"Swinging on a Star" Book Review

"Swinging on a Star"
by
Janice Thompson

In order to tell you about how much I enjoyed the book "Swinging on a Star" by Janice Thompson, I must first tell you about book #1 in this series, "Fools Rush In". I was offered the opportunity to review "Swinging on a Star" but hadn't read book #1, having heard so many great things about it I did the highly unusual... I went and bought it so I could read them both in order. I'm glad I did. "Fools Rush In" is such a great, original book and it laid such a firm foundation for "Swinging on a Star". Would you have to read them both in order? No, but why deprive yourself of Janice's great writing style by limiting yourself to just one of these books?


MY REVIEW: "Fools Rush In" introduces us to Bella Rossi and her crazy, quirky, Italian family. I just wish I had gotten the invitation to join her family at the dinner table sooner! Bella has just taken over the family's wedding planning business and decided to branch out into themed weddings. Now she is organizing her first Boot Scoot'n wedding and doesn't have a dj! She runs into someone that gives her a lead on a dj and the misunderstandings ensue. She hires a dj alright, only to realize that he isn't a deejay, he is an actual D.J.! What could possibly happen except love as they work together to make this wedding perfect. But of course perfection doesn't happen often in Bella's family and why would this be any different? Hijinx, crazy neighbors, unconventional family and the fun has only just begun. Fantastic start to this new series!

Bella Rossi may be nearing thirty, but her life is just starting to get interesting. When her Italian-turned-Texan parents hand over the family wedding planning business, Bella is determined not to let them down. She quickly books a "Boot Scoot'n" wedding that would make any Texan proud. There's only one catch--she's a country music numbskull because her family only listens to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Where will she find a DJ on such short notice who knows his Alan Jackson from his Keith Urban? When a misunderstanding leads her to the DJ (and man) of her dreams, things start falling into place. But with a family like hers, nothing is guaranteed. Can the perfect Texan wedding survive a pizza-making uncle with mob ties, an aunt who is a lawsuit waiting to happen, and a massive delivery of 80 cowboy boots? And will Bella ever get to plan her own wedding? Book one in the Weddings by Bella series, Fools Rush In is fun, fresh, and full of surprises. Readers will love the flavorful combination of Italian and Tex-Mex, and the hilarity that ensues when cultures clash.

MY REVIEW: "Swinging on a Star" draws us quickly back into Bella Rossi's wild and crazy life. Only this time DJ is firmly planted in the middle of it as she plans her next big themed wedding - a Renaissance fairy tale, ah sigh! One twist Bella isn't expecting though... the Best Man happens to be a hunky movie star who appears to have his sight set on Bella, but Bella's sister has her sights set on him and Bella really just wants to have some peace and quiet with DJ... but peace and quiet aren't the norm at Bella's house and this wedding is no different. Especially when the Best Man moves in with Bella's family until the wedding! Can things get any crazier? Well, bring the crazy neighbor boy back into the picture, along with a hurricane and the quirky cast of characters from "Fools Rush In" and Janice Thompson has another hit on her hands! I can only hope that people keep wanting to get married so Bella keeps planning weddings and I keep getting invited back!

Bella Rossi's life is nearing perfection. She's got the perfect guy, she's running a successful business, and she's about to plan her most ambitious wedding yet, a Renaissance-themed fairy tale come true, complete with period costumes and foods, horse-drawn carriages, and even a castle. There's just one hitch. The best man just happens to be Brock Benson, Hollywood's hottest and most eligible bachelor. Oh, and did we mention he's staying at the Rossi house to avoid the paparazzi? With all the pressure surrounding this wedding, Bella's not sure she's going to make it through. Add her starstruck sister, her feuding aunt and uncle, and a trio of large, sequined church ladies with even bigger personalities, and you've got a recipe for disaster--and a lot of laughs. This hilarious romantic comedy is sure to delight both fans and new readers alike.

Thanks to Baker Publishing Group for a review copy of this book.
Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.