“Why mince words? Beautiful Ruins is an absolute masterpiece.” — Richard Russo The acclaimed, award-winning author of the national bestseller The Financial Lives of the Poets returns with his funniest, most romantic, and most purely enjoyable novel yet: the story of an almost-love affair that begins on the Italian coast in 1962 . . . and is rekindled in Hollywood fifty years later. The story begins in 1962. On a rocky patch of the sun-drenched Italian coastline, a young innkeeper, deep in daydreams, looks out over the waters of the Ligurian Sea and spies an apparition: a tall, thin woman, a vision in white, approaching him on a boat. She is an American starlet, he soon learns, and she is dying. And the story begins again today, half a world away, when an elderly Italian man shows up on a movie studio's back lot—searching for the mysterious woman he last saw at his hotel decades earlier. What unfolds is a dazzling roller coaster of a novel, spanning fifty years and nearly as many lives. From the lavish set of Cleopatra to the shabby revelry of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Walter introduces us to the tangled lives of a dozen unforgettable characters: the starstruck Italian innkeeper and his long-lost love; the heroically preserved producer who once brought them together and his idealistic young assistant; the army veteran turned fledgling novelist and the rakish Richard Burton himself, whose appetites set the whole story in motion—along with the husbands and wives, lovers and dreamers, superstars and losers, who populate their world in the decades that follow. Gloriously inventive, constantly surprising, Beautiful Ruins is a story of flawed yet fascinating people, navigating the rocky shores of their lives while clinging to their improbable dreams.
The No. 1 New York Times Bestseller Jess Walter's Beautiful Ruins is a gorgeous, glamorous novel set in 1960s Italy and a modern Hollywood studio. The story begins in 1962. Somewhere on a rocky patch of the sun-drenched Italian coastline a young innkeeper, chest-deep in daydreams, looks out over the incandescent waters of the Ligurian Sea and views an apparition: a beautiful woman, a vision in white, approaching him on a boat. She is an American starlet, he soon learns, and she is dying. And the story begins again today, half a world away in Hollywood, when an elderly Italian man shows up on a movie studio's back lot searching for the woman he last saw at his hotel fifty years before. Gloriously inventive, funny, tender and constantly surprising, Beautiful Ruins is a novel full of fabulous and yet very flawed people, all of them striving towards another sort of life, a future that is both delightful and yet, tantalizingly, seems just out of reach. 'Magic...A monument to crazy love with a deeply romantic heart' New York Times 'A novel shot in sparkly Technicolor' Booklist 'Hilarious and compelling' Esquire
Enjoy this steamy British billionaire romance novel from USA Today bestselling author Piper Lawson! “Marry me here. Now. In Vegas.” Trapped in a corner, my only way out was the ruthless billionaire who put me there. In the three years since, we’ve healed each other. We did things in the dark we’re not proud of, things that will forever be kept secret from the world. Those sins forged a bond as strong as the love that binds us together. King and Queen. Freedom and Salvation. Now, we have a chance at forever. And nothing—not a jewelry mystery, our friends’ hijinx, or The King himself—will steal it from us. BEAUTIFUL SALVATION is a Vegas wedding novella and should be read after BEAUTIFUL RUIN (Enemies #3). Don’t miss the steamy, delicious book readers are calling “the BEST POSSIBLE ending to Harrison and Rae’s story!” PRAISE FOR THE ENEMIES SERIES: ★★★★★ “Beautiful Enemy has the spice of romance and brute force of a cage fight. Drama. Suspense. Temptation. Lawson finds a place for each and every conflicting emotion and creates a combustible inferno.” -Isha, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “Captivatingly sexy and fresh. It consumed me.” -Beautiful Chaos Reviews ★★★★★ “Overflowing with drama and suspense. Rae and Harrison will take you on an emotional roller coaster.” -BP34, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “I am not usually a fan of the billionaire sweeps poor girl off her feet trope, but this book grabbed me by the heart strings and tugged hard. Leaves you breathless and wanting more.” -Amanda, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “Powerful and full of feels...my new obsession.” -Stital, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “WOW! My heart stuttered at the ending! Keeps you gripped.” -Suzanne, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “What an explosive couple...I cannot wait for more!!!” -Nicola, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “I love Piper’s musical world of Wicked, and this new saga is just as delicious.” -Michelle, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “Loud, gritty, hot and freaking amazing!!! Little Queen and her King will burn up your pages.” -Debbie, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “This book was amazing! I’m in love with Harrison and Rae.” -Kristen, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “I want a Harrison, pretty please with whipped cream and a cherry on top...I was completely blown away by this book.” -Shelly, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “Suspense, romance...Enemies to lovers at its best! Can’t wait to get my hands on the second installment. HIGHLY recommend.” -Anneli, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “I felt every touch, every emotion through Pipers writing. I absolutely LOVE books that just transport me away so clearly... Beautiful Enemy is one of those books. 5 outstanding, phenomenal Stars.” -Cat, Goodreads reviewer *** KEYWORDS: Alpha, Alpha billionaire, alpha male, billionaire, travel, billionaire romance, alpha male romance, strong heroine, Ibiza, EDM, holiday, beach romance, contemporary romance, enemies to lovers, forbidden love, age gap, British billionaire, interracial romance, series, romantic series, women’s fiction, romance saga, romance series, romance saga, romantic family saga, bestseller romance, sexy, family, love, love books, kissing books, emotional journey, captivating romance, emotional, healing, hot, hot romance, sparks, loyalty, swoon, funny romance, modern romance, new release, forbidden romance, hidden romance, strong alpha, alpha hero, family business, strong female lead, strong heroine, family secrets, top romance reads, best seller, New Adult, best seller, series, romance novels, love story, alpha, bully, angst. Readers also enjoyed books by: Carrie Ann Ryan, Corinne Michaels, Susan Stoker, Natasha Madison, Chelle Bliss, Christina Lauren, Colleen Hoover, Talia Hibbert, Helena Hunting, Elle Kennedy, Kristen Callihan, Melissa Foster, Bella Andre, Sarina Bowen, Vi Keeland, Winter Renshaw, Meghan March, Willow Winters, Carly Phillips, Erika Wilde, Kendall Ryan, Jillian Dodd, Melissa Foster, Nana Malone, Anna Todd, Lauren Blakely, Julia Kent, Siobhan Davis, Vivian Wood, JS Scott, LJ Shen, Louise Bay, TL Swan, Nicole Snow, MS Parker, Lucy Score, Ava Harrison, Parker S Huntington, Ivy Layne, Tia Louise and Ainsley St Claire.
She’s not mine, and I should stay away. But I won’t. I’m not sure she wants me to leave her alone. Sure, I’m a powerful and wealthy Dufort, but even after my damn brother (her boss) warned Leilani that my sexual appetite stretches to more than one lover - at the same time—her greedy lust-filled eyes still follow me. I’m convinced she’s far less innocent than everyone thinks. And I’m determined to find out. So when a bombshell drops in my lap, throwing an annoying existential crisis my way, Leilani becomes the outlet for my pain, my need, and my denial. I just never meant for it to ruin her. Or me. Beautiful Ruin is book nine and the final book in the steamy Dufort Dynasty series. It's part billionaire, part dark romance and will appeal to readers who like spicy books with a strong storyline and characters, witty dialogue, heart-clenching moments, and a delicious happy ever after. Each book can be read as a standalone. You will have noticed Jacob Dufort tends to enjoy multiple lovers. Hot damn! Please note this is not a reverse harem, although it will be spicy AF and end with a happy ever after for Jacob and Leilani. Keywords: billionaire, ceo, office, alpha strong heroine, vampire romance, soul mates, fated mates, instalove, romance novel, sexy book, sexy romance book, steamy romance novel, friends to lover, mature heroine romance, alpha hero reads, military romance, instant love, romcom, romantic suspense, office romance, holiday romance, New York romance, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, alpha hero, alphahole, alpha hole, rejected mates, adventure romance, action romance series, military, military heroes, spicy romance, forbidden lovers, billionaire romance, five star romance, hot reads, mistaken mate, possessive heroes, dominant heroes, page-turner romance, sexy uniform, author romance, writer, danger, secret lover, Hawaii romance, tropical romance, romantic love story, passionate romance, sexy villains, mafia, bad boy romance, MC romance, dark romance, billionaire, bad boy, love books, love stories, new adult, holiday, romantic novels, sexually romantic books, guaranteed HEA, no cliffhangers, happily ever after, bestseller, bestselling author If you love these authors, you’ll enjoy this series: Julia Kent, TL Swan, Sierra Rose, Meghan Quinn, Elizabeth O’Roark, Ava Gray, J.T. Geissinger, Ava Harrison, Melanie Harlow, Kat T. Masen, Eva Winners, Marni Mann, Ivy Smoak, Michelle Heard, Lucy Darling, Monica Murphy, Layla Hagen, Pippa Grant, Carly Flynn, K.Bromberg, Lucy Score, Raylin Marks, Lily Gold, Penelope Sky, Bella J, Claire Kingsley, Eva Winners, Colleen Hoover, Louise Bay, Lucy Score, Ana Huang, Sara Cate, Olivia Hayle, Max Monroe, Tia Louise, Laurelin Paige, Carrie Ann Ryan, Lisa Renee Jones, Skye Warren, Willow Winters, K. A. LINDE, Shayla Black, Piper Lawson, Cadence Keys, Lauren Blakely.
After making a deal with her mother, Ingrid finds herself on a hardcore, three-week wilderness trek with a group of "at risk youth". There must have been some mistake. But as the laborious days go by, memories come flooding back, and Ingrid begins to wonder if she belongs with these troubled teens more than she would like to admit.
"Twenty-eight-year-old Maggie Sparkes arrives in New York City to pack up what's left of her best friend's belongings after a suicide that has left everyone stunned...But when Maggie discovers secrets in the childhood lock box hidden in Celine's apartment, she begins asking questions. Questions about the man Celine fell in love with. The man she never told anyone about, not even Maggie...On the hunt for answers that will force the police to reopen the case, Maggie uncovers more than she bargained for about Celine's private life--and inadvertently puts herself on the radar of a killer who will stop at nothing to keep his crimes undiscovered"--Provided by publisher.
Once the manufacturing powerhouse of the nation, Detroit has become emblematic of failing cities everywhere—the paradigmatic city of ruins—and the epicenter of an explosive growth in images of urban decay. In Beautiful Terrible Ruins, art historian Dora Apel explores a wide array of these images, ranging from photography, advertising, and television, to documentaries, video games, and zombie and disaster films. Apel shows how Detroit has become pivotal to an expanding network of ruin imagery, imagery ultimately driven by a pervasive and growing cultural pessimism, a loss of faith in progress, and a deepening fear that worse times are coming. The images of Detroit’s decay speak to the overarching anxieties of our era: increasing poverty, declining wages and social services, inadequate health care, unemployment, homelessness, and ecological disaster—in short, the failure of capitalism. Apel reveals how, through the aesthetic distancing of representation, the haunted beauty and fascination of ruin imagery, embodied by Detroit’s abandoned downtown skyscrapers, empty urban spaces, decaying factories, and derelict neighborhoods help us to cope with our fears. But Apel warns that these images, while pleasurable, have little explanatory power, lulling us into seeing Detroit’s deterioration as either inevitable or the city’s own fault, and absolving the real agents of decline—corporate disinvestment and globalization. Beautiful Terrible Ruins helps us understand the ways that the pleasure and the horror of urban decay hold us in thrall.
Enjoy this steamy British billionaire romance novel from USA Today bestselling author Piper Lawson! She gave me the one thing I couldn’t take. Her heart. When the villains of our past threaten to destroy my pledge to Reagan, we have one narrow chance at saving our future. All the money and power in the world mean nothing without the woman I love. So I will fight to my last breath for her. For us. To glorious victory... Or beautiful ruin. BEAUTIFUL RUIN the thrilling conclusion of Harrison and Raegan's forbidden billionaire romance that begins in BEAUTIFUL ENEMY and continues in BEAUTIFUL SINS. From USA Today bestselling steamy romance author Piper Lawson! EDITORIAL REVIEWS: ★★★★★ “Beautiful Enemy has the spice of romance and brute force of a cage fight. Drama. Suspense. Temptation. Lawson finds a place for each and every conflicting emotion and creates a combustible inferno.” -Isha, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “Captivatingly sexy and fresh. It consumed me.” -Beautiful Chaos Reviews ★★★★★ “Overflowing with drama and suspense. Rae and Harrison will take you on an emotional roller coaster.” -BP34, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “I am not usually a fan of the billionaire sweeps poor girl off her feet trope, but this book grabbed me by the heart strings and tugged hard. Leaves you breathless and wanting more.” -Amanda, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “Powerful and full of feels...my new obsession.” -Stital, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “WOW! My heart stuttered at the ending! Keeps you gripped.” -Suzanne, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “What an explosive couple...I cannot wait for more!!!” -Nicola, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “I love Piper’s musical world of Wicked, and this new saga is just as delicious.” -Michelle, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “Loud, gritty, hot and freaking amazing!!! Little Queen and her King will burn up your pages.” -Debbie, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “This book was amazing! I’m in love with Harrison and Rae.” -Kristen, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “I want a Harrison, pretty please with whipped cream and a cherry on top...I was completely blown away by this book.” -Shelly, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “Suspense, romance...Enemies to lovers at its best! Can’t wait to get my hands on the second installment. HIGHLY recommend.” -Anneli, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ “I felt every touch, every emotion through Pipers writing. I absolutely LOVE books that just transport me away so clearly... Beautiful Enemy is one of those books. 5 outstanding, phenomenal Stars.” -Cat, Goodreads reviewer *** KEYWORDS: Alpha, Alpha billionaire, alpha male, billionaire, travel, billionaire romance, alpha male romance, strong heroine, Ibiza, EDM, holiday, beach romance, contemporary romance, enemies to lovers, forbidden love, age gap, British billionaire, interracial romance, series, romantic series, women’s fiction, romance saga, romance series, romance saga, romantic family saga, bestseller romance, sexy, family, love, love books, kissing books, emotional journey, captivating romance, emotional, healing, hot, hot romance, sparks, loyalty, swoon, funny romance, modern romance, new release, forbidden romance, hidden romance, strong alpha, alpha hero, family business, strong female lead, strong heroine, family secrets, top romance reads, best seller, New Adult, best seller, series, romance novels, love story, alpha, bully, angst. Readers also enjoyed books by: Carrie Ann Ryan, Corinne Michaels, Susan Stoker, Natasha Madison, Chelle Bliss, Christina Lauren, Colleen Hoover, Talia Hibbert, Helena Hunting, Elle Kennedy, Kristen Callihan, Melissa Foster, Bella Andre, Sarina Bowen, Vi Keeland, Winter Renshaw, Meghan March, Willow Winters, Carly Phillips, Erika Wilde, Kendall Ryan, Jillian Dodd, Melissa Foster, Nana Malone, Anna Todd, Lauren Blakely, Julia Kent, Siobhan Davis, Vivian Wood, JS Scott, LJ Shen, Louise Bay, TL Swan, Nicole Snow, MS Parker, Lucy Score, Ava Harrison, Parker S Huntington, Ivy Layne, Tia Louise and Ainsley St Claire.
In Ciesielski’s latest sweeping romance, an American heiress finds herself in Scotland amid the fallout of the Great War, and a wounded Scottish laird comes face-to-face with his past and a woman he never could have expected. American socialite Lily Durham is known for enjoying one moment to the next, with little regard for the consequences of her actions. But just as she is banished overseas to England as a “cure” for her frivolous ways, the Great War breaks out and wreaks havoc. She joins her cousin in nursing the wounded at a convalescent home deep in the wilds of Scotland at a crumbling castle where its laird is less than welcoming. Alec MacGregor has given his entire life to preserving his home of Kinclavoch Castle, but mounting debts force him to sell off his family history bit by bit. Labeled a coward for not joining his countrymen in the trenches due to an old injury, he opens his home to the Tommies to make recompense while he keeps to the shadows. But his preference for the shadows is shattered when a new American nurse comes streaming into the castle on a burst of light. Lily and Alec are thrown together when a series of mysterious events threatens to ruin the future of Kinclavoch. Can they put aside their differences to find the culprit before it’s too late, or will their greatest distraction be falling in love? Praise for Beauty Among Ruins “An atmospheric, engrossing romance for fans of Downton Abbey and Somewhere in France. A real gem!” —Aimie K. Runyan, internationally bestselling author “A satisfying and highly enjoyable read that I recommended for readers of historical fiction, mystery, and romance.” —Tea Cooper, author of The Woman in the Green Dress World War I historical romance Full-length stand-alone novel Book length: 113,000 words Includes discussion questions for book clubs
Grace Kendall knows what it’s like to have life knock you on your butt. She’s been through hell and made it back. She’s fine with trusting no one and expecting nothing until a night wind blows something quite unexpected onto her doorstep in the rain. The scruffy, yet gorgeous enigma known as Nathan Henley steps inside her apartment and brings with him all those feelings Grace has tried so hard to tuck safely away. Beneath his bruised and damaged exterior, she senses all the dark and beautiful secrets lost within the tarnished diamond of his lonely heart. She resists his mystery as long as she can, but she knows that any woman would gladly throw themselves against his rock hard chest and shatter helplessly into a million lustful pieces. When Grace finally decides to trust again, her ex-boyfriend Jack returns to her life with his crooked grin and the past comes crashing down. With the world spinning all around her, Grace must do more than trust, she must fight for the salvation of her own lonely heart. *New Adult, Contemporary Romance. Standalone. No Cliffhanger.* Books in the EVERLASTING SERIES (interconnected, stand-alone books): NATE (Prequel) BEAUTIFUL RUIN MAGNIFICENT RUIN JESSE'S GIRL SAVING GRACE Keywords: new adult, romantic suspense, bad boy, alpha male, friends to lovers, everlasting series, male model, romance suspense, steamy romance, contemporary, mob, mafia, secrets, Tomas Keller, Nate, urban, holidays, Christmas, Thanksgiving,
