Center Point Premier Fiction (Large Print)
2 total works
No one writes about Italian-American families with the humor, warmth, and heart of Peter Pezzelli. With Francesca's Kitchen, he delivers a winning novel about how much we need the closeness of family--even if we don't know it.
Where There's Food, There's Family
For years, Francesca Campanile was the queen of her home. Standing in her Rhode Island kitchen, Francesca dispensed advice as liberally as she did the garlic, arguing nonstop with her son and two daughters. It was wonderful.
But now, her children and their children have moved away. And for the widowed Francesca, no longer having a family around to pester, annoy, guide, love, and, of course, cook for, makes her feel useless. What she needs is another family who needs her, and when she sees Loretta Simmons's ad in the Providence paper for a part-time nanny, she's sure she's found it. All the single mom wants is someone to fill in for a few hours a day. But it's obvious to Francesca that Loretta and her kids need a lot more. Loretta's struggling to make ends meet. Every man she brings home is a disaster. And her kids could definitely use some guidance--and a little lasagna, frankly. It's time for Francesca to work her magic…and the best place to start is the kitchen.
Funny and moving, with a heroine to adore, Francesca's Kitchen is a delicious story about sharing love, life, advice, and, above all, food.
"Home cooking, good pasta, and traditional family values conquer all in this amusing and touching story." --Publishers Weekly
Where There's Food, There's Family
For years, Francesca Campanile was the queen of her home. Standing in her Rhode Island kitchen, Francesca dispensed advice as liberally as she did the garlic, arguing nonstop with her son and two daughters. It was wonderful.
But now, her children and their children have moved away. And for the widowed Francesca, no longer having a family around to pester, annoy, guide, love, and, of course, cook for, makes her feel useless. What she needs is another family who needs her, and when she sees Loretta Simmons's ad in the Providence paper for a part-time nanny, she's sure she's found it. All the single mom wants is someone to fill in for a few hours a day. But it's obvious to Francesca that Loretta and her kids need a lot more. Loretta's struggling to make ends meet. Every man she brings home is a disaster. And her kids could definitely use some guidance--and a little lasagna, frankly. It's time for Francesca to work her magic…and the best place to start is the kitchen.
Funny and moving, with a heroine to adore, Francesca's Kitchen is a delicious story about sharing love, life, advice, and, above all, food.
"Home cooking, good pasta, and traditional family values conquer all in this amusing and touching story." --Publishers Weekly
In his acclaimed novels of Italian-American life, Peter Pezzelli explores themes of friendship, hope, and second chances. With Villa Mirabella, he invites readers into the lives of an unforgettable family—and into the warmth of one very special bed and breakfast . . .
When Jason Mirabella returns to his childhood home on a blustery winter’s day, the only thing he’s sure of is that he’ll be staying in Providence just long enough to get back on his feet again. It’s been three years since Jason moved to Los Angeles, brimming with ambitions he knew could never be fulfilled in Rhode Island. He had no intention of entering the family business—running a beautiful but timeworn B&B that’s struggling to compete with downtown’s luxurious new hotels. Smart, proud, and hardworking, Jason found quick success in L.A., until one foolish decision cost him everything.
Jason’s widowed father, Giulio, is overjoyed to have his prodigal son back in the fold under any circumstances, though his siblings, Ray and Natalie, are less than thrilled. But as days go by, Jason slowly begins to carve out a place for himself, rediscovering everything he was so eager to leave behind, and beginning a tentative romance with a young woman who opens his eyes to a wider world.
Just as Jason begins to forge a better understanding of his family, circumstances transpire to test that bond and challenge his resolutions. Now, as the promise of spring comes to New England once more, Jason will learn that sometimes, you can go home again, and the answers found there may be the only ones you need…
When Jason Mirabella returns to his childhood home on a blustery winter’s day, the only thing he’s sure of is that he’ll be staying in Providence just long enough to get back on his feet again. It’s been three years since Jason moved to Los Angeles, brimming with ambitions he knew could never be fulfilled in Rhode Island. He had no intention of entering the family business—running a beautiful but timeworn B&B that’s struggling to compete with downtown’s luxurious new hotels. Smart, proud, and hardworking, Jason found quick success in L.A., until one foolish decision cost him everything.
Jason’s widowed father, Giulio, is overjoyed to have his prodigal son back in the fold under any circumstances, though his siblings, Ray and Natalie, are less than thrilled. But as days go by, Jason slowly begins to carve out a place for himself, rediscovering everything he was so eager to leave behind, and beginning a tentative romance with a young woman who opens his eyes to a wider world.
Just as Jason begins to forge a better understanding of his family, circumstances transpire to test that bond and challenge his resolutions. Now, as the promise of spring comes to New England once more, Jason will learn that sometimes, you can go home again, and the answers found there may be the only ones you need…