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Book Review: The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley & Giveaway (US/Canada)

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The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley is the first of her books that I’ve read but it certainly will not be the last.  This book was fantastic and had me hooked from the very beginning.  I alternated reading and listening to this one and I think that made it all the better because the narrator Sally Armstrong was really awesome.  The Shadowy Horses is an atmospheric novel of ghostly happenings, history, mystery, romance, and visions of Scotland; all in one beautifully told tale.  I loved it!

Verity Grey(I love her name!)  is an archeologist and a very independent and opinionated young woman.  She’s been offered the opportunity via an old boyfriend to work at an ancient archeological site in Scotland.  She’s really not quite certain what’s going on once she arrives and she’s not even sure she’s going to stay until she meets the elderly and eccentric gentleman who is financing the dig, Peter Quinnell, and takes an instant liking to him.  He tells her that he thinks he has found the lost Ninth Legion of Rome and even more interesting he’s found it through a young boy who seems to be able to communicate with ghosts, who in this case is The Sentinel.

Soon enough Verity is embroiled in the lives of everyone and especially the little boy Robbie.  At first she doesn’t believe in anything as crazy as this little boy being able to talk to ghosts or the fact that he seems to be able to tell her what her own thoughts are but soon enough she knows he’s the real thing and she even begins to believe that there is indeed a ghost lurking about.  Then of course there is David who she meets there as well and even though the last thing she needs is a romance she can’t help but be attracted to him and it seems as though the feeling may be mutual.  As the story progresses there are twists and turns and an escalating element of suspense that kept my attention completely.

This story is so well told and the author is able, with her vivid descriptions of the village of Eyemouth in Scotland, to make you feel as though you are right there and I loved that.  I enjoyed learning a bit about the customs and ways of the Scottish as well as a bit on archeology as well.  All of the characters are well developed and interesting with Verity being my favorite.   Like I said before she’s independent with a good career, she’s spunky, and she has a good head on her shoulders.  I also learned that Susanna Kearsley is a fellow Canadian which puts her even higher on my list of books I need to read.  The Shadowy Horses is a great novel and one that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to my friends!  I can’t wait to read more from Susanna Kearsley!

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US/Canada)

I have one copy of The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley to share with my readers.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do let me know so I can pass that extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this review & giveaway!

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, November 3/12.  Good luck!

Source: Review copy provided by Sourcebooks via NetGalley as well as audiobook from personal library. No compensation was received for this review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Comments

  2. I’ve read other books by Ms. Kearsley and loved them. This one sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway.
    I follow through Google Reader.

  3. +1I would love to win and read this novel with Scotland as the setting. It would fit perfectly on my multicultural blog. I also like to read about: ghosts, archaeology and would love to learn about Scotland.

    +2I already follow you.

    +3I tweeted the giveaway, facebooked it, g+1.

    Thanks for entering me.

  4. The first thing I noticed was the beautiful cover! Scotland is such a beautiful place and I would love to go there one day. I think historically this book would be interesting concerning the culture and history of Scotland. I would love to win and I follow you.

  5. her last book intrigued me but I never got a chance to pick it up, this one has an equally beautiful cover and I’d love the chance to read it!

    +1 I already follow your blog 🙂

  10. Wow! I’ve been hearing some very good things about this book but didn’t realize it had such a deliciously interconnecting plot until I read your great review. Archeology is a fascinating subject and the idea of a young boy who can talk to ghosts really adds intrigue to the novel. Thank you for the detailed review. I’m really looking forward to reading “The Shadowy Horses.”

    Follow on GFC
    Will share the blog on Twitter

  13. I would love to read this. I’m currently reading another book by Susanna Kearsley and I am enjoying the writing. The shadowy Horses has a lot of interesting elements in it.

  23. I love Scotland. Would love to win and read this book. Thank you.

    kmgervais(a)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

  29. I have noticed several reviews of this recently and would love to read it; I know very little about Scotland.

  33. This one sounds like it has a lot of different elements in it, and it sounds like a very clever read. I would love the chance to win it and check it out. Thanks for the great review, Dar, and for offering us a chance in the giveaway!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  34. I’m a follower and a subscriber. Please enter me I would love to read this book.

    dancealert at aol dot com

  36. Dar, if you liked this one so much, you should try her Rose Garden book. I loved that one the most of all her books I’ve read. I haven’t read this one so please throw my name in the hat.

  39. Ghostly happenings??? You had me sold with those two words. LOL! I’ve never read anything by this author but I’ve heard lots of good things. I think I’ll add this one to my ever growing TBR list. And I would love to be entered into this contest please!

  45. Great review. Would love to win this book. Thank you for the opportunity.

    prettyinpurplerose(at)aol(dot)com

  48. Thanks for this amazing giveaway! This book sounds great and I would love to win it!

    klaxon63350 (at) mypacks (dot) net

  55. I recently read one of her novels and really enjoyed it. I know I’ll be reading more of her books. I love the mix of present day and history. And the locations! Thanks for the giveaway!!!

    I follow you and I tweeted @vegasbookgirl

    Cheers!
    Amanda
    Libraryofmyown at gmail

  56. The book sure has a lot going for it. But I really like the mystery and romance. I would love to read it. Thanks for having the giveaway.

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  59. Wow, can’t believe this your first book by Kearsley!! so thrilled that you loved it. Her books are truly fantastic and you have some great reading ahead of you!