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Italian Knights #5
A Life Sublime
Belinda Afriyie is only in the Neapolitan Riviera for the wedding of her best friend’s daughter, never mind the fact that she bullied her way into it, mostly out of guilt for not being the mother figure that she should have been. At the very least, she had to make sure that Gina Robinson did her Ghanaian duty in marrying Nick Da Canaveze, even if Belinda had to get on a plane, pay excess baggage and suffer the heat for it. There would be no time for sightseeing, lounging around infinity pools and definitely no time for flirting with anyone. Especially not The Big Man, who was as troublesome as his son. The twinkle in Massimo Da Canaveze’s eyes told her that he was more than just trouble. He was a huge, fat God-like sign of what was missing from her life. Of just how glorious life could be with someone like him in it... But a man like him would never give her a side glance. It was fine. The wedding celebrations would last all of four days and she’d be off home. No looking. No touching. No flirting. None of that was good for her or her ego.
Massimo Da Canaveze is not enjoying his status as widower. He’s lonely. Feeling that way had become a way of life and his son’s wedding at his 800 year old family villa would hopefully put that to a stop. He would be surrounded by people he loved. What he didn’t expect was the shrill voiced, authoritative, all commanding, arresting personality that was Belinda Afriyie to blaze through Italy in figure hugging, traditional African dresses and floaty kaftans that left little to the imagination. There hadn’t been an ample bosomed challenge like her to cross his path since his late wife. With a little music, a little sunshine, more than a bit of whiskey, he and Belinda were going to become very good friends.
Four Italian named puppet masters sit on the sideline of this play, throwing pizza pies to hit two half-centenarians in the eye. The Da Canaveze family is about to add to their growing number and no one is more shocked about it, than the puppets…
Massimo Da Canaveze is not enjoying his status as widower. He’s lonely. Feeling that way had become a way of life and his son’s wedding at his 800 year old family villa would hopefully put that to a stop. He would be surrounded by people he loved. What he didn’t expect was the shrill voiced, authoritative, all commanding, arresting personality that was Belinda Afriyie to blaze through Italy in figure hugging, traditional African dresses and floaty kaftans that left little to the imagination. There hadn’t been an ample bosomed challenge like her to cross his path since his late wife. With a little music, a little sunshine, more than a bit of whiskey, he and Belinda were going to become very good friends.
Four Italian named puppet masters sit on the sideline of this play, throwing pizza pies to hit two half-centenarians in the eye. The Da Canaveze family is about to add to their growing number and no one is more shocked about it, than the puppets…
420 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2013
29 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Billy London
34 books270 followersAh, poor Billy. The only girl between two boys who each have nearly a foot on her. Didn't stop her from starting physical fights with them. She still thinks she can take them. So while she used to hide away in her wardrobe to read a book or four, she started to question why the heroines in those books would just lie there and take it. No, not just sex, but downright James-Bond-backhand-slapping, do-as-you're-told-woman, inappropriate lie there and take it.
She couldn't understand it. These women were just playing that mental woman from Coming to America, Miss “Whatever You Like” who barked like a dog and hopped on one foot. Billy didn't want to do that. Definitely not because one empty-headed fool with different anatomy told her to. So she started to create characters and worlds where the women could own their sexuality, their intelligence, their right to turn around and say “jog on, mate” without apology.
The small problem was that other people wanted to read what she was had written. “Er...why?” didn't cut it as an answer. After years of prodding and pleading and come on and for goodness’ sake, what's the point otherwise, she closed her eyes and pressed “submit.” Actually, she had Prosecco, limencello and white wine, then pressed “submit.” Who would have thought people would actually enjoy reading about the crazy characters who live in her head? But they have done, and Billy feels rather proud of that connection with her fellow man.
Billy lives in London with the most patient family in the world and doesn't forget for a minute how lucky she is. Well, she wouldn't mind a BBC adaptation of one of her novels... Ooh, with Richard Armitage!
She couldn't understand it. These women were just playing that mental woman from Coming to America, Miss “Whatever You Like” who barked like a dog and hopped on one foot. Billy didn't want to do that. Definitely not because one empty-headed fool with different anatomy told her to. So she started to create characters and worlds where the women could own their sexuality, their intelligence, their right to turn around and say “jog on, mate” without apology.
The small problem was that other people wanted to read what she was had written. “Er...why?” didn't cut it as an answer. After years of prodding and pleading and come on and for goodness’ sake, what's the point otherwise, she closed her eyes and pressed “submit.” Actually, she had Prosecco, limencello and white wine, then pressed “submit.” Who would have thought people would actually enjoy reading about the crazy characters who live in her head? But they have done, and Billy feels rather proud of that connection with her fellow man.
Billy lives in London with the most patient family in the world and doesn't forget for a minute how lucky she is. Well, she wouldn't mind a BBC adaptation of one of her novels... Ooh, with Richard Armitage!
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 6, 2015
This last installment in The Italian Knights series may be my favorite one (and I loved them all). I dig this story extremely. In a discussion thread about this book, Belinda was described as loud and cantankerous, just an obnoxious shrew basically. But to me, this loud cantankerous woman was what made this story so funny.
Like I stated in that thread, it's because I kind of know her, this Belinda. I have aunties just like her (hell, even my Momma does remind me of her). And I think they are hilarious, with all their loudmouthed-ness and telling their nieces off and claiming they don't have no use for men in general. But then they all got married way late in their 50ties and to exactly the kind of men Massimo (Belinda's beau) is. Calm, collected and Alpha-ish when needed.
I even recommended this particular book to my aunties, telling them Belinda reminded me of them. They totally disagree of course that they resemble her in any way, but I soooo know better. Ha.
I liked A life sublime also because the couple was more mature. I crave older couple romances. (Hey I'm 45 and it's getting old always reading about all that young love, haha.)
So (interracial) romance authors out there: supply us with more mature couples! I will be forever indebted...
Like I stated in that thread, it's because I kind of know her, this Belinda. I have aunties just like her (hell, even my Momma does remind me of her). And I think they are hilarious, with all their loudmouthed-ness and telling their nieces off and claiming they don't have no use for men in general. But then they all got married way late in their 50ties and to exactly the kind of men Massimo (Belinda's beau) is. Calm, collected and Alpha-ish when needed.
I even recommended this particular book to my aunties, telling them Belinda reminded me of them. They totally disagree of course that they resemble her in any way, but I soooo know better. Ha.
I liked A life sublime also because the couple was more mature. I crave older couple romances. (Hey I'm 45 and it's getting old always reading about all that young love, haha.)
So (interracial) romance authors out there: supply us with more mature couples! I will be forever indebted...
September 22, 2015
Review to come
February 9, 2015
All I can say is that I absolutely love this amazing series! Billy London is a highly inventive writer of Interracial Romance fiction who by all rights, should have a larger audience, in addition to having her books opted for movies on the big or even the small screen.
With stories that are so well written, one cannot help but sit back, and smile, as if they've consumed a delicious 4 course meal.
Giving this one: 4.5 stars
With stories that are so well written, one cannot help but sit back, and smile, as if they've consumed a delicious 4 course meal.
Giving this one: 4.5 stars
September 13, 2014
Love this series!
It's so great to read about grown folks falling in love and getting busy in the sheets! The dialogue is laugh out loud hilarious and the love between the characters is sublime. Kudos to Me. London!
It's so great to read about grown folks falling in love and getting busy in the sheets! The dialogue is laugh out loud hilarious and the love between the characters is sublime. Kudos to Me. London!
September 20, 2018
Half centenarians need love too!
This was such a refreshing story to read about an older couple falling in love for a change. Belinda and Massimo were so cute together. Massimo used his O. G. charm on Belinda. Belinda was drawn to him the minute she saw him come out of his pool at his villa. She made all kinds of excuses to herself for the attraction. Her reason was that she was too old and the men of her past let her down, why would such a handsome distinguished gentleman like Massimo Da Canaveze want to have anything to do with her. Mass, on the other hand had busied himself over the past year removing everything that reminded him of his evil mentally demented deceased wife Mary Alice, from their home and his life. He was lonely and had not been in the company of a woman like Belinda in ages. She had a motherly affect on his boys and everyone else around her.. She was the voice of wisdom and strict Christian sensibility who demanded no nonsense respect from everyone. Massimo was determined to wear her sensibilities down to claim her for his own. He was ready to find true love again. His sons Nick and Paul, along with their wives Georgina and Sofia made an effort to make sure that Belinda would end up as their new mina (mother). Plus, they had a side bet that Mass, an old school player, would have Belinda naked in twenty four hours. She was just his kind of woman. Mrs. Belinda Afriyie had not touched a man since her divorce many many years ago. She resisted his efforts as best she could until she realized that she missed the comforts of a man in her bed. She feared that she was not good enough for her selfish husband, why would Mass want her. In an effort to be open, Massimo revealed everything about himself to her. Belinda was worth being patient for. Mass had treated Belinda with more care than any man ever had including those so called God fearing men who let her down. Didn't she deserve to be happy too? They were perfect for each other. They both knew what it was like to prop everyone else up and not have anyone to do the same for them. But Belinda would not be rushed, she needed time. Mass was ready to retire and give up wading in that moral sewage lifestyle he was in. He was ready to devote his life to being a husband, father and grandfather only. He was ready for his Bella!
I think this was the best of all of Billy London's Italian Knights series. This older couple, over coming the blockades in their personal lives to find love again in the sunset years of their lives was just beautiful. Nick and Paul were just as much in need of a mother figures's love and wisdom as much as Belinda needed them to fill the emptiness of her childless womb. Belinda had the heart big enough to love all of her adoptive grown children, including the one who tried to take her new husband away. I loved reading this story.
This was such a refreshing story to read about an older couple falling in love for a change. Belinda and Massimo were so cute together. Massimo used his O. G. charm on Belinda. Belinda was drawn to him the minute she saw him come out of his pool at his villa. She made all kinds of excuses to herself for the attraction. Her reason was that she was too old and the men of her past let her down, why would such a handsome distinguished gentleman like Massimo Da Canaveze want to have anything to do with her. Mass, on the other hand had busied himself over the past year removing everything that reminded him of his evil mentally demented deceased wife Mary Alice, from their home and his life. He was lonely and had not been in the company of a woman like Belinda in ages. She had a motherly affect on his boys and everyone else around her.. She was the voice of wisdom and strict Christian sensibility who demanded no nonsense respect from everyone. Massimo was determined to wear her sensibilities down to claim her for his own. He was ready to find true love again. His sons Nick and Paul, along with their wives Georgina and Sofia made an effort to make sure that Belinda would end up as their new mina (mother). Plus, they had a side bet that Mass, an old school player, would have Belinda naked in twenty four hours. She was just his kind of woman. Mrs. Belinda Afriyie had not touched a man since her divorce many many years ago. She resisted his efforts as best she could until she realized that she missed the comforts of a man in her bed. She feared that she was not good enough for her selfish husband, why would Mass want her. In an effort to be open, Massimo revealed everything about himself to her. Belinda was worth being patient for. Mass had treated Belinda with more care than any man ever had including those so called God fearing men who let her down. Didn't she deserve to be happy too? They were perfect for each other. They both knew what it was like to prop everyone else up and not have anyone to do the same for them. But Belinda would not be rushed, she needed time. Mass was ready to retire and give up wading in that moral sewage lifestyle he was in. He was ready to devote his life to being a husband, father and grandfather only. He was ready for his Bella!
I think this was the best of all of Billy London's Italian Knights series. This older couple, over coming the blockades in their personal lives to find love again in the sunset years of their lives was just beautiful. Nick and Paul were just as much in need of a mother figures's love and wisdom as much as Belinda needed them to fill the emptiness of her childless womb. Belinda had the heart big enough to love all of her adoptive grown children, including the one who tried to take her new husband away. I loved reading this story.
October 6, 2015
A Life Sublime reminded me of those old school family saga books I used to read when I was younger before I discovered Harlequins. They where the only way I could get my hands on anything featuring people of color. I loved the fact those stories followed families not just one character. In A Life Sublime the heroine is the no nonsense Belinda, she is not planning on kicking her feet up in Italy she is there to see her Gina married “right”.
Well she did not count on hot Massimo, the head of the family. He is man enough to handle her strident ways and can see through her bluster.
One thing I can tell you, you are either going to love Belinda or hate her, she is written very tight laced. Think of that teacher you had when you where little who was always pointing out your mistakes or that Aunt that thinks she knows everything and loves to correct you in front of others. Well that is Belinda, lol.
It was great seeing someone like her melt. Massimo was the perfect guy for her, he was man enough to not have to prove himself to his strong woman, he found it cute and amusing. There where a few times when I thought Belinda was a bit too much but when you know her backstory and the fact she is just a woman protecting herself you get it. If she did not have the backstory she did or she was just a B*%CH trying to get a promotion or something then I would not have liked her at all.
3.5 but closer to 4 than 3
Well she did not count on hot Massimo, the head of the family. He is man enough to handle her strident ways and can see through her bluster.
One thing I can tell you, you are either going to love Belinda or hate her, she is written very tight laced. Think of that teacher you had when you where little who was always pointing out your mistakes or that Aunt that thinks she knows everything and loves to correct you in front of others. Well that is Belinda, lol.
It was great seeing someone like her melt. Massimo was the perfect guy for her, he was man enough to not have to prove himself to his strong woman, he found it cute and amusing. There where a few times when I thought Belinda was a bit too much but when you know her backstory and the fact she is just a woman protecting herself you get it. If she did not have the backstory she did or she was just a B*%CH trying to get a promotion or something then I would not have liked her at all.
3.5 but closer to 4 than 3
November 16, 2016
This is an interracial love story that had a refreshing and inspiring take of true love that hit two people who'd long since given up at finding each other's soulmate. Since this Massimo and Belinda's story, I was entertained by the writer's take on religion, culture, and the concept of family being centered on love rather than blood. A fan of the Italian Knights series since Nick and Gina in the first novel, I found myself admiring the author for making me a fan of Sofia's no-nonsense take on life. Kudos to Billy London for this nice wrap up to this series that caught my interest ever since "Windows"---and the parting banter between the younger set and Durante had me chuckling 'til the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2019
Massimo and Belinda
This was my second read of this story. Belinda has to be convinced that she can take a chance on loving Massimo. But once she does she goes whole hog. Massimo steps down and Nick leads the family. Nick and Paul accept Belinda as their stepmom before the actual wedding when she helps them desk with the feelings toward Mary Alice, the mom from hell.
This was my second read of this story. Belinda has to be convinced that she can take a chance on loving Massimo. But once she does she goes whole hog. Massimo steps down and Nick leads the family. Nick and Paul accept Belinda as their stepmom before the actual wedding when she helps them desk with the feelings toward Mary Alice, the mom from hell.
October 1, 2014
Romance for the mature
Belinda was content with her lot in life. A job, home and a niece she loved made her life complete. Then along comes Massimo Davis Canaveze, turning her orderly life upside down.
Belinda was content with her lot in life. A job, home and a niece she loved made her life complete. Then along comes Massimo Davis Canaveze, turning her orderly life upside down.
April 16, 2015
Great fast read
Nice to have a story for Massimo and Belinda. Very rare to find a story featuring the 50+ crowd. The two central characters were a little one note (especial Belinda ) but the supporting who were in previous books helped propel the story along and make up for lack
Nice to have a story for Massimo and Belinda. Very rare to find a story featuring the 50+ crowd. The two central characters were a little one note (especial Belinda ) but the supporting who were in previous books helped propel the story along and make up for lack
May 7, 2016
That was a great read
The book was absolutely funny. The characters were great, I haven't laughed so much in a while! It was wonderful. I am heading to read the next book in the series!
The book was absolutely funny. The characters were great, I haven't laughed so much in a while! It was wonderful. I am heading to read the next book in the series!
April 10, 2015
I LOVED this book. A great romance filled with funny moments. Just a light read that is quick to get through and very fulfilling.
February 20, 2021
I can't say enough of this author. This is a good read. You shouldn't be disappointed.
January 3, 2015
This book is excellent. I love that this book was a more mature group of people. Two older people who have been hurt in the past & letting go & learning to love again.
September 18, 2014
loved it!!!
June 13, 2015
I loved this book! Everyone deserves to find their soul mate. Age is nothing but a number.
August 20, 2015
I liked the older characters. Funny.
November 8, 2021
Billy London!
Amazing writer. Scenarios are lovely, the sex is 💣, the romance is swoon-worthy. I had to stop midway through Book 3 to pop forward and read Belinda and Massimo‘s story. I laughed soooo hard. Just a sweet, sweet lovestory. Loved that it was an older couple. Loved that it was a woman of faith. Loved it. But Billy‘s ability to draw us into her world, is absolutely brilliant. That is all.
PS- I know some people are offended by Belinda‘s way of talking, but honestly, almost every person of African descent has at least one strict Auntie who does not play. It is important to remember that these „rude“ comments are a part of a culture and coming from a place of love.
Amazing writer. Scenarios are lovely, the sex is 💣, the romance is swoon-worthy. I had to stop midway through Book 3 to pop forward and read Belinda and Massimo‘s story. I laughed soooo hard. Just a sweet, sweet lovestory. Loved that it was an older couple. Loved that it was a woman of faith. Loved it. But Billy‘s ability to draw us into her world, is absolutely brilliant. That is all.
PS- I know some people are offended by Belinda‘s way of talking, but honestly, almost every person of African descent has at least one strict Auntie who does not play. It is important to remember that these „rude“ comments are a part of a culture and coming from a place of love.
December 9, 2022
DNF at 29%
Every single paragraph and page was a pure struggle. I don’t know what happened here. But this is the stiffest prose, the most caricatured characters, the most outrageous wealth, the thinnest story, the most ridiculous head hopping, and the most unlikely romance. And that’s before we even get to the stilted, courtly prose.
What on earth was Billy doing here? Because it’s not writing for sure. Anyway, thus ends my little marathon. It was distracting while it lasted, if not redundant and unrealistic even for mafia romance fiction.
Every single paragraph and page was a pure struggle. I don’t know what happened here. But this is the stiffest prose, the most caricatured characters, the most outrageous wealth, the thinnest story, the most ridiculous head hopping, and the most unlikely romance. And that’s before we even get to the stilted, courtly prose.
What on earth was Billy doing here? Because it’s not writing for sure. Anyway, thus ends my little marathon. It was distracting while it lasted, if not redundant and unrealistic even for mafia romance fiction.
December 19, 2013
I really liked this one but my favorite in the series still remains the same. "Windows" is my ish!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews