About the book Napoleon (Layers of Veronica #1)
They say that when a student is ready, a teacher appears.
What they don’t say is where to register, and how to matriculate in that teacher’s class.
That is a divine gift.
Veronica had it all: the looks; the brains; the personality; and the wardrobe. Not to mention a perfect husband, a fabulous career and two adorable children, until the perfect husband leaves her for another woman.
Thus begin the daily routines of a typical New York City immigrant with ambition whose teachers keep appearing, and for whom divine interventions keep affording new opportunities.
Though it starts like ordinary connections going through the tried and true, each relationship continues to delve into parts of her own universe that Veronica didn’t know existed. A universe that is suddenly open to her.
This is a different kind of heroine…
Welcome to the New American Dream, Dare to Dream…
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About the author, Emilia Rutigliano
Emilia I. Rutigliano scored fiftieth percentile on her SATs… and on her LSATs… and on her BAR…Sigh…
But she nevertheless survived, and seems to be doing OK. She practices Law read lore) in Brooklyn, New York (read Nu Yawk). She was born in the former Soviet Union, and emigrated in 1979. She is happily married to the same crazy Italian she’s been with since college, who suffers from a severe addition to travel (still in acute form). Together they are doing a somewhat passable job with their three precious darlings (who are now teenagers, thus elaboration is not necessary).
Which is why Emilia writes about Veronica. Veronica, though… is interesting. And Emilia knows interesting.
So she weaved the tale about the interesting characters, places and events from her own life. It is remarkable how if you choose to view a subject objectively, it becomes downright artistically gorgeous. So Emilia views and shows Brooklyn Russians as gorgeous, and the Barese intricacies as gorgeous, and she even tolerates Paris, Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia for the reader’s interests.
Thank you, dear reader, for tolerating these scenes….
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My Thoughts:
I confess, I calendared this review incorrectly, and wasn’t finished reading the book as of last night. Fortunately, I had to be on a plane at 7 this morning, and really, there’s no better place to read than a comfy first class plane flight. Especially when it comes with a cheese omelet and fruit.
Veronica, I think, would have approved the setting. I can tell you that I completely approved of her. What a fantastic character – smart, funny, feisty, great at her job, and a wonderful mother. What a lovely blend of grown-up romance and a dash of “chick-lit” (I know, I know, we don’t USE that term any more) this novel was.
The scenes in the world of courtrooms and conference rooms had all the wit and drama of any tv series – actually reminding me of vintage LA LAW episodes. The courtyard aunties were hilarious – I think we all know old women like that. And the romance…well, it didn’t disappoint either.
Napoleon was the first of a series, but I’m looking forward to reading the rest. Emilia Rutigliana has an effervescent writing voice, and I really enjoyed this read.
Goes well with champagne and a cheese omelet.
This book review is part of a virtual book tour sponsored by Pump Up Your Book. For more information, click here.