Review of Holiday in Bologna by Lindsay Townsend

Title: Holiday in Bologna
Author: Lindsay Townsend
Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc.
Categories: : Mainstream Romance, Contemporary,
Series: None
Word Count: 30,268
Book Type: eBook
MSRP/List Price: $3.99
Heat Level: SWEET

Rating: 4.5

Buy Link

This review was posted at CataReviews Single Titles

"Can a holiday visit become a forever romance?"

Orphaned Heidi never knew about her father’s Italian family until she received a letter on her 21st birthday. She has to go visit to meet the only family who is left.  Heidi was raised with hard work on a farm and then learned to and developed a business in aromatherapy as a healing art.  She cares about people and belonging…not money.

Stefano is an adopted son of the Italian cousins but he is the one who does the lion’s share of the work at the family panetteria – which is more than a bread shop.  He is enchanted by this English family relative!  At first, like his family, he wonders if she is out for money but he soon believes that she is not that type.

Stefano is busy trying to determine who is sabotaging the family business. To add more stress he has to worry about how the family vote will go with an offer to buy out the business for a good chunk of money! He doesn’t need to add the complications presented by a beautiful young woman who might fall for his oh so charming and handsome brother!

I am not a cook but the bread shop was wonderful and all the breads described were mouth watering!  The intrigue gives a good mystery to enhance the sweet romance and jealousies that cause problems for Heidi and Stefano. The characters, main and supporting, are well defined and believable, as is the plot.

This is a charming bit of Italian holiday!! Great for a holiday read or anytime you want a nice quick, sweet romance with good characters and a bit of intrigue.  Will Heidi stay in Bologna or return to England?  Will she fall for the charmer or the serious brother? Take a holiday visit and find out – you won’t be sorry you did!

This is my SaSR Tuesday R&R review post this week.

***NOTE: A comment on this review will earn an extra entry if you comment on the Favorite Romance Setting post for the drawing!

Mailbox Monday - February 22, 2010

This Meme starts with Marcia at The Printed Page

I didn't get to post this last week but I did have something to share which is below this week's win item.

I won the eBook Christmas of Hope by Keelia Greer from a Contest at Coffee Time Romance.

Blurb for Christmas of Hope:

Linette MacDougal is having a tough time this year--the death of her mother and now the house she grew up in may be taken away. The bright spot in her life is Hope Claus, one of her kindergarten students. When she meets Hope's father, Nick, she begins to believe in the magic of Christmas once more.
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In addition to the book I got this lovely package of goodies including cute scottie dog ornaments, chocolate kisses a tea candle and several nice bookmarks!

THANK YOU Keelia and CTR!

 
 

 
The week before I had a successful trip to one of our local rehab stores.  Look at all the books I got (30 books and 2 audio books) for $11.00!!
I got some to share and some for me to read and then share!

What are You Reading Monday February 22, 2010

This meme has been moved to

One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

Thanks Shelia for carrying this forward from J. Kaye.

Writing one review a night hasn't worked yet either!
But I actually got all of December book reviews completed and all of the reviews done for the CataReview books.  I am no longer doing reviews at CataReview as they do not have authors or publishers reviewing.  I will miss the good books and nice people I shared some time with there.  I will have to visit them through CataRomance links!

Of course writing reviews means I only fully read one book this past week but two almost done!
 
[Note re codes: YGR is You Gotta Read Reviews. MBS is this blog - Martha's BookShelf!]

Finished:

PB: -------------

Kindle2:  Following Destiny by Rebecca Vickery. Andrea Duncan inherits a very special ring from her grandmother. Suddenly she is hearing voices that tell her about a serial killer! This is another very good paranormal romantic suspense from Ms. Vickery.   Read for my pleasure (YAY) with review to be posted here at MBS.

Audio CD: --------------

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Currently reading:

PB:  Deadly Code by JP O'Donnell.  PI thriller with political intrigue.  Reviewing for Author Marketing Experts - to be posted here at MBS.

I stopped at 90% done on this book. This story definitely has some good twists and I stopped just as PI Gallagher is facing a second deadly attach in a week! 

Kindle2:  The White Rainbow, Book 6 of the Wounded Warriors Series by Karen Wiesner. Inspirational Women's Fiction. Jessie Nelson has been telling herself she doesn't deserve or believe in second chances, especially when it comes to love...until her "white rainbow" appears in a corporate pirate who conquers her, heart and soul. Reading and reviewing for the author and YGR.

I'm at 90% done on this wonderful book!Anxious to get to what I am sure is a HEA ending but there are still issues to be resolved and conflict to face!

Audio CD:  Absolute Power by David Baldacci.  This was Baldacci's first book back in 1996 - Political thriller.  Reviewing for Hachette - to be posted here at MBS.  Enter Giveaway!

I am over half way now. It is tempting to get out the movie to see how it compares but I doubt it will have the depth of the characters that are revealed in the book!

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Coming up this week:

PB:  SEALed With a Ring by Mary Margaret Daughtridge.
She’s got it all…except the one thing she needs most
Smart, successful businesswoman JJ Caruthers has a year to land a husband or lose the empire she’s worked so hard to build. With time running out, romance is not an option, and a military husband who is always on the road begins to look like the perfect solution…
He’s a wounded hero with an agenda of his own
Even with the scars of battle, Navy SEAL medic Davy Graziano is gorgeous enough to land any woman he wants, and he’s never wanted to be tied down. Now Davy has ulterior motives for accepting JJ’s outrageous proposal of marriage, but he only has so long to figure out what JJ doesn’t want him to know…

Book supplied by Sourcebooks for review here at MBS.

Kindle2:  Lilly's Garden by Kimberlee R. Mendoza.  White Rose miniature Eater story. Reading and reviewing for YGR.

Yesterday's Promise by Delia Latham. Inspirational from White Rose Publishing. "A whirlwind romance amidst the natural splendor of Yosemite National Park....A spur-of-the-moment wedding....new husband gone with the mountain wind.

Sunday Words of Encouragment February 21, 2010

This morning our Pastor spoke about Psalm 107. He said we need to tell Jesus when we are wandering, when we are in darkness, when we are under judgment and when we are in the storm.  We need to learn to humble ourselves and seek help first....not as the last resort!

We sang a wonderful choir song today for Lift up Your Heads.  I think it is too new to be out but I found this version that I liked.  I hope you enjoy it too.

Verses for today:
Psalm 107: 13-14 New International Version
13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains.

If you get the chance maybe read all of Psalm 107.  It is pretty awesome!

This morning I went forward to stand in for prayer for several of my online SaSR friends and other online friends who are facing medical difficulties!  I hope you felt the extra power and peace from God!

Giveaway of The Masqueraders by Georgette Heyer

The Masqueraders by Georgette Heyer
•  Paperback: 336 pages
•  Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Reprint edition (December 1, 2009)

I meant to post this giveaway earlier but my week got BUSY!  I am offering my gently read review copy since several people said they liked Georgette Heyer and a few said they had never read her!  HERE'S a chance to win an Heyer book!

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:
1. Comment on the review; if you already did just tell me and that will count! Comment here so I know you want to enter and leave your e-mail!

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For another entry, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

(Three total entries possible.)
It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons
* This contest will close Midnight (Central) on March 5, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.