"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 ...
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"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""
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Add this copy of Rosalias Bittersweet Pastry Shop (Thorndike Press Large to cart. $89.78, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Thorndike Press Large Print.
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.