Named one of the funniest voices in inspirational romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today bestselling author known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. She and her family live outside of Ormond Beach, Florida. Readers can find her on Facebook and Instagram, and at JenTurano.com.
Jen shares some of the fun quirks of upper society she has discovered in her research of historical Chicago, as well as the plans for her next two books in this exciting new series.
FF: Can you provide a brief summary of your new novel, A Lesson in Propriety?
When Drusilla Merriweather finds herself devoid of the mass Merriweather fortune when her late father’s man of affairs embezzles it, the last thing she was expecting was for her fiancé to toss her aside due to her unexpected loss of funds. Deciding there was no help for it but to learn how to take care of herself as well as her family, she decides to turn her only remaining asset, that being a castle her aunt gave her and her sister, into an academy for young ladies, something that allow her to make use of the only credible talent she possesses—her proficiency with all matters pertaining to proper decorum.
The last thing she expected was encountering one very annoying Mr. Rhenick Whittenbecker, who informs her that her very life is in danger as there are members of the criminal underworld who will use whatever means necessary to obtain her castle and land, even if doing so results with her finding herself swimming with the fishes at the bottom of Lake Michigan.
Events quickly take a turn for the concerning when the castle seems to be haunted, and even though Drusilla finds Rhenick to be a more than irritating gentleman, she agrees to accept his help with the ghost business, never dreaming that sorting out all the mysteries of the castle may just sort out exactly who she is, what she’s capable of, as well as having her change her vow to forevermore remain a spinster.
FF: How did you research the historical aspects and social norms of the Gilded Age, and how did you incorporate this knowledge into your writing?
I’ve been writing Gilded Age stories for over ten years now and have amassed quite the personal library concerning this fascinating era in time. This was a time when industry was booming and new inventions, such as electricity, were changing everyday life. Fortunes were being made at an unprecedented rate, and all of these men, along with their wives, wanted to enjoy their new-found riches, as well as get into the most exclusive society there was—the New York Four Hundred. I’ve always found the antics of this particular social set to be intriguing, and there are so many outlandish stories tied to high society that I have enough fodder to write new stories for years to come.
FF: Your main character, Drusilla, comes from a privileged life. How does this impact her character development in the story?
It’s one of the tropes where you have a great heiress who suddenly finds herself rendered a pauper. It’s always fun to test a heroine’s character, and what better way than to allow that heroine to grow as she learns how to take care of herself and those around her and realize she possesses strengths she wasn’t aware she possessed?
FF: Drusilla is described as fiercely independent. How does this impact her relationship with Rhenick?
The fascinating thing about Rhenick is that he’s not a typical man of the Gilded Age. He’s been surrounded by females his entire life, and because of that, he understands them. With Drusilla, he’s not interested in telling her what to do, but allows her to work beside him. He respects her opinions, and as Drusilla becomes closer to him, she realizes that not all gentlemen are the same, and that one particular gentleman suits her in every way.
FF: This story involves some paranormal elements. How did you incorporate this while keeping a Christian view in mind?
I framed the story quite like a Scooby-Doo episode. Yes, there appears to be ghosts haunting the castle, but . . . are they really ghosts?
FF: Your novels blend humor, romance and history. How do you balance these factors while writing?
I’ve always had an odd sense of humor, so writing humor is comfortable for me. I’ve also always read romance—it’s a sweet spot for me, and I’m definitely a history nerd, which makes it fun for me to bring those three elements together in what I always hope readers will find an interesting read.
FF: What message or themes do you hope readers will take away from this story?
That everyone has strengths they’re unaware of. The fun is uncovering those strengths.
FF: A Lesson in Propriety is the first installment of a series. What can readers expect from future books of the MERRIWEATHER ACADEMY FOR YOUNG LADIES series?
Book two, In Pursuit of Civility, will follow the story of Miss Annaliese Merriweather, Drusilla’s sister. She’s always been considered odd, given her propensity for saving animals from the fur traders as well as collecting bugs, which makes her a great character to pair opposite Mr. Seth McCormack. He’s a bit of a mad inventor who has the tendency to invent things that like to blow up. When Seth’s sister, Norma Jean, runs off from the academy in pursuit of a pirate’s treasure, Annaliese and Seth go after her, and all I’ll say at this point is that chaos ensues.
Book three, A Dash of Decorum, is Miss Seraphina Livingston’s story. Seraphina is in the first two books, and clearly she has a mystery behind her story since she takes great pains to disguise her appearance. Stay tuned for more tidbits on her after I actually begin writing her story.
After that I’ll be, for the very first time, writing a Christmas story, which I’ve been meaning to do forever but haven’t been able to fit it into my schedule.
FF: Can you share what you’re working on next?
I’m writing In Pursuit of Civility right now.
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A Lesson in Propriety
Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies, Book #1
Jen Turano
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Genres: Historical, Romance, Comedy
Release Date: May 20, 2025
ISBN-10: 0764243853
ISBN-13: 978-0764243851
Book Summary:
With her father dead, her fortune stolen, and her fiancé casting her aside, Miss Drusilla Merriweather’s privileged life has been upended. She is left with only one option: to provide for her family by opening a finishing school in the allegedly haunted castle she’s inherited from her eccentric aunt. However, her plan is immediately threatened by unscrupulous developers keen on claiming the coveted estate for themselves by any means necessary.
Mr. Rhenick Wittenbecker, a dashing architect with a tendency to charm his way out of trouble, is convinced he can protect Drusilla but is challenged by her fierce independence. Yet when strange occurrences–walking suits of armor and unexpected ghostly visitors–arise within the castle’s grounds, Drusilla must decide whether to risk her family’s safety and her school on the gallant architect who seems to have found his way into her heart.
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