The Treasures of Venice

by Loucinda McGary

When American librarian Samantha Lewis and Irish rogue Keirnan Fitzgerald set off to find priceless jewels, they become embroiled in a 500-year-old love story that eerily prefigures their own...

In 15th century Venice, beautiful and wealthy Serafina falls in love with Nino, a young Florentine sculptor. They decide to flee to Padua, and to fund the trip, Nino copies a set of jewels that then disappear.

In modern-day Venice, Keirnan needs Samantha's help to locate the jewels so he can pay his sister's ransom. Samantha must decide whether the man she's so drawn to is her soul mate from a previous life...or are they merely pawns in a relentless quest for a priceless treasure?

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Historical Romance, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Suspense, Thriller

334 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2009

About the author

Blessed with the gift of "Irish Blarney" Loucinda McGary (everyone calls her Cindy) became a storyteller shortly after she learned to read. If she didn't like the way a story ended, she made up her own ending. In high school, between history and algebra homework, Cindy wrote stories featuring herself, her friends, and their favorite movie and rock stars. After college, she published a couple dozen poems in "little magazines" (the equivalent of e-zines in those pre-internet days) and even wrote a couple of novels. Then life intervened. Family and career became her top priorities, though she could never quite stop dabbling in writing. Also along about this time, vacations became a must and she developed an almost legendary love of travel that took her all over the United States and abroad in one and two week stints.

A long-time reader of romances, Cindy discovered and joined Romance Writers of America in 2001. But her stressful career as the manager of a multi-million dollar State and Federally funded program prevented her from doing much writing or traveling. She still managed to squeeze in a little of both, but not enough of either to be truly satisfying. Finally, at the end of 2003 she decided to take an early retirement from her career to fully pursue her twin passions of travel and writing. Cindy likes to set her novels of romance and suspense in some of the fascinating places she has visited.

Reviews

[AgentScully · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the Venice setting in this story. I visited there in '97 and the vivid descriptions of the Bridge of Sighs, St. Marks', Rialto Bridge, brought back wonderful memories. Alas no sexy Irish rogue like Keirnan appeared in my Venice vacation, asking me to pose as his girlfriend and calling me "luv". But considering that the heroine who gets tangled up with him is kidnapped and nearly raped, well that's probably a good thing. Samantha is there on a non-refundable tour that was supposed to be her honeymoon until her smarmy fiance cheated. She's a spunky, likable heroine and a good match for Keirnan. I liked how she was trying to shed her staid librarian image and go with her impulses. Keirnan is trying to find some long-lost jewels to pay off the kidnappers of his sister, who's been researching their whereabouts and who has the worst taste in men. Half the villains seem to be her ex's. There are fights, canal dunkings and plenty of action. There are also a couple of sensual but not too graphic sex scenes.

The jewels were stolen in 1485 and there are flashbacks with a secondary (and sweet) romance between the aristocratic Serafina and poor sculptor Nino. I liked those parts and I thought they were tied together well. Hints are strewn about Keirnan and Samantha being the reincarnation of Serafina and Nino. At least one of the villains seems to believe this, but I didn't find this subplot very convincing. Nor is it really explored, it's hinted at quite baldly but that's about it. Also the middle of the book suffers a bit from uneven pacing, but overall this is an enjoyable read and the hero is a charmer. This would be a great book for the beach!

[MelissaB · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this fast-moving romantic suspense set in Venice featuring an Irish hero (who says luv a lot!) and an American heroine who search for an old treasure to save his kidnapped sister's life. There is also a second storyline set in the 1400's that shows how the treasure was lost in the first place and features another romance. Both stories flowed well together and had cute romances.

See Agent Scully's review for a full review, I am glad I read it because it was a good read.

[Marie Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this novel by Loucinda McGary for its mixture of suspense, romance and historical fiction. There are two main stories happening throughout the novel as it switches back and forth between the 1485 characters and the present day characters both dealing with sinister forces amidst an all encompassing love. The novel opens up to the recently jilted Samantha Lewis trying to enjoy a much needed vacation in Venice, Italy when a gorgeous guy immediately involves her in a desperate chase against time and kidnappers. Their story is fun and well played as they learn about each other and the mystery of the Jewels of the Madonna, and we are transported back in time to 1485 and another clandestine love affair between Serafina Lombardo and a painter, Nino.

Serafina is supposed to marry her dead sister's husband to fulfill the need for an heir, but Serafina is violently opposed to this fate as she is suddenly magnetically attracted to Nino, and they formulate a diabolical plan to help her escape the same predetermined destiny that took her sister. Fast forward to present day, Sam and her new friend, Kiernan, also share a magnetic attraction that could get them both killed as they try to unravel the mysterious past of Serafina and the mysterious legacy she left behind. There are killers on the loose, the pesky Interpol and other obstacles that still cannot hamper the love instantly shared between Sam and Kiernan. Their attractions are mirrored with Serafina's and Nino's, so there is more than a hint of reincarnation in the story. Even though the story jettisons back and forth frequently between the two time periods, it did not disturb the rhythm since all of the characters were intriguing.

Sam occasionally has flashes of visions which also leads one to rely on the reincarnate factor, and there are other similarities between the two sets of star-crossed lovers. Serafina and Samantha also seem to mirror the same hair coloring and complexion so much so that one of the bad guys even mistakes Sam for Serafina. Kiernan is one of those guys that seems perfect, totally loyal to his kidnapped sister and ever the sensitive one when it comes to Sam. As the mystery comes to a close, the romance question remains if Sam and Kiernan can function together outside of the intrigue and mayhem that first threw them together. This was an enjoyable well rounded and fast-paced story that had me eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next, but I would have enjoyed it even more if the historical story was more developed. As a whole, the novel had a great plot and breezed through quickly most of the adventures so that there was not any room for slow points.

I enjoyed the mystery, the suspense, and the intrigue of this imaginative story line. Coupled with the strong romances and the hunt for the Jewels of the Madonna, this would also make an impressive film; a well-kept Matthew McConaughey would be an excellent actor as Kiernan, and Sandra Bullock would make an excellent Sam. The setting of Venice with its gondolas, old churches, cemeteries and palazzos are a magnificent setting for the story and you wouldn't go wrong choosing this read to spend your weekend on.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Description on back of book:

He's a charming Irish Rogue who never met a lock he couldn't pick...

Keirnan Fitzgerald is desperate to locate the missing Jewels of the Madonna. With danger at every corner and time running out, he must use whatever means possible to uncover the stolen jewels in time to save his sister's life....

She's simply in Venice to relax and heal her broken heart...

Samantha Lewis is shocked when a dashing stranger approaches her in a Venecian cafe' pretending to know her. She's ready for something new and exciting in her life, so she throws caution to the wind and accompanies the Irish charmer into his dangerous world of intrigue, theft and betrayal...

As the centuries-old story behind the Jewels' disappearance is revealed, Samantha must decide
whether the man she's so compellingly drawn to is her soul mate from a previous life, or if they are merely pawns in a relentless quest for a priceless treasure....

Review:

By the 'chance' meeting of an American girl and an Irish boy, they work together against the ticking clock of finding the "Jewels of the Madonna" to save someone's life...and maybe their own too!

Loucinda McGary, author of "The Wild Sight" that I reviewed previously, has done it once again in writing an emotional romance that thrives on the thrills of mystery and intrigue. She blends together some of my favorite themes of story writing and makes it come together to make me feel like I am physically there watching the story transpire!

Of course, my favorite is the Irish man character, Kiernan. Ms. McGary describes him in such heartfelt details, you can feel your heart pumping at this man's charisma. Also, I love how the author flips between two time periods in the story without it getting confusing: 15th century Venice with Serifino and Nino and modern Venice with Samantha and Kiernan. You're kept wondering until the end of the book whether these couples have an interlocking relationship through time!

The mysterious dark Venice streets and paranormal aspects of the story keep you turning the pages of this adventure. The descriptions of Venice, old and modern are so well used by the author that I would love the chance to see the city myself someday!!

Even though this is noted as a 'romance book,' I would not shy away from reading it if you're not in to romance. It has just the right balance of mystery, suspense, and paranormal, with a little romance thrown in between the characters (which is more like 'opposites attract' than 'sultry lust' romance).

I would 'highly' recommend this book to read, along with 'The Wild Sight.'

[Kay Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

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

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


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

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

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


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


(Disclosure: I received this book for free for review purposes from the book's publishers. This arrangement doesn't influence my reviews.)

[Colette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Samantha Lewis is on vacation in Venice, Italy on what was supposed to be her honeymoon. However, weeks before the wedding she found her finance cheating on her with a younger co-worker. The trip was non-refundable, so she decides to go on it, if only to prove to herself that she can do something crazy like travel alone overseas. She is shocked when a handsome stranger comes up to her while she's sitting in a cafe and pretends to know her. Despite herself, she feels an attraction to him, and throws caution into the wind and follows him into his world...the handsome stranger is Keirnan Fitzgerald, and he needs to find the missing Jewels of the Madonna to help save his sisters life. He didn't need the distraction that was Sam Lewis, but he just couldn't get her out of his head. As for Samantha, she has to decide if Keirnan is the man of her dreams , or if the two are just being used to get the missing Jewels of the Madonna. The story goes back and forth between present day Italy, and that of 1485 when it tells the story of Serafina Lombardo and her secret love, Nino and the possible connections the two have to the present missing jewels...


The Treasures of Venice is one of those books that is so cheesy that you can't believe that you're still reading it, and furthermore that you are enjoying it! This was a great book to read while I was sick, because it was a fun, light read. I really enjoyed the flashbacks to 1485, and found myself wanting more of that story-it flowed easily with the current story being told. I also loved some of the cheesy lines that were in this book like when Keirnan said (quite a bit) "Luv, come with me." or when Sam said repeatedly to herself: "That was the old Sam" or "Get a grip Sam." This book had so many more cheesy lines and cliched story lines-but somehow they all seemed to work for this book. Heidenkind called this an "escapist read" and I can't argue with that. It's a light read-perfect for when you're looking for a change from world building books. :) This book saved me from going crazy while I was sick with the stomach flu this past weekend. I couldn't do much but lay around, and in between feeling horribly sick and somewhat better, I read this book, and it made feeling sick seem not so bad.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Samantha Lewis is in Venice, taking a tour by herself that was supposed to have been her honeymoon. When she is approached by a handsome stranger who pretends to be meeting her at a cafe, she decides to play along. His name is Kiernan Fitzgerald, and he is definitely more than he seems. Sam is instantly drawn to him, but she feels crazy for getting so attached after just an hour or two. When he reappears in her hotel room later that night, injured and needing her help, she is immediately drawn into his troubles.
Kiernan is looking for the Jewels of the Madonna. His sister was also searching for the Jewels, until she was kidnapped. Now the only way for Kiernan to save her is to find them himself and turn them over to the kidnappers. He doesn't want to get anyone else involved, but he can't seem to stay away from Sam. They are drawn to each other in a way neither can explain, and so they stop trying to fight it, and start trying to save Kiernan's sister, before it's too late.
Besides being a story told in the present time, The Treasures of Venice is also told in flashbacks to fifteenth century Venice, where the reader learns the story behind the Jewels that Kiernan seeks. The lovers in that story have some striking similarities to Kiernan and Sam - coincidence? As Sam and Kiernan get closer to the Jewels, and to each other, they both begin to wonder if they have some sort of deeper connection that goes beyond the present time. This element of past lives adds another dimension to the story and the mystery, making for a more interesting read. I liked the parallels between the two stories. This is an exciting, romantic adventure book that any readers of romance will enjoy.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I have to say that this is the fourth story I have read by Loucinda McGary in the past few days and I have yet to be disappointed. In fact. The Treasures of Venice is by and far her best effort and that is saying something, because the other three are wonderful tales.

Venice is a lovely background for this romantic suspense. The story of present day weaves back and forth between an equally interesting tale from the Fifteenth Century that eventually brings them both together in the climax. Her writing is smooth, intelligent and you believe the unbelievable effortlessly.

I loved it. My only regret is that Ms. McGary has only one book left that I have not read. I hope she continues to write romantic suspense with a bit of paranormal, because she truly is a master of magical tales.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun read. Samantha was getting married to this loser Michael but he called it off. The honeymoon was in Italy and Sam still went, by herself. then one day Keirnan shows up and asks her to play along with him cause some really bad people are chasing him. one thing leads to another and they are off on adventure to help rescue his sister from the bad guys.

the jewels of the modonna is what everyone is after and Keirnan is going to find them and trade them for his sister's life.

the story does a flash back of how the jewels were "misplaced" and tells the romantic story of nino and serafina the one who had the jewels in the first place.

[Wendy Hines · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Treasures of Venice is a captivating story of romance, suspense, and historical legend. Painted against a beautiful backdrop of romantic Venice, Loucinda McGary quickly draws you in with the legend of the Jewels of the Madonna. The suspense mounts as the legend is unfolded, and the characters are drawn vividly and honest, full of courage and integrity. I was entranced from page one and loved it!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this a lot. Samantha Lewis is in Venice alone as part of a tour of Italy. It was supposed to be her honeymoon but her boyfriend dumped her. Kiernan approaches her at a cafe and danger and adventure enter her life. Who is Kiernan and what is he up to? A story from the past also plays a part in the book.

[Jan Crow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is to be published in September of 09. It is a contemporary romantic suspense with a historical running parallel. Interesting parts about Venice, Rome and art. Samantha definately gets out of her shell when a stranger runs up and pretends to be her date. Will read more by this author.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book. I love the characters in this book. Especially Kathleen. The exchanges between her and Kiernan had me just cracking up. I loved the splashes of Gaelic in their conversation. Very cool.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how Loucinda writes this is the 2nd book of hers I read. I like her settings as well. It was a mystery romance book. It involved a sacred artifact and went back and forth from the present time in Venice to back went the artifact was created. It kept the story interesting.

[Tasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not exactly brilliant, but an enjoyable escapist book and a quick read.

[Katy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Made me decide that I'm not a romance fan.

[SheLove2Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the setting (Venice) and a different kind of hero (Irish) but overall the book was just mediocre. The mystery held my interest and kept me reading, but otherwise a forgettable read.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

hard to followed .. ended up skimming over it to be honest .. L

[Jena · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fun read!

[Jocelin · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This book started off okay; but towards the end kind of fizzled out.

[Atl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read combining romance, a little light art history and Venice. Nice escapism.