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    Last Kiss in Venice: Eternal Love (Part 1)
    Last Kiss in Venice: Eternal Love (Part 1)
    Last Kiss in Venice: Eternal Love (Part 1)
    Ebook122 pages1 hour

    Last Kiss in Venice: Eternal Love (Part 1)

    By Martin Chu Shui

    3/5

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    About this ebook

    Beside a bridge over a canal in Venice, Charlie is spellbound not only by Caitlin’s absolute beauty but also by what seems like a mythical bond between them. The more he knows about her, the more mysterious she becomes. As they finally admit their love to each other in Paris, then move to settle down in Australia together, it looks like the start of Happily Ever After. But neither of them realizes that this is just the start of a heart-wrenching journey.

    After a lifetime of searching, Caitlin finally finds her true love, settles down in the beautiful rolling countryside of outback Australia, and starts to raise a family, but her enemy is never far away. She loves Charlie deeply and is certain he is her soul mate, but she knows she can never reveal her secret; he must never know who she really is, and that is her downfall. Information in the hands of her enemy brings her life crashing down around her. To save all she has worked for, she must fight for her love and the right to survive.

    “Last Kiss in Venice” is a supernatural love epic that encompasses both eastern and western culture to tell a story of love and hate, loyalty and betrayal, revenge and justice. This cocktail of oriental magic, vampires, and sword fights is a legend not easily forgotten.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMartin Chu Shui
    Release dateMar 18, 2013
    ISBN9781301475766
    Last Kiss in Venice: Eternal Love (Part 1)

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    • 3/5
      This book is a retelling of a Chinese legend. The plot overall was captivating, Chinese legends are a divergent reading material than what I am used to. This book had a lot of potential with the concept of the Chinese folklore thrown in and idea of a next life. Also, in a world full of fantasy novels the Chinese magic elements are a nice waylay from the mainstream witch.The plot needed to slow down a bit and have a little more explanation added in. Also there was a certain amount of story development lacking; I felt I had a lot of unanswered questions at the end. The insta-love went a little too far for me in this book, it did not seem real at all and at times the relationship verged on fake and awkward. Note: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

    Book preview

    Last Kiss in Venice - Martin Chu Shui

    Prologue

    Sixth century, Er Mei Mountain, southwest China

    Within the bamboo forest, a young scholar in his early twenties walked hurriedly up the mountain path, out of the deep, misty valley. He was about six feet tall and dressed in a long blue cotton robe, worn but clean, a sword hanging from his belt. On his back he carried a bamboo-framed backpack, books, a reverse-curved bow, and a guqin (a seven-stringed zither).

    Although it was early spring and the mountain wind still held a chill, his handsome face was red and sweaty after a few hours of walking on the ragged mountain paths. He used his sleeve to wipe the sweat off his face and stopped at a creek.

    Taking the bamboo backpack off, he kneeled down and greedily drank the crystal-clear mountain spring water. After adjusting some of the books in the backpack, he was about to return it to his back but stopped abruptly. Accompanied by an air-rending sound, a large eagle dived towards the short grass not far from where he stood. Turning quickly, he saw a white snake, about three feet long, hissing up at the death coming from the sky.

    He had never seen a white snake in his life and didn’t know why he found himself sympathizing with its beauty and vulnerability. He had an urge to help it, to save it from the eagle’s talons, but by the time he had reached for his bow and arrows, the eagle had soared high with the limp body of the white snake in its sharp claws.

    Without a moment’s delay, he aimed at the rapidly rising bird of prey and shot three arrows in quick succession. The first two arrows missed, but the third pierced the bird’s large body. With an agonized cry, the eagle released the white snake and glided towards the other side of the misty valley.

    The young scholar ran to where the white snake had landed, picked up its limp body and brought it to the creek. After carefully washing its wounds, he looked around and plucked a few herb leaves from beside him in the bamboo forest. He chewed the herb leaves in his mouth, put the herb paste onto the snake’s wounds and then tore a few pieces of cloth from the clothing in his backpack, bandaging the white snake gently. When he was done, he carefully laid the white snake on the soft green grass beside the creek and sat down. As he looked at the snake, his heart filled with sympathy and admiration for the creature.

    I have never seen a white snake in my whole life, and I have to say, you are incredibly beautiful. Maybe you were a beautiful princess in your previous life, or you will be an elegant lady in a white dress in your next life. If we meet again in our next life, if we’re both in human form, I would definitely try to marry you at all costs: this is a promise.

    He looked around. Apart from a couple of giant pandas lazily chewing bamboo leaves nearby, there was not a single soul to be seen, so he continued. I know you don’t understand my words, and don’t know why I am talking to you. He gently stroked the snake’s body with his hand. You must be in a lot of pain. I have applied medical herbs to your wounds, and you will be healed in a few days.

    To his surprise, the white snake raised its head, as if it understood his words.

    I see. Perhaps you know exactly what I mean. He stood up, fetched his guqin, and sat beside the snake again. Let me play for you. Perhaps the music will soothe your pain.

    He laid the seven-stringed zither on his lap. As his fingers pressed, plucked, and stroked the ancient instrument, tranquil sounds, each note perfectly crisp, filled the air around them. The music was like white clouds floating in a blue sky; like crystal-clear water flowing in mountain creeks; like a spring breeze wafting the green leaves of a willow tree.

    Time had stopped.

    Everything—the misty valley, the giant pandas, the green bamboo forest, the wounded white snake, and the scholar himself—all melted into eternity: only the music filled the space and time…

    Suddenly the sound disappeared.

    The scholar raised his head, looking up at the high sky for a long time, and then said, I have spent a decade studying, thinking, and cultivating myself, and I am on my way to the capital to attend the imperial examination. He looked down at the white snake. If I am successful, I can use my knowledge to help the poor, to cure the sick, to eliminate corruption, and to make the world a much better place for everyone.

    His eyes were bright and sparkling; his voice was loud and clear; his heart was pumping strong and hard.

    The scholar paused and then looked at the sky. It’s getting late, and I’d better get going.

    He picked up the white snake and hid it in a patch of thick grass so that the eagles in the sky wouldn’t be able to see it.

    I truly enjoyed your company, and I thank you for listening to me. Take care, and I hope we meet again in our next life.

    The white snake slowly raised its head and, as if understanding his words, nodded.

    The young scholar stood up, smiling once more at the white snake, and continued his long journey out of the deep mountain valley.

    1. Youth Hostel

    Charlie stood beside the stainless-steel counter, watching Amy chatting with a customer who was sitting on the bench waiting for his pizza, which was being cooked in the oven behind Charlie. Even with the air-conditioning running, he felt hot, both from the heat of the pizza oven and the sweltering day outside. It was early December in Perth, and the temperature had hovered at a scorching forty degrees for the last two weeks—a record for Western Australia.

    He had been working in this pizza restaurant since graduating from university last year. If he added this with the time spent working here while he was at university, Charlie had almost five years of pizza-making experience under his belt.

    Business was slow.

    On a Sunday like today, anyone walking in the sizzling heat outside their homes to buy pizza in the equally hot restaurant had to have something mentally wrong with them. At least Charlie thought so.

    As soon as he saw his replacement, Helen, pull up in her pink Mini and park in front of the restaurant, Charlie said goodnight to Amy, whistling on his way out.

    The steering wheel of his car was too hot to hold, so he had to use the edges of his palms to touch it, and even then only when it was absolutely necessary. The air-conditioning in his twenty-year-old car was struggling to make any difference, so in the end Charlie just rolled his window down and let the hot air blow on his face.

    Upon walking into the old two-bedroom sleepout house without air-conditioning, it was immediately apparent that the inside was almost as hot as outside. Charlie said hello to his sister’s husband, who was sprawled on the couch watching a cricket match between Australia and India; a few empty beer bottles lay on the floor around him.

    Charlie didn’t get a response.

    Charlie, I’ll be going in a few minutes. I’m on the night shift. Are you alright? his sister said, studying him carefully.

    Charlie’s sister Gina was a nurse and worked in a hospital.

    I’m perfectly fine, sis. Just a bit of heatstroke, nothing serious. Don’t worry about me; go and look after all the old and sick people. Charlie paused. Gina, by the way, I’m flying to Venice tonight. He’d been putting off telling his sister because he knew she’d be upset.

    What? Venice? How can you afford a holiday in Europe? You don’t even have a job yet.

    I work at the pizza restaurant.

    Have you discussed this with Joe?

    Joe is only interesting in drinking beer and watching sports on TV. Charlie lowered his voice. Gina, I’m twenty-two years old and have never been on a holiday in my life. I’ve saved enough money to take a cheap backpacking trip to Europe. Please let me go out and see the world.

    Charlie’s sister hesitated, glancing at her watch. "You should have told me earlier, so there was time to talk

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