Another story from Jen that has all of the perfect amount of a great story. Thank yo to the publishers and NetGalley for a good read.

Authentically quirky and occasionally zany, this heartwarming story proves that you can indeed take the city out of the city girl and with entertaining results! This book is Jen Turano storytelling at its finest, including the irresistible combination of children and animals.

Isadora has a good heart, one open to new perspectives and experiences. Her journey of self-discovery and budding faith is the foundation of this adventure. Ian’s colorful background and eccentric collection of family and friends provide ample levity. His ability to excel in both the business world and the hard work of life on a farm increases his appeal.

Whether readers will finish this story and long for a hobby farm or a butler is a complete toss-up. Turano skillfully crafts a uniquely entertaining and genuinely heartwarming story filled with her trademark humor and suspense. I highly recommend this story, and I’ll be sharing with both my teenage daughter and my grandmother as well.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Isadora Delafield has a problem! She is single, an heiress of a great fortune, and her mother wants her to be married to someone with a Title. Enter the Duke of Montrose, from England, on the American Continent to procure himself a wife. So, what's the problem?

The problem is this, the Duke is an oaf, and also disgusting, and also the most boring man alive. He believes himself a fine catch and "always" gets what he wants. But Isadora is turned off by his lack of manners, his bad breath, his terrible self aggrandizement an just down right unsuitability as a husband as far as she is concerned. But her mother and society will push her to marriage.

Instead, Isadora runs away. She leaves New York to become a housekeeper for an estate in Pennsylvania. The only problem is, it is not an estate but a working farm. So, think of the story like this, Green Acres meets Jane Austen.

Isadora is intrigue with life on the farm. She is intrigued with life in small town America. She falls in love with children, animals and a man who is a true rags to riches American story. Ian MacKenzie has gone from being a poor young man abused by his father to a man possessed of a excellent business mind and one who has climbed the business and social ladders of Pittsburgh. He is wealthy now and well respected by the local elite.

But he owns this farm that his adoptive parents run. He keeps it well maintained because of his love for them. But his desire is to climb higher up the social ladder in Pittsburgh. To do this he needs the correct wife to help him in that endeavor.

Enter Isadora. She is pretty, she is smart, she is a hired servant! How can he fall in love with her? She will not help his social standing. For her part she meets Ian and he is handsome, kind, generous and a man to love, but he is a farmer.

The story is well written. It is fun. It is laughable. It is intriguing. I must admit that at first I wasn't sure whether I would like it or not. But then, the story unravels, and being a Jane Austen fan, I fell in love with the American Heiress and Ian MacKenzie. Once you start the story you won't be able to put it down.

Jen Turano is a wonderful writer who weaves a beautiful story along with countless concepts of society, love, expectations and, well, just how love wins out in the end.

Enjoy!

This is book one in the American Heiresses series, what a great place to start. Jen Turano is one of my favorite authors. Her books are full of history, humor, Drama, Romance and so much more. I can't wait for book two.

The beautiful Miss Isadora Delafield learns a lot about herself, things she must change and things she must learn to embrace.

Mr. Ian MacKenzie too will learn things about himself that he must embrace or change. Ian and Isadora are quite the pair. I love the sparks hat fly between them and the growth in both of them.

Isadora Delafield is one of the most eligible heiresses in America (in other words, she has a very large dowry and is beautiful). Her mother is delighted when the Duke of Montrose becomes enamored with Isadora, but Isadora finds the man slimy and despicable. When he refuses to stop pursuing her hand even after she gives him the cut direct very publicly things get more serious. Because Isadora finds out that the man never gives up when he sets his mind that he wants something and that his past three wives all died under mysterious circumstances. Her best friend and two servants come up with a plan to save Isadora. She must go to the countryside and hide out as a servant until her father can get back and deal with the Duke. Isadora, soon to be Izzie Delmont agrees. How hard can being a housekeeper in the backwoods of Pennsylvania be?

This book starts off rather serious, but once Izzie gets to the farm in Pennsylvania where she’s applying to be a housekeeper it turns downright hilarious. I laughed out loud numerous times over the scrapes she gets into. It was great comedic writing. And then you get to know the family, an older couple and the four orphans that she’s ended up with, and they just steal the show and reader’s hearts. Of course, there’s also the young and upcoming Pittsburgh attorney who owns the farm and who was also taken in and raised by the older couple to provide a love interest. You can see a mile away what is going to happen with all the characters involved but that doesn’t matter. Watching it all unfold and enjoying the ride is the main point. And Ms Turano has made it a most enjoyable ride. I have heard that she’s a wonderfully entertaining and funny writer before but this is the first time I’ve actually read one of her books. I must now purchase not only this one for our library but hunt down more of her work because that read was both suspenseful and fun and tender, a great mix. Highly recommended to readers who are looking for a read that provides a mixture of genres, cute clean romance fans, humor fans, and Christian historical romance fans (there are some Christian beliefs espoused by a few characters that works into the story naturally).

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond a kiss (though it is conveyed that the duke is sizing up Isadora with his eyes and is a slimy guy, nothing happens). A gory death in a steel mill is somewhat described.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Miss Isadora has run from an undesirable suitor and has applied to be a housekeeper and cook when she has never cooked or kept house. The antics on the farm kept me smiling as she struggles through the seriousness of hiding her true identity and from the unwanted suitor. This author always makes me smile and her stories are just a delight to read. You can't go wrong with a Jen Turano book!
I was gifted a copy, no review was required. My review is voluntary..

Honestly, I could go on and on about my love for Jen Turano's writing until Buttercup came home. She is my favorite historical author. I know that some people have a hard time with the ridiculousness of her stories, but honestly, they make me laugh so hard. They are always the perfect mix of comedy, romance, drama, and inspirational all wrapped into one enjoyable book sized package.

This might have been her most ridiculous story yet and that is saying something since I distinctly remember a problem with peacocks in In Good Company. But I think that the chickens beat out the peacocks.

Ian and Izzie were both extremely interesting characters, I loved how Turano showed a little bit more of the business aspect in this story instead of just the upper class.

This isn't my favorite of her works, but I was still filled with such a nostalgia after I finished this one. I wished that I hadn't because I missed it.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, all opinions, however, are my own.

This book! It's an absolute hoot!! But then, that's what I've come to expect from Jen Turano's books.

The main character captured my attention immediately. Her spunk. Her humor. Her adventurous spirit....I just loved her.

There is also a bit of mystery involved in this story....and I also loved that part of it.

Isadora, the main character, was your typical strong-willed, a bit spoiled, 1800s rich heiress. Then she leaves all that behind and finds herself having to learn how to do actual work. And here's what makes it so interesting--she's trying to convince a prospective employer that she's good enough at it, capable enough, that he should hire her. And then she tries to boil water...and fails!

Ian seemed a bit harder to me to grasp. I liked him. But I'm not sure he felt completely realistic to me (maybe this is because I found Isadora so very relateable).

Put the two together...and yeah, because this is a romance, you know right away that there is going to be something happening there...anyway. Enough about that!

If you are looking for a fun, light-hearted read, then definitely give this one a try!

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

What a grand read! From animals to children, romance, and suspense, it's all in these pages. This book is well titled in more ways than one. It's full of history and fun. This story tickled my fancy and I loved its message. I had a great time following the plans God had for this couple as they unfolded in this book.

Isadora, an American Heiress, finds herself the unwilling recipient of a Duke’s marriage proposal. Fearing for her life, she decides to hide herself in service at a farm in rural Pennsylvania. Ian macKenzie, the owner of the farm, agrees to hire Izzie temporarily as his housekeeper, and he two become friends.

I loved this book. It was just light and fluffy enough to be enjoyable. I thought their happily-ever-after was fun and sweet.

Can I just say, I LOVE Jen Turano’s books? I have always enjoyed historical and humorous fiction. When you mix those two together…well, you get a Jen Turano book!

Flights of Fancy is Turano’s newest book, the first in her American Heiresses series. True to her typical style, there are lots of laugh out loud moments garnered from the situation Isadora “Izzie” Delafield, American heiress, finds herself in. However, not everything is “hunky-dory” in her life.

Fleeing from a precarious situation involving a dastardly Duke her mother wants her to marry, Izzie finds herself at the Glory Manor. Glory Manor is home to a menagerie of animals and people, including cows and chickens that prefer the indoors and four adorable orphans.

Between the “normal” goings on at Glory Manor, there are undercurrents of menace, too. As the characters begin to learn more about each other, they also learn more about themselves and their purpose in life.

Flights of Fancy doesn’t have as much of the Gilded Age as most of Turano’s books have; nonetheless, it is still very enjoyable. She has a way of interweaving valuable life lessons and Biblical insights into her stories that leave you thinking about your own life.

I received the book from NetGalley and Celebrate Lit through Bethany House Publishers. However, I was under no obligation to post a review.

Ms. Turano has written quite the start to her new series American Heiresses. Within the pages of this novel is laugh out loud antics, animals galore, and imagery that makes you feel apart of the story.

Besides the fun that Ms. Turano is known for in her stories she out does herself in her latest novel adding not only fun animals like a cow that roams the house, and a chicken named Elmer, but she adds the most adorable children to the mix that will just melt your heart.

The romance isn't without incident both Isadora and Ian learn that honesty is truly the best policy. There is swoon worthy romance that will enchant romantics everywhere. As with all Jen Turano's novels the historical element is well researched.

I had the best time reading this novel and found myself laughing out loud a LOT as well as shaking my head with the antics of every character, mainly Isadora.

Here's just one of my favorite quotes . . .

"And you thought it wise to provide a woman who'd gotten herself stuck in the wringer of a washing machine with a rifle and bullets?"

I highly recommend this book!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via the publisher in association with Jen Turano's Street Team. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Amazing. This book was wonderful. Ian is totally swoon-worthy, Izzie is endearing, Uncle Amos and Aunt Birdie are a hoot and the 4 kiddos are heart-stealing. Jen literally pens stories that leap off the page and this one was a fun story that had me in stitches nearly from the word go. Add in Elmer the chicken and Buttercup the cow, and you can see why the antics in this story were completely entertaining. I couldn’t put it down and was sorry to see it end. I am counting the days till her next one!

I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

Jen Turano offers fun and intriguing characters to follow through their adventures. This novel is no different. I like the twist on the heiress theme in Flights of Fancy. Apparently, some rich women did go off on such “flights” at that time. Rather than focus on superficial things or seeking wealth, this protagonist, Isadora Delafield, wants to escape a forced marriage to nobility and find her own way in life. Her journey takes her far from the pampered life she’s known, but she learns and grows along the way, and her future may turn out far different than expected. Throw in some farm animals and dear children along with a great guy who has worked for all he has, and you have the making for a rollicking American tale. The people seem truly alive and irrepressible. The settings provide great backgrounds for the story. I look forward to the rest of the books in this series. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

As typical of Jen Turano's books, you are guaranteed a light hearted and entertaining read. Distinct and unique characters, filled with moments that will have you laughing. I loved this book, and it's a great start to what promises to be another amazing series.

This book had me laughing out loud, such an entertaining and enjoyable read, I could picture this one as a movie!
One minute our girl Isadora [Izzie] is waited on hand and foot, and the next she is in a quandary to dress herself, and how to boil water. How is she ever going to pass herself off as a housekeeper? Funny!
There are some challenges that are met here, is the beloved Uncle suffering from dementia, or is an outside force tormenting him and many others? Got your attention, this is just a tease of what you are going to have once you turn those pages. A cow in the house? A chicken? A mansion and balls, along with the above make for a great read!
I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.

Flight Of Fancy is one of my new favorites from Jen Turano! The characters and setting were wonderfully done, and I loved the plot. The twists and turns really set it apart from other books I have read. And I love Jen Turano writing style. The humor in her books is one of my favorite parts. It was a really fun book, and that memorable chicken and cow were the prefect touch! This is a book that I highly recommend.





I received this book free through NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. The opinions are my own.

