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