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Entrainment Series #1
Among the Cloud Dwellers
Love moves us and nurtures our souls, fills our spirits and conquers all. But, in the meantime, one must also eat, and why not? Drink. So why not do it all in the name of living a life worth savoring. Why not escape and wander the daily grind in steaming cup of perfectly brewed Italian espresso. Why not kick back and relax and give a shot at stirring a bubbly risotto with a splash of champagne? Uncork bottled feelings. Let’s pour our soul into a magic journey across the world and the realms of mystical secrets. Life it’s a journey let’s paint it with passion.
464 pages, Paperback
First published March 14, 2014
About the author
Giuliana Sica
7 books22 followersGiuliana was born in Siena, Italy. At the age of 4 her father gave her a box of markers. She immediately began to doodle stories on the house walls, after a few weeks of repainting they finally gave her paper as well. She has not stopped writing since. She calls home Whidbey Island where she settled in 2001 after globetrotting teaching Italian in exotic places as far as Japan.
She holds a Classic Italian Literature and Philosophy degree with a minor in English still laced with a Chianti-infused accent. She speaks fluent Spanish, has forgotten most of her French and holds tightly to her Japanese, mostly by eating sushi every chance she gets.
She shares a yellow cottage on the island with her husband, an unstoppable toddler, 3 cats, a vegetable garden and a fig tree named Federico.
Every residual free minute of her life is spent working on Book Two and catching up on much-needed sleep.
She holds a Classic Italian Literature and Philosophy degree with a minor in English still laced with a Chianti-infused accent. She speaks fluent Spanish, has forgotten most of her French and holds tightly to her Japanese, mostly by eating sushi every chance she gets.
She shares a yellow cottage on the island with her husband, an unstoppable toddler, 3 cats, a vegetable garden and a fig tree named Federico.
Every residual free minute of her life is spent working on Book Two and catching up on much-needed sleep.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 17, 2013
It takes a rare and mysterious novel to speak to our souls in so many ways that we return to the book again and again for refreshment and renewal. Giuliana Sica created that kind of spellbinding literary magic in Among The Cloud Dwellers. The best novels open us up to all the wild possibilities that have remained dormant in our psyche and soul. Among The Cloud Dwellers flowing prose will lure you into its warm embrace if you have experienced a deep sense of loss in your life that will not let you go. Its message will appeal to your yearning for a close encounter with life as it should be lived. It will enchant that secret part of you that loves to rekindle the Sacred. And it will speak most forcefully to those who love Chagall's Lovers in the Red Sky and don't know why. I highly recommend this book and all the food and wines it contains.
November 29, 2018
I don't usually leave reviews. I should, I know. Perhaps this novel will get me started. I love when I find a book that I simply cannot put down. A book that I can’t stop thinking about long after I’ve read the last sentence. The depth and character develop is a talent few authors possess. A must read! I loved the descriptions, the food, and the magic aspect was spellbinding. I am generally not used to explicit sex scenes, but this author did it with excellent taste. It all fit very well.
March 21, 2013
This is quite simply a magical story. Giuliana Sica makes Among The Cloud Dwellers seems so authentic that I was carried right into the story. Once I had started reading I couldn't put the book down, so compelling is the plot. It wraps love, happiness, fear, suspense and death up into one bundle and can be deeply profound in places. I found myself crying time and again, sometimes with sadness, sometimes with joy, suffering and picking myself up along with Porzia. I loved how she candidly exhibits human flaws.
The descriptive writing allows the reader to be completely drawn in and to feel part of the setting whether that be a small vineyard in Australia, a southern cafe in Louisiana, a drizzly afternoon in Oregon. What struck me was really how beautifully written the novel is and the way it seamlessly combines wit, magical realism, drama, delicious recipes I can hardly wait to try, and still manages to get its magical message across and entertain the reader. Highly recommended.
The descriptive writing allows the reader to be completely drawn in and to feel part of the setting whether that be a small vineyard in Australia, a southern cafe in Louisiana, a drizzly afternoon in Oregon. What struck me was really how beautifully written the novel is and the way it seamlessly combines wit, magical realism, drama, delicious recipes I can hardly wait to try, and still manages to get its magical message across and entertain the reader. Highly recommended.
