Belinda’s Book Nook Review: Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

January 23, 2014 by 4 Comments
Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

 

In the spring of 1708, an invading Jacobite fleet of French and Scottish soldiers nearly succeeded in landing the exiled James Stewart in Scotland to reclaim his crown.

Now, Carrie McClelland hopes to turn that story into her next bestselling novel. Settling herself in the shadow of Slains Castle, she creates a heroine named for one of her own ancestors and starts to write.

But when she discovers her novel is more fact than fiction, Carrie wonders if she might be dealing with ancestral memory, making her the only living person who knows the truth-the ultimate betrayal-that happened all those years ago, and that knowledge comes very close to destroying her…

This is my third book I have read by Susanna Kearsley and it did not disappoint. Like both Marianna and The Shadowy Horses, Ms. Kearsley conducted a lot of historical research to help create her stories.

This book slipped back and forth through time every chapter but again she has a great way of tying the times together even though they are at complete different times. She always has a very tasteful romantic aspect in her books surrounded by historical facts. She always piques my interest in aspects of history that I am clearly unaware.  Which is one of the reasons I gravitate to a lot of historical fictions.

The main character is a writer and the way this book is written gave me a chance to see the writing process from a writer’s perspective.  It explores the concept of ‘ancestral memory’,  the process in which a memory is passed down through the generations without the individual having any firsthand experience.  This,  I found fascinating and wonder if it is possible.  As usual, I did find myself swept up in the romance in the story and cheering for a certain outcome.  So if you are looking for a great read, I think this is one.

Happy Reading!

Belinda

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

April 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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

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Belinda’s Book Nook – Marianna by Susanna Kearsley

March 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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

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