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Stella Bled #2
Strangers in Venice
November, 1938
It began in Vienna, after a night of fire and fear. Stella Bled Lawrence made a promise and she kept it. But the job isn’t done. Abel Hershmann’s cousins, unaware of the danger, are heading to Venice in search of him and the family secret he carried. Stella and her husband, Nicky, follow, intent on warning them.
But things don’t go to plan. Venice is flooded, Stella aggravates her injuries, and the cousins are no where to be found. Suspicions abound and friends are hard to find. Italy has fallen under Hitler’s spell and nothing is as it was. The Nazis and, in particular, SS Oberführer Peiper still want their prize and believe Stella and Nicky have it. Stella will have to decide how far her loyalty goes and where she belongs: far away safe from the gathering storm or on the front lines with a chance to change the course of the coming war. Her choices will affect her family’s future for generations to come.
It began in Vienna, after a night of fire and fear. Stella Bled Lawrence made a promise and she kept it. But the job isn’t done. Abel Hershmann’s cousins, unaware of the danger, are heading to Venice in search of him and the family secret he carried. Stella and her husband, Nicky, follow, intent on warning them.
But things don’t go to plan. Venice is flooded, Stella aggravates her injuries, and the cousins are no where to be found. Suspicions abound and friends are hard to find. Italy has fallen under Hitler’s spell and nothing is as it was. The Nazis and, in particular, SS Oberführer Peiper still want their prize and believe Stella and Nicky have it. Stella will have to decide how far her loyalty goes and where she belongs: far away safe from the gathering storm or on the front lines with a chance to change the course of the coming war. Her choices will affect her family’s future for generations to come.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 26, 2019
421 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
A.W. Hartoin
47 books229 followersUSA Today bestselling author A.W. Hartoin grew up in rural Missouri, but her grandmother lived in the Central West End area of St. Louis. The CWE fascinated her with its enormous houses, every one unique. She was sure there was a story behind each ornate door. Going to Grandma’s house was a treat and an adventure. As the only grandchild around for many years, A.W. spent her visits exploring the many rooms with their many secrets. That’s how Mercy Watts and the fairies of Whipplethorn came to be.
As an adult, A.W. Hartoin decided she needed a whole lot more life experience if she was going to write good characters so she joined the Air Force. It was the best education she could’ve hoped for. She met her husband and traveled the world, living in Alaska, Italy, and Germany before settling in Colorado for nearly eleven years. Now A.W. has returned to Germany and lives in picturesque Waldenbuch with her family and two spoiled cats, who absolutely believe they should be allowed to escape and roam the village freely.
As an adult, A.W. Hartoin decided she needed a whole lot more life experience if she was going to write good characters so she joined the Air Force. It was the best education she could’ve hoped for. She met her husband and traveled the world, living in Alaska, Italy, and Germany before settling in Colorado for nearly eleven years. Now A.W. has returned to Germany and lives in picturesque Waldenbuch with her family and two spoiled cats, who absolutely believe they should be allowed to escape and roam the village freely.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
June 23, 2020
First, it was a very well written book, and I have no doubt that some people would immensely enjoy it. However, I had a hard time with it, because first and foremost I feel like the book did not accomplish anything except getting a whole bunch of people killed. Secondly, I have a very hard time with Stella's blatant disregard for the husband she supposedly loves. In the first one, I struggled between whether she was cute or dumb, I have now decided that she's simply selfish. I also am annoyed with how many men seem to fall in love with her, despite the fact that she's married. Anyway, I probably will not be continuing the series. Although it did take a turn that could be very interesting, being constantly annoyed with the main character doesn't make for a great read.
November 14, 2019
I honestly can't get enough of this authors writing I hang onto every word and love every page, every single story is magical and her plot's are brilliant her characters make me what to jump right into her books and Strangers in Venice was just as brilliant as every other book she has written.
I laughed I cried I gasped and I never wanted it to end.
I laughed I cried I gasped and I never wanted it to end.
