Gianna: a love story [Paperback]

Mary-Jo Holmes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 30, 2003

Like a fine wine, love embodies an honest blend of emotions, but deception and betrayal can sour even the sweetest and purist of loves. Between passion and love lies faith-believing and trusting when all reason cautions against it.From the glitz of New York City to the vineyards of Tuscany, Gianna is a compelling story of family and tradition as a successful young architect finds love and romance only to have her life twisted in another direction.Gianna consistently works hard for her personal and professional achievements, yet love presents itself through a simple dance. Charming and passionate, Vincenzo invites her into his life-a sensual and esoteric mix of complication. Though romance surrounds them with the promise of forever, Gianna and Vincenzo seemed cursed by what first brought them together-their Italian heritage and commitment to family. But everything has a purpose even heartache and separation.Some loves are timeless; others must endure the test of time.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gianna is the first published novel by Mary-Jo Holmes who has been writing fiction, freelancing articles, collaborating on scripts, and tutoring English for over 20 years. She resides in New York with her children. To read more about the author, visit her website: www.Mary-Jo-Holmes.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (July 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595287255
• ISBN-13: 978-0595287253
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,244,917 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, May 28, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Gianna: a love story (Paperback)

Mary-Jo Holmes has written a riveting tale of love and passion in "Gianna". The emotions leapt off the pages and into my heart making me feel that she was writing just for me. Her narration can be compared to listening to an old time radio show where the listener uses her imagination to visualize the realistic characters and settings described in the broadcast. Ms. Holmes has set the table for a party and served up the feast that is so delicious that you have to finish every morsel, including the cannolis and espresso for dessert. The descriptions she gives of the Hudson Valley and Italy is so vivid that they make one feel as though they have been there. Furthermore, this novel is so well crafted that it cries out to be turned into a script for a TV movie as suggested by another reviewer. Perhaps the author had this in mind for a future project. I hope so!

What makes this novel so good though, is seeing how the heroine, Gianna, works through the conflict between her love for Vincenzo, who is married but loves Gianna, and her conscience. She lives and breathes this man all the time, wanting to be with him every waking moment, but gets pulled back to reality by her strict, moral, upbringing that taught her that an affair with a married man is wrong. Therefore, she must make a decision about continuing her relationship with Vincenzo. Were they both completely open and honest with each other in the beginning? Does she walk away from him without closure, thus leaving him in the dark as to why she doesn't want him, which is fine if she never crosses paths with him again, but if she does, then what? They are still hung up on each other! Does she sit down with him and tell him frankly she can't get involved with a married man, and send him away with closure? Neither party may be happy about this option, but at least she will feel that she did the right thing for herself, and he will know where he stands, and will likely give up pursuit of an affair that he now realizes can never happen. Alternatively, does she go to him regardless of the consequences and take a chance on love, either having her hopes dashed on the rocks of despair or winding up happily with him? Do the twists and turns of fate resolve their relationship favorably or unfavorably, and do things always happen for a reason, as the author believes? Above all, will Gianna act in a mature way and maintain her pride and bearing regardless of whatever hand Fate deals the lovers? With all these possibilities, the reader has to throw up her hands and ask in frustration, "Why are all the good ones taken?"

Mary-Jo Holmes is analogous to a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis in the spring after spending a long winter in hibernation. The romance novel reading public, through this work, will learn about her writing talent. Another reader recommended reading her newsletter on her website. I did! It's wonderful and so inspirational. This lady has a big, warm heart and it's present in "Gianna". Where has she been hiding these past years? She's a dazzling writer who should be getting more exposure. She will after this effort.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars West Coast Review, March 25, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Gianna: a love story (Paperback)

I wanted to give a West Coast perspective/review of Gianna that is more in line with the first review of 5 stars. I believe the subsequent reviewers missed the underlying themes and elements that make this book such a good read. First of all, though clearly a romance, it's far from the typical bodice-ripper with long, drawn out passages. The author's prose is crisply descriptive, and I found each scene propelling the story forward. Though Gianna and Vincenzo find love, there are specific elements that keep them apart. Gianna's alliance to her family, specifically her mother, show the staunch life of being raised in a traditional Italian home where respect of parental opinions and values result in suppression of feelings and ultimately life-altering choices. These decisions that Gianna made might have been different had her mother not been so judgmental, and Gianna, in hindsight, realizes that she should have given her mother the opportunity to be supportive. Consequently, Gianna's fault lies not in being insecure but in being a respectful Italian-American daughter, which in itself is not a flaw but a strength of character. Gianna's best friend, Trina, was raised in a similar household, and through the author's characterization, we see that Trina is the flipside of Gianna-someone very regimented in opinions who will repeat the cycle of a strict, moral-based Italian-American household.

Another immensely important scene deals with Gianna's brother (Michael) wanting to have an affair because his marriage has become wearisome due to difficulties in conceiving a baby. The stress of infertility rocks marriages to the core, and Gianna learns that Michael's temptation to have an affair has nothing to do with him not loving his wife. This is vital to her own affair with Vincenzo, and it ultimately effects her decision when he proposes.

I found this novel to be layered with deep meaning. It is not a typical romance and should not be viewed like one. Rather, it's a piece of fiction with serious themes, drizzled with romance. 5 stars

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gianna ... I loved this book!, September 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Gianna: a love story (Paperback)

Gianna is a well written, compelling love story about an Italian-American woman "Gianna" and her love affair with Vincenzo. Without giving away too much of the story (and this is a story with several twists and turns), Gianna finds herself battling her conscience and the traditions on which she was raised as her romance with Vincenzo spirals into a deep love. Their scenes together are tender and sensual, and the author draws you into their lives with provocative text that makes you truly care about what happens to these characters and makes you route for a happy ending. I especially loved Gianna's interaction with her family which rang true to heart and reminded me very much of my Italian family. Gianna is a wonderful book which I heartfully recommend to everyone wanting to read a great romance and come away inspired! 5 stars!