A sensual visit to 17th century Genoa...
583653
"She might have found comfort in making the most of it, like her cats sharing the day's last sunlight, one small splash from the sea's horizon to the edge of the carpet's shore."

A House Near Luccoli is full of such lovely and lyrical prose which gently transports the reader to 17th century Genoa, Italy. Taking in the author's wonderful words, one can almost smell the gardens and sachets, taste the food and wine, feel the summer heat, see the musical notes being carefully transcribed, the sunshine glittering on the ocean, and hear the exquisite music. About a year ago we went to a concert, The Passion of the Italian Baroque, at the Amherst Early Music Festival, and heard beautiful performances with various combinations of the viol, violin, violone, recorder, flute, two oboes, cello, and three harpsichords. And a soprano sang along on a couple of pieces. Memories of the sound of that baroque music made reading the story of the colorful composer Alessandro Stradella and the restless Donatella all the more vivid in my mind.
3364840
This book is a life of Galileo as told from his letters to and from his daughter, Maria Celeste. A reading of this book enables one to really appreciate Phil Glass' Opera: "Galileo, Galilei" which is currently being presented by the Cincinnati Opera Company.  The book is so well done that it reads almost like a novel and at times brings one to tears when one considers the injustices both Galileo and Maria Celeste had to endure. I recommend this book highly....a great read.
4584967
Geoff Nelder brings to life the 16th century abduction of an entire people with a love and knowledge of Gozo that swept me away. I felt the authors sense of outrage and although I enjoyed the epic sweep of the blockbusting story, what will stay with me are the ghosts who still inhabit the landscape today. I feel I know every blood-stained stone on this little island, although Ive never been there.
From the grey-orange grit of the desert to the horse who loves the smell of lavender, time and place are created in loving, accurate detail  both the 16th century and the present. The authors breadth of knowledge and of research allows us to visit all his locations with never a false note. I know Lyon well and enjoyed revisiting it en route to Gozo.
At times, I felt the author was reliving his own past life, so convincing were his description of slavery, from manning the oars as a slave on a galley to trudging the potentially fatal route to market. He was equally at ease describing the world of female slaves chosen as concubines.
The novel is more than an exciting tale of supernatural justice working its way out after 500 years, through descendants of the key people involved but it is indeed an exciting story. I found some of the earlier scenes in the present day less convincing, with Zita and the love affair portrayed in a clichd manner but once we get Zitas point of view the narrative flows and I was lost in the mystery.
699131
That's sort of the theme of this story- the characters live the rest of their lives worshipping their first Passion forever.  It is beautiful and the descriptions of Venice will make you want to book a flight there immediately.
Incidentally, something most reviewers seem to have missed here is that Henri's story and Vilanelle's story are both taken from the real life of French author Stendhal (aka Henri Marie Beyle, the 19th century author of The Red and The Black), who really was a cook for Napoleon and really did have unrequited love for a noble lady, Mathilde Viscontini Dembowski.  Read Stendhal's "Love" for more on that particular episode.
1301736
An addition to the catalog of Veracini recordings is welcome, and this new cpo release is most enjoyable. Some people call this type of music "baroque sewing machine music", but listeners attuned to the joys of the Italian late baroque will undoubtedly respond well to these delightful pieces, especially in such winsome performances.

Francesco Maria Veracini (1690 - 1768) was a peripatetic violin virtuoso whose career (and oddball personal life) took him all over Europe. As a composer he's in the Corelli/Torelli/Tartini mold. This release may be a bit misnamed: we get two overtures, two sonatas and a concerto. (It's labeled "Vol. 1", so I'll be watching for more.) All the pieces are inventive and worthwhile (as long as you're not expecting something on the Bach/Handel level).  I was thoroughly entertained. My wife isn't really a classical fan, but she really enjoyed this disc, which just goes to show you that the two-hundred-and-fifty year old music of a "minor" composer is still universal enough to reach across the centuries and touch a modern listener.

I can't say enough good things about L'Arte dell'Arco and Frederico Guglielmo. I'd already much admired them in some Tartini recordings, and this release just reinforced my admiration. They're a really first-rate outfit. The period performances are bold and energetic, but also suave and immaculate. And cpo's engineers have captured the proceedings in natural and realistic sound (SACD, though I can't report on that since I don't own a 5.1 channel system).

The booklet contains an informative essay by Frederico Guglielmo on the composer and the music, as well as bios of the artists. (Older readers may want a magnifying glass to help with the small print). Altogether, a most rewarding release.
432227
Although the story takes place in modern day, be prepared to take a step back in history as the author takes you on a journey to Italy during the renaissance period. Jaya is torn between the traditional role of a history professor andher love of adventure. She cant resist the call of the past and the potential for making amajor art history discovery.
I hadnt read the previous books in this series, so Ienjoyed getting to know Jaya, her friends and the men in her life. I found it to bea well-writtenand even-paced read, with asurprising yet logical resolution.
The author has done a fine job weaving a tale offiction on the backdrop of historical facts. Her descriptions of Bomarzo and the Park of Monstersare vivid, making it another place to add to my to-be-visited list for Italy.
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
1318809
Bertrand Arthur William Russell, a British philosopher, logician, mathematician, historian, social critic and political activist, has once said,

"Italy, and the spring and first love all together should suffice to make the gloomiest person happy."

Chianti Souls by Karen Ross is an enchanting and fascinating love story wrapped in the backdrop of the heart of Tuscany in Italy. This love story is not only going to make you fall in love for one more time but also will make you fall in love with the landscapes and beauty of Chianti. This story is going to take you many places in Italy, which are magical as well as mesmerizing.

A huge thanks to the author, Karen Ross, for giving me an opportunity to read and review her book.

Mary is beyond any joy and excitement when her boyfriend, Garrett, surprises her with a trip to her dream destination in Chianti in Tuscany. Mary always had relationship issues, she even had a failed marriage, so she wanted to keep things casual between Garrett and also she takes a chance by dating Garrett. Garrett is a successful business man who is very career-oriented and focuses more on his job. Soon after reaching Chianti, Garrett has to return to Philly, for his work, leaving behind a sad and distraught Mary. In the heart of Tuscany, she one day meets a very handsome man named Lucas in a farm and hence she realizes that there were so many things that were missing from her relationship with Garrett. As the days progress, she gets more involved with Lucas and gets completely entangled to him, leaving her heart torn between two men in her life.

Karen Ross's debut novel is really quite amazing. With her eloquent and exquisite words, she takes the readers on a magical trip to Italy. Good food and wine and a heart-melting love story in Chianti, what can I ask more? It seems the author is in love with this place called Chianti and it's quite evident with her words. Her love and passion for Chianti has made the book more and more interesting and intriguing. The characters are also well-developed, especially Lucas, a perfect Italian man, with all those charming looks and aura, any girl will eventually melt right in front of him.

The author has strikingly and vividly captured the flora and fauna of Tuscany in her book. Along with the mouth-watering food and wine, this book perfectly blends in well with the blossoming romance unfolding slowly in the backdrop. Also the author has make Mary our guide all through her adventure and in the end, like Mary's confused heart, we too get caught up between the two men and her decisions that is going to change her life forever. The culinary taste, culture and people of Italy, everything about Italy is surely going to warm your heart! This book is a complete retreat and Karen Ross has made sure that the readers get a thorough insight into the heart of Tuscany.
With a bottle of Chianti wine, this book will be a perfect read in a very gloomy afternoon!
2338956
This is an absolutely beautiful disc, one of the finest programmes of early music I have ever heard. It depicts the great adventure undertaken by a group of Italian composers in the transition from renaissance to baroque, introducing accompanied monody to express the human passions - a development which was soon to reach such glorious maturity in the music of Monteverdi.

The opening brings us one of those haunting melodies that subsequently re-appeared in numerous other compositions - the Aria di Fiorenza, otherwise known as Ballo del Gran Ducca, whose origin was Cavalieri's concluding choral dance in the Florentine Intermedii (sometimes called La Pellegrina) of 1589. It is played quite beautifully here by the musicians of Le Pome Harmonique. This is followed by a variety of vocal and instrumental pieces by Belli, Buonamente and Lorenzo Allegri.

The vocal items, ranging in mood through love, loneliness, misery and joy, are marvellously sung by Guillemette Laurens; contrary to comments I saw from one cloth-eared British magazine critic (not Gramophone), I think she is wonderful not only in voice but in expression and musicianship, and her talents suit this music perfectly. The period instruments all sound marvellous too, and Alpha's recorded sound is ideal.

Altogether this is a simply glorious programme of early baroque music, beautifully arranged and performed and superbly directed by Vincent Dumestre. In short, if you have the slightest interest in early music, don't hesitate!
3900240
The title of this novel  Follow Me  is wonderfully appropriate, as it relates to the storys connection to seventeenth-century poetry and to a plea on the part of the lead characters to connect with each other over place and time. I believe it is also an invitation by the author for readers to follow her as she traces the lives of two people who lived a century-and-a-half apart yet may, in fact, be the same person. The story, which is sensual at times but more often filled with the anguish of separation, shifts between now and then but the scenes were clearly delineated and the parallels between what was happening in the present and simultaneously occurring in the past made reading this an intriguing experience. The Black Hound Inn and the mysterious Mr. Moulton serve as anchors, present in both times (think the mailbox in The Lake House). This is definitely a good exercise for those who enjoy puzzles.

It is clear that considerable effort went into planning the storyline  from setup to a very impressive conclusion  and conducting the medical and historical research that added greatly to the storys credibility. I expect to read this again, as Im sure there is more to it than I picked up on the first time through and I want to enjoy every facet of this gem.
4181852
In a brief sojourn in Bolzano, Venice, on his way to Munich in 1756, Giacomo Casanova, stops to rest at a local inn. Newly escaped from Leads Prison with Balbi, a defrocked priest, Casanova employs his considerable powers of persuasion to elicit lodging and all manner of material goods to make his stay more palatable. Ensconced in his rooms, word spreads that this master of the secrets of love is entertaining paying guests, offering advice and observations to help others unravel the thorny knots of their relationships and romantic liaisons. For a few coins, Casanova dispenses his invaluable wisdom, waiting for his fate to play out.

Also residing in Balzano at the time are the Duke of Parma and his wife, Francesca. Casanova and Parma have dueled over this woman in the past, Casanova vanquished, never to see his love again. Suddenly, the duke arrives with an unexpected proposition for the banished lover; Casanova is faced with a conundrum that requires him to examine the complicated tentacles of his attachment to Francesca and the nature of love as he perceives it. In flowing prose that evokes both time and place, Casanova embarks upon a personal narrative, musing on every aspect of his emotional attachment to Francesca and a dialog with both the Duke of Parma and the very wise object of his affections, who knows her lover better than he knows himself.

The Inquisition looms large in Casanova's past and possibly his future, should he tarry too long in Bolzano, the duke's reach extensive and pervasive. The reputed lover's flight from Leads is a boon to the gossiping citizens, who follow his progress with enthusiasm and attend his surgeries seeking advice. But even the Inquisition pales beneath the force of Francesca's declaration of love and the clarity of her intent. Francesca's soliloquy makes a mockery of Casanova's obfuscations in denial of truth, an expose more deadly than the sharp point of his dagger. Brought together through the duke's machinations, the lovers engage in a truly memorable encounter. This remarkable feast of wit and the vagaries of love is a fine exercise in the illogic of reason when applied to romance, obsession and the indulgence of grand passion. Luan Gaines/ 2006.
1787167
This book takes the reader into the past, back to the 1600s, and brings it alive with all of the sights, sounds and even smells that one would encounter in Germany during that period. The characters are well developed and the story keeps the reader engaged.
4690231
For Prayers Unanswered by Melynda Taylor brings me to an arena of promise, love, delight, romance, maturity, elegance, simplicity. Reading this novel  was a feather-light brush of silks against my skin, awakening and virtually satisfying  my appetite for the fragrant aromas of boulliabaise, espresso, and the heaven of butter and sugar barely held together by the lightest, finest European flour,  literally melting in my mouth.

Fortunately, and part of the reason this delightful book got published, is that Taylors sentences are much more readable. Shorter.

