I’m chatting with the lovely Jen Turano today. I’ve had the pleasure of catching up with Jen a couple of times at ACFW, and just like her books, hilarity follows her đ Today she talks tacos, titling novels, and a guy called Rupert! Be sure to enter the giveaway below.
The Writer
Please describe yourself in three words (ask your best friend or family if you are struggling!)
Chatty, opinionated, practical
Whatâs your favourite season, and why?
Fall â I like the cooler nights, changing colors, and pumpkins.
What is the best part of your day?
Mornings. Thatâs when Iâm most productive.
What do you miss most about your childhood?
Lack of responsibilitiesđ
Which TV talk show host would you like to be interviewed by? Why?
I shudder at the very idea of being on a talk show.
You are at a fruit market â what do you reach for first?
Iâm not a fruit person, more a vegetable-type of girl, but at our local fruit/farmerâs market, we have a lot of different vendors, so I always head for the one selling tacos.
What was the first Christian Fiction novel you read?
Julie Klassen â âThe Silent Governess.â
What is one author and/or book you always recommend?
Elizabeth Camden, âAgainst the Tide.â
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. . . .
What was the working title?
Book One â and the reason behind that is this â Iâm horrible with titles, so to avoid muddying the waters with my paltry attempts, I donât even try these days. My editor is so much better at titles. For example â one of my books I came up with âUnexpected Love.â She came up with âA Most Peculiar Circumstance.â Enough said.
Which character took you by surprise?
There were two characters I wasnât expecting to become such a large part of the book, or the series for that matter. Miss Henrietta Huxley, and her sister, Miss Mabel Huxley. Those two ladies just took on a life of their own, and even have a somewhat substantial role in the third book in the series, a book Iâm working on right now.
What was the latest you stayed up working on this story?
I only stay up late when my husband is out of town on business because I just get so much writing done and donât have to worry about keeping him up since I tend to talk out loud when Iâm writing. For this book, I think I stayed up until about 1:00 am for the week he was gone. I never go much past that time, though, because I wake up early no matter what time I go to bed.
Which characterâs name was the hardest to choose? Why?
Asher Rutherford â he started out as a Rupert, but no matter how I tried to make that name work, it simply wouldnât because he didnât want to be a Rupert. So, I tried about twelve other names, but it wasnât until I began using Asher that the character stopped balking. I then took the name Rupert and used it for Mr. Harrison Sinclairâs horse. The horse didnât balk in the least.
Whatâs something that didnât make it into the final copy?
My original first chapter. I usually know the first sentence of the book before I begin writing it. However, with this book, my first attempt started the story with Miss Permilia Griswold already at the ball and eavesdropping on a group of young ladies. Unfortunately, that forced me to include a lot of backstory which just weighs everything down and makes the story rather dull. So, I backed up the timeline, had her arriving at Alva Vanderbiltâs ball in a carriage, which fixed the problem and put the reader in a position to experience the excitement of that ball from the moment Permilia steps foot onto a red carpet.
Thanks Jen – always a delight to have you visit!
A USA Today Best-Selling Author, Jen Turano is known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. When sheâs not writing, Jen spends her time roaming around Denver with her husband and friends. 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.
Relz Reviewz Extras
All things Turano @ Relz Reviewz
Visit Jenâs website and blog
Buy at Amazon: Behind the Scenes or Koorong
May 31, 2017 at 8:54 pm
Spring and Fall are my favorite seasons. I love the changing of the colors and the not too hot, not too cold temperatures đ
Thanks for this giveaway opportunity!
May 31, 2017 at 9:24 pm
Fall is by far my favorite season too. After a hot summer, crisp and cool air in the fall is so refreshing.
May 31, 2017 at 11:06 pm
Bring on the sunshine and summer time!
June 1, 2017 at 12:51 am
Any season but summer!
June 1, 2017 at 3:09 am
Whichever season is coming–the cool and colors of Fall are more and more appealing as summer progresses; by the time the leaves are gone, I need winter to pretty up the landscape. By the end of winter I have horrific cabin fever and need spring. By the end of spring, I’m itching to get in the garden and watch things grow. But then the heat gets to me and I want fall . . . And so it goes.
June 1, 2017 at 4:37 am
I love Fall season, much cooler that time of year and all my favorite holidays đ Great interview, thanks for the giveaway! Have read and loved ALL of Jen’s books, they always make me laugh and they have such witty dialogue!! Blessings đ
June 1, 2017 at 9:19 am
I like spring, because of the flowers and warmer weather. Jen Turano’s books are such FUN to read. Behind the Scenes is terrific; I love the characters.Thanks for this interview with her and also for the giveaway. Fortunately, I already have the book so I won’t enter this time.
June 1, 2017 at 11:15 am
my favorite season is spring. watching all the flowers and plants come back. seeing all the birds and babies come to the area. even the rain is wonderful because of what it does to everything. things are so clean and fresh
June 1, 2017 at 12:50 pm
I live in Texas so I love the fall and winter even though I am not a true winter person!
June 1, 2017 at 2:14 pm
Summer is my favorite season. I’m a teacher, and I have 2 months off!
June 1, 2017 at 3:16 pm
I live in Utah and I love the different seasons. I enjoy spring and fall the most, because the weather is milder. I love the trees and flowers budding and blossoming in the spring and the colors in the fall.
June 2, 2017 at 5:17 am
Spring is my favorite season. It’s so full of color and new life.
June 2, 2017 at 7:43 am
Spring! WI winters are horrid. It’s wonderful to finally have a thaw and flowers!
June 2, 2017 at 8:04 am
I love everything FALL…
Cool weather
Sweaters
Boots
Scarves
Colors
Smells
Bonfires
What’s not to love?
June 2, 2017 at 8:54 am
My favorite seasons are Spring and Fall. The weather is not too cold or hot and both seasons are full of color.
June 2, 2017 at 8:56 am
I would have to agree with Jen. Fall is my favorite season. I love the changing colors and the nice temperatures. Thanks for the interview and the giveaway. I especially like the part about the name Rupert being given to the horse. đ
June 2, 2017 at 9:59 am
Summer! I love spending extra time with family (and when I taught, I loved having a break to rejuvenate me for the next school year)!
June 2, 2017 at 10:54 am
Summer is my favorite by far! I know for some people it is too hot, but coming from an area where we joke that summer is only a month long and the rest of the year is winter, I love the hot days when we can get them. And the flowers are gorgeous–from irises to peonies to roses to sweet williams. I miss seeing the beautiful colors during the other seasons.
June 2, 2017 at 1:14 pm
I love summer. Of course being a teacher and being off all summer is a big reason why but I do love the sunshine, day trips to the beach, all the flowers in bloom and the bright green grass that needs to be mowed every week.
June 2, 2017 at 11:46 pm
Fall is also my favorite season. It isn’t too hot, the leaves are changing colors and dancing around in the wind, it is the season for pumpkin picking and apple cider, and it always reminds me of when I first started dating my husband!
June 3, 2017 at 1:46 am
My favorite season is summer – I love the warm sunshine, the beach, watermelon, flowers and fresh cut grass. Kids playing and of course sitting on the porch reading a book.
June 3, 2017 at 8:05 am
I think Summer and Fall are my favourite seasons. Sunshine, long days, flowers, changing colours of leaves, cozy drinks and clothes. đ
June 4, 2017 at 1:04 pm
Fall is also my favorite time of the year. Things are getting cooler and I’m getting ready to put all away for the winter and hunker down to read and take myself away from the cold and/or storms outside. Thank you for this giveaway!
June 6, 2017 at 1:52 am
I love spring…everything is new, the grass is so green and all of the cute baby animals đ
June 6, 2017 at 12:01 pm
I get such a kick out of Jen Turano’s books AND interviews. She is a hoot! I can’t wait to read this book! Thank you for the fun interview and the chance to win.
Living in Minnesota, I LOVE summer!
June 7, 2017 at 10:07 pm
I think I have to choose spring. I just love watching the birds, seeing and hearing baby birds, new growth, and the excitement that spring brings.
June 8, 2017 at 12:20 pm
Spring is my favorite season! I love when the weather warms up and the flowers bloom!
June 8, 2017 at 12:23 pm
Summer is my favorite season.
June 8, 2017 at 12:27 pm
My would be fall because I live in Illinois and love seeing the tree’s change colors.
June 8, 2017 at 12:34 pm
I love Spring đ
June 8, 2017 at 12:37 pm
Fall is my favorite season! Love the cool crisp air, apple picking, baking goods and the leaves!
June 8, 2017 at 12:50 pm
I love summer so much that I got married during a early heat wave last year..
June 8, 2017 at 12:53 pm
My favorite season is summer
June 8, 2017 at 12:56 pm
Spring and fall
June 8, 2017 at 1:13 pm
I think I would have to go with Winter…..I know not a favorite of many, but it can be so calming with the quiet, its not dead outside, its rebuilding its energy for a beautiful spriing!
June 8, 2017 at 1:15 pm
My favorite season is winter, the other seasons are very warm in my area.
June 8, 2017 at 1:29 pm
My favorite season is Fall. The weather, the colors and the tastes and smells that come with it put a big smile on my face.