ve also had a lot of cases of Covid-19. While my family and I have remained healthy, we’ve had to spend the past three months social distancing from everyone, wearing masks, and basically staying in our homes. One of the things that has gotten me through this time is flowers and nature. And as mentioned above, there’s plenty of that here.

I’ve spent a lot of time outdoors, planting and cultivating flowers, walking on local nature trails, and even trying my hand at planting seeds that are supposed to eventually become herbs. I have my doubts, but I’m willing to give it a try.

With so much craziness in the world, planting and nurturing restores my soul and reminds me that even while I stop, nature doesn’t. Things still grow and bloom and carry out the natural cycle.

My family has gotten used to me lagging behind on our walks as I stop to take photos of pretty buds on trees or interesting leaves that I notice.

Because we have so much time, we’ve searched for new places to walk and admire things. After all, walking around the block gets boring after a while. A beautiful place my younger daughter introduced us to is Natirar Park in Somerset County. With more than 400 acres of property to wander, there’s plenty of room to social distance and discover natural beauty. It used to be an estate, and the main house is still there. Completed in 1912, the name Natirar is an anagram for the Raritan River that meanders through the property. There’s also a fancy restaurant that I hope reopens because I’ve always wanted to try it. http://www.natirar.com/ninety_acres/

https://www.somersetcountyparks.org/parksFacilities/natirar/Natirar.html

During our time walking the grounds, we enjoyed the peace and the beauty of the land, encompassing walking trails, woods and fields. And of course, I took photos.

I post many of my photos on my Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/authorjenniferwilck/ but I also use them for inspiration when I’m writing. In addition to often writing about food in my books, I’ve noticed that many of my characters either enjoy nature walks or planting and designing gardens. While not all of my books take place in New Jersey, I incorporate what I know and adapt to other locations.

In one of my oldest, no-longer-published, books, Skin Deep, the hero and heroine visit the heroine’s family on Thanksgiving and walk one of the many Morris County trails http://morristrails.org to get outside and away from everyone. In Learning to Love, the hero and heroine walk to Loantaka Brook Reservation https://www.morrisparks.net/index.php/parks/loantaka-brook-reservation. Most of the trails I mention I’ve walked along and they’re beautiful in any season.

For a chance to win an e-book of mine (your choice), comment below and tell me what your favorite outdoor activity is. I’ll choose a winner soon. Make sure to leave a form of contact so I can find you or, click on the tabs above and send that info to Annette-she’ll forward to me.

To learn more about me and my books, please feel free to stalk follow me below:

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I’ve got a new book coming out in September, so be sure to sign up for my newsletter for previews! And thanks to Annette for letting me be a guest on her blog.

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New Jersey is the Garden State, and I never knew-Jennifer Wilck

New Jersey is the Garden State, and I never knew how much that would mean to me until I grew up and became a homeowner. When I was a child, my mom LOVED flowers. She’d plant them in the yard, fill vases on tables, and grow pots on shelves. I didn’t pay much attention to them, other than to think they were pretty.

When my husband and I moved into our first home, suddenly I was confronted by outdoor space that needed love. Because we had lots of shade, I planted impatiens. I’d spend hours adding soil and planting almost 100 plants. When my first child was born, she sat in her stroller or on a blanket and I raced between her and the dirt, trying to plant as much as I could before she needed me.

Now that my kids are grown, I have a lot more time on my hands, but I also have less energy. So I fill pots on my deck, which bloom in the bright sun and are immune to the critters, who don’t climb up on my deck (for the most part). Lately, I’ve started planting bulbs so the work I do can last for years, rather than a few months. I walk around my yard daily admiring my flowers—it kind of makes me feel like a new mother again, glorying in the progress of my babies. While New Jersey spring can be fickle, ranging in temperatures anywhere from the 40s to the 80s, and the rains are either overwhelming or non-existent, somehow, my garden has been growing consistently.

As I sit at my desk, table or sofa and write my books, I’m able to look out the window and enjoy the profusion of color that I’ve planted and arranged. I think about the irony of how like my mom I’m becoming, and I smile as my kids look at me and shake my head. I wonder which of them will turn out to like flowers, or if either of them will. Will they plant their own gardens as their babies sleep in the shade, or will they be too busy or disinterested to care?

Flowers, like romance novels, fill me with hope for a better world. They show me what is possible and they let me escape for a time. They teach me that some things are beyond my control—whether it’s how well a plant will grow, or how well a book will sell. And the connection to my state’s moniker—the Garden State—pleases my inner humorist. Most people think of my state as a series of highways and shopping malls. That description is accurate for those who take only a cursory glance. But for those who live here or visit for any length of time, there are plenty of surprise discoveries to make, including farming produce, hidden waterfalls, and flowers that bloom in the most surprising of places.

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. When she’s not writing, she loves to laugh with her family and friends, is a pro at finding whatever her kids lost in plain sight, and spends way too much time closing doors that should never have been left open in the first place. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate.

She writes contemporary romance, some of which are mainstream and some of which involve Jewish characters. She’s published with The Wild Rose Press and all her books are available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and The Wild Rose Press.

Buy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=jennifer+wilck

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/jennifer+wilck?_requestid=1969656

The Wild Rose Press: https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/search?controller=search&orderby=position&orderway=desc&search_query=jennifer+wilck&submit_search=

She can be reached at www.jenniferwilck.com orhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Wilck/201342863240160.

She tweets at @JWilck.

Her blog www.jenniferwilck.blogspot.com 

(all info provided from or downloaded and released from Author) 

Jennifer Wilck Writes of New Jersey

Writers are often taught to “write what we know.” While I’ve usually taken that advice, only recently did I start to set my books in New Jersey. I’m not sure why I never did before—the state is beautiful and varied and much more than just the turnpike that everyone pictures. So when I wrote my last series, Serendipity, I decided to make at least part of the setting in New Jersey.

When I graduated college, I lived in Jersey City, which is on the Hudson River. The community I lived in was a beautiful modern high-rise apartment complex with gorgeous views of the Manhattan skyline. And it was located right next to Hoboken, a mecca for 20- and 30-somethings.

The streets are tree-lined, many of the buildings have beautiful architecture, but the city itself is filled with bars and restaurants, with easy walking access to the commuter train. It’s a great way to live in New Jersey and commute to New York.

Hoboken’s claim to fame—at least one of them—is Frank Sinatra. His picture hangs in restaurants and there are baseball fields named after him. A more current claim is Buddy Valastro from Carlos’ Bakery and Cake Boss fame.

There’s a heavy Italian influence and the Italian restaurants are fantastic. When I lived there, my friends and I would walk the streets and hang out, listening to music, attending street fairs and of course, enjoy the bar scene.

So it was the perfect setting for my series, which features young professionals—some of whom work in New York City and some of whom work in New Jersey. My daughter and I took a drive and walked around Hoboken, exploring the area, tasting the food and reminiscing.

It’s the perfect blend of old world meets new and is great for a day trip for foodies if you ever get the chance.

***Giveaway*** 

Tell me your favorite foodie place, and I’ll pick a winner to get an e-copy of Addicted to Love, Book 1 in the Serendipity Series.

Here’s the blurb:

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 Links:
The Wild Rose Press: https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/5133-addicted-to-love.html?search_query=jennifer+wilck&results=2
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Addicted-Love-Serendipity-Book-1-ebook/dp/B071HZQS4S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499096714&sr=8-1&keywords=jennifer+wilck

Biography: Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. 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. When she’s not writing, she loves to laugh with family and friends, is a pro at finding whatever her kids lost in plain sight, and spends way too much time closing doors that should never have been left open. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and doesn’t share her chocolate.

She writes contemporary romance, some of which are mainstream and some of which involve Jewish characters. All are available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Wilck-201342863240160/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JWilck

Website: http://www.jenniferwilck.com

Blog: http://jenniferwilck.blogspot.com
(info provided and released by author)

Jennifer Wilck Takes Us on a Walk of The Garden State: New Jersey

New Jersey is the Garden State, and at no time is that more apparent than in the spring. Give us a few days of warm, sunny weather, a bunch of rain, and magic happens. Our trees start budding. Our grass greens. Our flowers bloom. Beauty returns after a long, cold winter, transforming our state from grey to green—nothing like what most people picture New Jersey.

I’m always astonished at people’s perceptions of where I live. I grew up here, but attended college in the Midwest. Everyone I met, when they heard where I lived, asked me what exit I was from. Few of them had been to New Jersey, and those who had hadn’t seen much beyond the highways surrounding the airport. Or they knew we had a lot of shopping malls. No one mentioned how beautiful our state can be. Today, people know about us because of the show Jersey Shore, which did little to highlight the beauty of our beaches, and a lot to highlight some unfortunate people with crazy accents.

 

As an adult, I live in a part of the state where open space is protected, trails cross much of my county and beauty is everywhere. Despite the seasonal allergies, its beauty is awe-inspiring and refills my soul.

Most mornings, I take my dog on a long walk around our lake. The walk takes about an hour, with a distance of three and a half miles. Although it’s suburban, I’m constantly seeing beautiful nature everywhere I look. One morning I even saw a bald eagle! I walk for exercise—for her and for me—but I also do it because it’s often on those walks where I get my writing inspiration. I’m the crazy lady talking to herself or dictating into her phone, trying my best to get down what pops into my head before it flies right out again. Once home, I can flesh it out and hopefully use it in my books.

Many of my books take place in or around New Jersey. It sometimes feels a little odd to me to include towns I know, but at the same time, there’s comfort in the familiar, and it’s easy to describe what I know. I’ve set books in Morristown, a picturesque small town with a town square and beautiful Victorian houses; Hoboken, a small city popular with the twenty-something crowd because of its nightlife; and Ridgewood, another small town with lots of shops and restaurants. I’ve had characters hike the Patriot’s Path trails that wind through Morris County. They’ve taken the PATH train to New York City and worked in Jersey City. They’ve seen shows in Newark, visited relatives in Livingston, and yes, even flown into the airport. I love adding the local flavor and showcasing parts of my state some readers would never know about until they read my books (http://jenniferwilck.com/books.html).

My latest book, Addicted to Love, is set in Hoboken. The heroine, Hannah, lives there with her grandmother. The hero, Dan, also lives there with his teenaged daughter. Hoboken is a great place for characters in a contemporary romance to live. It’s a commuter’s hub, which means they can work in New York or other parts of New Jersey and easily commute. There are a ton of restaurants and bars and there is a beautiful view of the Manhattan skyline. It was a great location to use and I was also able to add pictures to my Pinterest board (https://www.pinterest.com/jenniferwilck/addicted-to-love/) so readers can visualize it easier.

Here’s an excerpt to give you a glimpse of their story:  
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.

Thanks for stopping by to read about why I love living in and writing about New Jersey. I have two prizes to give away to a lucky blog reader—a copy of Addicted to Love (Kindle version) and a “Devoted to Dessert” spatula from Carlo’s Bakery (that’s the bakery featured on Cake Boss, and it’s also located in Hoboken. Simply tell me where you’re originally from and what you like best about your state.

Jennifer Wilck’s website information is http://jenniferwilck.com/index.html There you’ll be able to see all her releases plus some other great stuff about her! Stop on over. 

(information provided by author)

Amy Reade’s Other New Jersey

I remember reading last year’s New Jersey post by the very talented Rabbi Ilene Schneider and thinking, “Yes! Finally, someone who remembers that New Jersey is more than just an extension of New York City!”

I live even farther south than Rabbi Schneider, and my neck of the woods is really more beach than woods. I live in Cape May County, the southernmost county in New Jersey, and this area of the state is known for its beaches and charming barrier islands.

Southern New Jersey relies heavily on the hospitality and tourism business, as many places are only fully open during the high season-Memorial Day to Labor Day. Shops, hotels, bed and breakfast inns, restaurants, many of Cape May County’s famous antique stores, even some churches, are not open during the winter months, and the population shrinks to a fraction of its summertime numbers.

And though the area is tourist-dependent, I must say my favorite time of year is in late September, when the tourists have gone home, the water is still warm, and the weather is beautiful. There’s nothing more relaxing than sitting on the sand and seeing the entire beach spread out in front of you, with no other human being to block the view or distract from the sound of the waves as they whoosh in and out at the shoreline. The photo of the beach was actually taken during the winter months, but you get the idea.

One of the nice things about the barrier islands, too, is the way they promote small businesses. On the island closest to my home, Ocean City, you won’t find any chain motels or hotels. The same is true, as far as I know, all the way down to Cape May. There is an abundance of locally-owned and operated places to stay, eat, shop, relax, and have fun. I especially love shopping in Cape May County during the holidays- this is a great place to find gifts for friends and family that you can’t get anywhere else. (The photo shows one of the hotels in Cape May, all decked out for Christmas)

The towns in Cape May County have something to offer everyone. Ocean City, “America’s Greatest Family Resort,” is a dry town, complete with a 2 ½ mile wooden boardwalk, rides, mini golf, funnel cakes, and a music pier that hosts everything from train shows to the “Mature Mr. Ocean City” pageant to magicians to the Ocean City Pops. Wildwood, down the road about a half hour, is more of a party town, with bars and a busy nighttime scene right on or near its bustling boardwalk.

Cape May, located where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, is a delightful town with beautifully-maintained Victorian homes, quaint streets, a rich history, a local theater, horse-and-buggy rides, a pedestrian mall with shopping and restaurants, and a huge stretch of sandy beach where you can relax after you’ve seen everything else.

Now that spring is in the air, gardens will start blooming and that world-famous Jersey Fresh produce will start to germinate and grow. We just came out of a winter that wasn’t too bad- we saw a bit of snow

but for the most part it was pretty tolerable. But spring is when everything starts
to wake up again and the whole area will be busy again before we know it.

I enjoyed writing this post because it gave me an excuse to take part of a day to wander around my county a bit and take some pictures for all of you. It also reminded me of how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place.

           

 
Amy M. Reade is a cook, chauffeur, household CEO, doctor, laundress, maid, psychiatrist, warden, seer, teacher, pet whisperer, and recovering attorney. In other words, a full-time wife, mother, and writer. She is the author of Secrets of Hallstead House and The Ghosts of Peppernell Manor and, most recently, House of Hanging Jade. She is currently working on the first book in a new series set in the United Kingdom (expected release date in early 2017). She loves cooking, reading, and traveling. 

I'll give away one ebook of House of the Hanging Jade. to one lucky person.  Just comment here and leave your contact information for the win!

Amy can be found online at the following places:

Website: www.amymreade.com

Blog: www.amreade.wordpress.com

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/8189243.Amy_M_Reade

Amazon: www.amazon.com/Amy-M.-Reade/e/B00LX6ASF2/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Facebook: www.facebook.com/amreadeauthor

Twitter: www.twitter.com/readeandwrite

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/amreade

Tumblr: www.amymreade.tumblr.com
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