Historical Romance Book Club discussion

I haven't read The Venetian Mask by Rosalind Laker in more than ten years. One of the best book on Venice and it's culture I've ever read. The book is based on a long enduring friendship. Both MC learn to sing at world famous orphanage. One marries well, but soon regrets it and the other slowly falls in love with a wonderful man. There's Shakespearean betrayals of corrupt families. Even street fighting.

I'm hoping this book is as good as I remember. I thought I would read it this Thanksgiving Break around Nov27th. If anybody else is interested please join my read?

It looks good! Lovely cover! Do you think I can use it to RATA challenge?

I'm not sure what RATA challenge is? I was hoping to learn how the challenges work now that it's a new year. I know sad right? ;).

Romance across the ages is a Two book read.
Each month.
With two themes eg Western or Victorian. For say January. You can pick between 12 and 24 reads, over 12 months . The themes for each month will be posted on the Romance across the ages challenge page, before January
This challenge is good at getting us to read some themes, that normally we would not read.
I have found some good reads with this challenge.
Do hope this helps you understand it Lauren .
Hope I haven’t confused you more

Lauren, like Shaz sad it's great challenge I'm quite late in my readings. Having in mind the period of the book I think I'll can uset it. Nevertheless, count me in!! I've enjoyed the story

*said

Moved this to the Covent Garden folder because it is an active buddy read. Thanks!

Lauren, are we still on for this book?

yes! I wasn't sure if you changed your mind

No, when do we start? I can join you tomorrow or the day after, is it OK?

tomorrow is great!

Good!!

Chapter 1 Intense beginning! Greal descriptions, take us right to the scenery of a 18th century Venice.

I do enjoy, in a historical romance, that the writer take his time guiding us through the environment of the era. I think must of the HR lakes that

Only finished chapter one before work.
"guiding us through the environment of the era" is well stated. The author is able to make Venice come alive from the beginning. Very few authors hr or otherwise can accomplish that.

I just reached chapter 4. The author puts a lot of info in two chapters.

After reading so many books on aristocrats it's shocking to read that titles are rarly used in Vinece and that the eldest son doesn't automatically inherit. I'm trying to remember any other aristocratic countries where a title was not so important.

It's really amazing and to me this is a truly HR the way I as used to read, with authors like Juliette Benzoni, it seems you are transported to the historical period. I like that feeling!

I'm at chapter 9 and didn't register were this happen so it's before chapter 9, sorry!

(view spoiler)[Everything happens to this girls and despite that they continued and persist. Their personalities and education helps them to be strong and coup with the hard times of life.

It's nice to read that is not all romance and good things. Their heartbreaks will make them even more strong. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger... of course it does, you don't have a choice!! ;)<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

About Venice and it's laws. I remember that the cities of Italy were mini States and each of them with they one rules, after all Italy didn't exists as a country until the end of the 19th century. Also in Florence the titles didn't have much importance and I think anyone could achieve those honours. The families were more important than the titles

I'm on chapter 10 now and the plot is really taking off. Of course, the author sure piles on the tragedy all at once.

I remember poor Elena's horrible husband, but not how strong she was to endure it. It's amazing that she still has an unselfish heart. That takes strength of character , especially since I would be tempted to poison my husband and MIL. When in the poison capital do as the poisoners do. ;) A little cantarella here a little arsenic there. My own execution.... totally worth it!!

I'm also finding it refreshing to read about female characters that are mature and strong. They know how to preserve in bad circumstances. How clever to come up with codes so they can communicate with each other without their husbands knowing about it.

What do you think of Domenico? I adore him! That said, he is similar to Filippo when it comes to not giving their brides a choice. I also think that if I found out my husband spied on me then married me bc his dead wife requested it, I would be angry and a little creeped out. Atleast, he never lies to her about his feelings. Though I would feel 2nd best just like Marietta. It's hard to live up to a beloved predecessor.

I still can't decide if Elena not getting pregnant a good thing or bad thing. I wouldn't want my child raised by a psychopath but the alternative is my husband murdering my barren a**.

You're right about the city states. Hell the de'medicis held no title, unless you count being a bad pope. Still it's strange that it's customary for the eldest to go into the church and that the 4th son could end up as the head of the family over his older siblings. Obvious in the book no problems came from that idea!

I love Domenico, a strange soul in a land of awful people and were women have no rights at all, as usual...

Elena is a strong woman and despite all she still endure the stupid husband an family. I think she never thinks of poisoning F.

The story is so captivating and always something more happens, usually in HR all in pink and beautiful, here the girls, now women, pass through so much, everything happens but at the same time they don't give up. Marietta fighting for Domenico and her family, Elena fights for her daughter and M. family

Finished last night. I'm glad you enjoyed this book! I was worried bc it's more HF than HR. The book is more about a great friendship and fighting for family. I love that it's her first love that releases her husband.

Thanks for joining me for this buddy read!

Thank you!! I loved the book. It was a great story full of twists, sometimes I wondered if they were going to get there HEA :). Glad they did!! I think I'm going to read more from this author. Do you suggest a another one?

I haven't read anything else by this author. I'm looking forward to trying another of her books. The Frenchwoman and The Golden Tulip both sound good.