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The Windows of Venice
A delightful, up-lifting story about a resilient woman whose life is transformed by the magical allure of Venice and the romance it offers.
Divorced and longing for adventure, Joy Milton watched her daughter meet the man of her dreams in Rome and now that they are about to be married, Joy feels it’s time to make her own dreams come true, so she heads to Venice.
When she arrives, she encounters a frantic vendor who needs help decorating a wedding venue. Being very good at floral arrangements, Joy helps out Dina and her husband, Vito. The bride is happy with the results and Dina is impressed with Joy’s talent. To her surprise, Joy is offered a job at Dina’s flower shop in town. She accepts the offer and considers staying in Italy forever.
Alessandro, a widowed flower shop delivery man. catches Joy’s eye from the window of her room. After Dina introduces them, he invites her to his family farm where they grow flowers for towns all over Italy. Nestled near Caorle Beach, the family farm delights Joy with its farmhouse, garden, and crisp ocean air.
Time with Alessandro and encounters with the locals weave a tapestry of love, laughter, and soul-searching. But as Joy’s romance with Alessandro is about to begin, her ex-husband, Tony, shows up in town with plans to woo her back. With adoring attention from Alessandro and Tony, Joy is swept off her feet but she must make her choice.
Through the eyes of this older woman, readers witness the rejuvenating power of love, the resilience of the human spirit, and the beauty of embracing life's unexpected twists.
"Windows of Venice" is a tale of second chances, of rediscovering oneself, and of the magical allure of Venice. It's a story that reminds us it's never too late to find love, passion, and the most authentic version of ourselves, even in the most unexpected of places.
Follow Joy on her unforgettable journey, and dare to look through new windows!
Divorced and longing for adventure, Joy Milton watched her daughter meet the man of her dreams in Rome and now that they are about to be married, Joy feels it’s time to make her own dreams come true, so she heads to Venice.
When she arrives, she encounters a frantic vendor who needs help decorating a wedding venue. Being very good at floral arrangements, Joy helps out Dina and her husband, Vito. The bride is happy with the results and Dina is impressed with Joy’s talent. To her surprise, Joy is offered a job at Dina’s flower shop in town. She accepts the offer and considers staying in Italy forever.
Alessandro, a widowed flower shop delivery man. catches Joy’s eye from the window of her room. After Dina introduces them, he invites her to his family farm where they grow flowers for towns all over Italy. Nestled near Caorle Beach, the family farm delights Joy with its farmhouse, garden, and crisp ocean air.
Time with Alessandro and encounters with the locals weave a tapestry of love, laughter, and soul-searching. But as Joy’s romance with Alessandro is about to begin, her ex-husband, Tony, shows up in town with plans to woo her back. With adoring attention from Alessandro and Tony, Joy is swept off her feet but she must make her choice.
Through the eyes of this older woman, readers witness the rejuvenating power of love, the resilience of the human spirit, and the beauty of embracing life's unexpected twists.
"Windows of Venice" is a tale of second chances, of rediscovering oneself, and of the magical allure of Venice. It's a story that reminds us it's never too late to find love, passion, and the most authentic version of ourselves, even in the most unexpected of places.
Follow Joy on her unforgettable journey, and dare to look through new windows!
241 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 16, 2024
About the author
R.A. Douthitt
23 books94 followersFormer writing teacher, R. A. Douthitt is an award-winning author of many books for middle grade readers and adults in fiction and non-fiction. She is the winner of the 2022 Christian Indie Awards FIRST PLACE in YA, the 2017 Moonbeam Children’s Books Award-Bronze Medal for Best Book Series, and the 2018 Gateway to the Best third prize winner of the Missouri Romance Writers of America contest. Ruth is working on a Christian-themed women's inspirational fiction series, coming soon. She currently works for Grand Canyon University and lives in Phoenix with her husband Scott and their little dog. When she isn't writing, Ruth loves to run, draw, paint, and garden.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 20, 2025
The cover is lovely.
Tale about trying to rediscover yourself after a long marriage ends in betrayal and divorce.
Tale about trying to rediscover yourself after a long marriage ends in betrayal and divorce.
July 28, 2024
The Windows of Venice…has all these things.
Luxurious scenery ✅
Exquisite cuisine ✅
Floating gondolas ✅
Amazing window decor✅
The author did a wonderful job describing this popular tourist destination in such a vivid way that I felt like I was there interacting with all the characters especially Joy. Joy, who’s recently divorced, goes to Venice in search of adventure but does she get more than what she’s looking for? Shortly after she gets to her hotel she meets this lovely couple, Dina and Vito, and through them she meets Alessandro. Through them she discovers many adventures that will put her heart through the test. I truly enjoyed seeing Joy grow and trying to move on from her past mistakes. She tries pleasing her daughter by reconnecting with her ex, Tony, but is that what she really wants. She must focus on her own happiness instead of pleasing others. With prayer in knowing that God will get her through her heartache, she finds the courage to finally move forward. I really enjoyed experiencing what Joy was going through even when she was feeling discouraged. It helped me to feel more connected to her. This was truly an amazing story and I love forward to the next book that the author writes. Magnifico!!!
I received an advanced copy from the author. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review. All opinions stated here are my own.
“You see, she showed me how the seed must break open and die in order for the flower to grow and bloom.”
“You know the lovely windows of Venice?” Dina asked. “Yes?” She is like a dirty window. They never let the light shine through.”
Luxurious scenery ✅
Exquisite cuisine ✅
Floating gondolas ✅
Amazing window decor✅
The author did a wonderful job describing this popular tourist destination in such a vivid way that I felt like I was there interacting with all the characters especially Joy. Joy, who’s recently divorced, goes to Venice in search of adventure but does she get more than what she’s looking for? Shortly after she gets to her hotel she meets this lovely couple, Dina and Vito, and through them she meets Alessandro. Through them she discovers many adventures that will put her heart through the test. I truly enjoyed seeing Joy grow and trying to move on from her past mistakes. She tries pleasing her daughter by reconnecting with her ex, Tony, but is that what she really wants. She must focus on her own happiness instead of pleasing others. With prayer in knowing that God will get her through her heartache, she finds the courage to finally move forward. I really enjoyed experiencing what Joy was going through even when she was feeling discouraged. It helped me to feel more connected to her. This was truly an amazing story and I love forward to the next book that the author writes. Magnifico!!!
I received an advanced copy from the author. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review. All opinions stated here are my own.
“You see, she showed me how the seed must break open and die in order for the flower to grow and bloom.”
“You know the lovely windows of Venice?” Dina asked. “Yes?” She is like a dirty window. They never let the light shine through.”
October 14, 2025
Не греши никой, когато каже, че не винаги продължението е на нивото на първата книга. Ей това се е получило и с The Windows of Venice. Първата книга на R. A. Douthitt - The Doors of Rome - беше пленяваща, емоционална и я усетих като пътеводител из малките и известни улици и пиаци на Рим. Сега също имаше поетични описания на неповторима атмосфера на Венеция, разходките с гондоли по каналите и преходите по мостовете. Но разговорите, образите на героите и дори ситуациите в книгата ми се струваха от край до край изкуствени, странни и наистина измислени. Жалко! Чаках я с нетърпение! И след това разочарование не знам дали изобщо да си помисля да посегна към третата книга - The Streets of Florence? Може би само като " екскурзия " до този италиански град, която бих си подарила от фотьойла до прозореца.
Want to Read
May 30, 2024Anticipating July 16th release of The Windows of Venice by #R.A.Douthitt . . .
July 15, 2024
This was a quick romantic story set in a gorgeous sounding location. It’s very descriptive and makes you feel like you’re there. All the food sounds so good and made me hungry. It’s a lovely story to loose yourself in.
October 2, 2024
Joy Milton is divorced and is feeling adventurous thinking it’s high time she did something spontaneous for herself . So she does no more than head to Venice where she happens upon a frantic woman who is in need of help decorating a wedding venue. Joy has quite the dexterity for flower arranging and so helps out Dina and her husband Vito. Well the bride is impressed at the bouquets so well dressed and Dina implores her to come work in her flower shop in town . Meeting Alessandro who delivers flowers to the shop , she is invited to his family’s farm where flowers are grown to serve all of Italy. Quite impressive to say the least and just as she’s found a new release of life and getting close with Alessandro , her ex husband Tony makes an appearance. Their daughter who she had just left in Rome has also been in contact with her father and Joy feels torn between her heart here and now and her daughter’s happiness at having her parents together at her upcoming wedding to the man she met in Rome. Does Joy go home? He wants to woo her back , so now she has two men in contention and although it’s rather flattering her heart sure takes a battering from their attention! The windows of Venice are an amazing insight into the very heart and soul and captivates heart. This writer has excellent insights and skills to give you chills and thrills aplenty and with a super setting , well it’s a real pleasure to read and explore through those windows and the most excellent descriptions in R. H. Douthitt’s book . A powerful live story and of the most romantic City in the world. I’ve been to Venice many times but I still got immersed and witnessed her explorations through her eyes and most excellent descriptions. The very feel of the City is captured by the author’s genius with the pen so fluent and flowing is the city of Venice brought to vibrant life through verse. Perfect , pleasant book to get immersed into. Captivating reading with the awesome prose and storytelling prowess of R. H. Douthitt was awesome to experience. Bravo! I felt like I was there, having been many times , I got the real feel and essence and the everyday life of those living in the watery avenues of a city built on stilts. I’m leaving my review voluntarily in my own musings.
