The Venetian Affair by Dana Mitchell

When cool, reserved Helene Stoddart dons a mask in magical Venice, it changes her life forever. Her identity protected, she succumbs to a night of wild lovemaking with gorgeous Italian, Gabriel Venier. Convinced she'll never see Gabriel again, Helen returns home to Australia, where an old family scandal sees her hunted by the paparazzi. Then Gabriel arrives, looking for the mystery woman he can't forget. But the Helen he encounters is withdrawn, arctic, nothing like the gorgeous, sensual woman seared into his memory. Despite Helen's reluctance, Gabriel makes time for them to get to know each other, and for slow, delicious seduction …

3 Stars
I received a copy of The Venetian Affair courtesy of the publisher in exchange for a review.

There is just something about books set in Australia that snag me from the synopsis! The Venetian Affair was no different. Helen is in Italy, on tour singing with a couple girls and ends up performing at a club that Gabriel happens to spot her in. He just has to know her and have her! Helen has a secret tho, one that she doesn't want Gabriel to find out about, so she agrees to spend the night with him, under one condition- she gets to keep her mask on and the lights off. Sparks fly of course, and neither of them is the same after. Gabriel ends up on a mission to find Helen, and luckily he does, back in Australia!
I could in no way put myself in Helen's shoes, and wondered about the way she handled things at times, but I really liked the way her and Gabriel connected! The chemistry between the two was volatile at times and scorching at others, which I really appreciated. And who doesn't love a HEA? I finished this one with a smile on my face!

~Mandy