Book Review: The Treasures of Venice by Loucinda McGary

 

I haven’t picked up a romance novel since Barbara Cartland was a lass, and boy have they changed for the better if Loucinda McGary’s electrifying new book is anything to judge by! The Treasures of Venice: A passion they never expected and a danger they cannot escape (ISBN 978-1402226700, Sourcebooks Casablanca), has redefined the romance genre for me in a positive and exciting way.


Prepare yourself for a 352 page thrill ride, readers. Set in the heart of beautiful Venice in Italy, echoes of reincarnation are blended into this romantic suspense novel as McGary brings Renaissance and present day Venice alive. From the first page when Irishman Kiernan Fitzgerald suddenly appears at American librarian Samantha Lewis’s side and implores her to play along as his girlfriend, the fast paced action gathers unyielding momentum.


This paperback plunges the reader into an intricate framework of intrigue, kidnap, five hundred year old secrets, stolen treasure and undeniable attraction. The Treasures of Venice plot revolves around Kiernan’s race against time to find the fabled Jewels of the Madonna. His sister’s life hinges on it and Samantha, on a trip that was supposed to be her honeymoon, becomes drawn into Keirnan’s unfamiliar, exhilarating world.


The Treasures of Venice is a rousing, attention grabbing read. It captivated my attention and held it which was a surprise because romance isn’t a genre I lean towards usually, truth be told. I had this preconception: all romance novels are comprised of chaste heroines fluttering eyelashes at musclebound hunks while shooting smoldering glances across the room.


Loucinda McGary has shattered that unenlightened illusion of mine. Her excellent writing has proven me completely and utterly wrong and I owe her a debt of gratitude for opening my eyes to the unexpected delights of modern day romance novels. Now I know what I’ve been missing! The Treasures of Venice is sensual without being smutty and has several spine-tingling thrills and spills thrown into the mix. Set against the Venetian backdrop, this riveting romance will quicken the pulse and stir the senses with its tantalizing, appealing characters.

So effortlessly does McGary continuously build upon the action packed pages that I lost all track of time while reading. In the last few chapters I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to discover exactly how it was all going to end. I had to consciously restrain myself from sneaking a peek at the upcoming right hand page while reading the left and I very rarely do that! (P.S. Apologies to the family for lack of supper that night. It was that good.)


I had sorely misjudged the romance genre from what I’d read twenty years ago. Don’t make that same mistake and wait far too long to get into it like I did. If you haven’t picked up a romance novel in forever or even if you’re a regular reader of them, The Treasures of Venice by Loucinda McGary would be an enthralling place to dip your toes into the romance pool. I can’t see it being anything but a massively popular read amongst romance aficionados and I’m looking forward enormously to what McGary pens next. The Treasures of Venice is one book certain to make a splash!


Available at all good book stores, including Amazon.

Kay Elizabeth is the Editor and Co-Owner of The Cuckleburr Times . She always loves to hear from visitors here and especially the authors of books she reviews. All are welcome to use the Contact Us anytime or comment section below! You can also visit Kay’s blog at Hill Holler to find out more about the many writing services she offers. Read a range of sample articles on subjects as diverse as spirituality, humor, the net, family, customer service and business.

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