The Italian's Token Wife by Julia James released on Dec 28, 2004 is available now for purchase.

"I'll pay you £10,000 to marry me right now." A wealthy and gorgeous man suddenly proposes to Magda, who makes a meager living cleaning an extravagant luxury apartment. He is Rafaello Di Viscenti, the owner of the apartment. Why would a major Italian businessman propose to a poor woman like me at first sight? Magda refuses outright, but that night, Rafaello tracks her down!

Alex Fabian is a successful city banker who lives life on his own terms. But when his family gives him an ultimatum to marry within three months or lose his inheritance, he's forced to find a bride.... Louise Trentham is instantly wary when Alex Fabian proposes: he's formidably dynamic, gorgeous--and way out of her league! But the chemistry between them is irresistible. Can Louise take the plunge and say, "I do," knowing that, for Alex, she'll always be only his token wife?

John Hooper presents the ideal companion for anyone seeking to understand contemporary Italy and the unique character of the Italians. Digging deep into their history, culture and religion, he offers keys to assessing everything from their bewildering politics to their love of life and beauty.

My mother is the closest thing to God I know. Her God concept, whether she knows it or not, is that she cannot be fully known by just one name or one single entity. Not Dahlia, Zalia, Zat, Dale, Mrs. Testa, Gale, Ma, Grammy, Mimi but someone other. Someone who serves as many beings to many people, revealing herself to each of us in ways that we can best appreciate and understand. After decades of indifference, self-indulgence, rebelliousness, embarrassment, and plain old apathy, I can finally say I truly appreciate my mother and her many pseudonyms. But Ive never been able to understand her as well as a daughter should. She deserves understanding and to have her stories and memories chronicled. I hope I do them justice.

The ironic tale of a 12-year-old Sicilian girl who decides to show her independence by flouting convention, in this case by wearing trousers and flirting with boys. When she is caught kissing, the parents punish her by sending her to another village to live with an uncle, unaware he molested her when she was younger.