Weddings By Bella

Bella and DJ are getting married!

2010-05-28T08:32:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited about the third and final book in the "Weddings by Bella" series: It Had to be You. Wedding bells are ringing, and not just for Bella and DJ! Here's some information about the book:

Bella couldn't be happier that her long-feuding Aunt Rosa and Uncle Lazarro have finally admitted their love for one another and are getting married. Their forties-style wedding is sure to be a night to remember. But when the Rossi house begins to fill up with family from Italy--and an old mobster from New Jersey--life starts to get complicated. Will Lazarro's friend from the past drive the happy couple apart once more? And will Bella ever have time to think of her own rapidly-approaching wedding amidst the chaos? Full of laugh-out-loud humor, plenty of Italian passion, and a bit of Texas gumption, It Had to Be You is the satisfying conclusion to an entertaining series.

From the Back Cover

Get ready for a double dose of wedding frenzy!

Bella couldn't be happier that two of her long-feuding relatives have finally admitted their love for one another and are getting married. Their forties-style wedding is sure to be a night to remember. But when the Rossi house begins to fill up with family from Italy--and an old mobster from New Jersey--life starts to get complicated. Will a friend from the past drive the happy couple apart once more? And will Bella ever have time to think of her own rapidly approaching wedding amid the chaos?

Full of humor, plenty of Italian passion, and a bit of Texas gumption, It Had to Be You will have you laughing out loud and wiping a tear from your eye.

Praise for the Weddings by Bella series:

"A fun, welcome distraction from life's boredom and stress."--Trish Perry, author, Beach Dreams and The Guy I'm Not Dating

"I fell in love with the Rossi clan, a delightful collection of quirky characters who feel as passionately about their pizza as Texans do about chili."--Virginia Smith, author, Third Time's a Charm

"Thompson is a master storyteller. I felt as if I were Bella's best friend, sitting down with her over cups of Italian cappuccino while she told me the latest happenings in her zany family."--Ane Mulligan, editor, Novel Journey

"Sweet romance that sizzles and simmers on every page."--Allison Pittman, author, Stealing Home

Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and native Texan. An experienced wedding coordinator herself, Thompson brings alive in her books the everyday drama and humor of getting married. She is the author of Fools Rush In and Swinging on a Star.

CONTEST WINNERS!

2010-04-09T07:24:00.000-07:00

Good morning y'all! It's a beautiful day here in south Texas. . .the perfect day to announce the winners in my "Weddings by Bella" book contest. (Drum roll, please!) And the TWO free books go to MMYBELL78 (who entered here on my blog) and to CHRISTA DORSEY (who entered on my facebook page). Congratulations, ladies! Please send your mailing address to me at booksbyjanice@aol.com. You'll be getting the very first copies of "It Had to be You" when it releases in a couple of weeks. Woo-hoo!

Contest Announcement

2010-04-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today I want to announce a new contest that I'm hosting in honor of the release of my next "Weddings by Bella" book, "It Had to Be You." This is the third and final book in the Bella series. It was tough to write because I knew I'd be saying goodbye to Bella, D.J., Rosa, Laz and those silly sequined ladies from Splendora once I wrote that last line. An interesting thing happened as I penned the book--the story took a bit of a turn. Yes, it's still light-hearted, but there are some really tender and deep moments, too.

Oh, what a lovely ride it's been, spending time with the Rossi clan. And how fun, to get to know so many new readers! I don't think I've ever seen the kind of reader response that I have from these books. (Turns out, there are a few people out there who love comedy! Go figure!) In honor of the outpouring of love and support, I'd like to host a contest. It's going to end on April 15th, tax day! (Woo-hoo!) On that date, I'll be hosting a drawing to give away two copies of the book. All you have to do is leave a comment after this post, telling me your favorite scene in one of Bella's stories. I have my favorites, and I'll share them at the end. (Honestly, some scenes were such joy to write that I laughed my way through them!)

