Swinging on a Star by Janice Thompson

Swinging on a Star: A Novel by Janice Thompson

Bella's quirky, crazy family life adds humor to this modern love story.
A light but satisfying series debut that will appeal to fans of Kristin Billerbeck.
— Library Journal

Janice Thompson returns with another hilarious tale in the Weddings by Bella series with Swinging on a Star.

In this latest release from Thompson, Bella Rossi's life is nearing perfection. She's got the perfect guy, she's running a successful business, and she's about to plan her 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 just one hitch. The best man just happens to be Brock Benson, Hollywood's hottest and most eligible bachelor. Oh, and did we mention he's staying at the Rossi 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, her feuding aunt and uncle, and a trio of large, sequined church ladies with even bigger personalities, and you've got

a recipe for disaster—and a lot of laughs. This hilarious romantic comedy is sure to delight both fans and new readers alike.

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 lives in Texas.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life. They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.

For more information, visit www.RevellBooks.com.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was no secret that I really enjoyed reading Janice's first Weddings by Bella novel "Fools Rush In" and my opinion is no different with the second "Swinging on a Star". The romance is palpable and the giggles and chuckles are endless. This is the second novel in the series and though I highly recommend that you read the first one to really understand the family quirks, you could definitely appreciate this one alone. Every page radiates God's love and I love this book. I'm really eager for more series like this from Janice as well as the third book to this series.

Highly recommended for genuine good laughs.


*Thanks to Revell Books for providing a copy for review.*

View all my reviews >>

While reading the first book in this Weddings for Bella Series, Fools Rush In, I giggled entirely too much. When I found out about the second in the series, I could not wait to get my hands on it! Now from reading both Janice's historical voice (Love Finds You in Poetry Texas) and her contemporary voice (Weddings for Bella) I can tell you that I am just an all around fan.

Read my review of Fools Rush In here and Love Finds You in Poetry Texas here.
Visit Janice Thompson's website here.

“Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Review: Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas

Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas by Janice Hanna

Belinda Bauer in her ivory tower. In the German community of Poetry, Texas, Belinda spies an opportunity. The tiny town is filled with loggers and railroad men in need of wives, so she sets herself up as a marriage broker. She writes little poems to be printed in newspapers all over the country and one by one, women begin to arrive in Poetry. Theres only one problem Belinda doesnt have a clue what shes doing and all the brides marry the wrong men! One client is particularly unhappy. Georg Kaufman, the local barber, has lost more than one prospective wife to Belindas fumbled attempts. For some reason, she just cant seem to find Georgs perfect match, though its not for lack of trying. Is there a poetic ending in store for Georg and for Belinda herself?

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
*Thanks to author Janice Thompson for providing a copy for review.*

Poetry is an interesting method of communication. It was amazing and good writing in my opinion to find poetry woven not only through out the prose of this story, but also into the metaphors and descriptions of a Christian life. God is the ultimate poet if only we would listen for the next stanza of our lives before jumping on our own. This book contained a great matchmaking and mis-matchmaking love story for the inhabitants of the town of Poetry, Texas and Janice Hanna was also able to weave historical elements of famous poets through out.

As my first experience with a Love Finds You novel I was entirely pleased and look forward to reading more of them in the future. The love between the main characters was palpable and described very well in a realistic manner of friendship and assumptions. I love the writing of Janice Hanna aka Janice Thompson, and cannot wait for more both historical and contemporary.

View all my reviews >>

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Summerside Press (June 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1935416162
• ISBN-13: 978-1935416166
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches

Teaser Tuesday/Where Are You? (Dec. 1)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser:

"What about John?" Belinda asked, looking around to find him. "Is he brokenhearted?"
"To put it mildly. He is pacing at the back of the church with a pained expression on his face. I've never seen him so upset."

~ p. 190, Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas by Janice Hanna (aka Janice. A Thompson)

In reading I'm caught up in Poetry, Texas surrounded by shops and stores that are a mix of poetry and prose. Filled to the brim with romance in the works, I'm eager to which match Belinda will propose next and if she'll notice her own Godsend in the process.

Review: Fools Rush In

Fools Rush In: A Novel by Janice Thompson

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's a country music numbskull 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.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Contemporary Romantic Comedy is the genre that author Janice Thompson's new series Weddings by Bella falls within and boy does she know how to write it well. "Fools Rush In", book #1 is a heart beating, goosebump raising, giggles under cover read. I was able to read this in less a day, which considering my teething, growth spurt experiencing, 3 month old daughter is quite the feat. *wink* Bella Rossi is a New Jersey Italian relocated with her whole family to the shores of Galveston, Texas and she never envisioned falling for a true to earth eastern Texan cowboy, but that might just be what God has in store. The pages of this novel are grin cracking fun. I was amused by so many segments that I would re-read them aloud to my husband. If you are in the mood with something contemporary with a romantic pulse and an under your breath chuckling in the corner of the bookstore comedy then I suggest you pick up this story immediately. Within the first few pages you'll have a taste and know what type of book is in store and that's not even to mention the delving into yourself spiritual elements as well to boot!

View all my reviews >>

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Revell; 1 edition (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800733428
• ISBN-13: 978-0800733421

*Thanks to Revell Books for providing a copy for review.*

Oh and for some humor, check out this picture of AppleBlossom and me while reading this book.