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Book Review - Diamond In The Rough by Jen Turano

12/5/2019

Genre:
Historical Romance

Diamond In The Rough
American Heiresses book 2
by Jen Turano

-From Goodreads-

When Miss Poppy Garrison accepts her grandmother's offer of financial help for her family in exchange for Poppy joining the New York social season, she quickly realizes she is far less equipped to mingle with the New York Four Hundred than even she knew. As she becomes embroiled in one hilarious fiasco after another, becoming the diamond of the first water her grandmother longs her to be looks more impossible by the day.

Reginald Blackburn, second son of a duke, is in New York to help his cousin find an American heiress who can help save his family's estate. But when his very proper British manners lead Poppy's grandmother to request he teach etiquette to Poppy, he quickly finds himself in for much more than he bargained for.

And while they couldn't be more opposite, Reginald and Poppy just might find they have more to teach each other than they ever could have expected.

ISBN-13: 9780764231681

She's taking New York, and him, by storm!

There are many adjectives that apply to a Jen Turano book. Delightful. Charming. Enchanting. Captivating. Fascinating. Engaging. Lovely. Scrumptious. All of these definitely apply to this Diamond In The Rough who, with the help of a certain English gentleman, is either going to turn into a diamond of the first water or a colossal disgrace during her first society season.

This Book received a 4.5 Bark rating.

Jen Turano

But, oh, Poppy's madcap adventures are so much fun! As is Reginald's amusing attempts to reign her in and save her from herself. I'd swear I say this with every new release, but it's true. Diamond In The Rough is probably my favorite Jen Turano book...so far...or at least until the next American Heiresses book comes out.

You really can't go wrong choosing to read a Jen Turano book. Whether you love historical romance or romantic comedy she's got you covered. The addition of a suspense thread to each book is icing on a very wonderful 'cake'! Diamond In The Rough is a definite must read in my book. What are you waiting for...?

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Diamond In The Rough by Jen Turano a 4.5 Bark rating.

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Book Review - Flights Of Fancy by Jen Turano

7/3/2019

Genre:
Historical Romance

Flights Of Fancy
American Heiresses book 1
by Jen Turano

-From Amazon-

Miss Isadora Delafield may be an heiress, but her life is far from carefree. When her mother begins pressuring her to marry an elderly and uncouth duke, she escapes from the high society world she's always known and finds herself to be an unlikely candidate for a housekeeper position in rural Pennsylvania.

Mr. Ian MacKenzie is known for his savvy business sense and has built his reputation and fortune completely on his own merits. But when his adopted parents are in need of a new housekeeper and Isadora is thrown into his path, he's unexpectedly charmed by her unconventional manner.

Neither Isadora nor Ian expected to find the other so intriguing, but when mysterious incidents on the farm and the truth of Isadora's secret threaten those they love, they'll have to set aside everything they thought they wanted for a chance at happy-ever-after.

ISBN-13: 978-0764231674

They want different things...or do they?

This Book received a 5 Bark rating.

Jen Turano

All I have to see is the name Jen Turano on the cover and I know that I am in for a charming, madcap, and perfectly delicious story. There will be plenty of romance, laugh-out-loud moments, and some of the most weirdly wonderful characters on the written page. There will also be the most delightful elements of suspense that really keep the story hopping. Without fail Jen Turano delivers a story that makes me laugh, think a little, and definitely happy that I've read it. Flights Of Fancy was no exception.

Flights Of Fancy is the first book in the American Heiresses series and it's a real winner. I was captivated by the characters, the setting, and the story, right off the bat. An enchantment that held through to the last page. Speaking of characters, there were a few very special ones that really captured my heart, besides the the heroine and hero, of course. The children were adorable as were Aunt Birdie and Uncle Amos, but, it was really Elmer, Buttercup, and Sparky that quite won me over. The book also features a generous dollop of suspense and one of Jen Turano's most despicable villains ever.

To say that I loved Flights Of Fancy would be a major understatement. This fun and funny book with its free-spirited characters and exceptional writing was a true delight and I simply can't wait for the next book in the series...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Flights Of Fancy by Jen Turano a 5 Bark rating.

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Goodreads 2019 Reading Challenge

6/25/2019

2019 Reading Challenge

Jasmine has completed her goal of reading 75 books in 2019!

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79 of 75 (100%)

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So, I completed my Goodreads 2019 Reading Challenge today! Well, actually it was more like almost a week ago, but... I wound up finishing 8 days earlier this year than last year. Not too bad, considering how busy I've been!

I am by no means done with reading for this year, couldn't stop even if I wanted to, which I don't, so check back at the end of the year to see my total stats for 2019 and whether I break last year's record of 163 total books logged into my Goodreads Reading Challenge.

2018 Stats

Goal: 75 books.
Started: January 1st
Completed: June 19th

Number of Books Ahead of Schedule: 40

Total Pages Read: 17,893

Fiction: 75 Non-Fiction: 0
Print Books: 44 E-Books: 31 Audiobooks: 0

First Book Completed (starting the challenge):
Flights Of Fancy by Jen Turano

Midway Book In The Challenge:
The Warrior Maiden by Melanie Dickerson

Final Book Completed (finishing the challenge):
Harbor Secrets by Melody Carlson

Longest Book (most pages):

Boxed Set
Wish Upon A Christmas Star by Kit Morgan, Allie Pleiter, Danielle Thorne, K.D. Garcia, Jessica L. Elliott,
Rachel A. Andersen. 682 pages.

Single Book
The Coffee Club Mysteries by Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Elizabeth Ludwig, Dana Mentink,
Candice Prentice, Janice Thompson. 448 pages.

Oldest Book:
The Cherokee Trail by Louis L'Amour
(1982)

Newest Book:
Wander Canyon Courtship
(July 1st, 2019)

This one isn't even released yet!

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2019 Birthday Celebration - Flights Of Fancy Q&A with Jen Turano + Giveaway

2/1/2019

27 Comments

ISBN-13: 978-0764231674

Q&A with Jen Turano about her
new book Flights Of Fancy

What was the inspiration for this book?
I got the idea for the whole series after reading “ The Glitter and the Gold” by Consuelo Vanderbilt Balson. Consuelo was the daughter of Alva Vanderbilt – Alva’s ball being the inspiration behind my book, “Behind the Scenes,” and after I was finished with Consuelo’s book, I couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened to her if she’d balked when her mother insisted she marry the Duke of Marlborough in 1895. Consuelo and the duke were hardly suited to each other, and in fact, both of them were in love with other people, but they married anyway and lived a less than pleasant life with each other until they finally divorced. That got me to thinking about all sorts of ‘What if’ scenarios, and before I knew it, the American Heiress series was born with Miss Isadora Delafield getting the first story in the series.

Consuelo Vanderbilt Balson

How did you name your characters?
I found Isadora in an obituary notice from the 1800’s, while getting Delafield from one of my books about the New York Four Hundred. Ian was a little trickier. At first, he was going to be a Duncan, but he apparently didn’t want to be Duncan, so after trying at least thirty different names (and by trying, I mean I write the name into the scenes, and then write for about a chapter before they let me know whether it’s a go or not) Ian finally seemed to work, and then I got MacKenzie from an obscure research paper – “Memoirs of Allegany County.” The character Birdie was one that really gave me trouble. I knew who she was, but all of my attempts at naming her weren’t working until…I ran across this woman on the trail while I was walking. She was walking her dog, a darling beast of a mutt that certainly seemed as if he wanted to bite me since he was growling and showing his teeth. The woman was convinced her dog simply adored me, and while she was trying to get me to pet her little killer, she told me her name was Birdie, and even though I was not, as in ever, going to give in to her wishes and pet her dog, I had my name for my character and…I got away from Birdie with all of my limbs intact.

For the Heroine – Miss Isadora Delafield
What one piece of advice would you like to give readers?
Never trust a chicken no matter how adorable they may appear.
They can be tricky creatures and one never knows when they may decide to attack.

For the Hero – Mr. Ian MacKenzie
What is your greatest strength and greatest flaw?
I would think my greatest strength would be my ability to spot a great investment. As for my greatest flaw, well, according to my Aunt Birdie, that would be looking for a wife who can improve my social connections which will
increase my standing in the business world. She thinks I need to find a lady who understands me and will want to
be with me for me and not for the fortune I’ve managed to obtain, but I’m convinced my aunt is wrong about that.

Tell us something interesting that happened involving this book.
Hmmm…that’s a tricky one – but…okay, I have it now. I decided to set part of this book in Pittsburgh because my mom was born around Pittsburgh but she didn’t grow up there because her dad, my grandfather, died when she was only four. He was a prominent attorney but I never really knew much about him because, again, he died before my mom really had a chance to know him and then her mom remarried and life goes on. Anyway, as I was looking for some research material, I stumbled on this “Memoirs Of Allegany County” and get this – I found a piece written about my great-grandfather, Fred Gerdts. I had no idea he’d originally owned a grocery store before his store burned down and he went into real estate, or that, besides my grandfather and great-aunt, my great-grandparents had another son – one I’d never heard about because he apparently died relatively young. Fascinating glimpse into my family tree that I certainly wasn’t expecting to find while doing book research.

What is the craziest things you’ve done in the name of research?
Most of my research involves me and the research librarians at my local library, although I have traveled to all of the places I’ve set my stories in. This summer was somewhat amusing as pertains to research. I’d gone back to my hometown for a high school reunion – stayed with one of my oldest friends, and while we were out and about, I had her stop at this old one-room schoolhouse – I’ve passed that school thousands of times over the years and never thought to stop – it was great – and get this, as I hiked over this dirt road, I found another ramshackle building, plants growing all over it, but I found a plaque with a faded picture on it, showing that this building had been a big draw on route 40 for people driving across the country and had been some sort of tavern/inn. I had no idea – My girlfriend was slightly taken aback about how enthusiastic I was about finding that crumbling building – and if I’m recalling correctly, after I badgered her into going to The Frick museum with me when she took me back to Pittsburgh to catch a flight to my next destination, she might have asked me when it was that I turned into such a history nerd. I can understand why she’d be so curious about that since I do tend to go a bit crazy with the research these days, a habit I certainly didn’t have in my younger years. However, I have to say that this friend of mine might be turning a bit nerdy as well since she decided that the museum wasn’t so bad after all and she did ask me a few questions about that tavern I found.

What’s coming up next for you?
Coming out later in 2019 will be the second book in the American Heiress Series, “Diamond in the Rough.” It’s Miss Poppy Garrison’s story and I do believe it’s rather amusing. I’ll also be in a novella collection about the Harvey Girls, coming out in Fall 2019, and then the last book in the American Heiress series will release in 2020, but it’s currently untitled as well as…not written.

Thanks for stopping in to visit. Happy Reading Everyone!!!!

-Jen-

Jen Turano

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.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Jen Turano is generously giving
away a print copy of Flights Of Fancy.

USA Only

27 Comments

2018 Favorites (Print)

1/6/2019

Favorite Print Books From 2018

Here is a list of Tell Tale Book Reviews' favorite books read and reviewed in 2018.
You can find all of these reviews and many more by visiting our Book Review List page

2018 Reviews

Fiction

Isaiah's Daughter

Lone Star
Christmas Witness

The Innkeeper's
Daughter

Mind Games

Lady Of A Thousand Treasures

A Rumored Fortune

Beneath The
Surface

The Reckoning At
Gossamer Pond

Caught By
Surprise

A Sparkle
Of Silver

The Great Lakes
Lighthouse Brides
Collection

A Light On
The Hill

Top Secret Target

Dead Drift

Kappy King And
The Pie Kaper

My Heart Belongs
In Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Fugitive Spy

The Backcountry
Brides Collection

The Amish Quilter

Flaw Abiding
Citizen

Amish Christmas
Emergency

Who I Am With You

A Refuge Assured

A Secret
To Die For

The Sea Before Us

Secular Fiction

The Key-Lock Man

The Secret Of
Mirror Bay

My Brother Michael

Non-Fiction

Staying Stylish

The Three Faces
Of Nellie

Joy To The World
Adult Coloring Book

We are excited to start reading and reviewing in the
new year and hope you will be joining us for...

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Book Review - Caught By Surprise by Jen Turano

12/31/2018

Genre:
Historical Romance / Romantic Comedy

Caught By Surprise
Apart From The Crowd book 3
by Jen Turano

-From Amazon-

Miss Temperance Flowerdew is on her way to work when a stranger suddenly grabs her off the street and sends her on a Chicago-bound train before she can figure out what happened.

When Mr. Gilbert Cavendish is called upon to rescue a missing woman, he follows the trail to Chicago only to discover that the woman is his good friend Temperance. Before they can discover who was behind the abduction, they're seen alone together by a New York society matron, putting their reputations at risk.

Gilbert is willing to propose marriage--except Temperance will have none of it. She's finally stepped out of the shadow of her relations and won't give up her independence. But when it becomes clear the misunderstanding in Chicago has escalated into a threat on her life and followed her to New York, accepting Gilbert's help in solving the mystery may lead to more than she ever could have dreamed.

ISBN-13: 978-0764217968

An utterly charming and delightful book!

I'm in love with another Jen Turano book! I just can't help it! Each book seems to get better and better! And it only takes one glance at the front to see why it is my favorite cover from all of the lovely ones from this series and earlier ones.

This Book received a 5 Bark rating.

Jen Turano

Caught By Surprise is a completely delightful blend of romance, comedy, history, and suspense. I have to confess that it took me a little bit to warm up to Mr. Gilbert Cavendish, he is SUCH a stuffed shirt! However, I loved the surprising and whimsical Miss Temperance Flowerdew from the start.

With a cast of characters who are charming, quirky, villainous, and NEVER what you expect, Jen Turano's conclusion to her irresistible Apart From The Crowd series is sure to enchant any reader. Caught By Surprise more than lives up to its title, featuring many laugh-out-loud moments, and even a few poignant ones, quite a few surprises all around, and a perfectly wonderful Happy ending...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Caught By Surprise by Jen Turano a 5 bark rating.

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Interview with Jen Turano + Giveaway

9/26/2018

17 Comments

Caught By Surprise
Apart From The Crowd book 3
by Jen Turano

ISBN-13: 978-0764217968

with author
Jen Turano

Coffee or Tea?
Now you would think this would not be a difficult question, but here’s the thing – I love to have one cup of coffee in the morning when I get up, nothing else will do, although it’s more on the lines of drinking a touch of coffee with my creamer. But then, throughout the day, I enjoy iced-green tea.

Print or E-reader?
Definitely print. I’m always losing my e-reader, and then there’s the pesky notion that since I’m working on my computer for far too many hours at a time, by the time I settle down at night to read, I enjoy not looking at a screen.

Cake or Cookies?
Cake, although I don’t like icing, and I don’t eat chocolate because it gives me a headache.

Green or Pink?
Green – but the color of freshly-cut grass green.

Early Bird or Night Owl?
Early bird – I get up at five every morning, but by nine p.m., I’m beat. That changes on the weekends. Al (husband person) and I do enjoy going out with our friends, and we do stay out late. I can normally only sleep in until seven though – which is weird, but there you have it.

Historical or Suspense?
Since I write historical, I actually read a lot more suspense. I definitely can’t read historical when I’m writing a first draft because I tend to mimic what I’m reading – although reading suspense can mess me up as well – I once included a serial killer in one of my madcap adventures. My editor was like…”Ah, nope.”

Mountains or Beach?
Because I live right by the Rocky Mountains, have a great view of them from my deck, I’m going to say beach – I’m very landlocked right now and I do miss the water.

Cats or Dogs?
Dogs – and I love Australian Cattle Dogs.

Introvert or Extrovert?
Mostly extrovert, but there are times when I prefer to be by myself and not talk to anyone – that doesn’t happen often these days, though, what with how much time I have to spend by myself in order to write.

Thank you so much for having me, Jasmine. Always a pleasure to visit with you!

All the best,
~ Jen ~

Jen Turano

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Jen Turano is generously giving away
a Print copy of Caught By Surprise
USA ONLY

17 Comments

Book Review - Out Of The Ordinary by Jen Turano

5/1/2018

Genre:
Historical / Romantic Comedy

Out Of The Ordinary
Apart From The Crowd book 2
by Jen Turano

-From Amazon-

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.

ISBN-13: 978-0764217951

Readers are in for a scrumptious book treat!

Delightful. Charming. Witty. Wonderful. All are words that describe a Jen Turano novel, in fact I'm sure that somewhere in their dictionary definitions you will find her listed as an example. Am I gushing a bit? Probably. I've been a fan since her second book and that enjoyment is only sealed with each new release.

This Book received a 4.5 Bark rating.

Jen Turano

Out Of The Ordinary more than lived up to expectation! I mean, how could you go wrong starting out with a mishap related to a bustle made from a birdcage?! It's madcap adventures and great fun from there on! There were also some poignant moments where characters come to terms with mistakes of the past and finding forgiveness.

