From the back cover:

"When Leo Pizzola returns from America to Santo Fico - a tiny, forgotten village in Tuscany - he discovers more than the vineyard of his childhood has been left untended. There's Marta, Leo's first and only true love, who will barely speak to him now, Topo, his once trusting but now leery best friend, and Father Elio, the village's pillar of faith who is experiencing a spiritual crisis all of his own. When Leo and Topo are forced to orchestrate a series of man-made miracles - each more botched than the last - the end results are truly... miraculous.

In this debut novel, D.L. Smith's consummate storytelling skills bring to the reader a tale full of the timeless themes of love and miracles, and a handful of endearingly eccentric characters."

This book was reccomended to me by a woman working at the National Trust - I'm volunteering there at the moment.

Hey - I finally finished this book last night =) Strange considering it is light, easy reading (the kind of thing that would be good for a holiday) but I did find it really hard to get into. The second half definately picks up the pace when the miracles finally come into the story, and I did grow to like the characters, in particular I thought the whole storyline with Father Elio was good. I like to read books set in countries such as Spain, Italy and Greece, if only for the sunshine feeling =)

I've got to admit that I wasn't overly impressed with his writing style (getting down to purely technical things). I think in some ways I was expecting too much of this book because it had been highly reccomended to me, so perhaps I couldn't have been anything but disappointed. I also felt that his characters did tend towards the unoriginal stereotypes - particularly national stereotypes which does make it a little shallow. And please try to think of another adjective to describe British people other than 'horsey'!!! As if we are all upper class country gents!

People who know me, know that I can be a bit cynical, so this is never going to be my favourite book. There were a few far-too-cheesey moments for in the book - particularly the very last miracle (I won't say what it is incase anyone reading this hasn't read the book!). I was actually a bit shocked by the stunt Leo pulled to teach Carmen to be a good girl - that was actually a really horrible thing to do to her, it could have so easily gone wrong. And then her knight arriving on the back of a rearing horse in a thunderstorm (did he just steal that straight out of a cheap romance or has he not heard of cliches???)

Rant rant rant. He he.

It's a light easy read, and I have set up a little bookring as I am very curious to hear what other people think about this book. As I've already mentioned, this was recommended to me. The woman who told me about it had also said that she thought the book is THAT good that she is telling ALL her friends and family that they have to read it.

The Bookring:

1. OpheliaPhillips - UK
2. Bjorg – Iceland
3. Vainilla79 - Spain
4. Lauraloo29 - Canada
5. Joanthro – USA
6. Playtheman - Australia

Just got this book sent from OpheliaPhillips today through bookcrossing:) will start reading it this evening!!

Finished the book just a few minutes ago. I really enjoyed it, specially the second half of it - relating to the miracles. Will not say more as the bookring has just started. But it was really funny:) the characters were also very intresting and well made....but towards the very end I felt like the writer was perhaps trying to find the easy way for all of them - to solve their problems. But perhaps that was just a part of all the miracles:)

Have now gotten the address to Vainilla79, so the book will be mailed tomorrow:)

I received it today! I will read it assoon as possible!
Thanks!:)

I finished the book a while ago, but I haven't had time to make any entry until today, and I want to apologised about it:( Sorry so much!
I really enjoyed the book, it made my mind travel to Italy again:) I miss it.
Thank you for sharing this book:)
I just came back from the post office and the book is already on its way to Lauraloo29. Sorry so much again for the big delay to send it:(

Arrived safe and sound today. Along with another ring. Not to worry. I will keep it moving. :)

Update: September 25th - I'm in the middle of reading this book. I lost a lot of reading time because I'm on a break from work. I usually read while on the bus and not at home. Working on it though. :)

A wonderful story. To be honest it took me till chapter 8 to really get into it. But after that I was hooked. The characters were very real to me. At times I would even laugh out loud. I'm so glad I had a chance to read this. Thank you for sharing!

This will be on its way next Tuesday.

The book arrived safely today. Thanks!

This was a very enjoyable book and a nice chance to read something light for a change. I chuckled at the characters, even though they were mostly the stereotypical "small-town characters" from anywhere. The Father Elio storyline was a nice touch. My Mom also read the book and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks so much OpheliaPhillips for making this available and for including me in this bookring!

Mailed to playtheman yesterday.

Received The Miracles of Santo Fico safe and sound. This was just right to start reading to Mrs ptm so I am hopeful that it will have interest potential for us.