OK, so I'm rarely in jeopardy, but I write woman-in-jeopardy novels—otherwise called "Modern Gothics"—and this is my blog. It will probably have lots of time between posts, but I'll try not to bore you. Welcome.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Adventure Across Time



Today's Adventure: The Firebird (by Me)

10 Great Authors, 10 Unforgettable Adventures. With every “Today’s Adventure” post between August 1 and August 13, you can register to win the featured book and the grand prize of all 10 books. We’ll announce winners on August 14.  You may enter today’s contest by leaving a comment right here on my blog. 

Nicola’s not looking for adventure. But when a client brings a family heirloom—called “the Firebird”—to her gallery to be appraised for sale, she has to help, despite the fact that helping means she’ll have to use the psychic “gifts” she’d rather hide, and call a favor in from an old boyfriend, Rob, whose gifts are even greater than her own.

Using Rob’s abilities to “see” the distant past, they start their search in Scotland for the client’s long-dead ancestor, a little girl they know will one day own that family heirloom. When they find her, she’s in danger.

Anna sat up fully, straightening her back as her own gaze slipped to the colonel and she asked him, ‘Is the devil really on his way here?’
Colonel Graeme, as he often did, delayed his answer with a question of his own. ‘And do ye fear the devil, Anna?’
Anna heard again the wicked wailing of the wind, and was not sure. She looked to where her mother and her father stood, and then towards the door that was still blocked by Captain Jamieson and guarded by the colonel, and it seemed to her that nothing could so easily get past those two men and their swords, and suddenly she knew that she was not afraid. Not really.
So she said as much. And when she asked the colonel, ‘Can your ship outrun him?’ she felt something stir within her, like the thrill at the beginning of a great adventure.

Nicola knows there are risks in following a firebird. In Russian folklore, when a firebird drops a feather, any fool who picks it up and tries to chase the bird itself is in for trouble. But…

A single white feather had snagged on a low clump of blowing grass and withered wildflowers, fighting the wind that was trying to tear it away.
It was only a gull’s feather, ragged and plain, not a feather of flame from a firebird, but I felt Rob’s amusement before I looked up at him.
There were those eyes again, daring me, waiting.
‘That’s how it begins,’ he said, ‘isn’t it?’
Hands in his pockets, he patiently watched while I looked down again at the feather. The wind caught its end and it started to lift and on impulse I bent down and reached for it.

So two women in two different times set out on separate quests, connected by a simple carving that—just like the Firebird in the fairy tales—may lead them to a treasure nothing like the one they each set out to find.

Leave a comment below before 8 p.m. EST today and you'll be entered to win a copy of The Firebird. And don't forget to check out the other authors who took part in this Summer Adventure week:

Alison Atlee, The Typewriter Girl     Facebook
Jessica Brockmole, Letters from Skye          Facebook
T.J. Brown, Summerset Abbey: Spring Awakening  Facebook
Sarah Jio, The Last Camellia            Facebook
Katherine Keenum, Where the Light Falls 
Stephanie Lehmann, Astor Place Vintage   Facebook
Kate Noble, Let It Be Me        Facebook
Deanna Raybourn, A Spear of Summer Grass       Facebook
Lauren Willig, The Ashford Affair   Facebook


The adventures are now officially concluded, but be sure to come back here tomorrow for a full list of winners for all of the contests! And thank you for travelling with us.

70 comments:

  1. I can't remember where I heard about The Firebird - I think via Deanna Raybourn, but it sounds great. I can't wait to read it!

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  2. I love your books. I can't decide which is my favorite, but luckily I enjoy reading them again and again so maybe some day I'll decide which I like best. When I discovered several familiar characters--not just the same character with a different name, but old friends at different times in their lives--I was delighted.

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  3. This book sounds so good. I love stories set in Scotland. I can't wait to read it!

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  4. Sounds very interesting. Kind of sad the Summer Adventures are coming to an end, as now I have to find interesting books to put on my "to read" list by myself.

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  5. This has really been an exciting giveaway adventure :)! I love your books and am excited to check out some of the other authors' books as well. Thanks!

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  6. I've been wanting to read The Firebird since I heard about it on Lauren Willig's blog!I did love so much The Rose Garden...

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  7. Sounds exciting!! Can't wait to read it!

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  8. I recently found your books & love them!! I am looking forward to reading Firebird...

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  9. I loved The Rose Garden and am looking forward to reading this one!

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  10. Susanna, I'm reading it now and I'm just swept away. The characters are wonderful - Rob is already one of my favorite romantic heroes! If I were to win a copy I would give it to a good friend, since I already have my own. :-)

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  11. I loved The Firebird! You are truly gifted on drawing a reader into the lives of your characters. There were moments when I wasn't sure if i was still in my living room or standing next to anna herself. Thank you so much :)

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  12. Indeed, you CAN judge a book by its cover. I found "Firebird" totally by accident. The cover caught my eye. Then, the title caught my eye. Of late, I am fascinated by "Firebird" folklore, and have had life-long curiosity about Russia and its culture. Oh, heck - I am curious about everything!!!! I was so sorry when the story ended. I really enjoyed "The Firebird." Even though I read it on my e-reader, I would love to read a hard copy so I can make notes and cross references. Folks, this is a really good book! (I know three people reading in on my suggestion!)

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  13. I've just finished reading "The Rose Garden" and "The Winter Sea" ... both were absolutely compelling, I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest of your books! Thank you!

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  14. I have been dying to get my hands on this book. I just finished Every Secret Thing. You're one of my favorite authors. I just love your books.

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  15. Still haven't read this one, but so looking forward to it!

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  16. I'm just becoming immersed in Mariana right now and I'd love to get my hands on The Firebird!

    Your writing touches me in so many ways -- thank you :)

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  17. What an excellent giveaway! Thank you!

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  18. Susanna, I love your work and have to tell you that The Winter Sea is one of my favorite novels ever. Thank you so much for the opportunity to win your latest!

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  19. Such a great contest - sorry to see it end. I've loved every one of your books!

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  20. I love your lyrical and beautifully flowing writing. Thank you for all your books! What a great contest.

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  21. I love your books Susanna! I hope I win :-)

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  22. I have loved this entire giveaway!! It's fabulous!

    I absolutely love your books. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

    Donna

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  23. This giveaway was a fantastic idea. I know e-books are all the rage, but I am still love the feel of the pages between my fingers. Thank you for this opportunity to win a copy of your book.

    Whitney Jennings

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  24. Thanks for the opportunity...I would love this

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  25. I love your books, and I love the myth of the Firebird - thank you for this opportunity!

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  26. Ooo, I love that The Firebird is based on Russian folklore! There are so many cool stories in that culture. Thanks for taking us on an adventure today :)

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  27. I have the most beautifully illustrated book of the Firebird by Gennady Spirin. The tale is fascinating and I would love to read a spin on it.

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  28. I can't wait to read it! Just recently discovered your books while on vacation, and have read all but this one in the last few weeks!!

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  29. Great idea for a contest! I LOVE Jio and Kearsley and the way history is woven into their stories!

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  30. I love Russian folklore and I look forward to reading The Firebird! Thank you for this lovely giveaway :)

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  31. Thanks for these chances to win! I already own all your books but would be thrilled to win anyway! Laurice

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  32. love your books so much! makes no difference to me what your books will be about, they are MUST READS!!

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  33. Susanna-

    I adore your novels book covers and your storytelling. I would be thrilled and delighted to win THE FIREBIRD -- to travel into another world as engaging as SHADOWY HORSES.

    Thank you for the opportunity to possibly win!

    Best,

    Stephanie Renee dos Santos

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  34. Firebird, as with the rest of Kearsley's novels, has absolutely charmed me. I borrowed it as an EBook from my library - Devoured it the first read around and am now re-reading it proper before my lend period is up. It would be lovely to own...however, much as it is said in the novel, now that the tale is in my heart I will carry with me wherever I go.

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  35. Love this book! Read it twice already!

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  36. I love the fact that you used a familiar character in "The Firebird." I am a librarian in Windsor Locks, CT and I've been buying all of your books, even the older ones, for our collection. Several of our staff are eagerly reading every Susanna Kearsley novel and it seems like each week I discover additional fans! It turns out that many of the people to whom I have been trying to recommend your novels are already reading them! Please keep on writing. You transport your readers magically through time and space and I can't get enough. My goal is to own all of your novels.

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  37. Marguerite B:

    Thanks for the opportunity to dream of books via your contest. Good Luck.

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  38. The Firebird is definitely on my to read list. I'll admit the only Kearsley book I've read thus far is The Winter Sea, though I'm currently reading The Rose Garden. And yet The Winter Sea is also one of the only books I've ever read that made me cry the second time through. Apparently knowing what was going to happen didn't save me from the huge swell of emotion brought on by certain scenes. So anyway, keep writing.

