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Venetian Masks
Jeff Dawkins's last partner left him with a mortgage he can't afford and nonrefundable tickets for a month's vacation in Europe. Despite a reluctance to travel, Jeff decides to go on the trip anyway. After all, he's already paid for it. He packs a Kindle loaded with gay romance novels and arrives in Venice full of trepidation. There he meets the handsome and charming expat Cleve Prieto, who offers to serve as his tour guide. Jeff has serious misgivings-he wasn't born yesterday, and something about Cleve doesn't sit right-but anything is better than wandering the canals alone. With Cleve's help, Jeff falls in love with Venice and begins to reconcile with his past. For the first time, Jeff finds himself developing strong feelings for someone else. But he can't be sure who that person is because Cleve's background remains a mystery embroidered with lies.
Then a dark figure from Cleve's past appears, and Jeff must choose whether to let Cleve flee alone or to join him on a desperate run through central Europe. Maybe Jeff will finally be able to see behind Cleve's masks-if he survives the journey.
Then a dark figure from Cleve's past appears, and Jeff must choose whether to let Cleve flee alone or to join him on a desperate run through central Europe. Maybe Jeff will finally be able to see behind Cleve's masks-if he survives the journey.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2013
7 people are currently reading
398 people want to read
About the author
Kim Fielding
175 books1,304 followersKim Fielding lives in Oregon and travels as often as she can manage. A professor by day, at night she rushes into a phone booth to change into her author costume (which involves comfy clothes instead of Spandex and is, sadly, lacking a cape). Her superpowers include the ability to write nearly anywhere, often while simultaneously doling out assistance to her family. Her favorite word to describe herself is "eclectic" and she finally got that seventh tattoo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
June 10, 2013
I honestly don't know why I postponed reading this for months before I picked this up. Maybe because I got wrong impression from a couple of reviews I read. But, I am glad that I finally read this.
One thing that I loved the most was the sense of being away from your home. I loved how Jeff decided that he would take the vacation (despite being reluctant) and was able to absorb the beauty of Venice (though he also had help from Cleve). Traveling is one of my passion in life. I wish I could do it more (don't have enough money to do so, unfortunately), especially to different countries where people don't speak my language. So the backdrop of Venice (in details) and later (for the short time) Zagreb was something I truly cherished.
While I am not a fan of insta-love -- this story pretty much happened within short couple weeks, where Jeff realized that he was falling in love with mysterious Cleve -- but having these men in far away country, with adventure as well as danger behind them made me able to forget all that. I instantly loved Jeff when he challenged himself to go out of his boring routine life back in Sacramento and learned new things in Venice.
Cleve, on the other hand, took awhile for me to warm up to him. Although it was probably the idea in the first place. For us readers to be slightly cautious (because Jeff seemed didn't) and questioning Cleve's intention (I felt protective towards Jeff, darn it).
I did have nitpick ... I wonder if Jeff's nightmares (and heartbreaking past) were needed. That part seemed to be adding kind of angst that weren't doing anything for me. The nightmares in fact, always pulled me out of the story. Was it because Cleve had a past, then Jeff had to have his past too? To what, balanced things out? Personally, I thought the story worked fine without it *shrugs*.
Overall, an enjoyable contemporary with dash of adventure.
PS: Who knew that Kindle could also be used as weapon?!? Amazon should be informed!
One thing that I loved the most was the sense of being away from your home. I loved how Jeff decided that he would take the vacation (despite being reluctant) and was able to absorb the beauty of Venice (though he also had help from Cleve). Traveling is one of my passion in life. I wish I could do it more (don't have enough money to do so, unfortunately), especially to different countries where people don't speak my language. So the backdrop of Venice (in details) and later (for the short time) Zagreb was something I truly cherished.
While I am not a fan of insta-love -- this story pretty much happened within short couple weeks, where Jeff realized that he was falling in love with mysterious Cleve -- but having these men in far away country, with adventure as well as danger behind them made me able to forget all that. I instantly loved Jeff when he challenged himself to go out of his boring routine life back in Sacramento and learned new things in Venice.
Cleve, on the other hand, took awhile for me to warm up to him. Although it was probably the idea in the first place. For us readers to be slightly cautious (because Jeff seemed didn't) and questioning Cleve's intention (I felt protective towards Jeff, darn it).
I did have nitpick ... I wonder if Jeff's nightmares (and heartbreaking past) were needed. That part seemed to be adding kind of angst that weren't doing anything for me. The nightmares in fact, always pulled me out of the story. Was it because Cleve had a past, then Jeff had to have his past too? To what, balanced things out? Personally, I thought the story worked fine without it *shrugs*.
Overall, an enjoyable contemporary with dash of adventure.
PS: Who knew that Kindle could also be used as weapon?!? Amazon should be informed!
February 12, 2013
2.75
I found Jeff completely charming but it took me a while to warm up to Cleve. This was a beautiful postcard of Venice but the romance was a bit shaky for me even though it did play out sweetly.
I found Jeff completely charming but it took me a while to warm up to Cleve. This was a beautiful postcard of Venice but the romance was a bit shaky for me even though it did play out sweetly.
June 14, 2014
3.5 stars
Buddy read off the Old & Moldy shelf with my besties, Jen and Mish.
I'm a huge Fielding fan, so it feels like sacrilege to give one of her books fewer than 4 or 5 stars, but this one didn't fully work for me. It was more travelogue than M/M romance. The love was too instantaneous, and the relationship between Jeff and Cleve was based on deceit, nonstop excitement, and adventure vs. shared interests, tenderness, or anything else really.
Yeah, Cleve claimed to want to settle down, but what foundation for a future did these two have, really? What about Jeff's nightmares? What would Cleve do for work? And where the hell did Cleve go off to at the end there? That was never explained.
I was happy that Jeff came out of his shell. Cleve in many ways was good for him. The steamy parts were nice. I even fell for Cleve a little, although the tall tales made me wary (not sure he fully redeemed himself there).
Maybe I'm being too practical, but I wasn't entirely sold on the sweet ending.
Favorite part: the Kindle attack, hands down. It's more than just a reading device; it's a hard-core weapon, yo!
Buddy read off the Old & Moldy shelf with my besties, Jen and Mish.
I'm a huge Fielding fan, so it feels like sacrilege to give one of her books fewer than 4 or 5 stars, but this one didn't fully work for me. It was more travelogue than M/M romance. The love was too instantaneous, and the relationship between Jeff and Cleve was based on deceit, nonstop excitement, and adventure vs. shared interests, tenderness, or anything else really.
Yeah, Cleve claimed to want to settle down, but what foundation for a future did these two have, really? What about Jeff's nightmares? What would Cleve do for work? And where the hell did Cleve go off to at the end there? That was never explained.
I was happy that Jeff came out of his shell. Cleve in many ways was good for him. The steamy parts were nice. I even fell for Cleve a little, although the tall tales made me wary (not sure he fully redeemed himself there).
Maybe I'm being too practical, but I wasn't entirely sold on the sweet ending.
Favorite part: the Kindle attack, hands down. It's more than just a reading device; it's a hard-core weapon, yo!
July 19, 2013
"...But I like the adventure of masks. You never know what is behind them."
I don't know what it is about Kim Fielding that makes me automatically click "buy" on ARe, thus saving me 2 minutes that could be spent reading her books. It's like a reflex: don't think, just do. And I think a huge reason why I like (all) her books is her writing style. I have a hard time expressing my thoughts, so the best way I can put it is that her writing is very practical. It is practical in the way that she always gives enough detail to both the setting and characters, without drowning you with too many words. Yet despite her practical writing, it is filled with enough life and emotions that you can't help, but immerse yourself in whatever her imagination has painted.
Regarding VM: you get Jeff. He's 30, an IT guy, and is "stuck" on a trip to Venice after a breakup from a 5 year-long relationship. He has an addiction to gay romance novels, despite knowing that the likelihood of getting swept off his feet by a sexy gay vampire/cowboy/space man/alpha shifter is slim to none (as a gay man myself, I couldn't help but smile at this). But what he doesn't know is that he'll find himself on an adventure with a mysterious "tour guide" that will break every foundation of normalcy he has ever experienced.
So what I liked about VM? I love Jeff, because he is a man who has problems, but doesn't let it stop him from continuing with life. He may second guess himself, and regret certain decisions, but he eventually takes that step forward. Then, there's Cleve: the man with the mask - mysterious, sexy, yet wanting of something we all take for granted. And then, there's Cleve x Jeff...
The story takes place mostly in Venice, but also other surrounding places as well. I felt very satisfied with the amount of detail we are given, and found myself easily on a gondola just like our MCs.
In terms of plot, the story does take time to get the ball rolling. I think it was around 50% when I felt that the action was starting up, though that is not to say the first half of the story was boring. Even though our characters are "on the run," I wouldn't necessarily say this is a "thriller/suspenseful" kind of read.
So overall? Another good fiction by Kim Fielding. Great characters, great dialogue and quotes (many highlights in my Nook!), and a wonderful adventure through Venice. And most of all
I don't know what it is about Kim Fielding that makes me automatically click "buy" on ARe, thus saving me 2 minutes that could be spent reading her books. It's like a reflex: don't think, just do. And I think a huge reason why I like (all) her books is her writing style. I have a hard time expressing my thoughts, so the best way I can put it is that her writing is very practical. It is practical in the way that she always gives enough detail to both the setting and characters, without drowning you with too many words. Yet despite her practical writing, it is filled with enough life and emotions that you can't help, but immerse yourself in whatever her imagination has painted.
Regarding VM: you get Jeff. He's 30, an IT guy, and is "stuck" on a trip to Venice after a breakup from a 5 year-long relationship. He has an addiction to gay romance novels, despite knowing that the likelihood of getting swept off his feet by a sexy gay vampire/cowboy/space man/alpha shifter is slim to none (as a gay man myself, I couldn't help but smile at this). But what he doesn't know is that he'll find himself on an adventure with a mysterious "tour guide" that will break every foundation of normalcy he has ever experienced.
So what I liked about VM? I love Jeff, because he is a man who has problems, but doesn't let it stop him from continuing with life. He may second guess himself, and regret certain decisions, but he eventually takes that step forward. Then, there's Cleve: the man with the mask - mysterious, sexy, yet wanting of something we all take for granted. And then, there's Cleve x Jeff...
The story takes place mostly in Venice, but also other surrounding places as well. I felt very satisfied with the amount of detail we are given, and found myself easily on a gondola just like our MCs.
In terms of plot, the story does take time to get the ball rolling. I think it was around 50% when I felt that the action was starting up, though that is not to say the first half of the story was boring. Even though our characters are "on the run," I wouldn't necessarily say this is a "thriller/suspenseful" kind of read.
So overall? Another good fiction by Kim Fielding. Great characters, great dialogue and quotes (many highlights in my Nook!), and a wonderful adventure through Venice. And most of all
October 6, 2024
Reading with my besties, Dani and Mish.
Hmmm...First, I love the cover, a lot. The writing was beautiful, I felt as if I had been transported to all the various locations. I also felt like I ate all the various foods. There was a ton of description done beautifully but unfortunately, it was almost too much. I know more about the places and the food than I do the two main characters. Or at least their relationship. The end left me with questions that never got resolved . Overall it kept my attention but I honestly think it was more because I kept expecting more and waiting for IT and just never really got it. Just Jeff ended up being very likeable, in the beginning he was mostly irritating and I didn't think I would ever end up getting him but he grew and that was welcome. I don't know if I ever really connected with Cleve but man, I really wanted to. So again, quite a descriptive book but just lacking in the romance department. Not bad but not great either.
Thanks girls :)
Hmmm...First, I love the cover, a lot. The writing was beautiful, I felt as if I had been transported to all the various locations. I also felt like I ate all the various foods. There was a ton of description done beautifully but unfortunately, it was almost too much. I know more about the places and the food than I do the two main characters. Or at least their relationship. The end left me with questions that never got resolved . Overall it kept my attention but I honestly think it was more because I kept expecting more and waiting for IT and just never really got it. Just Jeff ended up being very likeable, in the beginning he was mostly irritating and I didn't think I would ever end up getting him but he grew and that was welcome. I don't know if I ever really connected with Cleve but man, I really wanted to. So again, quite a descriptive book but just lacking in the romance department. Not bad but not great either.
Thanks girls :)
February 15, 2013
Venetian Masks by Kim Fielding
First, here's the blurb:
Jeff Dawkins’s last partner left him with a mortgage he can’t afford and nonrefundable tickets for a month’s vacation in Europe. Despite a reluctance to travel, Jeff decides to go on the trip anyway. After all, he’s already paid for it. He packs a Kindle loaded with gay romance novels and arrives in Venice full of trepidation. There he meets the handsome and charming expat Cleve Prieto, who offers to serve as his tour guide. Jeff has serious misgivings—he wasn’t born yesterday, and something about Cleve doesn’t sit right—but anything is better than wandering the canals alone. With Cleve’s help, Jeff falls in love with Venice and begins to reconcile with his past. For the first time, Jeff finds himself developing strong feelings for someone else. But he can’t be sure who that person is because Cleve’s background remains a mystery embroidered with lies.
Then a dark figure from Cleve’s past appears, and Jeff must choose whether to let Cleve flee alone or to join him on a desperate run through central Europe. Maybe Jeff will finally be able to see behind Cleve’s masks—if he survives the journey.
Now for the painful part.....
To be honest, I was really looking forward to this one, especially after reading the reviews and reading out for myself how well written and satisfying Kim Fielding's book Speechless was. I have that on my Favorites file and have read it twice since. So when Venetian Masks was released, I had to have a copy.
Do I regret reading this? No.
Do I regret holding on to it till the end? No.
This book had a promise, but it fell not-so-flat for me, it just fell. Period.
Personally, I felt like I was reading a coffee table Travel & Food Guide instead of an MM story set in Europe and usually I do open these types of books only when I am having a cup of Earl Grey tea and trying to relax on a good Sunday after all work is done and the house is quiet for once. Otherwise, they stay untouched.
It also had a Roman Holiday feel to it. You know, that Audrey Hepburn movie way back when? It had promise, it had the right marketing and all, the actors were good and very good looking, but it still fell flat.
My rating this book a 2 is hard for me, painful even, especially after reading all the other books this author wrote. Will this make me stop reading Kim Fielding's works?
No.
First, here's the blurb:
Jeff Dawkins’s last partner left him with a mortgage he can’t afford and nonrefundable tickets for a month’s vacation in Europe. Despite a reluctance to travel, Jeff decides to go on the trip anyway. After all, he’s already paid for it. He packs a Kindle loaded with gay romance novels and arrives in Venice full of trepidation. There he meets the handsome and charming expat Cleve Prieto, who offers to serve as his tour guide. Jeff has serious misgivings—he wasn’t born yesterday, and something about Cleve doesn’t sit right—but anything is better than wandering the canals alone. With Cleve’s help, Jeff falls in love with Venice and begins to reconcile with his past. For the first time, Jeff finds himself developing strong feelings for someone else. But he can’t be sure who that person is because Cleve’s background remains a mystery embroidered with lies.
Then a dark figure from Cleve’s past appears, and Jeff must choose whether to let Cleve flee alone or to join him on a desperate run through central Europe. Maybe Jeff will finally be able to see behind Cleve’s masks—if he survives the journey.
Now for the painful part.....
To be honest, I was really looking forward to this one, especially after reading the reviews and reading out for myself how well written and satisfying Kim Fielding's book Speechless was. I have that on my Favorites file and have read it twice since. So when Venetian Masks was released, I had to have a copy.
Do I regret reading this? No.
Do I regret holding on to it till the end? No.
This book had a promise, but it fell not-so-flat for me, it just fell. Period.
Personally, I felt like I was reading a coffee table Travel & Food Guide instead of an MM story set in Europe and usually I do open these types of books only when I am having a cup of Earl Grey tea and trying to relax on a good Sunday after all work is done and the house is quiet for once. Otherwise, they stay untouched.
It also had a Roman Holiday feel to it. You know, that Audrey Hepburn movie way back when? It had promise, it had the right marketing and all, the actors were good and very good looking, but it still fell flat.
My rating this book a 2 is hard for me, painful even, especially after reading all the other books this author wrote. Will this make me stop reading Kim Fielding's works?
No.
November 18, 2013
Nikyta totally tricked me into reading this!
I went into this book completely blind and had no idea what it was about, although I did gather from the title that it might be set in Venice...
Poor plain ol', boring Jeff. He's been cheated on and dumped by his boyfriend, forced to sell his house, and now he's on a plane traveling to Venice to begin his 4 week European vacation...alone. Shortly after arriving in Venice, he catches the eye of "Cleve", a gorgeous, tattooed, American drifter who offers to play Jeff's tour guide...for payment. Hmm, that doesn't sound like a trusty, safe plan
to me!
I immediately connected with Jeff. He is pretty much me (if I were a gay man), as we share many of the same neuroses. Plus, we both:
Work in IT
Live an unexciting existence
Have to plan for everything
Have never traveled anywhere alone
Carry our Kindles everywhere we go, although I haven't maimed anyone with mine...yet
Then Jeff throws his brain out the window and agrees to give Cleve's offer a try, while I'm screaming "NOOOOOOOOO, he can't be trusted!!!!!" But Jeff sees Cleve's sad eyes and decides to overlook all of his lies and half-truths, and squeezes Cleve into his travel budget...there's just something about the gorgeous man... It truly was about the companionship, although it wasn't long before it led to some sexy time...Cleve was never paid for sex!
Cleve...no way did I trust him in the beginning! And I don't think I even liked him at first because of how much I didn't trust him. Ooooh, but it wasn't long before he stole my heart...I think I loved him before Jeff even loved him. And even though it was a bit insta-love-ish, I still loved Jeff and Cleve together and was cheering for them the entire time.
Sooooooo, I'm not going to tell anymore about Cleve or give away any spoilers about what happens next, but the lazy vacation romance suddenly turns into a twisted thriller. Huh? Didn't see that coming. It did get a little outrageous...but who cares? It was fun and sweet and I couldn't put it down...and that's all that matters.
I went into this book completely blind and had no idea what it was about, although I did gather from the title that it might be set in Venice...
Poor plain ol', boring Jeff. He's been cheated on and dumped by his boyfriend, forced to sell his house, and now he's on a plane traveling to Venice to begin his 4 week European vacation...alone. Shortly after arriving in Venice, he catches the eye of "Cleve", a gorgeous, tattooed, American drifter who offers to play Jeff's tour guide...for payment. Hmm, that doesn't sound like a trusty, safe plan
to me!
I immediately connected with Jeff. He is pretty much me (if I were a gay man), as we share many of the same neuroses. Plus, we both:
Work in IT
Live an unexciting existence
Have to plan for everything
Have never traveled anywhere alone
Carry our Kindles everywhere we go, although I haven't maimed anyone with mine...yet
Then Jeff throws his brain out the window and agrees to give Cleve's offer a try, while I'm screaming "NOOOOOOOOO, he can't be trusted!!!!!" But Jeff sees Cleve's sad eyes and decides to overlook all of his lies and half-truths, and squeezes Cleve into his travel budget...there's just something about the gorgeous man... It truly was about the companionship, although it wasn't long before it led to some sexy time...Cleve was never paid for sex!
Cleve...no way did I trust him in the beginning! And I don't think I even liked him at first because of how much I didn't trust him. Ooooh, but it wasn't long before he stole my heart...I think I loved him before Jeff even loved him. And even though it was a bit insta-love-ish, I still loved Jeff and Cleve together and was cheering for them the entire time.
Sooooooo, I'm not going to tell anymore about Cleve or give away any spoilers about what happens next, but the lazy vacation romance suddenly turns into a twisted thriller. Huh? Didn't see that coming. It did get a little outrageous...but who cares? It was fun and sweet and I couldn't put it down...and that's all that matters.
November 15, 2015
da www.sognipensieriparole.com
Un libro piacevole con dei protagonisti finalmente umani e normali: Jeff è un nerd informatico, mollato dal compagno, che ha il “vizio” segreto di leggere di nascosto romanzi rosa (!).
Quando si ritrova solo e con il mutuo sul groppone segue il consiglio dei genitori e parte ugualmente per il viaggio in Europa che aveva già programmato.
Ora, magari visitare i luoghi che avrebbe dovuto visitare con l’ex potrebbe non essere una grande idea, se non fosse che Venezia resta un luogo magico e surreale, dove anche gli incontri casuali possono cambiare una vita. Ed ecco che il fattore “veneziano” si concretizza in ragazzo misterioso dai capelli castano-rossi, con le braccia ricoperte di tatuaggi colorati e seducenti, che si offre di fargli da guida personale per calli e campielli.
Ma chi è Cleve, cosa nasconde, come fa a conoscere tutti i luoghi giusti ed essere al tempo stesso così sfuggente?
Mi è piaciuto muovermi per Venezia , città dove vado abitualmente per lavoro, guardandola attraverso gli occhi di un americano, ma anche girare per Trieste e la Croazia. Ho provato tenerezza nel vedere il nostro bravo turista spennato per un Bellini, così come mi sono sentita vicina ai due quando gustano i cartocci di pesce in qualche bacaro fuori dalle solite rotte. Penso che l’autrice abbia riversato molte impressioni di un suo viaggio negli stessi luoghi perché questo romanzo ha parecchi parti descrittive, con molta precisione per il singolo dettaglio.
C’è anche un elemento avventuroso (ah sì, se arriva il momento di passare all’azione… anche un Kindle può essere utile!) e i due sono adorabili, sia quando stanno insieme sia quando cercano goffamente di proteggersi l’un l’altro.
Lo consiglio a chi cerca una lettura rilassante, senza drammoni psicologici, ma che comunque vuole una trama interessante al di là delle solite scene piccanti.
E' il secondo romanzo che leggo di quest'autrice (dopo BRUTO) e apprezzo molto il suo stile.
Un libro piacevole con dei protagonisti finalmente umani e normali: Jeff è un nerd informatico, mollato dal compagno, che ha il “vizio” segreto di leggere di nascosto romanzi rosa (!).
Quando si ritrova solo e con il mutuo sul groppone segue il consiglio dei genitori e parte ugualmente per il viaggio in Europa che aveva già programmato.
Ora, magari visitare i luoghi che avrebbe dovuto visitare con l’ex potrebbe non essere una grande idea, se non fosse che Venezia resta un luogo magico e surreale, dove anche gli incontri casuali possono cambiare una vita. Ed ecco che il fattore “veneziano” si concretizza in ragazzo misterioso dai capelli castano-rossi, con le braccia ricoperte di tatuaggi colorati e seducenti, che si offre di fargli da guida personale per calli e campielli.
Ma chi è Cleve, cosa nasconde, come fa a conoscere tutti i luoghi giusti ed essere al tempo stesso così sfuggente?
Mi è piaciuto muovermi per Venezia , città dove vado abitualmente per lavoro, guardandola attraverso gli occhi di un americano, ma anche girare per Trieste e la Croazia. Ho provato tenerezza nel vedere il nostro bravo turista spennato per un Bellini, così come mi sono sentita vicina ai due quando gustano i cartocci di pesce in qualche bacaro fuori dalle solite rotte. Penso che l’autrice abbia riversato molte impressioni di un suo viaggio negli stessi luoghi perché questo romanzo ha parecchi parti descrittive, con molta precisione per il singolo dettaglio.
C’è anche un elemento avventuroso (ah sì, se arriva il momento di passare all’azione… anche un Kindle può essere utile!) e i due sono adorabili, sia quando stanno insieme sia quando cercano goffamente di proteggersi l’un l’altro.
Lo consiglio a chi cerca una lettura rilassante, senza drammoni psicologici, ma che comunque vuole una trama interessante al di là delle solite scene piccanti.
E' il secondo romanzo che leggo di quest'autrice (dopo BRUTO) e apprezzo molto il suo stile.
August 11, 2017
4.5 Stars
Jeff Dawkins' (cheater) ex-boyfriend left him with a mortgage he can’t afford and nonrefundable tickets for a month’s vacation in Europe. While there, he meets Cleve Prieto in Venice. Cleve is handsome and charming but obviously hiding something. Jeff is wary but agrees to hire Cleve as a tour guide. Jeff falls in love with the Venice Cleve shows him. He also begins to heal the wounds inflicted by his loser ex; for the first time Jeff finds himself developing strong feelings for someone else. However, Cleve's background is embroidered with lies and Jeff must decide whether to cut his losses and return home or fight for a future with Cleve.
It's official: I am a Kim Fielding fan! I love her writing and the characters she creates. Her stories are engaging, saucy, and contain the right amount of angst. I enjoyed Venetian Masks. The lies (upon lies, upon lies) hit a little close to home. (Maybe KF knows my ex?) I kept thinking, "No way, Jeff! Are you buying that bull shit!?!" But I'm happy that it worked out for the MCs in the end. Venice and the other cities Jeff visited were amazing and the people seemed warm and friendly. I loved traveling along side Jeff and seeing what he did. I was also riveted by the story's underlying mystery. I knew that Cleve was full of crap but I couldn't figure out the truth behind his mask.
Bottom-line: a riveting tale of lies, desperation, and love.
Jeff Dawkins' (cheater) ex-boyfriend left him with a mortgage he can’t afford and nonrefundable tickets for a month’s vacation in Europe. While there, he meets Cleve Prieto in Venice. Cleve is handsome and charming but obviously hiding something. Jeff is wary but agrees to hire Cleve as a tour guide. Jeff falls in love with the Venice Cleve shows him. He also begins to heal the wounds inflicted by his loser ex; for the first time Jeff finds himself developing strong feelings for someone else. However, Cleve's background is embroidered with lies and Jeff must decide whether to cut his losses and return home or fight for a future with Cleve.
It's official: I am a Kim Fielding fan! I love her writing and the characters she creates. Her stories are engaging, saucy, and contain the right amount of angst. I enjoyed Venetian Masks. The lies (upon lies, upon lies) hit a little close to home. (Maybe KF knows my ex?) I kept thinking, "No way, Jeff! Are you buying that bull shit!?!" But I'm happy that it worked out for the MCs in the end. Venice and the other cities Jeff visited were amazing and the people seemed warm and friendly. I loved traveling along side Jeff and seeing what he did. I was also riveted by the story's underlying mystery. I knew that Cleve was full of crap but I couldn't figure out the truth behind his mask.
Bottom-line: a riveting tale of lies, desperation, and love.
November 23, 2013
The first part of this book seemed really slow and overwrought with minutiae. I don't really care for minutiae, and I found that really, really hard to muscle through, but I'm glad I did because it got much more exciting later on.
I think this book is lighter-hearted than it intended to be, and also sweeter. I felt that it was trying to hold an edge that wasn't quite there for me. But that actually worked for me, because I needed some lighter reading and this was enjoyable. :)
I think this book is lighter-hearted than it intended to be, and also sweeter. I felt that it was trying to hold an edge that wasn't quite there for me. But that actually worked for me, because I needed some lighter reading and this was enjoyable. :)
December 8, 2015
As is usual lately, this is one of my stream of consciousness reviews with a bonus fan moment or two.
Oh this is so going to break my heart, isn't it?
Why do people toss perfectly good stuff? He should donate it.
I love his mom, she's real and this millennium and yet not a no-nonsense career-only woman. She's not a sexist 50s style housewife. I love that she's helping him and not his perfect alternative female best friend as all other gay boys in this situation in these books seem to have.
Wow, he does even more research than I would. It would never occur to me to find out how long flight delays tended to be at different airports.
Ooo snarky! I love the little spots of humor amid the drama. E.g., when calling his mom after he first gets to Venice:
I love this book so far.
I liked the stranger (love interest) until he opened his mouth. He sounds like a loser.
I like that his memories of Kyle include some sweet romantic ones that were recent, that not everything was about how awful Kyle was.
Cleve's a terrible to not be able to .
Alert: Beginning of fan rave, grab your haz mat suits.
I don't think I've ever read a book that had someone singing They Might Be Giants. I'm doing my happy dance. (On my "favorites" playlist I have "Alienation's for the Rich." It starts with a harmonic but it eventually moves to a kind of country rock thing. It came on and even though my 14-year-old was busy chatting with her friend in the back seat, she jerked up and shouted, "What the chicken nuggets is this?" (That's her new catchphrase.) I made them listen to it and expanded their worlds just a little. I felt that I did my good deed for the day.
If you are unfamiliar with the band, you may not understand. You also need to leave this review right now and go to YouTube and watch the low budget and very 80s Birdhouse In Your Soul video. As with all TMBG songs, it helps to really listen to the lyrics.
I first saw them in this little line up of tiny bands in an alternative room and this big Halloween party at my university. The big rooms had a D.J. and a Bruce Springsteen cover band. They didn't even have a record/tape yet for me to buy and thought they were the best thing ever. They had these giant paper heads they swung around as part of their act. I saw them years later at the Paramount in Seattle, and they were wonderful, but nothing will ever beat the wonder of that first performance. They are still out there performing and making music.
Here's the song I made my daughter listen to, although there doesn't appear to be a video for it. It's really short, 2.5 minutes.
Lyrics:
Another of their funniest and most popular songs is Instanbul (not Constantinoble). The video is a little odd. It's also about 2.5 minutes.
End of fan rave, all systems clear.
I totally know what Mita means about loving other cities but loving your own the best.
I love that all the dreams are a little twisted and odd like dreams always are, yet still have meaning. So many books have dreams be really linear which is so not right. This is one of my faves:
He was walking in an enormous shopping mall, one so huge that the brightly lit rows of stores stretched endlessly to his left and right, while another wing extended infinitely in front of him. He looked over his shoulder, and sure enough, a fourth hall was behind him. Some of the stores sold the usual mall stuff: shoes, jewelry, clothing, cosmetics. But others carried decidedly exotic stock. The one with the blue sign reading Lawyers R Us, for example, had aisles of blandly handsome men in suits and briefcases, each with a price tag on his lapel. There was a customer in that store, and although Jeff couldn’t see the guy’s face, he knew from the back it was Kyle. Oddly, however, Jeff didn’t feel jealous or upset. In fact, he was a little contemptuous. “Buying one off the rack,” he heard himself sneer.**snicker snicker**
This was a deep, intense, emotional story of intrigue and an eventual thrill ride and yet it occasionally made me laugh as I've espoused above. Here's more:
Um, I'm not familiar with any laptop with an external volume control, but how else would you turn off the volume before booting up?
He was with Kyle for years and never ? I just don't buy that. I mean that .
I always carry my reader, too, because yes, you never know when you might need to kill some time .
I still don't quite trust Cleve. I like him better now, but I don't believe anything he says for absolutely sure.
I love that Jeff took the guy out with . But the guy was knocked out so .
I don't know why, but I feel I didn't get enough proof that Maybe it's my own insecurities. Probably.
I liked seeing these places from a tourist perspective with the sense of wonder and unworldliness of it all.
Overall, a great, fun and interesting read as I've come to expect from Kim Fielding.
Oh this is so going to break my heart, isn't it?
Why do people toss perfectly good stuff? He should donate it.
I love his mom, she's real and this millennium and yet not a no-nonsense career-only woman. She's not a sexist 50s style housewife. I love that she's helping him and not his perfect alternative female best friend as all other gay boys in this situation in these books seem to have.
Wow, he does even more research than I would. It would never occur to me to find out how long flight delays tended to be at different airports.
Ooo snarky! I love the little spots of humor amid the drama. E.g., when calling his mom after he first gets to Venice:
"And you’re eating all right?”
“No, Mom. They ran out of food right before I got here."
Everyone in high tech knows this guy:They also know his archenemy who feels the opposite way.
Jeff worked with a guy who was capable of going completely off the deep end and throwing a tantrum if someone said they preferred PCs to Macs.
I love this book so far.
I liked the stranger (love interest) until he opened his mouth. He sounds like a loser.
I like that his memories of Kyle include some sweet romantic ones that were recent, that not everything was about how awful Kyle was.
Cleve's a terrible to not be able to .
Alert: Beginning of fan rave, grab your haz mat suits.
I don't think I've ever read a book that had someone singing They Might Be Giants. I'm doing my happy dance. (On my "favorites" playlist I have "Alienation's for the Rich." It starts with a harmonic but it eventually moves to a kind of country rock thing. It came on and even though my 14-year-old was busy chatting with her friend in the back seat, she jerked up and shouted, "What the chicken nuggets is this?" (That's her new catchphrase.) I made them listen to it and expanded their worlds just a little. I felt that I did my good deed for the day.
If you are unfamiliar with the band, you may not understand. You also need to leave this review right now and go to YouTube and watch the low budget and very 80s Birdhouse In Your Soul video. As with all TMBG songs, it helps to really listen to the lyrics.
I first saw them in this little line up of tiny bands in an alternative room and this big Halloween party at my university. The big rooms had a D.J. and a Bruce Springsteen cover band. They didn't even have a record/tape yet for me to buy and thought they were the best thing ever. They had these giant paper heads they swung around as part of their act. I saw them years later at the Paramount in Seattle, and they were wonderful, but nothing will ever beat the wonder of that first performance. They are still out there performing and making music.
Here's the song I made my daughter listen to, although there doesn't appear to be a video for it. It's really short, 2.5 minutes.
Lyrics:
Another of their funniest and most popular songs is Instanbul (not Constantinoble). The video is a little odd. It's also about 2.5 minutes.
End of fan rave, all systems clear.
I totally know what Mita means about loving other cities but loving your own the best.
I love that all the dreams are a little twisted and odd like dreams always are, yet still have meaning. So many books have dreams be really linear which is so not right. This is one of my faves:
He was walking in an enormous shopping mall, one so huge that the brightly lit rows of stores stretched endlessly to his left and right, while another wing extended infinitely in front of him. He looked over his shoulder, and sure enough, a fourth hall was behind him. Some of the stores sold the usual mall stuff: shoes, jewelry, clothing, cosmetics. But others carried decidedly exotic stock. The one with the blue sign reading Lawyers R Us, for example, had aisles of blandly handsome men in suits and briefcases, each with a price tag on his lapel. There was a customer in that store, and although Jeff couldn’t see the guy’s face, he knew from the back it was Kyle. Oddly, however, Jeff didn’t feel jealous or upset. In fact, he was a little contemptuous. “Buying one off the rack,” he heard himself sneer.**snicker snicker**
This was a deep, intense, emotional story of intrigue and an eventual thrill ride and yet it occasionally made me laugh as I've espoused above. Here's more:
"But what is it?”I've included a little more than the funny part of this one because of more fandom-mania.
“You really don’t understand the concept of a surprise, do you?”
“I could be surprised right now,” Jeff suggested.
“Were the Slovenians deliberately trying to make their capital as unpronounceable as possible?” he mused out loud.If you haven't figured it out yet (and you'll be told in the first few pages of the book), Kyle left him for a lawyer. He's not fond of lawyers.
“Ljubljana is perfectly pronounceable.”
“If you don’t mind spraining your tongue.”
“It’s a pretty little town. You’ll see. Old place. Romans lived there, the Illyrians—”
“Illyria?” Jeff interrupted. “You mean like in Angel?”
“Huh?”
Jeff stretched out his legs so that his feet were next to Cleve, and toed gently at Cleve’s hip. “You know, Angel. As in Buffy, vampires—”
Cleve finally opened his eyes. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”
“What? They were good shows. Metaphors for the evils of adolescence and all. Well, Buffy was a metaphor for being a teenager. I’m not sure what Angel was a metaphor for. Evil lawyers, I guess. I can understand that metaphor.
Um, I'm not familiar with any laptop with an external volume control, but how else would you turn off the volume before booting up?
He was with Kyle for years and never ? I just don't buy that. I mean that .
I always carry my reader, too, because yes, you never know when you might need to kill some time .
I still don't quite trust Cleve. I like him better now, but I don't believe anything he says for absolutely sure.
I love that Jeff took the guy out with . But the guy was knocked out so .
I don't know why, but I feel I didn't get enough proof that Maybe it's my own insecurities. Probably.
I liked seeing these places from a tourist perspective with the sense of wonder and unworldliness of it all.
Overall, a great, fun and interesting read as I've come to expect from Kim Fielding.
August 18, 2017
4.25 stars
March 17, 2013
I like Kim Fielding’s books and this one isn’t an exception. Venetian Masks was truly a special read. It’s a weird mix between contemporary, angst, real life, adventure and a touch of fairy tale. I really don’t think this will be for everyone, especially if you have certain expectations. But if you go into it open minded, as I did, I think you’ll enjoy it a lot.
I really liked Jeff as a character. I warmed up to him immediately and I went along with him in his crazy journey. He’s a really lonely and sad person who struggles to survive. Maybe not everybody saw him like this, but for me he was a wounded soul who did everything he could to go on. He’s so set in his ways and in his routine that taking a month long trip around Europe will be a great challenge for him. And it is, at first. But then again, most of what he could count on it the states is lost: his relationship, his plans, his house. Europe gives him the chance to step outside his box and allow himself to open up to the unexpected. Which he does when he meets Cleve .
Cleve is at first Jeff’s opposite. He’s worldly, beautiful, mysterious, adventurous. He is of course all that, but he’s also very much alike Jeff . He’s lonely, his scars run deep and he’s living from day to day. And he so desperately wants someone to love him but he doesn’t think he deserves it or that it will happen. Just like Jeff. Sometimes two broken souls can make a healthy one and I like to think that they will manage this.
The romance part could have used a bit more work to be completely believable but I chose to let it slide. The adventure part will be a let down for those expecting mystery and action filled moments. The ending with Eddie and how smoothly things went from there is not completely believable but this is where the fairy tale part made an entrance and I didn’t bat an eyelash.
I would have loved a bit more of their life in the USA but I only got one page and the ever present : And they lived happily ever after. Literally! :) But, like I said, I was open minded and I simply enjoyed the ride!
I leave you with something sweet :
“Where would you set down roots, Cleve? If you could pick anywhere in the world?”
Cleve’s answer was immediate and direct. “Where someone loved me, man.”
I really liked Jeff as a character. I warmed up to him immediately and I went along with him in his crazy journey. He’s a really lonely and sad person who struggles to survive. Maybe not everybody saw him like this, but for me he was a wounded soul who did everything he could to go on. He’s so set in his ways and in his routine that taking a month long trip around Europe will be a great challenge for him. And it is, at first. But then again, most of what he could count on it the states is lost: his relationship, his plans, his house. Europe gives him the chance to step outside his box and allow himself to open up to the unexpected. Which he does when he meets Cleve .
Cleve is at first Jeff’s opposite. He’s worldly, beautiful, mysterious, adventurous. He is of course all that, but he’s also very much alike Jeff . He’s lonely, his scars run deep and he’s living from day to day. And he so desperately wants someone to love him but he doesn’t think he deserves it or that it will happen. Just like Jeff. Sometimes two broken souls can make a healthy one and I like to think that they will manage this.
The romance part could have used a bit more work to be completely believable but I chose to let it slide. The adventure part will be a let down for those expecting mystery and action filled moments. The ending with Eddie and how smoothly things went from there is not completely believable but this is where the fairy tale part made an entrance and I didn’t bat an eyelash.
I would have loved a bit more of their life in the USA but I only got one page and the ever present : And they lived happily ever after. Literally! :) But, like I said, I was open minded and I simply enjoyed the ride!
I leave you with something sweet :
“Where would you set down roots, Cleve? If you could pick anywhere in the world?”
Cleve’s answer was immediate and direct. “Where someone loved me, man.”
November 12, 2015
This was a fun story with lots of intrigue and adventure and a heap of tourist information about Venice and Croatia. I not only liked the story, but I’m now motivated to go to Italy.
Jeff Dawkins finds himself packing for a trip to Europe that was planned by his ex-boyfriend—the one who left him for another man after six years of living together. But the tickets are nonrefundable, and it’s bad enough that Jeff has to sell his home because he can no longer afford to keep it, but he’s not going to lose the trip money too.
He’s pretty lost when he first arrives in Venice, but he meets a nice guy, Cleve Prieto, an ex-pat who offers to show him around. Knowing that Cleve is likely a con man, Jeff agrees anyway, and the two strike up a friendship. On Jeff’s side, it’s starting to feel like more than just friendship after a few days, but when Cleve gets some news that seems to disturb him, he bolts—taking Jeff’s extra cash and credit card with him. Despite knowing he should just let it go, Jeff is disturbed enough by the way Cleve was acting the day before he left that Jeff decides to investigate a bit and see what he can find out.
What he finds is that Cleve is a former model and porn star and was apparently the boy toy of a rich man with “connections,” and Jeff suspects the man is now hunting Cleve for more than just companionship. Jeff manages to track Cleve down, primarily through Cleve’s use of Jeff’s credit card which he’d decided not to cancel. As much as they try to shake their tail, the men after them keep coming. The guys desperately try to hide their trail as they get through Croatia and back to Venice, but when Cleve is finally tracked down, their worst fears are realized.
I enjoyed the way the author resolved the issues surround Cleve and his con man ways and brought closure to the chase, allowing for the men to have an HEA. The story was very entertaining, and the rich descriptions of the countries and cultures made me feel as if I was watching a movie. This is a very enjoyable adventure and I highly recommend it.
Jeff Dawkins finds himself packing for a trip to Europe that was planned by his ex-boyfriend—the one who left him for another man after six years of living together. But the tickets are nonrefundable, and it’s bad enough that Jeff has to sell his home because he can no longer afford to keep it, but he’s not going to lose the trip money too.
He’s pretty lost when he first arrives in Venice, but he meets a nice guy, Cleve Prieto, an ex-pat who offers to show him around. Knowing that Cleve is likely a con man, Jeff agrees anyway, and the two strike up a friendship. On Jeff’s side, it’s starting to feel like more than just friendship after a few days, but when Cleve gets some news that seems to disturb him, he bolts—taking Jeff’s extra cash and credit card with him. Despite knowing he should just let it go, Jeff is disturbed enough by the way Cleve was acting the day before he left that Jeff decides to investigate a bit and see what he can find out.
What he finds is that Cleve is a former model and porn star and was apparently the boy toy of a rich man with “connections,” and Jeff suspects the man is now hunting Cleve for more than just companionship. Jeff manages to track Cleve down, primarily through Cleve’s use of Jeff’s credit card which he’d decided not to cancel. As much as they try to shake their tail, the men after them keep coming. The guys desperately try to hide their trail as they get through Croatia and back to Venice, but when Cleve is finally tracked down, their worst fears are realized.
I enjoyed the way the author resolved the issues surround Cleve and his con man ways and brought closure to the chase, allowing for the men to have an HEA. The story was very entertaining, and the rich descriptions of the countries and cultures made me feel as if I was watching a movie. This is a very enjoyable adventure and I highly recommend it.
November 2, 2015
http://bianchianita1971.blogspot.it/2...
Questo romanzo si è rivelato una splendida sorpresa: la trama mi ispirava parecchio ma non avrei mai pensato che mi sarei innamorata a tal punto del libro e dei suoi protagonisti!
Cosa ho amato?
Venezia: è stato molto interessante e divertente vedere una delle città che amo di più (e che visito più spesso) attraverso gli occhi di uno straniero. Concordo con molte delle opinioni espresse dalla Fielding tramite i suoi personaggi ed ho trovato intelligente e senza troppi stereotipi la sua descrizione della città e dei suoi abitanti.
Jeff: non posso dirvi il perchè altrimenti farei degli spoiler ma ho adorato quest'uomo, i suoi limiti e la sua caparbietà.
Cleve. Cleve rientra nella tipologia di personaggi per cui ho da sempre un debole: buttato fuori casa quando era ancora un'adolescente ha dovuto arrangiarsi come poteva per sopravvivere, facendo anche delle scelte sbagliate che, ahimè, lo perseguitano ancora.
Il ritmo: questa vicenda non concede un attimo di pausa. Tra viaggi, inseguimenti e fughe mantiene un ritmo veloce e avvincente ma, anche quando non stanno scappando, i due protagonisti ci tengono costantemente in bilico con i loro sentimenti.
La dolcezza: senza essere mai stucchevole riesce a regalarci delle scene dolcissime.
Cosa non ho amato?
Mmm, vediamo... Nulla!!!!
In poche parole questo libro mi ha sopresa, mi ha fatto emozionare e mi ha tenuto incollata fino alla fine: cosa posso chiedere di più?
Questo romanzo si è rivelato una splendida sorpresa: la trama mi ispirava parecchio ma non avrei mai pensato che mi sarei innamorata a tal punto del libro e dei suoi protagonisti!
Cosa ho amato?
Venezia: è stato molto interessante e divertente vedere una delle città che amo di più (e che visito più spesso) attraverso gli occhi di uno straniero. Concordo con molte delle opinioni espresse dalla Fielding tramite i suoi personaggi ed ho trovato intelligente e senza troppi stereotipi la sua descrizione della città e dei suoi abitanti.
Jeff: non posso dirvi il perchè altrimenti farei degli spoiler ma ho adorato quest'uomo, i suoi limiti e la sua caparbietà.
Cleve. Cleve rientra nella tipologia di personaggi per cui ho da sempre un debole: buttato fuori casa quando era ancora un'adolescente ha dovuto arrangiarsi come poteva per sopravvivere, facendo anche delle scelte sbagliate che, ahimè, lo perseguitano ancora.
Il ritmo: questa vicenda non concede un attimo di pausa. Tra viaggi, inseguimenti e fughe mantiene un ritmo veloce e avvincente ma, anche quando non stanno scappando, i due protagonisti ci tengono costantemente in bilico con i loro sentimenti.
La dolcezza: senza essere mai stucchevole riesce a regalarci delle scene dolcissime.
Cosa non ho amato?
Mmm, vediamo... Nulla!!!!
In poche parole questo libro mi ha sopresa, mi ha fatto emozionare e mi ha tenuto incollata fino alla fine: cosa posso chiedere di più?
July 29, 2013
I was surprised by the subtlety, the cool, clear-headed writing, the beautiful sense of character and place that the author brings to the unusual story line.
Jeff Dawkins has cocooned himself in a world of predictable normality, while Cleve Prieto has never had a safe or secure moment in his life. They find each other in Venice, that magical and illusory city, as each of them - in very different ways - flees a horribly failed relationship. As divergent as their lives are, the experience of sudden death is something they share, and in each other Jeff and Cleve find the possibility of an escape from the pain and fear that has proscribed their lives.
Kim Fielding offers us an m/m romance novel (in which the main character is addicted to reading m/m romance novels on his Kindle, LOL) that goes deeper than the average fare in this much-loved genre. Kudos to Ms. Fielding. I expected to like this - but not as much as I ended up liking it.
Jeff Dawkins has cocooned himself in a world of predictable normality, while Cleve Prieto has never had a safe or secure moment in his life. They find each other in Venice, that magical and illusory city, as each of them - in very different ways - flees a horribly failed relationship. As divergent as their lives are, the experience of sudden death is something they share, and in each other Jeff and Cleve find the possibility of an escape from the pain and fear that has proscribed their lives.
Kim Fielding offers us an m/m romance novel (in which the main character is addicted to reading m/m romance novels on his Kindle, LOL) that goes deeper than the average fare in this much-loved genre. Kudos to Ms. Fielding. I expected to like this - but not as much as I ended up liking it.
January 28, 2016
Maybe not the most realistic book but I had fun reading it. I liked the setting details and would love to visit some day. Also liked the two main characters.
February 7, 2018
Delightful. A fun mix of sweet vacation romance and nail-biting, run-for-your-life danger. My favorite thing is how perfect Cleve and Jeff are for each other; how they make each other better by being in each others' lives. Perfectly romantic.
Favorite Quote:
Apparently, his copy of the Homosexual Manual was missing the chapter on Fabulous Home Decorating.
Favorite Quote:
Apparently, his copy of the Homosexual Manual was missing the chapter on Fabulous Home Decorating.
February 26, 2013
I love this book. It’s fun, sexy, sweet and romantic. It has travel and adventure in foreign lands and a deliciously angsty love story between a sexy IT guy and a mysterious man of potentially dubious character.
Jeff is adorable; he’s that sexy kind of guy who is a little unsure of himself and more complex than he first appears. Most of his adventures occur in the stories he reads on his Kindle. A solitary trip to Europe pushes him way outside his comfort zone, since the furthest he’s been from Sacramento is Canada. His ex made all of the arrangements for them before he decided to move in with his new boyfriend.
Cleve is hot, tatted, damaged and comes with dangerous baggage. He could charm his way through anything and past just about anyone. Guys like Cleve are valued for their looks and bed skills but they aren’t loved. Especially not by sexy geeks who know better than to get mixed up with trouble. But when you finally find something worth keeping you don’t let anything take it away.
Jeff is at first dazzled by the beauty and charm of Cleve, even while doubting the possibility that Cleve’s attentions are genuine. Boring IT guys do not draw the attention of the best looking guy they’ve ever met. It doesn’t help that Cleve’s stories keep contradicting themselves. Jeff’s troubles begin as he gets past Cleve’s hot body and ready smile to the sweet and insecure man beneath. As he is drawn further into Cleve’s world he finds within himself untapped strengths and a depth of feeling he didn’t know he had.
What starts out as a casual mutually beneficial tour guide arrangement quickly spirals into something precious as each man finds himself having to decide what he’s willing to do to keep the other man safe. It kept me reading to see what new adventure they’d get into and how they would make their happy ending out of the crazy mess they are running from. Love all of the beautiful places they visit in Europe. You can tell the author has spent time in these places.
I adored the heroes the men became. Fell in love with their story and was so very pleased with the end. And without spoiling it for you, let’s just say you’ll never look at a Kindle the same.
Reviewed by: Nina
Jeff is adorable; he’s that sexy kind of guy who is a little unsure of himself and more complex than he first appears. Most of his adventures occur in the stories he reads on his Kindle. A solitary trip to Europe pushes him way outside his comfort zone, since the furthest he’s been from Sacramento is Canada. His ex made all of the arrangements for them before he decided to move in with his new boyfriend.
Cleve is hot, tatted, damaged and comes with dangerous baggage. He could charm his way through anything and past just about anyone. Guys like Cleve are valued for their looks and bed skills but they aren’t loved. Especially not by sexy geeks who know better than to get mixed up with trouble. But when you finally find something worth keeping you don’t let anything take it away.
Jeff is at first dazzled by the beauty and charm of Cleve, even while doubting the possibility that Cleve’s attentions are genuine. Boring IT guys do not draw the attention of the best looking guy they’ve ever met. It doesn’t help that Cleve’s stories keep contradicting themselves. Jeff’s troubles begin as he gets past Cleve’s hot body and ready smile to the sweet and insecure man beneath. As he is drawn further into Cleve’s world he finds within himself untapped strengths and a depth of feeling he didn’t know he had.
What starts out as a casual mutually beneficial tour guide arrangement quickly spirals into something precious as each man finds himself having to decide what he’s willing to do to keep the other man safe. It kept me reading to see what new adventure they’d get into and how they would make their happy ending out of the crazy mess they are running from. Love all of the beautiful places they visit in Europe. You can tell the author has spent time in these places.
I adored the heroes the men became. Fell in love with their story and was so very pleased with the end. And without spoiling it for you, let’s just say you’ll never look at a Kindle the same.
Reviewed by: Nina
February 15, 2013
Ok. I will admit it. I bought this book, in part, because of the amazing cover. Luckily, I have read other works by Kim Fielding and enjoyed them so I knew I wasn’t taking much of a risk at having the story fail to live up to the cover.
I enjoyed the adventure aspect of this story. The descriptions and details of Venice and other locations made you feel like you were there. The main characters were compelling, especially Cleve. We knew early on that he was a mystery. I liked how his past was revealed to us over the course of the story. Like Jeff, I was questioning Cleve’s presence and intentions which kept me turning the pages so I could figure him out. Cleve is damaged and he doesn’t magically change the minute he meets Jeff. It made for a more interesting and sometimes uncomfortable story having Cleve walk the edge of really having feelings for Jeff and using him. The contradictions in his actions left me feeling unsettled, much like Jeff. Jeff was ordinary. Ordinary in the best possible way. It was easy to relate to him and to root for him. Through all the uncertainty that surrounded Cleve, Jeff had his eyes wide open and willingly took the risks necessary to stay with Cleve. I admired his strength, courage and determination.
The book was a bit light on the romance angle yet this was in large part due to Cleve’s past and the current circumstances of the story. I felt for both Jeff and Cleve and was relieved and happy for them when they achieved their HEA.
In all this was a good read. The writing style was good and made it easy to fall into the story.
Recommended.
I enjoyed the adventure aspect of this story. The descriptions and details of Venice and other locations made you feel like you were there. The main characters were compelling, especially Cleve. We knew early on that he was a mystery. I liked how his past was revealed to us over the course of the story. Like Jeff, I was questioning Cleve’s presence and intentions which kept me turning the pages so I could figure him out. Cleve is damaged and he doesn’t magically change the minute he meets Jeff. It made for a more interesting and sometimes uncomfortable story having Cleve walk the edge of really having feelings for Jeff and using him. The contradictions in his actions left me feeling unsettled, much like Jeff. Jeff was ordinary. Ordinary in the best possible way. It was easy to relate to him and to root for him. Through all the uncertainty that surrounded Cleve, Jeff had his eyes wide open and willingly took the risks necessary to stay with Cleve. I admired his strength, courage and determination.
The book was a bit light on the romance angle yet this was in large part due to Cleve’s past and the current circumstances of the story. I felt for both Jeff and Cleve and was relieved and happy for them when they achieved their HEA.
In all this was a good read. The writing style was good and made it easy to fall into the story.
Recommended.
May 10, 2014
I was surprised by how much I actually loved this! I only bought this because I was a fan of Kim Fielding's other book Brute, but I usually don't go for this kind of plot. I read a couple of other books where that main character travels to another country and meets a mysterious man that will turn their world upside down, but they weren't down very good, so I was a bit wary to start on another. My standards weren't set all that high, but I was blown away by how awesome this was! Kind of spoiler alert! I'm so glad that I decided to read this and I would recommend this to everyone!
September 13, 2016
It's safe to say that I'll be reading this book again, because to me, it definitely qualifies as a comfort read.
First of all, I loved the European setting. For some reason it always feels closer to home, and Ms. Fielding did an excellent job describing Venice, Zagreb, Ljubljana & Trieste. Unfortunately, I haven't been to Zagreb, but I had the best time revisiting the rest of the above mentioned cities with Jeff and Cleve. It's been more than 7 years since I moved to Italy, and Jeff's first days in Venice, especially his shopping at Billa, reminded me a lot of my own experience.
Regarding characters, I instantly fell in love with these two. I probably wouldn't have accepted Cleve's so called business proposition, but I was glad to see Jeff come out of his shell and take the risk. The chemistry between them was instant and hot, but it went along perfectly with the storyline and didn't distract from the plot.
All in all, Venetian Masks was an absolute delight to read, and I recommend it highly.
*I received this book as a prize in the M/M Romance Group 4 Year Anniversary Celebration
First of all, I loved the European setting. For some reason it always feels closer to home, and Ms. Fielding did an excellent job describing Venice, Zagreb, Ljubljana & Trieste. Unfortunately, I haven't been to Zagreb, but I had the best time revisiting the rest of the above mentioned cities with Jeff and Cleve. It's been more than 7 years since I moved to Italy, and Jeff's first days in Venice, especially his shopping at Billa, reminded me a lot of my own experience.
Regarding characters, I instantly fell in love with these two. I probably wouldn't have accepted Cleve's so called business proposition, but I was glad to see Jeff come out of his shell and take the risk. The chemistry between them was instant and hot, but it went along perfectly with the storyline and didn't distract from the plot.
All in all, Venetian Masks was an absolute delight to read, and I recommend it highly.
*I received this book as a prize in the M/M Romance Group 4 Year Anniversary Celebration
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June 13, 2019Just Jeff is a ordinary, rather dull man from Sacramento. He is contented, more or less, with his dull job and ho-hum relationship. It turns out that his partner, Kyle, is not so content. Kyle wants travel, excitement, better sex! I can't blame him. (One thing I liked in this story is that Fielding doesn't make The Ex a cartoon villain; both men are culpable in the failure of the relationship.) Yet, when they part way and must sell the house they shared, it ends up being Jeff who is taking the European tour that they were supposed to share.
Jeff's plan is to have a mildly interesting time. See a few sights, buy a few souvenirs, not try anything too new or different. But he meets an attractive stranger, a charming liar who wants to play tour guide for a week. Is Cleve only after a quick buck, or is something even more dangerous afoot?
The author does an excellent job building Jeff's character and situation such that it seems plausible that he would agree to this arrangement with Cleve despite Cleve being obviously untrustworthy. Both men have layered pasts that get revealed along the way.
And it will definitely make you want to travel someplace new!
Jeff's plan is to have a mildly interesting time. See a few sights, buy a few souvenirs, not try anything too new or different. But he meets an attractive stranger, a charming liar who wants to play tour guide for a week. Is Cleve only after a quick buck, or is something even more dangerous afoot?
The author does an excellent job building Jeff's character and situation such that it seems plausible that he would agree to this arrangement with Cleve despite Cleve being obviously untrustworthy. Both men have layered pasts that get revealed along the way.
And it will definitely make you want to travel someplace new!
February 24, 2013
There is a lot to this book, and having only read it once, I have a feeling I missed some things.
A lot of this story is hidden at the beginning and we learn about Cleve slowly. He seems very mysterious at first. What I like about Jeff is that he is not stupid. He clearly realizes that Cleve is lying out his rear, but he makes the decision to just let it ride. So often in romances our hero is oblivious, and in this case Jeff has his eyes wide open.
I enjoyed the travel aspect of this novel, I really felt like I was exploring the areas. Fielding was amazing at making us feel how it is when you do not understand the language and how scary that must be.
The mystery part of it was very over the top Bourneish, but heck, this is fiction, so I just went with it.
Overall, very enjoyable book.
A lot of this story is hidden at the beginning and we learn about Cleve slowly. He seems very mysterious at first. What I like about Jeff is that he is not stupid. He clearly realizes that Cleve is lying out his rear, but he makes the decision to just let it ride. So often in romances our hero is oblivious, and in this case Jeff has his eyes wide open.
I enjoyed the travel aspect of this novel, I really felt like I was exploring the areas. Fielding was amazing at making us feel how it is when you do not understand the language and how scary that must be.
The mystery part of it was very over the top Bourneish, but heck, this is fiction, so I just went with it.
Overall, very enjoyable book.
January 26, 2015
I'm trying not to give everything I like five stars, but I really didn't find anything wrong with this book. I would classify it as a gay romance, and normally I find them somewhat boring. But this one had just the right balance of plot and sex; many times there's too much of one and not enough of the other. I'm always in awe of an author who can get it right.
November 18, 2013
Just Jeff and Cleve make a sweet couple, the plot is well-paced, interesting and original, loved the setting and secondary characters. So, why 3 stars? Because I liked it, but no more. I felt there was an important element left hanging, and the resolution was a bit too easy. It's not fluff, but it's close. I enjoyed it more for the virtual traveling I did reading it than anything else.
November 17, 2016
Didn't connect with this one enough. I liked the MCs okay, but I don't buy into the love. I also didn't care for the mob/ex angst. Just the complication of traveling/fling vs real love would've been interesting enough without the added drama. It was cool to read about Venice and Zagreb. It's setting goes a long way in keep the book interesting. It's nice to read something not set in USA/ENG.
August 20, 2017
I had a difficult time connecting with the characters and plot in this book. A lot of it felt fake to me, or like I was waiting for the real story to happen. Perhaps this was because one of the characters was/seemed so untrustworthy. However, I liked the descriptions of Venice and Zagreb, and I loved the cover.
July 15, 2016
Started well, Jeff's character I felt I got to know well, Cleve less so. And as the book progressed Cleve seemed more and more 1 dimensional so that I never felt much of a connection with him.
Same with the plot, the first 50% was paced well for me, then it seemed to be a little rushed.
Same with the plot, the first 50% was paced well for me, then it seemed to be a little rushed.
September 7, 2015
Now I want a tour of Europe and my own romantic adventure. Maybe with a little less violence.
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