Playing the Part by Jen Turano | Review & Giveaway

Playing the Part by Jen Turano is a 352 page book in the Christian historical fiction genre.  It is published by Bethany House Publishers and was released on March 1, 2016.  To purchase your own copy, click here.

About the Book

Lucetta Plum is an actress on the rise in New York City, but is forced to abandon her starring role when a fan’s interest turns threatening. Lucinda’s widowed friend, Abigail Hart, is delighted at the opportunity to meddle in Lucetta’s life and promptly whisks her away to her grandson’s estate to hide out.

Bram Haverstein may appear to simply be a somewhat eccentric gentleman of means, but a mysterious career and a secret fascination with a certain actress mean there’s much more to him than society knows.

Lucetta, who has no interest in Abigail’s matchmaking machinations, has the best intentions of remaining cordial but coolly distant to Bram. But when she can’t ignore the strange and mysterious things going on in his house, it’ll take more than good intentions to keep her from trying to discover who Bram is behind the part he plays.

My Review

As always, Jen Turano lures me in with her witty characters, humorous schemes, and hilarious plots. Playing the Part is probably my favorite book in the A Class of Their Own series, and I'm glad Jen waited until the end to tell Lucetta's story.

Jen Turano went above and beyond with this story. Lucetta Plum is an awesome character. Her strength, humor, and wit make her one of my most favorite heroines. The fact that she is unconventional, like her dear, dear friends, is even better. I loved Bram. His "knight and shining armor" ideals are endearing. His charm and wit makes him a match for Lucetta in every way. The host of secondary characters add to the depth and hilarity of the story.

The message of the story was masterfully done. Both Bram and Lucetta had to overcome secrets and parts of their pasts. They had to learn that God orchestrated all things for their good. It's a message that we can always learn from. Overall, I loved, loved, loved this story. It was absolutely hilarious and I can't wait for more fantastic stories by Jen Turano.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the Celebrate Lit blogging program.*

About the Author

Jen Turano is the best-selling, critically acclaimed author ofThe 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, will release in the spring of 2016, followed by a new four-book series, The Wallflowers.  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 athttps://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor/ or visit her on the web at www.jenturano.com. She is represented by Susan Brower of the Natasha Kern Literary Agency. Her books may be found in most fine bookstores, or follow the Baker House Publishing link to find additional places to purchase her work.

Giveaway

Jen is graciously giving away an entire set of this series! Click on the link to enter!

https://promosimple.com/ps/937b

Blog Stops

Visit all the blogs on the tour!

March 16: cherylbbookblog

March 16: Book Reviews From an Avid Reader

March 17: Singing Librarian Books

March 17: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS

March 18: Bookworm Mama

March 19: Reading Is My SuperPower

March 19: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

March 20: Faith * Love * Books

March 21: A Greater Yes

March 21: Southern Chelle

March 22: Splashes of Joy

March 22: Daysong Reflections

March 23: Bigreadersite

March 23: Texas Book-aholic

March 24: 100 pages per hour

March 25: simpleharvestreads

March 25: Karen Krayons

March 26: Buwurmzzz

March 26: Cassandra M’s Place

March 27: Jeanette’s Thoughts

March 27: The Power of Words

March 28: Two Girls and a Book

Daughters of the Heart by Caryl McAddo

Overview: God’s perfect plan is sometimes so hard to determine. Gwendolyn, Cecelia, and the youngest, Bonnie, make a pact never to break their father’s heart like their big sister did. Then their determination is sorely tried when suitors show up, and he gets so pigheaded with his rules. Will Henry survive his daughters coming of age? Will they endure and keep their promises to each other?

From one man asking to court her—who Daddy sends packing—Gwen goes to three! How can she ever decide? Cecelia knows exactly who she wants, but she’s still a year away from Daddy’s acceptable courting age. What if her beau doesn’t know or won’t wait? And Bonnie hates being the baby and wants to be grown-up more than just about anything…except her man. She is for sure and for certain in love.

In his life, Henry Buckmeyer has never been so beside himself. His little girls are so young, just babies, too young. He hates the whole idea of men coming to take them away and is inclined to shoot every one of them, but praise God for a level-headed, loving wife and step-mother! She helps keep him sane amidst the female chaos. Packed with fun, romance, deception, action, heartbreak and tears, this delightful Christian novel keeps the twists and turns coming. Will the Buckmeyer home ever be settled and peaceful again? Will any of his daughters find true love…a man he'll approve and to whom he can give his blessing?

Link to purchase book: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1512273791 

My Review: I wanted so badly to like this book, but it just wasn't for me. After reading the description of this book, I thought I was going to love it. The plot didn't hold my attention. It was choppy and lacked in focus. There were some good points to the book. I loved how the family functioned as a whole. I loved Henry's love for his daughters and his wife and his protectiveness of all of them. The sibling rivalry was entertaining. Other than that, I didn't feel any real connection to any of the characters. There was no depth or growth. There were also a couple parts towards the end of the book that shocked me to even be mentioned in a Christian novel. Overall, as much as I wanted to enjoy this book, it fell short of my expectations. 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.*

Enter to win your own copy here!: http://celebratelit.com/daughters-of-the-heart-celebration-tour/

About the Author: Caryl, praying her story gives God glory, loves writing for Christian genres--historical and contemporary romance, Biblical fiction, and mid-grade especially. In 2014, Simon and Schuster debuted VOW UNBROKEN, a historical Christian romance set in 1832 Texas, and Caryl followed with three additional novels. In April, LADY LUCK'S A LOSER (contemporary, mature, inspirational romance) September's debut, HEARTS STOLEN (set in 1839-1844), book two of her historical Christian Texas Romances--a #1 Amazon Best-seller, and in November, A LITTLE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS, volume one of her new Biblical fiction series, The Generations--also an Amazon #1 Best-seller.

For every good blessing - including ten children (four by birth, six by marriage) and sixteen grandsugars - she gives God the glory. Caryl lives a country-life with Ron, her high school sweetheart husband of forty-seven years and two grandsons, in the woods a few miles south of Clarksville, Red River County seat, located in far Northeast Texas with two grandsons Christian (16) and Benjamen (13).