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  39. I would like to add: I really, really, really want to read this novel. I love the whole concept of the protagonist, Nicola Marter, who was born with the gift of sight when she touches an object; and I adore the art tie-in. Brilliant character and story line. - Stephanie Renee dos Santos

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  40. I love the way you have used characters from The Winter Sea and Shadowy Horses. I recommended your books to Margaret in the Chapters at Bloor and Runnymede yesterday as I think you're the best author in your genre. Thanks!

    P.S. I thought I'd posted this once via my phone, but its not showing up. Sorry if you get it twice!

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  41. I love all your books! You are one of my favorite authors!

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  42. This book sounds so exciting! I teach a folk tale unit to my 5th graders, and Firebird is one of the books I use. Can't wait to read this one, as I am fascinated by Scottish history/legend/stories. Recently read Darci Hannah's Exile of Sara Stevenson that takes place in 19th century Scotland but also has a time element involved. Thank you for participating in this giveaway!

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  43. The Firebird sounds interesting, going to have to check it out.

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  44. I cannot wait to get this book. Sounds wonderful!

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  45. I love the story line. I very much want to read The Firebird. Cover is beautiful.

    bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

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  46. Hi Susanna! Love all your books! Can't wait for the rest of your books to be issued in the US!

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  47. I read The Firebird and loved it. I've started reading your earlier books to catch up. Keep writing!

    patdupuy@yahoo.com

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  48. What a great collection of books. Thoroughly enjoy your books!

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  49. Thank you for the wonderful suggestions!! Many of these adventurous reads are now in my Want-to-Read list at GoodReads! The Winter Sea is still one of my all time favorite books and I can't wait to start The Firebird!

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  50. Your book sounds interesting. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  51. Ooh! I hope I win!! I literally devoured The Firebird... I of course had to read Winter Sea and Shadowy Horses first but trust me I did not complain!!

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  52. I absolutely LOVED the Firebird, and am crossing my fingers that maybe I will win! Thank you so much for the giveaway and all the work you do!!!
    Tiffany

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  53. Oh, random number generator, pick me!

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  54. I'm really looking forward to The Firebird. I read Marianna last fall and immediately had to get The Rose Garden, The Shadowy Horses, and The Winter Sea (and kick myself for not having known about your work already). Thank you for the wonderful stories!

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  55. Oh, I can't hardly wait to read Firebird. I lived and breathed Winter Sea and read it twice in a row before I asked my friend to take it back so I could return to reality (dishes, 3 kids under 6 years old and laundry again). When I have ungrounded myself I will dive in deaply and read many more, usually more than once. I hope I win!

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  56. I received Mariana as a gift and just had to go out and pick up more of your books - so far I have loved every one I've read! Thank you for the opportunity to win The Firebird!

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    1. Hi Sarah! Congratulations--you're the winner of a copy of The Firebird! Please email me at susanna(underscore)kearsley(at)yahoo(dot)ca with your full name and mailing address and I'll get your copy in the mail to you!

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    2. Thank you so much!!

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  57. This book sounds amazing, and I can't wait to read it! I would love to win a copy!

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  58. I love your books, and The Winter Sea, The Firebird, and The Rose Garden are my favorites.

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  59. The Firebird was one of my favorite of your books, along with The Winter Sea (which was the first of your books that I read). I read all of your books last year...and waited patiently until The Firebird was released this year. I'm looking forward to your next book.

    I've enjoyed reading about the 10 Unforgettable Adventures, and am looking forward to reading them as well.

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  60. So excited to start reading all of these great books!
    Chelsea Humphries

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  61. I'm SO looking forward to Firebird! I've loved your other books, and I'm looking forward to seeing Rob again.

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  62. I devoured my copy of The Firebird, it was such good reading! Would love another chance to win the whole set though and share my love of these books!

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  63. I'm definitely looking forward to reading this and would love a chance to win!

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  64. I adore the Winter's Sea, it is one of my favorite books! The Firebird was amazing as well, I would love to own my own copy. I have read every one of your books I could get my hands on, and I can't get enough of them! I recommend them to all of my friends and we are currently reading one for our book club right now. Thank you for sharing your talent :)

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  65. Looking forward to reading the new book - I love your books!
    Best, Jo Ann

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