Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano

Out of the Ordinary

Apart From The Crowd #2
Bethany House, A Baker Publishing Group
November 2017
9780764217951

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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My Review: I was so, so, so, so, SO excited when this story came out! I have been eagerly awaiting Gertrude's story since I was introduced to her in the first book, Behind the Scenes. It was everything I imagined it would be and more!

Gertrude's life with Mrs. Davenport is never dull. Gertrude is smart and funny. Her willingness to assist Mrs. Davenport in her many crazy endevears with fashion is most amusing. Harrison Sinclair is a strong male character. He is sure of himself and doesn't care what people think about him (or his crazy fashion sense). Their friendship is endearing. I love how clueless they both are about their feelings for each other. Watching them discover themselves and each other was sweet and amusing (as is Jen's customary style).

The message of the book is clear. As Gertrude and the others discover throughout the book, "God doesn't expect His children to live ordinary lives, but extraordinary ones." She also learned that you have to be "willing to give up living an ordinary life" and hand it over to God who can make that life extraordinary if we trust Him with it.

Overall, Jen Turano delivers another hilarious adventure, full of faith, fun, and a little romance. I highly recommend this book to anyone to loves a good clean book that will have you laughing til the very end.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.*

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 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. Her books may be found in fine bookstores, or follow the Baker House Publishing link to find additional places to purchase her work – http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/authors/jen-turano/1761

Behind The Scenes by Jen Turano

Behind the Scenes

Apart from the Crowd, #1
Bethany House, Baker Publishing Group
April 2017
9780764217944

Start of a Delightful New Series from Historical Romance Author Jen Turano

Miss Permilia Griswold may have been given the opportunity of a debut into New York high society, but no one warned her she wasn’t guaranteed to “take.” After spending the last six years banished to the wallflower section of the ballroom, she’s finally putting her status on the fringes of society to good use by penning anonymous society gossip columns under the pseudonym “Miss Quill.”

Mr. Asher Rutherford has managed to maintain his status as a reputable gentleman of society despite opening his own department store. While pretending it’s simply a lark to fill his time, he has quite legitimate reasons for needing to make his store the most successful in the country.

When Permilia overhears a threat against the estimable Mr. Rutherford, she’s determined to find and warn the man. Disgruntled at a first meeting that goes quite poorly and results in Asher not believing her, she decides to take matters into her own hands, never realizing she’ll end up at risk as well.

As Asher and Permilia are forced to work together and spend time away from the spotlight of society, perhaps there’s more going on behind the scenes than they ever could have anticipated. . . .

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My Review: This was such a delightfully refreshing read. I was intrigued with the “wallflower” aspect of the story since we don’t often get to read stories regarding ladies on the fringe of society. With Jen Turano’s customary wit, hilarious dialogue, and daring plot lines, this book is sure to please all of her fans.

The characters were so different from any that I’ve read in her previous novels. Permilia Griswold is not what one would consider a “high society miss.” Her charm lies within the fact that she knows she’s not ever going to attain a proper lady status, and she doesn’t care. I also liked Asher Rutherford immediately. He is different from any of her other heros, but just as charming and endearing. Their courtship follows what Jen is known for and is extremely entertaining. The ending took me by surprise, though! (I won’t spoil it for you, don’t worry!)

Sprinkled liberally with a message of God’s will and timing, this book is entertaining from beginning to end. I highly recommend it to any of Jen’s fans, and anyone who enjoys a light-hearted, hilarious historical Christian romance.

(P.S. I can’t wait until November for Gertrude’s story!)

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 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. Her books may be found in fine bookstores, or follow the Baker House Publishing link to find additional places to purchase her work – http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/authors/jen-turano/1761