I got this good-condition hardcover from Better World Books, intrigued by the title. It's about Angel Tungaraza, who's devoted to her family (consisting of her husband and their five orphaned grandchildren) and her business (making beautifully-decorated cakes). While she works at expanding her business, she also tends to get involved in the lives of neighbors, clients, and passers-by, often finding ways to promote romance or to right a wrong. I found the book charming, with its characters - especially Angel and her family - being warm and cheerful most of the time, despite the fact that they're living in Rwanda not long after the horrific genocide. Many of the characters lost family in that time, and some suffered horribly themselves, yet the book seems to focus on surviving and making new lives, while honoring the memory of the dead...

There's humor here, whether it's in Angel's shock at a request for a white-on-white anniversary cake - she finds that ugly and depressing when there are so many colors to choose from - or in her attempt to explain to a confused neighbor the difference between "feminist" and "lesbian". (Another neighbor's confusion between "cardamom" and "condoms" leads to a misunderstanding that isn't cleared up for most of the book - but which results in glorious belly-laughs all around when it finally IS cleared up.)

While there are plenty of scenes in which past griefs and bereavements are recalled, not only from the genocide but also from the ongoing AIDS crisis, the tone of the story overall is optimistic and warm. I really enjoyed these characters!

[The family's story continues, from a different character's viewpoint, in When Hoopoes Go To Heaven.]

I left this book, bagged against the elements, propped up on a ledge near La Mexicana bakery (they make a killer tres leches cake!). Hope the finder enjoys the book!

*** Released as part of the 2015 Wine+Food+BXing release challenge. ***

*** Released as part of the 2015 Oh the Places We Can Go challenge. ***