The Winter Sea

By: Susanna Kearsley

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 15 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

History has all but forgotten...

In the spring of 1708, an invading Jacobite fleet of French and Scottish soldiers nearly succeeded in landing the exiled James Stewart in Scotland to reclaim his crown.

Now, Carrie McClelland hopes to turn that story into her next bestselling novel. Settling herself in the shadow of Slains Castle, she creates a heroine named for one of her own ancestors and starts to write.

But when she discovers her novel is more fact than fiction, Carrie wonders if she might be dealing with ancestral memory, making her the only living person who knows the truth-the ultimate betrayal-that happened all those years ago, and that knowledge comes very close to destroying her...

Please note: This novel has also been published under a different title: Sophia's Secret.

Please note, this title is the original recording, which is now known as Sophia's Secret

©2010 Susanna Kearsley (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Winner, Romance, 2012

"Rosalyn Landor provides delightful Scottish accents for many of the characters Carrie meets inside and outside her novel....Landor adds a poetic edge to her storytelling while at the same time giving a dreamy aura to the historical side of the story." ( Audiofile)

Will Steal Your Heart

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book is so beautifully written and performed. The narrator doesn't just read the book to you, she performs it! I just finished listening to it and am getting ready to listen again. It was a joy!

Who was your favorite character and why?

All of the characters in this book were wonderful. But, the heroine, Sophia, was stole my heart. Her growth, her strength, her "telling" of her story was touching and unforgettable. However, that being said, I also fell in love with Graham, Stewart, Carrie and the entire cast!

Which character – as performed by Rosalyn Landor – was your favorite?

As I was listening to Rosalyn Landor's narration I had to stop and take a look at the write-up of the book. It sounded to me as though it was narrated by multiple readers. But no! Ms. Landor was the sole performer. Her vocal range is amazing and not once did I catch her in a misstep doing different voices. Her Sophia was soft and gentle. Her Morry was strong and convincing. Kiersty light and lively. All of them came to life through Ms. Landor's reading. I am now looking for other books narrated by her!

Any additional comments?

I would highly recommend this book to any lover of historical fiction. It was a wonderfully told story from two different points in time. The touch of paranormal made it just that much more delicious! If you listen to nothing else this year, listen to this. You won't be disappointed.

LOVED LOVED THIS BOOK

Would you listen to The Winter Sea again? Why?

Yes...Rosalyn Landor was the best narrator that I have heard in a LONG LONG time! The story was unique a novel with in a novel. I love Historical Fiction and this was one of the best!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cried a few times...while I also broke out in a quiet smile!

Any additional comments?

Must read for anyone who loves historical fiction and genealogy - and Scotland, Ireland and learning of King James

Loved this book!

Any additional comments?

I loved this book! I love Susanna Kearsley. I can't wait for her next book to be released. I first listened to The Rose Garden which was awesome as well. The heroine in the Rose Garden actually time travels. I read some comments that The Winter Sea was also a time travel book, so I was excited to listen to it. To my surprise it was very different than I expected - the heroine doesn't exactly time travel, but experiences the past of her ancestor through her memories. The story is beautifully written. The transition back and forth from present to past is seamless. I love how the stories of the present heroine intertwines and mirrors that of her ancestor's story. I enjoyed learning about the Jacobite rebellion of which I did not have alot of prior knowledge. The best part was the ending. On another note, the narration was excellent. this is the first female narrator that I've heard that when she does a male voice, it actually sounds like a male! Her voices and accents are amazing. Good job Rosalyn Landor!

Beautiful Combination of Two Stories

If you could sum up The Winter Sea in three words, what would they be?

interesting, historical, unique

Which character – as performed by Rosalyn Landor – was your favorite?

Sophia

If you could rename The Winter Sea, what would you call it?

Love Stories in Two Times

Any additional comments?

I thought this might be difficult to follow on audiobook because of the way it went back and forth between the past and the present. Thankfully, Rosalyn Landor did a fantastic job with the different voices. She made it easy to follow this book when it could have been difficult.

Didn’t quite meet expectations

This was one of the books recommended if one liked the “Outlander”-series. Sadly is didn’t come close. I love historical fiction but got a bit lost with all the historical facts used as ‘background’ for this novel. Unfortunately I found the book overall disappointing.

Great Story!

Great story, one of my faves from this author. The narrator did a really good job with the historical parts, but her voice sounded too old for the the main character, Carrie.

No child left behind

good story, just couldn't understand why they couldn't retrieve their child once united. Why was there no concern over the consequences of bring intimate? overall a good story, just cold in a few places.

totally engrossing story

wonderful characters, surrounded by a historic
time. I can see why Kernsley is one of Diana Gabaldon's recommended authors.

I really enjoyed this good old-fashioned romance!

I enjoyed this book because focused on the relationships of the characters with each other and is another reviewer for a different book by the same author pointed out, the author believes what occurs in the bedroom to your imagination. I would certainly recommend this book to those readers who enjoy a good old-fashioned romance versus a classic bodice ripper.

Don't pass this book up

So good. Beautiful story and BEAUTIFUL narrating. This was a story I enjoyed so much I was heart broken to finish it.