Review ~ A Match of Wits by Jen Turano

Note for my Book Friends: This summer was unusually busy and sad. I spent much of the time traveling to and from FL, as my daddy (yes, I have called him that since I was a toddler) was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer in June. I mistakenly thought I would be able to have hours to read as I visited him at his home, or sat by his bedside in the hospital. I won't go into detail, but let's just say that I barely had time to read, let alone blog about books. My daddy passed away on Sept 14th, and I am back home now with no plans to travel in the near future. Most of the authors whose books I had in my TBR knew what was going on and have been very gracious. I covet their friendships and appreciate all the prayers they have prayed for me and my family during this time. 

My plan is to get back to a regular blogging schedule--manage to get caught up reading and reviewing books this autumn and winter--so that I will be ready to tackle new books next year! 

Again, a heartfelt thank you to all!

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The following review was posted on various vendor sites but never got its own highlight here on Stuff & Nonsense. Jen Turano writes some of the wittiest historical fiction in the market today. Be sure and check out her website @ http://jenturano.com

Synopsis ~ After his departure from New York two years ago to meet up with his almost-fiancee, Zayne Beckett is the last person Agatha Watson wanted to stumble upon in her travels as a reporter with the New York Tribune. Quite pathetically bedraggled, he clearly needs to be taken in hand and sent back East to his family. Although she no longer has feelings for him, Agatha realizes--by hook or by crook--she'll have to be the one to get the obstinate man home.

Zayne has no desire to be taken anywhere and is prepared to drag his heels all the way home . . . until he finds himself slipping back into the familiar banter of his former friendship with Agatha. Once they arrive in New York, Zayne realizes Agatha's determined nose for news has earned her a few enemies, and he hopes to repay her help with some help of his own. When she rebuffs all his attempts to prove himself a knight in shining armor, the lengths to which they'll go to win this battle of wills lead to some memorable antics.

Everyone else may think them a match, but nothing could be further from the truth--until Agatha finds herself in real trouble. Have these two stubborn, too-smart-for-their-own-good people been meant for each other all along? 

My Review

A Match of Wits by Jen Turano

(Ladies of Distinction Book #4)

 A Match of Wits transports us into a charming and rousing tale with Agatha. She is a woman before her time--fearless,  impassioned about many things, and relentless in her pursuit of a good news story.  In many ways, she is a product of a forward moving generation.  As I read along, I had to wonder at how she could get herself into so many arresting situations. She doesn’t always come out unscathed and I think that is what is most realistic about them. At times it seems like she is never going to learn, which mirrors real life. (At least mine.)  But all along she has a goal in mind, and her heart is always in the right place, even if she shouldn’t be!

Zayne is such a great guy. I’ve been looking forward to his story through three books now :) He’s a loyal friend to Agatha, but has been totally oblivious to her deeper interest in him all these years. Anytime she is in a tricky situation, he seems to be right there by her side, protecting her and giving her advice, and sometimes doing some pretty ridiculous things in order to keep an eye on her. Because you know, she needs a keeper. He’s devised a scheme in order  to find her a husband. During a precious moment with his niece, Piper,  he finally realizes he is in love with Agatha. I thought it was one of the best scenes in the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with the characters from Jen’s other books. That is the great thing about this series. There is a lot of interaction between them so it seems like only a few moments have gone by since reading the last book.

There are some hilarious moments in A Match of Wits. Someone builds an interesting contraption for Zayne (I won’t say why). In it, he has some precarious moments that had me laughing out loud. I can only imagine what it would have been like to live in an era on the cusp of so many fascinating inventions.  

If you’re a fan of witty historical Christian fiction, then I would venture to guess you are going to like A Match of Wits! I look forward to Ms. Turano’s future books.

My appreciation to Jen Turano and Bethany House Publishers for a review copy. I wasn’t required to write a positive review, just my honest opinion of the book.

Side note - This is a stand alone novel but I highly suggest reading Ms Turano's other three books in the Ladies of Distinction series first, as the characters overlap. You will get far greater enjoyment from the book, if you do so.