Wednesday, August 13, 2008

That's (Not Exactly) Amore by Tracey Bateman


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

That's (Not Exactly) Amore

FaithWords (August 14, 2008)

by

Tracey Bateman



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tracey Bateman published her first novel in 2000 and has been busy ever since. There are two other books in the Drama Queen Series, Catch A Rising Star (#1) and You Had Me At Goodbye (#2)

She learned to write by writing, and improved by listening to critique partners and editors. She has sold over 30 books in six years.
She became a member of American Christian Fiction Writers in the early months of its inception in 2000 and served as president for a year.


Tracey loves Sci-fi, Lifetime movies, and Days of Our Lives (this is out of a 21 year habit of watching, rather than enjoyment of current storylines.

She has been married to her husband Rusty for 18 years, has four kids, and lives in Lebanon, Missouri.


ABOUT THE BOOK


When Laini Sullivan lands a job designing Nick Pantalone's coffee shop, there are two problems: one, Nick's nephew Joe hates all of her ideas and two, Laini has to admit he's right--she's a disaster at design. Still, she can't risk losing the job. To compromise, Joe brings in help on the project, while Laini continues to bake the goodies that keep his customers lining up.
Their relationship is moving along, so when new guy Officer Mark Hall implies that Joe's family is tied to the mob, Laini doesn't want to believe it. But things spin out of control when she meets the family, including "the uncles," who seem to confirm Mark's suspicions. To make things worse, Nana Pantalone makes it clear Laini isn't the kind of girl she has in mind for her grandson. Laini's not sure if she should give Joe the benefit of the doubt or just set her sites on Mark and fuhgetaboutit.

"Tracey draws us into the world of family and friendship with a few surprising twists along the way Bravo!"
~RACHEL HAUCK, author of Diva NashVegas and Sweet Caroline

If you would like to read the first chapter of That's (Not Exactly) Amore, go HERE

MY REVIEW:
“And just like that my entire, gut-wrenching confession is trumped by a chat about the weather.” (p. 220) I think Laini Sullivan feels like this a lot in Tracey Bateman’s final installment of the Drama Queens Series. Laini is the main character in That’s (not exactly) Amore, and she is trying so hard to be her best at something she doesn’t like that she can’t figure out where her true gifts lie. Besides struggling to find her life passion, the famine of men in her life has ended and she finds herself with two gorgeous guys wanting to see her at every turn! As if that weren’t enough, Laini’s mother has gone from being a grieving widow to being newly in love, and it looks as if the only house Laini has ever known as home will be sold to pay for the debt left behind by her mom’s new widower boyfriend.

I can’t believe I’ve missed all of this drama! Tracey Bateman sure knew how to name a series if the other books are anything like Amore! This is a delightful chic-lit read that will keep you entertained every step of the way! I loved Laini from the beginning, because in some ways I totally understood her indecision. By the end of the book I felt like cheering!!! That epilogue…it’s worth everything!! I loved it!! And that final scene in the rain?….Be still my heart!

Don’t miss this delightful book! Purchase your copy of That’s (Not Exactly) Amore here today! While you’re at it, you might as well get the other two books in the series – Catch A Rising Star and You Had Me At Goodbye. This is perfect summer reading!! Enjoy!

1 comment:

kalea_kane said...

Sounds like a great read. Thanks for posting a review!