When you need a book that's light-hearted and humorous but still has some depth of faith and adventure, I recommend a book by Jen Turano. Her books never fail to lift the heart and tickle the funny bone. Her new release, Flights of Fancy, is no exception. Easy to read, Flights of Fancy brings us the story of Izzie (Isadora Delafield), a wealthy American Heiress in need of a refuge and Ian McKenzie, a businessman in need of a priority check. With some hilarious adventures along the way, involving a cow named Buttercup, a hen named Elmer, and four children who are deathly afraid of taking a bath, Ian and Izzie will learn what it means to find God's purpose for your life and what it means to be part of a community where people look out for their fellow man.
I loved the characters in this book, especially Izzie and her desperate attempts to prove she can be a housekeeper even though she's never cooked, baked, done laundry, or boiled water in her life. Several hijinks ensue as she is determined to keep her cover as Izzie Delmont, housekeeper to the rich. I wasn't fond of the way Ms. Turano chose to make the Duke appear like a creep (he kept looking at Izzie's chest), but it did get the point across and we definitely cheer for Izzie to escape his evil clutches.
Another character I enjoyed was the secondary character of Beatrix Waterbury, Izzie's best friend. She looks like she's going to be a real pistol and I can't wait to read her book in the not so distant future. Also, the four children add so much to the story, their innocence and unconditional love will warm your heart.
A historical note that I am interested in studying out is the difference between an British housekeeper and an American housekeeper back in those days. There is some confusion in the story regarding Izzie's pseudonym as Mrs. Delmont. Isadora states that single women were never hired for any position other than the lowest of maids, and so she pretended to be a Mrs. so as not to be turned away at the door. From what I understand about a British housekeeper was that she was always referred to as a Mrs.
Maybe that was the intent, seeing that her disguise name was given to her by a British butler?
All in all, this was a wonderful historical romance and deserves a resounding five stars. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Flights of Fancy is the first book in the American Heiresses series, and was written by Jen Turano.
Summary: Miss Isadora Delafield is a very wealthy New York heiress, and as such, is pursued quite fervently by the single gentleman in her social circle.  Her mother has her heart set on Isadora marrying a Duke, so when one presents himself willing and able to take Isadora as his wife, her mother's meddling reaches new levels.
In order to escape the persistent Duke (and her mother), Isadora must flee her home and hide.  But where to hide?  Everyone knows who she is, and there isn't anywhere in high society she will be safe.
With help from her friends, Isadora concocts a daring plan-she will apply for a housekeeping job in Pennsylvania.  Having never worked a day in her life, the task seems daunting, but how hard can it really be to order other servants around? She knows how to do that.
Little does she know just how unprepared she is.  But, when Mr. Ian MacKenzie finds himself in desperate need of a housekeeper for his aunt and uncle, he is forced to at least give her a trial run.
Will Isadora be able to keep up the charade, or will she be discovered by the Duke and forced into a loveless marriage after all?
My Thoughts:  This is a great book.  I thoroughly enjoyed the fish-out-of-water experiences that Isadora is exposed to, and the hilarity that ensues.  The deep relationships between the characters, the funny and crazy situations Isadora finds herself in, and the overall drama of her possibly being discovered for her true self, really lend to a fun and fascinating read.  I highly recommend this book-it is worth checking out-so go read it!  :)

Heiress Isadora Delafield is a pawn in her mother's social climbing schemes, her mother is pressuring her to marry an elderly and creepy Duke. Her butler helps her devise a plan to go into hiding as a member of service. Izzie has no experience whatsoever, but she is willing to do anything to get away from her mother's marriage plans.



Ian Mackenzie helps his aging uncle on the farm, Ian is looking for help so that he can balance the farm and housework. He hires Izzie. Amos and Birdie are not his biological aunt and uncle, but they took Ian in when he needed help and now they are family to him, his Aunt Birdie has taken in 4 young orphans as well and could use some help.



Hilarity ensues as Izzie navigates farm life, taking care of an aging couple, a gaggle of orphans, along with the animals.





Jen Turano returns with a brand new series and her signature situational humor and larger than life characters.



Izzie is naive in the ways of farm life and household tasks, raised in high society she has not had an opportunity to learn basic skills. She wants to learn to not be so helpless, she applies herself with diligence and shares her love of reading with the children.



Ian has worked hard to make something of himself, he also wants to return the kindness shown to him by Uncle Amos and Aunt Birdie. He loves them dearly, yet he also wants to raise his social standing so that he will be able to give his family a comfortable living.



Overall, a fun -filled read from beginning to end, I'll admit that the premise wasn't the most believable, but it was an enjoyable read regardless. I loved the quirky characters, and how supportive Izzie's friends are in helping her escape her unwanted suitor. Ian and Izzie connect over their shared love of books, and he is very patient with her. The start of another fantastic series, that Ms. Turano's fans old and new are sure to enjoy!





Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."