THE ITALIAN ILLUSION is a story about Walter Donleavy, a billionaire who is seeking to relocate and purchase a home in Europe. However, he is a very guarded man and has deep secrets from his past that periodically show up and test his fiber. While he has lived in Providence, Rhode Island for almost forty years, he still yearns for the days when he lived in Europe before and during World War II. He wants to settle down and retire from the corporate world that he created for himself. His global empire has afforded him luxuries that few people in the world can only dream off. He has groomed a nephew and niece, since they were five years old that have taken over responsibility for several company's day-to-day operation. However, at certain times, even they are at risk from the enemies he's made while he was building his empire. He maintains a team of individuals with very unique skill sets that support all of his endeavors. In return, he has made them all rich and helped them build their own personal business. While looking for a new villa in Regensburg, Germany, he finds that he has been targeted by a world-class assassination team. This time though, not all of his cunning and planning may be enough to save him and fulfil his dream of moving back to Europe. He has put in motion several key parts of his long-term plan that may have to be implemented sooner, rather than later. Walter Donleavy received a chilling phone call late one night from an old friend in Florence, Italy. The call forced him to revisit his perilous trip in 1945 after he'd escaped from a Russian General's private train in Berlin. He was going to take Walter to St. Petersburg to be viewed as a prize from the war. Hiding in the woods and afraid for his life, he'd slowly made his way to Florence, Italy where he had met his mentor.... Federico Benito Mariano. "Mr. Donleavy, I'm afraid for my life," said Anton. "These men came to me at the plaza where I have my morning expresso. They said that Federico stole something from them during the end of the war!" "Calm down Anton," Walter said. "Coincidentally, I'm planning a trip to Europe next week and I will stop by and see what this is all about."
About the Author: Vic Swatsek is the author of The Prague Deception, The Colorado Conspiracy, The New Mexico Connection, The Amsterdam Protocol, The Moscow Intrigue, The Australian Conclave, and The Montana Monopoly. The Italian Illusion is the eighth in a series of novels that follow several primary characters into thrilling adventures throughout the world. "I want to take you on a thrilling journey with action and adventure, romance, mystery, and a little history thrown in for good measure. You'll be astounded where my stories will take you." He is a member of the Palm Springs Writers Guild and Book Publicists of Southern California. He was born in Austria, and when he was seven years old, the family immigrated to the U.S. He did a tour of duty for the U.S. Army in Virginia, Texas, and Europe, and used this experience in some of his stories. As the Senior Vice President of Production Operations for a major aerospace company, Vic managed over a thousand employees to produce a product used around the world for the airlines and heavy trucking industry. He is the first to agree that writing a novel has many additional, interesting, and very challenging facets. His prior business experience has helped him to organize and effectively present very imaginative ideas. He grew up and still lives in Southern California with his wife, Liz.