Between Courses: A Culinary Love Story

by Karla Clark

Karla Clark's delicious first novel takes on the enduring themes of family, food and love. Filled with dozens of rustic Italian recipes, this funny and touching love story offers a peek into the lives of a spirited Italian-American family of "foodies." Sabina Giovanotti, waitress by day and aunt extraordinaire by night, is forty, single, and still living above her family's folksy café in Chicago's Little Italy. Sandwiched between four sisters, all happily married with children, and her mother and aunt, both cooks at the café, Sabina is trying to come to terms with the fact that her life didn't turn out as planned. She was supposed to marry her childhood sweetheart Vito Salina and run her family's café with him. But a tragic accident ripped Vito from her life...one week before their wedding...leaving Sabina stuck in neutral, waiting for the next course of her life. Eighteen years later, it's brash, red-headed Aunt Lina who propels Sabina into overdrive and helps her to discover all the wonderful life there is between appetizers and dessert. Pull up a stool, tuck in your napkin, and enjoy!

482 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

Karla Clark wanted to be an author when she was a child...then she wanted to be an artist. She feels very blessed to be both. Her passion for writing comes from her father who was a consummate storyteller. She is the author of six books—three novels, a book of short stories, and two children’s picture books. She has made over 100 visits to local women’s book clubs from 2003-2018, is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustartors, Rockford Arts Council, and Chicago Writer’s Association.

Karla lives in Rockford, Illinois, with her husband and adult autistic son. She has a degree in journalism from Northern Illinois University. When she's not writing, she's creating decoupage paper collages that she sells at an annual art show which she hosts each year in her hometown. Email her at Karla.clark@comcast.net or visit her website at karlaclark author.com.

Reviews

[Trisha Knaul]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters--their hopes, struggles, faith--were real. The way they handled their problems was also real and believable. Read it!

Note to the author:
I had barely closed the book when I texted three friends to recommended it. The sad part is that I don't expect them to read it because 1) only reads e-books, 2) only listens to audio books, and 3) won't spend this much for a paperback. I encourage you to make it available in another format, and possibly even lower your price. Those suggestions aside, I am glad I picked this up at a local book fair!

My rating system:
5 Stars - recommend, will reread, want a personal copy
4 Stars - recommend, might reread, don't care to own a copy
3 Stars - won't recommend, but won't discourage someone who wants to read it (will offer input if asked)
2 Stars - won't recommend, will discourage someone else from reading
1 Star - will actively recommend against reading, may not even finish

[Ryan Gregory]

I love how she writes a big Italian family. It felt real & like I was part of it. I enjoyed reading how this story unfolded & how different parts of her life wove together. I’m sure a big publisher would have edited out a lot of this story but I also think those were maybe some of my favorite parts— little details & writing a true conclusion not just a walking off into the sunset type of ending. It was a good read!

[Michelle]

This is definately a love story not just a typical romance novel. We see a woman come into her own. We see a woman get a second chance in love. We see a woman heal. I really enjoyed the book. The best part was the cookbook within the book.

[Lynn Martin]

Really liked this story and the author is local so we had a chance to meet her!