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- Steve Piacente's Bella Reviewed By Hamdhoon Rashad of Bookpleasures.com
Steve Piacente's Bella Reviewed By Hamdhoon Rashad of Bookpleasures.com
- By Hamdhoon Rashad
- Published February 22, 2011
- GENERAL FICTION REVIEWS
Hamdhoon Rashad
Reviewer Hamdhoon Rashad: Hamdhoon is a
freelance writer currently pursuing his journalism degree in Malaysia.
Apart from reviewing books and movies, his major writing interests
include pop culture, environment and contemporary lifestyle.
To Find Out More About Hamdhoon, Click Here
View all articles by Hamdhoon RashadAuthor:
Steve Piacente
ISBN: 978-1451571615
Publisher: CreateSpace
It is quite safe to say that Bella, the enchanting debut novel by journalist-turned-author Steve Piacente, is nothing less than a literary masterpiece on so many levels. From its punchy and witty prose to its utterly appealing and irresistible heroine, Piacente has charmed us with a bold and inventive novel the effects of which will linger in your minds for a very long time.
Told through the eyes of the male protagonist, a Washington journalist named Danny Patragno, the story centers on the beautiful and elusive widow Isabel ‘Bella’ Moss who has a way of getting what she has put her mind to. After receiving an anonymous phone call that rattled her, Bella is determined on proving that the U.S. military has lied to her and to the world about her husband's death during the war, and she will stop at nothing until she finds a way to find the truth and tell it to the world.
She lures a reluctant Patragno into the investigation, charming him with her alluring personality. It was her resolve more than anything that drew Patragno’s attention. Of course, her beauty is a whole different story. Along the way as newfound evidences and witnesses resurface, Patragno is more and more convinced that there is more to the story. So much more than even Bella herself knew.
At the same time, Danny’s life is on the line at home with his wife when he finds himself falling for Bella, her powerful attractiveness pulling him like a magnet to the extent that Patragno is pretty much helpless in the presence of Bella. Working together, they were tested by the power of temptation and the consequences that followed, threatening to alter the course of their lives forever.
The rich, involving narrative is knotted together with an adept hand populated by memorable, life-sized character that gives the novel more reality than real life itself. As he piles on the suspense of what’s coming next and the romance that is brewing on the sideline, Piacente takes us across Washington to Florida, along the way meeting some very influential people in politics and military.
One of the most striking themes of the novel is Piacente’s intriguing take on ethics as a former journalist. Burrowing from his extensive experience in journalism, Piacente thoroughly investigates the fine line between the rights and wrongs of journalism ethics and personal morals with a sharp, focused and perceptive eye.
With an original voice that has so audaciously knitted such an enticing yarn, Piacente has proved himself that he is a writer in a league of his own. A highly engaging and an equally marvelous read, Bella comes with the highest recommendation. I can hardly wait for Piacente’s next.
Click Here To Read Hamdhoon Rashad's Interview With Steve Piacente