Review of Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano

From the Back Cover ~

Working as a paid companion may be quite commonplace, but Miss Gertrude Cadwalader's eccentric employer makes her job unpredictable, to say the least. She finds herself carrying out an array of highly unusual tasks, including wearing peculiar outfits and returning items the woman pilfered. But when the wealthy Mrs. Sinclair catches Gertrude sneaking around the Sinclair yacht with some of the missing items in her possession, she immediately jumps to the wrong conclusion.

Shipping magnate Harrison Sinclair is caught in the middle of a misunderstanding between his mother and Gertrude, but he can't help coming to his friend's defense. Even as he hopes their friendship might become something more, Harrison is unprepared for the outlandish escapades that seem to follow the lovely, anything-but-ordinary Gertrude at every turn.

My Thoughts ~

I do believe, without a shadow of a doubt on a dreadfully cloudy day, that this particular novel by one Jen Turano is my favorite thus far.

It's hard not to talk with a little extra flair after reading one of Jen Turano's novels. ;-)

My friends, this novel was so much fun! Hilarious misunderstandings that had me laughing out loud, witty dialogue, poignant faith, and tender romance - what's not to love?!

You will adore Mr. Harrison Sinclair's bumbling efforts at wooing Miss. Gertrude Cadwalader. You will relate to Miss. Gertrude Cadwalader's struggle with forgiving not only others, but herself. The mystery surround the "respectable" Mrs. Davenport will be revealed. Unexpected tears may fall as you also realize that God has not called you to muddle through life, but to live an extraordinary life with Him, especially by giving and receiving love. Indubitably, your heart will soar much like a delightful yacht cuts through the ocean blue on a windy day, which it so happens to be as I write this review. Windy, that is. Although, I suppose there is some soaring.

Hehe. See! I told you it was hard. ;-)

Four and a Half Stars ~ So. Much. Fun! Out of the Ordinary is the second book in the Apart from the Crowd Series by Jen Turano. While you could read Out of the Ordinary as a standalone story, I believe you'll find a more fulfilling story experience if you first read book one, Behind the Scenes.

Last time. ;-)

I received a copy of Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano from Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Review of Vanishing Point by Lisa Harris

About the Book ~

Six girls missing . . . and every clue leads to a dead end

During Garrett Addison's first week on the job as a criminal investigator for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, his team is called out to a murder scene of a young girl. She's just one in a string of disappearances with one thing in common--a Polaroid photo of each victim left behind at the crime scene.

The FBI is pulled into the case to help, and Garrett finds himself working with Special Agent Jordan Lambert, the woman he once loved. When yet another girl dies, Garrett wonders whether he really has what it takes to be an agent. Maybe he should just walk. But while he may be done with the killer, the killer is not done with him--or Jordan.

For more information about Lisa Harris or her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Looking for a chilling suspense, faith, and a dash of romance? Look. No. Further. than Lisa Harris' latest novel because, wow, guys. Wow.

I was greatly distraught minorly annoyed when The Nikki Boyd Files ended without a satisfying conclusion to the Angel Abductor story arc. Then I was seriously pumped when I found out about Vanishing Point! I am pleased to report that at long last we have the answers to this mystery! But there will be no more on that from me. ;-)

Vanishing Point covers almost fifteen years, and you see Garrett and Jordan experience life changes, struggles, and triumphs. Though it makes my heart ache that it took so long for Garrett and Jordan to find their Happily Ever After, sometimes that's the journey - but it's always a rewarding journey. Lisa Harris also tackles difficult questions over the coarse of this novel, including the age-old question, "Where is God when bad things happen?" She lovingly reminds readers that even though we live in a fallen, broken world without all the answers, Jesus has saved us.

Four Stars ~ Vanishing Point is a must read for anyone who's read The Nikki Boyd Files! Due to the conclusion of the mystery started in those books, I strongly insist with all the self-appointed authority of a bookworm that you read The Nikki Boyd Files, Vendetta, Missing, and Pursued respectively, before reading Vanishing Point. However, if you stumbled on Vanishing Point first, you will find a well crafted, conclusive story within those pages.

I received a copy of Vanishing Point by Lisa Harris from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.