Mariana by Susanna Kearsley - Dual-Time Fiction Review
- Aug 30, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 29
Mariana by Susanna Kearsley is a haunting and superbly written paranormal romance.
At a Glance
Tone: Haunting, suspenseful, and romantic with an undercurrent of mystery
Setting: Cornwall, England — both present-day and 17th-century historical sites
Genre: Historical fiction with elements of romance and supernatural mystery
Themes: Love across time, family legacy, secrets from the past, identity
Best for readers of: Historical fiction, gothic romance, and fans of novels that weave past and present together.
Book Review of Mariana by Susana Kearsley
Mariana by Susanna Kearsley may have paranormal elements in the form of time travel and ghosts, but it's written so flawlessly that one minute the reader is in the present-day and the next they are transported back to the 17th-century with Mariana. I'll say right off that I'm not usually a fan of time travel elements in books because too often I feel jerked from one century to the next—not so with this book.
Ms. Kearsley's writing style is so flawless, with an almost silk-like smoothness that moves the reader from one page to the next.
Julia Beckett is an illustrator of children's and fantasy books, a career choice and talent which enables her to live where she wants. With the help of a small inheritance, she purchases an old farmhouse she's coveted from the days of her youth. Little did Julia realize that there's more to the farmhouse, and her connection with it, than she could have ever imagined. Ms. Kearsley weaves romance elegantly throughout the story so that it balances perfectly with the paranormal, history, and every-day contemporary elements.
Although some of the secondary characters are more integral to the story than others, the likes of Geoff, Iain, Vivien, Freda, and Julia's brother, Tom, all add depth, drama, and even frivolity to the book. I was so engrossed and attached to the characters that I fretted the ending would not turn out as I had hoped. Of course the author didn't disappoint and surprised me with the perfect ending to a beautiful story.
Enthralled with every nuance of Mariana, I cannot recommend enough the books of Susanna Kearsley.
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Book Information
Genre: Multi-Genre Fiction/Time-Travel Romance/Paranormal
Release: April 1, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Pages: 382pp
Format Read: Paperback
Source: Reader's personal library
Reviewed by: MK
Content Rating: 2 Hearts—Our hearts are aflutter. This author knows how to turn up the heat with some passionate kisses. Nothing graphic here!
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About the Book
Mariana by Susanna Kearsley
(Retailer Description)
When Julia Beckett moves into a beautiful old farmhouse, she soon discovers she's not alone there. She encounters haunting remnants of a beautiful young woman who lived and loved there centuries ago. Julia finds herself transported into 17th-century England, and into the world of Mariana.
Each time Julia travels back, she becomes more enthralled with the past... until she realizes Mariana's life is eclipsing her own. She must lay the past to rest or risk losing the chance for happiness in her own time.
With heartbreaking romance, escapist fantasy, and powerfully drawn characters, Kearsley takes you on a time-traveling journey you'll never forget.
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