Jen Turano : A Lesson in Propriety

 By Kelly Bridgewater

LESSON ONE: Stand in the way of the Windy City's criminal world and expect a most improper proposal from an eligible gentleman in return.

With her father dead, her fortune stolen, and her fiancé casting her aside, Miss Drusilla Merriweather's privileged life has been upended. She is left with only one option: to provide for her family by opening a finishing school in the allegedly haunted castle she's inherited from her eccentric aunt. However, her plan is immediately threatened by unscrupulous developers keen on claiming the coveted estate for themselves by any means necessary.

Mr. Rhenick Wittenbecker, a dashing architect with a tendency to charm his way out of trouble, is convinced he can protect Drusilla but is challenged by her fierce independence. Yet when strange occurrences--walking suits of armor and unexpected ghostly visitors--arise within the castle's grounds, Drusilla must decide whether to risk her family's safety and her school on the gallant architect who seems to have found his way into her heart.

Laugh-out-loud witty banter, swoon-worthy romance, and delightful mischief in the Gilded Age string together this entrancing series starter. Fans of clean romance, Christian fiction, and strong female characters will enjoy this read.

My Thoughts:

A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano was a wonderful jump into her new series. The first couple of chapters in a tea room really do not show any propriety in any way. I love the heroine, Druscilla. Right away, Turano shows her strength and allows the circumstance that is affecting her current life to make her a strong heroine. Readers will enjoy that another one of Turano's heroine does not really care what society or a man thinks. As a result of this, funny things happen to the heroine. Funny items like a herd of goats, a duck, and a bunch of ravens. I really love the setting in a castle alongside the Lake Michigan. When Turano has the heroine and her family and friend come to the castle, it really wrapped me in the mysterious element, and I couldn't wait to learn more about the setting and what is going on there. Of course, there is some romance to the plot with a neighboring man. While the heroine is a strong-willed woman, she comes to learn that not all men are horrible and allows her heart to open to the possibility of marriage. Overall, A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano is a rip-roaring fun of a novel in an abandoned castle. I honestly can't wait to continue this series and see how some of the unanswered questions are handled.

I received a complimentary copy of A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano through Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Jen Turano: Meeting Her Match

By Kelly Bridgewater

Miss Camilla Pierpont, a renowned matchmaker and influential member of the New York Four Hundred, has vowed never to marry after suffering a devastating heartbreak during her debut years ago. However, when she is nearly abducted along the Hudson River, she finds herself rescued by an annoyingly outspoken, albeit fascinating, gentleman who challenges her in a manner she wasn't expecting.

After learning that Camilla Pierpont has enjoyed success with taking wayward young ladies in hand, Mr. Owen Chesterfield travels to the Hudson River Valley determined to convince Camilla to sponsor his sister, who is in desperate need of social rehabilitation.

Knowing her life is in danger, Camilla agrees to Owen's proposition and travels with him to West Virginia, finding herself charmed by the less-than-formal attitude of his small hometown, as well as by Owen himself. But danger waits in the shadows, disrupting what she knows would be the most spectacular match she's ever made--her own.

 

My Thoughts:

I love Jen Turano’s stories. I have read all of them and enjoyed majority of them. However, Meeting Her Match was different than her previous series. It does fit well into her Matchmaking series. A lot of dialogue explaining the feelings and what has occurred in the past to convince Camila to help Owen’s sister become proper enough to enter society and be presented into the Four Hundred Society. There were funny moments with a pig, a dog, and a cat. There were funny moments with whitewashing a fence. I did enjoy the cast of characters in Owen's families. With their help, Camilia learned that what others think of you is not that important as what you think of yourself. Near the end of the novel, the action did pick up, and became more of what I expected from Turano’s stories. Speaking of the romance, Owen and Camila did not like each other and pretended to be betrothed to help his sister, but then of course, sparks began to fly, and the romance was off to the races. Overall, Meeting Her Match by Jen Turano captured the wild wealthy world of West Virginia and brought into falling literally into the world for the Four Hundred in New York City. I can’t wait to read her next series.

