Chasing Fools [Kindle Edition]

Aida Brassington (Author)

Book Description

Relationships are complicated even under the best of circumstances. For Varda Dorfman and Tommy Campi, these are the worst of times. Varda, an illegal foods smuggler, has pissed off Anthony Carluccio, the kingpin of the local underground dinner club, and put her plans for the future in serious jeopardy. Her boyfriend Gino won't quit bugging her to get married, even though his mother hates her. Tommy, Gino's brother and the ladies man of the family, can't even introduce the love of his life to anyone: he's secretly dating the son of Carluccio's biggest competition. And now Tommy's getting pressure to go public.

When Carluccio's hit man turns up dead in Varda's closet after snacking on poisonous mushrooms, all hell breaks loose. Varda's running for her life, and since his mother is dating Carluccio, Gino's convinced the only way to save her life is to finally drag her to the altar. And when people start discovering Tommy's hush-hush relationship, things really start to get interesting.

Winner of the WritersType First Chapter Competition, July 2012

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Aida Brassington loves to eat and cook, and was inspired to write CHASING FOOLS by her experiences smuggling illegal cheese into the country (small amounts, of course—she has never held a job as an illegal foods smuggler).

Product Details

• File Size: 436 KB
• Print Length: 282 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Green Needle Press (July 15, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008M06TQY
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #212,073 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 stars - Great cast of characters!! July 31, 2012

By RoloPoloBooks

Format:Kindle Edition

Received book from author for a fair and honest review: 3˝ stars/5 stars

Aida Brassington's Chasing Fools is a light read with a bit of romance, humor, suspense, a seriously colorful cast of characters, and some really weird food. Since this adult novel absolutely revolves around its large cast of characters, I thought it best to provide you, dear reader, with a rundown of who's who.

Varda: cheese maker, Gino's girlfriend, the bane of Flora's existence and former exotic food smuggler. Yes, that is apparently a real job ' Varda is strong-willed, mouthy, and absolutely in love with two things: cheese and Gino.

Gino: Varda's hopelessly romantic boyfriend and Tommy's brother. He's an Italian Catholic from Philly, with a penchant for wearing really bad clothes and using words like "homeslice". Gino is sweet and delightfully oblivious to his own lameness; he actually thinks the super saggy pants are awesome and calling people "homeslice" is still cool.

Tommy: Gino's gay brother and Ryan's boyfriend. Hands down, Tommy is one of my favorite characters in this novel. He is sweet, feisty, often squeamish, but willing to walk through Hell for his family and friends. Tommy's strength lies in his love of his family, and his devotion to Ryan. You just can't help but love him.

Ryan: Tommy's boyfriend. Ryan is a darling who adores Tommy and is willing to go along with any crazy plan, as long as it helps Tommy and makes him happy. Lucky for Tommy, Ryan's parents have a shady background, and a skill set that comes in quite handy.

Anthony C.: What a pig! Anthony C. is a slob of a man, who fancies himself a connected man of the mob. Anthony loves weird, exotic, and often seriously disgusting foods, which he has Varda procure for him.... Anthony's girth is only overshadowed by two things: his incompetence and his stupidity. I laughed out loud at a few of his stupid moves.

Flora: Holy cats! Flora is a beautifully written Italian Catholic widow who is absolutely certain Varda is no good for her son Gino. The things that come out of this woman's mouth are as hysterical as they are offensive. I am not quite sure how Varda manages to control her need to punch Flora in the nose '

Nana: I loves me some Nana! While Nana doesn't make much of an appearance early in the novel, when she does show up, she's there to play. Nana is a great character with a rather surprising background, and once Nana really gets going, even her family is a bit frightened by her.

