The Balcony

WINNER OF THE SUE KAUFMAN PRIZE FOR FIRST FICTION FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND LETTERS What if our homes could tell the stories of others who lived there before us? To those who have ventured past it over the years, this small estate in a village outside Paris has always seemed calm and poised. But should you open the gates and enter inside, you will find rooms which have become the silent witnesses to a century of human drama: from the young American au pair developing a crush on her brilliant employer to the ex-courtesan shocking the servants, and the Jewish couple in hiding from the Gestapo to the housewife who begins an affair while renovating her downstairs. The stories of those who have lived within the estate have been many and varied. But as the years unfold, their lives inevitably come to haunt the same spaces and intertwine, creating a rich tapestry of the relationships, life-altering choices, and fleeting moments which have kept the house alive through the last hundred years. . . 'Sweeping, suspenseful, rich with surprises and eerie atmosphere' Jennifer Egan

“Castrillón offers riotous sprouting life through soft forms, stylized shapes, and bright colors.” —Publishers Weekly “Elegant...A charmingly verdant tale in classic style.” —Kirkus Reviews “Lovely...delightful.” —School Library Journal From internationally acclaimed illustrator Melissa Castrillon comes a magical story of how a girl’s garden in her new home changes her life and the lives of people all around her. When a little girl moves from her home to an apartment in the city, she takes her pretty plants with her and one by one they grow and bloom and change both her world and the world all around her as she makes a new friend. When your heart is open, the world is full of possibilities.

The 1960s starlet, immortalized on the silver screen as Juliet, tells her story in this celebrity biography—with a forward by director Franco Zeffirelli. In 1968, sixteen-year-old Olivia Hussey became one of the most famous faces in the world, immortalized as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli's classic film Romeo & Juliet. For a simple girl from Buenos Aires, Argentina, the role was an opportunity of a lifetime. But for Olivia, the role of movie star wasn't so easy to play. In this candid memoir, Hussey tells her story from her time as an “It Girl” in swinging 60s London through her three tumultuous marriages—including one with Dean Martin's son, Dino. Over the years, she experienced motherhood, stage-four breast cancer, debilitating agoraphobia, bankruptcy, and ultimately, a journey of self-discovery in India that led her on a path to fulfillment. Hussey shares intimate memories of the legendary performers she knew, loved, worked with, and battled, including The Beatles, Vanessa Redgrave, Bette Davis, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli, Anthony Perkins, Christopher Reeve, Lawrence Olivier, Ingrid Bergman, and more. Olivia also opens up for the first time about the trauma of being raped by her boyfriend just a year after Romeo & Juliet came out.

Rock Star Romance with a Paranormal Twist. In this unforgettable tale of loss and redemption, Emma is at her wits end. Having just moved into her first apartment in the Hollywood Hills, the intimidating characters next door are more than she bargains for, especially since her balcony, the very reason she rents the place, is situated right next to theirs. Wanting to be left alone to wallow in self-pity, soul-destroyed rocker Wraith is at the end of his rope. The last thing he needs to deal with is his sexy new neighbor's undeniable presence, something that he and his notorious bandmates have gone without for way too long. When their annoying flirtations get out of control will Wraith finally find it within himself to step in or will he do nothing much like he's done with his life these last two years? Will he become the hero that Emma desperately needs or is there more to this situation than meets the eye? But the ebook today and find out!

The Balcony Boys duet is available in one volume for the first time. Situationship On paper, Tanner Beckwith has had a stellar existence. A musician in demand, he’s traveled the globe with famous pop stars and has performed for hundreds of thousands of people. But underneath his success lies a well of loneliness so deep he can’t imagine ever escaping the darkness he hides. When he is fired from a famous diva’s tour because of her handsy husband, he decides to head home, ending almost six years of non-stop performing. His beloved aunt takes him in, giving him a roof over his head and work to distract him from his inner turmoil. Then, he encounters the one man he’s ever loved, his former best friend who rejected him years ago. Griffin is the only man who has ever made him crazy, and now he is living next door, with a muscle-bound boyfriend by his side. Can Tanner get past his deeper feelings and resume the friendship he and Griffin once shared, or will his heart get broken again? Griffin Cartwright has fought for his emotional life from day one. Being brought up in an ultra-conservative religious family, he has had no choices other than the ones being laid out for him by a strict father who demands perfection from his only child. When his best friend in the world bares his soul about his feelings, he rejects him, afraid of the love he feels for Tanner, and of being rejected by his family. Years later, after coming to grips with his sexuality, he is confronted with his teenage crush, who once was his only friend in the world. Currently involved with another man, the most Griffin can hope for is Tanner’s forgiveness for ending their friendship years ago. But, seeing Tanner every single day is igniting emotions he’s long suppressed, and no longer wants to fight. Max No one has ever told Max that happiness is an option. Everyone that knows Max thinks he is a great guy. He takes care of his family, goes to church most Sundays, and puts the needs of everyone else above his own. Max has a group of friends who rely on him, and he’s always willing to pitch in when someone asks him for help. In fact, he structures his life to avoid thinking about himself at all. His family and friends are constantly badgering him to settle down. They point out that his siblings are all married, and some even have kids. But, whenever Max goes looking for love, his social awkwardness kicks in, so he reluctantly accepts the fact that he’s a confirmed bachelor. All that changes when he meets Jude, a shy biology teacher he finds crying on a rooftop, after he is dumped by his date at a party. They spend the rest of the evening together, and for the first time Max can recall, he feels optimistic about his future. Unfortunately, what he desires and what his family and friends want are two different things. On the surface, they pick on him for not finding a mate. But, when he finally does meet the man of his dreams, will they be willing to let Max experience true happiness for the first time in his life? At the corner of Robinson Street and Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia is an old apartment building filled with broken hearts and wistful dreams. Max is the second novel in the Balcony Boys duet that features an eccentric landlady and a cast of wonderful characters. Fans of Felice Stevens, Andrew Gray, and Parker Avrile will fall in love with this book.

Alvin has had it. He sees civilization crumbling around him and wants no part of it. The only place he feels safe is inside his Chicago high rise apartment, so that's where he stays until Karen moves in next door. She is a die hard optimist with a high pressure job and a relentless ex boyfriend who won't take no for an answer. Alvin and Karen meet on their adjoining balconies and form a friendship that sets their two worlds on a collision course.

If you’ve ever felt like you needed to change the world around you for the better but didn’t know where to start, then you’re not alone. Marcos H. N. Rossi spent much of his time following predefined rules that didn’t align with his true self. But he transformed his life in a way that helped him change the world for the better. In this guidebook to success, he shares reflections on how to accomplish personal and professional goals. You’ll find essays on topics such as the power of perseverance, tips on harnessing your passion, and instructions on how to take advantage of midlife opportunities. You’ll also discover strategies to align your behavior with your true self, tactics to improve personal relationships, and twenty calls to action to achieve your goals, including avoiding the extremes and seeking balance; doing good deeds and forgiving the ones around you, including yourself. Join Rossi as he shares how he faced everyday challenges and found a way to win by putting Flowers on the Balcony.

Discover how to make the most of your gardening plot, however confined, with Isabelle's creative and inspiring projects, including creating a cocktail window box from which you can make your own delicious fruity drinks, recycling containers such as wine and fruit crates, and creating a country garden in the smallest urban space. You can also turn your balcony, roof terrace or patio into an attractive space to dine and entertain with stylish lighting and furnishing ideas. With The Balcony Gardener's uniquely different gardening ideas and practical advice, a lack of space won't hold you back; you will soon transform your mini-patch into a fabulous green oasis.Isabelle Palmer is the founder of The Balcony Gardener (www.thebalconygardener.com) an online company specialising in product ranges for small urban outdoor spaces. Isabelle studied at Chelsea College of Art and Design and then embarked on a degree in Economics before working in PR. She's always been a keen gardener before she started her successful business.