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Turn Left At Sanity
IS HE THE ONLY SANE PERSON IN TOWN? Corporate shark Joe Iskerson wastes no time in getting exactly what he wants. And what he wants is to spend one brief night in Saunders, Idaho, close a major land deal, and get out. But no one told him Saunders is home to a bunch of kooky eccentrics who don't seem to grasp the concept of money, or that his B&B is a former brothel that now houses retired ladies of the evening. Then there's the proprietor of the B&B, Emylou Gainor. Pretty, warm, and apparently not deranged, she's the sort of homemaking, small-town girl Joe would never be attracted to under normal circumstances. But nothing in Saunders is normal. That must be why he's going wildly, passionately out of his mind for Emylou. The only way to stay sane is to get out of town, before he gives in to total erotic madness... ...OR IS NORMAL HIGHLY OVERRATED? Emylou has always been level-headed. But then, she's never met anybody like Joe. When he's around Emylou feels like going deliciously, wickedly insane. Or maybe that old brothel magic is finally starting to work on her. As acting mayor, Emylou is determined to keep Joe in Saunders long enough to save her hometown...even if she has to take leave of her senses and drive him completely crazy to do it...
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2005
2 people are currently reading
262 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Warren
359 books1,883 followersNancy Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 novels.
She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
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She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
www.facebook.com/groups/NancyWarrenKn...
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 24, 2009
Started off as a light, cute romantic comedy. Somewhere before chapter 9, it turned into a horror story. I stopped before I got nightmares.
Joe was sexy and made good hero material. Emmylou was something else altogether. She was fine in the first couple of pages but degenerated into something else altogether. If I, as the reader, was supposed to be on her side and believe Joe's workaholic lifestyle had to change, Emmylou's attitude didn't win me over. On the contrary, she made me ask what gave her the right to be so judgmental of someone else's choices when she wasn't exactly making "normal" choices herself. I was happy for Emmylou's decision to live her crazy life in that crazy hick town and if she thought Joe was the insane one to live that New York life, I was fine with that. What I was NOT fine with was the heavy-handedness Warren gave the book to the point where a small town with its small-town values of looking out for each other turned into a house-of-horrors type place.
Chapter 9 is where Joe is trapped in the town because they town members and Emmylou decide...nah, forget why. If you enjoy horror stories, this will rock.
I bought Turn Left at Sanity because I loved the previous book, The One I Want. Hate it when this happens and thankfully, this extreme in loving and hating an author's book doesn't happen often.
Joe was sexy and made good hero material. Emmylou was something else altogether. She was fine in the first couple of pages but degenerated into something else altogether. If I, as the reader, was supposed to be on her side and believe Joe's workaholic lifestyle had to change, Emmylou's attitude didn't win me over. On the contrary, she made me ask what gave her the right to be so judgmental of someone else's choices when she wasn't exactly making "normal" choices herself. I was happy for Emmylou's decision to live her crazy life in that crazy hick town and if she thought Joe was the insane one to live that New York life, I was fine with that. What I was NOT fine with was the heavy-handedness Warren gave the book to the point where a small town with its small-town values of looking out for each other turned into a house-of-horrors type place.
Chapter 9 is where Joe is trapped in the town because they town members and Emmylou decide...nah, forget why. If you enjoy horror stories, this will rock.
I bought Turn Left at Sanity because I loved the previous book, The One I Want. Hate it when this happens and thankfully, this extreme in loving and hating an author's book doesn't happen often.
February 21, 2021
A Hallmark movie as in extremely predictable. But with lots of sex.
December 12, 2017
Full of humor, just and crazy, zany people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2018
I found both the characters and the story entertaining. What a pleasant surprise!
November 16, 2018
Disappointed. Waste of time. Had to skip a few chapters just to finish the book.
November 14, 2024
Cute and light.
May 13, 2008
There's a reason Nancy Warren is a USA-Today bestselling author, and once you pick up a copy of TURN LEFT AT SANITY, you'll know why. Just in case you're not able to get to your favorite bookstore today, though, I'll go ahead and give you a clue, or maybe even three-a hot, sexy, corporate-minded hero; a twenty-something, bed and breakfast owning heroine; supporting characters who, although in their seventies, still believe they've got what it takes to be mistresses in a brothel; a small town with more eccentricities than an insane asylum; dialogue that will have you laughing so hard you'll need to wipe the tears from your eyes. And those are only a few of the surprises in store for you once you start reading TURN LEFT AT SANITY.