Bottom line: Chasing Fools plot is a bit weak for me, but it is carried through by the delight of this novel, its characters. Brassington has put together such a weird set of people and circumstances that what initially seems to be rather odd and far-fetched somehow comes together in the end and makes perfect if warped sense. The novel's pacing is good, the unfolding of the plot is not rushed, and all of the characters have ample time to develop and fit themselves into their place within the plot. With this being said, I still wasn't jumping up and down with anticipation to plow through this one. I liked the story, I really liked the characters, but I was left with an overall impression of this being an OK read. Would I recommend it? Yeah, I would, but I honestly can't say it should be pushed to the top of your TBR list. Read more ›

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining read! July 21, 2012

By Love books, love gadgets

Format:Kindle Edition

I read and enjoyed the paranormal love story Between Seasons -- and am looking forward to the sequel! -- but should mention upfront that this is a totally different type of book. Just as imaginative, but far more playful and action-packed.

Varda travels the world to procure weird, dangerous and illegal ingredients for underground restauranteurs. When she has enough funds saved up to quit the business, one of her clients threatens to kill her if she doesn't continue working for him. Dealing with the death threat has hilarious and sometimes touching consequences as she becomes even closer to her boyfriend, his family and his brother's boyfriend's family.

There are lots of slapstick moments, the kind you'd expect in an "I Love Lucy" episode or a Janet Evanovich book, as Varda and her posse do their best to neutralize the threat. That said, it's not all laughs and giggles; the book also deals with the serious issue of discrimination of various sorts.

I wavered between giving four and five stars, but decided to give five because I'm impressed how deftly the book combines so many genres. The book sounds like it would be a bit of mess, but it's anything but.

It's a fun, fast-paced read with unexpected heart.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars For the discerning palate August 29, 2012

By J. Zang

Format:Kindle Edition

Quirky. Suspenseful. Fun. Original. Comedic. Unexpectedly touching. All words which can be aptly applied to this darkish comedy of novel.

The fabric with which Ms. Brassington weaves this tale is a rare find, much like the ingredients Varda herself smuggles for the underground dining clubs at war within the novel.

What I found to be refreshing about the story is how quickly you find yourself invested in the characters - my favorite being Tommy who plucked at my heartstrings like a skilled strummer. This is a tribute to the writing itself; the most remarkable feat is that this investment happens on a subconscious level and without permission, not that I wouldn't give it.

There are also plenty of laughs to be had, a sense of suspense and that "je ne sais quoi".

Read it. Take the ride. Let go of expectations. Be won over. I think there's always some room for a little "different" in the reading repertoire. Find it with Chasing Fools.

3.0 out of 5 stars Just enough March 27, 2013

By Angel

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I thought this would be another cozy with some food thrown in. Not a cozy, but very cute. Great character development. One star deducted for minimal poor editing, mostly missing words. Would recommend, but not for all.

3.0 out of 5 stars A bit of fun! January 19, 2013

By Rhonda Wruck

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

The overall storyline was OK but it did go on about Tommy & Ryan's gay relationship a bit much I think as it had nothing to do with the story. I guess it kept me reading but when I'd finished, I realised the story, although being funny, was pretty shallow.

3.0 out of 5 stars Funny But Full of Typos January 13, 2013

By S. Ray

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is hilarious. I keep wondering what the fools are going to do next.

However, someone really fell down on the job with the editing. I'm 68% through the Kindle edition, and it's been one glaring mistake after another. Anything from an extra word in a sentence to the entirely wrong word in the sentence. Many times I've had to reread a paragraph before I see what didn't fit and make sense. For instance, "Is that WAY I'm being kept out of the driving pool, too?" Way should be WHY.

Fix it and it will be worth four stars.

5.0 out of 5 stars love it January 13, 2013

By michelle chilmonik

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Great story line, loved it!!! It's well worth the read. I was hooked all the way through. Great Author. Great price.

More About the Author

Aida Brassington is an award winning writer who lives in the suburbs of Pennsylvania with her husband of five years and a Great Dane named Patrick. She has a pointed interest in local ghost history and gourmet foods.