A Talent for Trouble: (A Humorous Historical Romance set in the Gilded Age of New York City's High Society) Paperback – October 1, 2013

I have found that this author writes amazing books with many hysterical parts that have left me with some odd stares from laughing out loud.

Felicia had convinced herself that she was to marry the local preacher. She conducted herself as 'piously' as she could for four years trying to gain his affections. When the preacher married someone else, Felicia had to rediscover who she truly was. According to her family and friends Felicia is a good person with an impulsive nature… and a talent for trouble.Felicia’s friends coerce Grayson, Lord Sefton, to begin to escort her so that other men of society will see she is available. Grayson had a rebellious, wild youth that sent him off to China. After tragedy struck he returned home and learned to control himself to protect his young daughter.Felicia was delivering food and clothing to some seedy parts of town when her pony refused to move. Next thing Felicia is helping an elderly man who stumbled on the sidewalk. She helped him into a nearby pub where no respectable young lady should go. Felicia strides into one inappropriate situation after another. Fortunately, Grayson seems to be following her and is able to extricate her from most of the troubles. But Grayson has a past that has followed him from China and Felicia has managed to insinuate herself in the midst of his troubles.Grayson is attracted to the lively young woman but feels his past makes him unacceptable for someone as good as Felicia. Can these two find forgiveness and grace to accept their past and find a future with love?This is light, easy and enjoyable reading. Once you get past the first couple of pages and Felicia’s true personality is released, she is a hoot! Grayson thinks he has done awful things, and perhaps he did. But underneath he is a good man and it takes Felicia’s acceptance and shared grief with his sister for Grayson to begin to believe there may be redemption. The faith messages are lightly woven in.The ladies’ book club members enjoyed this author before and we agreed it is nice to pick up a reliable, easy read once in a while. We recommend this to readers who enjoy light, clean romance.

In New York City, just before the 20th century, Felicia Murdock thought she wanted to marry a preacher and settle down to a quiet life. However, Miss Murdock has a penchant for being the eye of a hurricane with encounters and predicaments constantly swirling around her. She is beautiful, kind-hearted, generous, but too trusting and slightly unconventional. Enter the cynical Grayson Sumner, AKA Lord Sefton, an English nobleman who recently fled from China. It seems Lord Sefton has a sinister past and has been linked with the lucrative opium trade. The last thing he wants is another romantic relationship but, due to his shady past, sinister forces seek to destroy him and Miss Murdock so he vows to protect her. Forced together, they seek to discover who wants a fortune in jewels that Lord Sefton is hiding. Having already read A Change of Fortune, the author's stock-in-trade is her penchant for using humor, engaging dialogue, adorable children, dangerous encounters and a side-board of colorful, lovable and sometime dangerous characters to spice things up. Although each of the four novels in The Ladies of Distinction collection can stand alone, most of the principals appear through all the volumes. I'm looking forward to reading #2 and #4 in this series. Very wholesome and appropriate reading, even for young adults.

For some reason, I can relate to Felicia and her ugly dresses. Instead of wearing to please an "admirer", I wear "ugly dresses" to hide from people. In a way, that is what Felicia did, and that is how I loved her most of all. I loved Grayson's eagerness to please his sister in courting Felicia, although I kept thinking the roles had reversed. Men were submissive under women in this book, instead of the other way around, and that bewildered me minutely. Just sometimes men were put in a bad light. Yet, Turano did a great job of showing the bolder, clever, wittier side of women, as well as the silly side, so I was won over by the end of the book. Grayson was admirable, Felicia was adorable, and their love knew no ends.I cannot stress how much I am looking forward to the Agatha and Zayne romance. I just discovered this series, read it in 3 days, and I simply cannot wait for the fourth installment. This book was such a treat.

I have really enjoyed the books in this series, as well as the quirky characters. I love that all three of the books have included the same characters - at least the main characters. Although, I do wish there had been a little more interaction between Hamilton and Eliza in this book.Felicia and Grayson were made for each other. I really don't remember liking Felicia in the first two books, but she was a hoot in this book. And Grayson, what's not to love about him. The way he stepped up with not only Ming, but Sam and his sisters was so sweet and proves just how special he is.The storyline was good, maybe not as good as the first two books, but still good. I would say the book was a solid 4 stars, but the epilogue kicked it up another star. It was a fairy tale, Prince Charming, happily-ever-after ending.Can't wait for book 4 so that Zayne and Agatha can finally tell their story.

I thoroughly enjoyed the third installment of Ladies of Distinction, though I found the first two a smidgen more intense and realistic. I did however enjoy the very unique back story of both the main characters and I am looking forward to the 4th book.

This book was very intriguing and delves into how someone with self-doubt feels and what it takes to feel whole, while also giving a lot of information regarding the illegal drug market and the effect that drugs have on people. This book is excellent for anyone who needs information on the drug market or just looking for a great romance to read. I believe that we can all relate to the characters and learn a lot about what it takes to get rid of self-doubt and feel assured about yourself.

I enjoyed reading this book, from the very beginning I was hooked and I couldn’t put it down as I found it very compelling

This is one of a series of witty,fast moving books. I have so enjoyed them. Jen Turano has crafted wonderful characters, twisting plots and highlights some serious social issues. So wonderful!

I got tired of waiting my turn at the library for this book. I have ordered it twice. If you need to laugh out loud ,or have a few belly laughs, I suggest you rent from a library or buy it. Thankfully I have had this on my wish list for awhile and got it when on huge sale.This book is guaranteed to make you belly laugh! Jen Turano is one of my favourite authors.

Lovely romance. Turano does it again with witty dialogue, historical details fitting into social tomes and family ties. Wonderful world she has created to dwell in for a while, and leave inspired.

What a fun book to read. I needed a laugh! The characters and shenanigans are exquisite! It has enough pathos and depth to make it a perfect read. Thoroughly enjoyed it.