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Tour & Giveaway: 151. The Treasures of Venice by Loucinda McGary...

September 9, 2009
It's tour time! Today's feature is Loucinda McGary and her new release, The Treasures of Venice, a contemporary/historical romance!

About the 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 Venetian 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...

About the author:
Loucinda McGary took early retirement from her managerial career to pursue her twin passions of travel and writing, and sets her novels of romantic suspense in the fascinating places she has visited. She was a finalist in the 2006 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart contest in Romantic Suspense. She lives in Sacramento, CA. For more information, please visit her website, loucindamcgary.com.


Loucinda shares some thoughts with us:
First I want to thank you for inviting me to guest blog with you. I’m thrilled to be promoting my new release from Sourcebooks Casablanca, The Treasures of Venice. Even though this book is my second romantic suspense to be published, it is actually the first I wrote.

Long before I had traveled much of anywhere, I dreamed of exotic places, and Venice was at the top of my list. The city built on water captured my imagination from the first moment I learned it existed. All the pictures of the beautiful, elaborate buildings and the boats floating serenely on the canals looked incredibly romantic to me. When the day finally came and I made my first trip to Italy, I must say, La Serenisima (Venice’s nickname which means “the serene one”) did not disappoint. From the moment our train pulled into the Santa Lucia train station on a misty February morning, I felt like I was in a completely different world.

So when I sat down to write my first romantic suspense novel, it was only natural for me to set it in Venice. I got to re-experience some of the magic and mystery of that beautiful city by writing about it. Plus, I hoped that someday, readers would also enjoy the same wonder that I had. I’m very happy that ‘someday’ is here!

This was truly the book of my heart! It not only has a few paranormal elements, but also a dual storyline set in both contemporary Venice and the Renaissance Venice of 1485. The manuscript was a finalist in the 2006 Golden Heart contest and gave me a tremendous boost down the long and winding path to my first sale and many other wonderful writing-related opportunities.

The Treasures of Venice opens with the heroine, Samantha Lewis sitting alone in a cafĂ© in St. Marks Square feeling a bit sorry for herself. She was supposed to be on her honeymoon, but her fiancĂ© dumped her for another woman. Suddenly a handsome stranger approaches her and acts as if they know each other. When he asks her to play along with him, on impulse, she does. What she doesn’t know, is if the man she’s so compellingly drawn to was her soul mate from a previous lifetime, or if the two of them are merely pawns in a relentless quest for a priceless treasure.

Irish rogue, Keirnan Fitzgerald has a problem that for once, he may not be able to solve with just his charm. His sister, a Renaissance scholar, has discovered the whereabouts of the legendary Jewels of the Madonna, stolen and missing for over 500 years. Unfortunately, when others hear of her discovery, they kidnap her and demand the jewels in exchange for her life. Keirnan’s plans to locate the jewels and ransom his sister, do not include becoming involved with a beautiful American tourist. But he and Samantha seem destined to be together, perhaps in the same way as another couple in 1485 Venice, and all their fates are inextricably linked to the Jewels of the Madonna.

Is there an exotic location you’d like to visit or read about? Do you enjoy stories about soul mates? Why or why not?

Thank you for stopping by, Loucinda! I LOVED the setting, and enjoyed the flashbacks into history...

drey's thoughts:
I read this book way back in July. And had to remember to post my thoughts before they went away with the wind... =) The Treasures of Venice opens with Samantha sitting at a cafe in Venice, moping. Then Keirnan shows up and asks her to play along while he tries to get away from the people who're following him. And off it goes! And she figures out that he's looking for the Jewels of the Madonna, though she doesn't know why (yet). As they go 'round Venice, Samantha and Keirnan get that deja vu feeling, like they've met before. And the story veers into the past, and we discover--in bits & pieces--how the Jewels came to be lost in the first place. And what Samantha & Keirnan had to do with that event.

On their heels? Keirnan's sister's kidnappers, Interpol, and another set of ruffians trying to take advantage of the situation. Honestly, I don't really know how Keirnan survives some of the scrapes he gets into! However, this being in the romance genre, you know there's a HEA for these two. Get the book & read it to find out how! =) I think you'll like it as much as I did.

Giveaway!
Thanks to Sourcebooks, one lucky duck will win one copy of The Treasures of Venice, AND one copy of Loucinda's The Wild Sight!!
Rules:
-- Contest is open to US and Canada residents, no PO Boxes please!
-- To enter, comment and share: Have you ever been to Venice? Or, would you want to visit Venice? I'd love to, just to see the canals. And the bridges. And have a gondolier singing love songs in Italian. *grin*
-- For an extra entry, answer Loucinda's questions.
-- Follow for 1 extra entry.
-- Share for 2 extra entries (let me know what & where, please).
-- Do it all before 6:00 pm CST September 22nd. Good luck!

Tour stops:
8/26: Wendy’s Minding Spot
8/27: Fresh Fiction
8/28: Night Owl Romance
8/31: Scribe Vibe
9/2: Armchair Heroines
9/3: I Loves 2 Read & Magical Musings
9/4: Booking Mama & Romance Bandits
9/7: Morbid Romantic
9/8: Books and Needlepoint
9/9: B&N's Mystery Board
9/10: Romance Reader at Heart’s Novel Thoughts Blog
9/11: Love Romance Passion
9/15: Yankee Romance Reviewers
9/17: Pop Syndicate’s Book Addict

89 comments:

M.A.D. said...

Mary D
zenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com

Hi Drey :) Yes, I would LOVE to go to Venice, I've never been and cannot begin to imagine how 'olde worldly romantic' it must be. Oooh those canals (the gondolier is a nice touch, too lol)

Please enter me and thank you so much!

M.A.D. said...

Mary D
zenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com

+1 I follow on Google Friend

M.A.D. said...

Mary D
zenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com

+1 to answer Loucinda's Q:
Exotic location : Greece or Rome
Soul Mates: Absolutely yes! Because it's a higher level of love that I think we all long to experience. Plus, it's kinda uplifting to believe that somewhere, somewhen or somehow each of us has our 'perfect' companion awaiting discovery :)

DarcyO said...

I'd love to visit Venice sometime. How romantic! This book sounds wonderful!

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

Loucinda's questions:

1. I'd love to visit Tuscany (and Venice).
2. I love stories about soulmates because they always make me cry.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

I follow.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

Karen H said...

Wow, 2 books in 1 draw...fantastic! Count me in please!

+1 I am a current follower

kkhaas AT bellsouth DOT net

traveler said...

Thanks for this amazing giveaway. Venice is the ultimate place as well as Perugia and Assisi. To travel to these special and beautiful destinations. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

coffeeeeeeeee said...

I've never been to Venice, but it has been a lifelong dream of mine. (sigh, someday)

mmmmmmcoffee(at)gmail(dot)com

coffeeeeeeeee said...

I'd love, love, love to visit Namibia. The red sand desert would be amazing to see in person.

mmmmmmcoffee(at)gmail(dot)com

coffeeeeeeeee said...

I'm a loyal follower :)

mmmmmmcoffee(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

please enter me in the giveaway
I haven't been to Venice but someday I'd love to go.
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

Anonymous said...

I'd love to go to Australia,its not really that exotic but I've always wanted to go there.
I do enjoy stories about soulmates,they get their HEA.Its nice to think there is someone out their meant for just you.
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

Anonymous said...

I'm a follower
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

Simply Stacie said...

My best friend just moved to Rome so I am actually planning a trip to see her next year. I would love to go to Venice and ride the gondolas!!

simplystacieblog (at) gmail (dot) com

Simply Stacie said...

I follow.

simplystacieblog (at) gmail (dot) com

chey said...

I've been to Venice. I remember the gondolas and the canals.

I'd like to visit Hawaii.

Stories about soulmates? I like them because I like happy endings that are just meant to be!

chey127 at hotmail dot com

Sheila Deeth said...

I've never been to Venice but my parents have. I would love to go. They made it sound so wonderful, and I love historical places.

Lucinda's questions... I really want to go to Hawaii sometime. And I'd love to visit Rome. (My parents did Rome, but never Hawaii.) And soul-mate stories keep the soul stirring.

I follow.

I read (and loved) the Wild Sight, and would love to read the Treasures of Venice.

sdeeth at msn dot com

chey said...

I already follow.

chey127 at hotmail dot com

kalynnick said...

I never been to Venice but would love to visit.

kalynnick AT yahoo DOT com

rubynreba said...

I have never been to Venice but have always thought it be such a romantic spot to go. Maybe some day!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I think Hawaii would be an exotic location.
I love stories about soul mates.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

scottsgal said...

I'd love to go to Venice - never been but seems like a magical place

msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

Is there an exotic location you’d like to visit or read about? My dream trip is Tahiti and the South SEas

Do you enjoy stories about soul mates? Yes - just more romantic

msboatgal at aol.com

Lee P said...

I've never been to Venice, but I would love to go. Can you imagine how good the food would be!! I'd love to see the sites. Thanks for this giveaway and please count me in.

chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

Lee P said...

