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!
Okay – does it have a happy ending? Cause I can only read it if it has a happy ending. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the book. It sounds like a great book.
April
No Spoilers here!!! I will say that I would say if I didn’t like the ending!
I randomly discovered this author when I found a paperback copy of The Rose Garden in a box of used books for sale at a random shop (wasn’t even a bookstore!) It sounded so good, but I never did get around to it…. All Kearsley’s books sound so wonderful, I really should finally dive in one of these days!
Hi Christine! Thanks for checking out my blog.
Oh I think you will enjoy her books. I have her latest, The Firebird and I am forcing myself to read some other authors before I read it. But if it’s anything like the others I think I will be in for a good read.