"Out of the Ordinary" by Jen Turano

Out of the Ordinary (Nov. 7, 2017) by Jen Turano.*

Working as a paid companion is nothing out of the ordinary in 1883, but Miss Gertrude Cadwalader’s employer tends to exhibit peculiar tendencies, often making Gertrude’s job unpredictable. She does all manner of things from wearing a birdcage on her behind (in the name of “fashion” … and large bustles) to returning pilfered items (not hers, but Mrs. Davenport’s, her employer and lady of the elite set). Upon returning pilfered items to wealthy shipping magnate Harrison Sinclair’s yacht, she is caught by Harrison’s mother, the indomitable Mrs. Sinclair, who immediately thinks the worst of Gertrude.

            Harrison cannot stand for his mother to think ill of Gertrude. Not only does he consider Gertrude to be a good friend, she also has a “delightful figure,” which is alarming only in that he doesn’t tend to notice such things about women. But with other thefts, including at the Manhattan Beach Hotel (considered a swanky place amongst the elite set), things aren’t looking so positive for Gertrude or Mrs. Davenport. Before Harrison can properly court Gertrude, there’s a mystery to be solved. Is he ready for the adventures?

            Like Turano’s other stories, I found “Out of the Ordinary” to be a delightful, fizzy, light-hearted tale. Gertrude is an independent woman who does questionable things (like return pilfered items) out of a dependence on her only source of income. Harrison is confident in his shipping work, but is something of a bumble despite all of his sisters’ romance novels that he secretly reads. Both of them are imperfect, yet are just right for this story. It is bright with humor and liveliness, but there are moments, too, where you shake your head with empathy. Gertrude may think herself ordinary, but she shouldn’t, and neither should we. After all, “God doesn’t expect His children to live ordinary lives, but extraordinary ones” (p. 123).

            Apart from the Crowd: Book One: Behind the Scenes

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"Dangerous Illusions" by Irene Hannon

Dangerous Illusions (Oct. 3, 2017) by Irene Hannon.*

You know the saying about kicking you when you’re down? That is probably how Trish Bailey feels right now. She’s stressed with the demands of her teaching job, her ailing mother and tragedy from her not-too-distant past. And, as her mother’s accountant, Matthew Parker, has pointed out, Trish has been having memory lapses. Could it be that one of those lapses led to a tragic death? Trish is certainly wondering and doubting herself, not to mention the scrutiny she’s now receiving from the police.

            Because he’s on a night shift rotation, Detective Colin Flynn gets called onto the case. He’s immediately drawn to Trish, but he mustn’t let personal feelings interfere with workplace professionalism. As new details emerge and answers come for some things, he realizes that there is more than just an accidental death – like, it likely wasn’t accidental. What is at work isn’t just dangerous, it could be deadly, and Trish could be in the line of fire, even as an innocent.

            “Dangerous Illusions” is an inspirational, romantic suspense fiction novel. It is the first in Hannon’s Code of Honor series. In the only other book I’d read from this author, I found myself wanting more from the story, but that was not the case with this story. There was intrigue and a smart twist revolving around the antagonist. The female protagonist, while not immune to vulnerability, showed grit and strength against all that was stacked against her. Her life has been fractured multiple times over, but she perseveres and endures. And while Colin wants to be her constant rescuer, he also acknowledges her strength. They both need strength to stay afloat in the murky, turbulent waters that are beneath the placid surface of the seemingly straightforward plotline. This was a good start to a new series.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”