Exotic Location: Brazil (for the rain forests)
Soul Mates: Totally believe in this concept. I've married mine. I love hearing stories about Soul Mates.


chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

dor said...

Oh yes, I would love to go to Venice...It wunds so romantic. Would love to go on the canals also.

dorcontest at gmail dot com

Lee P said...

Shared on Twitter #1:

http://twitter.com/chinook92/status/3867906975

chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

Lee P said...

Shared on Twitter #2:

http://twitter.com/chinook92/status/3867906975

chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

dor said...

Would love to go to France, have a massage in the Lavender Fields. Would love to go to Hawaii too. I do love stories about soul mates. They just touch me....I believe in soul mates...I just think people don't listen to their inner voice enough.

dorcontest at gmail dot com

dor said...

I follow.

dorcontest at gmail dot com

Libby's Library said...

Please enter me - this is a fantastic giveaway - thanks!

libneas[t]aol[dot]com

Libby's Library said...

I'm a follower - thank you.

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Libby's Library said...

I don't know if these would be considered exotic - but - I would love to visit many of the places where BBC "series'" are filmed.
Like Last of the Summer Wine, Ballykissangel, Waiting for God.
The beautiful countrysides in England, Ireland....and I can't leave out Scotland.

Thanks for this great giveaway.

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

BIG thanx to Drey for hosting me today! And BIG THANX to everyone for your comments!

Looks like it is unanimous -- everyone would like to see Venice (or see it again) and EVERYONE likes/believes in Soul Mates. This is all MUSIC to my ears!

My third book, which is due out in Spring 2010, is set in Ireland on the rugged coast of Donegal. I hope you'll all enjoy that one as well as Treasures of Venice!

AC

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

I'm so glad to see so many people mention Hawaii. It is a gorgeous and exotic place and each island has a distinctive personality. I'm seriously considering setting a book there.

AC

Anonymous said...

I've never been to Venice. But it's the number one place I'd like to visit.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I'd love to visit all of Italy. I love to read about soulmates. There is something special about people who understand each other to that degree and were born for each other.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I subscribe via email.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot0com

Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews said...
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Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews said...
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Jane said...

Hi Aunty Cindy,
I would like to visit Egypt and Turkey.

I have never been to Venice. I would love to go on a gondola ride.

I'm a follower of this blog.

janie1215 AT excite DOT com

mrsshukra said...

Not fond of long plane rides, I'm happy to visit the fake Venice at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

mrsshukra said...

Follower!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

mrsshukra said...

Anywhere in Spain would be a nice setting for a romance novel!

I believe in soulmates and love stories about soulmates!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

Chelsea B. said...

I would LOVE to go to Venice!

Soulmate stories are great. Usually the sweetest of the sweet :)

And I want to travel to Scotland!

Anonymous said...

I've never been to Venice but someday I will !!!
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am a follower of your blog.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

+1 I would love to go to Venice!!!
Never been there.
+1 I love hearing about soul mates, because I met and married mine!
+1 I'm a follower
+2 I shared it with my blog - dancealertreads.blogspot.com
+2 sent an email to my friend so she could enter tonight 9/9/09 dutchlvr1 at aol dot com/ Cindy hopefully she'll enter

my email dancealert at aol dot conm

photoquest said...

I would love to visit Venice!!! I hear it's romantic place!!!
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net

photoquest said...

I love stories about soulmates because i believe everyone has one it could be a missed opportunity if someone never has had one. I love reading stories that connect in this way because it is so rare to share this with someone and wonderful to read about.
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Anonymous said...

I've never been to Venice but would love to go. There are so many places I would love to go though - at tropical island, Greece, England, Ireland, etc.

I love stories about soul mates, two people who truly belong together.

I subscribe to your RSS feed. Thanks for entering me.

carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

As an artist, I loved visiting Venice and all of its museums and churches. I also got to visit a textile factory and glass-blowing factory. The food is also interesting. The only thing I did object to was all of the pigeons in the plazas.
This book sounds so good-can't wait to read.
JOY
JWIsley(at)aol(dot)com

throuthehaze said...

I have never been to Venice but I would love to
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

throuthehaze said...

an exotic place I would like to visit is Greece
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

holdenj said...

I've never been to Venice, but would love go and see the canals.

JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I know it may not be too exotic, but I would love to visit New Zealand, I understand it is beautiful. A book set there would be fun as well!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Nicole said...

