Books – Between Courses: A Culinary Love Story

Ordering Information:

Directly from Author: You can reach Karla by calling her cell phone or emailing her (both at the bottom of page). $18 for softcover, $25 for hardcover. Both have free local delivery.

Order via AuthorHouse - www.authorhouse.com. Softcover: $16.50 + Shipping & Handling; Hardcover: $20.75 + Shipping & Handling.

Order from local bookstores or other websites (such as Amazon) (Suggested retail prices: Softcover: $20.95; Hardcover: $30.95)

Also available at the following local merchants:

• Deli Italia II, 3004 North Main Street, Rockford, IL
• Altamore Ristorante, 1432 North Main Street, Rockford, IL

(Softcover ISBN 1-4107-5969-5; Hardcover ISBN 1-4107-5968-7)
Reviews for: Between Courses: A Culinary Love Story

I am writing to let you know what I thought of your book. I loved it! It put me in mind of the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding and the Adriana Trigiani book trilogy. Except for one thing – it was better than both of them. I usually find when I am reading a book – almost any book – that there are down spots. By this I mean that there are sections in the book that are just okay and I read them to get back to the good parts. I found with Between Courses that there were no down spots. I really enjoyed the whole thing. I wanted to hurry and read it to find out what happens and at the same time I didn’t want to read it too fast because then I would be done. That is my biggest indicator of a great book. So, thank you for a delicious read. — Cynthia

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. It portrays a loving Italian-American family through the eyes of an ‘old maid’ who never married and still lives with Mom & Pop above their Mom & Pop store. If you are of Italian heritage (or wish you were) and love to cook or eat (and what Italian doesn’t), you will appreciate the many lessons offered in the art of Italian cuisine and the language of romance. But between all the lessons, you will find a unique love story that you find you can’t put down until the last page. –Jeffrey Buttita

It is our pleasure to provide viewers of our Website with a posting of Between Courses: A Culinary Love Story under the heading of Fiction and Nonfiction by Italian American Authors (78 Titles) and Italian American Books on the index page of The Italian American Press (www.ItalianAmericanPress.com). We believe Between Courses: A Culinary Love Story is unique, funny, well-written, and entertaining, and would doubtless appeal to a large audience of readers. From our Website, we have provided a link to where viewers can purchase your book directly from your publisher. Best wishes and congratulations on a job well-done. –Ralph Ferraro, Director, The Italian American Press

I enjoyed Between Courses so very much and for so many reasons. I grew up in Melrose Park and Northlake and many of the characters reminded me of people in my life. The boys my friends and I hung around with in h.s. were Vito, Vinnie, Paulie, Aldo and Rocky ~ most of my girlfriends had “Mary” as part of their name ~ MaryJo, Rosemary, Mary Frances etc. Their Moms all had St. Joseph’s tables and we’d travel from house to house following strict instructions to fill up our plates. We always went to “the Feast” and my parents took my brother, sister and I out to Slicker Sam’s for baked clams whenever a celebration was in order! All the kids in my neighborhood were first or second generation Americans. It was a different atmosphere than I’m raising my children in! So, I loved the book for all of the sweet reminiscences it evoked so deeply in the well developed characters. Sabina and her family seemed so real, I missed them after I completed the book. I really enjoyed all the twists and turns in the plot and the serendipity of the character’s lives! The coincidences and miracles really reflect the joys and challenges of life. I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to read your book, and I plan on sharing it with my friends! – Karen

I just finished your book and I LOVED it!! You have got to be on CLOUD NINE!!! So much time and effort finally paid off. The book was amazing…and remember Nicholas Sparks started out as a pharm rep!!! Take care and Happy Writing!!! –Jodie

I just have to tell you how much I enjoyed your first novel! I truly could not put it down (and consequently haven’t studied anatomy in 3 days, but well worth it!) I was so impressed with your story lines and adored your characters. For me, a story really touches my soul when I can feel exactly what the characters are feeling and could see myself seeking out their friendship or advice in real life and I must say that I was so touched by the character of Sabina. I find that the best stories are the ones you don’t want to end and I must admit I was sad when I finally got to the last page. I just didn’t want to leave Mela’s Market! So congratulations on such a wonderful piece of literature. I can’t wait to read what’s next! –Sarah

Bravissima! Take a bow. Congratulations! I loved every word of your book! It’s fantastic! –Jeanne

Karla, even though I’m a guy, I’m enjoying Between Courses! –Fred

Just wanted to tell you I really loved your book. I think you should send it to Oprah Winfrey. She would love the book and really help you get off with a bang. the story was great. The family I fell in love with. I even fell in love with Mr. Man. I would like to meet everyone in the book. It was warm, funny, and of course a great cook book besides. I want to thank you for a wonderful story. Hope you make it to the top. I can’t wait to read your next one. –Linda

I am a friend of Jeanne’s and she thankfully sent me your book for Christmas and I finished it in 2 days. To appreciate this you must understand that I am a voracious magazine reader, but not a book reader. I was intrigued by the premise (Jeanne swears that she bought it for me prior to reading it) a 40 yr. old single woman that has not had her life turn out as she has planned it. While I have a great life I certainly miss some of the “perks” of having someone in my life. I am shocked at how much you were in my head. Some of the exact thoughts I have had, you put to paper. An example is when friends say, “Oh, be glad you’re not married, my husband drives me crazy”, well that is easy to say from a married perspective. While they don’t mean to be hurtful, it sometimes is. I am hoping this weekend to catch up on some of the sleep that I lost reading this week. I am an in bed by 10:00pm person most days, so suffice it to say staying up until 1:00am on a work (school) night is a very high compliment to your writing. What I liked the most was the first person narrative. It was very easy reading and engaged me quickly. I hope you write another book as a sequel to this one, I will definitely buy it. If you know Ted Kallista you have my permission to give him my e-mail address. Thanks again! –Cindy

I just wanted to write to let you know how much we have loved reading your book. It really brought out a lot of emotions from laughter to tears and so many wonderful family memories to life. It is so refreshing to find a book that young and old can enjoy! Our daughter Danielle could not stop laughing and it was so much fun asking her what part of the book she was on and talking about it together. The recipes are great and really made me hungry when I was reading them. We are telling all of our family and friends about the book. Thanks for writing such a winner!! –Nina

Just a note to tell you how much I enjoyed “Between Courses”. After meeting Sabina, Ted, Vito and the family, I feel I’ve met you! I received your book for Christmas and just couldn’t put it down! Thank you so much for a wonderful read! Hope you have another one in the works! –Patsy

I want to tell you how much I enjoyed your book Between Courses. I come from a large Sicilian family, so I could relate to much of your story. The recipes are wonderful, I have many of them, but some I could remember my mother making, but did not have the recipes. Now I have them. I would like another copy of the soft cover edition. P.S.- It was a pleasure to read a book about a Sicilian family without the word mafia in the book. –Thomas

It is exactly 1:00 a.m. and I just finished reading your book. I have rarely felt so compelled to write a letter like this, but my thoughts wouldn’t allow me to sleep. Congratulations on the tremendous success of “Between Courses”. It was so well-written that I swear I smelled the bread baking at times. What a delicious and wonderful tribute to your family! Your portrayal of a large Italian-American family is astounding. You have captured the essence of what it means to belong to something so much larger than oneself. Again, congratulations on the book. –Cindy

I received your post card announcing your first book. Being a “foodie” myself, I ordered it and read it in my spare time over the holidays. I just had to tell you how much I enjoyed the story and your writing style. I’m looking forward to your second novel! I don’t know how you find the time to create-but, please keep it up. I’m looking forward to trying some of the recipes from the cookbook. I’ll let you know how they turn out! –Denise

I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your novel “Between Courses.” R. gave me a copy for Christmas and I started reading it right after the new year. R. took a picture of me reading it between contractions when I went into labor . . . and I enjoyed reading it for the next several days after the baby was born. Congratulations on a terrific story. I look forward to more! –Terry

Just a note to let you know how much I enjoyed your book. I hope you’re planning to write another one soon. Coming from an Italian family I could certainly identify with so many situations in the book. Best to you. -Pat

Thank you for autographing your book D. gave me it made me feel even more special! I loved it and found it hard to put down so many chores were neglected. I truly didn’t want it to end. . . . Looking forward to your next book. -Margaret

Big congratulations on your book! I began reading Between Courses last night and absolutely love it. It’s my kind of book to be sure. –Joanne

Any reader with mother, father, sisters, aunts, cousins, honorary uncles… heck, family — will hear the voices that Sabina hears as she negotiates through her 40th year as a Giovanotti of Chicago’s Mela’s Market. Between Courses is warm and lively story of baking, cooking, eating, romancing, running a small business and above all, caring. -Carolyn Chin, Books on First, Premier Bookstore Coffeehouse in Sauk Valley

I loved this book. It reminded me of the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”…only it was an Italian family. It was funny, sad, happy and exciting. Truly a great love story. Also, if you like to cook, there are great Italian recipes (family secrets) in this book. Several friends of mine have read the book and loved it too. Reviewer: Mindy from Rockford, IL

Karla, thank you so much for meeting with our book club last night. I had a great time and hope you did too. You have written such a special book. As I said last night, it makes me want to be Italian! Your characters are so “rich” and so believable that it made me sad to end the book and not get to be with them anymore. I can’t wait to share the book with friends and family because I know they are going to love it too. -Connie

Our first “Book Club with a real Author” was a smashing success! What a delight to have Karla join us. It was fascinating to hear the sources of her inspiration for the amazing characters and stories in Between Courses. Thanks so much to Karla for a wonderful book and making the trek out to Freeport to join us last night. It truly was the most lively and interesting discussion we’ve ever had. – Carolyn

Hey girls, not sure if you are still doing ‘book club’ or not… I have a GREAT book suggestion for you all to read: Between Courses: A Culinary Love Story by Karla Clark. It is a fabulous read about an Italian family running an Italian market/cafe in Little Italy in Chicago. You will love the characters, the story and of course you’ll recognize all the city references! Karla is a Rockford, IL native that my friend Jeannie met and invited to our club. She is so wonderful, we just loved her. Read email below for a recap of our night with her. You won’t find it on the shelves just yet, but you can order it from Amazon or www.1stbooks.com. I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend it. So anyway, just thought I’d pass along the selection. –Carolyn

Hi Karla . . . Just wanted to tell you how much I’m enjoying BETWEEN COURSES–haven’t quite finished it yet and frankly, I hate to see it come to an end. I loved the romance, the Chicago setting, the food references, and the recipes. What a tribute to your Italian family and heritage–I surely agree that a family and family food gatherings are the “heart of the home. My favorite line–”A family in which the members actually like each other is a true gift.” I hope I am conveying that message and feeling to my 4 children as they get older. I even e-mailed OPRAH about your book–I think it would be a perfect one for her with her passion for food and reading!! Keep writing- I love your style of writing with humor and genuine caring. Is Knotted Pearls out yet? I will continue to recommend BETWEEN COURSES and just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed it!! –Sherry

Karla – Thank you so much for coming out to our book club . . . My e-mail has been buzzing with everyone talking about how wonderful it was to meet you and hear about your book writing experience. . . You should be so proud of your writing. I can’t wait to read the next novel and the short stories. –Pat

Dear Karla, Thank you for your kindness in delivering the books. I’m thrilled to be able to share your charming story with my friends. I truly enjoyed the characters you created. They are so endearing. Of course, a good recipe for whiskey sauce for my bread pudding doesn’t hurt. Best wished for continued success. –Janet

Hi Karla, We all so enjoyed your visit to our Book Club!!! Thank you so much. We enjoyed learning about you, your book and the process of writing a book. The first visit of an author to our club lived up to our great expectations! We look forward to your next book and seeing you again. –Ann

Dear Karla, Thank you so much for coming to our book club meeting. It was a delightful evening, listening to you background for the book. We loved your book and especially enjoyed having you come to our meeting. Thanks for sharing your time with us. –Marilyn

My Mom bought your book and LOVED it. She shared it with many of her friends and she asked me to tell that the state of Florida loves your book! –Sheryl

Dear Paula, (Note: Karla Clark’s sister)

Thank you for nominating Karla Clark for the Alumni Hall of Fame. We very much enjoyed reading your nomination.

Please do not be dismayed by the news that we are not able to induct Karla this year. One of the best things about this program is that we get to learn about our alumni and once someone is nominated their nomination will always be considered. It appears that Karla is on her way to many substantive accomplishments and we look forward to watching her growth. In fact, if you receive new information about Karla, please pass it along.

Thank you again Paula for your nomination. It takes dedication and focus to achieve what Karla has done up to this point. We are going to make sure that the college library acquires Between Courses if they haven’t already and as you may know there is a wonderful reader review on the Amazon.com website.

