At 81 years old, Evalina da Rosa, a very wealthy widow, decided to begin her life anew. She had survived a marriage of 60 years to a man whose moral code was non-existent. But her essential optimism had not faded, only dimmed. She was determined to find joy before she passed on to the next world and her methods were distinctly at odds with 1901 Lisbon society. She placed an ad in the city's largest newspaper requesting applicants for an open position - her husband. Shortly before the time that Evalina decided to embark on the scandalous scheme, the young Miguel Machado was departing his native island of Terceira for the big city of Lisbon in an effort to find the financial wherewithal to return to the Azore Islands to marry the beautiful but more well-to-do Maria Barcelos. The journey that brings these two very unique individuals into the same sphere raises themes of love, courage, intrigue, murder and a final redemption that touches each of their core beings and changes their lives forever.

Reports for 1926-1930 include notes on the financial situation in Angola and Mozambique; 1930-1934, on the Cape Verde Islands; 1932-1934, on Madeira; 1948- on Madeira and the Azores.

An elegant saga with storylines across eras and family generations, set with geographical precision in both modern and Roman Portugal. A heartwarming tale of love, tragedy, loss, success, friendships, mystery and love rediscovered for Paulo, the urbane successful architect of modern Portugal. Travel around the cities and towns, vineyards and Atlantic litoral landscapes of Portugal with Paulo and his friends and discover the magical history, culture, cuisine and enology of this both ancient and modern country. Marvel at the extraordinary and wonderfully complicated effect of Claudio Bracarri, a Lusitanian Celt of Roman times on Paulo’s life, an effect compounded by the rediscovery of ancient Roman artefacts and documents, once the property of Claudio and the Treasury of the ancient Roman city of Connimbraga. Written with an easy, comfortable classicism, the novel appeals to the sophisticated reader and traveller.