The Venetian and the Rum Runner

By: L.A. Witt

Narrated by: Michael Ferraiuolo

Length: 15 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

New York City, 1924

Once their paths cross, their worlds will never be the same.

Danny Moore and his crew only meant to rob the hotel suites of rich guests. He wasn’t supposed to find himself in gangster Ricky il Sacchi’s room. And il Sacchi wasn’t supposed to wind up dead. Now, Danny has the attention of another notorious gangster.

Carmine Battaglia is intrigued by the Irish thieves who would have made off with a huge score if not for il Sacchi’s death. They’re cunning, careful, and exactly what he needs for his rum-running operation. But Danny’s already lost two brothers to the violence between New York’s Irish and Sicilian gangs, and he’s not about to sell his soul to Carmine.

With a gangster’s blood on his hands, Danny needs protection, whether he likes it or not. And that’s to say nothing of the generous pay, which promises to pull him and his crew - not to mention their families - out of destitution.

Working together brings Danny and Carmine to a détente and then to something so intense, neither can ignore it. Something nearly enough to make them both forget the brutal tensions between their countrymen.

But the death of Ricky il Sacchi hasn’t been forgotten. And someone is determined to make Danny bleed for it.

The Venetian and the Rum Runner is a 144,000-word gay historical romantic suspense novel set during Prohibition and the Roaring Twenties.

Content warning: graphic violence, PTSD.

©2020 L.A. Witt (P)2020 L.A. Witt

loved it

There is not one thing to say about this book. It's all wonderful. The characters, the story, narration is just supreme and it even has music. Man what an experience. Thank you... it's all I'm saying.

Great author and narrator pairing!!

I listened to the audio version of this ebook. Michael Ferraiuolo is an amazing narrator. L.A. Witt is an amazing writer. I can't help but want more of this world. Danny and Carmine are star crossed lovers of a sort. Their story is compelling, but I was also drawn into some of the secondary characters stories. Especially James a priest who moonlights as a drag performer at nights. I can't help but feel there is a story there and I would love to read it.

10 Stars

Michael Ferraiuolo y’all. Just when I think he can’t get any more magnificent he does just that. Man this book is written so well LA Witt should receive an award and Michael deserves a Grammy, Golden Globe, and Oscar.

Great narration, good story

The first half of this audiobook dragged a little for me, but I really enjoyed the second half. Michael Ferraiuolo did a great job as usual.

Michael Ferraiuolo is pure gold in everthing! Wow

I LOVE this era of American history! I do, I DO! With the National Prohibition Act of 1919, getting access to beer and booze help to give the 1920's their roar! There were several important social movements during that time. Participants were First-wave feminism, the Harlem Renaissance, the Jazz Age, and the Progressive Era. Events ending the Roaring Twenties were the repeal of Prohibition and the Wall Street Crash of 1929 here in the United States.
Writer L. A. Witt gives readers an incredible feel for the 1920s with her wonderful novel 'The Venetian and the Rum Runner'. We encounter Danny Moore, a brilliant young tactician who leads a crew of other young Irish men that rob for a living. The American Dream hasn't quite panned out for the immigrants and selling things that they have burgled is the only way they can keep themselves and their families fed, clothed, housed, and shod. A job was planned for hitting a hotel during a New Years' eve party but all does not go well. Danny Moore prevents the possible murder of a young woman when he witnesses an altercation between her and some bigshot Italian guy. He bashes the guy across the head and he dies instantly. The rescued woman explains that he has killed Ricky il Sacchi, an Italian gangster. She encourages him to run!
Carmine Battaglia whose Sicilian mother married his Venetian father is also a made-man in the mafia. He is relieved that someone came to his sister's rescue. Being grateful for her salvation, he is intrigued by the level of planning required to get the Irish boys into the hotel to steal things from the guests' rooms. He decides he must meet the leader and intervenes in the arrests of the members of Danny's crew. Carmine makes Danny an offer to run rum for him--an offer Danny reluctantly accepts because their burglary scheme netted them far less money than they needed. With Ricky's family wanting revenge, Danny's safety depends on him working for a gangster willing to protect him and see that his crew earns enough money to support their families.
Danny's family includes members of his crew and others from his childhood and neighbors in his community. He has a buddy named James who is a Catholic priest suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of the time he spent in the first world war. In addition to being a soldier, the priest harbors another aspect of his persona that may account for his understanding of Danny's inclination towards men. As one who hears confession regularly, Father James becomes the confidant who validates Danny's changing feeling towards the Venetian. Yes, Carmine is an Italian gangster, but he was not personally involved in the deaths of Danny's two older brothers. In addition to paying him and his crew a fair wage for the jobs they pull off running rum, Carmine has made it clear Danny has much more personal value to him.
When Danny and his crew are captured by another gang, Carmine pulls out all the stops to recover them alive and well. A safe, though injured Danny leads to the men becoming more than just boss and subordinate. They become lovers in the tenderest coming together most readers may ever experience in M/M romance. In order for Danny and those he loves to remain safe and whole, it has become necessary for Ricky il Sacchi's mentally deranged brother be permanently eliminated. But just how does that get accomplished? You'll enjoy reading the book/listening to the audio to find out.
Wow, what a story! The action was intense as the writer described the rum-running, robberies, and fights with precision word usage. The pacing of the events within the narrative is optimal as the writer introduces varying elements in the story to keep the reader/listener interested from start to finish. The balance in the book is impeccable, as the author moves the reader from the excitement of a shootout, through the elation of a revelation, past the thrill of sexual intimacies. Coupled with awesome world-building that puts the reader/listener right inside the book as a direct observer, the excellent character development allowed the reader to witness the growth of both protagonists and the book's secondary players. This was my number one best read this year! I don't know how ANY other book could top this one! Wow, what a story!

Instant favorite

I absolutely loved the story building in this book. It completely transported me to the days of prohibition. 15 hours with the fabulous Michael Ferraiuolo, went by too fast. I hope there is more to come with these great characters.

This is a really good book

The only reason I didn’t give the story 5 stores is that I wish that there had been more time with the two main characters together. But i understand that that wouldn’t have worked as well in the story line. So that’s entirely a me thing and not a reflection of the authors work, which is wonderful.

amazing totally amazing

what surprises me is that it had such low ratings and this was a phenomenal phenomenal book. and of course Michael, the narrator made it come to life. I will keep this and listen to it again. but I will say this is a must read. It took me two days to listen to this book ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

20’s Gangsters!

This story of an Irishman and Italian finding love in a volatile world where they’re sworn enemies is wonderfully written. I usually don’t go for long books because I don’t like to get lost along the way from it taking me weeks to read/listen. I didn’t get lost in this book because I couldn’t stop listening! I found myself listening to Danny and Carmine’s story no matter what I was doing. L.A. Witt brought the 20’s to life for me in this book with wit, humor, suspense, and even a little madness. There was a surprise character that tickled me immensely! Michael Ferraiuolo did a masterful job narrating this book. He brought the characters to life, and I could tell who was talking by just the inflection in his voice. I truly couldn’t put it down.

Must listen

I loved this book. It was 15 hours 16 minutes of all the feels. It made me cry at points and on the edge of my seat others. It’s a slow burn with mild heat. Has a satisfying ending. Totally worth the credit. Michael Ferraiuolo’s accents are top notch!