Reviews

"Tropical Temptations is a phantastic new cookbook. If you're unfamiliar with the taste of the tropics, Gail's recipes will have you living on island time before you can say 'Hey mon, gimme another Red Stripe.' I've had the opportunity to sample a few of her concoctions and she nailed each one with perfect harmony. And the colorful illustrations by Laura Reynolds are the ultimate companion to accompany the recipes. Parrot Heads everywhere should be clamoring to get their hands on this book."

"Tropical Temptations has been a delight to read, to find great recipes, and to share with our friends who love the BVI's and St. John as much as we do. Thanks for taking us 'back to the islands' in the best island cookbook/travel guide we've seen! By the way, the 'Snapper a la Kalik' works great with Caribe as well!"

"If you've ever considered treating your friends to an escape from 'the Real World' - even for just one day... You can easily host a party not to be forgotten with help from Tropical Temptations!
Ever want to recreate that relaxin' feeling you remember from your holiday in the Caribbean? Maybe you wish your friends could have been there with you... Why not host a party that will leave everyone feeling like they've just returned from a week in de islands, mon. Tropical Temptations has all the island favorites from drinks to dessert with short stories and comments that will entertain you while you prepare a sensational feast.
So why not email an invite to your Evening of Limin', (insist everyone wears the most relaxed attire). Hang up a few hammocks and display as many tropical fruits and Rums as you can find. Then confidently open Tropical Temptations (an event planner's friend) for a fantastic selection of uniquely Caribbean specialties!"

"This book by Gail Johnson (who by the way owes the Smuggler a slow dance in the port of his choosing!) is so much more than just a Caribbean cookbook. It is filled with informative trivia on cooking, sailing, dining and traveling around the Caribbean and the Florida Keys. Organized like a typical cookbook, the recipes are anything but typical. Take the drink section for instance. The recipes are taken from bars all over the Caribbean including the infamous Soggy Dollar, Foxy's, Louie's Backyard, Quito's, The Sand Box and Duffy's Love Shack. A good index completes this fine book. Softbound and over 150 pages long, this book belongs between those conch shells in your bookcase."

"I had to write and tell you my success story with Tropical Temptations. Me and some of my friends have just started a supper club here in Knoxville. It was a unanimous decision to serve Carribean as our first, and I would be the hostess. I knew exactly where to go for the menu! All 5 recipes were from the cookbook, and it was fabulous. I fixed 'Nevis Crab Cakes with Key Lime Mustard Sauce' and 'Roast Pork Tenderloin Calypso Style.' Sides were selected by the other girls and included 'Black Bean Salad with Grilled Shrimp' with the 'Papaya-Chile Dressing,' 'Carribean Rum Baked Bananas' and 'Jammin Yam Boats.' The group was a mix of Parrotheads and simple fans, but everyone agreed the dinner took them straight to the islands. I was so pleased with the results and everyone wanted the recipes. Thank you for recording your travels and favorite edibles for those of us who have not had the chance to experience the islands first-hand... yet. I can't wait to try more recipes."

"The long awaited debut CD for this group from North Carolina was worth the wait. If they can improve upon this first effort with their next CD, it will be astonishing. Down to the Islands combines calypso, reggae and good old rock 'n roll elements into an island sound that makes it impossible to turn them off. The range of music they produce from one cut to the next on this CD is nothing short of masterful. The Smuggler gives this effort his highest rating."

"The Caribbean Cowboys have released a phine CD in Down to the Islands. Every time I play it I can't help but be reminded of their stint at Durty Harry's in Key West during the 1999 Meeting of the Minds Parrot Head Convention. You'll romp to the stomp of Rick's 'Duval Crawl' while Slide Guitar Sluder takes you 'Down to the Islands.' Steve reminds us all that there's more to life in the fast lane with his laid back 'Island Time' and Jack croons to the romantic in us all with his 'Counting Sunsets.' The rest of the CD is pretty damn good too. The boys do an incredible version of Peter Mayer's 'Suzannah,' and their rendition of the Eagles 'Seven Bridges Road' shows off their talents for harmonizing. Do yourself a favour and buy this CD! You won't regret it!

P.S. When you see them live, request 'In the Meantime,' another Peter Mayer favorite!"