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Tuscany #1
Pasta, Poppy Fields and Pearls
Four mature women from different parts of the world have chosen Tuscany as their retirement haven, expecting a quiet and tranquil existence. Little did they realize the adventures that awaited them. As their lively friendship develops, the best and the worst of each woman's past experiences and memories begin to emerge and just when you think you know what's next, a completely unexpected twist in the story will keep you turning the pages way past your bedtime. You'll laugh and you'll cry with Carmela, Janet, Cecilia and Paula Jean. You'll walk through the streets of Florence with them and you'll swear you can smell the aroma of Italian cappuccinos. You'll partake of their struggles and celebrate their joys and when you reach the final page, you'll feel as if they could easily be your next door neighbors, your best friends. This is a real life book, based on real life women, who embrace each day with gusto, live their senior life to the maximum and invite you to do the same.
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2013
2 people are currently reading
680 people want to read
About the author
Sophia Bar-Lev
7 books12 followersAfter a successful career in childhood and adult education, Sophia Bar-Lev turned her attention towards fulfilling her long held dream of authoring women's novels and inspirational books.
A lifelong love of Italy and all things Italian inspired the setting for her recently published novel, PASTA, POPPY FIELDS AND PEARLS.
Sophia is married and the mother of four children and seven grandchildren. She loves to travel, to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds and, of course, is an avid reader.
She also loves to cook and bake, and frequently tries her hand at creating original recipes which have become legendary with her family.
A lifelong love of Italy and all things Italian inspired the setting for her recently published novel, PASTA, POPPY FIELDS AND PEARLS.
Sophia is married and the mother of four children and seven grandchildren. She loves to travel, to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds and, of course, is an avid reader.
She also loves to cook and bake, and frequently tries her hand at creating original recipes which have become legendary with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 20, 2014
In the Prologue to Pasta, Poppy Fields and Pearls we meet a quartet of women who have retired to Tuscany. They are each very unique, yet their friendship seems strong. They clearly have met only after arriving in Florence, Italy, because their backgrounds are too diverse to have brought them together before their retirement. I immediately felt curiosity about this group of women, and I wanted to read more.
It is refreshing to encounter a novel that boldly features not just one mature protagonist, but four mature protagonists! We learn the history of the four women, through lovely vignettes from their lives. As befits mature women, the story gives plenty of attention to the women's rich pasts, but we don't stay in the past. We leap into the present, in Florence, and into the new events that occur to shake up their retirements. There is lots of good food and drink in the book, and plenty of good cheer, and laughter and tears. The story progresses nicely to a heartwarming end.
Read the full and illustrated review at Italophile Book Reviews
http://italophilebookreviews.blogspot...
It is refreshing to encounter a novel that boldly features not just one mature protagonist, but four mature protagonists! We learn the history of the four women, through lovely vignettes from their lives. As befits mature women, the story gives plenty of attention to the women's rich pasts, but we don't stay in the past. We leap into the present, in Florence, and into the new events that occur to shake up their retirements. There is lots of good food and drink in the book, and plenty of good cheer, and laughter and tears. The story progresses nicely to a heartwarming end.
Read the full and illustrated review at Italophile Book Reviews
http://italophilebookreviews.blogspot...
January 13, 2015
Book Description:
“When four women from various parts of the world form an unlikely but deeply rewarding friendship while enjoying their retirement years in the Tuscan countryside, anything can happen --- and it does!
Their experiences, like yours, create a fascinating tale of dreams lived and lost, then found again – or new dreams that emerge from deeply buried secrets. Their life is your life – in ways you may least expect it. “
The cover of this book alone will pique your interest.
A generous bowl of pasta.
A gorgeous red poppy field in a beautiful blue sky.
A fantastically rustic, random and narrow cobble stoned pathway.
The three will lure you into a rich story that will grab hold of you all while consuming you completely in one sitting. You simply won’t stop reading. It’s that good.
Four contrasting women with distinct nationalities, diverse up bringings, backgrounds and varied life experiences. Widows who are bound together through bonds and friendships made all while living as expats in Florence, Italy.
Friendships shared with good food, beautiful, blissful scenery and the carefree and relaxing way of life in Florence will delight you with each page. Characters stories shift back and forth from present day to their past struggles and realities giving the reader a deeper understanding of each’s life.
