Thursday, August 27, 2009

ITALIAN FOR BEGINNERS: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED!
ITALIAN FOR BEGINNERS

BY KRISTIN HARMEL

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Thirty-four-year-old Manhattan accountant Cat Connelly has always lived life on the safe side. But after her little sister gets married, Cat wonders if she has condemned herself to a life of boredom by playing by the rules. She decides to take a chance for once, accepting an invitation to spend a month with an old flame in Italy. But her reunion with the slick and gorgeous Francesco is short-lived, and she finds herself suddenly alone in Rome. Now, she must see if she has the courage to live outside the lines for the first time - and to face a past she never understood. It will take an unexpected friendship with a fiery Italian waitress, a whirlwind Vespa tour of the Eternal City with a handsome stranger, and a surprise encounter with an old acquaintance to show Cat that life doesn't always work out the way you expect, but sometimes you have to have fall in order to fly.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kristin Harmel is a contributor for People magazine where she has interviewed numerous celebrities. She has been an adjunct journalism instructor at the University of Florida and has lived in Paris, New York, Boston, Tampa Bay, and Miami. She currently lives in Orlando and is working on her second novel.

MY REVIEW:

I loved this book. If you ever saw ROMAN HOLIDAY with Audrey Hepburn, this is almost like a tribute to that wonderful movie. Cat Connelly plays the typical role of the good sister, the steady dependable girl who lives a very safe life. The one who is always there in case she is needed by her family. She gets a "bee in her bonnet" at her sister's wedding when her grandmother makes her feel like a failure for not being married and decides to be brave and take a chance. Remembering the wonderful time she had in Italy as a student, she decides to return and look up her old love interest, which of course is not what she thought it would be when she gets there. Of course, the predictable plot could make to a ho,hum book, but the charming way that Kristin Harmel writes, draws you in. She even includes great recipes at the end of the book. You see and experience Rome and falling in love through Cat's eyes. Her Italian friend adds spice to the story and the romance is perfecto! If you want a sweet and warm feeling love story that is well written with such description you wish you were there, read this book. I found it a quick and enjoyable summer read.


THE GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO MIRIAM AND THE GREAT
GANG OVER AT HACHETTE BOOK GROUP
FOR SPONSORING THIS GIVEAWAY.
I HAVE 5 COPIES TO GIVE AWAY.

RULES:

***U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
***NO P.O. BOXES, PLEASE
***YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS MUST BE WITH YOUR
COMMENT SO I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN
***COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE IN ORDER
TO COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE

HOW TO ENTER:
(THIS WILL BE A FUN ONE)

+1 ENTRY: TELL ME YOUR FAVORITE ITALIAN FOOD

+1 MORE ENTRY: NAME AN ITALIAN CELEBRITY OR FAMOUS PERSON

+1 MORE ENTRY: NAME A MOVIE THAT TAKES PLACE IN OR IS ABOUT ITALY

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE IN BY
6 PM, EST, SEPTEMBER 9


Buona fortuna!
(Good Luck)

99 comments:

Brimful Curiosities said...

I love Roman Holiday and Audrey Hepburn. My favorite Italian food is Eggplant Parmesan.

Brimful Curiosities said...

Leonardo da Vinci

Lori Johnston said...

Ooooh, I really want this book! Please count me in.
My favorite Italian food is a calzone.
Italian celebrity - Sophia Loren
Movie in Italy - Only You

Thanks for the opportunity!
- Lori
www.psychoticstate.blogspot.com

Pam said...

Favourite Italian food - good gnocchi and meatballs. Yummy!

Italian Celebrity - Sophia Loren (still gorgeous at some crazy age!)

Movie in Italy - Under the Tuscan Sun

melacan at hotmail dot com

Zia said...

I would love to enter this.

+1 I love spaghetti
+1 Giada De Laurentiis of the food network. Dunno if that qualifies as famous but she can make some yummy looking food
+1 Under the Tuscan Sun

Zia
ziaria(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I adore Roman Holiday!

My favorite Italian food has always been lasagne!

"Il Postino" starring Mossimo Troisi is a beautiful Italian and Spanish film about the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. The movie was partially filmed on Salina an island that is part of the Aeolian Islands off the northern coast of Sicily.

Thank you for another great giveaway!

traveler said...

thanks for this wonderful giveaway. I am captivated with this lovely novel. My favorite Italian food is Pasta Primavera. An Italian who is a famous celebrity is Roberto Bennini. A m ovie that I adore and watched over and over that takes place in Italy is Cinema Paradiso.
saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in your draw. I've heard such good things about this book.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

My favourite Italian food is pizza!
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Sofia Loren is about the most famous Italian I know of.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Under the Tuscan Sun is a movie that comes to mind. I loved that one!!
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

coffeeeeeeeee said...

My favourite Italian food has to by Lasagne followed by Tiramisu.

mmmmmmcoffee(at)gmail(dot)com

coffeeeeeeeee said...

My Italian "Celebrity" is Mario Battali, the chef. Love him.

mmmmmmcoffee(at)gmail(dot)com

coffeeeeeeeee said...

A movie that takes place in Italy ... The Da Vinci Code

mmmmmmcoffee(at)gmail(dot)com

Sue said...

Insalata Caprese is my favorite Italian food.
Thanks for sharing.

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

Sue said...

Celebrity - Sophia Loren.

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

Sue said...

Much Ado About Nothing. I've wanted to go to Italy ever since I saw that movie! Loved the scenery.

rhapsodyinbooks said...

My favorite food is actually a toss up between spaghetti arabbiata and pizza!

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

rhapsodyinbooks said...

For celebrity I will have to name the woman with whom my husband has always been in love, Sophia Loren!

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

rhapsodyinbooks said...

For movie, I would go with Sophia Loren's Two Women.

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

bermudaonion said...

My favorite Italian food is penne arrabiata and to tell you the truth, I'm not sure if it's really Italian or an Americanized version of an Italian dish. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

bermudaonion said...

I'm going to say Gina Lollobrigida is my favorite Italian celebrity because she's the only one who comes to mind. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

bermudaonion said...

For movie, I'm saying Three Coins in the Fountain. Thanks for another great giveaway. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

Madeleine said...

My favorite Italian food is "Cnocci"

madeleine444[at]gmail[dot[com]

Madeleine said...

My favorite Italian actor is Marcello Mastroiani


madeleine444[at]gmail[dot]com

Madeleine said...

My favorite Italian movie is

La dolce vita



madeleine444[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

My most favourite Italian food it homemade gnocchi w/ meatballs...

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Italian celebrity: from the Food Network: Giada DeLaurentiis.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I'll also give praise to Under the Tuscan Sun...

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kristen said...

My favorite Italian food is eggplant parmesan. A famous person would be Sophia Loren. And a great book/movie set in Italy is Il Postino (The Postman).

whitreidsmama at yahoo dot com

holdenj said...

My favorite Italian food is Chicken Parmesan


JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com

holdenj said...

Sophia Loren is an Italian celebrity!

JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com

holdenj said...

I think Roman Holiday was a nice Italian movie.

JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com

nfmgirl said...

mmmm I love Zuppa Tuscana!

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I LOOOOVEEE Under the Tuscan Sun!

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

The hottie from Under the Tuscan Sun (Raoul Bova) would have to be my favorite Italian actor. Oooh-la-la!

nfmgirl AT gmail dOT com

DarcyO said...

I love any pasta with Alfredo sauce!

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

Gina Lollobrigida came to my mind as a famous Italian.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

Movie -- Gidget Goes to Rome. I loved that when I was a kid!

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

BevE said...

1.My favorite Italian food is garlic bread with roasted garlic and olive oil. 2. Favorite Italian movie is Under The Tuscan Sun and 3. Favorite Italian actress would be Sophia Loren : D

BevE

merryweatherbookblog@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

My favorite Italian food is fetticini alfredo.

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I love gnocci!

dancealert at aol dot com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Pavoriati is definately Italian!

dancealert at aol dot com

Victoria said...

I love pizza!

victoriah40@yahoo.com

Victoria said...

Under the Tuscan Sun- movie!

Thank you!

victoriah40@yahoo.com

Jenny Girl said...

Oh I have many favorite Italian foods. Cheese lasagna, eggplant rollatini, angel hair pasta with grilled chicken and spinach in an oil and garlic sauce, I could go on and on :)

jennygirl73(AT)gmail(dot)com

Jenny Girl said...

Favorite movie:
Casanova with Heath Ledger

Jenny Girl said...

Favorite Italian famous person:
Sophia Loren and Frank Sinatra.

It would be sacrilege not to name Frank. My father would be very disappointed :)

Thank you for the lovely contest.

Sheila (bookjourney) said...

Italian food? Honestly I am not a fan of pasta... however I do love a good pizza with loads of toppings! Yum!

Italian Celebrity: Sophia Loren

Italian Movie: Under The Tuscan Sun was a beautiful movie - mainly for the incredible shots of Italy.

Gaby317 said...

This sounds so fun - thanks for the entry!

gaby317nyc at gmail dot com

Gaby317 said...

Favorite italian food - tiramisu and gelato, and also mushroom & sausage risotto.

gaby317nyc at gmail dot com

Gaby317 said...

Italian movie star - Sophia Loren

gaby317nyc at gmail dot com

Gaby317 said...

Movies - very different portrayals of Italy

La Dolce Vita

and Cinema Paradiso

and also Divorce Italian Style

gaby317nyc at gmail dot com

Beth (BBRB) said...

Definitely tiramisu!

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

Beth (BBRB) said...

LOL! How about The Godfather? :)

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

This sounds fun!

Food: Tiramisu!!!

Celebrity: Sophia Loren

Movie: A Room With A View

Thanks! jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

Natalie A. said...

I love spaghetti!

coolnatty12@yahoo.com

Natalie A. said...