July 15, 2014
Life is not about surviving. Life is not only about work. This novel reminded me why I love books so much. Why I choose to make books my career. The writing is spellbinding. I turned each page with the same wonderment Alice explored Wonderland. It's definitely not a main stream romance. I can see how it could appeal to a certain reader while others would feel overwhelmed. As a matter of fact I wouldn't know where to shelve it in my store. Magical realism, yes, definitely. It was a finalist in 2012 for New Age Best USA Book Award. Romance, of course, there is a passionate love story. But this novels is so much more. It spins a web of envy,( I want her job, her cat, her friends and her vulnerability) desire,(definitely fiction; I fly a lot and never met a Gabe Miller) grief and spiritual quest. I could not put it down. It's an escape. A much needed escape from the daily grind. Loved the cooking and wine suggestions as well.
March 5, 2015
Thank you Lisa for recommending Among the Cloud Dwellers to me.
Magical realism combined with heated passion and cooking turns out to be an incredibly evocative combination.As a reader I felt swept away to a mystical place where you believe true love exists.This is a beautifully written story that makes you want to fight for what's meant to be. It should be picked up and re-read every few years just to remember how beautiful language and one's imagination can be.The ending left me breathless and looking forward to the sequel.
Magical realism combined with heated passion and cooking turns out to be an incredibly evocative combination.As a reader I felt swept away to a mystical place where you believe true love exists.This is a beautifully written story that makes you want to fight for what's meant to be. It should be picked up and re-read every few years just to remember how beautiful language and one's imagination can be.The ending left me breathless and looking forward to the sequel.
January 27, 2014
I have received this book as a Christmas gift from a dear friend who apparently knows me well. I am not one to write reviews, but I had to speak up for this gem. The magic begins with the cover and continues on until the very end. This novel allows us readers to expands the margins of our lives. The style is vivid, descriptive and brilliant. As an ESL reader I appreciated every nuance, understood every vibrating emotion and applaud the author for her skills. Well developed characters, good rhythm in the writing and lots to savor. As I turned the pages I felt hungry, thirsty, enchanted, envious and aroused. Can't wait for the sequel. In the meantime I will investigate the powers of bubbly champagnes!
July 19, 2013
I love good food and wine, and I love a good romance/erotica story and when all of it is combined with some magic and mystique then I can easily loose myself in the book.
Thats exactly what happened with Among the Cloud Dwellers by Giuliana Sica. I read it and I lived it. All the food and wine part reminded me the Aussie series My Kitchen Rules. All the romance and magic just enfolded me so secretly and so tightly that it will take me some time to get over this book, to be able to think about the ending and not start to cry.
It is a wonderful, magical, strong, emotional, inspirational, overwhelming and sweet story that will sneaks into your soul and will not let you go.
It should be first book of the series. I do not know will the next book be also about Porzia or not. If it is about her, I'm not sure my heart would survive if the second book will be similar to first, so on a way I would be scared to read the next book but at the same time I would want to read the next book since I would love to know what comes next.
Anyway, a wonderful wonderful book!!!
Thats exactly what happened with Among the Cloud Dwellers by Giuliana Sica. I read it and I lived it. All the food and wine part reminded me the Aussie series My Kitchen Rules. All the romance and magic just enfolded me so secretly and so tightly that it will take me some time to get over this book, to be able to think about the ending and not start to cry.
It is a wonderful, magical, strong, emotional, inspirational, overwhelming and sweet story that will sneaks into your soul and will not let you go.
It should be first book of the series. I do not know will the next book be also about Porzia or not. If it is about her, I'm not sure my heart would survive if the second book will be similar to first, so on a way I would be scared to read the next book but at the same time I would want to read the next book since I would love to know what comes next.
Anyway, a wonderful wonderful book!!!
April 4, 2013
The whimsical element of Sica's writing is the most charming, bewitching aspect of her novel Among The Cloud Dwellers. It's a story that encompasses strong characters and a plot thick with the every day emotion -- love, friendship, self doubt and heartbreak. What makes it unique is the way the story is told. Magical realism, though (I have learned)"... uses magical elements as real occurrences, presented in a straightforward manner that places the 'real' and the 'fantastic' in the same stream of thought."
