Two countries. Two years. One transformative journey through poetry, photography, and self-discovery.
Melissa David's
A Hot Night in Rome, a Cold Night in Paris
is more than a memoir-it's a sensory experience. Born from the ashes of a divorce and the isolation of a global pandemic, this book chronicles her leap into the unknown after joining a poetry tour in Italy. Alongside her verses, Melissa shares a stunning collection of photographs, each a visual echo of her poetic exploration.
Drawing on a lifelong connection to photography-shaped by her grandfather's 35 years in a camera shop and her mother's time as a model-Melissa captures the vibrant essence of Italy, the stark beauty of France, combining in the quiet introspection of her time at France's Château d'Orquevaux artist residency. Her lens and her words work in harmony to explore the art of transformation: how a poem's translation, a photo's color shift, or even the slightest movement within an image can evoke entirely new emotions.
With a background as a professional singer and actor, Melissa's storytelling traverses the boundary between the personal and the universal. Most of the book's photos are her own, though a few are lovingly contributed by friends whose artistry complements her vision.
is a vivid reminder that life is meant to be lived fully, even through its hardest transitions. With poetry, photography, and a fearless pursuit of beauty, Melissa invites readers to embrace change, seek adventure, and find themselves anew. Don't hesitate-join her journey. You might just find your own.