The Treasures of Venice

Although her fiancé dumped her a few weeks before the wedding, Samantha decided to take the non-refundable honeymoon in Italy by herself. Suddenly, the handsome Irishman Keirnan walks up to her in a Venetian café. She jumps at the adventure Keirnan presents to her, but soon finds herself intertwined in a dangerous situation. Since a group of men held Kiernan's sister random, Kiernan was desperate to find the Jewels of Madonna somewhere in Venice. He uses the single Samantha to deter his followers, but discovers he feels a connection with the intelligent librarian. Knowing the situation is dangerous, he tries to push her away, but neither Kiernan nor Samantha can deny their attraction. The Treasures of Venice hooked me in the very first chapter. I found the story interesting because not only is the book told in the perspectives of Samantha and Kiernan, but also flashbacks to fifteenth-century Venice tell the history of the Jewels of Madonna. Therefore, the story is well rounded and feels complete, especially since the background of the Jewels is made apparent to the readers. I feel sorry for Samantha because she had no chance of protecting herself from the smooth-talking, sexy Kiernan. I enjoyed watching their relationship change and grow to a point they became reliant on each other. Their romance was sweet and felt appropriate within this story, especially how their story paralleled the story of the Jewels. Also, the pacing was done quite well. There is a sense of urgency throughout the story, which pushes the storyline forward with few lulls in pacing. I recommend The Treasures of Venice for anyone wanting a contemporary, suspenseful romance with a historical romantic twist. A truly wonderful story! BookingIt Grade: A

By the 'chance' meeting of an American girl and an Irish boy, they work together against the ticking clock of finding the "Jewels of the Madonna" to save someone's life...and maybe their own too! Loucinda McGary, author of "The Wild Sight" that I reviewed previously, has done it once again in writing an emotional romance that thrives on the thrills of mystery and intrigue. She blends together some of my favorite themes of story writing and makes it come together to make me feel like I am physically there watching the story transpire! Of course, my favorite is the Irish man character, Kiernan. Ms. McGary describes him in such heartfelt details, you can feel your heart pumping at this man's charisma. Also, I love how the author flips between two time periods in the story without it getting confusing: 15th century Venice with Serifino and Nino and modern Venice with Samantha and Kiernan. You're kept wondering until the end of the book whether these couples have an interlocking relationship through time! The mysterious dark Venice streets and paranormal aspects of the story keep you turning the pages of this adventure. The descriptions of Venice, old and modern are so well used by the author that I would love the chance to see the city myself someday!! Even though this is noted as a 'romance book,' I would not shy away from reading it if you're not in to romance. It has just the right balance of mystery, suspense, and paranormal, with a little romance thrown in between the characters (which is more like 'opposites attract' than 'sultry lust' romance). I would 'highly' recommend this book to read, along with 'The Wild Sight.'

A SEXY,COLLIN FARRELL-ESQUE HERO AND A LIBRARIAN ARE WHISKED AWAY TO AN ADVENTURE THEY'LL NEVER FORGET! EXCELLENT BLENDING OF ART HISTORY AND ROMANCE! THIS BOOK IS REALLY EXCITING! YOU SHOULD BUY IT!!! IT IS AWESOME!

Loucinda McGary really takes you on a merry chase through all of Venice. The intrigue is intense and the dialogue is delightful. The flashbacks to the original lovers who created the mystery are just as engaging as the two contemporary strangers who are drawn together by chance/fate. The author offers a true sense of place and keeps you hooked on the action as well as the sexual attraction. Highly recommended - I'm ready for my next adventure with Loucinda McGary!

I won't reiterate the plot line of Loucinda McGary's THE TREASURES OF VENICE as the other reviewers have done a good job of explaining what happens, but I will add that this is a great read with a delicate balance of romance, suspense, and a touch of the paranormal. But what really draws my attention is McGary's wonderful Irish hero Kiernan Fitzgerald. From the moment he talks Samatha into a momentary charade until the very end, his charm and gift for Irish blarney captured me. McGary also is a master at creating vivid, exotic settings (see her first book THE WILD SIGHT, set in Ireland). But she never allows the setting to overbalance either the romance or the suspense. Often when I hear reviewers praise setting in commercial fiction, I think "boring," but McGary uses such a light and natural touch, weaving the characters so smoothly into their surroundings, that I really felt I was visiting those places with these characters. As a romance reader I appreciate that the writer gives us the pleasure of romance with the excitement of suspense and none of the silliness that marks some contemporary romances. Keep an eye out for this author. She's a good one!