Equal parts chick lit, historical fiction and mystery, you come to care about all of their life experiences and personalities. As you learn more and more, you can suddenly visualize yourself at the corner café sharing a cappuccino or espresso with them and taking part in their conversations. I can easily see this story portrayed into a movie or mini series. Once you’ve finished reading, you’ll eagerly be anticipating it’s sequel – PIZZA & PROMISES!
“When four women from various parts of the world form an unlikely but deeply rewarding friendship while enjoying their retirement years in the Tuscan countryside, anything can happen --- and it does!
Their experiences, like yours, create a fascinating tale of dreams lived and lost, then found again – or new dreams that emerge from deeply buried secrets. Their life is your life – in ways you may least expect it. “
The cover of this book alone will pique your interest.
A generous bowl of pasta.
A gorgeous red poppy field in a beautiful blue sky.
A fantastically rustic, random and narrow cobble stoned pathway.
The three will lure you into a rich story that will grab hold of you all while consuming you completely in one sitting. You simply won’t stop reading. It’s that good.
Four contrasting women with distinct nationalities, diverse up bringings, backgrounds and varied life experiences. Widows who are bound together through bonds and friendships made all while living as expats in Florence, Italy.
Friendships shared with good food, beautiful, blissful scenery and the carefree and relaxing way of life in Florence will delight you with each page. Characters stories shift back and forth from present day to their past struggles and realities giving the reader a deeper understanding of each’s life.
Equal parts chick lit, historical fiction and mystery, you come to care about all of their life experiences and personalities. As you learn more and more, you can suddenly visualize yourself at the corner café sharing a cappuccino or espresso with them and taking part in their conversations. I can easily see this story portrayed into a movie or mini series. Once you’ve finished reading, you’ll eagerly be anticipating it’s sequel – PIZZA & PROMISES!
November 10, 2013
I won this book in a goodreads.com first reads giveaway and am happy to have had the opportunity.
I've decided to rate this book 3.5 stars. I enjoyed this book very much. It was a sweet story about four women with very different backgrounds who retired in Tuscany and became the very best of friends. They called themselves the Tuscany Golden Girls. I loved reading about their adventures and the ways they sought to enhance their lives (cooking lessons, art classes, writing classes).
The book was very short and I would have loved a longer book that went more in depth into the history of each character. This would have made me love them even more. There was one coincidence that was a bit too far-fetched for real life, but it was still a fun addition to the story. I look forward to reading the sequel "Pizza and Promises" when it is published. I recommend Pasta, Poppy Fields and Pearls to anyone who enjoys reading women's fiction and is looking for a quick, enjoyable read.
I've decided to rate this book 3.5 stars. I enjoyed this book very much. It was a sweet story about four women with very different backgrounds who retired in Tuscany and became the very best of friends. They called themselves the Tuscany Golden Girls. I loved reading about their adventures and the ways they sought to enhance their lives (cooking lessons, art classes, writing classes).
The book was very short and I would have loved a longer book that went more in depth into the history of each character. This would have made me love them even more. There was one coincidence that was a bit too far-fetched for real life, but it was still a fun addition to the story. I look forward to reading the sequel "Pizza and Promises" when it is published. I recommend Pasta, Poppy Fields and Pearls to anyone who enjoys reading women's fiction and is looking for a quick, enjoyable read.
October 3, 2015
If you are looking for a book on Tuscany then don't pick this one as its definitely not the one. There is hardly anything "Italian" in this copy. Plus its not organized in terms of story. It would have been a better read had the title of the book been something else. Its quite misleading. Also, there are far too many coincidences to count and it seems too too good to be true. I wont go for the next book (the sequel)
September 3, 2015
Pasta, Poppy Fields and Pearls is a heartwarming, cozy read that takes on real world issues, struggles and successes from a mature woman's perspective. I really enjoy the author's writing style - it pulls me in and makes me feel like I'm part of the extended family. The characters are well developed, quirks and all - and downright lovable. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel!
July 8, 2016
I did not enjoy the book. It was a bit bland for my liking, though I did finish the book, I think purely because I paid for it. I would not read the second one.
August 8, 2023
I enjoyed this book. It was different than most I read. Glad I picked it up at the bookstore.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews