The Lion Of Venice
by Arianna Giorgi
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Pub Date Jan 09 2014 | Archive Date Jul 01 2018
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Description
A.D. 1756
What happens when a spoiled Roman princess and a fierce Venetian war hero lion team up to win back the love of their respective spouses-to-be?
Princess Isabella Pamphili of Rome is a radiant bride-to-be. The youngest of four daughters, having escaped the drudgery of a life in a nunnery, she threw herself wholeheartedly into keeping her future husband diverted with lively correspondence, until such time that they would be united in matrimony.
Recently, however, her fiancé stopped writing. Alarmed and perplexed, Isabella leaves to Venice with the intention of rekindling her fiancé’s passion and to set a wedding date. But en route to the Serenissima, Isabella finds herself in the midst of a full-blown battle, with no one to defend her, except for a very rude navy commander...
The unappreciated second son of an aristocratic Venetian family, Brando Loredan has proven his valor on the maritime battlefield time and again. His skill and determination have gained him prestige, power, the admiration of all of Venice, and he is to marry the city’s most famous beauty.
Still now, stranded with a handful of soldiers on the Isle of Lina, Venice’s last frontier against the marauding pirates, Brando is prepared to die a hero’s death rather than return home a failure... but he may just have to postpone his untimely arrival at Elysium in order to rescue a very troublesome Roman princess...
Love intrigues make the strangest bedfellows…
Previously published as Unmask My Heart
Advance Praise
The city of Venice comes alive in Unmask My Heart. It is as much of a character as the hero and heroine. Isabella and her Captain Loredan must travel through the treacherous paths of both the city and the political scheming of those in power to find their true hearts. Pride, a sense of duty, and passion overflow from this page-turner. A great debut book.
I have read books where the characters visited Venice or talked about living in the city but never a book where the main city was Venice or Rome.
The vivid pictures are still so fresh in my head. Forgive me I focused more on the historical aspect in the book than the love story between the characters. Yes, I was that pulled in to knowing more about Venice.
Then we have the Mason group. Oh, wow! Did this author really give me all this in one book? Yes! She must of crawled into my mind one night and pick out certain things that would be great in a book.
I highly recommend this book to any who enjoy historical fiction with a romance story.
Isabella is a gorgeous Roman princess traveling to Venice to reunite with her Venetian fiance, but to arrive there, she must first face Turkish pirates, the plague, the death of her companions, and a very handsome but incredibly annoying commander of the Venetian Navy! Together, Isabella and Brando (the annoying commander), fight and squabble their way back to Venice... where they discover they had been betrayed by those they loved. Now they must join forces again to trick the tricksters... only that beautiful, romantic Venice plays her own tricks on the star-crossed lovers...
What a fantastic romance set in one of the most romantic cities in the world! Even the notorious Giacomo Casanova himself makes a splendid cameo in the book (which immediately made me re-watch the movie with Heath Ledger)!
No doubt the premise is perfect for romance - and Italian author Arianna Giorgi sure knows how to show us a good time!
Witty, passionate, adventurous historical romance! Isabella and Brando will last in you heart forever, so the city of Venice will. If you are searching for a dream book , The Lion of Venice is the right one for you.
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Featured Reviews
Marie A, Reviewer
The Lion of Venice is a fast moving story of a woman who can't make up her mind. Isabella comes to Venice after being rescued from pirates by Captain Loredan. When she arrives, she finds her betrothed in love with another woman who happens to be the captain's fiancee. They have not been discreet and all of Venice knows. She doesn't break off the engagement to Leonardo due to disappointing her father. She and Captain Loredan devise a plan to make their fiancees love them. While working together, they become very attracted to each other. When he touched her, she becomes alive. She breaks with Leonardo but is blackmailed into marrying him. Will Leonardo win or Captain Loredan fight for his love. Great ending to a great book. I received this book from Net Galley for an honest review and no compensation otherwise.
Dora Archie O, Reviewer
I'll say that this book has got the most passionate characters I've read in a while. Isabella is the Princess who discovers that her betrothed is in love with another woman and he's not ashamed to show his infatuation in public, but she's got a duty to uphold to her people and her family. Then, of course there's Brando, the rascal, or honorable Soldier depending on who you listen to- and he cannot for the sake of love stand by and watch Leonardo or anyone break Isabella's heart.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced digital copy. I loved the passion with each the main characters fought and lived by and aside from some minor tweaks on grammar and adjustment on scenes to enhance pace, I'd say this was quite a thrill to read.
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