Romance, a bit of suspense, the history of Italy, and numerous recipes
combine to create a story about love, food, and life – Italian American style.
How Con Amore Began
One
of
the
guiding
forces
behind
writing
Con
Amore
was
my
desire
to
promote
Italian
and
Italian
American
heritage.
I
started
writing
Con
Amore
in
1999,
and
described
it
in
an
application
for
a
grant
as
an
Italian
American
novel
"…
an
interesting
and
entertaining
story
that
reflected
my
heritage
…
in
the
subjects
that
I
know best." I didn’t receive a grant, but I did continue writing the story.
From
the
beginning
it
was
about
Italian
food
and
its
influence
on
American
culture
(Why
is
pizza
so
popular?),
and
the
story
developed
around
the
love
life
of
an
Italian
American
woman.
Over
the
years,
the
story
evolved
to
include
the
history
of
Italy,
the
food
of
each
region,
and
how
Italian
food
became
Italian
American
food.
The
love
story
was
expanded
to
include
a
bit
of
suspense;
and
the
title,
which
translated
means With Love, describes the Italian passion that goes into everything we do.
Book Club Discussion
Questions Below
A week long seminar about the history of Italian food brings Janine Fiori and six
other chefs to an oceanfront resort on the East End of Long Island.
From the Back of the Book
Janine Fiori has many passions, and an invitation to an oceanfront resort on the
East End of Long Island to attend a week long seminar about the history of Italian
food combines three of them – food, Italian culture, and sexy Italian men.
Janine’s adventure begins as soon as she receives the invitation, as she
anticipates what she’ll learn at the lectures and fantasizes about the handsome
Italian chefs who may be there.
At the opening reception, though, any thoughts of finding a new love are thwarted
by the appearance of an old love. Someone Janine has not been able to get
completely out of her mind … or her heart.
During the week, lectures about the history of Italy and its food, combined with
cooking team workshops, form the background for personalities that blend and
clash, and relationships that develop and dissolve in the spectacular oceanfront
kitchen and its East End surroundings.
This modern day romance combines a bit of suspense, interwoven with the
history of Italy, the foods of each region, maps of Italy, and 37 recipes, most
developed especially for the book. A bibliography is included.
Con Amore
About
Con Amore
“The variety of recipes is impressive.”
“Con Amore combines the main ingredients of Italian history and geography with a large dollop of
romance – and even a pinch of intrigue … 37 original recipes are woven into the narrative. It is
difficult to read them without wanting to put the book down, head for the store for ingredients and
then hurry to the kitchen with baking pans in hand. The variety of recipes is impressive.”
Kathleen Beasley, In Buona Salute Magazine
“story line had just enough twists and turns”
I
enjoyed
the
characters
very
much.
The
story
line
had
just
enough
twists
and
turns
and
unexpected
events
to
keep
me
captivated.
…
I
like
that
you
included
the
recipes.
It
sets
your book apart from anything else I have ever seen.” ~ Linda J.
SOME RECIPES FROM CON AMORE
Asiago Cheese Pastry Puffs with Caponata
Beef Rolls with Coffee Ragù
Chocolate Pasta Cake
Hot Pepper Vegetable Stromboli
Pork Chops with Gorgonzola Mashed Potatoes
Potato and Roasted Vegetable Pie
Sausage Stuffed Tomato Croquettes
Shrimp and Roasted Tomato Tart
Book Club Discussion Questions
1.
Janine
is
able
“to
put
aside
unresolved
issues
and
not
let
them
stand
in
the
way”
of
what
she
has
to
do.
Do
you
think that’s possible?
2. What are some of your favorite dishes on the menu at Janine’s cafe?
3.
The
first
five
chapters
of
Con
Amore
describe
various
events
in
Janine’s
life.
From
her
reactions
to
these
events, what characteristics describe Janine?
4. Why does Janine have immediate conflicts after seeing James?
5.
Chef
Buonappi
makes
a
life
changing
decision
to
follow
his
heart.
Have
you
ever
felt
that
you
must
continue,
even though your heart says otherwise?
6. Do the chefs provided a good cross-section of personalities?
7.
What
was
your
initial
reaction
to
Donatella
and
her
treatment
of
Janine?
Did
your
opinion
change
as
the
story
unfolded?
8. What did you think of Stoney Creek Vineyard?
9. Do you think James’ words and actions are believable?
10. How are Janine and Tovina similar? How are they different?
11. Why do you think Detective Domandare made Janine feel uncomfortable?
12.
What
did
you
think
about
the
conversation
between
Janine
and
Stefano
at
the
Oyster
Bar?
Were
you
surprised
by their actions in the limousine?
13. What do you think of Marco’s (various) circumstances? Select one and discuss what you would do.
14. Did you find a connection in the conversation between Janine and Chef Buonappi and the ship on the horizon?
15. Did you agree with Chef Buonappi’s selection? Why? If not, who would you have selected and why?
16. Did you find the lectures on the history of Italy interesting? What did you enjoy the most? The least?
17. Of all the characters, besides Janine, who was your favorite and why?
18. Are you planning to or have you made any recipes from
Con Amore
? What are some of your favorites and why?
19. Were the maps helpful in providing a point a reference in the story?
20.
How
would
you
best
describe
Con
Amore
?
Is
it
a
romance
novel,
a
culinary
novel,
an
Italian
American
novel,
or
something else?
Chocolate Pasta Cake
Beef Rolls with Coffee Ragù
All photographs ©2004-2006 JTM
©2023 Janice Therese Mancuso
.