Elizabeth
McKenna stopped by in the midst of a busy holiday season to talk about her
latest book. Venice in the Moonlight is a Historical Romance and was
released October 2nd.
Please
tell my readers a little bit about your book.
The short description is a young widow
discovers her father’s murderer is related to the man she’s falling in love
with and she must decide between vengeance, forgiveness and love. It’s set in
1753 in Venice, a city I find so romantic and beautiful. I’m hoping it will
appeal to readers who would like a break from stories set in London.
Venice...the land of romantic gondola rides! When
did you start writing toward publication?
I have been a technical writer and editor most
of my adult life, but I didn’t try my hand at fiction until 2008 when I started
writing my first novel, Cera’s Place. I published it in September of 2011. I then
wrote a short story, The Gypsy Casts a Spell, which was published in the
February 2012 issue of eFiction Magazine. Then I started on Venice in the
Moonlight. I’ve learned so much about fiction writing and marketing since 2008
and I’m glad I’ve pursued this dream, but I admit it can be extremely
frustrating.
I can relate to that, but I am glad you kept at it. I am sure my readers are glad, too. Why
have you become a published author?
Back in college, I started as an English
major, but switched to Journalism. My writing is on the concise side and the
other English majors who could write a paragraph-long sentence intimidated me.
Journalism was a better fit, but I still had a dream of being a fiction author.
One day, my girls had been discussing careers at school and they asked me what
I had wanted to be when I was their age. I said an author. They said why aren’t
you? So I started writing Cera’s Place. I wanted to show them that you
shouldn’t give up on your dreams.
Having
achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing?
The most rewarding thing has been connecting
with people all around the world. Sometimes reading my email is like Christmas
morning. I am a shy person, but the internet has allowed me to make numerous
friends over the years and I’m truly grateful for that.
Maybe we can drum up a little more mail, and get our readers interested with your answers to this: please Share
three fun facts about you that most people don’t know.
1) My house has to
be clean and organized at all times, but my home office is a total disaster
area. I only clean it when the dust starts clogging my lungs.
2) I can kill a
plant or flower just by looking at it. I wish I could have a beautiful
landscaped yard, but it will never happen.
3) My ancestors
came from Ireland, but when I visited Germany, I realized the Germans were my
true soul mates. Everything was so clean, and they all followed the rules. I
was in heaven!
What’s next for
you?
I’m
thinking about writing a contemporary romance.
BOOK BLURB
Considered
useless by his cold-hearted father, Nico Foscari, eldest son of one of the
founding families in Venice, hides his pain behind gambling, drinking and
womanizing.
After
her husband’s untimely demise, Marietta Gatti returns to her hometown of Venice
in hopes of starting a new life and finding the happiness that was missing in
her forced marriage.
When
Fate throws them together, friendship begins to grow into love until Marietta
learns a Foscari family secret that may have cost her father his life. Now, she
must choose between vengeance, forgiveness, and love.
Elizabeth
McKenna’s latest novel takes you back to eighteenth century Carnival, where
lovers meet discreetly, and masks make everyone equal.
Excerpt – Venice in the Moonlight by Elizabeth McKenna – Copyright 2013
Nico shrugged in
the French wingback chair they had placed by the fireplace for his portrait. He
looked regal in a black silk suit trimmed in gold and a waistcoat of burgundy
and gold leaf-patterned brocade. It seemed Raul had excellent taste in men’s
fashions.
Marietta rolled
her eyes before she settled in a chair behind the easel. “Please keep still
while I draw.”
“May I talk?”
“I’d rather you
didn’t.” Looking at him was going to be enough distraction. She didn’t need to
listen to him also.
He ignored her
request. “I have to ask—why Palladino?”
Marietta blew
out an exasperated breath. “I can’t sketch you properly if you talk.”
“You could have
chosen any man at the Consul’s villa. Casanova himself expressed interest in
you, yet you leave with that pig.”
“It’s not what
you think.” She compared her drawing to Nico and frowned. His shoulders were no
longer in the same position.
“You didn’t have
to suffer the man’s dismal lovemaking. What were you thinking?”
“We did not make
love,” she replied through clenched teeth.
He continued as
if not hearing her. “You’re the first woman in years that he didn’t have to
pay, though he would never admit to his need for courtesans. I just don’t
understand how you could find him appealing.”
“We did not make
love.” She practically shouted it this time. “I’m not attracted to Palladino or
any other man for that matter.”
This silenced
him, gratefully, but only for a few moments. “Well, in that case, I know of a
few courtesans that can accommodate you. I am told they are quite beautiful and
skilled.”
Marietta threw
down her charcoal and marched over to him. She grabbed his shoulders and
repositioned him. “That is not what I meant and you know it.”
He smiled up at
her innocently. “I didn’t mean to offend you, but you have refused my charms,
so what should I think?”
She glared at
him for her own benefit, knowing it would have no effect on the man. “You need
to stop talking and moving.”
When he didn’t
respond, she said, “That’s better.”
He lasted almost
fifteen minutes. “So, what kind of man are you attracted to? Perhaps, I could
suggest a few potential lovers.”
“How about one
who has fewer conquests than fingers and toes? Or one that values honesty and
fidelity over all else? Do you know any like that?”
From the
thoughtful look on his face, he took this as an earnest question. “I’m afraid a
man like that will be hard to find in Venice, especially this time of year.”
“Well, then, I
guess I’ll have to go without.”
“How depressing.
What will you do for amusement if you don’t take a lover?”
Marietta rubbed
at her temples and decided she deserved more than the coins she’d already been
paid. “There’s more to life than pleasuring oneself.”
“Really?”
“Yes, Signore,
really.” She placed her stub of charcoal on the easel’s tray and rolled the
stiffness from her neck and shoulders. “That is all for today. I have another
appointment.” It was a lie, but she felt the need to rest and the bed in the
corner was tempting her tired body.
MORE ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
Elizabeth
McKenna works as a full-time technical writer/editor for a large software
company. Though her love of books reaches back to her childhood, she had never
read romance novels until one Christmas when her sister gave her the latest
bestseller by Nora Roberts. She was hooked from page one (actually, she admits
it was the first love scene). She had always wanted to write fiction, so she
combined her love of history, romance
 |
| Author Elizabeth McKenna |
and a happy ending to write her debut
novel Cera's Place. Her short story, The Gypsy Casts a Spell, is
available for free on her website http://elizabethmckenna.com/. She
hopes you will enjoy her latest novel, Venice in the Moonlight, as
much as others have enjoyed her previous works.
Elizabeth lives in Wisconsin with her understanding husband, two beautiful
daughters, and a sassy Labrador. When she isn't writing, working, or being a
mom, she's sleeping.
How
can my readers buy your book?
You
can find more information about
Elizabeth McKenna and her book
Venice
in the Moonlight
by visiting:
