Welcome everyone! Today, I want to introduce you to a wonderfully talented author, and my Seymour Agency sister, Jen Turano! Jen's debut novel, A Change of Fortune, was recently released from Bethany House. I've got to say, once I picked up her novel, I couldn't put it down - a totally delightful read! She is an author to be watched. Like me, Jen is represented by the awesome, Mary Sue Seymour.
Author, Jen Turano |
THE GIVEAWAY - Jen has generously offered to give away a copy of A Change of Fortune, and I'm throwing in a Starbucks gift card to one lucky winner. To be entered in the drawing, all you have to do is answer Jen's question at the end of the interview, or for those who have trouble commenting on Blogger, leave your answer on my Facebook Author Page. The winner of Jen's book and the gift card will be drawn at random next Sunday, December 2, 2012, at 9pm CDT, and announced on next week’s blog post. I just love the cover of A Change of Fortune! Check it out!
Before we get to the interview... I will announce the winner of last week's giveaway. The winner of Stacy Henrie's debut novel, Lady Outlaw, and a $15 Starbucks gift card is...Sarah Forgrave! Congrats to Sarah! I will contact you this week for your address.
Now to the interview...
Welcome Jen! So glad to have you here!
Thank
you so much for having me, Loree. It’s
an honor.
Your spectacular debut
novel from Bethany House is titled, A
Change of Fortune. How long have you been
writing novels? Is this your first?
I wish I could
make the claim that A Change of Fortune was my first book, but alas, that isn’t
quite the case. I’m afraid some of my
early attempts were, well, horrible. I
have six books that are languishing in my computer, and these books will never,
ever, see the light of day. They’re
riddled with POV and plot problems, but I was fortunate in that agents and
editors took the time to write critiques to me as they sent their rejections,
some of which were rather scathing in nature.
After I got over the initial reaction of “ouch,” I forced myself to
really think about the points the agents and editors were making, and I
realized that if I was ever going to get published, I was going to have to up
my game.
The book is a work of historical fiction. What is
the inspiration behind the book?
Funny you
should ask that because this particular story actually flashed to mind while I
was scrubbing the shower, which really isn’t a very inspirational task in the
least. There I was, waiting for my
scrubbing bubbles to do their thing and…Eliza suddenly waltzed into my thoughts. She stayed there all day – but since my house
was an absolute disaster, I couldn’t very well stop cleaning, so I grabbed a
stack of post-it notes and scribbled down thoughts as I mopped and dusted. By the time I finally turned off the vacuum
cleaner, the story was set.
I love when plots come
about while doing ordinary things like cleaning…fun hearing your tale. They say
that there is a bit of each of us in all of our characters. Which character in
the book is most like you, and why?
I think the
character most like me would have to be…probably Agatha Watson. She gets into outlandish situations almost by
accident, and that happens to me all the time.
She’s also independent and quirky, and I’ve always been a little
different.
Is there a sequel or
series planned?
There are four
books in The Ladies of Distinction series – and that is actually sort of a
tongue in cheek description of the series, because my characters, while
obviously high society, are anything but typical young ladies of that
time. The second book, A Most Peculiar
Circumstance, will release to market in June, 2013. That book is Miss Arabella Beckett and Mr.
Theodore Wilder’s story. The third book
– currently untitled, is coming out in November, 2013 – it is Miss Felicia
Murdock and Mr. Grayson Sumner’s story – and then the fourth, Miss Agatha
Watson’s story, will release in 2014.
What do you read for
enjoyment, Jen?
I read a wide
range of genres, from romance to suspense, to thrillers, and even fantasy. My favorite authors are Julia Quinn, Susan
Elizabeth Phillips, and J.K. Rowling.
What is your favorite cure
for a sweet tooth? Have to ask this one!
This is a huge
bummer for me, but I can’t eat sweets.
Ever since I had my son – and that was almost seventeen years ago –
candy, chocolate, and anything with too much sugar in it gives me a headache –
it’s a crying shameJ I can’t
even eat cake anymore – which makes it very difficult when my birthday comes
around because everyone always brings me cake – and then I have to watch while
everyone else eats it.
I’m sorry to hear sugar
gives you headaches. I sometimes get migraines from pop or certain sodas. Well, I must declare that you have
been so “sweet” to come by for a visit. It really has been a pleasure, Jen. Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy
schedule to visit, and I hope to have you back again on the release of your
next novel.
Thank you so
much for having me, Loree. It was a true
pleasure.
Now, Jen
has a question for you—
I’m beginning
work on a new series – and I need a fabulous name for a meddling grandfather
who wants nothing more than to see his grandson well-married. The story is set
in 1885 New York, and this grandfather is a self-made gentleman who has a
rather gruff nature. Any
suggestions?
Names are fun! Here's my two cents, Jen. I googled "gruff" boy names and came up
with - LOL - are you ready for this? - GRUFF - as a name. Babycenter.com defines the
name Gruff as:
GRUFF
Gender: Boy
Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Lord, prince
I'm trying to imagine my son as Gruff Huebner. LOL! There's my suggestion! ~ Loree
For more information on Jen and her books, you can find her at:
On Facebook:
Stop in and "like" her page!
Between you, me and the gatepost,
Loree