Books!

Walking the Mosaic

On an alternate Earth, Constantine lost, Rome never became a backwater, and the Dark Ages never existed. Two millennia later, nations under a Global Authority have colonized Mars and the belt, developed FTL travel and established an extrasolar colony in a star system occupied by intelligent beings nicknamed Lemurians.

Nova Roma is an aging republic, home of the Global Authority’s peacekeepers. In Nova Roma’s fascist past, a secret genetics program developed “Specials”, individuals capable of manipulating the electrical synaptic functions within the human brain. A few hundred years later, Specials now make up an isolated minority in the general population, used as healers, lie detectors, spies.

The story follows Kashmira of ancient family who manifests as Special later in life, then flees from her duty to be used as spy for the state; her lover Sian, an ambitious and class-conscious peacekeeper; some Specials with a plan for a better future for their kind and a group of Specials labeled as terrorists who seek sanctuary with the Lemurians. Their plight sparks a revolution that spreads back across the stars to Rome to change the future of humans, Specials and aliens alike.

The Roman Tarot: A Contemplative Guide to the Symbolism and Reading of the Roman Tarot

This book explores the Roman Tarot Deck, created by Artist Christine Cianci from original oil paintings. In this companion book you will find descriptions of the symbolism and the imagery of the Roman Tarot Deck along with the meaning of each card in the deck. Also included is a meditation, as well as a continuous story of the Fool’s journey through the major arcana linked to the meaning of each card therein. This seeks to help expand the understanding of those new to the tarot, as well as to more fully delve into the symbolism of the images the artist chose to represent each card. This decks weaves the Tarot together with Roman historical figures and allegory to create a truly unique Tarot deck.

 

 

The Eccentric Nonna: a book about cooking

For me, cooking has always been a way to show those I love how much I cherish them.  I may not always say the right thing; I am frequently too blunt, I know, but I console myself in believing that my weirdness and foibles aside, my loved ones will at least enjoy the food I put in front of them.

I have included recipes that are adapted from what I learned watching my father’s  mother,, Rigoletta.  She was a formidable woman. She taught me how to choose bread, melons, tomatoes, and to never buy fish that smelled fishy; what the texture of pasta should be, and how long to cook gravy – red sauce, (they call it gravy in Philly, where most of the Italian family lived.)

The book has some family recipes from my Mom and her side, some ancient recipes I adapted, collected favorites over the years and some I made up myself.  I’ve added in some of the basics for more complicated explorations, like choux pastry, bread, and sugar work as well as some tables for reference.  I figured I would put them all in one place so I can use this book too!

 

Christine Cianci