#GuestPost #BookSpotlight – “A Heart Restrained” by Jennifer Wilck

From Jennifer Wilck:

When I came up with the idea for my Scarred Hearts series, I wanted to make all the stories fit into the “damaged hero” trope. It’s one of my favorites to read and write because I love exploring the emotional depths and the psychological reasons behind why characters act the way they do. I don’t want my heroines to simply “fix” the hero. That wouldn’t be realistic or healthy. Instead, I want to be able to see how the hero progresses and what makes him tick. Throwing a heroine into the mix is a great way to knock the hero off kilter and make him do things and experience things he typically wouldn’t. In other words, it’s tremendously fun to write!

The first two books involved heroes with physical issues. One was scarred in a fire, the other was hard of hearing. Although not easy, they were concrete issues that I as the writer could see, and that the reader could recognize. If I wrote clearly, the reader could follow along with me. However, the third book, A Heart Restrained, required something different. 

In that book, I decided to make the “scar” emotional. As in the hero doesn’t allow himself to show emotions. As writers, we’re told to “show, don’t tell.” Uh oh. With a hero who doesn’t show, how am I supposed to write that character? It was a challenge. I used a lot of internal dialogue and internal manifestations of emotions. So, for example, his heartrate increased if he were afraid. Or warmth spread through him when he was happy. And, because the heroine is the perfect person for him (even if he doesn’t know it), she was somehow able to read him, even though few others could. And as he let his guard down around her, that reading of him became easier.

Fiona and Caleb were great characters to write. I loved spending my writing days with them, and I hope you enjoy reading their story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Let me know! I love to hear from readers.

Blurb:

Caleb Zeno, a wealthy and successful media mogul, refuses to allow emotions into any aspect of his life, especially his entertainment corporation. When his company’s lifestyle website runs into competition from a small boutique company, the most logical solution is to buy out his rival. 

Fiona Hamilton’s lifestyle website succeeds due to her loving and caring treatment of her clients, who have become like family to her. She has no desire to sell to anyone, much less a tattooed, muscled, automaton. 

At odds professionally, Caleb and Fiona come together as a favor for Caleb’s sister. Sparks fly and sexual chemistry abounds. But Caleb can’t let go of his abusive past and be the man Fiona needs, and she is unwilling to risk independence and financial security for anything less than a perfect happily ever after. Can they put their differences aside to find a viral kind of love?

Tagline: She refuses to sell him her company; will she give him her heart?

Excerpt:

“Wouldn’t you enjoy this more if it were in English?” 

She paused and shifted so she faced him, one leg bent under her, the other dangling off the edge. “Absolutely not! Telenovelas are so much more emotional than American TV.” 

“Why don’t you at least research online to find a plot summary?” 

“I’m happy with the way things are,” she said. “I don’t need to hear the words to feel the story.” 

“But…you’re crying.” 

She smiled through her tears and wiped her cheeks. “I know.” 

Staring at her, his heart rate increased, and he tamped the panic her tears caused. At first, he thought pain caused her tears, but her rapt attention to the screen made him realize otherwise. 

Why would she want to do this to herself? And how could she enjoy a show she couldn’t understand? 

He should leave, before she recognized his complete lack of comprehension. But her rapt attention to the screen fascinated him. She was smart—his business dealings with her had proven it. Yet she focused as if she understood her show. 

She stared at the TV screen, but he couldn’t take his gaze off her. Her skin, despite its bruising, was luminous. Her lips were parted, and she gripped the edges of the sofa cushions until her knuckles turned white. This close to her, heat radiated from her body. He could hear a faint sigh. 

If she were this passionate about a television show, how passionate would she be if he kissed her? 

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS56R4LH

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-heart-restrained-jennifer-wilck/1142971831?ean=9781509248186

iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/a-heart-restrained/id6445422670

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-heart-restrained

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/3k2G5n

Bio

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. 

Author Links:

Website: https://www.jenniferwilck.com

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

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjenniferwilck/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jennifer-wilck

Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/JenniferWilck