Sunday, February 14, 2010

BRAVA VALENTINE: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
BRAVA VALENTINE

BY ADRIANA TRIGIANI

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In this sumptuous follow-up to VERY VALENTINE, a once-in-a-lifetime business opportunity takes Valentine from the winding streets of Greenwich Village to the sun-kissed cobblestones of Buenos Aires, where she finds a long-buried secret hidden deep within a family scandal. Once unearthed, the truth rocks the Roncallis, while Valentine is torn between a past love that nurtured her, and a new one that promises to sustain her. BRAVA, VALENTINE is Trigiani’s best novel yet, delivering a hilarious and poignant mix of colorful worlds and unforgettable characters as only she can create them.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Adriana Trigiani is the bestselling author of the Big Stone Gap series and the bestselling novels LUCIA, LUCIA; THE QUEEN OF THE BIGTIME; ROCOCO; and the young adult novel VIOLA IN REAL LIFE. She has also written and will direct the big-screen version of her first novel, BIG STONE GAP. She lives in New York City with her husband and daughter. Visit Adriana Trigiani’s official website, www.adrianatrigiani.com

REVIEW:


Adriana Trigiani captured readers' hearts with her characters in BIG STONE GAP, did the same as we fell in love with Valentine Roncalli in VERY VALENTINE, and she doesn't disappoint in this second book in the Valentine trilogy. At the end of VERY VALENTINE, Valentine is taking over the family business that she loves so much. Angelini Shoe Company is more than a job, it is a passion. Passed down through generations, the family designs and makes hand-made, custom wedding shoes. The charming shoe shop is nestled in Greenwich Village and the descriptions make the business come to life for readers. Of course, with the current economic trend not sparing even fiction, the shoe business must wonder if custom made wedding shoes will even be very much in demand any more.

However, the story opens with the big family wedding in the Italian village of Arezzo as the family matriarch, and beloved grandmother, Teodora, is marrying Dominic
Vechiarelli. The whole Roncalli familia is present and when that happens, sparks are sure to fly. Trigiani writes the about the large, ethnic family in a realistic way without going over the top. The Roncalli's have their share of characters but they are the kind you love and laugh and cry with in real life. And Valentine is trying to adjust to the fact that her grandmother left part of the business to Valentine's brother, Alfred, so he can handle the finances. Alfred and Valentine struggle over agreement on whether it is a good thing to expand the business with the current economic down turn. Theirs is a relationship not unlike many real siblings--complicated with two strong personalities.

While Valentine is combining family, business and pleasure, we know that romance can't be far behind.
Valentine crosses paths once again with the dreamy Tuscan tanner, Gianluca, readers met in VERY VALENTINE. Gianluca is adoring and irresistible but is interested in more than just a few dates. Valentine has to again decide how to keep her business and personal life in perspective. Is she ready to settle down? With a trip to South America for business, Valentine can postpone a decision.

Valentine discovers a previously unknown cousin lives in Bueonos Aires and with this comes a bit of mystery to the story. It seems Roberta Angelini just also happens to be an expert in the shoe business and Valentine believes this could be a good answer to the manufacturing problem. A surprise is waiting for Valentine and it isn't one anyone reading, or in the story, saw coming. The "surprise" makes things rather complicated as a family secret comes to light and causes some problems for
the Angelinis and Roncallis.

The author's handling of romance and family are what keep readers coming back for more. Can a real love relationship be in Valentine's future at last? Will the relationship in South America be a help or hindrance to Angelini Shoes? Will there be a resolution to the battle between Valentine and Alfred? OR, do all these delicious events just lead us to the end which makes for a jumping off place for the next and last installment to the series? I must say you will have to read BRAVA, VALENTINE to find out. I will say that if you liked VERY VALENTINE, you will LOVE this next entry. I read it in one sitting and was so sorry for it to end. Thank you once again, Adriana, for a joyous journey with Ms. Roncalli.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO KYLE AND GOOD PEOPLE
AT HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHING,
I HAVE 3 COPIES OF THIS DELIGHTFUL
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY. HERE IS WHAT
YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN A COPY!



--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON ANY ADRIANA TRIGIANI BOOK YOU MAY HAVE READ, OR WOULD LIKE TO READ, WHEN YOU GO TO HER WEBSITE CLICK HERE

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING INTERESTING YOU FOUND ABOUT ADRIANA TRIGIANI FROM THE HARPER COLLINS SITE HERE.

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT 6 PM, EST,
MARCH 5 FOR THIS BOOK!

GOOD LUCK

55 comments:

Margay Leah Justice said...

I would love to read all of them, but so far I have read Lucia, Lucia, The Queen of the Big Time, and am currently reading Very Valentine. I love her books!

Margay

Margay1122(at)aol(dot)com

Libby's Library said...

I've read the entire Big Stone Gap series, along with Lucia Lucia. I just love her books!

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Margay Leah Justice said...

I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/Margay/status/9114765226

Margay

Margay1122(at)aol(dot)com

Libby's Library said...

She dreams about Italy:-)

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Linda Kish said...

I haven't read any but Cooking with My Sisters would be good.


lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Margay Leah Justice said...

I think it's interesting that she grew up in the south western area of Virginia, which she writes about in the Big Stone Gap books, because my paternal grandfather hailed from there also. Still have to read those books!
Margay

Margay1122(at)aol(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

She founded the all-female comedy troupe “The Outcasts,” which performed on the cabaret circuit for seven years.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

bermudaonion said...

I love everything Adriana Trigiani writes, so I can't wait to read this one! No need to enter me.

holdenj said...

I'm a big fan and I've read them all and anxiously waiting for Brava. I have to say one of my absolute favorites was Lucia, Lucia.
Thanks for the chance to win!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I love Adriana's eclectic taste in music! From Rhianna to Roseanne Cash, to Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. Fun!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

rubynreba said...

I'd like to read Lucia, Lucia.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Her favorite item of clothing is a really good pair of snow boots made from recycled stuff.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Martha Lawson said...

I would love to read Very Valentine!

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Martha Lawson said...

I found it interesting that the song title "Home on the Range" best describes her!!

I am a follower

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

traveler said...

I read Very Valentine and loved this wonderful novel. Also Lucia, Lucia was great. Thanks for this great giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

She would be an interior decorator who writes about interior decorating if she was not a writer. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

DarcyO said...

Her books sounds great! I haven't read any yet, but would love to read Viola in Reel Life.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

She doesn't like cooked spinach. Who can blame her?

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

Linda Henderson said...

I would like to read Viola in Reel Life.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

Her first crush was Al Green and her favorite drink is water.

seriousreader at live dot com

Sue said...

They all look great, but I haven't read any. Big Stone Gap looks great! Thanks for the giveaway.

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

g.g. said...

I can't believe I haven't read Big Stone Gap but did love Lucia, Lucia

anjamie4 AT gmail DOT com

g.g. said...

Her favorite quote is "It's a girl"

anjamie4 AT gmail DOT com

Debbie said...

Living in Tennessee, I had to read her entire Big Stone Gap series.
fourkidsrgreat@gmail(dot)com

enyl said...

The Queen Of The Big Time,Rococo, Viola in Reel Lfe, Baca Valentine and Very Valentine each sounds like enjoyable reading.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

I think Cooking With My Sisters is a unique book, part cookbook, part memior.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

Wickdogg said...

I read Big Stone Gap

wickdogg AT gmail com

Wickdogg said...

She likes to vacation on the Isle of Capri

wickdogg AT gmaildot com

Margie said...

I haven't read any of yet books (yet!). I think I would enjoy the Big Stone Gap.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

The author was born in a small coal-mining town in southwestern Virginia. She is part of a large Italian family.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

bison61 said...

I have not read any books by this author but HOME TO BIG STONE GAP sounds good

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Caroline said...

I'm interested in reading Very Valentine.

design4less@yahoo.com

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

I would love to read, Very Valentine and Brava Valentine, both are on my wish list.

I ♥ Book Gossip said...

What a great post!

+1: I loved Viola in the Reel. LOVED it so much.

+1: Adriana is from a really big family.

+1: Blogged

http://juniperrbreeeze.blogspot.com/2010/02/feb-contests.html

cindyc725 at gmail dot com

Misusedinnocence said...

Rococo looks great!

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I have read Lucia, Lucia.

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I haven't read any of her books, but Cooking with my Sisters sounds fun. I like cookbooks and love my sisters! :-)

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Funny how her best and worst qualities are denial!

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Teresa said...

I want to read The Big Stone Gap, I have not read any of her books yet
mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com

Teresa said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/isaiahsmom21/status/9499081526
mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I would love to read Very Valentine. It sounds like a great read!
Thanky ou,
Colleen
candc320@gmail.com

Benita said...

I'd like to read Big Stone Gap.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I found out that her favorite habit is persistence. It's a great habit to have.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Would like to read Lucia,Lucia --I find the 50's setting appealing.

karin56381 (at) gmail.com

Yvonne said...

I would love to be entered in this one. I loved The Queen of the Big Time.

yvone473[at]optonline[dot]net

ossmcalc said...

I have not read any of her books as of yet but would like to read Very Valentine as a lead in to the this book Brava Valentine.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I learned that her greatest achievement so far is surviving.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/9893760325

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

Rebecca Orr said...

I have not read any of her books...but they all looks so good. I really am looking forward to Viola in Reel Life, and Milk Glass Moon. Thanks for the chance.
bekki1820cb at gmail

Nancye said...

I have never read any of her books. They all sound awesome! I especially want to read "Viola in Reel Life"

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I learned that Adriana's favorite drink is water and that she has a cat named Smokey who was rescued from the shelter.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/9943660622

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

lag123 said...

I just read Very Valentine and it was wonderful. I love Adriana's books and can't wait to read this one.

lag110@mchsi.com

lag123 said...

I love the fact that her best and worst qualities are denial.

lag110@mchsi.com

lag123 said...

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/lag32583/status/9944375273

lag110@mchsi.com

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