July 8, 2024
Hope! that's what I took away from this story, hope for a better future for redemption of past mistakes. I liked the windows aspect too, we need to look inside the windows of ourselves and see what is there and what needs cleaned out, reminded me of the book Rooms by James Rubart.
I truly enjoyed this story, I thought Millie's story in the first one was good but this one is even better. It gave me hope. As far as the characters,overall I liked them, Jamie could be a bit childish at times (wanting her parents to get back together, Jamie is an adult and should realize that it's probably not going to happen and shouldn't manipulate the situation), Joy was independent and thriving until her ex showed up and then she just wanted to make her daughter happy even if it cost her everything, I didn't care for that but realize she had to go through it to get to the other side, I didn't like Tony at all but that's because he's the "bad guy" 😁, he played his part very well though, Alessandro, Dina, and Vito were my favorites and of course Edith and Millie and spouses were wonderful to see again. And now I want to go to Venice and explore all the places they went to, it sounds wonderful. Bravo on this story!!
I truly enjoyed this story, I thought Millie's story in the first one was good but this one is even better. It gave me hope. As far as the characters,overall I liked them, Jamie could be a bit childish at times (wanting her parents to get back together, Jamie is an adult and should realize that it's probably not going to happen and shouldn't manipulate the situation), Joy was independent and thriving until her ex showed up and then she just wanted to make her daughter happy even if it cost her everything, I didn't care for that but realize she had to go through it to get to the other side, I didn't like Tony at all but that's because he's the "bad guy" 😁, he played his part very well though, Alessandro, Dina, and Vito were my favorites and of course Edith and Millie and spouses were wonderful to see again. And now I want to go to Venice and explore all the places they went to, it sounds wonderful. Bravo on this story!!
July 8, 2024
Ruth did an absolutely amazing job creating this wonderful story. I could not put this book down. This story definitely will pull on all your emotions at one point or another but it is a wonderful happy story. Joy, the main female character, I fell in love with right away. I loved learning about Venice through her eyes as she is there on a months vacation by the way not looking for love. So many adventures are in store through out the book. I can’t wait to see what Ruth will write next!!
June 30, 2025
Italian Windows (Venice)
Another great travel story set in Italy. Many of the characters came from the previous book, the Doors of Rome. I almost feel like re-reading that. There was a bit of event timeline confusion between the two stories. There were engagements, marriages, break ups and divorce that occurred over a season or perhaps a year?
Another great travel story set in Italy. Many of the characters came from the previous book, the Doors of Rome. I almost feel like re-reading that. There was a bit of event timeline confusion between the two stories. There were engagements, marriages, break ups and divorce that occurred over a season or perhaps a year?
January 28, 2025
Such a beautiful love story
Many a twist in this tale of love. I enjoyed both my journey to Rome last year and Venice this time. Great setting. Great story. Wonderful characters. I highly recommend both books.
Many a twist in this tale of love. I enjoyed both my journey to Rome last year and Venice this time. Great setting. Great story. Wonderful characters. I highly recommend both books.
August 17, 2024
I liked this book even better than the first book in the series. Will there be more?
December 15, 2025
You will enjoy reading this delightful book, particularly if you love Italy. The characters are so likable and the descriptions of Italy will have you wanting to visit Venice.
March 31, 2026
The Windows of Venice is Joy's journey. I love this series. I love the description of the places that Joy had visited and I felt like I was right there with her. This book is about courage to go forward, forgiveness, second chances at love and faith. I also like how the author has written some of the characters from the first book into the story. It was nice to read about them again and see what is going on with their lives. Great book for women over 50. This book is very well written. You will not be disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews