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What It's About
What happens when a charming, out-of-work actor is hired to wine, dine, and romance an attractive young woman? He falls for her sister!
Modern love in Las Vegas takes an unusual spin when Lucy Antonucci tries to set up Danny Alvieri, a smooth and charming out-of-work actor, with her beautiful, spoiled and bored young sister Val. But what Lucy has cooked up for Val begins to whet her own more mature appetites.
Adding heat to the stew, the family-owned trattoria is in financial trouble, and the struggle to make ends meet causes sibling rivalries to bubble up hot and savory. If Lucy and Val are going to keep the trattoria -- and their hearts -- intact, this family is going to have to learn to cook together.
More detail
Vivacious, pretty Val Antonucci has just ended another disastrous date, so she heads to her family's trattoria to commiserate with her sister Lucy. Across town, their brother Cyrus spends the evening brooding, boozing, and brawling until the boredom overtakes him and he and his pal Tony also retreat to the restaurant for some late night refuge. But instead of peace, he finds a local, arrogant casino mogul, Randolph Masonly, pressing him and Lucy to sell the business.
In a glittering casino, Alex Goodman lets his poker face slip and it costs him dearly in a high stakes game, but the battering he takes at the tables is nothing compared to the sight that greets him when he gets home; his wife in bed with another man. Meanwhile, wannabe actor and full-time waiter Danny Alvieri loses his cool, and his job, in the heat of the moment during a disagreement about an overcooked steak.
After a long evening, Lucy keeps the trattoria open late when the despondent Alex comes knocking on her door. Though he's a stranger to her, she lends him a sympathetic ear, and some solid advice, concerning his imminent breakup with his cheating wife. When she finally arrives home, she's called upon once again by her parents and Cyrus to address her sister Val's rapidly escalating dejection and cynicism. Jokingly, their mother suggests they pay a man to treat Val right for a while to get her back in the swing of things. The joke leaps to reality when the womanizing Danny comes calling in search of a job.
Eager for a job and amused at the prospect of making money for dating a beautiful woman, Danny accepts an offer from Lucy and Cy to work as a waiter in their restaurant while taking Val out on a few dates. Val, oblivious to the ruse with Danny, goes on a date and begins opening up to him. While Dan wines and dines her, Cyrus fumes and festers about the money, because he and Lucy are footing the bills for the high-class dates while the trattoria struggles to stay alive. Turning up the heat, Danny finds Val attractive, but his feelings for Lucy grow stronger and more undeniable. Adding to the mixture, Lucy helps him get an audition for a coveted upcoming movie role just as new friend Alex freaks out in a fantastical way at his ex-wife's house. It's not long before everyone's tensions hit a full boil, making this sibling stew a very tasty and tangy treat.
Order here:
Paperback - Amazon.com -- $15.00
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Paperback - Mundania Press -- $15.00
E-book: Mundania Press -- $6.00
E-book: Amazon as an ebook -- $5.40
Your local bookstore! -- They may not have a copy of my book in stock, but if you ask them for it, they can get a copy for you!
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What they're saying
click the links for full reviews
Four Stars from Romantic Times:
In this novel about a wild Italian family, siblings Cyrus and Lucy want to set up their spoiled sister with a boyfriend as a small diversion when they are faced with losing the family business. They decide to pay Danny, one of their waiters, to date Val, but instead he and Lucy fall for each other.
The interplay among the siblings is fun to watch, as is the relationship between Val and Danny. The gorgeous Val cannot understand why he doesn't make a move for her, so she thinks he must be gay. Meanwhile, once Danny and Lucy accept their feelings, the heat soars to a fever pitch.
There are hysterical scenes in this entertaining novel, which is full of vibrant characters. But the gentle reader should be aware of the graphic language and steamy sex.
Donna M. Brown, Romantic Times
"Trattoria is a hot novel full of fun, fantasy and a fantastic family. The shouting of an Italian family is the sign of abundant love, even when it comes down to the groom getting a punch to the jaw. Susan DiPlacido offers readers a chance to escape to Vegas, have a few rounds and enjoy the ride. This book is just packed with the stories that make for a memorable read, and just the sort of thing you might expect when reading about the strip - save the heavy gambling. Lust, love, giddy happiness and deep depression are just a few of the emotions this book portrays. All things will pass, and eventually can be laughed about - even a three-carat diamond ring. Not everything that happens in Vegas can be spoken of, but you can read about it all right here."
Heather Froeschl of Bookreview.com
"What if Darcy and Elizabeth were Italian and living in a very down-to-earth America. The pretenses are there, they are just not the same pretenses. And the premise of this novel flows from the same source that produced Austen's famous opening to "Pride and Prejudice": "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." Danny may not be rich, but he has the talent to create a fantastic future. And Lucy has those fine qualities that made us fall for Elizabeth. This book is sometimes rough and raunchy and always very modern, but at its solid heart it is a fun-filled romance waiting to sweep you off your feet."
William Reese Hamilton at Amazon
"This book is gutsy and earthy. It is not for anyone who is offended by strong language. But if you don’t mind some common curses and everyday language, then this book could be your cup of tea...or, should I say, plate of spaghetti?
Kudos to Ms. DiPlacido. The mature reader will appreciate her story line and I, for one, will be waiting impatiently for her next novel. Keep them coming, Susan!"
Alice Klein for bookideas.com
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