CelebrateLit Tour: Review: A Match in the Making by Jen Turano

 

About the Book

Book: A Match in the Making

Author: Jen Turano

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: February 21, 2023

Miss Gwendolyn Brinley accepted a temporary paid companion position for the Newport summer season, believing it would be a lark to spend the summer in America’s most exclusive town. She suddenly finds her summer turning anything but amusing when her employer expects her to take over responsibilities as an assistant matchmaker. Tasked with the daunting prospect of attaining advantageous matches for her clients, Gwendolyn soon finds herself in the employ of Mr. Walter Townsend, the catch of the Season, but a gentleman Gwendolyn finds beyond irritating.

Walter Townsend is reluctantly in search of a wife for the sake of his unruly motherless children who cannot keep a governess for long. What he wasn’t expecting was Miss Brinley, an amateur matchmaker who turns his quest for a new wife into a complete and utter debacle. Constantly besieged by society ladies on a mission to win his affection, Walter must find a way to overcome their inundating attention–and his unexpected attraction toward Gwendolyn.

The more time they spend together throughout the Newport Season, the harder it is for Gwendolyn to find Walter a wife when she realizes his perfect match might be . . . her.

Review:

Once again, Jen Turano has me cracking up. This is one of my favorites by Jen, and I blame that on three little darlings. Namely, Oscar, Samuel, and Priscilla. From about the first page I was laughing out loud, and didn't stop until the very last page. This book had hilarious twists and turns, with ridiculous situations, lots of snooty characters, and unlikely friendships and confrontations behind every page. Now, have you ever watched The Lord of the Beans (VeggieTales' spoof on Lord of the Rings)? Because if you have, you might agree with me that Gwendolyn's employer bears a striking resemblance to the tree elder from that movie. (IYKYK) I absolutely recommend this story for anyone who loves a good laugh or who enjoys stories with precocious children or who enjoys a good almost-enemies-to-lovers trope.

I received a copy of this book for review, but all opinions are my own.

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Named one of the funniest voices in inspirational romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today bestselling author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publishers Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. She and her family live outside of Denver, Colorado. Readers can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and at jenturano.com.

 

More from Jen

A Chat with Jen Turano

You’re known for writing historical romantic comedies set in the Gilded Age. What made you decide to write in that particular era?

Funny thing, when I first tried my hand at writing historical, I wrote Regency—think Jane Austen, lots of drama, dukes, and probably a few countesses in serious need of attitude adjustments. One of those books, I believe I titled it A Marriage of Inconvenience, is the book that landed me my first agent. But, as she was shopping that book around, I read this fascinating book about Alva Vanderbilt. There was so much drama involved with the New York Four Hundred during the latter part of the nineteenth century that I threw myself into researching everything I could find about high society. I’ve been writing about that fascinating moment in time ever since.

Your new series revolves around matchmaking. How did you come up with that idea, and what can we expect?

I’ve been wanting to do a matchmaker series forever, and that idea reinforced when I watched Season 4 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and there was a prevalent matchmaking thread. However, I didn’t want to do a normal matchmaker story, which is why I decided it would be hilarious to have a heroine accept a paid companion position and then, due to unforeseen circumstances, find herself turned into an assistant matchmaker even though she has absolutely no experience with matchmaking in general and is actually old enough to be considered a confirmed spinster.

How do you come up with such unusual ideas?

I think I just view life a little differently. I’ve always been rather weird, so when I think of matchmaking agencies, or lady detectives, or hat makers, I begin thinking up all these outlandish situations and then, just when my heroine or hero thinks that nothing else could go wrong, I throw something else at them. It’s a highly amusing job at times, although I’m certain my characters don’t appreciate my odd sense of humor.

Do you have a favorite character or book?

I adore Gertrude Cadwalader from Out of the Ordinary, although that’s not my favorite book. My favorite book is Diamond in the Rough because Poppy Garrison gets herself in some fabulous messes.

Your characters do seem to find themselves in some interesting mishaps and messes. Do you write these from personal experience?

You know, I have to admit that a lot of the outlandish situations I write are based on either observations I’ve made over the years or . . . yep, they’ve happened to me or my friends. I’ve definitely led an interesting life, although I do embellish the situations in some instances—creative license and all that.

How do you come up with such unusual names?

Contrary to what some may believe, I don’t make up any of my names. I scour old obituaries or shake down my friends who are into researching their ancestors for cool names. That’s how I got Mercy Miner, Temperance Flowerdew, and Lucetta Plum.

What’s coming up next?

I just finished up developmental edits for the second book in the Matchmakers series, so now I’ll go back to writing the third and final book in that series. After that? Well, I’m not positive yet. I have two ideas roaming around in my head for the next series I’ll delve into, but I simply don’t know which one I want to write quite yet.

