Bella is Back!

Hi friends,

It's been some time since I posted on this page, but I want to bring it to life again. Why? Because Bella and DJ are returning in a whole new series! Yep, you read that right! The "Weddings by Design" series will debut in a couple of months, starting with book one, Picture Perfect. Here's the blurb:

Feisty wedding photographer Hannah McDermott has dealt with her share of difficult brides. But none can compare to the ultimate Bridezilla she's dealing with now. Still, she's trying desperately to impress Bella Neeley, Galveston Island's most sought-after wedding planner, so she can take the top spot in Bella's list of recommended photographers--a spot currently occupied by her arch-rival, Drew Kincaid. What she doesn't count on, however, is falling head over heels for the competition.

With her contagious humor and cast of quirky characters, Janice Thompson gives readers more of the bridal business drama they want in a brand-new series all about those long-suffering people who make beautiful weddings happen. Readers are desperately waiting for more of Bella and this new series brings her back in a big way, while introducing new characters fans will love. Fans will laugh out loud as they experience this breezy and entertaining novel from a great storyteller.

The reason I'm posting so early is to share one very important fact that readers might not know. Bella's story is tied to my Hollywood (Backstage Pass) series, and the characters from both series merge in this new/third series. So, IF you enjoy the "Weddings by Bella" series, and if you're looking forward to the new "Weddings by Design" series, you might want to go back and read the "Backstage Pass" series while you're waiting. You'll learn a LOT more about Brock Benson (and his love life) in The Director's Cut (book three in the "Backstage Pass" series). You'll see a lot more of Brock in this new series, too! (In fact, he's going to appear on "Dancing with the Stars" in Picture Perfect). To entice you even more, the first book of the "Backstage Pass" series is currently free on kindle. That book, Stars Collide, is one of my favorites. 

Here are all of the books in order:

WEDDINGS BY BELLA:
Fools Rush In (free on kindle)
Swinging on a Star
It Had to be You

BACKSTAGE PASS: 
Stars Collide (free on kindle) 
Hello Hollywood
The Director's Cut (with LOTS of references to Brock Benson)

WEDDINGS BY DESIGN:
Picture Perfect
The Icing on the Cake (in editing stages/see blurb below)

“Thompson has a deft hand with dialogue and fantastic comic timing.”—Crosswalk.com

Scarlet Lindsey is making a name as the best wedding cake designer in Texas, but will a handsome guy derail her dreams?

Readers will be swept up in the world of weddings and the unexpected moments that make them memorable

Scarlet Lindsey’s aunt Wilhelmina may be Galveston’s most popular cake baker extraordinaire, but she’s also getting on in years. But when Scarlet decides to take on the role of cake decorator to help her eccentric aunt out, it’s just the beginning of a series of misunderstandings and mishaps that will lead her to compete in a cake challenge on national television—and might even lead her to finding her true love.

Fan-favorite Janice Thompson is back with more wit, more weddings, and more of what her readers love best: bridal business drama. Bella and the gang are all here and readers will fall in love with the newest quirky characters straight from the creative mind of a fantastic storyteller.

There you have it, folks. Bella is on her way back. You'll see her through the eyes of brand new characters and will revisit people you've loved from my prior series. Go ahead and pick up a free copy of Stars Collide today and finish up the "Backstage Pass" series before Picture Perfect releases in a couple of months. Then you'll be ready to roll with the new characters! 

Bella and DJ are getting married!

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!

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

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!

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!

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

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!