Lighting the Flames: A Hanukkah Story

Lighting the Flames  - a close up of a couple wearing sweaters and knit gloves holding hands against a mountain backdrop As I mentioned in Podcast 119, I have a rule that if I complain about something twice, I either have to do something about it, or shut up already. And as you’ve probably noticed, every year, I get irritated with the lack of holiday romances that are about a holiday other than Christmas. I wanted to read more Hanukkah romances.

So, I wrote one. And since tonight is the first night of Hanukkah, here it is!

Lighting the Flames is a contemporary Hanukkah romance.  It takes place at a Jewish summer sleepaway camp, but in winter — right now, in fact: during Hanukkah 2014.

Here’s the cover copy:

Genevieve and Jeremy have known each other since they were seven, and have been summertime best friends at Camp Meira, a Jewish overnight camp in the mountains. As campers, and then as staff, their friendship was a constant, something neither wanted to change, no matter how tempting those changes might be.

Then, last year, with little warning, Jeremy left camp early. After that summer, Gen left the country on a graduate fellowship.

Now, a little over a year since they were last at Meira, Gen and Jeremy are back together to help run  a special Winter Camp during Hanukkah. Any water under the bridge is frozen this time of year, and with so much left unspoken and unexplained, this week may be their chance to rekindle their friendship, or turn it into something new.

This story was edited by Angela James, and copyedited by Sara Brady. The cover was designed by me and by Mollie Smith. It’s a little over 51,000 words, or about 150-or-so pages, so it’s slightly long for a novella. Maybe it’s a novellllllllllla.

I’m self publishing it as a kind of holiday gift to anyone who has felt like I have, and for anyone who might like to read a Hanukkah romance.

Right now it’s available from the following vendors: Apple iBookstore, Google Play, Smashwords, Kobo, and on ScribdETA: it’s also available on AllRomance and BN, too! It’s lendable, and should be DRM-free where that’s possible.

I had a lot of fun writing this, as much as it was a challenge for me. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I have.

Happy Hanukkah!

Comments are Closed

  1. Jan says:

    Happy Hanukkah! I can’t wait to start reading your fabulous story! A perfect present for the holiday season. Thank you! ; D

  2. kathy cole says:

    thanks Sarah!

  3. Annika says:

    That is awesome! I can’t wait to read it 🙂 Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate!

  4. marjorie says:

    Hanukah and JEWISH OVERNIGHT CAMP? Be still my heart! Thank you!!!

  5. Sabrina says:

    Good for you!

  6. What a wonderful gift! I’m off to add it to my ereader, to enjoy later after consuming my once-a-year fried potato pancakes & doughnuts. Will it unharden my arteries too?

    Chanukah Sameach!

  7. Priscilla says:

    Cool! Thanks!

  8. SB Sarah says:

    Thank you, thank you!! I’m not sure if it’ll un-harden your arteries, Darlene, but I hope it goes well with the food!

    Happy Hanukkah!

  9. SarahS says:

    Cheerfully buying at Amazon for the fun of the read and the mitzvah of the donation.

  10. Connie says:

    Awesome Sarah! Buying at Amazon and a Happy Hanukkah to all.

  11. mkthor says:

    What a great thing to wake up to on my birthday. Thanks Sarah. Happy Hanukkah,everyone.

  12. SB Sarah says:

    Happy Birthday MKThor!

  13. Melonie says:

    Mazel Tov! I am in love with the idea of a novelllllllllla. Downloading now 🙂

  14. Shae Connor says:

    One-clicked! Totally willing to pay a buck even if you weren’t donating, but bonus for that. 🙂

  15. Lori says:

    Downloading now. From Amazon. Because mitzvah and Hanukkah! And Jewish Camp! Doesn’t everyone have that “special friend” from Jewish sleep away camp? Thank you for this. The world needs more Hanukkah stories!

  16. Lori says:

    Double mitzvah. I remembered to buy it on smile.amazon.com, so supporting my congregation as well as your contributions 🙂

  17. Joanne Levy says:

    Thank you so much for this! Wishing you a very happy Hanukkah and sending virtual brisket your way.
    <3

  18. SB Sarah says:

    That is so awesome! Thank you!

  19. LML says:

    I’m following along in @10SarahS’ footsteps (uh, fingerclicks) and sentiments.

  20. denise says:

    Happy Hanukkah! Thanks for the freebie!

  21. tee says:

    Well done, Sarah! Definitely the right move – to stop complaining, and sit down and write your own! SO looking forward to reading this, and am passing the word to my Jewish buds.

  22. Mina Khan says:

    Kudos Sarah! Yes, we definitely need more diversity in romance and holiday fiction. Thanks for getting it done and donating to charity. Sharing!

  23. Mina Khan says:

    Also, Happy Hanukkah!

  24. Donna A says:

    Thanks Sarah! Happy Hanukkah.

  25. Sandra says:

    I’m making latkes to celebrate! Woo HOO!

  26. flyingchipmunk says:

    Downloaded from Amazon, because I had a promotional credit from them. Free to me, and still a few cents for charity! Best of both worlds, as far as I’m concerned.

  27. Eric Hellman says:

    Have you considered a Creative Commons License? because it would be great fun to have it on Unglue.it!

  28. SusanS says:

    Thanks and Happy Hanukkah to you too! I still have an old copy of Judith Arnold’s Harlequin American romance, Sweet Light, and am glad to add your novellla to my small collection.

  29. chacha1 says:

    clickety-click! mazel tov. 🙂

  30. Melina says:

    Shalom from Jerusalem. I am so excited about this! Thank you, Sarah, and chag sameach!

  31. Gaill says:

    Thank you!! Looking forward to reading it. Happy Hanukkah! 🙂

  32. SB Sarah says:

    Shalom, toda raba, and thank you!! I’m so proud, and I hope you enjoy it.

  33. […] 16 December 2014 | 8:00 am I wanted to read more Hanukkah romances. So, I wrote one. And since tonight is the first night of Hanukkah, here it is! Lighting the Flames is a contemporary Hanukkah romance. It takes place at a Jewish summer sleepaway … http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2014/12/lighting-the-flames-a-hanukkah-story/ […]

  34. LauraL says:

    Many thanks! Happy Hanukkah to you and yours, SB Sarah.

  35. Rose Lerner says:

    OMG yes! ::downloads::

    Happy Hanukkah!

  36. Alice in Nova Scotia says:

    Yes!! It was available at Amazon Canada for $1.13, so downloaded it to my ipad. Can’t wait to read it! We are Christian, but when my youngest son was in university, they came to recruit students to be counselors at a Jewish camp in Pennsylvania. He spent three summers there (2002-2004) and absolutely loved it. Wonderful staff and kids!!

  37. Happy Hanukkah! What a lovely surprise! The world needs more Hanukkah romances.

  38. Elle says:

    Chag Chanukah Sameach!

  39. Darlynne says:

    Thank you, Sarah. Happy to buy it from Amazon and I hope we’ll make enough for a donation.

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