While a difficult novel to "pigeon hole" into a specific genre, I would say this novel beautifully blends history, romance, and mystery. I ...moreWhile a difficult novel to "pigeon hole" into a specific genre, I would say this novel beautifully blends history, romance, and mystery. I have been eternally in love with the 1940s (Could there be such a thing as reincarnation? I've always wondered...)and this novel brings it remarkably to life. Do we always love the one we're supposed to? The one who is best for us? Or is there no one like the one who's our soul mate? This novel tells the tale of a modern day broken hearted woman, who travels to a place where she always felt safe and loved. A place where she learns her history, uncovers a mystery half a century old, and maybe even finds love. I absorbed this little treasure in one day, curled up with a head cold in front of a roaring fire, and loved every minute of my escape.(less)
Definitely not 4 stars, more like 4.5....very close to 5! I did enjoy the Winter Sea more. I am in love with Ms. Kearsley's writing style...her pros...moreDefinitely not 4 stars, more like 4.5....very close to 5! I did enjoy the Winter Sea more. I am in love with Ms. Kearsley's writing style...her prose flows as evenly as the seas she often writes about. I thoroughly enjoyed her characters, the time period, her fantasy element about traveling through time to meet the person you were meant to be with (I even followed her mini lesson on physics and time continuums!)--pretty much everything this author had to offer. I have a new author in my "favorites" line up!(less)
Susanna Kearsley's meticulous research, beautiful prose, and romantic bent in this storyline have catapulted her into my top five favorite authors. I...moreSusanna Kearsley's meticulous research, beautiful prose, and romantic bent in this storyline have catapulted her into my top five favorite authors. I started out with her novel "The Rose Garden", and quickly became hooked on her captivating writing style. An avid Scottish history fan (Outlander, anyone?), I downloaded it at 7:30 pm, and finished it about 2 am, same evening. I could NOT put this down. I had to find out what happened to the historical heroine, her love, the Jacobite uprising of the early 1700s, as well as the present day "author" the story is centered around. Very enjoyable, engrossing, and romantic....one of the best I've read this year.(less)
This was an interesting take on the supernatural "immortality" books....no vampires here, just magic, potions, eternal love, etc. It's an i...moreThis was an interesting take on the supernatural "immortality" books....no vampires here, just magic, potions, eternal love, etc. It's an interesting thought to ponder if we truly would choose it, knowing that we would have to outlive everyone around us, constantly on the move so no one would suspect our immortality. While I question the author's use of the present tense when telling the tale from the male protagonist view, I enjoyed the story when told from the immortal female's side. Very enjoyable, looking forward to the sequel.(less)
Nora Roberts' novels always deliver what they promise--romance, drama, a surprise element, and usually gorgeous scenery. This one, while not her best...moreNora Roberts' novels always deliver what they promise--romance, drama, a surprise element, and usually gorgeous scenery. This one, while not her best, still managed to entertain and keep me interested while finishing it in two stretches. I loved the historic inn and its renovation by three brothers (the obvious heroes of the trilogy), and I loved the supernatural element of the inn's resident ghost. I wonder how her story will play out by the trilogy's end....I'm sure I will read the next two to find out. And THAT'S why Ms. Roberts is a best-selling women's fiction author. (less)
Alice Hoffman writes exactly the type of fiction I like best....historical events, strong female characters, powerful storylines, and beautiful prose....moreAlice Hoffman writes exactly the type of fiction I like best....historical events, strong female characters, powerful storylines, and beautiful prose. I never tire of her writing. At times magical, at times horrifying, her descriptions of the events leading up to the Roman siege of the Jewish stronghold, Masada, left me unwilling to lay the book down at night. The siege itself (even though I knew how the events unfolded) were told in such a way that I was able to place myself emotionally in these women's shoes. What a choice to have to make. It's early in 2012, but to me, this one is going to be hard to top.(less)
There were certain aspects of this novel I really enjoyed, and there were some that I felt like I had to force myself through. It was good...but I fe...moreThere were certain aspects of this novel I really enjoyed, and there were some that I felt like I had to force myself through. It was good...but I feel like it could've been great. The biracial author may have had difficulty on this one separating fact from reality--or else held back a little because certain parts hit a little close to home. (less)
Chris Bohjalian novels are all so different--each unique in its own way. This novel is perhaps his biggest deviation yet from the norm. We all know t...moreChris Bohjalian novels are all so different--each unique in its own way. This novel is perhaps his biggest deviation yet from the norm. We all know the miraculous story of how Capt. Sullenberger put his plane of passengers down in the Hudson, without a single loss of life. The pilot in this story--Chip Linton--doesn't fare as well because of events out of his control. The pilot and his family try to escape the glare of publicity by moving to a small town in New Hampshire, a town that brings Salem, MA and the Stepford Wives to mind. Suffice it to say, the reader doesn't know if the pilot is spiraling downward into madness, or if there really are supernatural forces at work. The ending was totally unexpected--I didn't see it coming at all. Definitely worth a read.(less)