A Valentine from Book Group Maven Adriana Trigiani and a Giveaway from Book Club Girl!

"Sex and the City meets Moonlighting" raved People magazine and that praise, coupled with the name Adriana Trigiani, is enough for me to rush to pick up her latest book, the first in a new trilogy, Very Valentine. In VV, Trigiani introduces us to the Roncalli and Angelini families, a vibrant cast of colorful characters who navigate tricky family dynamics with hilarity and brio, from magical Manhattan to the picturesque hills of bella Italia. The Angelini family owns the venerable Angelini Shoe Company, a maker of fine wedding shoes, and one of the last family-owned businsses in Greenwich Village. Thirty-three year old Valentine Roncalli is trying to bring the business into the 21st century and save it from financial ruin.

While juggling a budding romance with dashing chef Roman Falconi, her duty to her family, and a design challenge presented by a prestigious department store, Valentine returns to Italy with her grandmother to learn new techniques and seek one-of-a-kind materials for building a pair of glorious shoes to beat their rivals. There, in Tuscany, Naples, and on the Isle of Capri, a family secret is revealed as Valentine discovers her artistic voice and much more, turning her life and the family business upside down in ways she never expected. Very Valentine is a sumptuous treat, a journey of dreams fulfilled, a celebration of love and loss filled with Trigiani's trademark heart and humor.

Trigiani is a book club favorite. She's the first author who really took the author-calling-in-to-a-book-group concept and ran with it, making many calls, famously, while in her pjs and doing the laundry. Her novels, including the Big Stone Gap Trilogy and Lucia, Lucia (which I read on my honeymoon) are all reading group favorites.

Very Valentine is the perfect book for this Valentine's Week--why not ask your honey to pick it up for you along with a box of chocolate and bottle of good wine? If you don't want to rely on him, here's a chance to win the book along with a signed poster of the cover: Post a comment about your favorite Trigiani novel and I will pick ten random winners from all the comments received by midnight Thursday February 12th to receive the book and poster!

Hear about Adriana's inspiration for this new triology in her tour of Greenwich Village below. Catch her on tour near you, and browse inside the book now!

Comments

[Pam]

I thought it couldn't get any better than the Big Stone Gap trilogy. But then ... Lucia, Lucia!!!! That remains my all time favorite.

[Cindy S.]

I haven't read any of her books but the reviews for this look really good. Sounds like a great book to start of with. Please add me.

[RobynL]

I have never read your books but am sorry for that after checking out your web site.
Cooking With My Sisters sounds right up my alley. I love homemade dishes, cooking together, bringing food to a family gathering and the big family table that you talk about(sort of like at our place).
Please enter me.

[Michelle B]

I loved all the Big Stone Gap books, Rococo and Lucia, Lucia. I can't wait to read another book by Adriana Trigiani.

[Marg]

I have had her books on my TBR list for ages but never actually read any of them. It would be good to get in at the beginning of a new trilogy!

[Donna S]

I havent read any Trigani books yet but they sound great.

[Miriam]

I enjoyed her Big Stone Gap and I have read others of hers. This one sounds excellent. Count me in.

[bridget3420]

I haven't had the chance to read any of her books but now I'm going to have to check them out!

[Erika Lynn]

Honestly, I haven't read any of them yet but I would really like to so please enter me! The reviews are great.

[nhertel85]

I have not read any books by this author but would love the chance to:)

[Melissa C]

I must admit, I have never read anything by this author, but I would sure love to start. It sounds very interesting!

[Deb]

I loved "Lucia, Lucia." The dialogue and character descriptions really made the people in this book come alive to me. Really looking forward to this new one!

[alissa]

My favorite book is Lucia, Lucia. It portrays exactly what I feel nostalgic about and loved this memorable and unforgettable novel. Thanks for this wonderful chance.

[Margay]

I loved Queen of the Big Time. It is my favorite so far - but I still haven't read the Big Stone Gap trilogy, which I plan to do, especially since my paternal grandfather was from that area and my mother read the books and recognized the places there!
Margay

[Michelle]

While I love the Stone Gap series, my favorite has to be Lucia, Lucia. Love the era and the characters. My book club read it last year and now they are all Trigiani converts!

[Lori Barnes]

Big Stone Gap and i have the other 3 I waited to read the 1rst one after i found the other 3 because i had read really good reviews on this series. I was so excited to see she has a new book out!! please put my name in for your contest.
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net

[MJ]

I haven't read any bit I'd love to!

[Renee G]

I love cookbooks and I absolutely loved Cooking with My Sisters.

I'd now love to read some of her fiction.

rsgrandinetti(at)yahoo(dot)com

[Wrighty]

I really enjoyed the Big Stone Gap books but haven't read any since then. A good friend has raved about her most recent books, especially this one. I've read many great reviews as well. I can't wait to read it. Please include me and thanks for your contest!

5wrights1[at]verizon[dot]net

[Bingo]

LUCIA,LUCIA was my favorite until I started reading VERY VALENTINE and now I think it may take its place. However, I have found out a lot about Adriana since I started reading VERY VALENTINE and think that I will have to invest in BIG STONE GAP and the rest of her books. I believe they are making a movie of BIG STONE GAP. Do you know more about that? I would love a real copy of the book and a poster as I am a NY girl too and really find her easy to relate to! Thanks for the chance! Bingo from BOOKIN' WITH BINGO