I don't know if this is universally true for the entire genre, but what appealed to me in Among The Cloud Dwellers was the imagery of magic. Yep, that's what this book did. It's almost hard to notice as you're reading along. Everything seems normal, but then something pops into a sentence that makes you reread it and you realize the author is presenting and accepting the idea of magic as if it's a natural occurrence. It's bursting with vividness and magical lore and I guess, simply put, it is the essence of a modern day fairytale.
Thumbs up! Highly recommended!
I don't know if this is universally true for the entire genre, but what appealed to me in Among The Cloud Dwellers was the imagery of magic. Yep, that's what this book did. It's almost hard to notice as you're reading along. Everything seems normal, but then something pops into a sentence that makes you reread it and you realize the author is presenting and accepting the idea of magic as if it's a natural occurrence. It's bursting with vividness and magical lore and I guess, simply put, it is the essence of a modern day fairytale.
Thumbs up! Highly recommended!
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May 23, 2014Ms Sica's book took hold of me in a way that few others have. It is the kind of book you will enjoy just for the love story, but it will also leave you thinking about the deeper mysteries of life. I've read it twice and plan to go back for more. I am not an avid reader of romance novels. But this is so much more than a romance. If you are a romance fan, I'm sure you will find that the novel more than delivers. The love story is captivating and erotic. It reminded me of The Bridges of Madison County. The characters are swept up suddenly in a overwhelming passion that leads them to a deeper consideration of the meaning of their lives and destinies. It is also filled with information about food and wine. Best of all for me, it is deeply spiritual and contemplative, drawing on sources from various religious traditions and myths. A rare find.
August 25, 2018
I really love this book, it had that trippy mystical quest feeling set in modern/normal times. Incredibly sad, but not in the way I would have expected (I couldn't help skipping to the end about 200 pages in-shame on me). It's sad in a very accepting, things are for the best kind of way. I will be looking forward to or looking for the next in the series definitely.
March 16, 2015
Among the Cloud Dwellers by Guiliana Sica
A review
Having read the cover summary and studied the reviews already written about it, I began ‘Among the Cloud Dwellers’ by Guiliana Sica with high expectations and great anticipation.
Her descriptive prose is without doubt beautiful; with great attention to details Giuliana Sica strings her words together to create astonishingly vivid scenes and very believable characters and relationships.
As the reader follows the main character Porzia around the world in her regular employment of wine tasting, gourmet foods and colourful locals, the dialogue flows easily.
Central to the story however is the very powerful love that grows between Porzia and Gabe, the man she meets on the plane early in the book. Guiliana Sica writes with great emotional depth as the relationship intensifies and I found myself completely absorbed by the strength of their feelings for each other.
The mystical element promised by the book’s summary however, did not deliver what I had expected, but was largely overshadowed by Gabe and Porzia’s love affair.
The magnitude of the scene in which Porzia receives her unusual powers at her Grandmother’s deathbed did not make an impact on me and as a result, the later infrequent references to unusual mystical occurrences did not either. Perhaps this is an area that will be developed in later books within the series.
In summary therefore, ‘Among The Cloud Dweller’s’ was an enjoyable read, but did not quite delivery what I had expected of it.
As a result I give this book 3 and half stars out of five.
A review
Having read the cover summary and studied the reviews already written about it, I began ‘Among the Cloud Dwellers’ by Guiliana Sica with high expectations and great anticipation.
Her descriptive prose is without doubt beautiful; with great attention to details Giuliana Sica strings her words together to create astonishingly vivid scenes and very believable characters and relationships.
As the reader follows the main character Porzia around the world in her regular employment of wine tasting, gourmet foods and colourful locals, the dialogue flows easily.
Central to the story however is the very powerful love that grows between Porzia and Gabe, the man she meets on the plane early in the book. Guiliana Sica writes with great emotional depth as the relationship intensifies and I found myself completely absorbed by the strength of their feelings for each other.
The mystical element promised by the book’s summary however, did not deliver what I had expected, but was largely overshadowed by Gabe and Porzia’s love affair.
The magnitude of the scene in which Porzia receives her unusual powers at her Grandmother’s deathbed did not make an impact on me and as a result, the later infrequent references to unusual mystical occurrences did not either. Perhaps this is an area that will be developed in later books within the series.
In summary therefore, ‘Among The Cloud Dweller’s’ was an enjoyable read, but did not quite delivery what I had expected of it.
As a result I give this book 3 and half stars out of five.
January 18, 2016
First of all, it's amazing to be able to say that I've had the chance to read a book in its manuscript form, before it's gone to final printing and publication. This is listed as one of the upcoming titles with Gemelli Press, a self-described "small, boutique press." This is one helluva story-- it resonates with a magic and mysticism that isn't normally a feature of books that I opt to read, but even as the mystical parts confused my realism-craving reader's soul, I still found myself pulled in. Sica clearly has a grip on sensual writing- from the tastes and smells described in deep detail to the tantalizing and passionate scenes of love, this is a most definitely a novel that employs one's imagination along with all the senses. It calls for a suspension of disbelief, as well as perhaps a small inclination to entertain the previously unbelievable, in order to fully experience the ride.
*Re-read final copy on 06/11/12
*Re-read final copy on 06/11/12
January 11, 2014
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the Publisher.
I am giving up and abandoning this book at 29%. In all fairness, if I had looked more closely at the category, and noticed that it was listed primarily in Romance, and secondarily in Women's Fiction, I probably would not have requested it. I have several friends who LOVE Romance books, and I think they would probably enjoy this one, it's just not for me.
I was drawn in by the write up that promised food and recipes, magic, and travel. I'm not very good natured about flowery and overblown phrases, or far-reaching similes. "Silence fell over the kitchen like a discarded cape." Or detailed love scenes, outlining all the body parts that were touched, culminating in "her throbbing, hidden button." At 29%, I've found no recipes, only a few past-life flashbacks, and now realize it's the first in a series. I have to give up.
I am giving up and abandoning this book at 29%. In all fairness, if I had looked more closely at the category, and noticed that it was listed primarily in Romance, and secondarily in Women's Fiction, I probably would not have requested it. I have several friends who LOVE Romance books, and I think they would probably enjoy this one, it's just not for me.
I was drawn in by the write up that promised food and recipes, magic, and travel. I'm not very good natured about flowery and overblown phrases, or far-reaching similes. "Silence fell over the kitchen like a discarded cape." Or detailed love scenes, outlining all the body parts that were touched, culminating in "her throbbing, hidden button." At 29%, I've found no recipes, only a few past-life flashbacks, and now realize it's the first in a series. I have to give up.
February 7, 2017
I received a free copy of this book.
The book's main character, Porzia Amard, is a freelance writer for gourmet magazines writing about wine and recipes she discovers on her travels. She's introduced to a new world of magic when her grandmother dies and starts having a look at her past lives. While she travels to get to know a new wine in Australia she meets Gabe and this changes her live a lot.
I can't exactly say what I expected of the book when I first started reading it. I guess I was hooked by the description. Magic, travel and food topics sound pretty good to me. Unfortunately I learned quite quickly that this book is foremost a romance.
And in my opinion, it's not really a good one. Usually, I'm all for romantic books but this time I couldn't share any connection with their relationship. I pretty much gave up once they met on a plane and instantly are in love. Whenever I hoped the book would turn to the more interesting parts of traveling I was disappointed because it was at most a short interlude.
The bits and pieces in between were actually quite good and made me gave 2 stars in the end.
In my opinion, the book dragged on way too long and while the author tried to show their relationship I just wanted to finish the book. I'm not a big fan of abandoning a book but I came very close with this one.
In the end, it just was not my kind of book. Maybe if you pay more attention towards romance than I do you'll love it. I'm also not great with the whole "finding-a-true-soul-mate"-stuff and it pains me if a woman seriously considers giving up her career and move somewhere for a man she hardly knows.
I guess I just wasn't the right audience for the book.
The book's main character, Porzia Amard, is a freelance writer for gourmet magazines writing about wine and recipes she discovers on her travels. She's introduced to a new world of magic when her grandmother dies and starts having a look at her past lives. While she travels to get to know a new wine in Australia she meets Gabe and this changes her live a lot.
I can't exactly say what I expected of the book when I first started reading it. I guess I was hooked by the description. Magic, travel and food topics sound pretty good to me. Unfortunately I learned quite quickly that this book is foremost a romance.
And in my opinion, it's not really a good one. Usually, I'm all for romantic books but this time I couldn't share any connection with their relationship. I pretty much gave up once they met on a plane and instantly are in love. Whenever I hoped the book would turn to the more interesting parts of traveling I was disappointed because it was at most a short interlude.
The bits and pieces in between were actually quite good and made me gave 2 stars in the end.
In my opinion, the book dragged on way too long and while the author tried to show their relationship I just wanted to finish the book. I'm not a big fan of abandoning a book but I came very close with this one.
In the end, it just was not my kind of book. Maybe if you pay more attention towards romance than I do you'll love it. I'm also not great with the whole "finding-a-true-soul-mate"-stuff and it pains me if a woman seriously considers giving up her career and move somewhere for a man she hardly knows.
I guess I just wasn't the right audience for the book.
October 19, 2016
This story follows Porzia, who is a freelance writer who does stories about food and wine for magazines. She travels to Australia for a story about a new Shiraz wine, and meets a man named Gabe on the plane. Sparks fly immediately, and they decide to spend some time together while Porzia is in Oz.
Porzia slowly learns more about Gabe, including the fact that he is a rally driver who has won Dakar...twice. He is actually quite internationally famous, which Porzia doesn't figure out until people keep telling her. That doesn't matter, as the two of them are very good together and are quite busy falling in love.
Porzia does have some reservations, as a friend of hers helped her do a past life regression. While doing the regression, Porzia learns that her soul mate is a man who was called Xavier, and she keeps wondering if Gabe is him. Gabe survived a car crash while racing and almost died, and has the scars both emotionally and physically to prove it.
No spoilers in this review, but I will say that the ending was rather unexpected. This book was an interesting look at life and love, as well as good wines! Recommended reading for anyone who eats, drinks or likes a good story.
Porzia slowly learns more about Gabe, including the fact that he is a rally driver who has won Dakar...twice. He is actually quite internationally famous, which Porzia doesn't figure out until people keep telling her. That doesn't matter, as the two of them are very good together and are quite busy falling in love.
Porzia does have some reservations, as a friend of hers helped her do a past life regression. While doing the regression, Porzia learns that her soul mate is a man who was called Xavier, and she keeps wondering if Gabe is him. Gabe survived a car crash while racing and almost died, and has the scars both emotionally and physically to prove it.
No spoilers in this review, but I will say that the ending was rather unexpected. This book was an interesting look at life and love, as well as good wines! Recommended reading for anyone who eats, drinks or likes a good story.
March 6, 2013
Perhaps it's just me, but I'm not sure it should be such hard work to read a book. The prose in this novel was so flowery and embellished that I felt as though I was fighting my way to the finish.
The author obviously understands how to write, but needs to learn how to write for the masses. Perhaps this book isn't meant to be enjoyed by many readers, but is intended for a select few?
I would not recommend this book.
ARC provided by Netgalley.
The author obviously understands how to write, but needs to learn how to write for the masses. Perhaps this book isn't meant to be enjoyed by many readers, but is intended for a select few?
I would not recommend this book.
ARC provided by Netgalley.
January 19, 2014
2.5/5.0
While the writing was well done, I just found it difficult to get into the story. I never quite connected with any of the characters. This was more of a romance than I thought it would be from the overview.
I appreciate being given the opportunity by Gemelli Press LLC, via Netgalley, to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.
While the writing was well done, I just found it difficult to get into the story. I never quite connected with any of the characters. This was more of a romance than I thought it would be from the overview.
I appreciate being given the opportunity by Gemelli Press LLC, via Netgalley, to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.
August 11, 2013
It was just an OK book for me. I didn't enjoy having to stop and look up the Italian phrases she put in there in random spots. I did love the love story, and the magic/whimsey of it. I felt a bit bored towards the end waiting for something to happen but it just abruptly ended. I found myself left with too many questions.
Shelved as 'on-hiatus'
December 5, 2014Disclaimer: This ARC was given to me for free in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.
July 30, 2013
Unfortunately I found this book very hard to get into.
The language throughout was very flowery and it became a struggle to read.
I did not enjoy this book.
Received from netgalley.
The language throughout was very flowery and it became a struggle to read.
I did not enjoy this book.
Received from netgalley.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews