Eros on the Half Shell is an illustrated collection of vignettes and seductive recipes, a world traveler s 50 tales of romance. Each story is followed by a recipe that serves two. Fancello s recipes combine seafood, meat and vegetables in a distinctively European style. He writes, While I strongly believe that our basic diet should include low-fat foods, in this book I share recipes for special times. Rich, tasty meals are for those occasions that break the rules a bit ... A good meal is a joyful meal. This book makes an excellent gift for Valentine s Day or any romantic occasion, like an anniversary or birthday. It s a celebration of romance, travel, shared experiences and tantalizing food. Kate Spohn s illustrations enhance the book s charm and bring to mind the lyrical drawings of Matisse, Bonnard and Cocteau.