The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley, Book review

Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.

ISBN-13: 978-1402241376

Synopsis:
 

History has all but forgotten...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...


My thoughts:




My thoughts:

Susanna Kearsley writes the sort of spellbinding tomes any romantic soul feels drawn to and 'The Winter Sea' has to be her best novel so far! 
There is such a vivid quality to her storytelling you feel the quiver of each moment as you travel with her heroine throughout the centuries and discover timeless secrets.

The plot behind 'The Winter Sea' is a remarkable undertaking and the amazing amount of research required to make it possible should be heartily applauded. Susanna Kearsley received many accolades from fellow writers including Bernard Cornwell and the unmistakable respect perceived in such critiques should give readers an idea of the magnitude of the author's dedication to her art.
As a history buff, I was floating on cloud 9. It is however her intuitive skills that kept me from being bored for we all know the Scottish and English wars waged for centuries.

The Stewarts history has beguiled the world with its courageous endeavour to regain their rightful throne and it would seem novelist Carrie McClelland has found the perfect location near Slains Castle to write her new book. Ancestral memory or genetic memory is a powerful ingredient in the success of her writings and it is soon apparent she knows what truly happened in 1708 before inspiration dictates each new chapter.  Feelings of deja vu plagues her along with bits and pieces of remembered conversation and she finds herself powerfully drawn to writing about her character Sophia and the 1708 Jacobite uprising. 
She is almost finished with her novel when she realizes history cannot be changed and thus her story would end on a sad note. 
That's where I must acknowledge I did not see the ending hit me. Who would have found such an interesting finale but for Susanna Kearsley?!

Massive in historical details yet with enough charisma to enthrall even the most blase of reader, 'The Winter Sea' brings you entertainment at its best and will make you clamor for more! 
A copy of this one will find a spot on my shelf shortly (this being a library loan).

I give it a resounding 5 stars!!

About the Author:

'I write modern gothic novels that blend historical adventure and modern-day suspense with romance and a touch of something spooky, so they don't fit neatly into any category, really...but they're fun to write!'

Discover more about this author on her website (HERE)

Note to readers: Just to remind you of course...Unless stated otherwise this review was not requested and reflects my opinion only!