Author Interview- Jen Turano

Welcome to another wonderful author! 


Jen Turano is the critically acclaimed author of The Ladies of Distinction Series, published through Bethany House.  Her novel, A Most Peculiar Circumstance, was chosen by Booklist as a Top Ten Romance for 2013. 

On to the questions!

1. What inspired you to become a writer?

It was rather odd, how I came to be a writer. My son was in third grade, and in order to get him to read on a regular basis, we would read together at night.  I would read a chapter out loud, then he’d do the same.  We were reading this horrible series about a bird and after we read The Endon book number six, he turned to me and said he was pretty sure we could write a better book, so that’s what we did.  We would talk about the storyline, and while he went off to school, I’d sit at the computer and write, and…it was a total blast.  I’d left my career in fashion behind after I had my son, and honestly, it was such a fabulousthing to use my brain again.  That book didn’t end up going anywhere, but the whole idea of pursuing writing intrigued me.  It was a few more years before I could devote a lot of time to pursuing writing since I was the head of the parent organization at my son’s elementary school, but…once he was in middle school and was never at home, nor did he want me to volunteer ever, ever again, I just began writing all the time.  

2. What books have influenced your life most?

Nancy Drew books in my youth because they were responsible for giving me a love of the written word.

3. What is the one piece of advice you received about writing that helped you the most?

The odds are never in your favor, so you’d better be willing to work really hard, write all the time, and grow a thick skin because your feelings will definitely get hurt.  

4. Do you have any preparation rituals before you begin to write?

I always clean the house – scrubbing the shower seems to really get those creative thoughts going, and the same with vacuuming.  

5. Which one of your books do you consider your “pride and joy”. Why?

After a Fashion – because it was chosen by Booklist as a top ten romance for 2015, was a top pick from RT, and was a RT reviewer choice nominee.  Plus, it was just really fun to write.

6. Any fun behind the scenes tidbits you'd like to share with us?

When I get stuck, I free-write in notebooks that normally have those revoltingly cute covers attached to them – you know, the ones with kittens and puppies – or…if I’m really stuck, I’ll resort to Hello Kitty notebooks because those just crack me right up.  If free-writing doesn’t work, I normally stretch out on the floor of my office and simply stare at the ceiling, bemoaning the life of a writer until I come to my senses and remember that I get to work from home, live in my imagination, and I get to interact with readers on a daily basis – that normally gets me back on track and reminds me that I really do have a pretty cool job.  

7. Do you pattern you heroes and heroines after people you know?

Occasionally, yes, I will pattern some of my characters after people I know, although what normally happens is this – I’ll figure out who I want a character to be and then start writing, but…the character always changes as I begin to write and rarely turns out to be the character I first imagined.  

8. What is your favorite time in History?

Gilded Age – from after the Civil War until the start of World War I.

9. We all have family, work and other obligations…how do you maintain balance while in the middle of a writing project?

Unfortunately, when I’m in the midst of a first draft, I don’t embrace a very balanced lifestyle.  I have to write straight through or I forget the story – but since it doesn’t take me long to write a first draft if I’m determined, I make it up to my family during the editing process.  Although, since my son has abandoned us for the college life – it’s just me and my husband, and he enjoys golfing, so…it’s much easier to work and be guilt free these days, especially when I know Al (husband) is on the golf course while I’m pounding away at the computer keys.  

10. What is the next project you're working on?

I’m currently in the midst of a new series – Apart from the Crowd – which is a wallflower series.  I’ve recently turned in the prequel novella, - At Your Request, as well as turned in the first book, Behind the Scenes.  The novella will release Jan. 3, 2017 as a free download for e-book, followed by Behind the Scenes which will release in April 2017.  I’m now setting up the next book, one that revolves around Miss Gertrude Cadwallader, and a most delicious gentleman by the name of Mr. Harrison Sinclair.  

11. Where can we purchase your books? (provide link) and how can we keep up with you? (blog link, webpage, fan page)

Here is a link to my Baker Publishing page – it will take you to most retailer sites - http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/authors/jen-turano/1761

My website may be found at jen@jenturano.com

And my author Facebook page is - https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor/

12. Last, but not least…..What and when is your next release? Provide a brief synopsis….

“Playing the Part,” the third and final book in A Class of Their Own series, releases March 1, 2016.  

 Lucetta Plum is an actress on the rise in New York City, but must abandon her starring role when a fan's interest turns threatening. Lucetta's widowed friend, Abigail Hart, seizes the opportunity to meddle in Lucetta's life and promptly whisks her away to safety at her eligible grandson's estate. At first glance, Bram Haverstein appears to be a gentleman of means--albeit an eccentric one--but a mysterious career and a secret fascination with a certain actress mean there's much more to him than society knows. While Lucetta has no interest in Abigail's matchmaking machinations, she can't ignore the strange things going on in Bram's house and the secrets he hides. As the hijinks and hilarity that Bram, Lucetta, and their friends are swept into take a more dangerous turn, can they accept who they are behind the parts they play in time to save the day?

"Turano, known for her delightfully humorous tales, has done it again."--Booklist starred review of In Good Company 

Thank you so much, Jen, for participating in this questionnaire! It was interesting and fun! 

More Love and Laughter From Margaret Brownley

Hello my dear readers! I am pleased to welcome Margaret Brownley to my blog! 

First... A wee bit of introduction...

About Margaret:

New York Times best-selling author Margaret Brownley has penned more than thirty historical novels and novellas. Her books have won numerous awards, including Readers' Choice Award of Excellence. She's a former Romance Writers of American RITA® finalist and has written for a TV soap.  She is currently working on a new series.  Not bad for someone who flunked eighth grade English.  Just don't ask her to diagram a sentence.

What inspired you to become a writer?

That’s really hard to say.  I suspect I might have been making up stories in the womb, but didn’t actually write my first “book” till fifth grade.

What books have influenced your life most?

As a child I read Little Women and pretended I was Jo, the writer.   I hated history in school—all those battles and dates.  It wasn’t until I read Gone with the Wind at age thirteen that I understood history was about people and how they reacted to the world around them.

What is the one piece of advice you received about writing that helped you the most?

I got some pretty bad advice in the beginning.  I was told to write what I know and not to quit my day job. If I wrote only what I knew, my stories would have been one-page long. I also quit my day job—not a very wise decision financially. It was either sink or swim and I was determined to swim.  Devoting myself full time to writing paid off, and I recently published my fortieth book.

Do you have any preparation rituals before you begin to write? 

I get up, grab a cup of coffee and write before anything else can interfere.

Which one of your books do you consider your “pride and joy”. Why?

This is like choosing a favorite child.  Actually, the book I’m the most emotionally involved in is always the one I’m currently working on.  Those are the characters I carry in my head and heart. Once a book is written, I usually put it out of my mind.

Any fun behind the scenes tidbits you'd like to share with us?

When my first book was published, I spotted several copies in a drug store.  I was thrilled, of course, but a bit embarrassed to tell the manager I was the writer.  So I decided to quietly autograph them.  Someone saw me and thought I was defacing books. As I was leaving the store I was stopped by a policeman.  I told him who I was and he asked to see ID.  Unfortunately, the book came out under a pen name so it didn’t match the name on my license. Boy, did I have some explaining to do. 

Do you pattern you heroes and heroines after people you know?

Sometimes I use someone’s mannerisms, traits or speech patterns. Fortunately, no one recognizes themselves in print, which makes me laugh. I have a friend who has several unique traits that I used, and even he didn’t recognize himself.  

What is your favorite time in History?

Most of my historical novels take place in the latter part of the 1800s.  I’m fascinated by the similarities between the 19thcentury and current times. The 1800s saw its share of bank failures, recessions, depressions and wars. Technology changed the way people lived back then just as it does today. The railroad made a big impact and so did electricity and the telephone. The telegram has been called the Victorian Internet and for good reason.  

I especially like writing romance because you can explore every possible theme known to mankind through the relationship of two people falling in love. You don't need a cast of hundreds or even thousands.

We all have family, work and other obligations...how do you maintain balance while in the middle of a writing project? 

It’s not easy.  What saves is me that I’m an early riser and am usually at my desk by 4 a.m.  By the time the world awakes and family calls, I’ve gotten in a day’s work.  Some people are grouchy before their coffee.  I’m grouchy if I don’t get my writing in.

What is the next project you're working on?

Right now I’m working on a new series, plus a novella for St. Martin’s Press.  The first book in my Match Made in Texas series, Left at the Altar will be released in November.

Where can we purchase your books?http://www.amazon.com/Margaret-Brownley/e/B002BLN5A8

and how can we keep up with you?  

Website: Margaret-brownley.com  

Facebook:https://business.facebook.com/MargaretBrownleyAuthor/timeline/?business_id=1570988766476777

Last, but not least.....What and when is your next release? Provide a brief synopsis....