This book,  a sensual read in the broadest sense,  strikes me as engrossing, delectable cross of  all the movies (or books) Ive loved that focus on extraordinarily fine cuisine (Like Water for Chocolate,  or Babettes Feast without the oppressive dourness), or Big Night  and My Dinner with Andre .  Hours of in-depth, careful conversation while dining on  mouth-watering dishes accompanied by fine wines in romantic settings.

Taylor rides her story like an experienced equestrienne: she holds her steed  the story shes crafting with our best entertainment in mind  gently but firmly, allowing us to enjoy the freshness of the heroines new friendships in romantic, luxe environments but not galloping into Sybils new romance. And most tantalizingly, she keeps the raw details of Sybils pain from us until were wondering why shes so careful with her new love.

As Sybil and her handsome new lover get to know each other, they allude to Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Faulkner, and Steinbeck, among other thinkers and political leaders whose work informed social change and the development of modern ideals and legislation. They explore spiritual paths and the search for God, quoting Spinoza and the Gospel of John; explore yearning and quote Wolfe. Their travels in Europe and the US take us through museums to admire fine art. As they dine at fine restaurants and attend sumptuously described parties at which beautifully garbed, warmly welcoming people dine on rich delicacies,  fado, Vivaldi and Mozart flow smoothly as the undulating soundtrack.

Taylors story centers around two sophisticated, educated people with means who are articulately intellectual, unabashedly caring and openly generous in every way. They share their love with their friends, are charitable in their outlook, and devote hours to detailed conversation with each other, while we listen unobtrusively, lounging on one of the softly contoured chaises upholstered in watered silk, sipping Dom Perignon or Earl Grey delivered to us on a silver tray on which sits one perfect Damask rose picked just that morning from the heros garden.

Make time to read this lovely story.
322939
Victoria Alexander provides a delightful cast of characters, an intriguing plot and a touch of humor to this exciting historical romance with a sensual twist.

Miss Pamela Effington visits Venice in 1818, accompanied by her aunt, Lady Millicent Smythe-Windom, and her cousin, Lady Clarissa Overton. The three traveling companions are inseparable, ever since Pamela fled London rather than face scandal after a cursory affair.  Since that horrible mistake, Pamela has blossomed into a competent, independent woman. One determined to experience a little more of life.

What harm could there possibly be in a simple affair with the prince she meets at a masked ball? A prince who has a reputation for bedding half the women of Europe? He would certainly never remember her, let alone recognize her in public. Not with her mask or the darkened room where they are intimate. Even though four years pass, she can't quite forget the prince who called her La Serenissima - the serene one. Or his sexy touch.

Prince Alexei Pruzinsky had it all: Title, wealth and ultimately, a throne. Although his reputation is highly exaggerated, he has had his share of women. Yet only one remains in his memory. La Serenissima.

Then Alexei's father dies and the Russian Empire assimilates his beloved country, Avalonia. Alexei is given an ultimatum: he can become the figurehead of Avalonia, a mere puppet to Russia's rule; or he could fight to keep Avalonia free. The latter would mean war - the ultimate slaughter of his people and the destruction of the country he loves. Both are unacceptable. When his younger brother, Prince Nikolai, insists on fighting Russia, Alexei sends him away. Then, resigned to his fate, Alexei reluctantly heads for London to be in the country where his sister and cousin reside. Since he has to establish residency to obtain the funds that will insure he will have an income upon which to live, he settles into a grand house, a rental more than large enough for himself and his loyal aides, Captain Dimitri Petrov, and his former chief advisor, Count Roman Stefanovich. Then his cousin, Princess Valentina, arrives. She tried to take the throne from Alexei in the past and is the last person he feels he can trust. She is also a woman without funds or country and, even though she's his nemesis, he doesn't have the heart to send her way.

When Pamela, Millicent and Clarissa are informed that they have inherited funds and an estate in London, they have no desire to return to England. But they are given no choice. In order to inherit, they too must remain on the estate for six months. When they arrive at the estate a short time later, they discover that Prince Alexei and his entourage are already in residence - and that the Prince's lease is legal cannot be broken. Pamela is more than a little upset. She fears that the Prince will recognize her, and is inwardly disappointed when he doesn't. Even so, they have no choice but to share the vast living quarters, out of necessity. Alexei slowly realizes that the haughty Miss Effington is his Serenissima, the woman he could never forget. Now, she is the woman he must forget, for he is a sovereign without a country and believes he has nothing to offer her.

Victoria Alexander has written a thoroughly enjoyable romance! I kept turning the pages, wondering when Alexei would recognize Pamela as the woman he could never forget. The novel is packed with a well-thought out plot and characters who added spark, intrigue, and humor to this delightful, highly recommended story.
755434
Amalfi Re-Visited by Adolph (Adolfo) Caso is a huge work that combines elements of ancient history with modern, international intrigue into a gripping story. The author lifts the veil and allows readers a peek into one of the early civilizations in history, a bubbling and democratic Maritime Republic of Amalfi, a world that will soon be submerged by the tsunami. But many centuries after, and in modern times, a powerful drama takes place in this same city, featuring compelling characters, two brothers who are gifted embroiled in a drama of romance and scientific intrigue.

What is fascinating about Adolph (Adolfo) Caso's work is the rich imagination from which characters are created. The plot is compelling enough to arrest the reader's interest all along and the characters are so real they will draw readers in. I love stories that allow me to dialogue with readers, to imagine great works, and to face challenges, and Amalfi Re-Visited is one of such books. It's a great and entertaining read, so masterfully plotted and beautifully written that readers will delight in it.
4253709
Sultana was beautifully written and a pleasure to read. Lisa J Yarde weaves storytelling with well researched history in a convincing and always entertaining manner. Her dialogue is mature and believable. Crafting an intricate plot set in Moorish Spain represents exceptional research and trans-cultural effort given the dominant Western-centric literature in historical fiction today.

Sultana is a moving and sensual read; a must for time travelers longing for the real Andalusian Spain.
2841857
I knew Sam and Pam from our long-ago California days when we studied Archetypal Psychology in grad school together.  It's been a pleasure to keep track of their adventure of weaving their love and passion for Italy into a fruitful and intriguing lifestyle.  And Sam captures it all so eloquently in his book. I suggest it for anyone who is interested in Italy, it's fineries and foibles, the Renaissance, psychology, art, and a family's experience of turning Tuscan. You will find the journey very interesting. Whether or not you are planning to follow along in his footsteps, Sam's sense of humor and penetrating insights will take you there nonetheless.
15009
As a young avid reader who can admit to sometimes judging a book by its cover, I came across Dunant's The Birth of Venus and found the cover really pretty - so I read it. This was one of the books from which I recieved so much pleasure in reading.

In this novel, Dunant almost paints the story into the reader's mind, engraving our imaginations with colorful and intricate details  with such emotion and conviction that I couldn't help being drawn into the life of Alessandra Cecci, the charmingly precocious herione of this story.

It is set in the Renaissance with fourteen year old Alessandra who cannot seem to belong in her own family. She starts off with her innocence and unbounding curioisty for her city, Florence, wishing to one day explore the beauty of her homeland. Unwillingly, she is thrown into a series of obstacles that she must face alone; only with the occasional help of her profoundly loyal black servant, Erila. First, she must deal with family problems, having always been overshadowed by her older siblings and at last wanting some glimpse of glory of which to make her family proud. Then she is forced into a marriage with a much older yet charming man but which ends up being a plotted attempt to hinder a forbidden secret that could ultimately cost her husband's life. Within the marriage, she struggles with herself as she soon discovers the intimate pleasures of her blooming body, all the while trying to suppress her growing desire for the strange yet captivating young painter whom her father had brought with him from the North.

And as if this was not enough for a young girl of seventeen, Alessandra has to deal with the violence and corruption that is steadily taking over her beloved city. Savonarola, a fundamentalist monk, is preaching to the people of Florence and polluting their minds with words of falsity and vulgarity. Soon, dead bodies are being found and the life Alessandra has been so accustomed to all her years is suddenly falling apart.

The story goes on and into so much more than I could ever try to describe in this review and of course, I also do not want to spoil anything for those whose minds I might have managed to convince of the beauty of this remarkable novel.

As for Alessandra herself, it is difficult not to read her life and not feel something for her. Personally, I found her journey to be short yet great with more love, death and resurrection than I could ever imagine for myself.