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Novels and Novella
The Difference Duology
Read either or both!
The Difference
Next Generation Indie Book Awards Chick Lit Finalist 2022
International Book Awards Women’s Fiction Finalist 2002
Best Book Awards Women’s Fiction Finalist 2022
New York City Big Book Award Contemporary Novel Distinguished Favorite 2022
Indies Today Semi-Finalist 2021
Book 1 in The Difference Duology
When anxiety-prone Rachel Granza learns that her growing sense of emptiness is affecting her relationship with her almost perfect boyfriend and that she’s jeopardizing any possibility of a marriage proposal, she knows she must pull herself out of her funk. But how? A dream apartment in New York City, a thriving psychotherapy practice, and her unique obsessions with topics like the Titanic don’t even make her feel grounded anymore. Red alert!
Trying to find happiness and meaning again—in more than her beloved Italian food—she stumbles into a genealogy mission to discover childhood information about her idol, aka her grandpa, who died years ago. He never spoke about his Italian immigrant past and now she’s determined to find out the reason for his unusual secretiveness.
Rachel’s ancestral roller coaster has roadblocks galore, but she needs the answers to her family’s hidden history. They’re her only hope to know more about her hero, salvage her relationship, and most importantly to save herself.
Praise for The Difference
C. D’Angelo masterfully adds a dash of mystery to the story, building the momentum in soundly measured doses. For a fiction novel that reads like an earnest memoir, The Difference is an engaging and entertaining story with a supremely satisfying twist.
– Jennifer Jackson, Indies Today
In The Difference, D’Angelo addresses a very human need to know where we came from and why we do what we do with honesty and empathy. Her writing style immediately pulls you into the story, providing just the right amount of detail to hold your interest until the very last page.
– Barbara Conrey, USA Today Bestselling author of Nowhere Near Goodbye
…C. D’Angelo’s The Difference brings together an endearing fictional story… D’Angelo’s prose is seamless with the perfect combination of characters, dialogue, and a “Didn’t see that one coming” revelation about the Granza’s family tree. The Difference makes for an enjoyable and heartening read and just might inspire you to search your lineage…
– Robert Fanelli Bartus Jr., National Italian American Foundation
The Difference is…about finding your future by investigating your past… I enjoyed C. D’Angelo’s vivid imagery, as Rachel’s childhood memories with her grandfather were described in a way that evoked the five senses.
– Courtnee Turner Hoyle, Readers’ Favorite reviewer
Add The Difference to your “Want to Read” Goodreads shelf and your “Wishlist” on BookBub now!
P.S. All the Difference
Book 2 in The Difference Duology
Spoiler alert: To avoid mind-altering information below, read the novel, The Difference, first!
Twelve years after anxiety-prone Rachel Granza achieved her genealogy journey, emptiness creeps back into her otherwise perfect life, married to Brian in the ‘burbs with a booming psychotherapy practice. She finally has a clue about her mental health and knows her old coping methods jeopardize relationships and beyond. No thanks.
But what would return her peace? A new ancestry mission? Yes, that’s it!
Deciding she still needs answers to lingering questions about her Italian family history, she dives into a new adventure to find fulfillment—searching for information on the family who were stand-in parents for her grandpa, aka her idol, when he arrived in the US as a child. But discovering the descendants of the Serafinos isn’t as easy as she thought.
When a ridiculous number of roadblocks emerge, Rachel refuses to surrender in honoring her grandpa. She’s determined to reveal the last piece of his life’s puzzle, to carry on his legacy. So, one last time, she must uncover her roots or risk reverting back to the darkest era in her life…where she could lose everything.
Add P.S. All the Difference to your “Want to Read” Goodreads shelf and your “Wishlist” on BookBub now!
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The Gift, Vintage Vines Series Book 1
NYC Big Book Awards Chick Lit Winner 2025
PenCraft Fall Best Book Awards Women’s Fiction Winner 2025
Readers’ Favorite Book Awards Chick Lit Finalist 2025
IAN Book of the Year Awards Women’s Fiction Finalist 2025
American Writing Awards Women’s Fiction Finalist 2025
Best Book Awards Women’s Fiction Finalist 2024
Indies Today Finalist 2024
Toni Agosti is having a midlife crisis at age thirty-five. Unsurprising, since she hasn’t achieved her dream job of becoming a cellist in the Los Angeles Philharmonic and, instead, is trapped teaching music all day. She’s also barely surviving in her shaky marriage to former soulmate and new Mr. Condescending, uh…Christian.
When she learns about her ancestor leaving Italy to reestablish his winery in early 1900s LA, she longs to awaken the freedom-filled family legacy and escape her rut. There’s just the tiny problem of no experience, no startup money, and convincing Christian there’s more to life than one rigid plan.
With an already divided heart, an LA Phil audition surfaces at the worst time. Toni is lost and tired of restriction, including hiding time spent with her closest friend, David. Christian must be wrong about David wanting more than friendship…right?
If Toni revives vineyard history instead of continuing as a cellist, she risks losing her marriage and all she’s ever known. She must not only choose between careers but discover herself—including true passion and love—if she wants to survive.
Praise for The Gift
Besides introducing problems that many of us face and characters that feel genuine, the novel features tantalizing culinary tastes, mesmerizing musical elements, and compelling glimpses into Italian culture. Such sumptuous writing will transport audiences… A blend of flavors and textures that will entice any reader, The Gift is a modern-day midlife adventure about being brave enough to find and follow our passion.
– Jennifer Jackson, Indies Today
Rich in Italian culture and little-known pieces of history, The Gift delves deeply into the heartfelt and disturbing sides of relationships with characters so alive their readers will hear their heartbeats, feel their fears, and agonize over the choices they must make—a story of dreams: those that come true, those that change, and those that die.
– Barbara Conrey, USA Today Bestselling author of Nowhere Near Goodbye and My Secret to Keep
The Gift is a delightful, heartwarming ode to the Italian-immigrant experience, family, music, wine—and going after one’s dreams. Along with a well-researched, fascinating history of Italian winemaking in Los Angeles and her trademark mouth-watering descriptions of food, C. D’Angelo’s prose sings as she weaves musical notes into her masterful storytelling. I fell in love with the brave, big-hearted, determined Toni, as she wrestles with her competing aspirations and complicated relationships to live a life that feels right to her. A beautiful message of a woman trusting in herself, letting go of what no longer serves her, and forging her own path. The Gift is a must-read in women’s fiction!
– Angela Terry, award-winning author of The Palace at Dusk
C. D’Angelo does it again with her knack for bringing the evocative past into the light of the present. The Gift is an empowering, compelling, and moving narrative following one woman as she faces a fork in the road and a life decision that requires a healthy dose of soul searching. This scintillating story grips you from the first page, takes you on an emotional journey, and holds your attention until the very end, leaving you satisfied, inspired, and with the sentiment—sometimes the best gifts are those you give yourself.
– Annie Cathryn, multi-award-winning author of The Friendship Breakup
Escape to Southern California by way of Italy, and immerse yourself in Italian American culture, life’s true passions, and incredible wine. The Gift is truly something to savor.
– Jenn Bouchard, award-winning author of First Course and Considering Us
D’Angelo creates a compelling and relatable story with heart and humor. Readers will be just as enthralled with the rich culinary and vinous delights as they are with Toni’s journey. A must-read for anyone considering a major life change!
– Christina Consolino, award-winning author of Rewrite the Stars and The Weight We Carry
Add The Gift to your “Want to Read” Goodreads shelf and your “Wishlist” on BookBub now!
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The Visitor
Next Generation Indie Book Awards Chick Lit Finalist 2023
National Indie Excellence Awards Chick Lit Finalist 2023
Independent Author Network Book of the Year Women’s Fiction Finalist 2023
American Writing Awards Women’s Fiction Finalist 2023
NYC Big Book Award Chick Lit Distinguished Favorite 2023
Indies Today Semi-Finalist 2022
Fiercely independent Mary Pontrelli is blindsided when the New Orleans building housing her New Age store and upstairs apartment is listed for sale. Worse yet, a developer wants to destroy it and her high school ex-boyfriend—ahem, nemesis—is leading their charge. But this budding sweet spot for that weasel from the past can’t happen since traitors never change.
The best chance Mary has to save her cherished French Quarter building is to join forces with the other business owners whose livelihoods are also at risk. Too bad she avoids teamwork at all costs. Thankfully, a mystical new customer who shares Mary’s lost Italian heritage may be able to help alter her stubborn patterns. And, learning about the city’s history and her own Sicilian roots from the shopper may prove beyond merely engaging.
Even so, acquiring trust in strangers and accepting assistance requires more bravery than any societal expectation she’s challenged in her life. But if she doesn’t depend on her community and learn forgiveness, she may lose her career, home, and deeper relationships. No eccentric spirituality or heritage lessons can fix this…right?
Praise for The Visitor
C. D’Angelo creates strong, quirky characters who know what they want and aren’t afraid to grab their brass ring. The Visitor is rich in Italian history, and with a small yet enchanting bit of the mystical, she will keep her readers begging for more.
– Barbara Conrey, USA Today bestselling author of Nowhere Near Goodbye
The Visitor will stir readers’ attention with the vivid New Orleans setting accompanied by detailed French and Italian history of the city. D’Angelo includes charming details that may appear minor on the surface but add depth and ambience to the story.
– The BookLife Prize
Get ready to take a lively trip to the Big Easy… in a book overflowing with heart… Mystic accouterments…tint everything with a magical glow, keeping the tone bright, light, and positive. Really, the entire mood of this book is sunny and uplifting, a story about genuine friendship, cultural and family heritage, and the unanticipated value of teamwork.
– Jennifer Jackson, Indies Today
The story of a woman who finds inspiration—and love—in the most unexpected places, The Visitor is a novel for anyone who’s longed to understand their history yet carve a different path for their future. C. D’Angelo is a fresh new voice in fiction.
– Camille Pagán, bestselling author of Everything Must Go
C. D’Angelo knocks it out of the park with The Visitor. It’s a marvelous, upbeat tale that’s as rich as gumbo, filled with lovable, eccentric characters, weaved with history, culture, and romance, leaving you salivating for seconds!
– Rob Samborn, author of The Prisoner of Paradise
D’Angelo describes everyday things and emotions beautifully and vividly with well-chosen words and creative sentences.
– Karin Steyn, Readers’ Favorite reviewer
Add The Visitor to your “Want to Read” Goodreads shelf and your “Wishlist” on BookBub now!
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Anthology
My short story, Rome, was chosen as part of this anthology by Red Penguin Books! They have a series of city anthology books called Waddle The World (can it be any cuter?). My story is about my and my husband’s first trip to Rome. Find it at your favorite online book retailer, but here’s two quick links: Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
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Help for writers:
“Writing can sometimes feel like a lonely art, but with a group of successful friends advising and cheering you on, focusing on your craft has never been easier – or more fun! ‘Sharp Tips for Exceptional Writing’ gathers 15 successful authors [from the Author Talk Network]…as they address some of your most pressing concerns, including:
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Plus so much more. It’s like pulling up a cup of coffee with a friend … a successful, encouraging, and insightful author friend who has your back. Dive in and kickstart YOUR writing with this free copy of ‘Sharp Tips for Exceptional Writing’ today.”
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