Interview with Jen Turano, plus GIVEAWAY!

I rarely do author interviews, so I was super excited when Jen Turano agreed to let me pester her with questions!  She is one of my favorite authors and her books always make me laugh out loud!  Her newest book, In Good Company, was set to release July 7, but actually showed up in book stores a couple week early (something I never complain about!).  You can read my review for it here.  So, without further ado, say "hi!" to Jen!

Jen Turano, author of six books, 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.

First, some questions about you. :)

Are you an introvert or extrovert?
 I’m definitely an extrovert, although I used to be quite shy when I was a little girl and would hide in my closet when my mom and dad’s friends would visit. Funny how that’s certainly changed over the years.

I can actually say the same about myself, which I'm finding odd.  I used to be such an introvert, but joining the workforce has compelled me to become more of an extrovert . . . though I will admit to still needing my space after a while. :)

What are three “fun” or “unique” things about you?
I get along really well with animals and once had a goat follow me around a farm for hours – I really wanted to take it home with me, but alas, it wasn’t meant to be – the farmer, you see, was somewhat attached to that specific goat. I’m the only person in my family who has red hair, and…I absolutely loathe caviar.

Oh, the goat sounds so cute!  And I cannot blame you for the hatred of caviar.  I've never tried it, but it just sounds really gross.

Describe yourself in one word.
 Peculiar

That's a great word!  I'm pretty sure most people would use that or something similar when describing me.

What is the most random question someone has asked you about writing/being an author?If I write in the nude – I must admit that I graciously refrained from answering that particular question.

Okay, that is not at all what I was expecting you to say!  Wow!  That is a very weird question! 

If you were meeting me for the first time and I had never read your books, how would you describe them and your writing style?
 Light-hearted romps written in a style that embraces a sense of the ridiculous.

I love that!  I may borrow it, for later use. :) 

I heard you began writing when your son was a small child and you made up stories for him. Out of curiosity, has he read any of your published books?Yes, the first story I wrote was a middle-grade for my son when he was in third grade. He’s now in college, but I’m afraid he’s put his foot down in regards to reading one of my historical romances. He wouldn’t even read another middle-grade I wrote clear back in the day titled “Mildred Mystique and the Curse of the Goblins,” because Mildred was the main character and she was a…girl.

That would present a bit of a problem for a boy, I suppose.   

What is a random or interesting (to you) fact that you discovered while doing research for In Good Company?
That the mansions the socially elite owned were called “cottages.”

If you could have coffee (or your drink of choice) with any of the characters from your A Class of Their Own series, who would you most like to chat with?I’d have to choose Miss Millie Longfellow because she’s just so amusing, although I wouldn’t mind discussing fashions with Miss Harriet Peabody, and then Miss Lucetta Plum is one of those practical sorts, and…well, I guess what I’m really trying to say is that it would be delightful to sit down with all of my characters – then I could finally discover what they really think about the stories I’ve given them.

Your books are all set in The Gilded Age. Why did you choose this particular period in history?
 It’s just a fascinating period, what with the scandals, the new money, the new inventions, the building up of New York, and don’t even get me started on the fashions. One of my favorite designers is Charles Worth, and his designs were the designs to wear during the Gilded Age – Ladies traveled to Paris and ordered entire wardrobes from The House of Worth, and then had them shipped to the States. Interestingly enough, before The Gilded Age really got a bit crazy, Paris fashions were kept in trunks for a year or two because they were considered too fashion-forward at first. Then, after Alva Vanderbilt and her ilk descended on the scene, that changed fairly quickly.

What do you hope readers will take away from In Good Company?
 That the measure of a person isn’t what wealth they’ve accumulated or that they run around in the right social circles. The measure of a person can be seen in how they treat other people, and a person who is kind, caring and selfless is really the type of good company everyone should strive to keep.

I definitely saw that in the story.  There are so many wonderful people that are passed over because they don't fit our mold or expectations.  Those are usually the people that surpass them, if we give them the chance.  I'm definitely thankful that God doesn't judge by our appearance.  There are endless things we can learn from His example, and that is without question an important one.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Sarah. I wish you and all of your readers a fabulous rest of the summer, and hope you’ll spend it in the good company of those you love.

Thank you so much for being "here" Jen!  And for letting me quiz you!


If you'd like to connect with Jen on social media, you can find her Facebook page here.  She is also on Goodreads, a great place to find book recommendations (as if I need the help, right?), and you can find her here.

About the book:
After spending her childhood in an orphanage, Millie Longfellow is determined to become the best nanny the East Coast has ever seen.  Unfortunately, her enthusiasm for her job tends to bring about situations that have employers looking askance at her methods.  After her most recent dismissal, Millie is forced to return yet again to an employment agency.

 

Everett Mulberry has suddenly and quite unexpectedly found himself responsible for three children he barely knows.  Attempting fatherhood while also pacifying the less-than-thrilled socialite he intends to marry is made even more complicated when the children scare off every nanny he hires.  About to depart for Newport, Rhode Island, for the summer, he’s desperate for competent childcare.

 

At wit’s end with both Millie and Everett, the employment agency gives them one last chance—with each other.  Everett is wary of Millie’s penchant for disaster, and she’s not entirely keen on another snobby, grumpy employer, but they’re both out of options.  As Millie falls in love with her mischievous charges and tries to stay one step ahead of them, Everett is more focused on achieving the coveted status of society’s upper echelons.  As he investigates the suspicious circumstances surrounding the children’s parents’ death, will it take the loss of those he loves to learn whose company he truly wants for the rest of his life?

I had to include a photo of this book, even though it doesn't release until March, 2016.  I'm so excited for Lucetta's book!  Plus, I love the cover! :)

Now, I did promise you a giveaway, didn't I?  I ended up with two copies of In Good Company, purely by accident, and thought I would share one with a fellow reader.  
The giveaway will be open until Wednesday, July 22nd.  The winner will be notified that same day (hopefully).  To be entered, please leave a comment, including your answer to one of the questions below and your email address.  I cannot enter you without your email address (because if you won, I would have no way to contact you).   You may gain additional entries by sharing this giveaway on social media and "following" my blog.  If you do either of these, be sure to let me know!

Questions:
What is something "fun" or "unique" about you?

If you could have coffee (or your drink of choice) with a fictional character, who would you most want to meet?
Describe yourself with one word.

 Thank you so much for stopping by!  I hope you're having a wonderful day!