Fun story -- Behind the Scenes (includes GIVEAWAY)

Jen Turano takes her readers on a fun journey into high society of the Gilded Age in Behind the Scenes.

The mis-adventures of Miss Permilia Griswold keep the story hopping at an entertaining pace. She has an amazing ability to get herself into all kinds of embarrassing and dangerous situations, much to the chagrin of her society-minded step-mother and step-sister. And without really planning to do so, she manages to bring Mr. Asher Rutherford, one of the most eligible bachelors in New York's society circle, along with her.

Permilia’s antics, fascinating as they are, could not complete the story without the help of a lively secondary cast of characters. The ladies and gentlemen of society, the wallflowers, the has-beens, the wanna-bes, the don't wanna-bes but thrust into society anyway all play important parts in the story. A roll call of the rich and famous includes a list of names that I found entertaining in and of themselves. And the rules and expectations of their activities and dress are fascinating details of the story. Even the scenes involving life-and-death danger manage to bring at least a smile, if not a chuckle, from the reader.

Behind the Scenes is a fabulous mix of fun, romance, danger, and intrigue that fans of great inspirational historical fiction should find a delight to read.  I am looking forward to the next story in this amusing series, due later this year.

Thanks to Celebrate Lit for providing a copy of this book.  I was pleased to share my own thoughts in this voluntary review.

About the Book:

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. . . .

Click here to buy a copy of the book.

About the Author:  

Jen Turano, author of nine books and two novellas, is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in clothing and textiles. She is a member of ACFW and lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. Visit her website at www.jenturano.com.

Check out reviews from other readers and a fun author interview by visiting the Tour Page.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jen is giving away a $25 Barnes and Noble Gift Card and the four books: After a Fashion, In Good Company, Playing the Part, Behind the Scenes!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!  http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4664b04910/

Captivating Amish story -- The Ebb Tide

Beverly Lewis's latest is another great Amish novel from one of the masters of the genre.  The Ebb Tide is a captivating story of a young Amish woman whose dreams have boundaries farther away than her community's lifestyle is likely to allow her to reach.

The characters and the challenges they face are complex and realistic.  The conflicts that Sallie face both within and without keep the story moving at a very engaging pace.  And there are real-life issues faced by other characters that add to the flow and  enjoyment of the story.

Beverly's descriptions of the setting are fantastic.  I found myself feeling like I was right there enjoying the sights and sounds of the ocean.

Thanks to Bethany House for providing a copy of the book.  I was delighted to voluntarily share my own thoughts in this review.

About the Book:

Oh, to see the ocean, Sallie thought. And to spend the summer as a nanny. She shook her head in amazement. This seemed too good to be true, but she really must talk it over with Dat and Mamm, especially since she'd be gone so long. 

And after I promised Mamm I'd take baptism classes this summer . . .

Sallie Riehl has dreamed of traveling at least once before settling down to join church, so she is thrilled at an unexpected summer opportunity to nanny in Cape May for a well-to-do family. However, saying even a temporary good-bye to Paradise Township means forgoing baptism another year, as well as leaving behind a would-be beau. Yet the weeks in Cape May soon prove unforgettable as Sallie meets a Mennonite young man whose friendship she quickly begins to cherish. Has she been too hasty with her promises, or will she only find what her heart is longing for back home?

About the Author:

Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, has more than 17 million books in print. Her stories have been published in twelve languages and have regularly appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including the New York Times and USA Today. Beverly and her husband, David, live in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, making music, and spending time with their family. Learn more at www.beverlylewis.com.

Moving love story -- You'll Think of Me

Robin Lee Hatcher's You'll Think of Me is a moving love story, but it is also so much more. 

Brooklyn and Derek each have many challenges from their past to overcome.  Brooklyn must learn to trust, not an easy thing for her after a history of multiple rejections.  She is primarily focused on providing a better life for her young daughter, mostly in her own strength, leaving little room in her future for any romantic involvement.  Derek has to overcome some past perceptions and present disappointments that threaten his plans for the future before opening himself to the possibility of a serious relationship.

Robin has created characters with real-life issues that many readers can identify with.  Loss, rejection, and emptiness are dealt with through kindness, love, and faith to make a beautiful story that was a joy to read.

At the end of the book, the author adds a note and an excerpt from a paper she wrote a few years ago relative to one of the important themes of the story -- "daddyless daughters."  Her personal story and informative message add an element that takes your thinking past just the pleasure of another good story.

I highly recommend this story to anyone interested in a heartwarming story of what can be when love is given a chance.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers for providing a copy of You'll Think of Me.  I was delighted to express my own thoughts through this review.


About the Book:

Her mother abandoned her, her father disowned her, and her husband left her. Can Brooklyn be convinced that it is possible to forgive the greatest of betrayals?

Brooklyn Myers escaped her broken home and her embittered, unloving father by eloping to Reno at the age of 17. But when she was pregnant with their first child, her husband abandoned her as well. Not welcome back home in Thunder Creek, Brooklyn stayed in Reno and raised her daughter Alycia on her own, doing her best to make sure Alycia never knew the heartache and rejection Brooklyn herself had known.

When her estranged husband Chad Hallston dies, he leaves the family home in Thunder Creek to his daughter. Believing it is the best way to give her daughter a stable home, Brooklyn does what she thought she would never do. She goes home to the orchard and wine country of Southwest Idaho. There, she encounters Chad’s best friend, Derek Johnson, a part time sheriff's deputy who also owns an organic produce farm next door. Derek was never a fan of former bad girl Brooklyn Myers, but he made a promise to his dying friend that he would be the father to Alycia that Chad had never been.

Although Derek and Brooklyn get off to a bumpy start, he and Alycia quickly form a bond. And soon, Derek realizes that he wants Brooklyn to trust him too . . . even knowing that her trust won’t come easily. And then he realizes he wants even more than her trust. He wants to win her love.

While Brooklyn may be tempted to give her heart to Derek, risking her daughter’s happiness is another story. Will Brooklyn hold onto her self-reliance for dear life, or will she come to understand that the greatest gift she can give her daughter is showing her how to love and trust others?

 About the Author:

Bestselling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. The recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from both RWA and ACFW and winner of the Christy, RITA, and numerous other awards, Robin has authored over 75 books. She and her husband make their home in Idaho where she enjoys spending time with her family, her high-maintenance Papillon, Poppet, and Princess Pinky, the DC (demon cat). For more information, visit www.robinleehatcher.com, Facebook: robinleehatcher, Twitter: @robinleehatcher