New York food writer, Claudia Lombardo. hearing rave
reviews from so many top chefs about the mouthwatering
pastries baked and sold by Carmelite Order nuns, decides to
write a book about their delights. She travels to the quiet
town of Santa Lucia del Mela, near Sicily, and is invited
to stay at the convent while she works on her book. Madre
Carmela, Mother Superior, to her order of nuns and head
pastry chef at the bakery, welcomes Claudia. Soon
Claudia is watching Madre Carmela create glorious "goodies"
with love, while recounting many interesting stories. She
tells about the history of the bakery. Shel describes how
convents made and sold sweets beginning in the 19th century
to stay afloat as Church property was confiscated after the
Italian unification of 1860. She is happy making delicious
delights and depicting colorful stories.
She tells the story of Rosalia, an abused 17 year old girl
who was kidnapped and raped by a local man and held captive
in a cave until she escaped. One day while gathering
almonds from the trees near the convent, the nuns hear
moaning. and find a beautiful young girl, battered,
bruised, malnourished and barely conscious. The nuns bring
her back to the convent, calling for a doctor and the
police. Rosalia is badly frightened, and wants to return
home to her family but unable to remember anything but her
first name. She remains at the convent until one day she
gets up from bed and joins Madre Carmela in the bakery. That
is the beginning of her healing and soon baking becomes her
passion. She meets Antonio, a handsome, young man who is an
apprentice in the bakery, hoping to become a great chef. He
is hard not to like as he is so sweet, patient and kind to
her, knowing she has suffered a horrific experience. They
begin to compete in their baking and begin to laugh
together. As they become closer, Antonio declares his love
and asks Rosalia to marry him. She loves him too but being
reunited with her family must come first. Antonio promises
to wait for her but many things happen to postpone their
plans.
ROSALIA'S BITTERSWEET PASTRY SHOP is a touching and riveting
novel that will touch your heart and tease your palate.
Past secrets, family ties, sisterhood, the homeless, abuse,
faith, love and healing are gently touched by this lovely
writer, Rosanna Chiofalo. Each chapter introduces a new
dessert and continues the sweeping story taking place at the
convent and the unique pastry shop. Many characters are
introduced and Antonio is my favorite. Who could resist his
charm, his thoughtfulness and the fun he brings that
promises to bring a smile to your face. What do you think
is the secret ingredient in their famous Cassata cake? The
bittersweet ending has surprises which are unexpected,
along with scrumptious recipes waiting to be tried at the
back of the book. I love this book and have much to
remember and think about. The visits from the bird with the
flash of iridescent color on its' breast is at the top of my
list. Brava, Ms. Chiofalo! You have a new and loyal fan
who is waiting for your next book.
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.
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