Friday, August 15, 2008

"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!

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ooo, enter me, enter me! :)

I've read the "Leave It To Claire" series by Tracey Bateman and loved them! I've been wanting to read Distant Heart and the Drama Queens series; they're on my wishlist over at Paperbackswap. My email address is writer(underscore)weaver(at)yahoo(dot)com

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I liked this 3rd book and would love to read the other two!

Lora Lease said...

I haven't read any of her books (hangs head bashfully), but would LOVE a chance to get to! :) Please enter me in the drawing.
asyouwiiiiish@gmail.com

hippmom said...

I haven't read anything by Tracey Bateman but I did just finish Camy Tang's Sushi for One. I enjoyed it. Good reading for the pool!

angela

Mimi N said...

I haven't had a chance to read any of the books. My 17 yr old has read the first 2. In fact, I just returned the 2nd on to the library late, thank you daughter of mine! She's at her student leadership retreat or I'd ask her which one she liked the most. I'd love a chance to win all 3. Thanks so much.

In Christ,
Mimi B

mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

Pam said...

I have read and enjoyed two anthologies - Highland Legacy andA Stitch in Time. I have also read Reasonable Doubt, Suspicion of Guilt, Betrayal of Trust,Leave it to Claire, Claire Knows Best, and Defiant Heart. I have also just read That's (Not Exactly) Amore and would love to read the other two books in the series. Please enter me.
pam (at) daysong (dot) com

Pamela J said...

I absolutely LOVE series in books.
Isn't it just like life to have someone like Officer Mark Hall come and put a wrench in what was thought to be just fine the way it is? Please enter me, I can't wait to get to read all the Drama Queen series together. Thanks.
Pam Williams
cepjwms at yahoo dot com

windycindy said...

Hi, I have been reading such good things about this book and series. Please enter me in your drawing for this book! Thanks very much, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I haven't read many chick-lit books but would love a chance to win these.

ldneuhof at hotmail dot com

Patty said...

I haven't had the opportunity to read any of Tracey's books so I would love to win this series.

pleblanc_1[at]charter[dot]net

Patty

Carole said...

I have read "The Color of the Soul" from Tracey's Penbrook Diaries series. I was surprised at how much this bittersweet book moved me and made me think; I hope Tracey writes more of this type of book.

Thank you for a great giveaway!

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Anonymous said...

i've read one book from Tracey and would like to know what happens next. please enter my name in the draw.
thanks,
sarahwoll at hotmail dot com

Theresa N. said...

I haven't read any of Tracey books but hope to change that real soon. :) I can't believe she's been married 18 years, she looks so young in her picture.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I've never read any books by Tracey Bateman, but I'm really interested after reading some reviews and also finding out that she doesn't live too far from me! Please enter me. Thanks!

author_erin(at)lycos(dot)com

Carolynn said...

I love Tracey's books, i would love to win these, thanks for the chance to win!
carolynnwald[at]hotmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

I've also read Distant Heart and am looking forward to Dangerous Heart coming out this fall.

Please enter me in the drawing.

Thanks,
Melissa
forest_rose[at]yahoo[dot]com

Unknown said...

Tracey has a real talent and I'm looking forward to adding her books to my list. Please enter me into the drawing.

lacresha.hayes@gmail.com
preacha1975@yahoo.com

Donna said...

I have read Defiant Heart. I love Chicklit so please enter me in this contest!!

runninmama[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

Cherie J said...

I have read her Love Inspired Suspense Mahoney Sister series and her Heartsong Presents Timing is Everything.

cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

Cara Putman said...

Okay, please enter me :-)

Anonymous said...

I LOVE chic-lit. It would be great to read this series. Thanks!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi! I have never read any books by Tracey, but I would love to! Please enter me in the drawing! Thanks!

Andrea

purplg8r@aol.com

Judy said...

She's a new author to me; however, your review encourages me to seek out her books.

Please enter me in the contest and thank you for making the book giveaway offer.

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read this series! Tracy's books sound fantastic! Please enter me in the drawing.

Deborah Piccurelli
DebPiccurelli[at]verizon[dot]

Merry said...

I've enjoyed the anthologies Kansas Home, A Stitch in Time and Scraps of Love. Please add my name, thanks.

worthy2Bpraised{at}gmail{dot}com

Cheryl said...

I would love to read this book. Please enter me in the contest. My email address is shryackmom[@]charter[.]net

Karin said...

Have never read any of her books --but would love to!

Martha A. said...

I have read the first two in this series, Leave it to Claire series and the Westward hearts series! I love her books and read every one I can get my hands on so please enter me so I can read this one!
martha(at)lclink(dot)com

Lucie said...

I would love to win any of Tracey's books! I absolutely loved the "Leave It To Claire" series!! Please enter me :-)

Blessings,
Lucie

LucieInCA [at] aol [dot] com

Anonymous said...

I've read leave it to Claire, a few Heartsong titles. I'd be thrilled at a chance to win this series!

~Carla
Pioneerheart @ PBS
pluumeria [at] cox [dot] net

Doreen said...

Hi, I would *love* to win this series!! I haven't read anything by Tracey yet--so this is exciting to have this opportunity! purposedrivenlife4you(at)gmail(dot)com

Janna said...

And the winner is...

Patty!

Congratulations!!!

What an awesome series!!!