I received a complimentary copy of Meeting Her Match by Jen Turano from Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Jen Turano: To Spark a Match

 By Kelly Bridgewater

"Turano takes readers on a lighthearted romp through matchmaking season . . . . This is a delight."--Publishers Weekly on A Match in the Making

After five unsuccessful Seasons on the marriage mart, Miss Adelaide Duveen has resigned herself to the notion that she's destined to remain a spinster forever--a rather dismal prospect, but one that will allow her to concentrate on her darling cats and books. However, when she inadvertently stumbles upon Mr. Gideon Abbott engaged in a clandestine activity during a dinner party, Adelaide finds herself thrust into a world of intrigue that resembles the plots in the spy novels she devours.

Former intelligence agent Gideon Abbott feels responsible for Adelaide after society threatens to banish her because of the distraction she caused to save his investigation. Hoping to return the favor, he turns to a good friend--and one of high society's leaders--to take Adelaide in hand and turn her fashionable. When danger surrounds them and Adelaide finds herself a target of the criminals in Gideon's case, the spark of love between them threatens to be quenched for good--along with their lives.

 

My Thoughts:

To Spark a Match by Jen Turano carries a mystery wrapped in a matchmaking bow. The heroine, Adelaide, is a riot. She is always in a sticky situation especially when the hero, Gideon, is around. How so many odd situations happen to one person is beyond me. But Turano does a wonderful job at crafting a character with heart who honestly does not care what the Four Hundred think of her. Even when she is “accepted”, Adelaide does things like taking two wallflowers to sit at her table at a ball, that they usually frown upon. I love the idea of the bookstore and the trouble that it brings to the plot. Gideon, on the other hand, sparks with charm as he does not admit to himself that he actually finds Adelaide’s mishaps adorable. The setting is nicely handled. I would love to visit some of the remaining Four Hundred homes just to tour them and see them wrapped in nicely tuned history. Overall, Jen Turano crafted another novel in her romantic comedy style that features a funny heroine who always ends up in hilarious situations, but always the love of the two people always wins in the end. If readers are not familiar with Turano’s writing, then I highly suggest picking up any of her books.

I received a complimentary copy of To Spark by Match by Jen Turano from Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

Purchase To Spark a Match

Most Anticipated Historical Romance for Fall 2023

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Here are my Most Anticipated Historical Romance books that will be released from now until December 31, 2023. (All covers come from Goodreads.)

The Wings of  Poppy Pendelton by Melanie Dobson

The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky

Against the Wind by Amanda Cabot

Children of the Shadows by Erica Vetsch

The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt

To Spark a Match by Jen Turano

The Juliet Code by Pepper Basham

A Winter by  the Sea by Julie Klassen

What about you? Any other suggestions of novels that I should read?

Jen Turano: A Match in the Making

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Miss Gwendolyn Brinley accepted a temporary paid companion position for the Newport summer season, believing it would be a lark to spend the summer in America's most exclusive town. She suddenly finds her summer turning anything but amusing when her employer expects her to take over responsibilities as an assistant matchmaker. Tasked with the daunting prospect of attaining advantageous matches for her clients, Gwendolyn soon finds herself in the employ of Mr. Walter Townsend, the catch of the Season, but a gentleman Gwendolyn finds beyond irritating.

Walter Townsend is reluctantly in search of a wife for the sake of his unruly motherless children who cannot keep a governess for long. What he wasn't expecting was Miss Brinley, an amateur matchmaker who turns his quest for a new wife into a complete and utter debacle. Constantly besieged by society ladies on a mission to win his affection, Walter must find a way to overcome their inundating attention--and his unexpected attraction toward Gwendolyn.

The more time they spend together throughout the Newport Season, the harder it is for Gwendolyn to find Walter a wife when she realizes his perfect match might be . . . her.

