Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson

Product Description

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.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

When did you get started as a writer? Did it come natural?

I've always written (from the time I was a child). I wrote my first book in sixth grade, believe it or not. It was a Bobbsey Twins book. Writing comes very naturally. At a fairly young age, whenever someone needed something written (a newsletter, a skit, etc.) they would say, "Give it to Janice. She can do it." And I could. It was sort of an inborn, innate thing. As far as when I "got started" on a more professional level, I started writing seriously (with publication in mind) in 1994. I started with magazine articles because I'd been told at a conference they were easy to sell. I sold about fifty of them before selling my first book in 1999. The book released in 2000 and I've published over fifty since. It's been quite a ride!

Did you always want to be a writer? If not, what did you want to do/be?

When I was young, I always fancied myself an actress or a singer. I grew up performing. (I studied theater arts in college.) Now I spend my days writing the characters and pushing them around on the page. I still get to tell them where to go and what to do, which is always fun. And by the way, I direct at a local Christian theater, so my love for drama hasn't faded, either!

Where do you get your inspiration/story ideas?

Life! Seriously, everything is a story idea to me. I can look at a small child playing with her mother and create a story in my head. I can sit in a restaurant and look at the somber expression on a waiter's face and find a story there. I can go on a road trip with my mom and travel through a small town, where ideas start popping into my head. I'm one of those overly-creative types. I never lack for stories. I only lack for time to write them all.

Who is your biggest cheerleaders?

My four daughters. They are all in their twenties and all married, but they still find the time to cheer me on with every new book contract. I'll get random Facebook posts from them, along with photos of my books. (For instance, my oldest just sent me a picture of one of my books she found at a local Barnes and Noble. My third-oldest just sent me a copy of one of my books she found at a local WalMart.) They are very proud of their mama and want me to know it. They also help bring in more readers. Just yesterday one of my girls called to tell me that she'd been talking about me behind my back (in a good way) to several ladies she'd met and they all wanted to read my books. Talk about a cheerleader!

Who are some of your favorite authors?

I love some of the classics (John Steinbeck/The Pearl, Remarque/All Quiet On the Western Front) but I love "new" writers, too. I particularly love Linda Nichols (At the Scene of Water), Nancy Jo Jenkins (Coldwater Revival) and several comedic authors: Ginny Smith, Trish Perry, Megan DiMaria, Ray Blackston, Robin Jones Gunn, etc.

My Review

It has been a little while since I have found a new author that can grasp my heart like Janice did. I laughed my way through much of it and got some crazy looks from my kids as mom laughed out loud, all because of a book!

I love the light-heartedness of this story and the silliness of the Rossi family, in many ways they remind me of some of my family... a little wild, a little country, a little religious, a little Holy-Spirit led, a little Hispanic (opposed to Italian!) and ALOT crazy.

I finished reading this book in three days. (I have 5 kids, I homeschool three of them and chase the other two, who are twin 2 year old boys, around the house... so I am a very busy mommy and homemaker.)

The Rossi family in general is hard not to fall in love with. Bella and her 'real-ness' will capture the mind of every young woman in love and every woman who was once young and in love.

Janice's writing style is light and hilarious. She'll have you laughing, day-dreaming and falling in love all over again!

There are only three other Christian romance authors that keep my attention like Janice Thompson did... Dee Henderson, Robin Jones Gunn and Karen Kingsbury, so I rate her among the 'big dogs'.

This was the first book I read by Janice and I went to my local bookstores in search, but nobody had any in store... but Amazon is only a click away!

She is a MUST-READ if you like books by Karen Kingsbury, Robin Jones Gunn and Dee Henderson.

Thanks for this adventure, Janice! I can't wait to get deeper in with Bella and DJ and the rest of the Rossi family.

*This book was a gift from the publisher for me to review. The fact that I was gifted the book has not affect on my opinion of this book.