If romantic comedy is your thing, you enjoy reading about the Gilded Age, or you just want a fun escape that will make you laugh out loud, you should really give Jen Turano's Apart From The Crowd series, and especially Out Of The Ordinary, a whirl!

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Out Of The Ordinary by Jen Turano 4.5 Bark rating.

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2018 Birthday Celebration - Interview with Jen Turano + Giveaway

2/1/2018

31 Comments

Out Of The Ordinary
Apart From The Crowd book 2
by Jen Turano

Rollicking New Release from Humorous Historical Romance Author Jen Turano

ISBN-13: 978-0764217951

with author Jen Turano

1. How did you become a writer?
Quite by accident. Curiously enough, it was never my dream to become a writer. My entire family leans more toward science careers, and even though I’ve always been different, it never entered my head to pursue a career in the arts. My father was convinced I should get a degree in medicine, but after observing a surgical procedure, which was downright frightening, and then turning to radiology where, well, let me just say that seeing an enema go horribly, horribly wrong is not something I’ll ever forget, I knew medicine was not for me. My parents were somewhat appalled when I decided to enter the fashion world, but then, after I had my son, I decided I was not going win any Mother of the Year awards if I was traveling all the time, so I abandoned my career and became a stay-at-home mom. After my son and I read this awful series when he was in the third grade, (and I’ve never told him the 6th book wasn’t exactly the end – it continues on for a good seven or more books) we decided to write our own book. It was a blast, and after writing that book with him, and no, it never got published because it was also awful, I realized that I enjoyed using my brain again, so started writing stories when I wasn’t doing mom stuff. It took me a few years to perfect my craft enough to where I landed an agent, and then she very kindly went out and sold “A Change of Fortune.” I’ve been writing ever since.

2. Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I’m more of a hybrid. I plan out five chapters at a time, but there’s no guarantee my characters are going to cooperate with those plans. I normally make it through at least three planned chapters before they begin to run amok, and then, well, I either go along with what they want or put up a battle. – they normally win in the end.

3. How long does it take for you to finish writing a book?
It normally takes me about four months. Mixed in are always edits of books I’ve turned in, and then my schedule gets really wacky when I have a release, which puts writing on the back burner for a while. After I turn in a book, though, I know I’ll be receiving content edits. I get those from my editing team and they concern things like character development, pacing, and occasionally, questions regarding whether or not I’ve finally lost my mind. After taking a week to let those suggestions fester, I normally end up rewriting a good portion of the book – a process that takes about six weeks. After that, I’m pretty much done. I get two sets of galleys which I read through about four times each, and then I’m done with the book forever.

4. What do you do to inspire creativity?
I read a ton of non-fiction books about the Gilded Age. I get a lot of fodder from those, as well as get ideas from newspapers from the 1880’s. I recently discovered a fascinating book about orphanages in Pittsburgh during the turn of the century. Because of that book, I was able to add a twist to the lives of the orphans who show up in my latest series.

5. What part of the writing process do you like the least?
First drafts. I loathe them. There are just so many blank pages to fill. After I get to The End for the first time, and then go back and start editing, I’m in a much better frame of mind. Until that point, though, I’m a little neurotic – convince myself time after time I’m a total hack and should just go back to fashion.

6. How do you choose your character names?
Contrary to popular belief, I don’t make up those names. I find them in old census records, old obituaries, and on the pages of the research books I read, especially the books centered around the New York Four Hundred. I can only use names, though, if the characters agree. I can’t tell you how many times I think I’ve found the perfect name, and then, two chapters in the character balks and I have to try something else. In my latest draft, the hero has been Collin, Ean, Duncan, Ian, Collum, and now he’s back to Ian. Not sure that’s still going to stick, but here’s hoping it does because I’m running out of names.

7. What part of the writing process do you like the most?
When I turn in the very last galley and know the book is out of my hands forever ?

Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Jasmine. It’s always a pleasure visiting with you, and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the support you’ve given me over the years!

God Bless!
- Jen -

Jen Turano

Named One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today Best-Selling Author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her ninth full-length novel, “Out of the Ordinary” released in November 2017. Her next novel, “Caught by Surprise,” releases in July 2018. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. When she’s not writing, she spends her time outside of Denver, CO.

She can be found on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor/
or visit her on the web at www.jenturano.com.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Jen Turano
is graciously giving away a Print copy of her novel
Out Of The Ordinary

USA Only

31 Comments

2017 Favorites (Print)

1/1/2018