Title: Venice in the Moonlight- Author: Elizabeth McKenna
- Genre: Historical Romance Fiction
- Published: October 2013 – Elizabeth McKenna
- Source: Italy Book Tours
Synopsis: A Story of Vengeance, Forgiveness, and Love. After her husband’s untimely demise, Marietta Gatti is banished from the family’s villa by her spiteful mother-in-law. She returns to her hometown of Venice and her only kin-a father she hasn’t spoken to since her forced marriage. Her hope of making amends is crushed when she learns she is too late, for he recently has died under suspicious circumstances. Grief-stricken, Marietta retraces her father’s last night only to discover someone may have wanted him dead-and she may be next. When the prime suspect turns out to be the father of the man she is falling in love with, Marietta risks her future happiness and her life to avenge the death of a man she once hated. (publisher)
My take: Marietta was married off by her father against her wishes. The next five years are filled with heartbreak and her loathing of her husband grows deeper each day. When he unexpectedly dies his family washes their hands of her and sends her on her way. She heads to Venice to find her father who she hasn’t heard from since her wedding.
Marietta is met with unexpected news regarding her father. Things don’t seem right so she investigates with little regard for her personal safety. She discovers information that could solve her mystery as well as bring down several noblemen in Venice. Along the way she meets a charming son of a nobleman. He has a few traits in common with Dario, her dead husband. She doesn’t need to become involved with a man like him. He continues to pursue her though with the hope of convincing her that he’s not like her husband. I enjoyed the setting of 1700s Venice at the time of Carnival. McKenna’s descriptions were detailed just enough to bring the festive scenes to life. I also liked Marietta and Nico’s unique love story.
Venice in the Moonlight is a fast read that I recommend if you’re in the mood for a historical romance/mystery and a brief visit to 1700s Italy.
Author’s Bio:
Elizabeth McKenna works as a full-time technical writer/editor for a large software company. Though her love of books reaches back to her childhood, she had never read romance novels until one Christmas when her sister gave her the latest bestseller by Nora Roberts. She was hooked from page one (actually, she admits it was the first love scene). She had always wanted to write fiction, so she combined her love of history, romance and a happy ending to write her debut novel Cera’s Place. Her short story, The Gypsy Casts a Spell, is available for free on her website. She hopes you will enjoy her latest novel, Venice in the Moonlight, as much as others have enjoyed her previous works.
Elizabeth lives in Wisconsin with her understanding husband, two beautiful daughters, and a sassy Labrador. When she isn’t writing, working, or being a mom, she’s sleeping.
Connect with her: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Where to buy the book:
Tour Schedule for Venice in the Moonlight
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