FICTION REVIEWS

RAVES FOR RITA!

"What fun!  This novel has it all–romance, laughs, a dollop of mystery. I was entertained from start to finish... And I want those shoes!"
--NY Times bestselling author Eileen Goudge
  
"Like hanging out with your funniest friend over a glass of champagne, Rita Hayworth’s Shoes is both hilarious and thought-provoking.  LaSala knows how to combine humor and romance for a story the reader can jump inside and enjoy."
--NY Times bestselling author Patti Callahan Henry

"If I had to describe this book in one word, I would choose ‘magical.’ I felt almost like I was reading a fairytale--an urban fairytale complete with a princess, prince, a few witches, a fairy godmother and a happily ever after. But not a syrupy sweet, predictable happily ever after--a perfectly satisfying one. I loved this book!"
--Meredith Schorr, author of Just Friends With Benefits

"I love the book! Congrats. I lived in New York for several years when I was fresh out of college and married a man from there. It reminds me of the many characters I knew and know. So great!"
--Dr. Natasha Janina Valdez, author of A Little Bit Kinky and Vitamin O

"LaSala's characters are solid and believable, like people you already know--with endearingly goofy eccentricities that make them all the more real. The dialogue is pitch-perfect, and the plot--peppered with bizarre twists, laugh-out-loud comedy, and occasional magic--rolls along briskly...fun from start to finish, and perfectly true to the myriad ways that we all sometimes sabotage our own happiness. Highly recommended!"
--Tony Burgess, Amazon.com reviewer

"Just finished the book! Made me laugh out loud and totally had me guessing right 'til the last page! Fantastic - can't wait to see it in the bookstores and on the big screen, two places where it belongs. Congratulations! P.S. Academia should be so interesting."
--Dolly Chugh, NYU professor

"I LOVED your book. What a story... I really love the characters, so well written and real to me.... Congratulations on writing a book that I couldn't put down. It really got my full attention."
--David Hughes, creative director

“Another guy reading what one might initially consider a "chick book"; little did I know that amidst the complete madness of our protagonist Amy Miller's life, were so many clever nods to some of the very classic literature she is so fond of in the novel. The book itself is structured, with witty chapter titles, a trip to mystical legendary lands and all, just like Voltaire's Candide; Amy's foil Jane Austen Rabinowitz makes me laugh every time I see her name. And what better leading man than a tall, romantic, funny, intelligent and completely bald guy who's not afraid to drop the F bomb in an academic setting. LaSala even got me to go back and read Voltaire!”
--Dan C., amazon.com review

“Just finished Rita Haywoth’s Shoes! FABULOUS! I loved it. It was relatable with a sprinkle of pixie dust. Can't wait to see where those shoes go next!”
--Caterina Skenderi

"I just finished Rita Hayworth's Shoes and I loved it, it was so much fun! The dialogue is fantastic. Have you started a new one yet?  I think a novel about Jane’s dating misadventures as a single mom would be awesome.  And more Austen-Rabinowitz’s would be welcome, that’s for sure. There’s about 3 other books in that family alone, I loved them."
--Judy Jacoby, publishing professional

"Read Rita Hayworth's Shoes every chance I could get over the past couple of days...a real page turner! Loved it loved it loved it!!! Great characters (Zoe, especially, and Enid and Clarabelle cracked me up a lot!) and great ending!
--Virginia Patterson, marketing professional

"I love the vividness, the cleverness, and the plain hilarity of this book! It is a terrific read. Such fun!"
--Shawna Mullen, publishing professional

"The characters are colorful, rife with humor and delightfully flawed. Seeing their stories unfold, in sometimes outrageous and mysterious ways, was a joy!"
--Fred Pineiro, Amazon.com reviewer

“Read a FANTASTIC book by Francine LaSala ... Rita Hayworth's Shoes. Wished it didn't end!”
--Carolyn Mosciati, via Facebook status

“Reading Francine LaSala's book Rita Hayworth's Shoes and loving it!”
--Jennifer Cain, via Facebook status

“Read Rita Hayworth’s Shoes yesterday (couldn't put it down!). The inclusion of Facebook towards the end (Deck and Hannah) made me laugh--okay, snort is more like it. Very, very funny. Recommending to all my friends.”
--Richela Morgan, via Facebook status

"I read the book over the holiday and loved it! What a sweet and funny story! I have to say that my favorite part was the history of the Throg's Neck bridge as a back drop for the sloppy car sex scene - hilarious! Great work! I'm going to recommend it to all my book club friends. I'm looking forward to your next effort!"
--Colette Carey

 “I was hooked from the beginning.... It’s a caper, it’s a romp, it’s insanely fun!”
--Anne-Marie Rutella

“After reading Rita Hayworth’s Shoes a second time, I noticed the deeper level of the story about feelings being a greater influence on intelligent decision-making than pure intellect.  I wonder what I will get out of the third reading.  Should be required reading for high school students.”
--Robert Plucinsky

“I loved Rita Hayworth’s Shoes so much I almost missed my train stop reading it.”
--Diana Gliedman

"I read the WHOLE thing in one day. Adorable!"
--Karen Alcaide

"I loved Rita Hayworth's Shoes! Quirky characters and lots of fun—think Little Miss Sunshine meets Smart People."
—Karen Fernandez

"Just finished your book. Couldn't put it down. Loved, loved, loved it!"
--Robin D'Andrea

Gales for Girl! Just released!

"There are books that make you laugh; there are books that draw you in with a blend of mystery and menace, keeping you up late to turn the pages; and there are books that hit emotional nerves and touch your heart.  But there are very few books that can do it all.  The Girl, the Gold Tooth & Everything is that magical, memorable book.  It will keep you laughing, crying, and most of all questioning until the final, satisfying last page."
--Diana Gliedman

"Dynamic, suspenseful, true to life--and anybody with kids can identify!"
--F. Plucinsky

"Loads of fun, very fast paced, with fantastic characters you'll love (and maybe a couple you'll love to hate)!"
--Judy Jacoby

"COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! So intriguing, interesting characters, kept me hooked from start to finish."
--Carolyn Mosicatti

"I loved every minute of this fast-paced, fun and
exhilarating book. Pure gold!"
--Tricia McGoey

"After a series of multiple twists and turns, the rug gets pulled out on a very unexpected climax. A definite must-read, to be sure!!!"
--P. Hornberger

"I can't remember the last time I had this much fun reading about amnesia!"
—F.P.

"The escape was wonderful... I was living the book, I was all in it with Mina!"
--Ruthie Brown

"This book started well, a nice story about a woman with a daughter, husband who worked too much and a memory problem. The reader is curious about the memory problem and is not given much information in the beginning. The main character herself doesn't know and no one is telling her any details, so you're left wondering when you'll find out. Pretty soon, when things start happening, it begins to be a page-turner, you get SO curious about what happened to her that you absolutely HAVE to find out! The plot is more complex than it seemed in the beginning with some twists and turns to keep you guessing. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it as a good read."
--Betty Karl, Author of Island Fever