Finally, Susanna Kearsley's novels are being published here in the US! Kearsley is a Canadian author, who I was introduced to via Cornflower (one of my reliable sources for good reads). She's written a dozen or so novels, but until now they have been unavailable in the US. Sourcebooks will hopefully be reissuing more of her work in the upcoming year or so. It's strange to think that in the past I've had to order Kearsley's books all the way from the UK when we're neighbors with Canada, but alas, that's the weird world of publishing for you. If you're looking for a well written, engaging historical novel with a dash of romance, look no further, The Winter Sea is the book for you. Kearsley dips into Scottish history in this novel, and it's a page turner.
I have a confession to make, first. I read this book a earlier last year--the UK version, which is titled Sophia's Secret. I'm not sure why the title was changed, but I prefer The Winter Sea as it fits the storyline better plus has a more magical quality to it. When I was offered a copy of it from Sourcebooks my greedy reading self jumped at the chance to have a new book by Kearsley. I didn't realize this was the same book I had just read the year before only with a different title. I'm usually much more savvy when it comes to being familiar with books by authors I enjoy reading, but this one slipped by until I had it in my hands and read the back cover properly. No harm done, however, as it is a wonderful story and well worth revisiting.
There are two parallel plotlines in The Winter Sea, which are cleverly told. This is a story within a story, both set in Scotland but one in the present day and one in 1708. Carrie McClelland is a successful author who travels to Cruden Bay to research her latest book, which is based on one of her own ancestors, Sophia Paterson. When Carrie first sees Slains Castle she feels an instant connection to her ancestor and the story she's writing takes on a life of its own. Although now in ruins, a bustling 18th century Slains Castle was once the seat of the Earl of Eroll who took part in the 1708 plot to bring King James VIII back to the Scottish throne. Slains provides both inspiration for Carrie's novel and the setting for Sophia's adventures.
"I couldn't say how far away I was when I first saw the ruined castle on the cliffs, a line of jagged darkness set against a cloud-filled sky, but from the moment I first saw it I was captivated, driving slightly faster in the hope I'd reach it sooner, paying no attention to the clustered houses I was driving past, and feeling disappointment when the road curved sharply off again, away from it. But then, beyond the tangle of a wood, the road curved back again, and there it was: a long dark ruin, sharp against the snowbound fields that stretched forbiddingly between the cliff's edge and the road."
Sophia ends up at Slains, the Erolls being distant relations, after the death of her family, where she gets caught up in royal intrigues. With Queen Anne on the throne and a newly united England and Scotland, being a Jacobite is a dangerous thing. She must learn how to converse with the many visitors, not all of them friendly to the cause, without giving away any secrets.
The stories flip back and forth, but as Carrie begins writing her story Sophia takes over the action making things feel very organic, and the lines between the two stories is sometimes blurred, and your find yourself not realizing you've switched from one period to the next. Often with two storylines one overtakes the other, but these two were so intertwined they flowed nicely. Kearlsey introduces the idea of genetic memory into the story to explain Carrie's abilities to draw on the past so flawlessly without having to depend on any sort of paranormal device, which can often feel clunky and unrealistic. Kearsley has also done her homework as the historical aspect of the story is carefully detailed. You can see photos of the real Slains Castle here. All I can say is--What a view! It must have been something in its day. I've just recently finished reading Mariana, which easily rivals my enjoyment of The Winter Sea. I'll be writing about it soon.
You can check out the author's website here. Thanks to Sourcebooks for sending me a copy of The Winter Sea to reread. Kearsley was shortlisted for a RITA Award and the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year Award for it. I hope it does well in the US as it looks like Kearsley really does have a new book due out next May called The Rose Garden. This is one I have definitely not read but I'm looking forward to.