Welcome to the FINAL Spotlight for my Blogiversary Celebration! I want to send a HUGE "Thank You" to all of the participating authors and to the readers that support them. You all make the world a little brighter and I am so very thankful for you! Remember to enter the Giveaway via the Rafflecopter form at the end of this post. Only a few days left!
A USA Today Best-Selling Author, Jen Turano has written the critically acclaimed Ladies of Distinction series, and A Class of Their Own series, published through Bethany House Publishers. Her novel, After a Fashion, was chosen as a top pick from Romantic Times, as
well as being named a top ten romance of 2015 from Booklist. It is also a nominee for Romantic Times 2015 Reviewers’ Choice Award. Her book, A Most Peculiar Circumstance, was chosen as a top ten romance by Booklist in 2013. Her seventh book, Playing the Part, released in the spring of 2016, and will be followed by a new four-book series, Apart from the Crowd. When she’s not writing, Jen spends her time outside of Denver with her husband and neurotic Cattle Dog, enjoying herself as an empty-nester since her son recently abandoned her for the college life. She can be found on Facebook or visit her on the web at www.jenturano.com. She is represented by the Natasha Kern Literary Agency.
You may be surprised to learn that I haven't read all of Jen's books. I have THREE left. But like Jody's, I love Jen's books SO.MUCH...that I am savoring them. I can only read them for the first time once after all. I discovered Jen's books with After a Fashion and have been enraptured ever since.
Click on the covers to learn more!
Ladies of Distinction
A Class of Their Own
Apart From the Crowd
Coming Soon!!!
Out of the Ordinary is the next book in Apart From the Crowd series and I can't wait!
Releases November 7, 2017
Miss Gertrude Cadwalader hoped her position as the paid companion to Mrs. Davenport would be easy. But as she becomes acquainted with her employer, she realizes the wealthy Mrs. Davenport has a strange tendency to be a bit light-fingered with other people’s trinkets. Gertrude is relieved when Mrs. Davenport decides to have a quiet summer away from the social scene–until the woman changes her mind in order to help a young socialite launch into society.
When Gertrude is caught in the act of trying to return one of the trinkets by Mrs. Sinclair, the mother of shipping magnate Harrison Sinclair, the woman jumps to an unfortunate conclusion. Harrison is determined to mend fences with Miss Cadwalader, but he’s unprepared for the escapades a friendship with her will entail.
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| So blessed by this amazing woman! |
There is NO doubt that Jen Turano is one of my very favorite people...EVER. She keeps trying to convince me that she is just an ordinary person...But I beg to differ. Her books are full of humour, faith, suspense, and quirky characters (both human and animal). I fell in love with Jen's books as soon as I began reading After a Fashion. The story and the style was like nothing I had ever read before. And then, I read In Good Company when my son had to be unexpectedly hospitalized. And I could not have chosen a better book to have with me.
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Rachael and I got the biggest surprise
having Jen show up at CFRR this yer! |
Jen is caring, generous, funny (imagine that), and yes she is a person too...an extraordinary person. A person that you want to have in your corner. A person that I love to hang out with and chat with. A person who has gone above and beyond in her books, and in her relationship with her readers. She is fabulous and I hope you all get a chance to read her books someday. I am blessed to know Jen and to call her my friend. I am so thankful she followed the direction God gave her to write the way she writes. And for kicks and giggles...I do LOVE sharing this photo...this is what my bookish friends have lovingly titled, "Rachel's Jen Turano Face". Because no matter how many times I talk to her, or see her face-to-face...My little nerd girl heart will be freaking out and flailing about....EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.
And now my friends, I am giving you a sneak peek into Jen's most recent book, Behind the Scenes.
March 1883 - New York City
"Pressing her nose against the glass of the carriage window, Miss Permilia Griswold felt her stomach begin to churn as she took note of the throngs of people lining Fifth Avenue. Even though darkness had descended over the city hours before, the lure of witnessing New York society trundling down the street in their fancy carriages, on their way to Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt’s costume ball, was apparently enough of a spectacle to keep people out and about on a chilly spring night. That her father’s carriage was still blocks away from their destination of 660 Fifth Avenue and yet crowds were pressed three deep in and around the sidewalk, gave clear testimony to the importance of this particular ball and to the interest New Yorkers had for its highest society members. Even though Permilia was included on the invitation list for the most important societal events in the city, she’d not grown up within the cosseted inner circles of society, which exactly explained why her stomach was churning. She was uncomfortable in social situations, had yet to master all the rules that went with being a member of New York society, and . . . “You’re fogging up the window, Permilia, which is obscuring my view and making all the people outside our carriage appear to be little more than ghosts wobbling about. It’s a most unnerving sight.”Tearing her attention away from a crowd she could see perfectly fine through the merest trace of fog on the window, Permilia settled it on her stepmother, Ida Griswold. “Forgive me, stepmother. That was most inconsiderate of me.”Turning back to the window, Permilia began swiping at the mist with a gloved hand, stopping midswipe when Ida suddenly took to tsking. “A
lady must never use her glove in such a common fashion,”Ida said, her words having Permilia’s hand dropping into her lap. “And”—Ida’s gaze swept over Permilia’s form—“you’ve taken to slouching again. On my word, if you’d simply remember to maintain a proper posture at all times, I’m quite certain you wouldn’t find yourself cast in the troubling role of wallflower season after season.”Swallowing the sigh she longed to emit, Permilia forced a smile instead. “Contrary to the prevalent thought of the day, I’m not a lady who feels as if my life has been ruined simply because I’ve obtained the somewhat undesirable label of wallflower.”“Of course your life has been ruined,”Ida countered. “You’re twenty-something years old, have never taken within society, nor have you ever attracted the devotion of a gentleman. Why, even your own stepsister doesn’t care to spend time in your company.”“I believe that has more to do with the fact that Lucy and I have nothing in common than my tendency to slouch upon occasion.”Permilia switched her gaze to her stepsister, Miss Lucy Webster, who was sitting ramrod straight on the seat opposite her, staunchly ignoring the conversation as she waved to the crowds gathered along the street." (Used with permission)
I have collaborated with all of these authors and I am so excited for this giveaway! I am giving away a box of FIVE books...All signed (one signed bookplate sticker) by the authors! I will also be including some bookish/reading items in the box of books, bookmarks, tea, chocolate, etc. Each "Blogiversary" post will have MORE options to enter to win, so make sure you check back. Today we are kicking it off pretty easy! Please enter via the Rafflecopter form below. If you are having difficulties please email me and we will get your name entered.
Jen Turano has contributed a SIGNED bookplate & copy of Behind the Scenes for the giveaway!
**ONE (1) Winner will be selected by Rafflecopter at the end of the giveaway**
Books provided for giveaway by the individual authors and myself. Books included: Just the Way You Are, The Lady and the Lionheart, The Illusionist's Apprentice, Newton & Polly, Behind the Scenes. I am not compensated for any portion of this giveaway. Some of the books were donated for the giveaway. Giveaway will run 8/1/17 - 9/1/17 at 12:00am PDT. Open internationally. Void where prohibited. Please see Policies and Disclosures for more information. *Bookish swag items subject to change*
This review is based on the audiobook edition of From this Moment which I borrowed from my local library. I did receive a complimentary PRINT copy of From this Moment. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
