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Venice Trilogy #1
Stealing Venice
Giselle Verona, a French beauty at the top of the art world creates dangerous art that gets her banned from museums. Collectors hunt her and her sculptures. Her in-laws are Italian royalty who founded Venice and would prefer she make babies and learn to cook. Salvio Scortini’s family built Venice, and now that he’s the last Scortini, he wants to run the biggest construction project the city has ever undertaken. He plans to protect his birthright if he has to drag everyone from the Pope to the Sicilian Mafia into his fight for the floating city. STEALING VENICE has been referred to as 50 Shades of DaVinci Code. Keep your arms and legs inside the gondola! This is a wild ride!A satisfyingly complex story where the tension builds from a chance encounter until it snaps and ricochets across Venice in a frenzy. A delicious combination of destination thriller and romance – it sizzles with glamour, royalty, secrets, and power.
- GenresHistorical
444 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2016
19 people are currently reading
714 people want to read
About the author
Anna Erikssön Bendewald
5 books53 followers“Keep your arms and legs inside the gondola at all times! The VENICE TRILOGY is one wild ride!”
Anna Erikssön Bendewald’s writing style has been described "It’s as if Anna were Quentin Tarantino and Robert Altman's love child. Her lush destination thrillers THE VENICE TRILOGY do indeed have a similar theatrical build to an ultimate breathless pace that gives readers quite a romp.” Readers with a more romantic nature have tend to pay closer attention to the spicier story line while fans to thriller and police procedural genres lose themselves in the main thrust of the trilogy – a fight to the death for power in Venice that sucks in the Pope, the Vatican and the Sicilian Mafia.
STEALING VENICE has been described as “50 Shades of DaVinci Code” much to Anna’s Delight!
Anna decided that at age 46, she was ready to offer the characters and stories that swirl around her head to the public. STEALING VENICE was born when she and her husband adopted their Mandarin-speaking daughters from Taiwan, she quit her corporate job to be a stay-at-home mother. Their early days of bonding and teaching them English (from their native Mandarin) kept her busy. But while they were in school and swimming lessons, Anna was busily writing Stealing Venice on her laptop. Initially the story featured graphic sex and more than once she stopped cheering her girls’ efforts in the pool only to notice the horrified look on a face of a parent nearby who had read the words on her screen. She has since decided to remove the more graphic content and leave something to the readers’ imaginations.
Anna has also written a guidebook to the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, Meet Me At Père Lachaise a self-guided walking tour with plenty of dishy details about the lust, passion and murder of the most famous people buried there. She loves traveling, eating, and reading –not in that order.
Anna Erikssön Bendewald’s writing style has been described "It’s as if Anna were Quentin Tarantino and Robert Altman's love child. Her lush destination thrillers THE VENICE TRILOGY do indeed have a similar theatrical build to an ultimate breathless pace that gives readers quite a romp.” Readers with a more romantic nature have tend to pay closer attention to the spicier story line while fans to thriller and police procedural genres lose themselves in the main thrust of the trilogy – a fight to the death for power in Venice that sucks in the Pope, the Vatican and the Sicilian Mafia.
STEALING VENICE has been described as “50 Shades of DaVinci Code” much to Anna’s Delight!
Anna decided that at age 46, she was ready to offer the characters and stories that swirl around her head to the public. STEALING VENICE was born when she and her husband adopted their Mandarin-speaking daughters from Taiwan, she quit her corporate job to be a stay-at-home mother. Their early days of bonding and teaching them English (from their native Mandarin) kept her busy. But while they were in school and swimming lessons, Anna was busily writing Stealing Venice on her laptop. Initially the story featured graphic sex and more than once she stopped cheering her girls’ efforts in the pool only to notice the horrified look on a face of a parent nearby who had read the words on her screen. She has since decided to remove the more graphic content and leave something to the readers’ imaginations.
Anna has also written a guidebook to the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, Meet Me At Père Lachaise a self-guided walking tour with plenty of dishy details about the lust, passion and murder of the most famous people buried there. She loves traveling, eating, and reading –not in that order.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
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September 22, 2017
Stealing Venice is a well crafted story. It was well planned, and the sub-plots interact with the main storyline in a way that maintains interest in the story while not overplaying suspense. The characters interact with each other through a full spectrum of emotions, and the setting changes keep the storyline interesting.
The book’s shortcomings reside in its lack of depth, which is a purely personal preference in the books that I enjoy most. I relish characters that have complex backgrounds and settings that are more than just a painted backdrop to the stage. I love plots that can turn on our ability as humans to be both merciful and cruel within the span of moments. This is my perspective in searching for what I consider to be great fiction, and unfortunately Stealing Venice is not this type of book.
Therefore, I may indeed be judging this book by a standard that it was never intended to meet. However, I think that these thoughts may provide insight to potential readers as to what this book actually is: a light, fun, and non-consequential read.
The book’s shortcomings reside in its lack of depth, which is a purely personal preference in the books that I enjoy most. I relish characters that have complex backgrounds and settings that are more than just a painted backdrop to the stage. I love plots that can turn on our ability as humans to be both merciful and cruel within the span of moments. This is my perspective in searching for what I consider to be great fiction, and unfortunately Stealing Venice is not this type of book.
Therefore, I may indeed be judging this book by a standard that it was never intended to meet. However, I think that these thoughts may provide insight to potential readers as to what this book actually is: a light, fun, and non-consequential read.
February 24, 2020
This story was suspenseful and action packed with romance thrown in. While I didn't really connect fully with it, the story intrigued me and found it fascinating. I look forward to continuing the series in the future.
***This book was featured on Goodreads and I received a FREE copy. Here is my honest review for which I have received no payment or inducement.***
***This book was featured on Goodreads and I received a FREE copy. Here is my honest review for which I have received no payment or inducement.***
August 6, 2021
This is the first book in a trilogy by indie author Anna Bendenwald. The plot was a complex web of Mafia vendettas, Vatican intrigue, conniving master criminals, gossip rag scandals, art and food.
The primary heroine Gisella is an unusual sculptor with a chemical engineering background. She enjoys a charmed life as a European jetsetter married to one of the wealthiest men in the world. But things start to unravel when she meets another artist who completely captivates her, and her husband and his family become the targets of a twisted businessman's vendetta.
Sprinkled throughout the book were many explanations of preparing traditional Italian and Eastern European dishes. These references were fascinating and made me want to try them all.
This was a fun, easy read.
3.5 Stars
The primary heroine Gisella is an unusual sculptor with a chemical engineering background. She enjoys a charmed life as a European jetsetter married to one of the wealthiest men in the world. But things start to unravel when she meets another artist who completely captivates her, and her husband and his family become the targets of a twisted businessman's vendetta.
Sprinkled throughout the book were many explanations of preparing traditional Italian and Eastern European dishes. These references were fascinating and made me want to try them all.
This was a fun, easy read.
3.5 Stars
January 17, 2022
Anna Bendewald's Stealing Venice is a destination story it is something that you must partake of not just listen to. As you listen Anna uses her words to paint a canvas in front of your eyes, on this canvas you see the people as they walk down the streets, you smell the smells, you see and hear the street vendors as they haggle over their prices. Anna totally enraps you in the story, Her gift is such that you will not be able to set your audio down, it is just too intense. This is one you will not want to let pass you by.
October 4, 2019
Goodreads Kindle Copy Win
Secrets are intertwined in this mystery story about two powerful families. There are dark hidden motives lies among them ready to come loose at the most unlikely of times. Despite its beautifully scenery it lacks depth in plot.
Secrets are intertwined in this mystery story about two powerful families. There are dark hidden motives lies among them ready to come loose at the most unlikely of times. Despite its beautifully scenery it lacks depth in plot.
November 16, 2019
I really loved this book! I loved the characters, the ending was kind of bland but all in all I'd love to finish this series! I was completely shocked at the things that were unfolded in the book which kept me reading and now I really want to know what happens!
February 28, 2020
I have to be honest, it took me until chapter 7, about 39% in, to get into the book. I think this book should be treated like a guilty pleasure action movie. Eat the popcorn, don't think too hard and enjoy the ride. Once I realized that, I was able to get in to the book. It was such a change of pace from my previous action book, that was very intropective and well, philosophical; that it gave me a bit of whiplash.
Oddly enough, I didnt like the main characters as much as I liked the supporting ones. I liked the supporting cast very much and they felt like people I'd hang out with. Perhaps Giselle and Marcus seemed too perfect and out of my league? I do have to say that I liked the arty side of their characters and art and artists were portayed. That art is very individualistic, and there are multipke ways an artist may create.
The villian was very dispicably icky, with no redeeming characteristics, of course that did make it easy to dislike him He is very much the type Gru wanted to be. Perhaps I have become too used to the current anti-heroes. Some readers may become confused with the large cast of characters, and perhaps an appendix with a list of characters would be helpful. My only other nit-pick would be the story is being told in beautiful and atmospheric places, so a bit more description would have been nice. But that is a personal preference. Some folks may not like the happily-for-now ending, but this is a trillogy and ends in a good spot, with unanwered questions to be resolved in the future. This is simply part one.
The aspects that I liked were the plot, secondary characters, locations, the depictions of art and action. The plot may have sone plot holes. I did have a couple of distracting questions, but those were really inconsequential to the action of the story. I liked that the novel was well thought out, who was doing what and the characters reactions to those actions made sense. The plot knew where it was going and actually moved rather quickly after the worldbuilding and set up. I also liked that it was easy to follow actions. Particularly the action of the climax. Sometimes I will read fight or action scenes and get lost. In this book I could clearly follow those scenes.
The book was the equivilant of a zippy action movie, and was told in a very cinematic way. Grab some popcorn, sit back, and just go with it. Enjoy the book for tge same reason we like action movies. Attractive band of heroes fight a dastardly villian up to no good and save the day.
Oddly enough, I didnt like the main characters as much as I liked the supporting ones. I liked the supporting cast very much and they felt like people I'd hang out with. Perhaps Giselle and Marcus seemed too perfect and out of my league? I do have to say that I liked the arty side of their characters and art and artists were portayed. That art is very individualistic, and there are multipke ways an artist may create.
The villian was very dispicably icky, with no redeeming characteristics, of course that did make it easy to dislike him He is very much the type Gru wanted to be. Perhaps I have become too used to the current anti-heroes. Some readers may become confused with the large cast of characters, and perhaps an appendix with a list of characters would be helpful. My only other nit-pick would be the story is being told in beautiful and atmospheric places, so a bit more description would have been nice. But that is a personal preference. Some folks may not like the happily-for-now ending, but this is a trillogy and ends in a good spot, with unanwered questions to be resolved in the future. This is simply part one.
The aspects that I liked were the plot, secondary characters, locations, the depictions of art and action. The plot may have sone plot holes. I did have a couple of distracting questions, but those were really inconsequential to the action of the story. I liked that the novel was well thought out, who was doing what and the characters reactions to those actions made sense. The plot knew where it was going and actually moved rather quickly after the worldbuilding and set up. I also liked that it was easy to follow actions. Particularly the action of the climax. Sometimes I will read fight or action scenes and get lost. In this book I could clearly follow those scenes.
The book was the equivilant of a zippy action movie, and was told in a very cinematic way. Grab some popcorn, sit back, and just go with it. Enjoy the book for tge same reason we like action movies. Attractive band of heroes fight a dastardly villian up to no good and save the day.
October 8, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this book. The different families and relationships were very interesting and the setting was mostly in Venice. There were artists, the Pope, and good guys and bad guys.
I can’t wait to read the next book!
I can’t wait to read the next book!
June 23, 2020
Loved this book so much! So much going on, never a dull moment. Intrigue, suspense, humor, horrifying characters, adorable characters, thievery, assassination plots, back-stabbing, matchmaking....it has it all! Wonderful read!!
February 12, 2020
Anna Bendewald's Stealing Venice is a destination story that is part suspense and part romance. The writer evokes the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of not only Venice, but Paris and rural France, making it clear that she's done her homework. The suspense part of the story works because it's built on the legendary tangled politics of Venice. What surprised me was the romance part. This is the first book I've read in that genre, and I found it steamy yet tasteful. As an added bonus, the protagonist Giselle is an artist, and her peculiar art is described such that I could see it.