For Emmylou Sargent, being levelheaded, business-minded, and absolutely normal is the way things have to be. After all, she does own a bed and breakfast in Beaverton , Idaho , that just so happened to once be a brothel. And yes, some of the former "ladies of the evening" still reside with her, and many more seem to drop in all too often for tea. Someone has to have a good head on their shoulders, and it seems that Emmylou has been nominated for the position. Regardless of the seventy-somethings who still proclaim their prowess in the bedroom, or the lady who insists they should burn this modern-day Tara to the ground before the Yankees can get their hands on it, Emmylou is determined to lead as normal a life as possible. The only problem with that scenario is that in a town like Beaverton , normal adds up to a whole lot of boring. Boring, that is, until one Joe Montcrief shows up at her B&B, looking for a room.
Tall, dark, and undeniably handsome, Joe's making his way through Beaverton for only one reason-buy some land, make some deals, and get the heck out of dodge. What he never expects is to be almost instantly attracted to the demure innkeeper where he's bedding down-or to be asked what his sexual problems are by women old enough to be his grandmothers. Undeniably intrigued, however, Joe finds himself in no sudden rush to leave this small town; in fact, he's finding more and more reasons to spend time with Emmylou and her "family" of sexual fanatics. The only problem is, the more the former ladies of the night harp on his love life, the more Joe fantasizes about making some new memories with the very prim and proper Emmylou.
TURN LEFT AT SANITY is a hilarious romp through small town life, with characters just crazy enough to keep you entertained throughout the entire story. For Joe and Emmylou, the attraction might be strong and immediate, but these two characters are looking for different things out of life-and a short, one-night stand isn't it. Ms. Warren has done an excellent job, as always, combining a highly charged sexual attraction with real-to-life characters and witty dialogue, resulting in a story that's as heartfelt and genuine as it is amusing.
For Emmylou Sargent, being levelheaded, business-minded, and absolutely normal is the way things have to be. After all, she does own a bed and breakfast in Beaverton , Idaho , that just so happened to once be a brothel. And yes, some of the former "ladies of the evening" still reside with her, and many more seem to drop in all too often for tea. Someone has to have a good head on their shoulders, and it seems that Emmylou has been nominated for the position. Regardless of the seventy-somethings who still proclaim their prowess in the bedroom, or the lady who insists they should burn this modern-day Tara to the ground before the Yankees can get their hands on it, Emmylou is determined to lead as normal a life as possible. The only problem with that scenario is that in a town like Beaverton , normal adds up to a whole lot of boring. Boring, that is, until one Joe Montcrief shows up at her B&B, looking for a room.
Tall, dark, and undeniably handsome, Joe's making his way through Beaverton for only one reason-buy some land, make some deals, and get the heck out of dodge. What he never expects is to be almost instantly attracted to the demure innkeeper where he's bedding down-or to be asked what his sexual problems are by women old enough to be his grandmothers. Undeniably intrigued, however, Joe finds himself in no sudden rush to leave this small town; in fact, he's finding more and more reasons to spend time with Emmylou and her "family" of sexual fanatics. The only problem is, the more the former ladies of the night harp on his love life, the more Joe fantasizes about making some new memories with the very prim and proper Emmylou.
TURN LEFT AT SANITY is a hilarious romp through small town life, with characters just crazy enough to keep you entertained throughout the entire story. For Joe and Emmylou, the attraction might be strong and immediate, but these two characters are looking for different things out of life-and a short, one-night stand isn't it. Ms. Warren has done an excellent job, as always, combining a highly charged sexual attraction with real-to-life characters and witty dialogue, resulting in a story that's as heartfelt and genuine as it is amusing.
January 7, 2009
Turn Left at Sanity by Nancy Warren...
I think I took that left turn picking up this book. It’s not that it’s bad, especially for what it is, but I just am not in the mood for cutesy. Beautiful, untouchable (and did I mention sexy?) single woman who is the inkeeper of “The Shady Lady” -- a former brothel turned B&B meets Manhattan businessman (handsome, single and did I mention sexy?) who is there to cut a deal to (as he sees it) “save” the town. But as the quirky (and yes, they are-- from the ex-ladies of the night who are in their 80’s but auctioning themselves off as “the natural Viagra” on e-bay, to the German born resident who thinks he’s NApoleon, to the quiet kleptomaniac who gifts the things she has pinched to the original owners...you get the drift) come to believe, he’s out to destroy their town and its history. Can this town and romance be saved? Turn left at Sanity to find out. (Oh- did I mention that the town founded on sex therapy and such is named after its founder and is called-- are you ready?-- Beaverton.
