Dark Venetian

by Anne Mather

Mills & Boon are excited to present The Anne Mather Collection – the complete works by this classic author made available to download for the very first time! These books span six decades of a phenomenal writing career, and every story is available to read unedited and untouched from their original release. Emma’s visit to Venice was as eventful as it was unexpected. She ought to have known that her stepmother never did anything except for purely selfish reasons, and even a holiday in a sumptuous palazzo could not compensate Emma for heartache that followed.For her stepmother was intent on marrying the magnetically attractive Count Vidal Cesare, the impoverished lord of the palazzo, for the sole purpose of adding a title to her wealth.

Only now it was doubtful whether the Count could sacrifice everything for money. Especially with the physical attraction he obviously felt for Emma simmering between them…

Genres: Harlequin, Harlequin Presents

191 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1975

About the author

Anne Mather is the pseudonym used by Mildred Grieveson, a popular British author of over 160 romance novels. She also signed novels as Caroline Fleming and Cardine Fleming.
Mildred Grieveson began to write down stories in her childhood years. The first novel that she actually finished, Caroline (1965), was also her first book to be published. Her novel, Leopard in the Snow (1974), was developed into a 1978 film.

Reviews

[Jacqueline J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well that was different. Originally published in 1969, I think AM was trying to write a romantic suspense. So the book pretty much failed on both aspects. It was neither a good romance nor good suspense. The heroine was basically a ninny and the hero blew hot and cold for no reason and was fairly bumbling. There was absolutely no chemistry between the two. And a lot of the scenes and dialogue didn’t make sense in any sort of real world.

I’m giving it 2 stars for the description of Venice and because having your heroine get numbers carved into her shoulder with a knife as a message from the bad guys to the hero has got to be worth something, right?

[MissKitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit slow going, but not bad for a very vintage Anne Mather.

The Hero is an impoverished count, and well yes he really does not have much money and is hard pressed to keep his palazzo. His aging grandmother wants to help him out so she calls in the daughter of a good friend who is a wealthy widow. The widow is not the heroine, she is the OW in this story. The grandmother hopes for a marriage with this wealthy woman and her grandson to save the palazzo.

The heroine is the step daughter of the OW. The OW had gotten wealthy through her gold-digging efforts. She never paid mind to the heroine, but now she calls her in to accompany her to the Palazzo because she wants to be perceived as a caring step-mother.

Another aspect of the story, is that there is some kind of intrigue going on. The hero is involved in mysterious dealings with some dodgy characters. At one point they even carve numbers on the heroine’s shoulder as a threat to the hero.

It’s weird that the heroine gets embroiled unwittingly in these clandestine affairs and gets the brunt of the attacks from the Hero’s enemies, when throughout the story the Hero has been squiring around the OW in keeping with the plans of his grandmother.

The hero does seem attracted to the heroine, he takes her out on a picnic,and we do get his point of view. He is actually disturbed by his attraction to her since she is 19 to his 40 😱 (yes she is young enough to be his daughter)! The heroine acts like a somewhat erratic teenager, but then she is, so I can’t fault her.

Towards the end, the clandestine actions of the hero are revealed. The heroine gets kidnapped by the bad guys and the hero gets shot trying to rescue her, but all turns out well in the end.

The hero’s grandmother gives him her blessing to marry for love before she dies and he sends the OW away. The couple do get married but there is no magic fix for the impoverished state of the Hero, he still has to give up his palazzo and they will live in his small beach side villa in Ravena.

[Bea Tea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of stupid two-girls-one-dude set-up underpinned by a super secret spy plotline.

The h was the sort of wet blanket who seriously didn't want to be there, and didn't want to go along with various plans, but did so because she's weak willed and can't say no. I *loathe* it in these vintage romances when the h really really doesn't want to go on a date, but does anyway because it would be rude not to. Urgh.

OW was over the top evil, mercenary gold digger.

H was 21 years older than the h, and did that whole 'shove her away and call her a whore because I think I'm starting to like her' ridiculousness that honestly sounds like it comes directly out of the school yard playbook.

I've read a few Anne Mather books, and honestly I just don't think she's for me.

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice read.

An older Harlequin where there is just a heroine's POV so you really judge the hero and other characters by their actions. Which leaves our hero the sexy older man, Count Vidal doing some suspicious activities during the darkness of the night and under water.......what can he being doing? He is supposed to be a poor titled playboy...hmmmmm

Then you have Emma, a caring nurse who is force to play a part in a lie by her evil spoiled stepmother. Still recovering from a bad illness Emma had no energy to fight in the beginning but she soon recovers her spunk.

Soon realizing the game her stepmother, dowger Countess, and the Count are playing she is fine with it until she starts to experience the Count's attraction. Believing she has no chance with Vidal, she decides to leave which gives his enemies an opening they sieze. Will Vidal care enough to rescue her?

A nice read packed with intrique and romance. I liked how both Emma and Vidal finally take charge of their destinies. I loved the author's description of Vidal's home, you can feel the atmosphere of neglect and decay but also the beauty. I was just waiting for a wall or ceiling to fall.

[Tatiana Stefan · Rating 2 out of 5]

sort of readable but i thought the hero was so-so to me 2 1/2 stars, August 14, 2008

MY THOUGHTS: Not that there was anything wrong with the hero, but I feel sorry that he wasn't that rich! Hahaha.. I mean, he can't even fix the palazzo, his birthright... most of the books I read, somehow they were able to do something. The book was sort of readable but maybe because I was bored with the story, I couldn't understand what his role was in that whole undercover operation thing. Anyway, I guess the book was so-so. Readable but semi forgettable and the characters really didn't strike a chord with me, especially the hero. Emma was alright I guess.

[RomLibrary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Emma Maxwell knew her stepmother, Celeste, must have some scheme in mind, even before they arrived in Venice. When she heard what it was, Emma wanted no part of it. Then she met Count Vidal Cesare, on whom Celeste had designs, and decided he was old enough and experienced enough to look after himself.

Emma was very firm about her own future. She informed the Dowager Contessa, "No, signora. When I marry it will be for love. And my husband will love me …and only me!"

[Tia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The hero met the heroine when his grandmother tried to force the hero to marry the heroines stepmother. It indeed backfired because he fell in love with the heroine. After a kidnapping, gunfire and a hospital visit things seemed in shambles but the hero then confessed his love..

Decent novel, it was likable but there was loose ends.