A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano

Lady Eliza Sumner is on a mission. After losing her family, her fiance, and her faith, the disappearance of her fortune is the last straw. Now, masquerading as Miss Eliza Sumner, governess-at-large, she's determined to find the man who ran off with her fortune, reclaim the money, and head straight back to London. Much to Mr. Hamilton Beckett's chagrin, all the eyes of New York society--all the female ones, at least--are on him. Unfortunately for all the matchmaking mothers and eligible daughters, he has no plans to marry again, especially with his hands full keeping his business afloat and raising his two children alone. When Eliza's hapless attempts to regain her fortune put her right in Hamilton's path, sparks instantly begin to fly. The discovery of a common nemesis causes them to join forces, but with all their plans falling by the wayside and their enemies getting the better of them, it will take a riot of complications for Hamilton and Eliza to realize that God just might have had a better plan in mind all along. "Set in New York City circa 1880, Turano's historical romance has witty dialogue, a spunky heroine, a bounty of humor, and a fast-paced plot. There are wonderful secondary characters, too, including an ankle-biting boy, a relentlessly matchmaking mother, and a full cast of despicable villains. A Change of Fortune will make a delightful addition to any library." --Booklist (starred review) "Turano's charming story of losing and gaining both wealth and love in 1880s New York City will certainly please fans of witty and classic romance stories."--RT Book Review "[A] delightfully lighthearted debut novel."--Desert News

In my world of reading lots and lots of Christian Historical Fiction I am always split in feelings when a new author comes along. Either I'm going to love them and be very enthusiastic about their new career and want to spread the word desperately or I'm going to want to love them and fall short. No need to worry here! Full length novel whirlwind of witty amusement is what I found here. Plenty of chuckles, snickers and even a few snorts (I'd rather you not repeat that...) kept me enraptured beyond the last page and I cannot believe that I have to wait until June for more to learn about the third Bennett child and her romance with the apparently far from opposite private investigator – already this must be good.

The glimpse of Hamilton from A Gentleman of Her Dreams did not even begin to make me realize what personality he would have off the page in A Change of Fortune, but then first impressions can always possibly be misleading. I came to love both Hamilton and Zayne and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a Zayne and Agatha romance later on. Eliza was the one that kept me turning pages, but the rest filled me with such amusement and entertainment that I can without failure tell you that I have encountered a new permanent shelf keeper favorite author. It's like if Mary Connealy wrote regency and golden era, which coming from my opinions – that's high praise!

Thanks to Bethany House for providing a copy of A Change of Fortune for review through the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance.

schedule: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2012/11/12/a-change-of-fortune-ladies-of-distinction-by-jen-turano/

I think sometimes I need a palate cleanser. I had been reading so much speculative fiction lately that I was desperate for something different. And good. I'll admit, I went into this book hoping I'd like it but figuring that I wouldn't. I don't have the best track record with romance novels. Or Christian romance novels. Or historical romance novels. Or - okay, you get the point.

So, anyway, I think I discovered this book from one of Goodread recommendations and thought it sounded entertaining. I found myself a preview of the book and skimmed ahead until the heroine and the hero met. (Mostly hoping to avoid the alpha-hero-ness that I hate in books.) As soon as I read their meeting, I knew I had to buy this book.

It's the story of Lady Eliza Sumner, disguised as a governess in New York City, searching for the man that stole her family fortune. In a short period of time, Eliza was dealt several blows: she lost her father to illness, her fortune to a con artist and her gold-digging fiancé to a woman - any woman - with money. (She is doubtlessly better off without the last one.) She is, currently, not on speaking terms with God. Mr. Hamilton Beckett is a recent widower with two young children, a broken heart because of his wife and a matchmaking mother. When these two meet, the sparks flying are immediate.

Eliza is a quirky young lady. She is in possession of a wonderful sense of humor and quite determined to finish what she set off to do - no matter the trials in her way. She's a wonderful lady and, I don't doubt, she would be a faithful, loyal friend to have. As important for me as liking the girl in a romance is liking the guy. Hamilton is quite the gentleman. He loves his family and is considerate to people - though he mostly wishes to be left alone by all the socialites looking for a husband. He's quirky and intelligent with a certain quiet sexiness about him.

The other characters were so much fun as well. Everyone's a little of the crazy side, I believe, but that makes for some wonderful conversations. What I especially liked was the moderately large cast - unusual for most romances I come across. Even better is the fact that Eliza gets a girl friend. Someone to hang out with and talk about guys with. (Or, rather, be grilled about guys by.)

The humor of this book was so delightful. This is what I think most romances lack for me. Zany humor of the style of Grant and Hepburn come from the leads and just pure fun humor from the supporting cast - kind of reminds me of the old romantic comedies of the thirties to fifties.

I'll admit, if you're looking for accurate historical fiction, you're probably better off passing on this one. However, if you care more about getting attached to characters and laughing, then I certainly recommend this book.

This is the first in a series, with the other three following different couples. (And I'll certainly be reading them.)

(Originally posted on my blog: http://pagesofstarlight.blogspot.com/)