Behind the Scenes (Apart From the Crowd Book #1)

Jen Turano

Apr 2017 · Apart From the Crowd Book 1 · Bethany House

About this ebook

Start of a Delightful New Series from Historical Romance Author Jen Turano

Miss Permilia Griswold may have been given the opportunity of a debut into New York high society, but no one warned her she wasn't guaranteed to "take." After spending the last six years banished to the wallflower section of the ballroom, she's finally putting her status on the fringes of society to good use by penning anonymous society gossip columns under the pseudonym "Miss Quill."

Mr. Asher Rutherford has managed to maintain his status as a reputable gentleman of society despite opening his own department store. While pretending it's simply a lark to fill his time, he has quite legitimate reasons for needing to make his store the most successful in the country.
When Permilia overhears a threat against the estimable Mr. Rutherford, she's determined to find and warn the man. Disgruntled at a first meeting that goes quite poorly and results in Asher not believing her, she decides to take matters into her own hands, never realizing she'll end up at risk as well.

As Asher and Permilia are forced to work together and spend time away from the spotlight of society, perhaps there's more going on behind the scenes than they ever could have anticipated. . . .

Ratings and reviews

Excellently crafter story. March 1883 – New York “Contrary to the prevalent thought of the day, I’m not a lady who feels as if my life has been ruined simply because I’ve obtained the somewhat undesirable label of wallflower.” –Ch.1 Permilia Griswold is sort of a gilded age Cinderella in the sense she puts up with the whims of her step-mother & step-sister. She is awkward in social situations & really could care less about gentlemen, balls, the season, etc. She was raised by her father, traipsing all over the country for his mining business, until he decides she needs a woman’s touch in her life. He finds & marries a woman of society, intent on changing everything about Permilia, while spoiling her own daughter. Permilia has a keen sense of fashion, business, & charity. She loves the Lord, & seeks wise counsel when needed. She also has a few secrets. Her interpretation of the Go-As-You-Please Quadrille had me laughing out loud. Asher Rutherford is a self-made, affluent businessman, with an excellent sense of style, and owns one of the most successful department stores in the city. He leads a predictable life, and is quite content mingling in society, attending his clubs, and going about his business day with little interruption to his schedule. However, each encounter he has with the unusual Miss Griswold leaves him perplexed and asking questions he’d never considered before. “A second later, he found himself taken aback when Miss Griswold thrust a dainty hand his way, seemingly unconcerned yet again with the idea that ladies never, as in ever, initiated an act that would consist of them hauling a gentleman to his feet.” –Ch.3 Harrison Sinclair is Asher’s dear friend who is one of those men rather unaware of his handsome mystique. I suspect he is color blind, with all of his odd combinations of clothing, & he seems to have a genuine concern for those around him. I found him extremely intriguing. “He grinned. “I know most dangerous men are assumed to drink coffee, and black coffee at that, but” – he shuddered – I can’t abide the stuff.” Bonus points for Harrison, because I loathe coffee too! –smile. He adds much to the story, & I can’t wait to learn more about him in future books. Miss Gertrude Cadwalader (a mouthful of a name to be sure), is a recently acquainted friend of Permilia, through their mutual resignation to the wallflower section. She is great fun, as she takes matters in hand when needed, & looks like a laughing stock much of the time due to her employer’s odd ideas. That employer being Mrs. Davenport, who is one adventurous older lady. Oh, my! Yet another character I want to get to know better!! Jen Turano really has a way with supporting characters! Miss Henrietta & Miss Mabel are delightful, albeit persnickety sisters that add wonderful fun, mystery & more questions to the story. They are also extremely interested in tea! Yay!! “That hobby, I’m sure you’ll be pleased to learn, given the interest we’ve learned you share with us, is searching out & collecting new blends of tea.” –Ch.13 Permilia picked up her cup. Raising it to her lips, she took the smallest of sips, blinking in surprise a second later. “Good heavens. That’s delicious.” –Ch.14 After reading that, I had to stop & go make another cup of tea! Now, of course, there’s at least one villain. And of course, I will not tell you who he/she/they might be. But, suffice it to say the mystery kept me guessing as it unraveled along the way. Jen Turano is my absolute favorite author. Her style is so unique, & the laugh-out-loud moments are divine! I have read every single one of her books including the free novella prequels. She never disappoints. In exchange for my honest opinion, I received a copy from Bethany House Publ. which I am privileged to provide with no other compensation. - I highly recommend this book. 0. At Your Request – Free eNovella Prequel 1. Behind the Scenes 4/2017 2. Out of the Ordinary 11/2017 3. Untitled Spring 2018