The third book in my Undercover Ladies series, Calico Spy, was released in January.  I also have a story in the 12 Brides of Summer collection out in June.

Here’s the blurb for Calico Spy:

He never met a Pinkerton detective he liked; she never met a man so stubborn…

Pinkerton Detective Katie Madison makes a lousy Harvey House waitress, but it’s the only way she can get close enough to the scene of the murders of two of the restaurant’s servers to solve the mystery.

               Sheriff Branch Whitman knows there’s something fishy about the pretty new Harvey girl with the flaming red hair, but he never would’ve guessed her to be a Pinkerton! 

               Soon a tornado hits town, and a shadow from the past puts Branch’s eight-year-old son in danger. Now the sheriff has no choice but to work with Katie—or chance losing everything he holds dear. Tracking a murderer is dangerous even for a man, and he fears for Katie’s safety. But as they get closer to the killer one thing becomes abundantly clear. Protecting Katie is one thing; protecting his heart something else.

Thank you so much for participating and answering all my questions, Margaret! This was fun to read! 

Readers, feel free to comment or ask questions below!

Loving Adina

Back in 2013, two young girls threaded together a story they had been working on for months. It was published and printed... Now I am here to share the little story behind Loving Adina.

2012.... Emma Qualls and I, both aspiring authors and great friends, decided to write a story together. We talked about our ideas and finally started writing a story set in 1940s Austria. It is the story of two teenagers who must face hard decisions that may cause death to either one. We split the story evenly between us, each taking on the life of one of the main characters and weaving in the extras that the two come in contact with, including some historical figures of their time. Once we started, we couldn't stop and eagerly awaited the next part to arrive from each other.... Now I must tell you that we did NOT write it by email or text. No, we took up pencil and paper and wrote each of our parts and sent them by mail to each other. It was a long process but very rewarding and so much fun!

2013... Our story was complete. Now to get it together. Emma and I lived 4 hours apart and rarely got a chance to be together. I planned a "Picnic with the Past" with a group of girls, including Emma and her sister, and I invited Emma to stay with me. Using her laptop, we laced together the parts we had eventually typed out and then I added the finishing touches in the next few weeks. Having previously discussed the idea of publishing, it was decided that we would use a free publishing company to start off our writing career. (It may not have been the wisest course but we were determined to see our book printed.) Emma's dad did not want her to sign the contract, as it asked for more information than he wanted her to give, so I put my name down as the sole author. But if you look inside the pages of this book, you will find I gave acknowledgement to her help.

On July 31, 2013, Loving Adina hit the market and our little story was made available to the public. It is exciting to see it available online with my name on it! It is now available on Amazon and you can order it for less than $20 (before shipping)!

Though there are flaws with our book, due to my editing errors, we are proud to present it to you! If you are interested in reading it, please click the title in this post highlighted in blue and proceed to Amazon. If you enjoyed it, please post a review on Amazon!

Dear Kate: A Novel by Hannah Duggan and Narrated by Felisha Caldeira

I was asked to listen to the narration of this story and do an honest review... WOW! This book is absolutely amazing! The theme of redemption and overcoming fear is strong and the adventure keeps you at the edge of your seat! Felisha Caldeira did a wonderful job narrating it too!!


Here is the "Publisher's Summary"...

At a time when thousands are fleeing tyranny to find a home in the New World, 17-year-old Kate Elyot witnesses a tragic accident that orphans a little girl named Emily. Suddenly the sole guardian of a child she's never met, Kate's only guide to the girl's surviving family is a signet ring and a letter sewn into Emily's dress addressed to Kate. Unsure of whether she has walked into a fateful calling or a fatal coincidence, Kate is determined to get Emily home but is unprepared for the journey awaiting her.

Captain Anthony Scot will not rest until his enemy Simon Cephas is punished for a crime long forgotten. The signet ring that Emily carries is the evidence Scot needs to convict his rival. He is willing to obtain the ring at any cost in order to destroy Cephas. Can Kate fight to free Emily from those who would use her to destroy her Puritan family? Will her courage sustain her as she is brought face to face with her worst fears, deepest regrets, and a God she cannot bring herself to trust?

In the story Kate quotes a lot from this poem and she really broke it down to where I really thought about each part. It's amazing! I loved it so much I thought I'd share it.

Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when
With the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.

We ask You to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.

~Sir Francis Drake

I loved this book and did NOT want it to end! It did have the perfect ending though and I really enjoyed it. If you haven't read/listened to it, you should definitely try it out!