Having enjoyed Lynne Shelby's The Summer of Taking Chances,and Rome for the Summer, I am delighted to be joining the celebrations for her new summer read, A Venice Summer. It was published on May 12th by Shaldo Books.
Art conservator Rose Bennet is still reeling from a bad
break-up when she is offered a dream job in Venice, restoring an art collection
in the Ca’ D’Ambra, a six-hundred-year-old Venetian palazzo. Despite her fears
about travelling to a foreign country on her own, Rose is soon heading to Italy
for the summer.
While she is awestruck by the breathtaking beauty of Venice,
Rose finds the owner of the palazzo, the arrogant and short-tempered Luca
Casserini, insufferable. When he questions her ability to do her work, she
almost heads straight back to London, but decides that she won’t let herself be
intimidated or driven away before she’s even had a chance to ride in a gondola.
Losing her way in Venice’s picturesque maze of canals and
alleyways, the last person Rose wants to see is her employer, but when they
meet by chance and, to her surprise, he offers to show her around the city, she
feels it would be churlish to refuse.
Spending sunlit summer days exploring Venice with Luca, Rose
discovers a passionate side to him, very different to her first impression, and
her feelings towards him begin to change …
Rose knows she can restore a damaged painting, but can she
mend Luca’s damaged heart?
My Thoughts
I enjoyed the dual timeline aspect of this story. Most of the storyline takes part in the present day when Rose finds herself working as an Art Conservator in the historic Ca’ D’Ambra, concentrating on an unknown painting of a young woman in a blue dress. As the story unfolds, you find out more about the story behind the painting and its artist. Rose is nursing a broken heart when she arrives in Venice and finds the family atmosphere comforting and a source of hope.
The family in Ca’ D’Ambra have had a tragedy in the past which has affected all their lives, none more so than Luca who has had to take over the running of the establishment. Although their first meeting is unfortunate, a friendship develops between Rose and Luca which comes under severe strain. As Rose travels around Venice, you are given a wonderful picture of life in the city and its rich history. With a range of characters and interesting information about art history and the care of the paintings, this is a delightful Summer read.
In short: italian sunshine and romance
About the Author
Lynne Shelby writes contemporary and dual-timeline women’s
fiction/romance. Her debut novel, ‘Meet Me In Paris,' (originally titled French
Kissing), won the Accent Press and Woman magazine Writing Competition, and her
fifth novel, Love On Location, was shortlisted for a Romantic Novelists' Award.
When not writing or reading, Lynne can usually be found at the theatre or
exploring a foreign city, writer's notebook and sketchbook in hand. She lives
in London with her husband, and has three adult children who live nearby.
Thanks to Lynne Shelby, the publishers and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
Follow the rest of the tour
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