 

My Thoughts:

A Match in the Making by Jen Turano features the Matchmaking unit during the Season in Newport beach. At first, the story centers around Gwendolyn who is trying to make something of her life. Walter and Gwendolyn meet and of course, butt heads right away. Plenty of moments that make you laugh. A near drowning experience. A horse. A Rat in a church. Turano does feature many fabulous moments that make her stories's comedic. The romance is not the top priority of the plot since Gwendolyn is hired to be the matchmaker, but circumstances occur that change that. The plot is a little dry at times, which I have never found in a Turano novel. Usually her stories have me flipping through the story at a rapid pace because I am so engrossed in the lives of the characters and the plot. Her writing style is nicely described and detailed. I have never been to Newport Beach, but it sounded lovely. I would love to see the old homes and learn more about their history. Overall, A Match in the Making by Jen Turano was a little slow to enter into the story, but I still will want this novel to join Turano's library of all her books.

I received a complimentary copy of A Match in the Making by Jen Turano through Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase A Match in the Making

About the Author:

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 books have earned Publisher Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. 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. She is represented by the Natasha Kern Literary Agency.

Booklover Characters

 Booklover Characters 

By Kelly Bridgewater

Being the month of love, I thought I would share about stories that feature heroines or heroes who share my love of the written word. (All images come from Goodreads.)

 The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham

 

To Write a Wrong by Jen Turano

 

Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden

Since I love to read, it is nice to share stories that have characters that love to read too. Do you know of any more that you would like to suggest that I enjoy?

Valentine’s Day – Book Titles with Love

 By Kelly Bridgewater 

Of course, it is Valentine’s Day again. Time to share titles that have to do with Love or a Heart since that was easier to find. (All images come from Goodreads.)

 Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

 

A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade

 

To Steal a Heart by Jen Turano

What about you? Think of any other titles that include "Love" or "Heart" in the title? Please list them below. 

 

Most Anticipated Historical Romance

 By Kelly Bridgewater

That time of year. I love showing covers that I can't wait to read and add to my collection. 

Today is the Most Anticipated Historical Romance covers that release from January 1, 2023 through April 30, 3023. (All images come from Goodreads!)

Hearts of Steel by Elizabeth Camden

A Match in the Making by Jen Turano

The Metropolitan Affair by Jocelyn Green

Vanishing at Castle Monreau by Jaime Jo Wright

Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem

Spotlight and Shadow by Rachel Scott McDaniel

The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham

What about you? Add anyting?

Jen Turano: To Disguise the Truth

 By Kelly Bridgewater

When a man arrives at the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, anxious to hire them to find a missing heiress, Eunice Holbrooke realizes her past has finally caught up with her . . . and that she may no longer be able to hide under the disguise that has kept her safe for so long.

Arthur Livingston's goal in life is to make his mark on the world as a mining industrialist, but after the man who could help him achieve his goal is murdered, Arthur feels compelled to seek justice for the family--but he's left with more questions than answers after the eccentric Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency refuses to take on his case.

Desperate to conceal her real identity and avoid the irritatingly handsome Arthur, Eunice takes on a different case that requires her to go deep undercover and entangles her in one troublesome situation after another. When other secrets come to light, Eunice has no choice but to confront her past, hopeful that it will set her free but knowing it could very well place her life--and the lives of those she loves--in jeopardy.

 

My Thoughts:

Heroines are brave, unique, and quirky in a Jen Turano's novel. Every time I read one of her novels, I do not think she can make the heroine any more outlandish, but she does. And I enjoy every minute of the story that Turano crafts for readers to devour. With her newest novel, To Disguise the Truth, Turano modeled a unique heroine who knows how to shoot a gun and box, which makes for some pretty interesting scenes where she needs to depend on these skills. If a reader is familiar with Turano's novels, she always pits her heroines up against the funniest foes and situations that make me laugh out loud. Once again, she does this a number of times in this novel, and I loved it. I can't imagine how she keeps coming up with ideas to put heroines in awkward situations. I love the mystery element of the story. A kind of Clue like aspect to the story. The romance was pretty typical of this time period. Of course, if a reader is familiar with Turano's past stories, then the romance should be no surprised. Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed To Disguise the Truth by Jen Turano and can't wait to get my hand on her next series.

