Cover Image: Season of Storms

Season of Storms

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Member Reviews

This book was absolutely beautiful. I couldn’t put it down. I read it in 2 days. I highly recommend this book

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I absolutely love this author and genuinely appreciate the dual stories, past intertwining with present. However, this particular title was a miss for me and I don't even want to admit that (but honesty reigns when it comes to NetGalley, yes?).

I attempted to find myself captivated a number of times but felt like I was trudging through water in a weighted skirt. It just didn't hold my attention for any long periods of time and I didn't fall in love with the characters. Perhaps it wasn't the setting or era I love, either

Despite my seemingly lackluster opinions, I am thankful to the publisher and author for giving me a chance at this title.

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I didn't like this book at all. It took me a long time to read it and I actually felt like not finishing it at all.

Not sure if it is because I was not in a mind set for this book or it just wasn't for me.

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I received a complimentary ARC copy of the re-released Season of Storms
by Susanna Kearsley from NetGalley and Simon and Schuster in order to read and give an honest review.

"...gives us such a strong atmosphere, a touch of romance and a mystery that keeps the reader intrigued... "

I have been a fan of Susanna Kearsley’s work and was fortunate enough to review Bellewether last August. I was excited to get the opportunity to read and review the re-release of Season of Storms.   As usual, Ms Kearsley is brilliant at weaving intricate, emotional, character-driven, and very atmospheric plots into her novels.

In Season of Storms, we meet the young Celia Sands, a struggling actress/waitress, the daughter of a famous (infamous) actress who finally gets her big break and chance at recognition. Celia usually uses a stage name to hide the fact she is named after a 1920s starlet who mysteriously vanished. The 1920's starlet was about to star in a play, Il Prezzo, written for her by her husband famous playwright, Galeazzo D’Ascanio when she disappeared under mysterious circumstances.  D'Ascanio, so deeply in love with his wife had created a lavish Villa with its own theatre on Lake Garda in Italy just to showcase the play.  After his death, the villa fell into disrepair until his grandson Alex decides to restore it and honour his grandfather by staging Il Prezzo with the modern day Celia Sands.  Although Celia is hesitant, the producer is a life-long friend and father-like mentor who encourages her to join him in Italy for his last play before retirement. 

As soon as they arrive at the villa it becomes apparent that something is amiss. Missing people, paranormal occurrences and family secrets drive the story to an albeit rushed yet satisfying ending.

Not the strongest of Kearsley's work, I found I really missed her usual historical component, although present it wasn't really as complex as her other works have been. Ms Kearsley still gives us such a strong atmosphere, a touch of romance and a mystery that keeps the reader intrigued. This story is far from fast-paced, it’s more a slow unravelling yet compelling story with unique characters and breathtaking descriptions making this a pleasurable read which I would definitely recommend.

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I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Season of Storms by Susanna Kearsley was originally published in 2001. I am delighted they decided to re-publish it because it is a timeless story and I enjoyed it very much. The intertwining stories take place in the past and the present and both revolve around an actress named Celia Sands although they are not related. Alessandro D’Ascanio is the grandson of a famous poet who’s love affair with the first Celia Sands created legends that are surrounded in mystery. When he decides to renovate his grandfathers estate and theatre it seems fitting to cast Celia Sands a young London actress in the role that was written for her namesake. Mystery, murder and intrigue seem to haunt the isolated villa in Italy where the play will be performed. The book is over 400 pages and I devoured it in less than 24 hours because I did not want to put it down. Mild steam. Publishing Date June 25, 2019 #NetGalley #SeasonofStorms #SusannaKearsley #SimonandSchusterCanada

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Thank you NetGalley, Simon & Schuster and Ms. Susanna Kearsley for the opportunity to read this Advanced Readers Copy.

Historical Fiction with a spooky twist is what this book is all about. A mix of historical adventure with current day sleuthing!
We meet our heroine "Celia Sands", an actress who is offered the lead part in a play that was originally written for her namesake... a beautiful actress who mysteriously disappeared many years before.

The author takes you away with her descriptions of historical landmarks, architecture and countryside. Her atmospheric style grounds you in her story.
You are transported literally to Italy...both oldworld and modern...

We soon learn that family secrets run deep...lies prevail...and that blood doesn't always equal family and love.

#Simon&Schuster
#susannakearsley
#NetGalley
#seasonofstorms
#lgbtq2
#bookstack

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Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and Susanna Kearsley for the opportunity to read a copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

I have read almost all of Susanna Kearsley's books and I have loved them all. Although, this was obviously a re-print of one of her earlier books and did not have the style and sophistication of her later books, I still enjoyed it. The author's way of writing brings you back in time and space, lets you virtually travel to the locations of her books. I loved the location of this book, as I am in the near future taking a trip to Italy, although not to the La Garda area, I loved reading of the smells and sounds, and could picture the gardens of Il Piacere. I loved researching the property that this story inspired from (Il Vittoriale) while reading it and could see the care she takes to recreate the settings to be authentic. This book was a little bit like a gothic novel and a little like bit harlequin novel. Celia was a lovely character and I enjoyed her story, although some of it was easy to guess, but I know this; I am sure I will think of this book when walking through the Flavian amphitheatre in a few months.

Susanna Kearsley continues to be one of my favourite authors and I enjoyed a chance to read one of her older books, I cannot wait for another new one.

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Galeazzo D’Ascanio, an early 1900s poet, wrote a wonderful play for his lover named Celia Sands. The play was never performed since Celia disappeared without a trace the night before the grand opening. Decades later, the grandson of Galeazzo sponsors the production of the play and invites a young actress who has the same name as the original Celia to take on the lead role. Celia accepts and embarks on a journey of discovery and revelations about what has happened to the original Celia. She will unearth many secrets and her life will be threatened by her discoveries. Susanna Kearsley delivers another beautiful love story with many elements of mystery, intrigue, and history.

Thank you, Simon and Schuster Canada and NetGalley, for giving me a copy of this stunning novel in exchange for an honest review.

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The characters were okay and the writing was still amazing but for some reason this was not my favorite of Susanna Kearsley's It was okay but that is it. It was too light maybe? I can't quite put my finger on it.

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