I think I took that left turn picking up this book. It’s not that it’s bad, especially for what it is, but I just am not in the mood for cutesy. Beautiful, untouchable (and did I mention sexy?) single woman who is the inkeeper of “The Shady Lady” -- a former brothel turned B&B meets Manhattan businessman (handsome, single and did I mention sexy?) who is there to cut a deal to (as he sees it) “save” the town. But as the quirky (and yes, they are-- from the ex-ladies of the night who are in their 80’s but auctioning themselves off as “the natural Viagra” on e-bay, to the German born resident who thinks he’s NApoleon, to the quiet kleptomaniac who gifts the things she has pinched to the original owners...you get the drift) come to believe, he’s out to destroy their town and its history. Can this town and romance be saved? Turn left at Sanity to find out. (Oh- did I mention that the town founded on sex therapy and such is named after its founder and is called-- are you ready?-- Beaverton.
December 19, 2011
One of my favorite games is shopping for books at the dollar store. 'Cause where else can you get a new book for a buck twenty-five? The goal: find something that I like amidst all the crossword puzzle books and copies of A Very Barbie Christmas. This was the winner. Not only did I get to add another nearly headless hero to my collection before the end of the year, but it was also well-written and funny. The premise is basically an extended naughty joke, but it's a funny joke and a sexy story and my flight was really turbulent so I needed a distraction.
Nancy Warren, for making me laugh despite the toddler kicking my seat and the bad weather over Phoenix, you win the dollar store Book Award. Congrats!
Nancy Warren, for making me laugh despite the toddler kicking my seat and the bad weather over Phoenix, you win the dollar store Book Award. Congrats!
March 23, 2011
Joe is a corporate broker looking for the next place to build a kitty litter factory. Emylou is the granddaughter of a fabled sex therapist/psychiatrist and the owner of the former brothel in town. The town is filled with the former patients of the now closed psychiatric institution (loony bin). The dialog is decent in places and great in others. But the setting and the sub characters are what make this book shine. So if the dialog is good and the characters are likable why only three stars? Well, the last 50 pages or so just got a bit ridiculous for me. Still a solid 3.5 but since I rounded the last one up...
February 22, 2015
I spent the vast majority of this book feeling like I’ve read it before. There’s just nothing in it that’s particularly original.
Nancy and Joe (the main characters) have pretty great chemistry and good moments but most of the side characters never develop past “crazy”, with situations feeling contrived in order to display that craziness.
Beyond that.
It did elicit a couple of laughs and I didn’t end up feeling like I wasted my time, so it might be an interesting read for someone not so familiar with the genre.
Nancy and Joe (the main characters) have pretty great chemistry and good moments but most of the side characters never develop past “crazy”, with situations feeling contrived in order to display that craziness.
Beyond that.
It did elicit a couple of laughs and I didn’t end up feeling like I wasted my time, so it might be an interesting read for someone not so familiar with the genre.
August 7, 2010
This was a fun story that takes place in a small town full of weirdos. Big city businessman Joe stays at Emmylou's bed & breakfast while he checks into possibility of opening a cat litter factory nearby. There was plenty of humor, sex and unique bits but I was easily distracted and seemed like it took me forever to finish.
Read
July 16, 2012Never thought I'd say this about a Nancy Warren book, but I just couldn't finish this one. Technically there's nothing wrong with the book, but I just could not get into the story. The characters never develop individual voices. Everybody's crazy and there is no one person with a clear way forward for the story to progress. Very confusing and WTF-y.
June 27, 2008
Honestly I couldn't really relate to the characters in this book. It had some interesting, funny characters and if they were not making love they were talking about it. It was full sex and I am not sure I loved it but I did keep reading it:)
November 14, 2007
read 03.31.07
February 16, 2008
Pretty good. Enjoyed the secondary characters more than the primary H/H.
March 7, 2011
A bog-standard romance, but with an entertaining cast of secondary characters. :~)
June 19, 2011
Good stry, 1st NW, grt sex
February 27, 2012
Nederlandstalige versie
July 9, 2012
This was a fun enjoyable read...a little bit of sexy mixed with comedy just what I needed to brighten my mood
September 17, 2015
A fun read!
January 27, 2016
Very Funny!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews