FOOLS RUSH IN

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

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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!

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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

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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!

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Fools Rush In was hilarious! When it comes to romance, I think I smiled and sighed while reading this story more than I have all year, which is why it's making my best fiction of 2009 list (and just in time as the year is almost over!) The hero in this story, DJ, was dreamy in a realistic way. I

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found his personality and genuine kindness irresistible. I totally adored him. And the heroine, Bella, God bless her, was a real sweetheart. She was a very likable heroine and I enjoyed getting to know her and her family. When DJ and Bella kissed, sparks flew.

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This book was funny from the first page. I have never read a book with so much religion in it before, but that did not stop me from picking up this book. Just from reading the description on the back of the book, I knew that I had to read this. I love anything weddings, and a little bit of romance

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never hurts.
The book starts off with Bella's parents retiring from their wedding business. They have decided to give the business over to Bella, her first wedding is a boot scoot'n country wedding with cowboy boots as the centerpieces. There is only one problem, Bella is full blown Itailan and her family has only ever done traditional weddings. But when Bella advertises that she is doing themed weddings she starts getting calls for some crazy weddings.
She meets DJ towards the beginning of the book when she hears a man talking about DJ on the phone, Bella thinks that this is a sign from God since she is looking for a deejay for the wedding she is planning. Get it, DJ is his name, she thinks he is a deejay. Let's just say that when DJ finds out that Bella wants him to be the DJ for the wedding, it turns into a very funny part of the book.
Bella's family is very close. They all live together, her Aunt, Uncle, Mom and Dad, and a couple siblings and are they funny! It reminds me of my family, there is always someone talking louder than someone else to be heard over everyone, and Holidays are even louder.
This is a must read for anyone who likes a little romance, and the love of family in a book.

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This was a fun story to read. Bella Rossi has been given the family's wedding planning business to run on her own and her first wedding is a 'Boot-Scootin' Texas wedding. The fun part of the story is Bella and her Italian Rossi family, who are transplanted and living in Galveston, Texas.
Bella

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doesn't know anything about country music for this wedding, so she quickly needs to find a deejay and when she meets D.J. Neely you have a little bit of country meeting alot of Italiano. You have Bella's family, which you will learn to love (I especially liked Grandma Rosa), the Neely family and even the parrot Guido will at some point in the story bring a smile to your face. If you are looking for a light-hearted romance with lots of laughs, you will enjoy this story.

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I wanted to like this book, but although the story was nice enough, I never felt myself pulled in. Instead of showing the reader how crazy the Rossi family was, Ms. Thompson just kept telling. And though I believe that God does work miracles, I can't help thinking that life doesn't always get

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wrapped up in a nice neat romantic package - God's miracles aren't about that.

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Bella has taken over her family wedding business and is determined to give it her best. Her very first wedding arrangement is a boot scoot’n country wedding and she is a nervous wreck. When looking for someone to play the music she meets DJ. DJ not only agrees to act as the deejay for the wedding

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but his brother Bubba will help with the food as well.

Is her first themed wedding going to be a success? Is she also going to be paving the way for her own wedding and finding her dream man this time?

The story was hilarious and well presented. Quite a few scenes in the book made me laugh out loud and I even read a few chapters again (I rarely do this!). The book focussed quite a bit on the characters in the Rossi family and their daily life. This would have been a tad bit boring if it had not been for the uniqueness of each of them. I also liked that quite a few Italian slangs / phrases were thrown across the book. It got us so much more closer to the big family of the Rossi’s – almost like you lived with them and were a part of their craziness.

The characters were all so like-able. Bella in particular is someone I would love to see again. Obviously DJ is perfect and the romance they share is cute.

Fools Rush in is a great book with just the right mixture of romance, comedy, family fun and religion. How often do you see all these aspects blended perfectly in a book? I have not read something like this for a while and I would recommend it for a relaxed day. Rated a 4 on 5.

I particularly liked this sentence in the book and thought I should share it.

Life is fill of curious coincidences. I call them bada-bing, bada-boom moments.

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Bella Rossi is the manager of a venue that caters to weddings. Sheis confident that she will always be helping other women fullfill their dreams of having a perfect wedding day, while never having one of her own. She also is part of a big, loving (albiet crazy) Italian family which has succeeded in

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scaring off past boyfriends. But her whole life is turned upside down the moment she calls Dwayne Neeley to hire him to be the deejay for a cowboy themed wedding. An adorable book about family, love, and faith. A great vacation read that will make you smile.

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Quick read. Humorous romance. Girl unexpectedly meets great guy...great guy likes girl...you know the rest..

Put a crazy Italian-American family in Galivston, Texas and mingle in a good old Texas family, and an Evangelical, run-the-isles-shout-and jump the pews- church members, and you get a wonderfully funny book. Bella's father moved the entire family to Texas when Bella was young. There he opened a

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wedding planningbusinness. Living under one roof are Bella, her parents, one brother and occasionally another, her father's brother, Laz, and her mother's sister, Rosa. Add to that mix the fact that Laz and Rosa hate each other and seem to live to insult each other and argue. Bella has now taken over the family business and has decided to add several theme weddings to the business. Her first wedding to plan is a boot-scootin affair.

I ordered this book on my Kindle thinking it was a mystery. I kept waiting for someone to be killed but I was so into the book by the time I discoverd that this was a romance and not a mystery that I no longer cared. It's a funny book and I fell in love with all the characters.

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Bella is running her parents wedding facility. Her family is from Italy but live in Texas. Bella needs a deejay for her wedding but what she gets is surprising.

I gave the book 2 stars. It was ok and has Christian values in it which I did like but what I didn't like was how the couples meet and are

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in love within a week and even friends and family members talk about how they can see them married with kids. Hello they have only been on a few dates. That aspect of the book was a little unrealistic for me.

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What lady doesn't want to read a face-paced, fun, frothy chick lit? This Christian fiction is filled with humor along with several Italian expressions--translated, of course--which add interest to the story.

The novel is written in the first-person narrative from Bella Rossi's point of view. The

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character of Bella is one that any reader will easily understand. She skirts in and out of situations made more complex by her eccentric Italian family. They live in Galveston Island, Texas, where they run a pizza shop and a wedding facility. She meets DJ, a Texas-style hunk. As expected, romance happens, but not before some funny situations develop.

The first book in the Weddings by Belle series, and I am looking forward to reading the next one.

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It was free, so I didn't read as much of the description as I should have... Didn't realize this was Christian fiction. It was a fast read, so I finished it, but WAY too preachy for me! Whether you like God or not, if you don't like someone preaching to you as you read fiction, avoid this book.

Sweet little book about a big Italian family and all that happens when they collide with a down-home Texas family. Strong Christian themes and light romance made for a pleasant read. It was great for reading on my Kindle while I walked on the treadmill.

Would have been a much better read without the religious refeneces ad nauseum.

Thirty-something Bella Rossi is about to have her life turned topsy-turvy when her Italian turned Texan family hands over the family Wedding Planning Business to her. As a Wedding co-ordinator Bella lands her first job....to organize a Texan-themed wedding for one of her clients. The only problem

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is...where is she going to find a DJ who can play Texan music with a family whose taste in music is anything but eclectic; they only like and listen to Frank Sinatra.

When fate and a misunderstanding introduces her to DJ Neely, a handsome Texan from Splendora, Bella falls head over heels with him, literally. DJ Neely saves the day, and Bella. He agrees to be the Disc Jockey and introduces Bella to the rest of the Neely Family. But will DJ and his family accept Bella and her crazy Italian family? With a pizza- making uncle with ties to the mob, a crazy broom-wielding aunt, a barking-mad dog named Precious, a bad-mouthed parrot named Guido, an insanely jealous ex boyfriend, and an insane delivery of 80 cowboy boots, will Bella ever get to hear Wedding bells of her own? There's loads of 'Boot Scoot'n' fun and crazy antics to keep you turning the pages. The story is written in the first person by Bella Rossi as she gives an account of her first Texas Wedding as a Wedding Planner and her encounter with DJ Neely and his family.

There are many underlying Christian morals or themes in the book. One quote that keeps resounding in the book is: "Where there is life, there is hope." One of the themes in the book is hope...hope that, in spite of the chaos in our lives, everything will turn out just fine. Another theme is that we should surrender our fate to God....to put our relationships in God's hand and not worry about the small hiccups. Another theme within the book is embracing change, as Earline's favourite bible passage states:

2:8-13 The voice of my Beloved God! Behold, he conquers the mountains (triumphant over adversity,
obstacles), (9) he beckons me to come, leaving my fears behind (to trust His good leadership). (10) I will arise, I will come away with You. (12) The Lord is doing a new thing, the season of singing has come (the
new Songs from Throne), the harvest of the nations is at hand. I will arise (I will leave my fears behind).
~Song of Solomon 2:8-13

This is book one in the Wedding by Bella series. I loved the book! It made me laugh in places and put me in a good mood. There's lots of rooting' tooting action and adventure in this book, not to mention some good 'ole fashioned beauty secrets. Janice Thompson is a Christian Romance writer living in Spring, Texas. She started out writing screenplays. I can't wait to read the rest of the Wedding by Bella series.

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Cute predictable romance based in Galveston Texas.

I got the part where she made a "yay God!" gesture, and couldn't finish. Turns out God ruins romance novels for me.

Bella Rossi and her loud, boisterous Italian family run a couple of connected businesses – Bella’s Weddings (a/k/a Club Wed) is a reception hall and wedding planning service owned by Bella’s parents. Her uncle Lou owns a nearby restaurant – Parma John’s – and catering business. Now, at

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age 29 and still single, Bella is in a near panic at the thought of planning her first “theme” wedding. Her parents want to retire and have turned over the business to her. Problem is she has never planned a theme wedding before and she has less than two weeks left to put on a Boot-Scootin’ Texas wedding.

This is a cute premise, and I had no illusions that this would be anything but light, romantic comedy, with Christian overtones. But, oh, my stars! Thompson drags out every cliché of the romance / chick lit genre. She uses and overuses the same tired phrases. Did I mention that Bella has never planned a theme wedding before? Are you sure I mentioned that this is the first theme wedding she’s planned? Because it’s important that you know this is the first time she’s planned a theme wedding. Seriously, Thompson tells us this at least four times in the first 30 pages. There are other repetitions, but you get the point. In addition to the stereotypical characters (Italian aunt who lives to make great meals and feed the world, an Italian ex-boyfriend with a hair-trigger temper, a pair of handsome cowboys with hearts of gold, an uncle with mob connections back in New Jersey, etc), she also includes two “cute” pets – a ferocious Yorkie-Poo named Precious, and a bedraggled parrot with a foul mouth.

Her plot totally gets away from her, as well. This is padded to an excruciating 325 pages. The key first-time wedding is over and there are still 100 pages of fill to get through. A good editor would have trimmed this to fewer than 200 pages. A better editor would have trashed it and told her to start over.

So why do I give it even 1 star? It’s a fast read. And I liked the basic premise. It’s actually book one of a series, though I’m not going to read any more.

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This book was a huge let down. The author was inconsistent, the details seemed very inaccurate. How can a family who has lived in Texas for at least 15 years not be familiar at all with the Country/Western stuff? I am not saying all Texans enjoy country music, but it seems like everyone has heard

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of most of the big Country stars, or the Grand Ole Opry. And there were lots of details that were repeated over and over again, like the Italian phrase & it's meaning.

Another reviewer has already commented on the slightly unbelievable idea that the whole family of Italian Catholics converted to the Methodist Church after one revival meeting. Even if that is the case I feel like the author went overboard on the religious stuff, mainly because it wasn't as relevent to the story, and almost seemed like filler. She spent a good page at least talking about making a list of things to give to God, then commented on it with remarks like 'God probably doesn't care about my brothers not putting the toilet seat down', all to lead into getting a phone call.

My favorite subplot of the story was that of Rosa and Laz. What I hated about it was that the author wrote the book in first-person POV, but then had the main character be so dense that she didn't see the romantic tension between the two, Bella had to have it spelled out to her by her mom--when it was obvious to the reader, at least to me, that something was going on there several chapters prior. And this subplot was never really developed, I think there was more time talking about saving the bird.

Something else that really bothered me was the entire chapter of "coincidences". A coincidence is something that seems like it was arranged or on purpose but accidental, like say I work on the weekends and always miss out on fun stuff, the power goes out so I get a Saturday off and 10 minutes later my friend texts to say she is bummed that someone cancelled on her and she will have to go to a concert alone, since I am at work. I'm not at work, I can go. Someone calling to set up a medieval wedding, because the ad says the place specializes in medieval weddings, is not a really a coincidence-Bella worded the ad knowing that she had never before set up that style of wedding. The majority of this chapter was used to randomly set up a couple subplots, and to work as filler in my opinion.

I don't plan on reading the rest of the series, it was hard enough getting through the first book.

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When I first started this I thought it was quirky and humorous, but Bella's family and their antics started to grate on me after a while. Also, I realize Bella is new to managing her business, but I have to wonder how long her business would survive in the "real world" if she's as inept a

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businesswoman as the author has made her. I think that "quirk" would also grate on me if it becomes something that the author decides to use as a series piece (i.e. what will Bella goof up during this wedding?)

I did like the idea of the pizza parlor using Dean Martin songs to name their pizzas and design their specials. For some reason, that part didn't really get old to me throughout the book.

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It is "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" meets "The Brady Bunch". Good story, but the conflicts are minor in her tragic up-and-down love story. I did like the fact that it is a christian story.

A light-hearted book, narrated informally by a young woman called Bella. She's from a large and extraverted Italian-American family, and runs a wedding organising business. She's quite likeable, although very introspective and constantly worried that things will go wrong.

The main plot is about the

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preparation for a cowboy style wedding, but there's also a low-key romance, which progresses without conflict but begins with a misunderstanding that really makes no sense.

The humour wasn't really my style and I found some of the repetition a bit irritating, but as a quick and lightweight holiday read, it was pleasant enough.

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