Some books envelop me in their own distinctive atmosphere and they are the ones I love the most. I recently discovered a new (to me) author, Susanna Kearsley. Her book, The Firebird, wrapped me in its warmth from start to finish like a beloved quilt on a cool winter day. Nicola, the protagonist, is a modern woman working as a fine art dealer. She has a secret. She sees visions of the past when she touches an object. Afraid to reveal her psychometric ability, she works hard to hide her gift and appear normal. Until one object and its owner stirs her heart. She wants to help the woman but doubts her ability to trace the provenance on her own, so she enlists the help of Rob, a former boyfriend.
The book takes Nicola and Rob on a journey through time to places where the original owner of the art piece lived. Interweaving the modern-day couple’s love story with that of Anna, the woman in Nicola’s original vision, the book gives the reader two love stories to follow.
I must admit that I never enjoyed history classes but found myself riveted to the story of Jacobites in 1710 in Ireland, Scotland, Calais, and later in Peter the Great’s Russia, especially St. Petersburg. Kearsley has a knack of bringing the old cities to life and juxtaposing them against the modern metropolises they’ve become.
I did not want the story to end, and will be reading everything Kearsley has written. I highly recommend The Firebird to historical romance fans.
Have a favorite romance book? Shoot me a reply by email, and I’ll put it on my list of things to read and perhaps review.
Thanks, and as always,
Happy Reading Happy Writing
Shirley Holder Platt