"That's (Not Exactly) Amore" Book Review and Giveaway!!!

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:
I have read a little by Tracey Bateman (her book Distant Heart that I have reviewed already) and really enjoyed it, but I had not tried anything in her Drama Queen series. Well, up til now this has been my loss - I was absolutely charmed by this book! I would characterize it as chick-lit (forgive me if I'm wrong Tracey) and some of the most enjoyable chick-lit I've read (on par with Camy Tang's Sushi series).
I plan on going back and reading books #1 and #2 about Tabby and Dancy, but book #3 about Laini was a great stand alone and I loved it! A great cast of characters wrapped around a perfectly flawed and precious heroine (okay, maybe I was partial to her because she referred to herself as pudgy and short and not a drop dead gorgeous size 2!) who is dealing with multiple conflicts - interior designer or baking / Mark or Joe / apartment in the city or Mom's house in the 'burbs... and honestly I struggled with those choices right along with Laini. I really didn't know til down at the wire how things were going to end up for her and when the epilogue came along I was truly thrilled for her! This is a book that you must read if you like the chick-lit type of books... so leave a comment telling me what, if any books you have read by Tracey Bateman and you will be entered to win - the entire Drama Queen series of books!!! That's right - all 3!!! Even I want to win these! But I promise not to enter myself - so just make sure that you leave an email address along with your comment and you are good to go - Good luck!