The Last Time I Saw Venice


Book Description

City of Love, City of Regret? For Annabel Hanson, Venice was a city of bittersweet memory. It was here that she'd fallen head over heels for Simon, the handsome surgeon who'd passionately swept into her life and made her his bride. It was here she'd learned to love…and to live. And it was here she'd returned to heal after the tragic death of their infant daughter and the breakup of their marriage. Determined to reignite the still-smoldering embers of their relationship, Simon Pacino boldly pursued his estranged wife to the city that had once brought them together—in the hope that despite what had gone on between them, the city could work its magic once more….




The Book of Venice


Book Description

An inspector rages against the announcement that police HQ is to relocate – the way so many of the city’s residents already have – to the mainland... An aspiring author struggles with the inexorable creep of rentalisation that has forced him to share his apartment, and life, with ‘global pilgrims’... An ageing painter rails against the liberties taken by tourists, but finds his anger undermined by his own childhood memories of the place... The Venice presented in these stories is a far cry from the ‘impossibly beautiful’, frozen-in-time city so familiar to the thousands who flock there every year – a city about which, Henry James once wrote, ‘there is nothing new to be said.’ Instead, they represent the other Venice, the one tourists rarely see: the real, everyday city that Venetians have to live and work in. Rather than a city in stasis, we see it at a crossroads, fighting to regain its radical, working-class soul, regretting the policies that have seen it turn slowly into a theme park, and taking the pandemic as an opportunity to rethink what kind of city it wants to be.




Venice Beach


Book Description

A photo documentary about the amazing but endangered culture of Venice Beach




Everything She's Ever Wanted


Book Description

MEMO TO SELF: SECOND CHANCES ARE FOR THOSE BRAVE ENOUGH TO SEIZE THEM. Since the betrayal that had upended her life, Breena Quinlan hid. Hid her feelings in the pages of a journal. Hid her body beneath baggy clothes. Hid in an out-of-the-way Oregon town. But Seth Tucker found the woman within. His every look, his merest touch told her that he wanted her. Everything about him, especially the way he tried so desperately to be a good dad to his daughter, screamed that he could be trusted. So Breena took the plunge and shared his address, then shared his bed. That had been easy. Sharing her secret required a leap of faith.




The Complete Works of William Dean Howells (Illustrated)


Book Description

The Complete Works of William Dean Howells (Illustrated) offers a comprehensive collection of the works of William Dean Howells, a prominent American realist author. Known for his depiction of ordinary American life, Howells' writing style is characterized by its detailed realism and insightful social commentary. This collection includes a variety of genres such as novels, short stories, plays, and essays, showcasing Howells' versatility as a writer. Readers can expect to be immersed in vivid narratives that capture the essence of 19th-century America. William Dean Howells, a close friend of Mark Twain and a leading figure in the realist literary movement, drew inspiration for his works from his experiences as a journalist and editor. His commitment to portraying the everyday struggles and joys of common people sets him apart as a notable voice in American literature. This collection is highly recommended for readers interested in exploring the complexities of American society and culture through the lens of a skilled observer. The Complete Works of William Dean Howells provides a unique perspective on the realities of American life during the late 19th century and continues to resonate with readers today.




The Complete Works of William Dean Howells


Book Description

The Complete Works of William Dean Howells is a comprehensive collection of writings by the prominent American author known for his realistic portrayals of American life in the late 19th century. Howells, a leading figure in the literary realism movement, expertly depicts the complexities of society and human relationships in his novels, short stories, and essays. His works are characterized by keen observations, detailed character studies, and subtle social commentary that reflect the changing cultural landscape of his time. Howells' writing style is marked by its precision, understated humor, and nuanced exploration of ethical dilemmas. The collection showcases the breadth and depth of his literary output, from his early realist novels to his later satirical works. Readers will appreciate Howells' ability to capture the essence of American society in a time of transition. William Dean Howells drew inspiration from his personal experiences as an editor, critic, and social commentator to craft his incisive literary works. His commitment to depicting the social realities of his era set him apart as a writer ahead of his time. The Complete Works of William Dean Howells is a must-read for those interested in American literary history, realism, and the human experience.







Liquid Desires


Book Description

Summer in Venice is brutal, and the heat is beginning to drive the people of this quiet city mad. A woman storms into the galleries at the Biennale art fair and slashes a painting with a knife. A young girl is found raped and murdered in her own bed. And a model named Flavia Brollo appears at the home of Urbino Macintyre’s closest friend, the Contessa da Capo-Zendrini, to declare that she is the noblewoman’s illegitimate daughter. It is an outrageous declaration, and it will mean the contessa’s doom. When Flavia is found floating in the canal, Macintyre dedicates himself to finding the person who murdered this poor, disturbed woman. His inquiries lead him back to the Biennale, where the art world’s most powerful figures congregate to buy, sell, and indulge their darkest desires. Before the fair is over, Macintyre will discover that even murder can be a work of art.




The Mammoth Book of Short Spy Novels


Book Description

Spanning more than 75 years of espionage writing in USA and the UK, here are gripping tales by classic writers in the field including W. Somerset Maugham, Ian Fleming, Leslie Charteris, and Erle Stanley Gardner. They are presented complete and unabridged. Among the now legendary fictional secret agents, counterspies and double agents featured are Somerset Maugham's enigmatic operative Ashenden; Ian Fleming's legendary 007; and Peter O'Donnell's Modesty Blaise, 'the female James Bond'. The stories include: The formula for a deadly warfare chemical propels secret agent Peter Baron on a mission through Italy - in Deep Sleep by Bruce Cassiday Agent 007 James Bond confronts military intrigue in the Caribbean - in Octopussy, by Ian Fleming International conspiracy, assassination, bombs, plot and counter-plot in Washington D.C. - in Dealers in Doom by William E. Barrett Someone is out to destroy the British Government, from the inside - in The Spoilers, by Michael Gilbert The CIA enlists a small-town policeman to track down a spy who will stop at nothing to preserve his identity - in The People of the Peacock, by Edward D. Hoch




Honoré de Balzac


Book Description