Thanks so much for having me! Always fun being here with your readers.

All the best,

Jen

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jen is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback copy of A Match in the Making and a $15 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2549a/a-match-in-the-making-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 9

Christina’s Corner, April 9

To Everything There Is A Season, April 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 10

Texas Book-aholic, April 11

Karen Baney Reviews, April 11

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 12

Bigreadersite, April 12

Sylvan Musings, April 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 13

Betti Mace, April 14

Godly Book Reviews, April 14

She Lives To Read, April 14

Batya’s Bits, April 15

Connie’s History Classroom, April 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 16

Blogging With Carol, April 16

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 17

Cover Lover Book Review, April 17

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 18 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 18

Blossoms and Blessings, April 19

For Him and My Family, April 19

Splashes of Joy, April 20

Holly’s Book Corner, April 20

Southern Gal Loves to Read, April 20

By the Book, April 21

Back Porch Reads, April 21

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, April 22

Live. Love. Read., April 22 (You are here)

Review: The Heart's Choice by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

After witnessing a wrongful conviction as a young girl, Rebecca Whitman--the first female court reporter in Montana--is now determined to defend the innocent. During a murder trial, something doesn't sit well with her about the case, but no one except the handsome new Carnegie librarian will listen to her.

Librarian Mark Andrews's father sent him to college hoping he would take over the business side of the family ranch, but Mark would rather wrangle books than cows. When a patron seeks help with research in hopes of proving a man's innocence, Mark is immediately drawn to her and her cause.

In a race against time, will Rebecca and Mark find the evidence they need--and open their hearts to love--before it's too late?

 I am absolutely stunned by this book. At first, I was sad that it wasn't set in Alaska, but boy howdy, was I wrong. There are so many things that I love that I don't even know where to start. For one, I loved the law/court system aspect of the story. It's not an overdone theme and it was very enjoyable. Now add that slow burn romance between Rebecca and Mark and it's just all the hearts and love. Now, I would have to say that we can't give the bad guys such obviously bad guy names because I had him pegged the first time I saw that name. But... the crown jewel of this story, for me, was Marvella. That woman had me laughing from start to finish and her heart of gold was evident. I just want to know her and the Judge in real life because honestly, such wonderful human beings. If Marvella doesn't get her own POV in every book in the series I will be very sad.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley, but these are sure as shootin' my own thoughts and comments. (Also my own snide remarks)

Preorder link, because I know none of you want to miss meeting Marvella!

Amazon Preorder

About that giveaway...

 Alright folks, I mentioned back in March that I would have a giveaway coming up to celebrate 7 years of blogging. A lot of family issues came up, but I have not forgotten. So, drumroll please, here it is!

I will be doing a random drawing through RaffleCopter and the winner will receive a $20 e-gift card to Baker Publishing House.

There are so many options on the website, so go ahead and look at all the deals they offer there.

Here is the link to the giveaway!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/bedbf51f4/?

UPDATE:

Congrats to Christi Darling, our winner for this giveaway!

Review: The Metropolitan Affair by Jocelyn Green

For years her explorer father promised Dr. Lauren Westlake she'd accompany him on one of his Egyptian expeditions. But as the empty promises mounted, Lauren determined to earn her own way. Now the assistant curator of Egyptology for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lauren receives two unexpected invitations.

The first is her repentant father's offer to finally bring her to Egypt as his colleague on a new expedition. The second is a chance to enter the world of New York's wealthiest patrons who have been victims of art fraud.

With Egyptomania sweeping the city after the discovery of King Tut's tomb, Detective Joe Caravello is on the hunt for a notorious forger preying on the open wallets of New York's high society. Dr. Westlake is just the expert he needs to help him track the criminal. Together they search for the truth, and the closer Lauren and Joe get to discovering the forger's identity, the more entangled they become in a web of deception and crime. 

As I finished this novel, not an hour ago, I sat with tears rolling down my face. (Oh boy, here they come again!) I'm not sure how this will go as a review, so let me just say that the plot was one of my favorites, and the characters were stunning. I am so ready for book two and three. But really, what brings me to tears is how much Lauren made me feel seen. Like Lauren, I spent a lot of my growing up years trying to please people and gain approval, even fulfill wishes they never even placed on me. Like Lauren, I'd rather stick my foot in a great big anthill and get eaten up than have any sort of confrontation. Like Lauren, when I finally get fed up enough to have that confrontation, it gets heated. Like Lauren, I'm finally starting to accept the painful scars of my past and echo Goldie's sentiment, "Redeem this." And you know what? He surely has, He surely is, and He surely will.

I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley, but, as always, the thoughts and sentiments are my honest own.

Please, buy a copy, if you love learning about ancient Egypt, Prohibition, and old school detective work. Amazon Link

Review: When Tomorrow Came by Hannah Linder

Nan and Heath Duncan, siblings abandoned by their papa and abused by their guardian, have no choice but to survive on the London streets. When a kind gentleman rescues Nan from such a life, the siblings are separated and raised in two vastly different social worlds. Just when both are beginning to flourish and years have healed some of their wounds, their long-awaited papa returns and reunites them—bringing demands with him. Nan is expected to marry a rich suitor she’s never liked, and Heath is expected to forsake his gentle spirit and become the hardened man his father always was.

Dangers unfold, secret love develops, fights ensue, and murder upsets the worlds Heath and Nan have built for themselves.

They’ve waited their whole lives for their papa to return, for tomorrow to come—but now that it has, will they be able to see through to the truth and end this whirlwind of a nightmare before it costs one of their lives?   

 I've sort of gotten myself into a rut recently... one where I'm not always keen to try new authors. However, Kimberley Woodhouse raved on this book and I just had to try it. I adored it! One thing you know I'm fond of are stories with children or adoption/found family themes, and this had that in spades. I also loved that the only POVs were the "children." I think, especially at the beginning, that this helped to really feel the characters. Now, I read some other reviews saying that they didn't much care for Nan, but she was my favorite POV, with Gilbert a close second. There was just something about her that I adored. I think the story was a unique one, and not your typical gothic novel. I think the author's style is so fresh and I enjoyed it. I love all the character that she put into the Stanhope family, the parents and Charlotte, as well as Gilbert and Nan. I do think that Lord Humphries and his family were very very strange. They were giving Pride and Prejudice vibes very strongly. Everything sort of made sense at the end, but it took so long for me to be able to put two and two together and sort that whole mess out. The sailor dad also uses "bloody" a ton. It might be his favorite word ever. The one thing that had me off kilter for the middle half of the book and here's your WARNING: SPOILER ALERT!!! I just couldn't get over Gilbert falling for Nan after being raised as siblings for a dozen years. That weirded me out for the longest time. Eventually, I got on board with it, but it was an uphill struggle for a minute... SPOILER ENDED 

Overall, I adore this book and the characters. I wish I could have held on to them just a little longer. If all regency were like this, I'd read a lot more of it. I also wanted to share my favorite quote from this story:

"Whatever troubles you this day, the Lord thy God would like to know. He may not always change it, but He certainly showers it with grace."

I received a review copy through NetGalley, but was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review: The Italian Ballerina by Kristy Cambron

At the height of the Nazi occupation of Rome, an unlikely band of heroes comes together to save innocent lives in this breathtaking World War II novel based on real historical events.

Rome, 1943. With the fall of Italy’s Fascist government and the Nazi regime occupying the streets of Rome, British ballerina Julia Bradbury is stranded and forced to take refuge at a hospital on Tiber Island. But when she learns of a deadly sickness sweeping through the quarantine wards—a fake disease known only as Syndrome K—she is drawn into one of the greatest cons in history. Alongside hospital staff, friars of the adjoining church, and two Allied medics, Julia risks everything to rescue Jewish Italians from the deadly clutches of the Holocaust. Soon a little girl who dreams of becoming a ballerina arrives at their door, and Julia is determined to reunite the young dancer with her family—if only she would reveal one crucial secret: her name.

Present Day. Delaney Coleman recently lost her grandfather—a beloved small-town doctor and World War II veteran, so she returns home to help her aging parents. When a mysterious Italian woman reaches out claiming to own one of the family’s precious heirlooms, Delaney is compelled to travel to Italy and uncover the truth of her grandfather’s hidden past. With the help of the woman’s skeptical but charming grandson, Delaney learns of a Roman hospital that saved hundreds of Jewish people during the war. Soon, everything Delaney thought she knew about her grandfather comes into question. 

I'll be honest, it has been so long since I read anything by this author, but I've always kept her name in the back of my head as a word artist. In fact, I think the exact term I have her filed under is "magician." I saw this gorgeous cover at the store and just had to have it. Turns out, best decision ever! In split timelines, it can be easy to care for one time over the other, but from the very beginning I was invested in every single piece of this story. It was woven together in the most magical way possible. I stayed up late until I just couldn't keep my eyes focused because I wanted to know what was happening. I carried it with me everywhere, even when I knew I didn't have time to read. The characters were so important to me, and I loved them all dearly. The suspense had me fully immersed in the world, and the back and forth with the timeline kept me oh so engaged. I cried. I laughed. I made loud noises in silent rooms. I raged over things I can't mention because it'll be spoilers. This story captured me from the very beginning and wouldn't let go even after it was concluded. I wanted it to keep going on and on forever. I went into some serious book hangover when it was finished. What a fresh perspective on WW2!