So, that's it, readers. If you want to enter the drawing to win a free copy of "It Had to be You," just leave a comment sharing your favorite scene. And while I'm thinking about it, let me thank you - all of you - for the way you've supported me as I've marketed these books. What a blessing you are!

It Had to be You!

2010-04-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Happy Good Friday! Just wanted to let my readers know that I received my first author copy of "It Had to be You" yesterday! That's the third book in the "Weddings by Bella" series. The first person to tell me the theme of Rosa and Laz's wedding will win a copy of my new devotional.

Bella's Journey Continues!

2010-02-04T15:16:00.000-08:00

Howdy, y'all! Bella and her family are having a blast at Club Wed, planning themed weddings. If you want to know what they're up to, check out SWINGING ON A STAR, Bella and DJ's most recent story! You can find it online at amazon, christianbook.com or barnes and noble. In the meantime, take a look at the Romantic Times review of the second book:

http://www.romantictimes.com/books_review.php?book=40472

SWINGING ON A STAR: Bella's Story Continues

2010-01-22T00:49:00.001-08:00

I am so excited to announce the official release of SWINGING ON A STAR, book two in the "Weddings by Bella" series from Revell. Coming up with the plotline for SWINGING ON A STAR was pure delight. The foundation for my story was set in book one, FOOLS RUSH IN, but I needed a new adventure for Bella Rossi, my heroine. This second book needed to be both family and faith-driven and needed to test the relationship forged between Bella and DJ, her love interest in book one. My premise? Take one handsome Hollywood star (Brock Benson) and make him the best man in a Renaissance-themed wedding that Bella is coordinating. Enter paparazzi and Bella's large Italian family. Give Bella's Aunt Rosa a gig with the Food Network on the same weekend as the wedding. The result? Pure chaos...and loads of fun.

Here's what readers are saying about SWINGING ON A STAR:
I am in love with this book and with this author! I read the first book in this series and instantly read this one next, I just can't get enough of Bella and her family. I love all the characters in this book and can not wait for the next book to come out. This book is funny and will have you laughing all the way through!! (C. Swanson, Kingston, WA)

Janice Thompson has done it again! Her book "Swinging on a Star" is wonderful! It is so funny and exciting I had a very hard time putting it down even for a minute! So much goes on in this book, many twists and turns, and the unexpected! You don't want to wait to read it! It is so much fun to read! Great job Janice! Can't wait for the next one! (Keli Z, Houston, TX)

SWINGING ON A STAR is available at bookstores everywhere. For an autographed copy, contact Janice at booksbyjanice@aol.com.

That's Amore, y'all!

ANNOUNCEMENT: SWINGING ON A STAR

2009-12-06T21:13:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I just wanted to let my readers know that the second "Weddings by Bella" book (Swinging on a Star) is set to release in a week or two. My author copies should arrive shortly. Here's the synopsis:

From the Back Cover
There's a fine line between ambitious and crazy. Bella's just not sure where it is. Bella Rossi's life is nearing perfection. Not only does she have the perfect guy, but she's also running a successful wedding-planning business and is about to plan its 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 only one hitch. The best man just happens to be Hollywood's hottest and most eligible bachelor, and he's showing an interest in Bella. Oh, and did we mention he's staying at her 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 and her feuding aunt and uncle, and you've got a recipe for disaster--and a lot of laughs. "If you enjoy weddings, Italian cuisine, and stories filled with humor and romance, you're going to love Swinging on a Star."--Anita Higman, award-winning author, Love Finds You in Humble, Texas "Swinging on a Star has more layers of love than Aunt Rosa's lasagna. A sweet romance that sizzles and simmers on every page."--Allison Pittman, author, Stealing Home Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and native Texan. An experienced wedding coordinator herself, Thompson brings alive in her books the everyday drama and humor of getting married. She is the author of Fools Rush In.

Email me at booksbyjanice@aol.com if you would like an autographed copy. That's amore, y'all!

