Review: It Had To Be You

My Synopsis:

It Had To Be You (Weddings by Bella series - Book 3) by Janice Thompson

(For review from Revell)

Club Wed is swamped with weddings by the time the 3rd book in the Weddings by Bella series ends. Bella Rossi, wedding coordinator and down home Italian girl is getting married. But, so is her brother, her aunt and uncle, her best friend, her cousin, her sister and even a few other couples thrown into the mix. With all the Chaos going on with Bella's wedding business, she hardly has time to think about her own Valentines Day wedding to D.J., the cowboy of her dreams.

Rosa and Laz, Bella's feuding aunt and uncle have finally buried the hatchet and are ready to take the plunge. Their 40's style Big Band Wedding has brought members from their Italian family across the ocean to celebrate with them. Even Laz's friend Sal, a former Mob boss has flown in for the event. But, Sal isn't quite sure Rosa is right for Laz! She certainly isn't what he expected. Will Sal throw a wrench in the works with Laz and Rosa? Will Bella be able to relax and plan her own wedding? What's the big surprise that D.J. has for the honeymoon? With all these couples who ISN'T getting married?

My Thoughts:

Janice Thompson has taken a serious subject like Christian Fiction and added a whole lot of comedy. She has a knack for showing readers that being a Christian certainly isn't boring! She adds elements of faith into every story, whether it's teaching a parrot to sing Amazing Grace or showing a movie star what it's like to be in a Christian home.

The third book in the Weddings by Bella series, certainly doesn't disappoint. Readers have become accustomed to Bella's big Italian family and their crazy antics. In this book, Laz and Rosa who have fought incessantly for 20 years are finally getting married. One of things that I really like about this series are themed weddings that go on at Club Wed, the Rossi families wedding facility. There are themes from Western, to Medieval to Big Band, and even a Tiffany's inspired wedding. The Fairy Tale wedding theme being my favorite.

Readers who are looking for a light read that is funny and endearing will really like, It Had To Be You. It's doesn't beat you over the head with issues of faith and but it definitely gets you thinking. If you like over the top families with lots of chaos (a lot like mine), this one is for you.

Available May 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a Division of Baker Publishing Group.

I give this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Here is a little more information about the author, Janice Thompson.

JANICE HANNA THOMPSON: Award-winning author Janice Thompson also writes under the pseudonym Janice Hanna. She got her start in the industry writing screenplays and musical comedies for the stage. Janice has published over fifty books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children's books and more. In addition, she enjoys editing, ghost-writing, public speaking, and mentoring young writers. Janice is particularly thrilled about this season of her writing life, where romantic comedies rule the day. Quirky wedding-themed stories suit this fun-loving author. After all, she has served as mother-of-the-bride four times over the past five years! Janice currently serves as Vice-President of CAN (Christian Authors Network) and was named the 2008 Mentor of the year for ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). She is active in her local writing group, where she regularly teaches on the craft of writing. Janice is passionate about her faith and does all she can to share the joy of the Lord with others, which is why she particularly enjoys writing. She lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends, and two mischievous dachshunds. She does her best to keep the Lord at the center of it all.