The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley (Allison & Busby, £7.99) (From Gazette & Herald)

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley (Allison & Busby, £7.99)

9:50am Wednesday 15th February 2012 in Books By Bill Spence

EVA Ward is grieving the death of her beloved sister Katrina who had become a famous film star in America.

Knowing that her sister’s ashes would have to be scattered in a ‘special’ place, Eva brings them to Cornwall where she and Katrina had spent an idyllic childhood.

Staying with friends in their old family home, Trelowarth, she feels at peace and starts to help Susan and Mark overcome their financial crisis by her involvement with their development of a tearoom in the old rose garden.

Claire, Susan and Mark’s stepmother shares family stories and strong ties are formed. Eva finds Trelowarth seems to have magical powers and when she is alone hears voices talking of events from the 18th century; suddenly she finds herself in that same past. Daniel and his brother Jack are Jacobites and smugglers who are in grave danger from the village constable.

Unable to control her time travel, Eva’s visits put increasing pressure onto those lives caught up in treacherous events, but she finds her heart increasingly yearning to stay in this different era, for she has fallen madly in love with Daniel Butler.

The author has managed to create tension in both past and present in this well thought out plot and makes it believable.

There is a twist at the end which makes you wonder and question the whole subject of time. I applaud any writer tackling difficult themes and I am sure readers, especially women, will love this historical romance with a difference.