Leaving London and its blustery cold is certainly a blessing. Unlike London, the light shimmers in Venice, as bright sun is reflected on the canal waters, powerful enough to chase away the approaching gloom of winter. I am a lucky man, in contrast to the poor Venetian ambassador, who died so horribly at my feet. His murder inspired my King to send me here to seek answers, and more importantly, the clues to a treasure.

This trip could not have come at a better time. The estate’s coffers are not as full as they could be, and there have been creditors at the door, waving their tawdry bills of sale in my servants’ faces.

According to our man in Venice, there is a map to a treasure on the island of Jamaica, rumored to be the lost gold of Christopher Columbus, hidden by men he trusted. Its location and the map are in the hands of an envoy who proposes to reveal all to me, if I can influence the English King to send ships to take over the island, instead of letting it fall to Spain. Jamaica is an important port in the West Indies, and with plenty of gold to subsidize the battle —as well as my living expenses—it is not a bad proposition for England, and an ideal way to thwart Spain.

Then there is the courtesan, Belladonna. When the envoy disappeared, he was on his way to see her. I assured His Majesty I will persuade this courtesan, supposedly the most beautiful woman in Venice, to share her secrets. Knowing my history among the fairer sex, His Majesty has no doubt of my success.

I am no fool, must keep an eye open for the Spanish. Their spies are lurking, ready to snatch the courtesan from my grasp and wrest the secret to the treasure from her. Woe to her if they do manage to kidnap her, for their methods of persuasion are not pretty.

My first night in Venice and what shall I do? Well, I have been well supplied with coin for the journey, and so I am planning a visit to a gaming establishment famous for its wine and women. As luck seems to be with me, I have great expectations of winning, and I have already invested in a fabulous gold embroidered waistcoat which should garner enough attention among the glittering company.

It is always best to make a grand entrance when one has great plans.

The Courtesan’s Secret, A Venice Beauties Mystery Book #2
Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense
Release Date: August 2023
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link

Two men from Belladonna’s past arrive in Venice, bearing secrets threatening her life and all she has achieved as an elite courtesan.

When an envoy from the New World comes to Venice, the elite courtesan Belladonna fears the secret of her origins may be revealed. The Spanish are after the envoy, for he carries the map to a great treasure. When the man from the New World disappears in Venice, his enemies shift their pursuit to Belladonna, for she is their only key to his whereabouts.

To avoid capture by the Spanish, Belladonna must abandon her luxurious palazzo, and take refuge in the Ghetto with her friend, Diana, the rabbi’s daughter. Hiding in plain sight behind the Ghetto walls, she must find the envoy and confront her old love, a pirate who rescued her in the past. Faced with terrible choices and an uncertain future, Belladonna must decide whether to sacrifice all she has achieved for a love she has always desired.

Belladonna faces new challenges with the help of friends from the Ghetto of Venice she has learned to trust. This is the second book in the Venice Beauties Mystery Series, featuring the unusual and illustrious women of seventeenth century Venice.

About the author
Nina Wachsman writes about Venice for good reason; she is a descendant of a chief rabbi of the Ghetto of Venice. Having trained as an illustrator at Parsons School of Design with Maurice Sendak, she brings art as a theme into her novels and short stories. The Gallery of Beauties, her debut novel and the first in the series, was nominated for an Agatha award for Best First Mystery, and The Courtesan’s Secret was published on August 1, 2023.

All comments are welcomed.