Releasing Gillian's Wolves By Tara Wooply

Inside Look

"The moon drew a rippling arrow across the surface of the lake, exposing Edward and Sam making love on the dock. Rounding the point in my kayak, I stopped, mesmerized by the romance of the lake, the moon and two beautiful men wrapped in each other on an over-sized deck chair. Good, I thought, good for Edward. My marriage is such a wreck. I silently paddled toward the next dock and home."

Gillian Sach's husband, Jack, is a successful politician; she is the picture perfect political wife and mother. Jack has been cheating on Gillian for decades, but she has chosen to overlook his affairs, for the sake of her family. Gillian keeps her mind numb by painting, gardening and cooking for family and friends.

When she finds, yet another hotel key in his laundry, and discovers Jack’s newest conquest is a pretty young intern, she finally decides to leave him. Gillian realizes she needs to start making some difficult decisions about her life, her future.

Supported by family and friends who love and cherish her, Gillian takes a journey to Amsterdam. Her journey is one of self- discovery, of freedom.

Did I Love It?

I love the art on the cover of this book; a lake house nestled against the water in autumn. It is so beautiful and serene. I believe that the brightly colored leaves on the trees signify the change, the personal growth Gillian is about to experience.

Tara Woolpy has done a wonderful job of developing characters that seem real. They spring to life in the pages of the book. Gillian is a loving, caring woman and her friends have an enchanting charismatic demeanor.

We follow Gillian as she cooks her way through many of her issues, with recipes interspersed in several chapters. Everything she cooks sounds so delicious, and the recipes are a treat to read.

This is a story of life, love and friendship. Gilliam’s exploits keep you captivated, and the recipes are an added surprise. If you enjoy a good story of personal growth and love, you will enjoy this beautifully written novel.

Savor the taste and smell of Survive Anything Double Chocolate Brownies, from Releasing Gillian's Wolves. 

Survive Anything Double Chocolate Brownies

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Melt nine ounces of bittersweet chocolate and seven tablespoons unsalted butter (most of a stick). Chop and cut the chocolate and butter so they melt easily in a double boiler (if you’re like me and don’t want a big double boiler cluttering the kitchen, use a four cup Pyrex measuring cup placed in the middle of a pot half-filled with boiling water). Some people melt chocolate in microwaves. You could try that. Use a spatula to keep the mixture from gunking up the sides, stir continually and when it’s completely soupy set aside to cool.

Beat three eggs in a large bowl at medium-high speed until thick and pale, it takes a few minutes. Add two teaspoons vanilla extract, two tablespoons coffee (whatever’s left in the pot), a half-cup milk and a cup of sour cream (use real sour cream!). Beat until fully mixed (just seconds). Reduce speed to low, add chocolate mixture. Don’t lick the spatula yet.

Whisk one and a half cups all-purpose flour, a half-teaspoon baking powder and a half-teaspoon salt together in a medium bowl. Fold in the flour mixture. Add a bag or so of semisweet chocolate chips (this can vary depending on what you’re surviving. When we visit Evelyn, I use at least two bags).

Grease the sides of a ten by fourteen inch cake pan, using the lopped off end of the butter stick. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Cover with batter and smooth it out. Now you can lick the spatula. Bake until cooked through, about a half hour (test with a toothpick to make sure). Allow brownies to cool before cutting.

Eat, share and repeat until everything’s okay.

Gracefully Yours,
Elle