I received a complimentary copy of To Disguise the Truth by Jen Turano from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Purchase To Disguise the Truth

Favorite Books of 2021

 By Kelly Bridgewater

I review A LOT. I read tons of books. Some good. Some okay. Some not so good. 

But some are some wonderful that I can not wait to toot their horn. 

Below are my favorite books of 2021:

(All images come from Goodreads.)

Secrets in the Mist by Morgan L. Busee

Dead Fall by Nancy Mehl

Silence the Siren by Michele Israel Harper

Curator's Daughter by Melanie Dobson

Chasing Shadows by Lynn Austin

No Journey Too Far by Carrie Turansky

The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham

To Write a Wrong by Jen Turano

Carved in Stone by Elizabeth Camden

Lost in Darkness by Michelle Griep

What about you? Have you read these books? If so, did you like them too? If you have not read them, please add them to your To Be Read Pile, you won't regret it. 

Most Anticipated: Spring Historical Romance 2022

 By Kelly Bridgewater

These books I can't wait to get my hands on and read. 

Today will reach the Historical Romance books that I can't wait to devour.

All images come from Goodreads.com

Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin

Twilight at Moorington Cross by Abigail Wilson

Drawn by the Current by Jocelyn Green

To Disguise the Truth by Jen Turano

The Letter from Briarton Park by Sarah E. Ladd

The Winter Rose by Melanie Dobson

High-Wire Heartbreak by Anna Schmidt

How about You? Anymore that you would add?

Jen Turano: To Write a Wrong

By Kelly Bridgewater

Miss Daphne Beckman is a mystery writer by day, inquiry agent by night. Known for her ability to puzzle out plots, she prefers working behind the scenes for the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, staying well away from danger. However, Daphne soon finds herself in the thick of an attempted murder case she's determined to solve.

Mr. Herman Henderson is also a mystery writer, but unlike the dashing heroes he pens, he lives a quiet life, determined to avoid the fate of his adventurous parents, who perished on an expedition when he was a child. But when he experiences numerous attempts on his life, he seeks out the services of the eccentric Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency to uncover the culprit. All too soon, Herman finds himself stepping out of the safe haven of his world and into an adventure he never imagined.

As the list of suspects grows and sinister plots are directed Daphne's way as well, Herman and Daphne must determine who they can trust and if they can risk the greatest adventure of all: love.

 

My Thoughts:

To Write a Wrong by Jen Turano is a funny novel. There were numerous moments where the characters were placed in a funny moment. There is a scene with an axe that made me giggle. Turano creates vivid, vibrant characters who jump off the page. None of her characters fit the typical norm for woman of this era, which I love. The characters are smart, funny, and charming. I love the heroine, Daphne, this time around. She was smart and a writer. I love how she works at the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency and writes mystery novels at the same time. Herman is a loving and sweet hero who finds the odd ball Daphne appealing and is drawn to her. Their romance story was sweet and kind. Overall, To Write a Wrong by Jen Turano is a delightful story that allows my imagination to flourish, and I really love the mystery element this time around. Highly recommend for readers of Turano’s other novels and historical romantic comedies.

I received a complimentary copy of  To Write a Wrong by Jen Turano from  Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Purchase To Write a Wrong 

Favorite Books of 2020

 By Kelly Bridgewater

It is one of my favorite post of the year. I love being able to share what books that I have read this year were my favorite novels. 

I know tons of authors who do this, so I love to share these titles with you too. (All images come from Goodreads!)

Without further ado, here is my favorite novels of 2020:

To Steal A Heart by Jen Turano

Soul Raging by Ronie Kendig

An Ivy Hill Christmas by Julie Klassen

The Price of Valor by Susan May Warren

The Heart of a Hero by Susan May Warren

The Story Hunter by Lindsay Franklin

Storing up Trouble by Jen Turano

The White Rose Resists by Amanda Barrett

Kings Falling by Ronie Kendig

What about you? Did you read any of these books in 2020? What was some of your favorite stories of 2020?