Chicken Cacciatore Recipe Contest

2009-10-30T17:41:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday, everyone. It's been raining cats and dogs in the Houston area. Ironic, in light of the fact that I just directed a play about Noah and the ark last weekend. I want to share a couple of things with you this week. First, the photo above, which arrived with this note from reader, Margaret Chind: "Just thought you might find my current read interesting. Luckily she is letting me get some book time in. Grin. And I must admit it is very difficult for me to laugh silently with my chest rocking baby girl up and down as Bubba asks aunt Rosa to dance amid ravioli makings."

Isn't that the sweetest thing ever? Thanks, Margaret. You made my day!

Next, I want to let you know that I'm collecting Chicken Cacciatore recipes for Aunt Rosa's cookbook. Please post your recipes in the comment box below. I'll make the announcement on Monday. The winner will get a copy of my devotional, "Everyday Joy."

Have a happy (and tasty) weekend, everyone! God bless!

Pizza-licious!

2009-10-16T06:52:00.000-07:00

Good morning, everyone! Welcome to a blessed day! I awoke with pizza on the brain. I spent last Tuesday evening with my kids and grandkids and we ordered pizza. Any time you order pizza (by phone or in person at a restaurant) there's always that ongoing debate about which kind(s) to get. Pepperoni. Sausage. Mushroom. Beef and onion. The works. And as many people as you involve the process, that's how many answers you'll get.

Readers of FOOLS RUSH IN will remember that the pizzas at Parma John's restaurant are all named after Dean Martin songs. There’s the Mambo Italiano special (spicy sausage pizza), the Pennies from Heaven special (meatball pizza), the Simpatico Special (half pepperoni/half Canadian bacon pizza), the South of the Border Special (taco-style pizza) and the Volare Special (lowfat cheese pizza). In the end, one of the characters in the story names a new pizza the Bamboozled Special (BBQ pizza.)

There's also a strong Frank Sinatra theme in the book. Aunt Rosa insists Ol' Blue Eyes is the better singer. Uncle Laz insists Dino is the real deal. The feuding between Rosa and Laz goes on and on and on. :)

So, let's hear from you, (starting from scratch). Which Dino or Sinatra song title would you use to name a pizza. . .and why? The person with the most creative title/type of pizza will win a copy of my non-fiction book, "199 Reasons to be Thankful," which releases in a few weeks. Winner(s) will be named on Monday, and there's no limit as to how many ideas/titles you can enter!

Let's talk pizza!

Crooning the Tunes of Dean Martin

2009-10-12T06:50:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday, everyone! If you've read FOOLS RUSH IN, you know there's an ongoing feud between Aunt Rosa and Uncle Laz over who's the better singer, Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin. What you might not have noticed, is that every chapter title in the book is a Dino song title. That's right! I did a lot of research on Dean Martin before writing the book (and, of course, have been a fan since childhood). In fact, I recently watched an infomercial for the old Dean Martin show and laughed until I had tears in my eyes.

Here's a funny story of how God has used Dean Martin to market FOOLS RUSH IN. Several weeks ago a reviewer posted a review of the book (a very positive one, I should add). In it, she mentioned my passion for Dean Martin. Another blogger, who happens to run a Dean Martin site, received a google alert about my book because of the "Dean Martin" connection. He did a write-up of my book and ended up asking me to post an article, which I did here: http://ilovedinomartin.blogspot.com/2009/09/dinolicious-new-romantic-comedy.html. Even from the great beyond, Dino's legacy continues!

Because I know SO many of my readers are Dean Martin fanatics, I thought it would be fun to share our comments/thoughts about his music. Please let me know which Dino song (or movie) is your favorite. . .and why. I'm going to start with mine. I adore "Mambo Italiano" - which I listened to repeatedly while writing FOOLS RUSH IN. You will find a You Tube link here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S-7Ap6J_FU

Now it's your turn! Send in those comments, along with another other Dino thoughts/photos you might want to share!

CROSSINGS Bookclub feature: FOOLS RUSH IN!

2009-10-09T12:40:00.000-07:00

Woo-hoo! Crossings is featuring Fools Rush In. If you haven't yet picked up a copy, this is your best bet for a great price! http://www.crossings.com/pages/nm/product/productDetail.jsp?skuId=1047767915

Let's Talk Lasagna!

2009-10-09T12:07:00.001-07:00

Happy Friday, everyone! I'm ready to start collecting recipes for Aunt Rosa's "All Things Italian" cookbook. What better place to start, than with lasagna? Here's how this is going to work. I'd love it if you would post your favorite recipe for lasagna in a comment box. We'll leave this "contest" open for several days. On Monday of next week, I'll ask my facebook friends to help me choose one for Aunt Rosa's cookbook. The winner will get a copy of my new Heartsong, Sweet Harmony.

If you're following this blog, I hope you'll pick up a copy of Fools Rush In. You will find it available online at christianbook.com and amazon.com (as well as several other places). It's also available at WalMart, Lifeway, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-million and more. Get to "know" the characters so that we can talk about their likes and dislikes on this blog.

Speaking of Fools Rush In, I've stumbled across a couple of new reviews for the book. This one made me smile: http://misseslavigne.wordpress.com/2009/10/08/book-review-fools-rush-in/ So did this one: http://marjorievawter.blogspot.com/2009/10/what-ive-been-reading.html

Let me leave you with these words from a reviewer named Deborah: Delightful! FOOLS RUSH IN by Janice Thompson has me planning my next meal exclusively Italian. I've never made eggplant parmesan before, but I have this undeniable craving for it. Hmmm . . . have I ever had it before? I'm sure I've tasted it. Perhaps the savory Italian delicacies are pouring through the pages of this fabulous chic lit. I love it! (http://comfortjoydesigns.blogspot.com/2009/09/fools-rush-in-by-janice-thompson.html)

Ciao, everyone! Send in those recipes for lasagna!

Oh, and by the way. . .next Monday we're going to start talking about our favorite Dean Martin songs, so head on over to youtube and give a listen to some of your favorites!

Welcome to the "Weddings by Bella" Series

2009-09-20T18:44:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited about the release of my first Revell comedy, FOOLS RUSH IN, and thrilled to create this new blog to share my enthusiasm. What fun we're going to have, blogging together! If you love great give-aways, yummy Italian food, hunky Texas cowboys, themed wedding planning and large quirky families, then this is the book for you!

Here's a synopsis: 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 knows nothing about country music 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.

Here's what several readers had to say about the book:

REVIEWER: Carly (Carlybird’s Home) http://carlybirdshome.blogspot.com/
Do you need a laugh? I mean a really good laugh? Then you need to read Fools Rush In. This has got to be one of the funniest books I have ever read, perhaps even the funniest. The concept of these two very different cultures coming together is priceless. The author has obviously spent a lot of time with very large Italian families because she knows all of their funny little nuances, and I love that.

From Author Trish Perry: "Mamma mia, let's escape! Let's fall in love! Let's eat chicken parmesan, fettuccini alfredo, and Bubba's down-home barbeque without gaining a pound. It's all possible when we hang out with Bella Rossi in Fools Rush In. Janice Thompson's first installment in the Weddings by Bella series is a fun, welcome distraction from life's boredom and stress. You'll fall for Bella's DJ even faster than she does. And you'll root for the Rossi and Neeley families as they break down cultural barriers and rush toward each other, arms wide open. No fools, they!" - Trish Perry (www.trishperry.com)

“Janice Thompson is a master storyteller who draws her readers into the tale along with the characters. From page one of Fools Rush In, I felt as if I were Bella’s best friend, sitting down with her over cups of Italian cappuccino while she told me the latest happenings in her zany family. One of my top picks for 2009, Fools Rush In earns a permanent place in my library.”
—Ane Mulligan, editor, Novel Journey

Friends, I hope you enjoy our journey together as we explore this fun and quirky new series. Thanks for stopping by, and feel free to leave a comment!