Behind the Scenes
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.
by Bethany House Publishers
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Meet the Author:
A USA Today Best-Selling Author, Jen Turano has written the critically acclaimed Ladies of Distinction series, and A Class of Their Own series, published through Bethany House Publishers. Her novel, After a Fashion, was chosen as a top pick from Romantic Times, as well as being named a top ten romance of 2015 from Booklist. It is also a nominee for Romantic Times 2015 Reviewers’ Choice Award. Her book, A Most Peculiar Circumstance, was chosen as a top ten romance by Booklist in 2013. Her seventh book, Playing the Part, released in the spring of 2016, and will be followed by a new four-book series, Apart from the Crowd. When she’s not writing, Jen spends her time outside of Denver with her husband and neurotic Cattle Dog, enjoying herself as an empty-nester since her son recently abandoned her for the college life.
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My Thoughts:
I read a contemporary story, Finding Margo, by Jen Turano recently and absolutely loved it so when I saw she had a new release I knew I wanted to read it.
The cover gave me a glimpse at the story it contained. This story is set in New York during the spring of 1883 and centers around Miss Permilia Griswold.
Permilia is a lovely, young woman who lost her mother at a very young age and was raised by her father. Being raised by her father she has lived a vagabond lifestyle traveling with him as he continued grow his investment opportunities. She was educated by tutors, but her social graces suffered as was often pointed out by her stepmother, Ida. Ida was from a long line of Old New Yorkers known as the Knickerbocker set which traveled in the highest society circles.
Permilia had no desire to travel in high society. I liked her immediately. She was down to earth and didn't look down on others, instead she tried to help others constantly. She put up with a lot of constant criticism from her stepmother and stepsister. Even at their worst she tried to see things from their side. When society cast her into the roll of a wallflower she took it as their loss and not hers. One of the things is had gotten her was friends which was something she had missed during her formative years. Of course being on the fringes of society is gives her to opportunity to take a job with a local newspaper and report on the events she attends. She basically gives descriptions of the homes, dances and at times the gowns. She doesn't divulge gossip though, so society tolerates her column. She kept a positive attitude at all times. Permilia has a good heart and always tries to do the right thing.
Asher Rutherford is one of the most sought after bachelors in New York. His one black mark is the he dabbles in trade according to society. He opened up one of the most up and coming department stores and was experiencing a lot of success. He was intrigued by Permilia. He had never met a woman who though lacking social graces was ever bit a lady. There first meeting consisted of her arguing with him over the price of ice skates and accused him of over charging his customers. I did like Asher and his kindness to Permilia. When she tells him about overhearing the plot for his murder he doesn't quickly believe her nor does he take her warning seriously until he finds himself as a target during an afternoon ride in Central Park.
This is a sweet plot that flows effortlessly. The author brings a spectacular read full of quirky characters, romantic tension, mystery, a little bit of suspense and lots of humor. I was immediately drawn into the story from the first page and held there until the end. Anyone who loves a good, humorous romance will enjoy this book.
*I received this book from the publisher as part of their book bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Miss Gertrude Cadwalader hoped her position as the paid companion to Mrs. Davenport would be easy. But as she becomes acquainted with her employer, she realizes the wealthy Mrs. Davenport has a strange tendency to be a bit light-fingered with other people’s trinkets. Gertrude is relieved when Mrs. Davenport decides to have a quiet summer away from the social scene–until the woman changes her mind in order to help a young socialite launch into society.
When Gertrude is caught in the act of trying to return one of the trinkets by Mrs. Sinclair, the mother of shipping magnate Harrison Sinclair, the woman jumps to an unfortunate conclusion. Harrison is determined to mend fences with Miss Cadwalader, but he’s unprepared for the escapades a friendship with her will entail.
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