by Mandi Benet
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GENRE: Contemporary romance
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BLURB:
There, she swears off
romance for a long while and Italian men forever. That’s until she meets
Silvio, who belongs to an old, aristocratic Roman family and lives in a palace
alongside the best private art collection in Rome .
Silvio, who is the cousin
of Maria’s husband, is going through his own divorce. He’s gorgeous, of course,
which Gaby doesn’t tell him. And arrogant and condescending, which she does.
The last thing Gaby needs is more Italian trouble, but the attraction is
instant and powerful, and against the backdrop of one of the world’s most
romantic cities, both try—and fail—to resist the chemistry between them.
But both Gaby and Silvio
have made a rule never to make the mistake of trusting in love again. Will they
realize some rules are made just to be broken?
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My Review:
I live in Rome so I could not help but read this book. In addition to the title, I was attracted by the cover, it is the view of Rome that I prefer. I'm not disappointed. It 's a romantic and full of passion story between a grumpy but charming man and a disillusioned but genuine and full of passion woman.
Gabi has just discovered that her husband has decided to marry the young waitress who works in their restaurant. In a moment her whole world has collapsed. To recover she decides to join her friend Maria in Rome. In this city so romantic it will be difficult to keep her promise to stay away from men. Especially when she meets Silvio, a charming man but very unfriendly and surly. Between them the chemistry is very strong and even if they try to resist it will be impossible. In addition Maria tries in every way to fit them together. Will she succeed?
I had great fun to see evolving the relationship between Silvio and Gaby: two people wounds, with a divorce behind, lack of confidence in the other sex, so much fear but so much passion in their heart. Their dialogues are witty, brilliant, in certain moments very hilarious, in others so sweet to feel butterflies in the stomach, in other almost exasperating.
Needless to say I loved the other protagonist of this story, Rome: the author has been able to create the right atmosphere and has given life to a breathtaking landscapes.
I recommend it to anyone who wants to do a romantic trip to the Eternal City.
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EXCERPT:
Silvio lifted Gaby’s face to his with his finger. “So, you
try to make me jealous?”
“Did it work?”
“No.” Silvio’s eyes glittered in the dark.
Gaby grinned. “You mean yes.”
“No. I mean no. Well, okay, maybe a little.”
Gaby grinned again and lowered her head to his shoulder.
“What did Massimo want with you all this time, dancing? What
was all that whispering between you?”
“He wanted a date.”
Silvio went very still. “Excuse me?”
Gaby lifted her head up and looked at him. “He wants to take
me out on a date when we get back to Rome.”
Silvio’s arms fell away and his eyes grew cool. “The kid’s
barely out of college. You could be his mother.”
Gaby’s head snapped to the side. “I beg your pardon? He’s
twenty-eight. I would have to have given birth to him when I was twelve.”
“Well, he looks like he’s twelve.” Silvio yanked Gaby toward
him and they began to move to the music again. “You said no, right?” he murmured
against her face.
“As a matter of fact, I said yes. He asked me if I was
dating anyone and I said no.” Gaby added this last part for fun.
And boy was it fun when Silvio’s eyes immediately went from
cool to frosty. “So,” he said, stepping back. “You’re not dating anyone?”
Gaby cocked her head to one side and suppressed a smile.
“No. Who would I be dating?”
A tic started up in Silvio’s jaw and he pulled her to him,
pressing his body against hers. He seemed so agitated over her admission, but
why did he think he could stake any claim to her? “I thought maybe . . .” His
voice trailed off weakly.
“You thought what?”
Silvio shook his head. “Nothing.” He buried his face in her neck lighting
charges all through her body. “It’s just that it looked like you felt a bit
awkward dancing with Massimo.”
“Awkward? How do you mean?”
Silvio’s tongue laved the nape of her neck. “Well, for one,
you didn’t have your arms around his neck like you have them around mine, nor
were your legs entwined with his as they are with mine.”
Gaby immediately sprang back. The image he was drawing was
highly sexual. But he caught her.
“Come back here,” he commanded.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Mandi Benet grew
up in England and published her first piece of fiction when she was twelve
years old. She has been scribbling away ever since, as an award-winning
journalist covering everything from the Democratic Convention to the Oscars—and
an author, writing contemporary romance and women’s fiction with rich, original
characters.
LINKS
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
Mandi Benet will
be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter
during the tour.
Thank you for hosting
RispondiEliminaThanks so much for the great excerpt and giveaway
RispondiEliminaGreat post. I enjoyed reading about your book. What is one book you would like to write but have not been able to?
RispondiEliminaDear Debby:
EliminaThanks so much for your question and comment.
There are so many books I would like to write but have not yet been able to. The list is endless!
I would first like to finish my series of four books under the title Love in the City (of which To Rome With Love is the first, the next one is set in London!), and then start another, different series. I would also like to finish up my memoir but right now I have too many other books to write! I would also love to try my hand at a young adult novel.
Thank you so much, Veronica, for taking the time to read and review my novel To Rome With Love. Your opinion counts for so much since you yourself live in Rome! Many thanks again. Mandi Benet
RispondiEliminaGrazie mille, Veronica, per aver trovato il tempo di leggere e rivedere il mio romanzo To Rome With Love . La tua opinione è così importante dal momento che da soli vivono a Roma !
Thanks for sharing your review!
RispondiEliminaThanks for the chance!
RispondiEliminaSounds like a great read.
RispondiEliminaThanks so much for the giveaway and giving us the chance to win
RispondiEliminaEnjoyed the excerpt.
RispondiEliminaHappy Hump Day and thank you for the opportunity to win
RispondiEliminaI appreciate you giving us the opportunity to win, thank you
RispondiEliminaHope you're having a great Saturday! Thanks again for the chance!
RispondiEliminaGood Afternoon and wishing you a wonderful Sunday. Thank you for this giveaway as well
RispondiEliminaHi James. Tks for your interest!
EliminaMandi Benet
I appreciate you giving us the chance to win, thank you
RispondiElimina