Belinda’s Book Nook Review – The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley

The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley

The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley

Verity Grey is thrilled to be asked to join archaeologist Peter Quinnell’s dig in the Scottish borders, but after her first day she isn’t so sure. Quinnell, having spent his whole life searching for the resting place of the lost Ninth Roman Legion, is convinced he’s finally found it – not because of any scientific evidence, but because a local boy has seen a Roman soldier walking in the fields, a ghostly sentinel who guards the bodies of his long-dead comrades. The worst thing is that Verity believes in Peter, and the boy, and even in the Sentinel, who seems determined to become her own protector…but from what?

This is my second book by Susanna Kearsley and again another enjoyable read. I really gravitate to historical fictions because they take me away on an adventure and allow me to have fun while learning bits of history. This book allowed me to explore a bit about the field of archeology and a bit about the Ninth Roman Legion. Something I don’t recall reading about in history classes.

What I enjoyed most about the book is the building up of the main characters and the setting for the dig. I felt the characters were all fully developed. Verity Grey (the main character) is another strong female character that the is an archaeologist by profession who is originally from London.   It was fun learning they frequently used Scottish words the local characters used throughout the book.

And what would a good historical fiction be without a  little romance in there to keep the story moving. The book went at a nice pace to keep you engaged with the story while sprinkling in some history.

I would give this book 4 stars.

Next on my list from Kearsley is ” The Rose Garden” which I will definitely will be looking forward to read.

Happy Reading!

Belinda

Unmasking Maya by Libby Mercer

Unmasking MayaHello! Welcome to another Belinda’s Book Nook Review.  Today I part from my historical fiction to a light romance. The book is called “Unmasking Maya” written by Libby Mercer. This is my first Mercer book.

I downloading this book on my nook a while back but decided to take a peek yesterday while at pick up for the boys at school. I tend to go about 45 minutes early to secure a good spot (pathetic I know) and to get some reading in. So I began to read and you know how good books draw you in and the surrounding sounds begin to fade and all you are left with is the characters and you are there? Well usually I hear all the cars arriving or the middle-schoolers cutting through since they get out earlier than elementary students.  I did not look up once. I was completely absorbed.

I enjoyed Maya’s character a great deal. She was fun and to watch in the different scenarios and I liked the way Derek was introduced in the book. As I said, this book is a stray from my usual historical fiction or mystery although there was a little mystery in this book.  As I have gotten older, I often like historical fictions because I can still have fun and feel like I am still using my time to learn something.

But I also believe that books like this give you the escape that is pure fun even if predictable.  I liked all the characters in the book and of course was on the edge of my seat at pick up waiting for sparks to fly.  I somehow managed to tear myself away and get the boys on time then quickly drove home and after they had their snacks, I dove back in for round two and can I tell you again, everything faded around me (and that’s tough to do with two young boys in the house) and finished the book.  I enjoyed it thoroughly and would recommend it as  fun beach read type of book.

Belinda’s Book Nook – Marianna by Susanna Kearsley

I am having so much fun using Overdrive to check out ebook out of public libraries to read on my Nook HD.  You don’t always find the latest books but the process always puts me on the doorstep of a new author or story that I have not been blessed to have read.

Marianna by Susanna Kearsley

Marianna by Susanna Kearsley

I stumbled across this book, Marianna in one of my searches and boy am I happy I did.

The new owner of a 16th-century Wiltshire farmhouse, Julia finds herself transported back and forth in time to the life of a woman named Mariana. Enthralled with the long-ago world, in love with a man who lived centuries before, Julia must lay the past to rest if she is to find love in the present.”  –

I enjoy when a book can take me somewhere else. I like when I feel attachment to the characters. Well I felt this way with this book.  I would read it during pick-up for the boys and  at night before I go to sleep.  Each time, I felt drawn in and wanting to find out more when I had to put the book down. (It wouldn’t go over well if I were late for school pick up!)

Again one of my favorite things about historical fictions is that it allows you to learn more about history without the stuffiness of a history text book.  I don’t know much English history so this was a little peek into some history.  The characters were rich and the details allowed me to really be there while I was reading it. It also had some light romance in it too. Without spoiling the book, I will say there is a major twist in the book that knocked me off my seat and I felt good with it once I read a few reading guide questions that helped me to process my reaction better.  Are  you curious now? Go ahead and read it and tell me what you think.

I am on the hunt for a new book now and will be back to share my thoughts with you soon.

Happy Reading!!

Belinda

Belinda’s Book Nook – Susannah’s Garden by Debbie Macomber

susannahs_garden

Susannah’s Garden

Welcome to my book nook. Today’s selection is a fiction by Debbie Macomber.

When Susannah Nelson turned eighteen, she said goodbye to her boyfriend, Jake—and never saw him again. She never saw her brother, Doug, again, either. He died unexpectedly that same year.

Now, at fifty, Susannah finds herself regretting the paths not taken. Long married, a mother and a teacher, she should be happy. But she feels there’s something missing in her life. Not only that, she’s balancing the demands of an aging mother and a temperamental twenty-year-old daughter.

Her mother, Vivian, a recent widow, is having difficulty coping and living alone, so Susannah goes home to Colville, Washington. In returning to her parents’ house, her girlhood friends and the garden she’s always loved, she also returns to the payst—and the choices she made back then. What she discovers is that things are not always as they once seemed. Some paths are dead ends. But some gardens remain beautiful….

I have read several of Debbie Macomber books (Blossom Street Series) and truly enjoyed them and couldn’t put them down. I felt so drawn to the characters. I did not feel the same about Susannah’s Garden. I did enjoy the book but I didn’t connect with the characters the way I did with her other books.  What I liked about the book is how it explored our curiosity with the paths we choose in life. I like that it touched on family dynamics throughout the story. The twists in the story were also a pleasant surprise.  Overall an easy read but if you have not read any of Debbie Macomber books this is not the one to start with rather I highly recommended the Blossom Street series which has very rich characters.

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