Interview ~ Jen Turner Turano, author of Caught by Surprise (Apart from the Crowd #3) + Giveaway!!!

I am pleased to welcome USA Today best-selling author Jen Turano to the blog today! Jen is one of my favorite Christian fiction writers. She has 11 published books and another due out in January 2019. Always providing a perfect combination of cozy mystery, humor and faith, Jen's stories will bless your heart!

Welcome, Jen! Tell us a little bit about your latest bookand why you wrote it?

“Caught by Surprise” is the final book in the “Apart from the Crowd” series. It revolves around Miss Temperance Flowerdew and Mr. Gilbert Cavendish, good friends from childhood who land in a most unusual situation, one that might require them, at least according to society rules, to marry. I’ve been wanting to do a friends to something more story for some time now. I’ve dabbled with that troupe in my two novellas, but I wanted to see if I could do a full-length novel, and…I think it turned out rather well.  

Tell us a little about yourself and your writing journey.

I never intended on becoming a writer. I majored in fashion, used to be a buyer, then turned into a stay-at-home mom when my son was born. When he was in third grade, we read this awful series about a bird. He thought it would be fun to try to write our own story, and that’s when I realized I’d forgotten how cool it was to use my brain. My early attempts were awful, but after I got some great advice from agents, some of it rather painful, I worked on the craft of writing, and eventually got to where I landed an agent. She then went out and sold “A Change of Fortune” to Bethany House, and I’ve been writing for them ever since.   

What do you think makes a good story?

Conflict and relatable characters. 

Where is your favorite place to write?

I only write first drafts in my office. I can edit outside or anywhere else in the house, but first drafts I have to be sitting at my desk, typing away.

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night and just have to get up and write down a thought?

If so, do you keep a tablet on your bedside table or go to the computer?

I don’t ever wake up in the middle of the night. I will get thoughts at the most unusual times, like in the grocery store, so I will send myself a text, or if I’m cleaning, I always have post-it notes handy to scribble down ideas. 

Do you talk to your characters? Keep story boards? Pictures?

I do talk to my characters, normally when I’m out walking – tends to have people giving me a wide berth. I do keep story boards, but I don’t do pictures, that just messes me up.   

Can you give us a glimpse into your next book or story idea?

My next series is an American Heiress series. The first book, “Flights of Fancy” will release January 2019. I just turned in the second book in that series, currently untitled, and next I’ll be writing a novella about the Harvey Girls that will feature other Bethany House authors.

In your spare time, do you have any hobbies you enjoy?

I’m very social, so when I’m not writing, my husband and I enjoy meeting friends out. I used to do cross-stitch, but I haven’t done that in years. My eyes just get too tired from being on the computer so much these days.

Do you have a favorite book? What makes it stand out from others?

I’ve always said that “In Good Company” was my very favorite because I adore Millie Longfellow, but “Caught by Surprise” seems to be turning into my favorite. It’s just so out there, what with all the outlandish situations, that I can’t help but love it.

What’s the one food item you can’t live without?

I love cereal – Cheerios is my absolute favorite.

Where can you be found on the internet?

I do most of my interaction on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor/

But all of my books are featured on my web – www.jenturano.com

And I have a twitter account – JenTurano@JenTurano – but I’ll be honest, I sometimes forget I have twitter. 

Is there a question you would like my readers to answer in order to be entered to win a copy of your book?

Was there ever a time when something caught you by surprise?

Thank you, Jen, for indulging us today! It is always fascinating to learn more about a favorite writer/author. I am almost finished with my review copy and I can tell my readers that this is one of your best works, maybe the finest! :)

Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Anne. Too fun!! 

GIVEAWAY 

After years of hiding her true nature, Miss Temperance Flowerdew is finally enjoying freedom outside of the shadow of her relations, so the last thing she expected on her way to work was to be grabbed off the street by a stranger and put on a train bound for Chicago.

When Mr. Gilbert Cavendish is called upon to rescue a missing woman, he follows the trail to Chicago only to discover that the woman is his good friend, Temperance. Before they can discover who was behind her abduction, they're spotted alone together by a New York society matron, putting their reputations at risk.

Even though Gilbert is willing to propose marriage, Temperance is determined not to lose her newfound independence. But when the misunderstanding in Chicago escalates into a threat on her life, accepting Gilbert's help in solving the mystery may lead to more than she ever could have dreamed.

Jen is offering a signed copy of Caught by Surprise to one blog follower. Please leave your email address in a non-spam format AND a comment answering Jen's question --

Was there ever a time when something caught you by surprise?

-- along with how you follow Stuff & Nonsense and a winner will be chosen using Random Number Generator on Oct 2. US Only due to postage costs.