Chocolate Fortunes

Chocolate Fortunes: The Battle for the Hearts, Minds and Wallets of China’s Consumers is the first inside, blow-by-blow account of the war waged among the five titans of chocolate —Hershey, Nestlé, Cadbury, Mars and Ferrero Rocher—for the taste buds and passions of China’s new consumer class.

A former executive for two of the “Big Five” chocolate companies in China, Lawrence L. Allen presents a gripping business story wrapped up in the intriguing tale of East meeting West through the introduction of an icon of the western world ’s decadence and self-indulgence. Allen offers lessons for anyone raring to do business in this dynamic, complex and evolving country.

Twining Techniques

Discover a traditional technique with modern sensibility in Twist & Twine, where conventional crafting and green crafting come together with impressive results.

Author Bobbie Irwin guides readers through the age-old art of rug twining to create beautiful, durable objects for the home, all with strips of new or recycled fabric.

In Twist and Twine, there’s an illustrated guide to twining methods, detailed instructions for seven rugs and 11 home d écor items created with a variety of techniques and looms, review of twining equipment  and lists of references and resources.

Decorating Secrets

A veritable decorating fairy godmother, Jill Vegas helps readers discover their inner decorator in her first book, Speed Decorating: A Pro Stager’s Tips and Trade Secrets for a Fabulous Home in a Week or Less. Learn how to identify your style, realize your home’s potential and how to create a timeline for projects so you don’t get overwhelmed.

Over the years she has helped hundreds of people transform their homes for entertaining or selling. Speed decorating involves trading existing fixtures and furnishings for new ones, experimenting with arrangement and color, and filling rooms with versatile, moveable pieces that will accentuate the features and downplay flaws.

Decadent Desserts

Andrea Chesman and Fran Raboff,  noted cookbook authors and chefs, assembled 250 recipes from coast to coast in 250 Treasured Country Desserts. Along with the recipes comes a wealth of practical kitchen advice, little-known food anecdotes and historical tidbits drawn from three centuries of cookery books round out this addictive dessert collection.

The resource section includes metric conversions, egg safety and more. This cookbook supplies the home cook with a dessert for every occasion.

French Feasts

French Feasts by Stephane Reynaud features 299 recipes for beloved dishes like pates, gratins, savory tarts and braised meats that are the essence of French weekend fare. Recipes come from all over France and even some former colonies. The book includes beautiful, earthy photographs, whimsical illustrations, profiles of local producers and fact-filled sidebars.