Champagne Deception (23 page)

LoCo Art Gallery Too had opened to s
urprising success in Geneva.  Art lovers traveled from all points in Switzerland to view the classically inspired creations of the Italian and American duo.  Each morning, just as she had envisioned, Coretta took her canvas and watercolor paints outside to work by the mountains.

In Milan, LoC
o Art Gallery had reopened.  At loose ends after retiring from her teaching position, Graziana had volunteered to manage the gallery four days a week.  Sales were constantly growing under Graziana’s competent and caring supervision.  Defeated, Declan Wainwright had finally shut down his gallery and returned to England.  With galleries in two European countries, Lorenzo and Coretta were becoming renowned artists all across the continent.

“Is it time to take the cake out of the oven?” Lorenzo asked helplessly.

“Not yet,
caro mio
.  Give it a few more minutes,” Coretta called from the living room.

Lorenzo nestled next to her on the couch and asked, “What are you reading?”

“Not Shakespeare!” She giggled, recalling the conversation from the day they met in pottery class.

He shared her laughter and grabbed the book playfully.  “Hmm, let’s see.  Ah, a biography of Michelangelo.  Very nice.
  As long as you’re not going to compare me to this genius again like my mother insists on doing!”

“
No, I won’t if you don’t want me to, but you are my renaissance man,” she whispered, caressing his stubbled cheek.

He smiled, rising from the couch and heading over to the bar.  “I hope we have enough red wine for dinner.”

“I’m sure we do,” she said lightly.  “But don’t forget the champagne!”

“How could I?  I’ve got the real thing right here,” he asserted, holding up a gold-wrapped bottle of vintage champagne.

“Yes, it’s definitely authentic,” she agreed happily.  “And I’m not talking about the champagne.”

*****

Dear Reader:

Thank you for reading
Champagne Deception. 
I hope you enjoyed delving into Coretta and Lorenzo’s bubbly romance!  I welcome your feedback and invite you to write to me at
[email protected]
.

Happy Reading!

Cordially,

Anisa Claire West

Titles Available by Anisa Claire We
st

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

Champagne Deception

Dark Chocolate Murder

Deep Dish Lies
(To Be Released: Summer of 2013)

Hot Fudge Fraud
(To Be Released: June 1, 2013)

Northern Moonlight

FANTASY

Silver Goddess Series:

Island Tango
, Book 1

Orca Dance
, Book 2

Leopard Rhythm
, Book 3

Mermaid Gold,
Book 4 (To Be Released: May 1, 2013)

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

Eternal Melody

About the Author

Anisa Claire West graduated with honors from Yale University and also holds a Master of Arts degree in Literature and Teaching.  Learning about cultures is Anisa’s passion, and she has studied more than half a dozen languages including French, Arabic, and Italian.  A certified yoga instructor, Anisa embraces mind-body fitness, animal advocacy, and a vegetarian lifestyle.  Writing novels has been Anisa’s dream since childhood, and she hopes her books will inspire readers to pursue their wildest dreams as well.