October 19, 2020
A continuation from the first book, however don't expect conclusion to all the story lines going because you will have to wait for the last book. I enjoyed this book, however I did feel that how the first book was ended would have been more of the story line of this book.
July 26, 2019
Stella and Nicky are back. It’s November, 1938. The Nazi tentacles are spreading and more and more countries are falling under Hitler’s spell, willingly or not. In the first book in the series, The Paris Package, Stella and Nicky are newlyweds, part of the young, American rich, married after a whirlwind courtship and still getting to really know each other. Unfortunately though, they are in Vienna on the eve of the Kristallnacht, The Night of Broken Glass, and a dangerous journey begins for them as they discover passion and purpose for a cause and experience more than a little sacrifice and tragedy. Amazingly, given all they’ve been through, and a bit sadly, considering they are so young and so recently bright-eyed with great expectations, when Strangers in Venice begins they are still newlyweds. Even though so much has happened, not a lot of time has passed. They have learned a lot about each other, trial by fire if you will. Their marriage has shown them what it takes many marriages years to display: their love is strong and they can always count on each other. I am looking forward to seeing this relationship continue to grow through many more books.
Stella and Nicky are deeply in love, but they are very different people. Both strong and determined and fiercely loyal but Nicky is very traditional and can’t believe some of the things that are happening to them and is surprised when he learns how Stella feels about some things. It’s just not the way things are done. He’s perplexed. He knew Stella was spoiled and strong-willed, but he still thought that as her husband he would be the one in charge and she would follow unquestioningly. That won’t be happening. Stella is very young and very old at the same time. Brave but often reckless. Determined and clever, but also unworldly and naïve. Sometimes they seem fearless, and sometimes it just seems as if because they are from the upper class they cannot conceive of people not doing what they want, of being in danger themselves, that things won’t just work out or be taken care of. In Strangers in Venice we see Nicky growing as a person. He was always brave and good but he was raised to be Nicky Lawrence and that is who he is. Now he will do his best to not appear weak or afraid in front of Stella. I think in future books we will learn even more about Nicky. As for Stella, she is carrying around a huge amount of guilt and thinks to herself at one point, there she went again, making a victim where there wasn't one. Sometimes it seems to her everyone she meets is then in danger.
There is so much detail and history in these stories that I couldn’t wait to read Strangers in Venice, and as soon as I finished I picked it up and read it again to see what I might have missed. World War II was a real event and we can open the history books and read about it, but A. W. Hartoin does such an amazing job of capturing the tidal wave of Hitler’s roll through Europe and the escalating panic and despair. Such insight into people, and what they were feeling and fearing. I’m not sure if this was the meaning of the title, but Nicky and Stella truly are strangers in Venice. They don’t get to be the beautiful American couple with connections and lineage and money and safety in just being who they are. While they aren’t living in the street, they do need to conceal their identifies and experience more than their share of physical and emotional pain.
I am learning that books as good as this are the hardest to review. Not because you can’t say I love it, I recommend it, read it now – all that is true. But because each and every plot point is so significant there isn’t much you can reveal without spoiling the story. Everything leads to the next thing, builds on something else. When you get to the end of the story you think, “Didn’t I see something about this in Chapter 1, and what exactly does it mean, and do I have to wait impatiently for the next book in the series to find out?
I recommend you read Strangers in Venice. You really can read all of A. W. Hartoin’s books standalone. She does a fine job of providing backstory for what’s already happened and how you might expect her characters to act so that you never feel lost or confused but do yourself a favor and read everything she has written and read it in order, including her Mercy Watts series. It’s laugh out loud funny but this is also where the name Stella is first mentioned. Millicent and Myrtle are Mercy’s godmothers and it’s here that the notion Mercy might be a Bled is put into your head. As I have already said, there is so much detail and history and every single thing means something and ties to something else. What a joy these books are to read.
I received a copy of Strangers in Venice in exchange for my honest review. I loved it, and as always will be purchasing a copy for my collection.
Stella and Nicky are deeply in love, but they are very different people. Both strong and determined and fiercely loyal but Nicky is very traditional and can’t believe some of the things that are happening to them and is surprised when he learns how Stella feels about some things. It’s just not the way things are done. He’s perplexed. He knew Stella was spoiled and strong-willed, but he still thought that as her husband he would be the one in charge and she would follow unquestioningly. That won’t be happening. Stella is very young and very old at the same time. Brave but often reckless. Determined and clever, but also unworldly and naïve. Sometimes they seem fearless, and sometimes it just seems as if because they are from the upper class they cannot conceive of people not doing what they want, of being in danger themselves, that things won’t just work out or be taken care of. In Strangers in Venice we see Nicky growing as a person. He was always brave and good but he was raised to be Nicky Lawrence and that is who he is. Now he will do his best to not appear weak or afraid in front of Stella. I think in future books we will learn even more about Nicky. As for Stella, she is carrying around a huge amount of guilt and thinks to herself at one point, there she went again, making a victim where there wasn't one. Sometimes it seems to her everyone she meets is then in danger.
There is so much detail and history in these stories that I couldn’t wait to read Strangers in Venice, and as soon as I finished I picked it up and read it again to see what I might have missed. World War II was a real event and we can open the history books and read about it, but A. W. Hartoin does such an amazing job of capturing the tidal wave of Hitler’s roll through Europe and the escalating panic and despair. Such insight into people, and what they were feeling and fearing. I’m not sure if this was the meaning of the title, but Nicky and Stella truly are strangers in Venice. They don’t get to be the beautiful American couple with connections and lineage and money and safety in just being who they are. While they aren’t living in the street, they do need to conceal their identifies and experience more than their share of physical and emotional pain.
I am learning that books as good as this are the hardest to review. Not because you can’t say I love it, I recommend it, read it now – all that is true. But because each and every plot point is so significant there isn’t much you can reveal without spoiling the story. Everything leads to the next thing, builds on something else. When you get to the end of the story you think, “Didn’t I see something about this in Chapter 1, and what exactly does it mean, and do I have to wait impatiently for the next book in the series to find out?
I recommend you read Strangers in Venice. You really can read all of A. W. Hartoin’s books standalone. She does a fine job of providing backstory for what’s already happened and how you might expect her characters to act so that you never feel lost or confused but do yourself a favor and read everything she has written and read it in order, including her Mercy Watts series. It’s laugh out loud funny but this is also where the name Stella is first mentioned. Millicent and Myrtle are Mercy’s godmothers and it’s here that the notion Mercy might be a Bled is put into your head. As I have already said, there is so much detail and history and every single thing means something and ties to something else. What a joy these books are to read.
I received a copy of Strangers in Venice in exchange for my honest review. I loved it, and as always will be purchasing a copy for my collection.
March 18, 2021
I didn't want to put it down. Stella had me so interested, she made me laugh, cry. Fabulous 2nd book. Now on to the third.
October 12, 2020
I couldn't finish this book and I rarely put a book down in utter frustration. Where to start? The two main characters, who are married, spend so much time and so much energy arguing with each that mid-way through the book I felt no sympathy for their situation and didn't care what happened to them. They are rich and spoiled and stupid. Secondly, how many chapters does the reader need to wade through (a pun intended) in the book's main setting, which is a very, very flooded Venice. I couldn't read one more sentence about how soaked the characters are, how ruined their clothes are, and about how they navigated yet another flooded alley or building. This contrived setting just went on and on and on, just like the couple's arguing. Plus, their endless encounters where they argue with almost every person they encounter got old very quickly. The main characters just threw money at every problem in the most stupid way and each time, did not get any closer to whatever it was they were trying to accomplish. Finally, there was such mystery and unexplained prior events, what they were up to in Venice is still not clear. Don't waste your time on this book!
