Maria's Space: Italian For Beginners By Kristin Harmel

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Italian For Beginners By Kristin Harmel

I just finished two books this weekend. Italian for Beginners is the first one.

From the Website: 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.

In A Nutshell: Cat is likable. There isn't a single character in the book that isn't likable. Even Francesco, the guy who leaves her hanging is likable. You can't blame the guy, he just doesn't know any better. I love how Cat starts out as sort of mousy, always playing it safe, never taking chances, everyone's shoulder, dependable (is that a bad thing?), blah, blah. By the end, with the help of some very good, fast friends, Cat is one her way to being sort of a big deal and knows what she wants out of life.

We should all have the problems Cat has. Two beautiful men to choose from, spending time alone in Rome, eating excellent home made Italian food. Geez, did I say she was likable? I'm starting to hate on her.

I love all the Audrey Hepburn references and the idea of spending time in a beautiful city and coming out stronger on the other side. Loved it! Great book.

Want to read it?

The book comes out in August 2009. Want it? You can pre-order it at Amazon or I have an advance, unedited copy.

Giveaway Instructions:

To Enter The Giveaway: You must be a subscriber or a follower! Just leave me a comment telling me what city in the world you wish you could spend time in. (If this rule is not followed you will be disqualified). (US Only! 18+ Years Only!)

Deadline: July 15, 2009 (midnight)

Do You Want More Entries?

1 Extra - Blog about this contest and link back to me (provide the link in the comment).

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