Can't Wait Wednesday " The Matzah Ball By Jean Meltzer
Can't-Wait Wednesday is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings and gives us a chance to highlight books we are patiently waiting to fill up our TBRs with.
I am going to make a confession of sorts here...I love Christmas. I love the lights, and the trees, the Hallmark Christmas movies, and of course the Christmas books that will be releasing soon. Now I know you are thinking, that is a stupid confession, most people do love Christmas.....well...I am Jewish and I celebrate Hanukkah.
Don't get me wrong, I put up a glittery tree for the kids, but somewhere near Christmas, my true heart is spending 8 days lighting candles in honor of the miracle the Maccabees received from God.
So what does this have to do with books? A lot actually. Every year I have hundreds of Christmas books to choose from to read, but rarely do I have a book about the holiday that I actually observe. Last year I found one, and this year there is another one... it's exciting...and I am hoping that more Jewish authors take up the tradition of holiday books....
SO SHOUT OUT TO JEAN MELTZER FOR GIVING US A HOLIDAY BOOK!!!
THE MATZAH BALL BY JEAN MELTZER
SUMMARY:
Oy! to the world
Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is a nice Jewish girl with a shameful secret: she loves Christmas. For a decade she’s hidden her career as a Christmas romance novelist from her family. Her talent has made her a bestseller even as her chronic illness has always kept the kind of love she writes about out of reach.
But when her diversity-conscious publisher insists she write a Hanukkah romance, her well of inspiration suddenly runs dry. Hanukkah’s not magical. It’s not merry. It’s not Christmas. Desperate not to lose her contract, Rachel’s determined to find her muse at the Matzah Ball, a Jewish music celebration on the last night of Hanukkah, even if it means working with her summer camp archenemy—Jacob Greenberg.
Though Rachel and Jacob haven’t seen each other since they were kids, their grudge still glows brighter than a menorah. But as they spend more time together, Rachel finds herself drawn to Hanukkah—and Jacob—in a way she never expected. Maybe this holiday of lights will be the spark she needed to set her heart ablaze.
Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is a nice Jewish girl with a shameful secret: she loves Christmas. For a decade she’s hidden her career as a Christmas romance novelist from her family. Her talent has made her a bestseller even as her chronic illness has always kept the kind of love she writes about out of reach.
But when her diversity-conscious publisher insists she write a Hanukkah romance, her well of inspiration suddenly runs dry. Hanukkah’s not magical. It’s not merry. It’s not Christmas. Desperate not to lose her contract, Rachel’s determined to find her muse at the Matzah Ball, a Jewish music celebration on the last night of Hanukkah, even if it means working with her summer camp archenemy—Jacob Greenberg.
Though Rachel and Jacob haven’t seen each other since they were kids, their grudge still glows brighter than a menorah. But as they spend more time together, Rachel finds herself drawn to Hanukkah—and Jacob—in a way she never expected. Maybe this holiday of lights will be the spark she needed to set her heart ablaze.
Paperback, 416 pages
I love this! You are right, there are literally thousands of books on Christmas, but very few on Judaism. I think with the way the world is going and trying to be more inclusive of all religions we will start to see more.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great! There definitely needs to be more Hanukah books, so seeing this one makes me happy. Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteOh how awesome! I hope it's an excellent read! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, that sounds like a fun read! I hope when it comes out, you enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by! Happy reading!
ReplyDelete