I love to travel and would enjoy seeing Venice

"Is there an exotic location you’d like to visit or read about? Do you enjoy stories about soul mates? Why or why not?"
I would like to visit Russian. I do enjoy a good love story.

Nicole said...

follower

Unknown said...

No, have never been to Venice, but I love to read about all the places I haven't seen.

I am an email subscriber

rrdjasper(at)aol(dot)com

booklover0226 said...

I would love to go to Venice.. and just not in my dreams, either! Maybe one of these days. I'm looking forward in reading the book.

I am a Follower.

Thanks,
Tracey

booklover0226 AT gmail DOT com

Maureen said...

I would love to go to Venice just to see their beautiful buildings and their streets of water.

There are too many places to list that I would like to visit but any place new is always interesting.
I do like stories of soul mates like it was meant to be.

I am a follower.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Jess. said...

Not throwing my name in to win, but just wanted to comment that I love Keirnan's name! And that cover yum yum.

I also linked your contest on my sidebar. Thanks for hosting, and good luck to those that enter!

Valorie said...

I have never been to Venice but I am DYING to go. I want to see the Bridge of Sighs, all of the gorgeous palaces and homes, the canals, the churches, and the art. Ooooh, the art. It's enough to make me dizzy with want.

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Valorie said...

Exotic location... does Rome count as exotic? It is to me because it's, like, my dream place.

Soul mates, though... nah, not too fond of it. As far as personal interaction goes, I probably don't have a romantic bone in my body!

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Valorie said...

I follow.

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Valorie said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/morbidromantic/statuses/3942515498.

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Pissenlit said...

I haven't been to Venice but I'd love to go on an odd year for the Venice Biennale!

un_pissenlit (at) hotmail (dot) com

Pissenlit said...

+1 I'm not sure what would constitute an exotic location but I'd love to take a long trip right across Canada including some interior camping along the way and I wouldn't mind reading about a cross-Canada trip either...huh, maybe not all that exotic...so...uh, I guess no, I can't think of an exotic location...lol.

Ya, I do sometimes enjoy stories about soul mates. It's nice to think that people have someone who's perfect for them.

un_pissenlit (at) hotmail (dot) com

Belinda M said...

+1 I have never been to venice but hope that I am lucky enough to go there someday

+1 I follow your blog

+2 tweeted your giveaway
http://twitter.com/Prairiebelle/status/3959306350

Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/


bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

Beth (BBRB) said...

I'd definitely love to go to Venice!

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

I included this in a blog post.

http://carolsnotebook.wordpress.com/2009/09/12/giveaways-in-blogland-17/

carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

cqueen2 said...

wow I'd would love to visit Venice !!

Just to see all the beauitful buildings wow

thanks

wadesherry@hotmail dot com

cqueen2 said...

i follow your blog

wadesherry@hotmail dot com

Misusedinnocence said...

I follow! :)

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Mitzi H. said...

I would love to go there. Very romantic, I'm told.

I'm a new follower.

mitzihinkey at sbcglobal dot net

Luvdaylilies said...

I would SO love to visit Venice~I just know it would be a beautiful experience!
~I follow
I would love to read this book, thanks for a chance to win a copy!
Luvdaylilies at Bellsouth dot net

carol said...

My husband and I dream of going to Venice someday.

carol said...

I'm a follower

bettycd said...

Ages ago we were in Rome and trained down to Naples. Venice unfortunately could not be worked into that trip and we've never been back. Yes, of course I would love to visit that city, the canals and museums

bettycd said...

follower

bettycd said...

tweeted
http://twitter.com/bettycd/status/4115518142

Renee G said...

I would absolutely love to see Venice -- although I'm certain I wouldn't want to live there. However, I'd love to see it at least once.

rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

Bingo said...

I've not been to Venice but my son has and now that I saw his pix and heard his story, I would like to go. I can't imagine a place with canals as the mode of transportation. I wonder if the gondolier guys have a harder time transporting heavier loads...not, of course, that I am thinking of me or anything :D
Would love to win this and thanks for the chance.

Bingo said...

I follow, of course!

Bingo said...

To answer the questions...I would love to read about and visit Bali...it seems so peaceful and gorgeous.
I like stories about soul mates because I truly believe we all have at least one if not more on this earth.

Aimee said...

I'd love to visit Venice, mostly for the history of it.
+! I'd love to visit Macchu Pichu
And the romantic in me believes in soulmates.
+1 I follow through google

Thanks for the great giveaway.

heatherzilla said...

I have not been to Vennice but I would love to visit.

+1 follower

heatherzilla(at)care2(dot)com

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