Best regards,

Monique Aduddell, Director of Development, Rock Valley College Foundation

Congratulations on creating a “Best-Seller” novel! I thoroughly enjoyed reading every page. It left me wishing I had acted upon my original dream of becoming a chef! I’m looking forward to the next “Best-Seller.” –Jeff

Dear Karla, What a happy conversation we had, and I’m not surprised that you were as interesting and engaging as “Between Courses.” Thanks for sending me the books! –Janet

Dear Karla – Earlier in the month, somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, I finished your book. Wow! I loved it! I had to pace myself so I wouldn’t finish it before we got on the long flight home so I had to deprive myself from reading it the last few days we were on vacation. That was perfect timing because I could devote my full attention to it on the long flight. But, my husband said he wished I’d finished it earlier since I ended up crying (happy years) a bit at the end. We’re Sicilian too, but not from Agrigento. And, since I was reading the book at the start of Lent, I was just wishing my Nana would still make Taano again which I’ve rarely ever heard of anyone else making and there it was in your book! If Maeve Binchy (one of my favorites!) can write for the Irish, then you can surely be the one who writes for the Italians! I’m so very proud of you! –Martha

Dear Karla, I loved it! I’m waiting for the sequel! –Jane

Between Courses is definitely one of my top ten favorite books of all time! –Dana F.

Hi Karla- I just finished your book and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it!! First, I love to read, but since most of my time is spent reading journal articles, new product info or something technical, it was a wonderful change. I also love to cook, and think I have more cookbooks than any other type of book in my house. Also, my ex-husband’s family was from Sicily. Needless to say, I could relate. I can’t wait to try a few of those recipes. What a special book- a good story with recipes and inspiration included. -Donna

I received your book, Between Courses, from a friend for my birthday. I loved it! It brought me back to my own Italian background. My mother and your father were first cousins. I wondered if you ever spoke to local groups about your Italian roots. I’m currently enrolled in a family nursing class and part of our focus is the care of people from different backgrounds. If you would consider this, I could let you know the topics we would like you to talk about. I have to let you know it would have to be gratis, but we would feed you. My brother, Bernie, from Caffe Greco is providing the food. Let me know if you’re interested and I can give you more info. Are you going to write another book? I want to see Sabina raise a family. It could talk about third and fourth generation Italians. –Marilyn

I called you some months ago to say how much I enjoyed Between Courses. Then I promptly mislaid it along with your email address. Finally, with prayers to St. Anthony, I just found it again. I submitted a review to Amazon.com, which you may want to check out. Did you self-publish? What was that experience like? I have just sold my first novel, Paying the Price, to a Colorado publisher. It will be out in October. I hope to use it as a means to travel as I promote it. Have you done much of that? I visit my son and grandchildren in Rockford several times a year. I bought your book at the Junior League house “before” tour. Unfortunately never got to see the “after” but sure enjoyed the book. Knowing what an effort it must have been, I congratulate you! – Madge Walls, Author of “Hawaii Real Estate Exam Book”.

“Between Courses” is a story that opens its door and welcomes you into a family with whom you feel completley at home. Eccentric characters with loving hearts, doing their best and often failing as we all do; and a love story that is not at all typical, which makes it all the more believable. I found I was rationing the pages towards the end – I didn’t want to have to put it down and walk out the door forever. Much more depth than “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” and every bit as deserving of praise. Madge Walls

I’m not a person who usually sends e-mail to authors or anyone one else of celebrity, but I had to tell you that Between Courses is a fabulous read! I’m one of those people who go through withdrawal if I don’t have a book (or 3) within reach at all times and Between Courses has become one of my absolute favorites of all time! I’m recommending it to everyone! What a gift you give the reader by making them feel like they’re part of this big wonderful family. I hated to have the book end. I’m from the small town of La Moille, IL, (pop. 800) south of Rockford about an hour, and our book club (we have 12 members ranging in age from early 30’s to mid 70’s) has chosen your book as our April selection. My question to you is, do you still visit book clubs? If you do, what is your fee for doing so? Also, do you know where I can find some discussion questions for our meeting? I’m looking forward to reading Knotted Pearls as soon as I can get it . Keep up the great writing! –Joyce

I just finished reading your book “Between Courses.” I loved it! It was the perfect summer read. I loved the characters and couldn’t help but think of personality traits that may have been inspired by family members. It’s exciting to read a book where I know the author. I was truly able to personally identify with some of Sabina’s idiosyncrasies. –Stephanie

Hi Paula, (Note: Karla Clark’s sister)

Thank you so much for the copies of your sister’s new book! It is wonderful!! When I start reading it at night I can’t put it down. The stories are so delightful and are a great way to end the day. May God bless you with your music project. It is a true blessing to see both you and your sister glorify the Lord with your talent! –Marie

This note of thanks is way overdue. However, two moves since receiving your book “Between Courses” caused the delay. The book was absolutely delightful and enjoyable, bringing back many happy memories of my growing up years on the “hill” in St. Louis. How refreshing and touching it was! Continue writing, keeping the traditions in the forefront! God’s blessings! –Sister Josita