Finding Margo

Finding Margo
  • Author: Jen Turano
  • Publisher: Gilead Publishing
  • Print Length: 320 pages
  • Release Date: November 15, 2016
  • I Rate it:    
  • GenreChristian
  • Purchase on Amazon

Book Summary

International pop star Margo Hartman could use a night off. A grueling tour and overbearing entourage have sent her over the edge. It’s time for this diva to disappear. And who would think to look for the superstar in a small Dutch town in Ohio?

Sheriff’s deputy Brock Moore is undercover as well. He knows Margo isn’t who she appears to be, but her uncanny resemblance to a local Amish woman is raising all sorts of questions…the kind that make her a target for a killer.

Both are determined to find answers, but their mutual attraction stands in the way of either of them doing it alone. Is finding Margo the solution to Brock’s problems or just the beginning…?

Finding Margo-Celebrate Lit Tour

The Making of Finding Margo

By Jen Turano

To say that my entrance into the publishing world was a tad difficult is certainly an understatement.  My very first attempt at writing was centered around a middle grade book, specifically written for my son who was in the third grade at the time.  After finishing that, and sending it out to all of five companies, none of whom represented middle grade, I then moved on to young adult with a little more interest sent my way, but no success story to report in the end.  Not one to embrace the idea of complete and utter failure, I then tried my hand at a contemporary romance, moved on to what I assumed was a delightful regency romance, but one that turned out to be not that delightful, at least according to numerous agents, and finally landed on gilded age stories, filled with quirky heroines.  That is when I finally received my very first publishing contract, which then saw me catapulted into the very weird world of publishing.  After completing the second gilded age story of my two-book contract, I found myself with some time on my hands as I waited to see if anyone would read my stories, which might then result in an offer of additional book contracts.  As I waited, I decided I might as well keep writing, so decided to try another contemporary story, although my agent at that time suggested I try to write an Amish book since she had numerous requests from publishers for those specific books.

Because my writing voice is not what anyone might consider normal, I really didn’t believe I’d be able to do justice to an authentic Amish story.  Because of that, I settled on the idea of writing a contemporary romantic suspense, being a huge fan of that genre.  I had a vague notion of exploring a theme centered around a dog walker who might stumble on a body while walking her pack of dogs, or perhaps have a story line that centered around a makeup artist who witnessed a crime while setting out her makeup for a client, but those ideas went straight away when I pulled out the vacuum one fine day.

Vacuuming, as well as staining the deck, cleaning the shower, and power-washing the garage, are my go-to activities when I need to get the muse working right before I start a first draft. On that particular day, as I pushed the vacuum around the house, I suddenly had the most intriguing idea – an idea that started off with two delightful little words…What…and…If.

That was all it took for a premise to begin festering through my mind, a fester that grew into this – What if three Amish children were stolen straight out of their beds, never to be seen or heard from again until… Now here’s where it gets interesting.  I decided to have a woman by the name of Margo Hartman, an international superstar no less, stumble into this small Ohio town quite by accident, and…she happens to bear an uncommon resemblance to an Amish woman who lives in this town.  To add an addition sense of intrigue, someone immediately begins trying their very best to kill poor Margo.

By the time I was done vacuuming, the storyline for “Finding Margo” was firmly cemented in my mind, which translates into Jen had no choice other than to write the story.  However, before my agent at that time found a home for the manuscript, I signed another contract for more gilded age books, which meant I did not have the time to commit to what was certainly going to have to be a three-book series since, well, there were three Amish children who’d gone missing.

Fast forward around five years and I found myself a little ahead of schedule at exactly the right time.  There was a new publishing house in town, my current agent remembered me talking about this quirky book I’d written long ago, and as luck would have it, I found the flash drive that’s been home to “Finding Margo” for all these years.

Since my writing style has certainly changed since I first wrote Margo’s story, I ended up rewriting the entire book, and I must say that I’m still just as intrigued with the storyline as I was when it popped to mind while vacuuming what seems like ages ago.  I’m just tickled to death that Margo Hartman has finally found her way out of a flash drive and onto the pages of a book.  I’m hoping readers will enjoy her as much as I enjoyed writing her.

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit with me today, and for supporting my books over the years.  I cannot properly express how important all my readers have become to me, and I’m incredibly thankful for every one of you.  You’ve brightened up my life and without you, well, I wouldn’t have anyone to share the stories that always seem to rumble around my mind.

God bless!

~ Jen ~

<h2><span class="wrap"><span class="inner">About The Author</span></span></h2>

Jen Turano, author of nine books and two novellas, is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in clothing and textiles. She is a member of ACFW and lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. Visit her website at JenTurano.com.

Jen Turano

Book Review by Bree Herron

Jen Turano is an author, that is not only a master of historical romantic comedies but she is now the master of modern romantic comedies.  Finding Margo, should be come a Hallmark Movie, it has every element you would want. The laughter, a funny animal,  the love and a bit of mystery. I seriously couldn’t stop smiling through reading this book.

Finding Margo by @JenTurano on tour with @Celebrate_lit. Enter the #free #giveaway for #books and an Amazon card. Click To Tweet

I have been a fan girl over Jen for quite sometime, historical fiction is my kinda genre. When I saw she was writing a modern romance, I KNEW I needed to read it. I craved reading it, and boy did it fill this bibliophile’s mind with a beautiful story. I am not only go to tell you that you will need to read this book, but I will let you in on a secret. The animal is a duck, and I fell in love with the duck, she isn’t the star of the book, but she is a good fowl friend to Margo. Though Margo doesn’t see it always that way. Margo is the perfect star in the pages of this book, I love the mystery to her! I loved her quirks and personality, she did truly out shine the duck, but it was a toss- up at times.  The romance is believable, it isn’t cheesy. It would play out so well on a movie screen.

If you enjoy mystery, romance, faith and of course the idea of a duck in a book. Then you need to read this book. It will brighten your day, that is probably how long it will take you to read it, you won’t want to put it down!

*Jen, thank you for giving us a romantic,mysterious,and adorable book that is sure to be the start of a wonderful series. I was honored to review your book!

 

I Rate it

What is your favorite animal to see in a book?

**DISCLAIMER: I was provided an opportunity to read this book as an Advanced Reader Copy in return for a fair and honest review.

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<h2><span class="inner">Giveaway</span></h2>

To celebrate her tour, Jen is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card and signed copies of her book! Click HERE to enter. Be sure to comment on this post to claim your nine entries on the giveaway!

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