*This post was originally published on December 2nd, 2010. The image of the cover for Ask Me if I'm Happy has been updated to reflect the current cover.*
Time for the tried and true. Since I'm dealing with allergies, straightening up the house for my private English lesson this evening, preparing to go to the doctor and trying to get some laundry done - I'm pretty well squeezed for time today.
So I'll have to do a "promotional" Thirteen today.
With your kind indulgence, I present:
So I'll have to do a "promotional" Thirteen today.
With your kind indulgence, I present:
13 Reasons to Buy
Ask Me if I'm Happy
1) Because you love Italy, or are curious about the place.
2) Because you are in the mood for a love story.
2) Because you are in the mood for a love story.
3) Because so few books seem to be set in Italy in the winter.
4) Because Bologna is a city you've a) never been to, b) been to and want to see again or c) always wanted to visit.
Now's your chance!
5) Because you want to read a new author! I'm new! I'm an author! It's PERFECT!
6) Because books are always great gifts! At least, they're great gifts for book lovers.
Now's your chance!
5) Because you want to read a new author! I'm new! I'm an author! It's PERFECT!
6) Because books are always great gifts! At least, they're great gifts for book lovers.
| 7) Because you want to know what this is. |  |
8) Because you want to read more of this excerpt:
Fifteen minutes later, that man was smiling at her again. His eyes tickled at her periphery like so many nimble fingers until she allowed herself to sneak a few peeks at him on the sly, using the reflection in the window. In only a few minutes, she noted he was Jacopo’s exact opposite in many ways.
He’s the other side of the same coin, though, I’ll bet.
Still, he was easy on the eyes, with a strong jaw, dark eyes and dark, boyish curls which fell along his brow. His clothes weren’t fancy, but simple in design. A pale blue chambrayshirt peeked out from beneath his red scarf.There were no fancy designer labels, no ostentatious, trendy affectations on view.
She liked that.
When he crossed his legs, she risked a direct look at him and smiled in spite of herself. His shoes were black running shoes, rather scuffed up at that. She knew too well the premium Italians placed on footwear; it was nice to see someone who wasn’t completely fussy about his appearance for a change.
When he drew out an eyeglass case from the inside pocket of his coat, she turned to the reflection in the window once more. He perused a copy of La Repubblica—not Libero, not La Padania—so she was reasonably sure he wasn’t from Veneto. Despite her fugue, this thought made her smile again. A glimpse of his dark eyes straying in her direction, followed by his own secretive smile, sent a pleasant shimmy down her spine.
Fifteen minutes later, that man was smiling at her again. His eyes tickled at her periphery like so many nimble fingers until she allowed herself to sneak a few peeks at him on the sly, using the reflection in the window. In only a few minutes, she noted he was Jacopo’s exact opposite in many ways.
He’s the other side of the same coin, though, I’ll bet.
Still, he was easy on the eyes, with a strong jaw, dark eyes and dark, boyish curls which fell along his brow. His clothes weren’t fancy, but simple in design. A pale blue chambrayshirt peeked out from beneath his red scarf.There were no fancy designer labels, no ostentatious, trendy affectations on view.
She liked that.
When he crossed his legs, she risked a direct look at him and smiled in spite of herself. His shoes were black running shoes, rather scuffed up at that. She knew too well the premium Italians placed on footwear; it was nice to see someone who wasn’t completely fussy about his appearance for a change.
When he drew out an eyeglass case from the inside pocket of his coat, she turned to the reflection in the window once more. He perused a copy of La Repubblica—not Libero, not La Padania—so she was reasonably sure he wasn’t from Veneto. Despite her fugue, this thought made her smile again. A glimpse of his dark eyes straying in her direction, followed by his own secretive smile, sent a pleasant shimmy down her spine.
9) Because the cover intrigues you. Does it not?
10) Because you recognize the statue on the cover.
Or because you don't.
11) Because it's available in paperback, as well as e-book!
12) Because you're looking for an emotionally satisfying read; one which has made several men tear up, and several women fall in love with the male lead.
Me, with Samuele Bersani. I got the novel's title from his song. And with that, I guess there's not much more I can add, is there?
I mean, I've done my best to convince you. The rest is in your hands from here on out.
But for the ladies in the readership, I have just one more thing to add.
Because I found inspiration in so many places.
Including here:
Luca Argentero. Italian actor and sometime inspiration for the character of Davide.
Ciao for now!
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