Behind the Scenes by Jen Turano is the first book in Apart from the Crowd series. Miss Permilia Griswold lives in New York City with her father, stepmother and stepsister. Permilia (what an unusual name) was raised by her father, George after her mother passed away. She traveled with him around the country while he took care of his mining business. Permilia received a man’s education and Permilia thought she would help her father run his businesses. Then George Griswold married Ida, a widow. Ida is a society woman who believes a woman should debut, get married, have children and go to parties. Ida raised her daughter, Lucy in this manner. Permilia is frustrated by all of Ida’s rules and the endless functions and society parties. The Griswold’s have been invited to Mr. & Mrs. Williams Vanderbilt’s costume ball (event of the year). Permilia is considered a wallflower by society because of her unconventional ideas, manner of dress, and the way she speaks. Mr. Asher Rutherford of Rutherford and Company (a department store) is also attending the ball. Lucy is interested in Asher, but Ida does not believe he is a suitable mate for her daughter because he is “in trade”. Permilia is sneaking around the ball taking notes for her society column Miss Quill’s Quality Corner. While helping a friend, Permilia overhears a plot to murder Asher. Permilia tells Asher about it, but he does not believe her until he is attacked with arrows. Permilia and some friends come to his rescue, but the killer will not be so easily thwarted. Asher and Permilia will need to join forces to find the evildoer, before they find themselves in the obituary pages instead of the society columns. I was looking forward to Jen Turano’s Behind the Scenes. I had enjoyed the lighthearted humor and engaging characters in her A Class of Their Own series. What I appreciated in that series was missing in Behind the Scenes. I found the writing to be awkward with stilted dialogue. Permilia was too peculiar (her education, way she spoke, unusual dress, clumsy, cannot dance, gets tongue-tied, etc.). I did not understand Asher being so possessive of Permilia at the ball. They had only had two unpleasant encounters prior to this occasion. Asher went out of his way to protect Permilia especially from Eugene Slater, an interested suitor. Then there is the offensive stepmother, Ida and her equally annoying daughter, Lucy. I give Behind the Scenes 2 out of 5 stars. I just did not like Behind the Scenes. I tried to read the complete novel, but it was impossible. I ended up skimming through some portions of the story. The ball scene took up 35% of the book (it seemed like it went on forever). The reader is subjected to every little detail about the ball. The dances, what people were wearing, room décor, food, and so forth (this attention to detail continues throughout the book). There was also one inane incident after another. I do not mind some light, fun humor, but this was just plain silly (idiotic would be a better word). Every single one of the wallflowers were eccentric. I found the ending to be predictable. The mystery was easily solved early in the story. The Christian element was very light. I did like Mrs. Davenport and the Huxley sisters (Mabel and Henrietta). I think a book about Mrs. Davenport would be more entertaining (what a character). I believe I will be skipping the rest of the Apart from the Crowd series.

Jen Turano is one of my favorite authors, this is book one from Apart from the Crowd series and I can not wait for more. Turano always has so much spunk, drama, mystery and of course romance in her books. Twist, turn and laughter. I love how she develops her characters and keeps you wanting to know more about all the characters, which makes a great series. Miss Permilia Griswold is a fun, outgoing, wealthy woman that does not quit fit into the high society, which she does not really care either way. When she becomes aware of a death threat to a new 'friend' will she be able to keep him safe and find herself too? Mr. Asher Rutherford is a handsome, wealthy store owner, who fits in nicely with the ton. When he finds Permillia fascinating and intriguing will he know how to handle everything that is thrown at him all at once, while keeping her safe? Not only did I fall in love with Permilia and Asher but with their good friends and a couple of odd sisters. I look forward to reading the next book in this series and learning more about this community.

About the author

Jen Turano, author of eight 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 Denver, Colorado. Visit her website at www.jenturano.com.