Season of Storms

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Pub Date Sep 02 2014 | Archive Date Sep 30 2014
SOURCEBOOKS Landmark | Sourcebooks Landmark

Description

A mystery trapped in time...

In 1921, infamous Italian poet Galeazzo D’Ascanio wrote his last and greatest play, inspired by his muse and mistress, actress Celia Sands. On the eve of opening night, Celia vanished, and the play was never performed.


Now, two generations later, Alessandro D’Ascanio plans to stage his grandfather’s masterpiece and has offered the lead to a promising young English actress, also named Celia Sands—at the whim of her actress mother, or so she has always thought. When Celia arrives at D’Ascanio’s magnificent, isolated Italian villa, she is drawn to the mystery of her namesake’s disappearance—and to the compelling, enigmatic Alessandro.
But the closer Celia gets to learning the first Celia’s fate, the more she is drawn into a web of murder, passion, and the obsession of genius. Though she knows she should let go of the past, in the dark, in her dreams, it comes back…

A mystery trapped in time...

In 1921, infamous Italian poet Galeazzo D’Ascanio wrote his last and greatest play, inspired by his muse and mistress, actress Celia Sands. On the eve of opening night...


Advance Praise

Praise for The Firebird:
“Kearsley blends history, romance and a bit of the supernatural into a glittering, bewitching tale.” ―Kirkus
““A wonderfully entertaining, non-stop read. The present and past come together as Kearsley masterfully merges paranormal elements with a wonderful dual story and a fascinating historical setting. Those who loved A.S. Byatt’s Possession will adore The Firebird.” ―RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars
“Authentic historic detail, a touch of the paranormal, and romance come together with a synergistic effect in versatile Kearsley’s lovely and memorable novel.” ―Booklist, starred review

Praise for The Rose Garden:
“A thrilling, haunting and deeply romantic story.”—Rachel Hore, internationally bestselling author of The Memory Garden
“Kearsley masterfully writes authentic voices for Eva and Daniel as they wrestle with their improbable connection and its implications.”—Publishers Weekly
“Like Anya Seton’s Green Darkness and Daphne du Maurier’s House on the Strand, Kearsley brilliantly brings together past and present.”—RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 Stars, Top Pick of the Month
“Kearsley makes the impossible seem real as she weaves a tale full of genuine characters and a strong sense of place and makes history come alive.”—Booklist
“Susanna Kearsley’s The Rose Garden is an enthralling and achingly romantic read.”—BookPage, Top Pick in Romance
“A sympathetic woman becomes the heroine of her own fate, both past and present, in this winning romance.”—Kirkus
“Susanna Kearsley's latest is an imaginatively captivating trip through time. I found complete hours swallowed whole as I devoured THE ROSE GARDEN.”—Fresh Fiction
“I have very few authors on my auto-buy list. Susanna Kearsley— who writes haunting, lyrical works which combine romance and history— is one of them. In her latest novel she mixes time-travel and history to tell us a tale of love and murder. It's a compelling story and one I am thrilled to be able to recommend.”—All About Romance
“Canadian author Susanna Kearsley’s time-travel books have always enthralled me, and The Rose Garden is no exception.”—Historical Novels Review

Praise for The Winter Sea:
“A deeply-engaging romance and a compelling historical novel… Susanna Kearsley has written a marvellous book.” —Bernard Cornwell, bestselling author of The Burning Land
“Highly reminiscent of Barbara Erskine’s Lady of Hay and Mary Stewart’s works: evocative novels that lift readers straight into another time and place to smell the sea, feel the castle walls, see history and sense every emotion. These are marks of a fantastic storyteller.” —RT Book Reviews
“A creative tour de force. Sometimes an author catches lightning in a bottle, and Susanna Kearsley has done just that. The idea behind the plot is ingenious.” —New York Journal of Books
“Kearsley’s writing is touching, her imagery is vivid and her characters are deep, intense and intriguing. The Winter Sea successfully tells two stories at the same time leading up to an absolutely brilliant ending…a beautiful work of historical fiction and the blending of history and romance.” —Rundpinne
“The rich history and the historical aspect of this novel made it a book that was hard to put down.” —The Romance Studio
“Fascinating…skillful writing and research…enthralling…Highly recommended.” —Historical Novels Review
“Pure magic…I found myself just sinking in to the beautiful descriptions and prose…a fantastic read.” —Queen of Happy Endings
“The Winter Sea is an acknowledgment that so many of us are haunted by the deeds of our ancestors, perhaps literally...” —Gail Anderson-Dargatz
“A moving story of two women’s experiences of love...this powerful tale is one you won’t be able to put down.” —Woman & Home Magazine
“Here’s a book with masses of historical detail, interesting use of the concept of genetic memory, and true romance, all perfectly pitched and consequently a real page-turner.” —Cornflower Books
“Deliciously romantic and the writing style matched the brooding, haunting tale very well. Definitely well worth reading!” —All About Romance
“Both stories draw you in with the romance, plot twists, and engaging characters…I loved The Winter Sea. It drew me in from the start and I found myself reading faster and faster just to find out what would happen next.” —Starting Fresh
“One of those books that you remember long after the last page has been turned.” —Debbie’s Book Bag
“Historical fiction at its best!…To all readers who enjoy historical fiction, this novel won’t disappoint.” —Library of Clean Reads
“For years, Ms. Kearsley has enthralled readers with her tales of love set in the past and the present…For those who love historical detail, there is plenty of it to revel in, yet never does it appear to be too much or smack of history lectures. Readers will find themselves flipping the pages eagerly, desperate to find out what happens next.” —Thoughts From Lady Tess
“A beautiful story…The romance that happens in both stories being told is wonderful and bittersweet…the perfect book to read when you want to lose yourself in the past.” —A Buckeye Girl Reads
“This book has everything: historical romance, contemporary romance, rebellion, tragedy. All the good stuff…I found myself zipping through, but at the same time I never wanted it to end… A+ storytelling!” —Readin’ and Dreamin’
“Fabulous characters, and an engaging story” —In Spring it is the Dawn
“An epic story rich in historical detail.” —In the Hammock
“A breathtaking novel.” —Luxury Reading
“Completely captured me…a thoroughly escapist read but also a dazzling adventure…I was truly impressed with the way Kearsley deftly moved from historical to contemporary storylines… there is a haunting air about The Winter Sea that reminds me of Daphne DuMaurier’s writing and the historical description is emphatically believable… Beautiful, clear writing, a believable storyline, adventure and romance landed The Winter Sea on my list of favorites for 2010.” —Bookfoolery and Babble
“If you’re looking for a well written, engaging historical novel with a dash of romance, look no further…it’s a page turner.” —A Work in Progress
“One of the most enchanting romance novels of the decade, The Winter Sea will find a home on everyone’s bookshelf… immensely unforgettable…a literary work of art deserving of the highest praise…Susanna Kearsley created characters so vibrant, so alive, that readers have no choice but to personally feel for them as they would a family member or friend… I can honestly say I was thoroughly impressed with every part of it and am waiting for the opportunity to read it again…This book had me so utterly enthralled with it that by book’s end I was completely lost to its story and felt like I had lost a dear friend by turning the last page…If you like historical fiction that is accurate, factual, informational and all-around well written, than this book is for you. If you like contemporary fiction that holds some captivating moments that capture your heart hook, line and sinker, than this book is for you. If you want a book to get lost in, some escapist literature to help you hide from the world around you, than this book is most assuredly for you.” — Romance Fiction on Suite101.com
“Ms. Kearsley’s The Winter Sea was an emotionally poignant, gripping tale of adventure both in the past and the present with characters full of life, and conflicts that tug at the heart strings. A definite read!” —History Undressed
“A stunning, gorgeous and heartwrenching tale that is perfect for the holiday season” —Psychotic State
“My favorite book of the year.” —The Royal Reviews
“Susanna Kearsley is an amazing writer. She weaves the two plots flawlessly and fluidly… What a gifted writer Ms. Kearsley is! This is one book that I wish had gone on - it took me away and put me in with the characters. I couldn’t put it down - what more can a book do for a reader?” —Books by the Willow Tree
“This book had it all: romance, intrigue, mystery, historical fiction, kick-ass location, and a storyline that made me not want to put the book down. ‘The Winter Sea’ is on my top reads list for 2010!” —Life in the Thumb
“Author Susanna Kearsley made both worlds real to me. The current day in Scotland and the long ago 1700’s were both so vivid that at times I forgot I was reading fiction.” —Books and Quilts
“A magical work of narrative bound to please all fans of historical fiction.” —Read All Over Reviews
“A beautifully written book…This is a book to be read carefully and savored. The contemporary and historical contexts are carefully delineated and rich with texture and detail without overwhelming the reader. The Winter Sea spans the boundary of historical fiction and historical romance, readers who enjoy both subgenres will find it richly rewarding.” —Dearauthor.com

Praise for The Shadowy Horses [original]:
“Brooding and atmospheric, The Shadowy Horses proves that the modern Gothic is alive and well. Leisurely paced and rich in detail, lovers of all things Scottish are going to adore this work.”—Romantic Times
“Part ghost story and part romance, it is beautifully imaginative, with a dream-like quality…a brilliant book!”—The Bookseller
“The Shadowy Horses is like vintage Mary Stewart by way of Rosemary Sutcliffe; The Eagle of the Ninth updated with a sprinkling of the supernatural.”—Scotland on Sunday
“The plot may seem fanciful, but the liveliness with which Susanna Kearsley writes and her ability to convey atmosphere more than compensate.”—The Times, London
“[Kearsley] breathes vigorous new life into a time-honored formula…Still, the keen pleasure of a Susanna Kearsley novel is not so much in the mystery or the romance – but the opportunity to immerse myself in the imagination of a splendid writer. The hallmarks of her fiction are smart heroines with dream jobs, fascinating settings, and storytelling which respects the reader's intelligence rather than insults it. All of these are excellent reasons to read The Shadowy Horses, and to look for the author's other books as well.” —The Romance Reader
“Interesting characters, vivid descriptions of the Scottish village in which the story takes place, genuine (and readable) local dialect, and a manly, sexy hero…”—All About Romance
“Filled with charming and eccentric characters that add a delightful depth to the plotline. Ms. Kearsley has woven archaeology, history, mystery, the paranormal, and love together, to create a wonderful story sure to please.” —Rendezvous
“Wonderfully evocative…another great blend of history, suspense, and the contemporary world.” —Historical Tapestry
“This is the book that made Susanna Kearsley an autobuy for me. I read it and immediately started hunting down her backlist. The Shadowy Horses had everything my little paranormal heart could desire. A hunky Scottish hero, a suave, trouble making ex, a smart heroine with her head screwed on right. And ghosts and history and an archaeological site and a small boy with the Gift.” —Two Old Farts Talking Romance

Praise for The Splendour Falls [original]:
“We find ourselves drawn into the kind of story that takes place over centuries and links previously doomed lovers with the present day. Kearsley holds our interest, and has given us a well-crafted novel.”—The Toronto Star
“A mix of intrigue and adventure... Written in a style similar to that of Mary Stewart or Barbara Erskine, Kearsley does an excellent job in evoking the atmosphere of Chinon with its slow-paced lifestyle and brooding castle. Kearsley’s characters, both main and secondary, are solidly developed with enough quirks to make them interesting.”—The Winnipeg Free Press
“Kearsley’s action-packed mystery-romance, set in a medieval French town, shows the same deft plotting that won Kearsley the Catherine Cookson prize for her earlier Mariana.”—Chatelaine

Praise for Mariana [original]:
“This is a love story, beautifully told.”--San Jose Examiner
Full quote:
“The setting for Mariana, a book that’s set both in the present and in the time of Charles II, captures the flavor of English country life and interesting village houses to perfection.
“This is a love story, beautifully told. The village is real enough to be a character, and the characters both interesting and well-fleshed-out.Ms. Kearsley’s writing is dynamic and captivating, the story so interesting I couldn’t put it down.
“Just when you think you’ve figured out the plot, Ms. Kearsley delivers a surprise. This is page-turning excellence from the beginning to the exciting conclusion. You’ll find each character strong and interesting. I loved the interaction between Julia and her brother, and I loved Mariana’s love affair with Richard. I truly felt Julia’s dilemma.
“Susanna Kearsley deftly weaves both present day and seventeenth century stories together seamlessly. I’ll be looking for more stories by this talented author.”
--San Jose Examiner

Praise for Susanna Kearsley:
“Kearsley has a poetic sensibility and a sense of mystery; she could write the modern Rebecca.” --The Bookseller
‘A splendid writer...The hallmarks of her fiction are smart heroines with dream jobs, fascinating settings, and storytelling which respects the readers intelligence rather than insults it.” --The Romance Reader
‘The subtle inclusion of architectural description, cultural history, and literary allusion throughout a strong first person narrative tells the story of the past and illuminates the present. If you liked THE FRENCH LIEUTENANT’S WOMAN, you’ll love this suspenseful, often better, novel’ --Romantic Times
“Reading Kearsley is like reading Barbara Michaels, Mary Stewart, and Elizabeth Harris all rolled into one. She serves up an intriguing story, interesting and compelling chapters, and a sense of history and people...I was thoroughly engrossed by this suspenseful, well-written novel.” --The Old Book Barn Gazette
“Mary Stewart readers take heart. Kearsley is fast impressing me as heir to her mantle as master of romantic suspense...She’s also got a hint of DuMaurier in this atmospheric novel...a story handled with the skill and style I’ve come to expect from this author.’ --Barbara Peters, The Poisoned Pen
‘A wonderful tale featuring remarkable characters and a colorful historical backdrop; the kind of story that picks you up and sweeps you away...This cleverly crafted, extremely well-written debut novel...merges the drama of the past, rich historical details, delightful characters, and a few surprises in a rather original work’ -Romantic Times
‘This is a wonderfully written story...The author effectively brings to life these unforgettable characters and realistically blends in historical fact...the secondary characters are strong and memorable. This book captures your imagination and your heart.’ --Rendezvous
‘Intrigue, mystery, and a lot of romance. Several revelations in the surprise ending will take the reader’s breath away.’ --Gothic Journal

Praise for The Firebird:
“Kearsley blends history, romance and a bit of the supernatural into a glittering, bewitching tale.” ―Kirkus
““A wonderfully entertaining, non-stop read. The present and past...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781402258732
PRICE $16.99 (USD)

Average rating from 38 members


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