November 30, 2019
This reminds me of a greenhorn's screenplay: the characters are not convincing, the villain is cartoonish, the action seems less literary than that of a tv drama. At times, I thought this was more appropriate to Venice, California than la Serenissima. I found it odd that the detectives would use 'nada' instead of 'niente' or 'nulla', though the word, along with the rest of their dialogues, would have worked in California. The spelling of some of the names used seemed like poor transliterations of Italian names; they were not standard language nor Venetian dialect. Add in the missed adjective agreements, & see me punching the wall. Since this is the 1st of a trilogy, I bid the author good luck with the rest. I received a Kindle edition from a Goodreads giveaway.
October 21, 2016
Intriguing and thought provoking. Stealing Venice was filled with mystery, suspense, romance and drama. The story moves along with delicious twists and turns that you don't see coming.
The well developed characters and rich backstory of these two high-ranking families (Verona and Scortini) is completely compelling.
Anna Bendewald's writing will captivate you and keep you wanting more. It's detailed and fresh. Highly recommended. Fantastic debut novel.
The well developed characters and rich backstory of these two high-ranking families (Verona and Scortini) is completely compelling.
Anna Bendewald's writing will captivate you and keep you wanting more. It's detailed and fresh. Highly recommended. Fantastic debut novel.
June 19, 2016
Good
An intriguing plot of power struggles between high-ranking families in Venice. I don't like novels that end in the middle of the action. By the time the next book comes out, I will have forgotten this book.
An intriguing plot of power struggles between high-ranking families in Venice. I don't like novels that end in the middle of the action. By the time the next book comes out, I will have forgotten this book.
September 2, 2021
This was just meh. The story was slow to start and then rushed through the exciting parts only to end almost mid-thought with no resolution. That’s when I found out this is book 1 of 3. It was not interesting enough for me to care what happens next. I won’t be reading anything else by this author. The only well-executed part of the book was the villain character, Salvio Scortini, was a well-written and in-depth portrayal of a deranged psychopath. I found him unpredictable and unhinged and was a character you love to hate.
However:
However:
October 14, 2021
Thanks to the author for my gifted audiobook of this series :)
Let me start by saying, this was only my second audio book, as I usually find it difficult to concentrate on audiobooks when doing other things-unlike reading a physical book that has my full attention.
I can say that I really enjoyed this book on audio, I liked the narrator, and it really kept my interest! Part suspense, part romance, and it takes place in Italy! The author did an amazing job at grasping the reader/listeners attention with descriptive words, which gives way to the beautiful surroundings, food, art, and culture of Venice!
This is the perfect mix of mystery, suspense, drama and romance. Overall, this is an interesting and intriguing read/audiobook that revolves around the power struggle of two high ranking families in Venice. Secrets are exposed and plenty of twists arise throughout the book that definitely kept my interest! I am looking forward to finishing up the other audiobooks in this trilogy soon!
If you are looking for a fun read/listen-I highly recommend this, especially on audiobook!
Let me start by saying, this was only my second audio book, as I usually find it difficult to concentrate on audiobooks when doing other things-unlike reading a physical book that has my full attention.
I can say that I really enjoyed this book on audio, I liked the narrator, and it really kept my interest! Part suspense, part romance, and it takes place in Italy! The author did an amazing job at grasping the reader/listeners attention with descriptive words, which gives way to the beautiful surroundings, food, art, and culture of Venice!
This is the perfect mix of mystery, suspense, drama and romance. Overall, this is an interesting and intriguing read/audiobook that revolves around the power struggle of two high ranking families in Venice. Secrets are exposed and plenty of twists arise throughout the book that definitely kept my interest! I am looking forward to finishing up the other audiobooks in this trilogy soon!
If you are looking for a fun read/listen-I highly recommend this, especially on audiobook!
November 19, 2019
I really enjoyed Anna Bendewald's writing style. She is magic with words. She created a thoroughly enchanting world in which two lovers could lose themselves in, and happily take their audience along with them. She writes with great passion. I believe that I could feel what her characters were feeling.
The downside to that wonderful ability was when the "darker" characters were center stage, you could feel the oozing and drawing of their malice. Feel the pain that they caused the other characters. Again, a true writing gift.
The story was itself interesting, about a wealthy Venetian family with ties to the Vatican and secrets to hide, with a madman determine to expose those secrets for his personal gain. There were several twists in the story that kept it entertaining, but it is the author's gift with words that warrants the 5 star rating.
The downside to that wonderful ability was when the "darker" characters were center stage, you could feel the oozing and drawing of their malice. Feel the pain that they caused the other characters. Again, a true writing gift.
The story was itself interesting, about a wealthy Venetian family with ties to the Vatican and secrets to hide, with a madman determine to expose those secrets for his personal gain. There were several twists in the story that kept it entertaining, but it is the author's gift with words that warrants the 5 star rating.
May 21, 2021
Anna Erikssön Bendewald exhibits an admirable talent for spinning a well-written, unique, and engaging drama. The interesting and complex characters range from lovable to likeable to detestable; none are boring. Her extensive research adds an additional layer of appeal to the story line.
Several imaginative plot twists keep the reader turning the pages. When you find yourself cheering on a Mafia Boss and despising a religious fundamentalist, you know the author possesses a creative imagination, and you are happy to go along for the ride. In this book, the supporting cast outshines the “lead” characters, but thanks to Ms. Bendewald’s artistic writing style, this is not an issue.
The book is an entertaining page-turned that I highly recommend.
Several imaginative plot twists keep the reader turning the pages. When you find yourself cheering on a Mafia Boss and despising a religious fundamentalist, you know the author possesses a creative imagination, and you are happy to go along for the ride. In this book, the supporting cast outshines the “lead” characters, but thanks to Ms. Bendewald’s artistic writing style, this is not an issue.
The book is an entertaining page-turned that I highly recommend.
June 5, 2021
This book was fantastice. It kept me turning pages until the end and then I needed more. The pace at which it moves along is a perfect fit to the story, being not too slow nor too fast. The characters are wow, you feel as though you know them and you cannot help but fall in love with them. The story will grab you from the start and keep you interested all the way through and then you are needing more. This book has to be read and you will not be sorry that you did.
April 21, 2022
Well I have read this quite some time ago just realized I had not reviewed it, I found it interesting but not quite yet style of book, learned a lot about Venice and it was an interesting read but I’m more a mystery reader, I will reread it since I can’t recall it well. Perhaps it will be more interesting this time around.
November 15, 2022
Stealing Venice is a captivating read!!. This story is sexy, and provocative and keeps you hanging on the edge of your seat! The characters are well-written, in-depth, and relatable. Stealing Venice is a destination that makes me want to be back in Italy! I am finishing book 1 and eager to receive Storming Venice!
April 26, 2024
I LOVED this book! The suspense kept me reading and coming back the next day.
I felt like I was in the moment with the characters while experiencing their successes and struggles. My connection to Ralphielli was real and can not wait to hear how she grows in book 2–‘Storming Venice’. My hope is that Salvio gets what he deserves and Giselle is able to shout from the rooftops for her love for Markus. Best wishes to Vincenzo and Leonardo!
I felt like I was in the moment with the characters while experiencing their successes and struggles. My connection to Ralphielli was real and can not wait to hear how she grows in book 2–‘Storming Venice’. My hope is that Salvio gets what he deserves and Giselle is able to shout from the rooftops for her love for Markus. Best wishes to Vincenzo and Leonardo!
September 21, 2021
If this is considered "chick-lit" I'm in. Thoroughly enjoyed this. I'd call it a romantic thriller. Action, intrigue, sex, pathos. A cast of good characters and a nice plot. What could parts 2 & 3 possibly hold?
February 14, 2022
Awesome job
This was a very exciting story and it brought back memories of my visit to Italy and Venice. Couldn't put the book down once started. Look forward to the series
This was a very exciting story and it brought back memories of my visit to Italy and Venice. Couldn't put the book down once started. Look forward to the series
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews