Scandal in Venice

Talk about hooking the reader in the first sentence. "He was dead. Really deeply, profoundly dead. And she had killed him."It just gets better after that. Most romances nowadays stink, but this one was a pleasant interlude. I was especially surprised to have enjoyed this book because it didn't have any sex scenes--a little of which I like. I'll be reading more by Amanda McCabe. But maybe she could put in a few short sex scenes now and then......

After seeing her dead fiancé's body on the floor, Lady Elizabeth Everdean had gone off to Venice to live her life as Elizabeth Cheswood, a painter who wishes nothing more than to perfect her art. Nicholas Hollingsworth would like to bring Elizabeth back to London, but he, too, finds that Venice has worked its magic on her and for him. Can they live a full and happy life together? Amanda McCabe's blend of comedy and intrigue is a very intricate one, well balanced with the additional enrichment of an Italian backdrop. The vivid characterizations and descriptions make Venice come alive for the reader, and one can't help but laugh at reading it. A very enjoyable read.

Peter Everdean, the Earl of Clifton, had returned from the Peninsula a changed man. He tried to marry his eighteen year old sister, Elizabeth, off to an extremely elderly Duke. Later, when the Duke tried to rape her, Lady Elizabeth hit him with a chamberpot and killed him. In fear, she fled to Italy to be with her best friend who happened to be a famous artist, Mrs. Georgina Beaumont. Two years had past since Peter covered the killing for Elizabeth's sake. Two years that Peter suffered for how he had treated Elizabeth without ever telling her why. He finally had a lead on where she was! He wanted her brought home so he could make it all up to her. When Peter ran into Nicholas, he felt as though God had smiled upon him. Sir Nicholas Hollingsworth had been in the same regiment as Peter during the war in Spain. Peter had saved his life! So Nick agreed to help Peter locate his sister and return her. However, when Nick located her, he felt drawn to her. Apt description, since Elizabeth was an artist! She pretended to be the sister of Georgina. To keep close, Nick took the available position of secretary to be near Elizabeth. They fell in love and all was right with the world, until Peter showed up! ***** Terrific book that kept me engrossed the entire time! A real winner, Readers! *****

The pace of the book was wonderful. It was very easy to identify with the heroine. The author made me realize that home isn't always where you are from, but where your heart is.