Sunshine, warmth, lemon blossom . . . Springtime in glorious Southern Italy can go to your head. Especially if you are escaping an overbearing husband, the embarrassingly public loss of your company, an interfering mother who still tries to run your life or the pain of a husband's affair with a girl young enough to be his daughter. As the Italian sun ripens the lemons in the groves that tumble down the hillsides and the Mediterranean dazzles beneath them, assertive Angela, extrovert Sylvie, unconfident Claire and mousy Monica find burgeoning friendship and begin to blossom in quite unexpected ways. Packed with memorable characters – from the acid-tongued Grand Old Man of Modern Art who lives next door – to the aspiring gigolo who thinks nothing of a forty year age gap, Maeve Haran's An Italian Holiday is a witty and entertaining reminder of why going a little mad in the sun can sometimes be exactly what you need.

Shortlisted for the RNA's Joan Hessayon Award for New Writers Sun, sea and spaghetti... Italy was Bluebell's dream destination, but taking her granny's place on the Loving and Knitting magazine competition holiday she'd won wasn't quite what she'd had in mind. For one thing she didn't knit and for the other...well being single probably discounted her from the love category too. But a free holiday is a free holiday and it's the perfect escape from her lacklustre life. Michela didn't think she'd be returning home to the Amalfi Coast so soon but a new job at her cousin's restaurant on the harbour of Positano is a dream gig, miles away from the grey London clouds. This time though, she vowed not to fall into old habits, Stefano was the past and now a bright future beckons. But under the Italian skies a whole host of possibilities await and maybe happy-ever-after is just a plane ride away... *** Readers are loving The Italian Holiday! 'Loved this book - a charming tale set in Minori, on the beautiful Amalfi coast, a story of unlikely holiday companions, friendship and yes a touch of romance' FIVE STARS 'A sunny feel-good book, with a colourful description of the Amalfi coast that will have you reaching for your passport!' FIVE STARS 'This is a brilliant first novel, and I hope it will be the first of many' FIVE STARS 'A wonderfully crafted novel with twists and turns along the way. Definitely a five star book' FIVE STARS 'Thoroughly enjoyed this book, vivid descriptions and lovable characters!' FIVE STARS 'A lovely story of love, friendship and family. Victoria's debut novel and definitely worthy of five stars' FIVE STARS

Classic and contemporary Christmas stories by great writers from Boccaccio to Strega Prize winner Anna Maria Ortese to Nobel laureate Grazia Deledda. The third in the very popular Very Christmas series, this volume brings together the best Italian Christmas stories of all time in a vibrant collection featuring classic tales and contemporary works. With writing that dates from the Renaissance to the present day, from Boccaccio to Pirandello, as well as Anna Maria Ortese, Natalia Ginzburg, and Grazia Deledda, these literary gems are filled with ancient churches, trains whistling through the countryside, steaming tureens, plates piled high with pasta, High Mass, dashed hopes, golden crucifixes, flowing wine, shimmering gifts, and plenty of style. Like everything the Italians do, this is Christmas with its very own verve and flair, the perfect literary complement to a Buon Natale italiano. Includes stories by: Luigi Pirandello ·• Camillo Boito • Matilde Serao • Anna Maria Ortese • Andrea De Carlo • Grazia Deledda • Giovanni Verga • Giovanni Boccaccio • Natalia Ginzburg

Presents a collection of 150 recipes for Italian holiday cooking, covering every course from antipasti to dessert, and includes stories and lore of homeland and Italian American traditions and celebrations.

Learn to cook traditional Italian food for every holiday of the year with Rossella Rago and her Italian nonna in Cooking with Nonna: A Year of Italian Holidays. They’re back! Rossella Rago and her adorable Nonna Romana have returned with Cooking with Nonna: A Year of Italian Holidays, a traditional cookbook no Italian kitchen should be without. This Italian cookbook is a culinary treasury, jam-packed with over 125 classic holiday recipes for Italian-food lovers, including classic holiday recipes like Struffoli, Christmas Fish, Manicotti, Cannelloni, Cannoli Cheesecake, and more. With advice from nonnas all over the country, this unique book covers holiday classics from every region of Italy, from Milan to Sicily, and includes holiday memories from the nonnas themselves. The nonnas also give their personal tips on cooking for a crowd (and it's always a crowd). And, of course, no new Cooking with Nonna cookbook would be complete without Rossella's signature dishes and unique voice. Rosella and her nonnas will have you enjoying Italian culinary delights around the year. In addition to the major holidays of Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving, you will find recipes for New Year’s Eve and Day, the Epiphany, Little Easter, St. Joseph’s Day, Carnevale, All Souls Day, Valentine’s Day, Women’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Saint Rocco's Feast. To complete you year-round Italian tasting tour, recipes for weddings and other celebrations are included. Nothing brings family together like delicious food around the holidays, and Cooking with Nonna: A Year of Italian Holidays has everything you need to keep your family full and happy every holiday of the year. Bring the dishes and the memories you grew up with to a whole new generation of Italian Americans!

Escape to Italy and fall in love with this perfect summer read... Floundering junior travel writer Katie has just been given the opportunity of her career. Her boss can't make her trip to the idyllic but little-known Italian island of Ponza, and Katie must step into her luxurious designer shoes to write the piece for the magazine. Boarding the plane with her best friend Farrah, Katie waves goodbye to her unglamorous domestic trips and hello to a week of sun, sand and sparkling seas. But then disaster strikes. Farrah is involved in an accident and Katie must stay by her side for a month while she recovers. Katie is in panic-mode, trying to appease both her micro-managing boss and her passive-aggressive boyfriend back in New York, while an intriguing local chef, Nico, tries to show her all that the island has to offer. As she gets to know Nico and falls in love with the relaxed pace of the island, Katie begins to question her life back home and what she truly wants. But will she figure out what's truly important to her before it's too late? A glorious and uplifting escapist novel set against the stunning backdrop of the Italian coast. The perfect holiday read for fans of Rosanna Ley, Jo Thomas and Karen Swan

Struggling writer Keats McCall is Italy bound by Valentine’s Day – but it’s certainly not for amore. She needs to escape her mindless barista job, the four walls of the rented room closing in on her, and the memories of last year's disastrous break-up. Thank the Roman gods she can pack a bag and passport and run to her sister in Florence, Italy, in the hopes of getting her life back on track. Keats expected to spend her days meandering through the rain-soaked cobblestone streets of Florence. What she didn’t expect was Lorenzo, who smells of espresso, Italian history and self-assurance, to propel her on an unimaginable journey. From Florence to Venice, Keats basks in a luscious exploration of Italy and Lorenzo while she tries to figure out if the escapist mindset of an Italian Holiday can duct tape her life back together. This book has some strong language, drinking and sex. Enjoy!