Find love, friendship and prosecco – in the magical city of Venice Life is tough for Penny. A dead end job in a London café, a boyfriend in Australia (what could go wrong?) and an art career going nowhere. But then Penny is approached with an extraordinary proposition. It isn’t going to be easy but, if she can pull it off, she will turn her life around and at long last see the fulfilment of her dream – to visit Venice. And, just maybe, find true happiness with the handsome man of her dreams. But can dreams come true? An unputdownable feel-good story perfect for fans of Mandy Baggot, Holly Martin and Tilly Tennant. Praise for T. A. Williams ‘The characters in the story really make it exceptional ... Natalie is a brilliant protagonist ... and I absolutely adored her journey to self-discovery to find her new identity.’ BooksandBookends ‘Wow! This is contemporary romance at its best! The writing is exquisite... and the plot is brilliantly clever, captivating, and delightful with a little bit of drama, love, loss, and of course romance.’ WhatsBetterThanBooks ‘The characters are all brilliantly written, the storyline flows extremely well throughout, and I loved every bit of it.’ Fiona Wilson ‘T. A. Williams has that gorgeous way of writing a feel good story... he’s absolutely backed up that men can write chick-lit.’ Reviewed The Book

Who hasn't longed to escape to the enchanting canals and mysterious alleyways of Venice? Globetrotting writer Paula Weideger not only dreamed the dream, she took the leap. In Venetian Dreaming, she charts the course of her love affair with one of the world's most treasured cities. Weideger's search for a place to live eventually takes her to the Palazzo Donà dalle Rose, one of the rare Venetian palaces continuously inhabited by the family that built it. She weaves the past lives of the family Donà with her own adventures as she threads her way through the labyrinthine city. Art and architecture are a constant presence. Yet even more strongly felt is the passage of time, the panorama of the seasons as reflected in special events -- Carnival, the Film Festival, September's historic regatta, midnight mass at San Marco. We follow Weideger as she explores the Ghetto, the expatriate community, and the lives of locals from noblemen to boatmen. Along the way she encounters everyone from the ghost of Peggy Guggenheim to the Merchant Ivory crowd, and experiences some high drama with the Contessa, her landlady. The resulting memoir is a wry and illuminating, intelligent and tender account of the once grand heritage and now imperiled future of Venice.

Dreaming with Open Eyes examines visual symbolism in late seventeenth-century Italian opera, contextualizing the genre amid the broad ocularcentric debates emerging at the crossroads of the early modern period and the Enlightenment. Ayana O. Smith reevaluates significant aspects of the Arcadian reform aesthetic and establishes a historically informed method of opera criticism for modern scholars and interpreters. Unfolding in a narrative fashion, the text explores facets of the philosophical and literary background and concludes with close readings of text and music, using visual symbolism to create readings of gender and character in two operas: Alessandro Scarlatti's La Statira (Rome, 1690), and Carlo Francesco Pollarolo's La forza della virtù (Venice, 1693). Smith’s interdisciplinary approach enhances our modern perception of this rich and underexplored repertory, and will appeal to students and scholars not only of opera, but also of literature, philosophy, and visual and intellectual cultures.

Winner, IPPY Silver Award in Architecture Finalist, 2016 Foreword Indies Award in Architecture An intimate journey through the remarkable Venetian urban landscape, this book reveals the architectural features that contribute to the incredulity of the beautiful city from the mysterious sotoporteghi to the complexity of Carlo Scarpa's "immaculate detailing." Evocative photographs complement the personal reveries contributed by 36 notable international architects and architectural writers who have been inspired by the city and share in her wonder. Included are personal reflections from Tadao Ando, James Biber, Mario Botta, Michele De Lucchi, Massimiliano Fuksas, Robert McCarter, Richard Murphy, Witold Rybczynski, Annabelle Selldorf, and Thomas Woltz.

A dynamic exposition of the powerful, ancient Sephardic tradition of dreaming passed down from the renowned 13th-century kabbalist Isaac the Blind • Includes exercises and practices to access the dream state at will in order to engage with life in a state of enhanced awareness • Written by the close student of revered kabbalist Colette Aboulker-Muscat In Kabbalah and the Power of Dreaming Catherine Shainberg unveils the esoteric practices that allow us to unlock the dreaming mind's transformative and intuitive powers. These are the practices used by ancient prophets, seers, and sages to control dreams and visions. Shainberg draws upon the ancient Sephardic Kabbalah tradition, as well as illustrative stories and myths from around the Mediterranean, to teach readers how to harness the intuitive power of their dreaming. While the Hebrew Bible and our Western esoteric tradition give us ample evidence of dream teachings, rarely has the path to becoming a conscious dreamer been articulated. Shainberg shows that dreaming is not something that merely takes place while sleeping--we are dreaming at every moment. By teaching the conscious mind to be awake in our sleeping dreams and the dreaming mind to be manifest in daytime awareness, we are able to achieve revolutionary consciousness. Her inner-vision exercises initiate creative and transformative images that generate the pathways to self-realization.

Fresh pasta, red wine, fine art... and love? Find enchantment this year in the magical city of Florence When Debbie Waterson’s bicycle crashes into handsome doctor Pierluigi, she wonders if her luck has changed. Determinedly single after ending a long relationship, at last, a man worth bumping into! Inspired to visit Florence, she soon runs headlong into that old foe: reality. But is Pierluigi the man of her dreams? Then there’s her booze obsessed boss, his forbidding secretary and her noisy inconsiderate neighbours. But could her luck be about to change? Will she find love after all? Warm-hearted and unputdownable, Dreaming of Florence is the perfect escape for readers of Holly Martin, Tilly Tennant and Jenny Oliver. Praise for Dreaming of Florence 'Dreaming of Florence will be one of the reading highlights of 2018 for me... An engrossing, cozy and heart warming read... I wanted this book to never end ... It left me feeling relaxed, satisfied and with a smile on my face.' Consumer reviewer 'It’s fun, fresh and heart warming... Dreaming of Florence? I am now!' The Book Trail 'Such a beautiful read... You could taste the wonderful food, it was so vividly written.' Blue Yonder 'Just what I needed – a fantastic read that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish... be sensible and pre-order yourself a copy and get ready for a fun filled, heartwarming Italian adventure and romance.' Splashes into Books 'Why did this book have to end?... Dreaming of Florence is a fabulous book that I loved every last second of.' Rachel's Random Reads 'A really beautifully romantic and heartwarming novel. Another brilliant story by T.A. Williams.' Cosiest Corner 'A heartwarming tale of new beginnings in life and love.' Krafti Reader 'I definitely have a lighter step after indulging in the sights, sounds, scents and tastes of Italy and have no hesitation in recommending that you add this one to your collection!' Grace J Reviewer Lady

Enter the mystical realm of divination and enchantment with "The Witches' Dream Book and Fortune-Teller" by A.H. Noe, a fascinating guide to unlocking the secrets of the subconscious mind and exploring the realms of dreams and destiny. Prepare to be mesmerized by Noe's insightful interpretations and ancient wisdom as you embark on a journey of self-discovery and mystical exploration. In "The Witches' Dream Book and Fortune-Teller," A.H. Noe invites readers to delve into the mysteries of dream interpretation, fortune-telling, and spiritual guidance. Through a combination of ancient wisdom and modern insights, Noe offers readers a comprehensive guide to understanding the hidden meanings behind dreams, symbols, and omens. Explore the themes and motifs that permeate "The Witches' Dream Book and Fortune-Teller," from the power of intuition to the interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual worlds. Noe's exploration of these themes offers readers a deeper understanding of the forces that shape our lives and guide our destinies. Through insightful interpretations and practical advice, Noe helps readers unlock the secrets of their subconscious mind and tap into the wisdom of the collective unconscious. From deciphering dream symbols to interpreting tarot cards and astrology charts, each chapter offers valuable insights and techniques for self-discovery and personal growth. The overall tone and mood of "The Witches' Dream Book and Fortune-Teller" are as mystical and enchanting as the subject matter itself, blending moments of mystery with moments of insight and revelation. Noe's prose is both lyrical and evocative, inviting readers to explore the depths of their own consciousness and unlock the secrets of the universe. Since its publication, "The Witches' Dream Book and Fortune-Teller" has been hailed as a valuable resource for anyone interested in the mystical arts and the exploration of the subconscious mind. Noe's comprehensive guide offers readers a treasure trove of wisdom and insights that will inspire and empower them on their spiritual journey. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to the world of divination and mysticism, "The Witches' Dream Book and Fortune-Teller" promises to enrich your understanding of the hidden realms of the mind and spirit. Join A.H. Noe on a journey of discovery and unlock the secrets of your dreams and destiny. Don't miss your chance to explore the mysteries of "The Witches' Dream Book and Fortune-Teller" by A.H. Noe. Let its ancient wisdom and mystical insights guide you on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment.