A Pinch of Coriander Trilogy Stories on the Journeys of Life and Love Books 1-3

The stories in A Pinch of Coriander Trilogy explore the lives of the Ponti family and their friends, as they undertake the journeys of life and love. Family secrets are revealed, wounds are healed, vows are broken and taken. Innocence is lost and wisdom gained as the characters in these deeply-felt, heart-warming and gently humorous novels try to steer their lives in the right direction, and finally make everything come together with a 'pinch of coriander'. These three novels, like those of Maeve Binchy, are to be enjoyed and savored like good food and fine wine. Book One: Time Will Tell "These potent little wonders here," in Nick's square, meaty, palm nestled several round, white seeds, "are said by the ancients to possess aphrodisiac powers enhancing a man's virility. I have it on good authority from The Arabian Nights, among other sources. Conversely, in the Middle Ages, to slip a sachet of it beneath the marriage bed would ensure a wife's fidelity," he advised, returning his treasure to the spice jar. Professor Nick Ponti knows about many things, Renaissance art, jazz, gourmet cooking and fine wines. He thinks he knows who he is, and everything about the lives and loves of his family and friends. Like coriander, his favorite spice to season with, his world seems sweet and uncomplicated. But life soon stirs-up a minestra of conflicts and vexing questions: Is a sin of omission, a lie? Should secrets be taken to the grave, or stay buried? How many friends and lovers can a marriage hold? When to bring a child home, when to let her go? Book Two: The Truth About Secrets "…we create our own truths; the stories we tell ourselves about our lives, the play we cast, the roles we assign to ourselves and our fellows. Each in turn, with their varying 'truths', derived, ironically, from the same set of facts." Vows are broken, and new vows are spoken. Promises not kept lead to a rude awakening, as Lucinda's romantic dreams turn into a nightmare. Jesse harbors misgivings about her commitments and learns to stand her ground. Father Frank has a crisis of conscience, making him doubt his vocation. Aldo and Athina each turn a surprising corner into separate adventures. For Athina, a commitment to nurturing a new love, for Aldo, it's a commitment to a new home, and a new, intriguing friend, with a bombshell secret of her own. Mid-life reveals a blessing in disguise for the Pontis, which at first delights, then troubles Nick, revealing to him more than he wanted of the truth about secrets. Book Three: Long Way Home "It's odd how elated you can feel suddenly seeing a familiar face abroad, as if you've been lost, or marooned on a deserted island, when, unexpectedly, an old friend appears, reminding you of the life you quite happily left which you are now suddenly home sick for..." In Long Way Home, characters search for meaning and adventure, taking their lives and dilemmas on the road: Lucinda sets her sights and sails in a new life-direction, taking no baggage on board. While Jesse has a Grecian sojourn and a near-fatal attraction, that sends her back to the future. Lidia's future becomes unexpectedly adrift. The Pontis decide their marriage needs a course-correction, so set their compass for a time-out in Tuscany, where home becomes a destination that is a long way, and too far, to reach together.