"In Rosanna Chiofalo s touching novel, a unique pastry shop features mouthwatering creations that have the power to change one woman s life " Food writer Claudia Lombardo has sampled exquisite dishes by the world s greatest chefs. But when she hears about the remarkable desserts that are created in a pastry shop operated out of a convent in the sleepy Italian hillside town of Santa Lucia del Mela, she wants to write a book featuring the sweets and the story behind their creator Sorella Agata. But the convent s most famous ...
Read More
"In Rosanna Chiofalo s touching novel, a unique pastry shop features mouthwatering creations that have the power to change one woman s life " Food writer Claudia Lombardo has sampled exquisite dishes by the world s greatest chefs. But when she hears about the remarkable desserts that are created in a pastry shop operated out of a convent in the sleepy Italian hillside town of Santa Lucia del Mela, she wants to write a book featuring the sweets and the story behind their creator Sorella Agata. But the convent s most famous dessert a cassata cake is what really intrigues Claudia. Everyone who samples the cake agrees it is like none other they ve tasted. Yet no one can figure out what makes the cassata so incredibly delicious. Though Sorella Agata insists there is no secret ingredient, Claudia is determined to learn the truth behind the mysterious cake. As she samples each delectable treat marzipan fruit, rich cream puffs, and decadent cakes Sorella Agata relates the pastry shop s history and tells of the young woman, Rosalia, who inspired her. Kidnapped and separated from her family, Rosalia is subjected to a terrible ordeal until the nuns find her. As she heals, she learns the art of pastry making, and soon she even finds love with Antonio an apprentice in the pastry shop. But her heart still aches for the family she lost. And Rosalia knows she will not be whole again until she is reunited with them. As Claudia unravels the secret of the cassata cake, she discovers a deeper, fascinating story one that affirms food can do more than nourish the body it can stir memories, heal the deepest heartaches, and even act as a bridge to those we love, no matter how far apart. Praise For The Novels Of Rosanna Chiofalo Stella Mia "The mountains and islands of Sicily, the fabulous clothes of the late sixties, and the emotional power Sarina feels when singing stand out." --"Booklist" Carissima "What a glorious novel this is. It's a celebration of life, love and unlikely friendship through the eyes of two very different women. Yet their similarities bind them together and will endear them to readers long after the last page is turned. Bravissima for "Carissima"!" --Susan Wiggs, # 1 "New York Times "bestselling author ""Fantastico!" I couldn't put it down!" --Lisa Jackson, # 1 "New York Times " bestselling author Bella Fortuna "Chiofalo brings the Italian immigrant community and neighborhoods richly to life." --"Publishers Weekly" "Well-drawn characters A charmer." --"BookPage" "Sometimes tough, sometimes tender, always heartfelt and honest, "Bella Fortuna "is a lively, finely-stitched tale of life and love, family and friendship, and a zest for "cose Italiane"!" --Peter Pezzelli, author of "Home to Italy""
Read Less
Add this copy of Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop to cart. $1.25, good condition, Sold by Once Upon A Time Books rated 2.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Tontitown, AR, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Kensington.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
This is a used book in good condition and may show some signs of use or wear. This is a used book in good condition and may show some signs of use or wear.
Add this copy of Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop to cart. $1.73, good condition, Sold by Your Online Bookstore rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Houston, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Kensington.
Add this copy of Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop to cart. $1.78, good condition, Sold by OnlineGoodwill rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Nashville, TN, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Kensington Publishing.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are solid. the cover is intact, but may show scuffs or light creases, as well as a possible rolled corner. The spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, The former owner may have written their name inside the front or back cover. COVER WILL VARY.
Add this copy of Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop to cart. $2.17, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brownstown, MI, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Kensington Publishing Corporation.
Add this copy of Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop to cart. $2.17, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Kensington Publishing Corporation.
Add this copy of Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop to cart. $9.99, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Movies rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Kensington.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop to cart. $14.76, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2016 by Kensington Publishing.
Add this copy of Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop to cart. $16.10, like new condition, Sold by GreatBookPrices rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Columbia, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Kensington Publishing.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fine. Trade paperback (UK). 304 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop to cart. $17.42, new condition, Sold by GreatBookPrices rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Columbia, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Kensington Publishing.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Trade paperback (UK). In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop by Rosanna Chiofalo tells the story of Rosalia Di Santa and the pastry shop at Santa Lucia del Mela Convent in Sicily. Claudia Lombardo is a writer and she wishes to do a book (a cookbook with stories) on the convent and its marvelous pastries (she also has a blog titled Chow Girl). Claudia gets to stay at the convent, watch the delicious delicacies being made, and interview the Mother Superior of the convent. The Mother Superior tells Claudia the story of the bakery and Rosalia. It takes us back to 1955 and how the sisters found Rosalia. The Mother Superior then slowly reveals Rosalia's story. Read Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop to find out the secrets behind their delectable desserts.
The book is well-written (easy to read) and the writer does a very good job at describing the desserts (if I liked pastries I would want to devour them). The novel seemed to go on forever. It started out interesting, but then the pace slowed down considerably (though it does pick up again near the end). What the Mother Superior ultimately reveals is easy to figure out during the course of the novel. Rosanna Chiofalo is a descriptive writer which makes it easy to visualize what she is describing (a wonderful quality for a writer). If the pace had been a little faster, it would have made the novel much more enjoyable (and the book shortened just a bit). I give Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop 3 out of 5 stars. The book hints at a magical element. I think the book would have been much better (enhanced) if the author had included a bit of magic. There are dessert recipes at the end of the book.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
