Broad Thoughts From A Home: COVER REVEAL: THE VENICE SECRET by Anita Chapman

Monday 5 December 2022

COVER REVEAL: THE VENICE SECRET by Anita Chapman

I'm delighted to be part of the cover reveal event today for the lovely Anita Chapman's debut novel: The Venice Secret.

One hidden painting. Two women born centuries apart. A secret uncovered.

in 2019, Rachel is stuck in a rut when she discovers what appears to be a Canaletto painting in her grandmother's loft, along with a note addressed to Philippa in 1782. With help from Jake at the local art gallery, Rachel endeavours to find out if the painting is an original - and uncovers a secret from the past.

In 1780, governess at Chipford Hall, Philippa is offered the role of mistress by Earl Rupert. She escapes to Venice as companion to bluestocking Lady Cordelia, who reveals a secret that changes both their lives. They do their best to keep the secret from Lady Cordelia's social circle, but their nemesis is determined to reveal all - and ruin them.

The Venice Secret will be published on 7 March 2023, but is already available for pre-order by clicking here.

And now - drum roll please - here is the cover!

Anita Chapman enjoyed writing stories from a young age, and won a local writing competition when she was nine years old. Encouraged by this, she typed up a series of stories about a mouse on her mum's typewriter and sent them to Ladybird. She received a polite rejection letter, her first.

Many of Anita’s summers growing up were spent with her family driving to Italy, and she went on to study French and Italian at university. As part of her degree, Anita lived in Siena for several months where she studied and au paired, and she spent a lot of time travelling around Italy in her twenties.

Anita likes to read journals and diaries from the past, and one of her favourite pastimes is visiting art galleries and country houses. Her first published novel, The Venice Secret, is inspired by her mother taking her to see the Canalettos at The National Gallery in London as a child.

Since 2015, Anita has worked as a social media manager, training authors on social media, and helping to promote their books. She’s run several courses in London and York, and has worked as a tutor at Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College.