July 27, 2019
I received this book by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Normally I don't enjoy historical books but having read the first one in this series I was dying to start this book. It follows Stella and Nicky's distaster of a European honeymoon and gives us an insight into how the Bled family have held on to art etc for other families from the Second World War. Having read all of the Mercy Watts' series by the same author this series ties in nicely with it and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and was so immersed at one point I could swear my feet were wet from the Venice floods! You find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat desegregate to find out what happens next. I'm looking forward to the next instalment!
May 1, 2021
I had just read The Venice Sketchbook which I really likes so I decided to give Strangers in Venice a try. What a mistake that was. The character Stella reminded me of my first wife who was Italian. She was constantly blubbering about something that was insignificant. It was a very bad marriage and the husband wife duo in this book reminded me of our marriage. A marriage made in H. I really feel sorry the the husband in this story. He should have left her to herself in Venice and went back home to regain his sanity. Is this what American marriages are really all about? If so, I pity you.
July 26, 2019
I just finished Strangers in Venice. What a tragic and fascinating continual story of the Bled family. Reading this book took time - A W Hartoin captured the rising fear of the times. The Nazi’s, the countries turmoil, the bewilderment, fear and brutality towards the Jewish people as they were rounded up was at times too much to read. I had to put the book down. I couldn’t help but reflect on today’s climate and attitude towards immigrants.
I highly recommend this novel and series.
I highly recommend this novel and series.
August 11, 2021
Intensely suspenseful
This book couldn’t be put down. As Stella tromps alone through flooded Venice on her excruciating feet, her newly acquired friends are little help for her quest to find a couple she can neither identify or describe. While Nicky is recovering back at the hotel (I won’t give away why!) she is on her own and careens from one scrape to the next, escaping the pursuit of the SS by a hair. This little rich girl is down to her last lires as her galoshes wander from churches to gondola or water taxi, from five star hotels to gritty, stinky back alleys. Her instincts are sharp and her reflexes quick and powerful. Who said a woman is weak and vulnerable without a man? Not this chickee! Dodging bullets to meet Nicky at the train station she is only too happy to sink into the comfort and warmth of his arms on the train to Rome, leaving a trail of destruction and disaster among the wrecked boats of the canals. Scary, exciting and fast paced, following Stella is dangerous and Venice will never be the same. I must get book 3 and see where this delightful couple goes next and what dangers await them.
This book couldn’t be put down. As Stella tromps alone through flooded Venice on her excruciating feet, her newly acquired friends are little help for her quest to find a couple she can neither identify or describe. While Nicky is recovering back at the hotel (I won’t give away why!) she is on her own and careens from one scrape to the next, escaping the pursuit of the SS by a hair. This little rich girl is down to her last lires as her galoshes wander from churches to gondola or water taxi, from five star hotels to gritty, stinky back alleys. Her instincts are sharp and her reflexes quick and powerful. Who said a woman is weak and vulnerable without a man? Not this chickee! Dodging bullets to meet Nicky at the train station she is only too happy to sink into the comfort and warmth of his arms on the train to Rome, leaving a trail of destruction and disaster among the wrecked boats of the canals. Scary, exciting and fast paced, following Stella is dangerous and Venice will never be the same. I must get book 3 and see where this delightful couple goes next and what dangers await them.
April 11, 2021
This second book finds Nicky and Stella in Venice. They are looking for Abel's family to stop them from going to Vienna. Darker than The Paris Package. The pair are hounded by an Italian policeman, Bartali. Venice is experiencing terrible flooding and never ending rain. Stella's feet are still in terrible shape and the doctor who first sees them id Jewish which under new rules is illegal. Peiper shows up and with him a boy. Mayhem rules the day. Both Nicky and Stella are bruised and wounded as they try to escape Peiper and Bartali and help others along the way. Stella is no longer naive concerning the nazis. A.W. Hartoin has written an even more absorbing story than the last in Strangers in Venice.
September 3, 2025
Stella is spoiled and impulsive and really bad at taking direction. Nicky is milder mannered and more than a little surprised that Stella doesn't just do as she's told. (It is 1938 when women were supposed to do that). I did become weary of hearing about the nonstop rain and flooded city and how miserable they were. Several action-packed chase scenes and they seemed pretty realistic. Would make a good movie.
There are several places I had to go back and re-listen because it wasn't really clear exactly what was going on but I figured it would come to light so I forged ahead.
Of course there is a big loose thread left hanging so on to the next book.
I listened to the book via Hoopla from the library and the narrator is pretty good with male and female voices and different accents.
There are several places I had to go back and re-listen because it wasn't really clear exactly what was going on but I figured it would come to light so I forged ahead.
Of course there is a big loose thread left hanging so on to the next book.
I listened to the book via Hoopla from the library and the narrator is pretty good with male and female voices and different accents.
July 7, 2022
It was a good book but it was like a girl who was raised to be a dumb female who was married off young and anything she did she was going to rebel against her new husband. Who by the way wouldn't tell her anything be cause she was just a weak dumb female that needed to be protected.
I'm not saying that at that time period that women weren't raised to be wives and mothers, and the men were raised to protect them but women were also raised to be strong, capable, smart women who knew how to do things & they worked with their husband's. And during that time period they had to because of the war.
The history & the facts about how there were spys in the country both male & female was great!!
I'm not saying that at that time period that women weren't raised to be wives and mothers, and the men were raised to protect them but women were also raised to be strong, capable, smart women who knew how to do things & they worked with their husband's. And during that time period they had to because of the war.
The history & the facts about how there were spys in the country both male & female was great!!
July 3, 2020
I'm enthralled with Stella and Nicky ~ their resolve ~ their resilience ~ their escapades! ~ their unshakable love and trust in one another ~ their strict moral code ~ they've both grown from the 'spoiled 1%' to the righteous 'next generation' who will fight the Nazis in the upcoming war. They won't hide away; they care about the people they meet; they try to leave the world a better place. A.W. Hartoin does a magnificent job writing action scenes . . . . and I hope there are plenty more in upcoming books!
September 16, 2021
November, 1939
Another great novel by A.W. Hartoin. The story continues in this sequence. Stella Bled and her husband Nicky are heading to Venice, desperately in search of a couple they've never met.
Venice is flooded and the SS are still hunting them.
Will Stella and Nicky be able to find what they are looking for without getting caught by the dangerous SS Oberfuehrer Peiper?
~Nancy Huber, author of Days of Fire and Homeschooling Against All Odds
Another great novel by A.W. Hartoin. The story continues in this sequence. Stella Bled and her husband Nicky are heading to Venice, desperately in search of a couple they've never met.
Venice is flooded and the SS are still hunting them.
Will Stella and Nicky be able to find what they are looking for without getting caught by the dangerous SS Oberfuehrer Peiper?
~Nancy Huber, author of Days of Fire and Homeschooling Against All Odds
December 14, 2024
A different twist on WW2 spy stories
I read the first book in this series and wasn't that impressed. As I always do I read something else however this character kept popping into my head. This book was much better. Ill take a break and come back in a few days. Stella is brave and so resourceful. I can't quite put my finger on what is about Nicky that has me puzzled. This series should keep me occupied for the next few days.
I read the first book in this series and wasn't that impressed. As I always do I read something else however this character kept popping into my head. This book was much better. Ill take a break and come back in a few days. Stella is brave and so resourceful. I can't quite put my finger on what is about Nicky that has me puzzled. This series should keep me occupied for the next few days.
August 10, 2020
I so loved the first book. I still enjoyed the thrill of this story, but started to get very annoyed by the main character which made me sad because I loved her tenacity in the first book. In this one she bordered on stupidity at times. Debating on whether to buy the third book. I want to find out what happens to the characters, but not sure how invested I am in Stella anymore.
August 24, 2021
Unexpected purpose
How could I no continue with Nicky and Stella' as they journeyed across pre World War II Europe? I wanted to follow them as they followed their new commitment to help their Jewish friend Abel and other persecuted by the Nazis. The plot keeps me wondering about their ultimate success. I am looking for the next leg of their journey.
