(Ann all windswept and blissed out, Mango Chow, The Spice Necklace)

I was all prepared to dislike Ann Vanderhoof, the author of The Spice Necklace. I mean the Toronto native lives half the year sailing to exotic places and collecting local recipes.

And if that’s not enough to conjure up some sizable green eyed monsters, she’s gone and written a fantastic book about her adventures in the Caribbean from a food lover’s point of view no less. Being the petty jealous person that I am, there was no way I could like her.

Despite all this, Ann, with her easy charm and infectious smile, won me over. Damn you Ann! Admittedly she had some help from her delicious yet ridiculously simple Mango Chow (I’ll post Ann’s cooking demo and recipes from the book later in the week).

All kidding aside, I enjoyed Ann’s gentle yet passionate account of island culture, the people she befriended, not to mention her mouth-watering descriptions of the food (see photo gallery below).

Part guide book, part cookbook, part memoir, Ann’s latest book is the perfect read for food lovers who crave adventures in the sun.

Damage: $32.95

You’ll like it if: you like food, adventure and sun, not necessarily in that order. Each chapter ends with recipes inspired from that particular island.

Highlights: Be it gathering nutmeg in Grenada, hunting crabs and crayfish in Dominica, or tracking down the best oregano-eating goats in the Dominican Republic, Ann’s description of island life and culture will transport you.

Giveaway: I have two signed copies of Ann Vanderhoof’s The Spice Necklace to giveaway.  To be the lucky recipient, email me at blogATfoodnetworkDOTca (note: email address has changed) the correct answer to the following question: Which Caribbean-influenced recipe is March's Cooking Club Challenge.? Please see contest rules. (This contest is now closed. Congrats to Lydell M. and Al S.)

Also, what do you guys think about starting a book club for food lovers? We’ve been throwing the idea around for a while and want to know if you guys would be interested.

Book & Giveaway appear Tuesdays.

Related: 

• Photos: Mercato San Lorenzo, Florence
• Question of the Week: Have You Smuggled Food Across Borders?