Bella Fortuna

Valentina DeLuca has made hundreds of brides' dreams come true. At Sposa Rosa, the Astoria, New York, boutique where she, her sisters, and their mother design and sew couture knock-off gowns, she can find the perfect style for even the most demanding customer. Now, it's her turn. Valentina has loved Michael Carello ever since he rescued her from a cranky shopkeeper when she was ten years old. He's handsome, chivalrous, and loyal. And in a few weeks, she's going to marry him-in Venice.

But just when she thinks everything is falling into place, Valentina is forced to re-examine her life to see what truly makes her happy. And as she soon learns, in a place as magical as Venice, what seems like misfortune can turn out to be anything but, although who knows what may be waiting around the next corner? The chance to enjoy a moonlit gondola ride, to sip Prosecco in St. Mark's Square, to eat mouthwatering gelato, to put aside "sensible" for once and see where the warm Italian breezes guide her as she visits all the sights she's dreamed of: The Doge's Palace, Il Rialto, the little islands of Murano and Burano. And maybe, along the way, to discover that bella fortuna-good luck-isn't what you're given, but what you make.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rosanna Chiofalo is a first-generation Italian American whose parents emigrated from Sicily to New York in the early 1960s. Since graduating with a B.A. in English from Stony Brook University, she has worked as a Copywriter and Copy Director for several New York City publishers. Rosanna is a member of the Romance Writers of America and The Order Sons of Italy.

Readers can visit her website at www.RosannaChiofalo.com

"Chiofalo, a first-generation Italian-American whose parents emigrated from Sicily in the 1960s, brings the Italian immigrant community and neighborhoods richly to life...the tale is charming." - Publishers Weekly

"Yes, go ahead and conjure up visions of hot Italian men and gelato! Chiofalo is clearly the heir to the Adriana Trigiani throne in the Italian American fiction category!" - Great Thoughts

"Reading Bella Fortuna was like watching a really gripping, romantic movie. Go to Venice. Ride a gondola. See St. Mark's square. Chase the pigeons. Then go back to your hotel room overlooking a canal, take out Bella Fortuna, and read. It will make your whole day perfetto." - Cathy Lamb, author of A Different Kind of Normal

"Valentina DeLuca is a heroine with intelligence, heart, and courage, the kind of person every woman wants for a dear friend. Time spent with her is a sheer joy." - Mary Carter, author of The Pub Across The Pond

For publicity inquiries or to schedule an interview with the author, please contact:

Vida Engstrand / Senior Publicist / 212.407.1573 / vengstrand@kensingtonbooks.com