An Actress born in Italy is Anna Magnani.

coolnatty12@yahoo.com

Natalie A. said...

Under The Tuscan Sun!
coolnatty12@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Favorite food: Tiramisu
Movie: Gladiator
Celebrity: Leonardo da Vinci

Thanks for the chance for the giveaway!!!

info at mybookbuds dot com

Ms. Cindy said...

My favorite food would be lasagna!

monkeyami1@yahoo.com

Ms. Cindy said...

Sophia Loren is an italian actress!

monkeyami1@yahoo.com

Ms. Cindy said...

I loved the movie Only You! Thanks!

monkeyami1@yahoo.com

Linda Kish said...

I love eggplant parmigiana

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Valorie said...

My favorite Italian food is zuppa toscana.

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Valorie said...

A famous Italian!? Botticelli. :D

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Valorie said...

Movie... hm... so many to choose from. Merchant of Venice!

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

mariag said...

Wild Mushroom Risotto

GianCarlo Giannini

It's a beautiful Life

What a great giveaway!
Mariag

kp said...

My favourite Italian food is gelato; Italian celebrity is Cecilia Bartoli; movie in Italy - Three Coins in a Fountain. Thanks

Anonymous said...

As the staid, boring sister and approaching my 30th birthday, I would love to read this book... Maybe it will inspire me to strike out and do something interesting.

+1 My favourite Italian food is... Chicken Parmagiana with Linguine Pomodoro.

+1 My favaourite Italian celebrity... Sophia Loren who is FABULOUS as a human being, but also a phenomenal actress and icon.

+1 A movie that takes place in Italy... Under The Tuscan Sun, which I love to watch, very inspiring.

Please accept these as my entries. Thank you!

Aliya D.
aliyadaya(at)shaw(dot)ca

Anonymous said...

Favorite food: Butternut squash ravioli
Favorite celebrity: Sophia Loren
Favorite movie: Under the Tuscan Sun

jlcstewart@earthlink.net

minishoes1 said...

I would love to read this book! The title fooled me. Thanks!jacquecurl1(at)gmail(dot)com

minishoes1 said...

Pizza is my fav Italian food. A close 2nd is pasta primavera.thanks! jacquecurl1(at)gmail(dot)com

minishoes1 said...

The one and only Sophia Loren is a famous Italian actress. jacquecurl1(at) gmail(dot)com

minishoes1 said...

I hope the godfather counts for movie in Italy. jacquecurl1(at)gmail(dot)com

Andrea said...

I really really want to read this book!

+1 Favorite Food: Gnocchi
+1 Famous Italian: Niccolo Machiavelli
+1 Movie in Italy: Dangerous Beauty
andie.v107(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Favorite Italian food--Caprese salad--fresh, and I'm making loads of it these days, using up my harvest of basil and tomatoes!

Favorite Italian movie--"Don't Look Now", set in Venice, my favorite city!

Italian celebrity--Pavorotti
LINDA

linda[at]downes[dot]net

CherylS22 said...

Favorite Italian Food - Lasagna
megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

CherylS22 said...

Italian Celebrity - Sophia Loren
megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

CherylS22 said...

Italian Movie ~ Gladiator
megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

Anonymous said...

My favorite Italian food is Tiramisu

lelou2 AT ymail DOT com

Anonymous said...

I love Antonio Sabato Jr.

Anonymous said...

Favorite move set in Italy is:

"Heaven" with Cate Blanchett and Giovanni Ribisi

FlyFreeMyBooks said...

This book sounds great. I'd love a chance to win. My favorite Italian food is gelato!

ludeluh at yahoo dot com

FlyFreeMyBooks said...

An Italian celebrity is Andrea Bocelli, my favorite opera singer.

ludeluh at yahoo dot com

FlyFreeMyBooks said...

My favorite Italian movie is Under the Tuscan Sun.

Thanks for the giveaway.

ludeluh at yahoo dot com

catss99 said...

Chicken parmesan--does that count?:-)

amanda
catss99@yahoo.com

catss99 said...

sophia loren

amanda
catss99@yahoo.com

catss99 said...

room with a view

amanda
catss99@yahoo.com

Belinda M said...

I love lasagna!!!


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bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

Belinda M said...

The Italian that pops into my mind is Nicholas Cage



Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/


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Belinda M said...

The Italian job is a movie that takes place in Italy


Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/


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Virginia C said...

spaghetti with meat sauce and lots of Parmesan cheese
Sophia Loren
Under the Tuscan Sun
gcwhiskas at aol dot com

DCMetroreader said...

Lasagna is my favorite Italian food.
Thanks for the giveaway
Kimspam88(at)yahoo(dot)com

DCMetroreader said...

An Italian Celebrity is Sophia Loren

DCMetroreader said...

Roman Holiday takes place in Italy.

Anita Yancey said...

My favorite Italian food is spaghetti.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

Italian celebrity would be Sophia Loren.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

Movie in Italy would be The Da Vinci Code.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

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