How could I no continue with Nicky and Stella' as they journeyed across pre World War II Europe? I wanted to follow them as they followed their new commitment to help their Jewish friend Abel and other persecuted by the Nazis. The plot keeps me wondering about their ultimate success. I am looking for the next leg of their journey.
December 10, 2023
I enjoyed this second installment of Stella Bled's adventures. I do have to say that her stubbornness was at times a bit annoying. However, that is who she is and what gets her in and out of trouble. The tragic outcomes for some of her friends was heartbreaking but also reality during war. I believe we will see Stella continue on bringing justice to those wronged. Let's see!
April 26, 2025
So fast paced I am out of breath!
I love Stella Bled, and learning why the Nazis were after her and her friends. The pain of the growing persecutions on the continent, the heart touching help of the good people along the way, all of it grabbed me and here I am at 6 am after reading all night. Now to get the next book!
I love Stella Bled, and learning why the Nazis were after her and her friends. The pain of the growing persecutions on the continent, the heart touching help of the good people along the way, all of it grabbed me and here I am at 6 am after reading all night. Now to get the next book!
December 28, 2019
Quite good, though occasionally a bit contrived
I liked it, but every once in a while it reads like one Indiana Jones scene after another: action-packed but a bit hard to believe. Compelling for the most part, with interesting characters.
I liked it, but every once in a while it reads like one Indiana Jones scene after another: action-packed but a bit hard to believe. Compelling for the most part, with interesting characters.
January 10, 2020
A great story with a strong female lead
I have enjoyed both of the Stella Bled stories. I am very hopeful there will be more stories to come. The characters are fabulous. Each one has been given a story to tell.
I have enjoyed both of the Stella Bled stories. I am very hopeful there will be more stories to come. The characters are fabulous. Each one has been given a story to tell.
March 22, 2021
Great historical novel set in occupied Vienna.
Stella and Nicky are being chased by Germans who are looking of a package their friend Able gave Stella. Able was being loaded on a train bound for a concentration camp at the time .
Stella knew it had to be returned to Able’s cousin .
Stella and Nicky are being chased by Germans who are looking of a package their friend Able gave Stella. Able was being loaded on a train bound for a concentration camp at the time .
Stella knew it had to be returned to Able’s cousin .
June 26, 2021
Solid overall read
Story picks up steam the longer is goes on. Situations and characters in historical fiction need to be somewhat
believable. Many of both in v this book are not. Main character is impossibly willful and self absorbed.but does grow in depth towards end of book.
Story picks up steam the longer is goes on. Situations and characters in historical fiction need to be somewhat
believable. Many of both in v this book are not. Main character is impossibly willful and self absorbed.but does grow in depth towards end of book.
December 18, 2024
I wonder if I would have liked it better if I’d known it was the 2nd in a series and I got to know the characters in the 1st book. Since that’s not how it went, I didn’t really like the characters and this seemed too unrealistic.
April 18, 2020
Encore!
Part 2 wasn’t disappointing at all. There were a few times that Stella became annoying but she was firm in her resolve. Despite the sadness, the secret remains! ;-)
Part 2 wasn’t disappointing at all. There were a few times that Stella became annoying but she was firm in her resolve. Despite the sadness, the secret remains! ;-)
June 13, 2020
Oustanding
The only problem with this book is that I couldn't put it down. It's one adventure after another. The writing is terrific.
The only problem with this book is that I couldn't put it down. It's one adventure after another. The writing is terrific.
June 29, 2020
Amazing
I think this story shows that when faced with real adversity we find our true selves. The ending wasn't what one would expect of two young, very wealthy adults .
I think this story shows that when faced with real adversity we find our true selves. The ending wasn't what one would expect of two young, very wealthy adults .
July 19, 2020
Riveting novel
I really enjoyed this book. It held my attention and I wanted to get back to read it. Great story line with lots of tense scary moments.
I really enjoyed this book. It held my attention and I wanted to get back to read it. Great story line with lots of tense scary moments.
August 31, 2020
Love!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews